What is an offensive priest?

Chapter 24 Shadow Druid

Richard and his companion followed the elven druid into the verdant woods.

After passing through the narrow outer layer of the natural cave, the interior suddenly opens up.

At the end of the passage lies a secret forest hidden within a circular cliff.

Lush greenery, with vines and other green plants seemingly possessing a spirit, clinging to the verdant trees and stone walls like swimming tentacles.

The air was filled with a fresh scent of flowers and grass.

In the center of the forest, there is a sacred pool surrounded by white boulders, with a statue of Sylvanas enshrined in the center.

The glowing moss drew a complex magic circle ten feet in diameter on the stone slab, the patterns flowing with a pale green natural magic in the twilight.

That is a forest protection array, which can dispel evil, purify pollution, and protect the lush forest from external harm.

As Richard walked along, his brow furrowed slightly, keenly sensing that something was amiss.

Avel looked at him too, his crimson eyes flashing with the same doubt.

The druids in the woodland have all disappeared, which is unusual.

According to the standard organization of Green Courtyard, a branch camp should have at least twelve full-fledged druids, plus apprentices and allied creatures.

But as they walked along, they only saw a few scattered druids, who also looked at them with hostile eyes.

rustling sounds—

Suddenly, a grayish-brown hare darted out of the bushes on the right, running around frantically as if startled.

Its mouth opened and closed rapidly, making a series of rapid squeaks, and its front paws frantically pawed at the ground, as if warning something.

But the leading elven druid ignored it and continued walking deeper into the woods without even stopping.

Noticing the rabbit's unusual behavior, Richard and his companion exchanged a glance.

Avel took a small crystal bottle from his pouch, containing a pale green, viscous liquid—an animal-talking potion.

Pull out the cork and tilt your head back to drink it.

The moment the medicine entered their throats, a cool, stinging sensation shot straight to their brains, and the rabbit's cries gradually became clearer in their ears.

"Go...go quickly...!"

"Hot red skin, danger..."

Because hares have limited intelligence, their language logic is unable to describe complex things.

Although it was just a few words, it was enough to make Richard and his companion, who sensed something was wrong, become wary.

There's definitely something wrong with this lush green woodland!

Led by the elf druid, the two arrived at a treehouse deep in the woods.

The treehouse was built in the branches of a huge ironwood tree, about fifteen feet off the ground.

The house is entirely woven from living tree branches, blending seamlessly with the trees themselves. The roof is covered with thick moss, and flowering vines hang down from the edges.

A halfling stood at the entrance of the treehouse.

The leader of the Greenwoods, the Great Druid Mok.

He was less than three feet tall, with a stocky build, and wore a simple set of armor made of tanned brown bear skin, the surface of which was painted with intricate druidic runes using plant dyes.

He wore a living tree crown made of fresh oak branches, but he did not show any demeanor of a druid leader. Instead, he looked ridiculous, like a monkey wearing a crown.

"I heard you were sent by Halsin?"

Archdruid Mok's gaze swept over the two men with a thoughtful look, a bizarre smile playing on his lips.

"What's wrong?"

"Have the drow elves of the Underdark changed their ways? They're actually concerned about the lives of humans now."

Ignoring his mockery, Avel presented the emblem of the Moon Society and sought help from the archdruid.

"I come from Blackrock Town near the woodlands, which is currently under threat from goblins. I hope to receive assistance from Greenwood."

Grand Druid Mok took the badge, examined it, and after confirming that it was Halsin's aura, handed it back to Aiver.

But his attitude did not change as a result.

"You may leave. Druids do not participate in human struggles."

Upon hearing this, Avel did not want to give up easily and tried to fight for it.

"But Master Halsin once said that it is the doctrine of you Druids to extend a helping hand to creatures in need."

Archdruid Mok clearly wasn't buying it. The way he looked at Richard lacked the peace and wisdom of the rumored druids; instead, it was full of belligerence and aggression...

"Halsin?" he scoffed, his voice rough and grating. "If it weren't for you carrying his badge, no human who enters the Verdant Woods would leave alive!"

Archdruid Mok opened his arms and pointed to the excessively quiet forest around him, each word like a stone hitting the ground.

"In the laws of nature, the weak will face elimination!"

"The town's demise was entirely their own fault!"

Upon hearing this, Avel's face suddenly flushed red, not with shame, but with anger.

She opened her mouth to refute, but Richard raised his hand to stop her.

Richard remained silent throughout, but he already knew the Archdruid's attitude.

You can't get the druids' help just by talking.

"So, you mean you're willing to provide assistance as long as your military strength is sufficient?"

The pupils of the Archdruid Mok contracted slightly; this was the first time he had looked directly at the human before him.

A rare expression of interest appeared on that weathered, half-human face.

He looked Richard up and down, gazing into those calm, golden eyes.

"Human, your understanding is very profound."

Nature never believes in tears, only in the survival of the fittest.

"Wild beasts defend their territory with their claws, trees compete for nutrients with their roots, and even the most delicate vines know to strangle the tree trunks that hinder their growth."

He paused, a dangerous glint in his amber eyes.

"But understanding is one thing, having confidence is another."

"I just don't know if you have the strength to match it!"

Before he could finish speaking, Archdruid Mok suddenly clapped his hands.

Snapped--

The crisp sound echoed through the silent forest.

"Zamorn!"

As the shout rang out, another figure slowly emerged from the shadows on the side of the treehouse.

He was also a halfling druid, but compared to Mok, his demeanor was much colder and more sinister.

Zamun was about the same height as Mok, but much thinner, like a dried-out old tree root.

He wore sleeveless leather armor sewn from black panther skin, and his bare arms were covered with animal tattoos that shimmered faintly in the twilight, as if life were writhing beneath his skin.

When he looked at Richard, there was no emotion in his eyes, only pure, beastly ferocity.

It was as if the person standing in front of him was not a human being, but prey.

"Sir Richard, let me handle this."

Avel gripped the magic circle tightly and stood in front of Richard.

But Richard gently pushed her hand away.

"If you want them to help humanity," Richard said, his gaze never leaving Zamon. "then humanity has to solve this problem themselves."

"Grand Druid Mok looked at Zamun and said."

"This human wants to see what you're capable of."

Zamun grinned, revealing a set of sharp teeth that were completely unlike those of a halfling.

He didn't speak, but slowly lowered his body, a posture that didn't resemble a human's, but rather a ferocious beast preparing to pounce on its prey.

"Lord Richard, be careful," Avel whispered, "these druids will transform into their Wilderness forms."

"The tattoos on his body are marks of wildness; he has mastered at least three animal forms, and..."

She was interrupted.

Suddenly, Zamun, standing before him, twisted in pain.

His body began to swell and deform, and his bones made a teeth-grinding cracking sound!

His body was covered in jet-black fur, as if he were wearing a thick suit of armor.

Roar--!

The deafening roar made the leaves in the entire forest tremble.

In just three breaths, the druid in front of him transformed into a black giant bear, eight feet tall and with shoulders as wide as a door!