Starfall Lake.
A lake formed by the power of a fallen star, but for unknown reasons, it is not safe. Instead, it is filled with violent and chaotic magical forces.
The closer one gets to the center of the lake, the more terrifying this power becomes.
The viscous liquid flowing from the indentations on the fallen star can instantly tear apart anyone who comes into contact with it.
Even beasts dare not approach because they cannot withstand the violent magic within.
Even humans like Durun and the others have started to feel discomfort in their bodies.
Regarding the history of Starfall Lake and the Starfall Forest, countless players who were interested in research and speculation tried to study it based on the game's historical background.
However, even before Sean arrived in this world, there was still no definitive answer or explanation.
But regardless of how these people debated, there was one fact that all researchers had to acknowledge: there is indeed a level 5 dungeon entrance beneath Starfall Lake, but the conditions for entry are stringent.
In "Miracle," dungeons are divided into two categories: normal dungeons and profession-specific dungeons.
Normal dungeons are accessible to anyone without significant restrictions.
They include dungeons like underground dungeons and regional dungeons, which are commonly found throughout the world.
For example, the "Wandering Darkness" that Sean previously completed falls into this category. If you believe your strength is sufficient, you can challenge dungeons with highly powerful monsters.
Profession-specific dungeons, on the other hand, are not as easily accessible. They are similar to the ruins dungeons in the game "Age of Prosperity" and do not have specific characteristics.
These dungeons can only be entered after completing relevant tasks. For example, if a dungeon requires a level 5 profession to enter, you cannot access it if you are at level 4 or level 6.
Only those with a profession level of 5 or higher can enter dungeons that require a level 5 profession or above.
Therefore, players needed to carefully discern whether the requirement was a profession level or a level higher than the profession level; otherwise, they might miss out.
However, everything concerning Starfall Lake at present has nothing to do with Sean and the others.
Sean also has no intention of provoking further trouble here; he simply advised everyone not to approach the lake too closely and allowed them to rest freely.
The exhaustion of the past few days made Sean realize that if the team didn't get sufficient rest here, they would not be able to continue their journey.
Looking at the Wind Marked Black Wolves still refusing to disperse in the surroundings, Sean was also well aware that they had no way back.
If they didn't completely traverse the entire Starfall Forest, all of them would probably meet their end here.
Although everyone felt uncomfortable due to the violent magic of Starfall Lake, it was a rare opportunity for them to truly relax.
Soon, the most exhausted guards fell asleep, their snores faintly audible. Following suit, Harvey, Cecilia, and the archer couldn't resist the fatigue and drowsiness and soon entered the realm of dreams.
However, judging from Cecilia's expression, she was evidently not feeling well.
But it's understandable. After all, the violent magic emanating from Starfall Lake is truly terrifying, and for someone with Cecilia's stunning talent, it's not a pleasant experience.
The only ones still awake were Sean, Durun, and Old Peter.
Old Peter, being a retired soldier, had a profession bonus that reduced his physical and mental energy consumption by fifty percent during battles.
In other words, even if everyone else collapsed, he still had the strength to fight.
After reaching the third tier, one could unlock profession talents, and as the profession level increased, talents could be reselected or enhanced.
However, Sean wasn't sure which talent Old Peter had chosen.
During the night when they were ambushed by the Wind Marked Black Wolf pack, Old Peter lost his military sword.
However, even in that state, relying on a long spear, his combat power was extremely formidable.
Moreover, in the face of the wolf pack's attacks, a long weapon did have an advantage over a short one.
Old Peter sat down on the ground and began tearing into dried meat, chewing it slowly.
Witnessing Old Peter's actions, a Wind Marked Black Wolf let out a low growl, unable to restrain its impulse, it broke through the formidable defense line that made the wolf pack wary and charged towards Old Peter, as if it wanted to treat him like dried meat.
However, before the Wind Marked Black Wolf could reach him, numerous blue glows surged into its body as if attracted by something, causing its body to swell up.
Boom!
A loud noise awakened everyone, but before they could react, a rain of blood showered down.
Amidst the countless fragments of flesh and blood, Old Peter was covered in blood, yet he continued chewing on the dried meat without stopping.
It looked incredibly horrifying, but his eyes revealed a serious expression. "These demon wolves have such high discipline. Only one was attracted even with this."
Naturally, the dried meat Old Peter was eating was the flesh of the Wind Marked Black Wolf.
Just as Sean was about to say something, a resounding howl echoed in the distance.
