**TITLE: She Bloomed Like Spring After Surviving a Winter No One Saw by Lillian Rosewood**
**Chapter 58: The Bounty of Demon King Grayford!**
In the heart of the Royal Palace, near the shimmering waters of Starshard Well, an electrifying announcement rippled through the air, reaching every corner of Astralon. Leona stood frozen for a moment, her heart racing as the words echoed in her mind like a sweet melody.
It’s done!
She could hardly contain her excitement, her face breaking into an exuberant smile that lit up her features. The tranquil atmosphere of the Sanctuary seemed to pulse with her energy.
Meanwhile, at Tranquil Sanctuary, Abraxis raised his gaze toward the Starshard Well, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Leona, you’ve been away for so long, and now you return with such a monumental surprise. What have you done?” His voice carried a note of curiosity, mixed with pride.
In the Rainfall Pavilion, the mood was markedly different. Veyla’s expression darkened, shadows creeping into her features. “Mother… Grayson is dead.” The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, thick with unspoken implications.
“I heard,” Fiona replied, her voice steady, yet tinged with an undercurrent of sorrow. She inhaled deeply, drawing strength from within. “From this moment on, you will remain here in Rainfall Pavilion. There will be no more running around.”
“But… aren’t we competing for the throne?” Veyla’s voice trembled, uncertainty creeping into her heart.
“Competing? No, my dear. The throne is rightfully yours!” Fiona’s eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and determination as she shot Veyla a pointed glare, expecting her daughter to grasp the gravity of their situation.
“Think before you act. Elsinara is already at the pinnacle of her power. With Leona’s actions leading to Grayson’s demise, she will be relied upon heavily. Your next step is to keep a low profile and let them battle it out.”
Veyla’s eyes sparkled with realization. “Mother, you’re brilliant,” she breathed, admiration flooding her voice as she began to see the strategy unfold.
Deep within the Great Icy Forest, a colossal palace loomed, its presence as imposing as the figure within. A thunderous roar erupted, shaking the very heavens.
“Who killed my son?! I will tear them limb from limb!!” The fury of the Demon King reverberated through the forest, a chilling promise of vengeance.
A surge of dark energy erupted, scorching the sky and twisting into a massive, ominous mark that seemed to pulse with malevolence. It condensed, solidifying into a black rune, a symbol of wrath and retribution.
“I will hunt down the killer, no matter where they hide!” The vow echoed in the depths of the forest, a declaration that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it.
After the brutal slaying of the Demon King’s son, Alden found a moment of quiet amidst the chaos. He opened his attribute/stats page, a familiar ritual that grounded him.
Nickname: Frost King
Level: 20 (pending class change)
Class: Archer
HP: 462,589 / 462,589
MP: 100/100
Attack: 2,129, Magic Strength: 5
Armor: 3, Magic Resistance: 1
Attack Speed: 8.12, Movement Speed: 14.25
Physical Penetration: 0%, Magic Penetration: 0%
Special Attributes: Lifesteal +5%, Critical Hit +55%
Attribute Points: 100
Luck: Hidden
Guild: Snowbound Guild (5-star)
Talent: Heaven’s Hand (Super God-Level)
Skills: Rapid Shooting (4-star), Basic Attack Amplification (4-star), Lightning Jump (4-star), Withered Tree Reborn (4-star), Revival (4-star), Invincible Body (1-star), Cycle of Death (1-star)
Equipment: Ninefold Longbow (Gold), Galeborn gear set (Bronze), Bloodthirst Necklace (Special), Purifying Pendant (Special), Eye of Purity (Special), Book of Life and Death (God-Given)
His stats had shifted dramatically compared to before, a testament to his newfound strength.
Suddenly, a tingling sensation coursed through him, a warning from his instincts. He glanced upward, his heart racing as he spotted a rune radiating dark energy, hurtling toward him with alarming speed.
A chilling premonition gripped him. Without a moment’s hesitation, he stored all his gear in the guild warehouse. If this rune were to strike him down in one blow, at least he wouldn’t lose his precious equipment.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound sliced through the air as the rune made contact with Alden.
Ding! “You have been marked by Demon King Grayford.”
Alden’s pupils constricted in shock. Shit.
As anticipated, a booming voice echoed throughout Astralon, reverberating like thunder.
“Nationwide announcement: Demon King Grayford has placed a bounty on the marked adventurer. Players are encouraged to kill the marked adventurer!”
“Nationwide announcement: Demon King Grayford has placed a bounty on the marked adventurer. Players are encouraged to kill the marked adventurer!”
Alden’s expression darkened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Another all-player bounty quest was now in play.
Yet, within that moment of despair, a flicker of cold determination ignited in his eyes.
The other class was situated outside of Astralon, inaccessible to him for the time being.
Although killing Grayson had reduced his PK Points by 20,000, he still possessed over 900,000, a substantial amount that kept him on the radar.
“No way to break this stalemate for now… Then let’s focus on stacking HP first.”
Alden remained composed, knowing that his talent was the true key to his success.
If he could accumulate enough HP, even at level 20, he could dominate everything around him.
In Astralon, most ordinary monsters wouldn’t withstand his attacks, except for one formidable foe: the level-45 Bloodback Mystic Turtles.
With their thick health bars and passive healing, they were perfect for farming HP.
Alden had also discovered how to unlock their dungeon. By clearing them on Hell Difficulty, he could accelerate his HP accumulation significantly.
With a plan firmly in place, Alden set off towards the spawn point of the Bloodback Mystic Turtles, determination coursing through his veins.
Meanwhile, in Astralon City, a tense atmosphere hung in a quiet courtyard as Darkstorm Whirl, the First-in-Command of Darkwind Fort, trembled with apprehension, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Sir… that adventurer is just too strong. I—”
Slap!
The door swung open violently, and a figure within struck Darkstorm across the face from a distance, the force of the blow echoing in the still air.
“Stop making excuses. If the King hears you’ve leaked anything about forging standard-issue weapons, nobody will come to your rescue!”
The stakes were rising, and the tension in the air was palpable. The game was afoot, and the players were gearing up for the battles ahead.

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