Realm of Myths and Legends-Chapter 1175: Sea of Cherry Blossoms

In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of cherry blossoms appeared in the air and filled up the surroundings.

When the cherry blossoms first made their appearance, most of the players present noticed smalls cuts appearing on different areas of their body as they lost a negligible amount of their HP. However, as more cherry blossoms started to rain down, the cuts became deeper and more numerous. As a result, what could once be brushed off as something that could be ignored transformed into a huge problem as everyone's HP started to decrease at a steady pace.

The healers immediately went into action. Those who had AOE healing skills used them to offset the damage from the cherry blossoms. Others employed barriers or damage reduction buffs. But, despite the best efforts of the healers, the cherry blossoms only seemed to gain momentum as they blew wildly throughout the battlefield.

"Hurry! Rush into the Ore Cave! Those who can't make it retreat!" Hirogen shouted as his expression darkened.

He did not know how these cherry blossoms appeared in this place; however, it did not take him long to recognize they danger they brought with them.

"At this rate, the healers won't be able to sustain everyone. We have to push forward and use the Ore Cave as cover." Hirogen thought to himself as he charged toward the Ore Cave.

When Hirogen gave the order and made his move, the others followed after him as they rushed toward the entrance of the Ore Cave.

But, just as they approached the entrance, Hirogen felt a cold and sharp energy from above.

"Dodge!" Hirogen said as he abruptly halted his charge and kicked off his back foot.

Woosh! Woosh! Woosh!

Almost immediately after Hirogen left the spot he was just at, three light blue swords formed from mana pierced into the ground.

"Tch! What is this? Has this area of Kifa Karsts always been this unwelcoming?" Wipeout said as a transparent protective barrier lingered around his body.

"Noooo!" A loud scream echoed from within the group of players, causing those at the head of the group to instinctively look back toward the direction it came from.

"What is this ridiculous scene..?" Snow Blossom uttered as her eyes widened in disbelief.

Players were falling several at a time in a storming sea of cherry blossoms. Many of them tried to escape; however, their vision was obstructed by the parade of cherry blossoms. There was also the fact that their ranks had fallen into chaos. If it were just one guild who was used to working together, it may have been possible to retreat. Unfortunately, most of the players present prioritized trying to save themselves or their own guild members. In doing so, the situation quickly devolved into one of chaos and confusion.

"Dammit..! Why did this thing suddenly appear here?! Is our luck really this terrible?!" Denier questioned angrily.

"We can't even approach the Ore Cave..! What are we supposed to do in this situation?!" Uraga yelled out.

"We have no choice! It's too late to fall back from this spot! Break through to the Ore Cave!" Hirogen said as he dashed onward.

Hirogen brandished the spear in his hands as he prepared to face the swords head on this time.

Woosh! Woosh! Ding!

Hirogen swept his spear outward in an arc, striking the swords of energy that rushed toward him as he approached the Ore Cave. The impact caused Hirogen to wince as a heavy pressure descended upon him.

Bang!

"?!" Hirogen's spear was knocked aside by the swords of energy as they pierced into his body.

The two strikes were enough to shave over more than 60% of Hirogen's HP in one go.

Almost instantly after the swords of energy impaled Hirogen, two more materialized overhead before the Ore Cave's entrance and sped in his direction.

"I have to avoid it!" Hirogen thoughts raced as he attempted to fall back once more.

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The moment Hirogen tried to move, he found himself locked in place by an unknown force. He looked down at his right leg where one of the swords of energy pierced. That's when Hirogen realized that numerous strands of energy had wrapped itself around his leg. Furthermore, those strands of energy led into the ground where they seemed to take root.

Hirogen was caught completely off guard as the two swords of energy arrived and slashed through him.

There was a stunned expression on Hirogen's face as his body turned to particles. He was a core member of Broken Exile, a guild considered to be the strongest among the top guilds. Yet, he was the first to fall among the other group leaders present in front of everyone. As the realization sunk in, the expression on Hirogen's face transformed from stunned into dread.

"No way..! Hirogen—he was actually killed so easily by those swords...!" Denier exclaimed as he could not hide his shock.

Denier was not the only one shaken by Hirogen's abrupt departure. The other group leaders had already halted their approach to the Ore Cave's entrance after Hirogen's demise and they were also left dumbfounded.

Even if they would not openly admit it, among the group leaders present, everyone had accepted that Hirogen was the strongest. If even he could not withstand those terrifying swords, what chance did they possibly have against it?

"We have to fall back! Members of Mist Palace, retreat from this place at once!" Snow Autumn said as she clenched her fists tightly.

As a member of Mist Palace, it was humiliating for her to have to retreat in front of Sleeping Gardenia. However, she and the other group leaders were not like the players stationed in Kifa Karsts. They were still a part of the ongoing event and each event life was precious as it could never be replenished.

The situation would be different if they could guarantee securing the Ore Cave; however, the group that accompanied them was being slaughtered in a sea of cherry blossoms.

Not to mention, if they fell here, they would lose their hard earned experience and have to deal with Soul Weakness. It was even possible that some of their equipment would drop on their death.

For a core member to lose a precious piece of equipment was no different than potentially putting their spot up for grabs. After all, a single piece of high level rare or epic equipment was enough to change one's overall power. Naturally, no one wanted to risk handing over their position to others.

"Fall back! Everyone, retreat!" Denier ordered.

"Get out! Don't wait for others!" Uraga yelled.

One by one, Snow Autumn and the other group leaders began to order their guild members to retreat.

No one knew where this storm of cherry blossoms or those terrifying swords emerged from; however, one thing was clear in everyone's minds at that point—they had failed.

"Lotus Guard, hear my command! Do not let a single one of them leave this place!" Valkyria's voice sounded.

The next moment, members of the Lotus Guard suddenly appeared and completely surrounded the area.

Phhhtk!

"Ahhh!" One of the players who was fortunate enough to make it near the end of the storm of cherry blossoms was greeted by a sword. Since his health was already low due to the damage received from the Endless Blossom Array, he was defeated without a chance to fight back as his body dissipated.

"It's Sleeping Gardenia- Ahhh!" One of the players from Defiant yelled just as he was slain.

When Snow Autumn, Denier, Wipeout, Uraga and Ace of Saint realized what was happening, their hearts sunk.

"Impossible...! This is impossible...! Are you telling me they planned this from the beginning?!" Snow Autumn voiced in disbelief as she grit her teeth angrily.

"That voice just now, I'd recognize it anywhere! It must be Valkyria and the Lotus Guard! When did Sleeping Gardenia have this type of power?! Is it a trump card of the Lotus Guard?!" Denier questioned.

At first, everyone believed that the sudden appearance of the cherry blossoms was a stroke of misfortune. However, seeing how Sleeping Gardenia hid themselves and waited to strike as they tried to retreat, it was obvious that it was a trap that had been set for them from the beginning.

Whether it was an SSS-ranked skill or a high-grade magic item, no one knew that exact answer. But, whatever the case, Sleeping Gardenia never planned to make their stand using the single passageway into the Ore Cave. From the start, Sleeping Gardenia planned to wipe them out!