All the Wind Marked Black Wolves halted their movements and perked up their ears as if listening to something.
Then, there came a long and urgent howl, and all the Wind Marked Black Wolves turned around and left.
In an instant, all the Wind Marked Black Wolves that had surrounded Starfall Lake disappeared without a trace, except for the scattered remains of flesh and blood.
It was hard to believe that they had nearly been annihilated moments ago.
"The Wolf King," Sean furrowed his brow, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
If there was something in the entire Starfall Forest that posed the greatest challenge to him at this stage, it would be the two third-tier lord-level bosses, the Wolf King and the Blood Flame Lion King.
As for the other undead creature, it was a boss within the instance, a target that Sean and the others had to face.
So, even though it was challenging, there was no way around it.
It was only these two demonic beast bosses that Sean absolutely didn't want to provoke if possible.
But at this point, it seemed highly unlikely.
After all the Wind Marked Black Wolves left, a giant wolf, twice the size of an ordinary Wind Marked Black Wolf, emerged from the forest.
Its black fur had a flowing light-like texture.
At first glance, it didn't have the distinct green patterns like the regular Wind Marked Black Wolves.
However, underneath that black fur, there were indeed green patterns, but they were branded into its flesh instead of being visible on its fur.
The Wind Marked Black Wolf simply stood before the group without roaring or snarling, but everyone, including Durun and Old Peter, had a change in expression.
They could clearly sense the extremely intense aura of danger and oppression emanating from the Wolf King.
The Wolf Marked Black Wolf King.
Fortunately, to everyone's slight relief, the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King didn't enter the influence range of Starfall Lake.
After giving the group a distant glance, it turned and left.
This made everyone feel a bit relieved because they had no idea how they would deal with the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King if it truly charged in.
For Durun and the others, the Wind Marked Black Wolves were the most terrifying creatures in the Starfall Forest.
Their combat method, which rendered physical attacks ineffective, was truly challenging to adapt to.
"What's wrong with you?" While everyone was feeling relieved, it was only Old Peter who noticed the abnormality on Sean's face.
"We've truly been targeted this time," Sean's face turned grim.
He was well aware that the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King had the ability to enter the influence range of Starfall Lake without being instantly destroyed by the magic infusion like the other Wind Marked Black Wolves.
However, the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King chose not to do so, which meant it had some reservations. But what it truly feared wasn't the size of Sean's team.
Based on the results of the past two days, everyone knew that if they were trapped by the Wind Marked Black Wolf pack, they would be in a dire situation.
Therefore, the only person that the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King truly feared was Cecilia.
As a mage, she was also affected by the surge of magic power, which could be either a good or a bad thing.
Fortunately, Cecilia's case was a positive one.
In the Starfall Forest, she could unleash the full power of a third-tier mage, and being in close proximity to Starfall Lake would amplify her magical abilities even further.
This was why the Wolf Marked Black Wolf King didn't risk entering and fighting Sean and the others here.
If it were to be delayed, Cecilia alone had enough means to deal a fatal blow to it.
"Everyone, get up. We don't have time to rest," Sean said with a grim expression, looking up at the moon in the night sky of the Starfall Forest.
"We still have half of our journey ahead of us, and thanks to those beasts, we've arrived here almost three days ahead of schedule. Once we pass through the outpost, we can leave this forest."
Upon hearing Sean's words, a hint of uncontrollable joy appeared on everyone's faces. They had truly had enough of the hardships they had endured in the past few days.
"But!"
That single word, "but," instantly made everyone's hearts tighten.
"The next part of our journey will be even more difficult than what we've faced so far," Sean's words left everyone bewildered.
More difficult? What kind of concept was that?
"I was supposed to let all of you rest fully before continuing, but now it's no longer possible," Sean sighed softly.
"Let me tell you this: these Wind Marked Black Wolves have experienced the war between Serian and Portoroa, and as intelligent creatures, they're not lacking in wits. Without the Wolf King's restraint, they may not have displayed excessive cunning, but once the Wolf King arrives, it won't take half an hour for them to spread their scouts all around us. When we step out of the influence range of Starfall Lake, we will be attacked by countless Wind Marked Black Wolves."
"Our retreat route is long gone, so now we have only one path left: to set off immediately and enter the Black Soil territory before the encirclement of the Wind Marked Black Wolf pack is formed."
"Black Soil!?" Cecilia exclaimed in disbelief.
"Our second half of the journey is through the Black Soil territory?" Durun's face suddenly changed drastically.