Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure-Chapter 275: The Butterfly Effect

June 25th, 1995, 3:54 PM

Alex, Rishi, the other remaining 12 players, and Menchi stand at Hagrid's hut. A single player is missing: Tereza. Menchi decided to accompany the rest as much as possible, which is her way of offering support.

"Alex... where is your broad?! She's cutting it close," Ben loudly complains.

"First of all, I don't think she'd like it if you called her my broad... but yeah, I care about her quite a lot. Anyway, we said 4 PM—you can't blame her for not being early, can you?" Alex responds.

"Getting a bit worried as well, Alex," Alicia says, agreeing with Ben, "we can't afford to lose more members. If this dungeon is balanced for 25 players, we have a problem. I'm having doubts if we should even risk it—we fulfilled all mission objectives besides this last one. Do we really want to risk it? This may raise our Mission grade by half a grade or so... but, judging from the risk, I'll withdraw if Tereza doesn't show up."

Stefanie also chimes in: "Yeah, if she's scared, she isn't of much use, though I didn't think she was that type! Heh, it looks like she managed to hide it well!"

"She isn't scared... honestly, I think she's late because she's in love with this world and can't get enough. If you'd finally found your paradise, the place where you always wanted to be, and there is a good chance you'll never return... could you simply walk away?" Alex questions them, which surprises them.

As soon as Alex finishes his explanation, Tereza arrives, flying toward Hagrid's hut. Alex checks his [Destiny Watch]—exactly 4 PM.

"See? Nothing to worry about. Let's go!" he says with a smile.

The group nods at each other, and they quickly approach the forest. Menchi approaches the group one more time and hugs him, Tereza, and Jewel before saying: "I'll see you in the Realm! You better not make me wait too long!"

Alex responds with a thumbs up, and Tereza assures her: "Trust us—see you soon, Menchi!"

"Wait one second," Alex orders as he raises his hand. Deciding to make sure they are not walking into their doom, Alex loudly asks: "I wonder if we forgot something? Is there something we should do?" At the same time, Alex activates the effect of his [Destiny Watch].

[Destiny Watch]

World: Hunter x Hunter

Quality:Light Purple

Type: Trinket (pocket watch)

Required Stats: LUK - 10

Effect:Increases LUK by 1 (If LUK is below 10, just carrying this item will reduce your LUK by 1, and the other effects will remain inactive, displaying random information instead.)

Effect: Always shows the current day, weekday, month, year, temperature, humidity, and contains a 100% reliable compass. Works in any world—circles may adjust in worlds with alternative interpretations of days, months, or years.

Effect: Once per mission, you can activate this item to give you a random hint. Following the hint always leads to a good outcome!

Note: All-knowing, mysterious, and magical, this watch holds powers that provide accurate information regardless of location. However, if the wearer’s LUK is low, it won’t work at all and even decreases the wearer’s LUK.

Note: If you look carefully at this watch, you may discover the source of its mysterious power.

A rainbow-colored butterfly appears in front of Alex, slowly flying in a certain direction.

"Follow me," Alex announces with confidence.

"Why?! Where are you going?!" one soldier asks, confused.

They can't see it?? I see... this item is cloaked in Aura. The Butterfly is probably a Nen ability.

Can you see it, Jewel?

Dearest Soulmate, Princess Jewel sees it! It looks majestic, and it appears to be a suitable pet for Princess Jewel. Also, if she ever gets tired of it, she can just eat it. A fun and useful tool fit for a Princess!

I'm afraid you can't eat it if it's made out of Aura... wait a minute... was that a joke Jewel? You are growing up! Anyway, let's go.

❤️

The players follow Alex for quite a while until Alex realizes where the Butterfly is taking him.

I see... Could it be?!

Perhaps all these tasks beforehand had meaning, after all!

"I see, Alex. This isn't something we didn't try before. We asked the Centaurs for help before, but we didn't succeed. Do you think you might succeed now?" Alicia questions him, with a confused expression.

"Let him try his best—sometimes he can create miracles!" Tereza proudly declares.

The players follow Alex as he trails the rainbow-colored butterfly straight to the centaur leader's camp. The ethereal creature suddenly explodes into a shower of rainbow light that quickly dissipates into the air.

"Humans..." Magor, the centaur leader, shifts nervously on his hooves. "I see you've returned... and in greater numbers this time. What brings you to us?"

