I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 116 Against the Eldergrove

It was as if the elves had set this trial to test the bonds between rival guilds and adventurers alike, daring them to set aside differences for a common goal.

Alone, the Guardian was an insurmountable force; together, perhaps they had a shot at toppling it.

But they had already triggered its awakening, and the only path left was forward.

Seraphina's resolve hardened as she raised her blade. "We're in this now, like it or not. Keep the pressure on, and watch your weapon durability," she commanded, her voice a steady anchor amidst the rising chaos.

She glanced at her sword, already showing the faintest signs of wear from the impact against Eldergrove's resilient stone form. They were in for a grueling battle.

Horizon was grappling with the same thoughts as Seraphina. How could this challenge have been designed with such an insurmountable obstacle?

The Eldergrove was clearly not intended to be taken down by a mere five-person team.

They needed help—at least four other guilds.

Horizon had faith in his team, confident that with Damon, Ford, David, and the might of his dragon companions, they could bring down the Eldergrove.

But the cost of such a victory might be far too high; he wasn't willing to sacrifice his army for a single boss fight.

And what about the other regions? They couldn't afford to exhaust their forces on just one Guardian. The thought of tackling all the formidable foes lurking in the shadows of this sprawling domain within the time limit sent a chill down his spine.

If they continued on this path, they'd be wiped out long before the ten-day deadline was reached.

He paused, strategizing. "If we can lure it away from the monolith, we stand a chance to sneak past it and reach for the monolith. It's risky, but if we play our cards right, we can turn this situation to our advantage."

"Then it's settled," Horizon declared. "We'll use them to slip past into the next region." He pointed at Wingless Valkyries, ready to put the plan into action.

Meanwhile, Velvet dashed past, her daggers glinting. "Guess we'll just have to make it bleed, one cut at a time," she said with a wild grin, unfazed by the guardian's massive health pool.

Around them, the forest seemed to echo Eldergrove's energy, its ancient, almost sentient aura pressing down on them like a weight.

They each steeled themselves, ready for a fight that would push them to their limits. This would be no ordinary battle — it was a trial of endurance, skill, and sheer willpower, and the only way out was through.

Eldergrove roared again, the sound washing over them like a thunderstorm. Its emerald eyes locked onto Dawnfire, perhaps sensing the threat her flames posed.

With surprising speed for a creature of its size, it swiped an arm across the battlefield. Dawnfire rolled away just in time, but the ground where she'd stood was crushed into a crater, earth and roots curling up in jagged spikes.

"Keep it moving!" Velvet shouted, her figure darting around the guardian, her daggers flashing as she aimed for any weak points she could find.

Yet every strike seemed to barely scratch its rocky exterior, the creature shrugging off her efforts as though they were nothing more than insect bites.

Aria, from the safety of the rear, began chanting a powerful melody, casting waves of buffs and illusions to support her team. The haunting tune sharpen their senses, giving them a faint edge against the imposing threat before them.

Eldergrove bellowed as it swung its massive limbs, roots and vines extending like whips, sweeping across the battlefield with relentless fury.

For every wound inflicted, it seemed to repair itself with astonishing speed, drawing life force directly from the earth beneath.

Wingless Valkyries quickly realized that the ground they fought on was its lifeline; each step they took was on terrain Eldergrove could manipulate at will.