Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree-Chapter 316 - 299: Mutated Abyss Worm

"What the heck... what kind of creepy thing is this?!"

The players were startled upon seeing the ferocious worms lunging at them.

However, when they instinctively tried to draw their hidden weapons to slay them, they realized they had lost control of their bodies.

Under their feet, a massive array had somehow formed, restricting their movement capabilities.

Surrounding them, hundreds of desperate believers wearing hoods stood at glowing nodes, murmuring something.

"An imprisonment array..."

*Feeling the controlling force under her, Eve’s heart was stirred.*

Yet, she didn’t struggle, nor did she help the players escape.

Because the moment the worms appeared, she had already recognized their identity through the World Tree’s inheritance:

"Mutated Abyss Worms..."

Abyss Worms were low-grade demon worms living in the abyss, often considered food by many demons.

However, those were ordinary Abyss Worms.

Although weak, when these little demon worms came into contact with powerful abyss energy or some tainted mythological bloodline, they would mutate.

Mutated Abyss Worms gained the ability to parasitize inside other living beings.

They remained weak, but they could enter unsuspecting creatures and ultimately parasitize their brains.

Afterward... the mutated Abyss Worms would make a home of the host’s brain, drawing nutrients, even interfering with thoughts, and gradually devouring their souls.

Over time, the parasitized creatures would gradually lose their souls and consciousness, becoming mere shells, only able to move at the Abyss Worms’ will...

Because of these peculiar abilities, mutated Abyss Worms were favored by many evil gods.

They would keep some mutated Abyss Worms to control other intelligent beings or create their own armies.

Clearly... the Despair Church was doing the same.

Amidst the screams of female players and the curses of male players, each Abyss Worm latched onto a target, bit through their skin, and burrowed inside.

Eve was no exception.

A worm approached her as well, crawled up her leg to her arm, bit through her skin, and entered.

However, Eve did not stop it and allowed the worm to burrow into her body.

She could feel the strange worm heading straight to this body’s brain and, once there, spreading out into a web-like structure, waving tentacles toward the brain. freewebnoveℓ.com

Just as it was about to touch Eve’s brain, Eve discreetly snapped her fingers.

Then, the Abyss Worm twitched slightly, losing its ability to move, curled up into a corner, and shivered.

Of course, Eve had merely used her power to control the worm’s actions, without killing it.

These Abyss Worms had been recognized by the Despair Church; if killed, the church would notice.

*If that happened, everything would be in vain.*

Then, Eve glanced at the other players.

She saw almost everyone beginning to convulse uncontrollably.

She knew it was a sign that the Abyss Worms were about to control their brains...

Of course, the players had no souls. Even if the Abyss Worms controlled their brains, they couldn’t affect the players’ thoughts. At most, the players would horrifically realize they had lost control of their bodies, while their bodies could move freely...

But Eve wouldn’t allow these worms to reach that point.

She quietly snapped her fingers again.

Then all the players felt a warm energy emanating from deep within them.

This warm energy surged toward their brains, and soon... the feeling of dizziness faded away.

However, they still couldn’t regain control of their bodies, nor could they speak.

This was no longer due to the Abyss Worms, but Eve’s manipulation.

Simultaneously, new system messages appeared before their eyes...

[Ding——]

[You are attacked by a mutated Abyss Worm, and it starts to parasitize you...]

[Ding——]

[The Abyss Worm successfully parasitized, attempting to seize control of your body and thoughts]

[Ding——]

[Due to the Goddess’s favor, the Abyss Worm failed to seize control...]

[You received a BUFF: Ineffectual Parasitism of Abyss Worm]

[Effect 1: During Abyss Worm’s ineffectual parasitism, you will find it easier to disguise as a member of the Despair Church and gain their trust.]

[Effect 2: During Abyss Worm’s ineffectual parasitism, your experience gain from killing monsters will decrease by 10%]

For a moment, all the players on site trembled, gradually regaining control of their bodies.

They exchanged glances, seeing a hint of strangeness in each other’s eyes.

Outwardly, they maintained their silence.

But in their chat groups, things were lively.

"What the heck... what kind of weird BUFF is this?"

Surprised by the interface message, Hu Lu was startled.

"Can’t you see? We are registering! With this, it means we’ve successfully infiltrated."

Demacia replied.

Pretty perceptive.

Seeing the messages in the chat channel, Eve raised an eyebrow.

*At the same time, she felt fortunate to have come here incognito.*

*Who would’ve thought the Despair Church controlled others using Abyss Worms!*

The Despair Dragon Nidhogg really seemed to have fallen completely.

This time, if she hadn’t come, remote control wouldn’t have been effective without alerting them to deal with the Abyss Worms attacking the players...

Of course... the female players weren’t as calm:

"Ahhh! This BUFF is so disgusting! How do you get rid of this thing?"

"No way... just thinking about a worm inside my body gives me the creeps."

Even the usually brave Little Xian Miao and Gu Gu Bird couldn’t help rubbing the spot where the worm had burrowed in, their brows furrowed tightly.

However, considering the mission, they eventually suppressed their discomfort and endured it.

Soon enough, players noticed the experience deduction DEBUFF:

"Why is the gained experience also set to decrease?"

Someone wondered aloud.

"This should be a kind of DEBUFF, right? Let’s endure it. After completing ’The Secret of the God of Despair,’ it should be removable, and... it’s only a 10% decrease, which doesn’t impact the mission experience too much."

One player responded uncertainly.

DEBUFFs, indeed, were imposed by Eve.

Controlling these Abyss Worms, preventing them from encroaching on the brain, as well as sustaining their life, naturally came with costs.

*Though these costs were deducted as DEBUFFs.*

*Hmm.*

*Consider it a protection fee.*

Once everything was done, Eve lightly snapped her fingers again.

Suddenly, all the players present received a new system mission:

[Ding——]

[Triggered Hidden Mission: Infiltrate the Despair Church]

[Mission Description: To uncover the secrets of the God of Despair, you decide to infiltrate the Despair Church...]

[Mission Objective: 1. Do not expose yourself. 2. Investigate the secrets of the Despair Church]

[Mission Reward: 10,000 experience points, 5,000 contribution points, exclusive title "Undercover"]

[Failure Penalty: Deduct 5,000 contribution points]

It’s a hidden mission!

Seeing the system message, all players’ eyes lit up.

————

Sorry for the late update. The second Chapter will likely be released around midnight, so feel free to check it out tomorrow morning.