Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 157: Is This The End?

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Chapter 157: Is This The End?

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[ Warning: Refrain from using Black Friday again; the weapon poses a risk of catastrophic failure. ]

“What now?...”

What else does she have at her disposal? Two Explosive Orbs? Not a chance! There were more than just this one creature lurking nearby; the sound of an Explosive Orb detonating in this dimly lit expanse would undoubtedly draw more attention. Who could say if another cataclysm-class monster would come charging in?

The Moonlight Bow, stripped of the Lunar Essence, was no more effective than the defensive towers below.

The Sanctuary Barrier looked as it always did, yet a moment ago, the system had caught her off guard with a notification.

[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 42% ]

Before she could ponder the implications, her gaze met those abyssal eyes, and an overwhelming terror seemed poised to engulf her once again!

[ Mental Assessment in Progress... ]

[ Assessment Successful! ]

The illusions had already taken a severe toll on her mental faculties, and now a splitting headache threatened to shatter her concentration, as if the very nerves in her mind were on the brink of exploding.

The dark monster, previously roaring with rage, ceased its deafening screeches upon seeing Athena retract that peculiar elongated stick.

Realizing it couldn't breach the Sanctuary Barrier, it took a step back.

Yet Athena harbored no delusions about its retreat; her instincts screamed that this was far from over.

Having distanced itself, the creature loomed like a miniature mountain in the gloom. It tilted its head skyward, unleashing a soul-shaking howl that echoed through the heavens, as though attempting to shake the very fabric of the world.

Without warning, it charged forward with terrifying might of a mountain!

Its colossal form colliding violently against the transparent Sanctuary Barrier!

BAAMB!

A thunderous sound erupted, sending tremors and shockwaves through the barrier. The surrounding monsters were flung far away, if not smashed into visceral pieces!

Athena felt her heart clench tightly.

However, this ginormous monster had no intention of giving up; it continued to batter the barrier, each collision reverberating through the air reaching the skies!

[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 22% ]

This could not continue. When the energy hit zero, the barrier would shatter.

While the Sanctuary Barrier was active, no other barriers could be deployed. Even if she attempted to switch to another barrier the moment the Sanctuary Barrier crumbled, it would offer little defense and would soon be shattered itself.

That instant of interruption—be it merely a fraction of a second—could prove fatal.

Once the Sanctuary fell, she would become a wandering player. The system had not elaborated on the consequences, but it could only lead to a slow demise.

Taking a deep breath, she leapt down from the upper floor.

She needed to prepare for the worst!!!

In her garden, she gathered the little plant spirits still nestled in the soil and retracted all the trees.

Approaching the low wall, she gently touched the still-unfurling flower bud.

[ Retrieval Successful! ]

A small green orb containing delicate new shoots emerged—it was a thorn vine. Regrettably, such special items could not be stored in her bag space.

The nearby Grey seemed to anticipate Athena's intentions, yet glancing at the fearsome creature outside and the trembling Sanctuary Barrier rendered her speechless.

She approached Prince and Princess, smiling as she neared them, and swiftly knocked both unconscious. Watching, she noted how Mikmik intended to imitate her.

The three little ones turned their heads, their first ferocious displays of baring teeth at her, refusing to submit.

[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 16% ]

No time left to dawdle!

“Grey.” This was the first time Athena spoke to her with such seriousness.

“Take them and go. I... I shall find you later.”

With a resolute gaze, she entrusted her beloved companions to Grey.

She produced nearly all the remaining food and tree seeds, handing them to Grey, leaving herself with merely a day’s worth of rations and 600 silver coins.

She couldn’t leave, but they could.

The Goblin tribe was, after all, a treacherous group that dwelled in shadows. Their investment in Athena had undoubtedly stemmed from her being a third-world inhabitant, benefitting from the system with an exceptionally rapid growth rate, perhaps seeing her as a potential source for a ‘great tree’ in the future.

But Athena was not unique; she was merely one among many players.

Yet should she become a wandering player, how could the Goblins ever accept her, an alien among them—strong yet unstable, rich yet devoid of her third-world identity?

She wouldn’t gamble, wouldn’t wager on mere chance, nor on the hearts of others.

But Princess and the others were different. They were special beings, even having the chance for a second master recognition. They inherently possessed value; moreover, she had entrusted Grey with ample resources.

Only after confirming Athena’s demise would the bond with the Goblin tribe become evident, allowing them to care for these little ones until her return.

She opened her system panel and flipped through her tomes; the Goblin page still glimmered with light, a sign that they remained safe.

[ Would you like to teleport to the Goblin tribe? ]

"Yes"

Athena expended a World Stone, and a familiar teleportation portal materialized within the Sanctuary.

The appearance of the teleportation array did not go unnoticed by the monstrous entity outside; its assaults became swifter and more frantic.

As the portal manifested, the system issued another warning.

[ Players are advised not to attempt escape while under attack in the Sanctuary! Failure to comply will result in immediate classification as a wandering player! ]

“Go.” She maintained her usual calm gaze upon Grey.

But upon glancing at the little ones nestled in her arms, and then back at the three little ones and Athena, Grey found herself unable to voice her concerns; her throat felt parched. Their time together had barely spanned a month, yet it had been the most thrilling time of their lives.

Her father had told her many stories about the inhabitants of the third world, all ending in tragedy.

-No one survives.

Yet stories were but stories; they wouldn’t become her reality, would they?

“Goodbye.”

She forced herself to remain spirited.

Athena uttered no grand farewells, nor did she expect any in return.

For she firmly believed that Athena would return, just as she always did after each battle, certain of victory.

Grey led the little ones through the portal, but due to exceeding the allowable number, Athena had to offer another World Stone, yet the portal remained unsealed.

She looked at the three little ones, who recoiled at her approach.

"Are you certain you won’t go?"

Their defiance spoke volumes.

“Fine, we haven’t the time to linger; it’s your choice.”

“Just don’t regret it!”

[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 10% ]

...

Since arriving in this world, Athena had witnessed too many deaths and too many sufferings. The population in the region dwindled daily; she never believed herself to be particularly special, merely striving with every ounce of strength for the slightest chance at survival while utilizing the hints given by purple texts.

A mere moment- no more than one second- was not an opportunity given by enemies; it had to be seized.

Yet even if she managed to grasp it, it would only delay death, much like each defense tower mission; the goal was always to repel and exterminate the creatures.

Under the gaze of the servant of the dark, the small and fragile human stepped boldly out of their damned shell.

A piercing, shrill laugh echoed through the heavens.