Alex steps forward without hesitation. "Magor, we're making our final strike against the Corruption today. Only one target remains, as you well know." He locks eyes with the centaur. "I have one question: Do you want to reclaim your home? To restore the forest to its former glory? Or will you cower before the Corruption, flee, and abandon your ancestral lands?"

Magor's tail flicks anxiously. "...Human, do you understand what you're asking? The risk—"

"Magor!" Alex cuts him off sharply. "We're outsiders who'll soon leave this world forever, yet we're risking our lives. How can you not defend your own home?" His voice grows passionate. "Yes, there's risk... but I expected more pride from the centaurs! The Corruption has ravaged your lands, slaughtered your kin... even taken your own son!" Alex pauses, then adds more gently, "We'll respect your decision... but I beg you to reconsider. Remember what your son would have done."

Magor's powerful hooves slam into the earth with such force that the ground trembles.

"You're right, human." Flames of determination burn in the centaur's eyes. "I'll rally every warrior we have. We'll fight with you to the bitter end! I'll lead them myself. Wait outside our camp."

As the players withdraw from the centaur settlement, grins spread across their faces. Ben gives Alex an approving smack on the back. "Damn! Good job! No idea how you pulled that off, but well done!"

"They'll make excellent meat shields," Rishi remarks casually, drawing shocked looks from the others. After a moment's hesitation, most nod reluctantly—none object to having expendable allies between them and danger.

"Just remember to stay behind them," Rishi adds pragmatically. "They're ranged fighters with those bows of theirs."

Alex frowns. "Rishi, I'm fine with using them strategically, but let's save them for when we truly need them, alright? For now, let's stick to our original formation."

"Fine," Rishi concedes. "But when things get dangerous, we fall back and let them buy us time."

Ten minutes later, about two dozen centaurs emerge from their camp, clad in leather armor with bows slung across their backs. Magor leads them, his voice ringing with conviction: "We fight beside you humans... to the bitter end! Today we purge this Corruption once and for all!"

The combined force of players and centaurs advances toward Aragog's lair. The remnants of the Wall of Corruption still mar the landscape, and the forest grows increasingly lifeless as they proceed. Soon, the pulsating dome of Corruption surrounding Aragog's nest comes into view.

Is there an entrance? There must be one! En!

Alex expands his En and quickly locates a narrow tunnel leading into the nest. "Found our way in," he announces. "Everyone stay sharp from here on out. Remember the plan." He turns to Magor. "Your warriors should provide ranged support, but be prepared to do more when things get intense."

The centaur leader snorts. "Don't underestimate us, human. We wield spears as well as bows. You may be surprised by what we can do."

Until now, you haven't done a thing... Well, brag all you want—I just want to get this over with.

The tunnel proves eerily empty when they enter. Alex scans meticulously with both En and Gyo but detects no threats.

"It's clear... which honestly worries me," he admits.

"Why?!" Stefanie asks, visibly confused.

Rishi answers bluntly: "They'll be expecting us. That's not even in question."

Emerging into the Corruption dome, the group finds themselves surrounded by webs and air that glow with ominous purple energy. Through Gyo, Alex spots the horrifying truth—around 100 fully grown Acromantulas, and at the center, Aragog himself, grown to monstrous proportions, his bulk dwarfing even an elephant.

"Fuck! About a hundred Acromantulas... and they're fucking massive! Aragog's even bigger than he should be! Everyone, positions now!" Alex cautions.

A bone-chilling voice, dripping with hatred, echoes through the cavern: "Humans... You've slaughtered my children, destroyed my servants' outpost, burned down the very walls of my kingdom! Now you dare come for my life? Filthy, disgusting humans!" The words make everyone's skin crawl.

"I'll give you one final chance: Leave now and never return... or become food for my children!" Aragog threatens.

Alex forces a casual demeanor, though he can’t help but display a creepy smile. "Aragog, my ugly friend, you're lucky we're pressed for time. We're actually here to negotiate." He holds up a small cloth sack. "But first, Hagrid wanted us to deliver his final message to you. Read it, then we'll talk terms."

Slowly approaching the Acromantula horde, Alex reaches into the sack. A faint purple glow emanates from within as he withdraws his hand. With a smooth motion, he hurls the sack directly at Aragog's feet.

"Hagrid's last message," Aragog whispers. For just a moment, Aragog's aggressive posture falters as curiosity gets the better of him, his eye-color changing from Purple, the color of Corruption, back to black.