While a certain Demon King was snapping up fire-resistance-related potions, the major guilds were naturally doing the same. After all, the gear and materials from Barenna Underground Fortress could directly impact the power gap between guilds.
Though the rumors about Barenna circulating on forums and among players had a strong whiff of hearsay, the guilds weren’t about to ignore them. Some details dug up by lore enthusiasts carried real credibility.
Alwyn Empire, Sifrina Region, Torch Valley.
The valley earned its name from terrain resembling a torch—a common leveling spot with monsters from Level 15 to 20. Its usual peace was now shattered by Stormwind Guild players scattered in pairs and trios, farming the local mobs.
Leveling was only part of it. Their main goal was the Weak Burn Resistance Potion recipes that dropped here.
High fire damage intel had spread widely on the forums. Guild leadership thought deeper—speculating abnormal debuffs might exist. Hence the push here, and not just Torch Valley. Stormwind had teams in every spot that dropped related recipes.
Even if it was just guesswork, better safe than sorry. Worst case, the fire resistance from these potions would hold value once Barenna opened.
Back in Torch Valley, a freshly spawned Lava Beast leader quickly found itself swarmed by Stormwind players. Countless spells and attacks hammered its tough rocky hide, leaving glaring scars.
Despite leader-tier defense and health, it lasted less than half an hour under the onslaught. A final blow ended its remaining life, and it collapsed with a boom.
Cheers rose around it. Blade Dim couldn’t help a faint smile, but before he could join the excitement, a sudden beeping pulled his attention.
Glancing at the guild members resting nearby, he stepped away and accepted the call.
“Blade bro, emergency!”
Hearing the urgency on the other end, Blade Dim grew curious. “What’s up? Take it slow.”
“No time—get President Caesar and the team over here now!”
“You gotta explain first. We’re still leveling in Torch Valley.” The cryptic panic made Blade Dim frown. This guy wasn’t usually so flustered.
As he wondered what could’ve happened, hearty laughter rang out. A big hand clapped his shoulder.
“Hey, Blade, why the long face? Don’t tell me a girl dumped you.” Black King Caesar teased, grinning.
“Boss, cut me some slack—I’m still single…” Blade Dim started to protest, but the voice on the comms made him jump. “What? Barenna opened?”
“The fortress opened? When?”
Even Black King Caesar froze at the news, his hands pausing mid-air.
But Blade Dim didn’t notice, continuing the conversation. Whatever was said relaxed his furrowed brow. “…You little punk, next time finish your sentences.”
Ending the call, Blade Dim shook his head with a wry smile. “Not quite. That guy said it’s close—the Barenna Underground Fortress entrance opened.”
“Entrance? Where?”
“It’s another instance, right next to Barenna.”
After Blade Dim’s explanation, Black King Caesar got it.
“Birchwood bro wants us to bring the elite team. He thinks this instance is heavily tied to Barenna—might help us scout the interior. At worst, we get a rough idea.”
Black King Caesar stroked his stubbled chin. “Didn’t see that coming. Empire Epic and Starry Myth probably sent people too. Heh, let’s join the fun. Blade, rally the team.”
“Got it.” Blade Dim nodded and immediately started pulling people in the team channel.
Anyone with eyes could see the link between this “Barenna Underground Fortress Entrance” instance and the main one. Guild leaderships weren’t blind—upon hearing the news, every major guild dispatched elite teams.
Torch Valley wasn’t far from the instance. Black King Caesar soon led the elite group to the Barenna region.
The once-quiet Karnes Grasslands—still waiting for the main opening—now teemed with teams. In the distance, toward the city, more figures rushed over: guild groups and solo players alike.
“Way livelier than other instances.”
“Yeah, pretty rare.”
Seeing the bustle, some girls in the team whispered excitedly.
Everyone understood why. After Black Prison Forest’s hype as the empire’s first instance faded, higher-level ones opened gradually.
Unless rewards were exceptional, they drew little attention. Yet this entrance instance—merely related—had caused such a stir. It spoke volumes about Barenna’s loot richness.
“Boss, Normal or Hard?” At the entrance, Blade Dim hesitated.
Black King Caesar paused too. “Hard. We can always play it safe.”
No wonder the caution—Black Prison Forest’s trauma lingered. With Barenna’s rumored difficulty, its entrance wouldn’t be a cakewalk.
After Blade Dim selected Hard, white light flashed. The twenty-man team appeared inside.
Black King Caesar rubbed his chin, eyeing the surroundings with interest. “So this is the Barenna entrance? Looks pretty legit.”
They stood in a massive underground cavern. Charred, jagged rocks formed towering walls on both sides, leaving only a wide central path. Farther in, scalding lava pools and hot steam were visible.
Bright flames bathed the cavern in crimson—like the infernal scenes from epics.
“Matches the official Barenna preview art. Definitely connected.”
The team chattered excitedly.
“Boss, something up ahead.”
Blade Dim spotted figures in the distance and called out, refocusing everyone.
Black King Caesar withdrew his gaze and led the team forward. There, several middle-aged men who looked like miners stood.
After a brief talk, they learned the rough plot: deep in Barenna, a demon was born with immense power. The miners barely escaped and wanted to warn the town for a garrison sweep.
When they learned Black King Caesar’s group planned to investigate, the miners—failing to dissuade them—revealed the flame demon Erstein was gathering strength and had posted monsters to guard the entrance.
Only by defeating the guard deep in the cavern—the Dread Hellhound under Erstein—could Barenna open.
System: Instance quest [Eliminate Flame Demon Erstein’s Subordinate] activated.
“Looks like this entrance instance’s final boss is that Dread Hellhound,” Black King Caesar thought, eyeing the prompt. He reminded Blade Dim ahead, “Blade, see if you can dig up side quests.”
“On it.” Blade Dim nodded. After Black Prison Forest, they wouldn’t overlook such things.
But no matter how politely he chatted or praised the Goddess of Light, the miners only replied, “May the Goddess of Light bless you too.” Purely background NPCs.
Seeing that, Black King Caesar gave up. He called Blade Dim back and led the team deeper.
Not far in, they encountered packs of monsters: Molten Flame Serpents, Blazing Turtles—creatures wreathed in fire.
“Drink potions before engaging.” Blade Dim instructed the frontline warriors.
They’d prepped plenty of fire-resistance potions, including a dozen that removed special debuffs.
As the tanks prepared to pull, Black King Caesar suddenly thought of something and called to one shield warrior. “Paper Book, solo-pull a few mobs. Test the numbers.”
Paper Book blinked, then understood. He pulled two monsters aside.
With strong gear backing them, Stormwind cleared the pack effortlessly. Tanks took some burn debuffs from attacks, but they faded quickly—no real pressure.
“Boss, the fire damage isn’t high. Weak Flame Resistance potions cover it fully.” Paper Book, healed to full by clerics, checked his damage log and reported in team chat.
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