Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

The tree monster's leaves emitted a faint green glow, giving it a sacred and wondrous appearance, like a divine tree misplaced in this realm of darkness. Despite devouring numerous lives, the creature's presence was paradoxically serene. The life it consumed was reduced to blood mist, dissipating into the air, with each drop of blood seeping into the ground to nourish its roots.

Above the ground, the scene was tranquil and peaceful, but beneath the surface lay a twisted, grotesque network of roots. These roots extended in all directions, covering the underground area and ready to burst forth at any moment. The ground was scarred with numerous cracks, evidence of the roots' previous eruptions. The tree monster's territorial instincts seemed to have vanished.

Countless giant bees swarmed above it, yet the roots below remained still, lying dormant as if it were an ordinary sapling. The black giant bee queen initiated the attack, her wings creating a wind vortex that spiraled towards her opponent like a tornado. Not to be outdone, the yellow giant bee queen's wings hardened into blades, emitting a cold gleam as she sliced through the wind vortex with massive gusts.

The clash between the queens signaled the start of the battle. Yellow and black giant bees engaged in a chaotic melee, employing their wings to disrupt, their stingers to shoot, and their bodies to collide. The sky was filled with a frenzy of primitive and brutal combat. They fought with such ferocity that they ignored the chaos around them, driven by a blinding rage.

As countless bee corpses plummeted to the ground, the roots below eagerly extended, ensnaring the fallen bees. The roots tightened, crushing the bees into a slurry of blood that was quickly absorbed. The energy and nutrients from the dead bees were channeled back into the tree trunk, fueling the sapling's rapid growth. The tree's leaves grew greener and more vibrant, and its height soared to one meter, then two meters. Though its growth slowed, a green flower bud suddenly appeared on one of its branches.

The bud remained tightly closed but emitted a warm, enchanting light that bathed the tree monster in a comforting glow.

Meanwhile, Athena sat cross-legged in a cave, her mood significantly calmer. The creature, Mikmik, was no longer frightened or agitated. Instead, it bounced around her excitedly, tugging at her clothes and gesturing towards the battlefield of the giant bees with its tiny paws, its eyes gleaming with excitement.

"There is something round and important where the bees are fighting," Athena murmured as she cradled Mikmik in her hands, trying to understand its message.

Mikmik meowed joyfully in response.

Despite Mikmik's ability to observe the battle stealthily, Athena was hesitant to send it. Mikmik might manage against the ordinary bees, but encountering the queen-level leaders was too risky. If discovered amidst the dense attacks, Mikmik could be exposed and vulnerable.

Unable to monitor Mikmik's status in real-time and with no way to intervene immediately, Athena decided against the risky venture. She pondered for a while, gently stroking Mikmik's twitching ears.