Germain gazed out the window, his thoughts drifting far beyond the confines of the human world.
"The human world may seem vast, but it's merely a fraction of the true expanse," he mused. "The 'Dark Continent' is the real world."
"In the grand scheme, our planet is but a speck in the vast universe. It's no wonder that the unknown dwells beyond our comprehension."
"If fear halts our journey into the unknown, human progress will stagnate," he continued, his voice carrying a weight of determination. "This is my final question: Will you choose to withdraw now, promising to keep our secret? Or will you press forward?"
The night's chill crept into the room, muffling the sounds of the outside world until only silence reigned.
Bisky and Shizuku exchanged glances before responding.
"I have no intention of backing down," Bisky declared. Shizuku gently traced the inverted cross on her chest, a symbol of her resolve. "Turning away from opportunity would be a waste, wouldn't it?"
"Furthermore," Bisky added, "Even if your theories hold true, should we not face the challenge head-on? Shall we allow mere obstacles to dictate our path?"
Germain closed his eyes briefly before reopening them.
Their response was expected, and it stirred no surprise within him. "Then, let us proceed as planned. Take tomorrow to rest, and we depart early the following day."
"Our objective remains unchanged: to delve deeper into the 'Dark Continent,' gathering valuable treasures along the way, and returning unscathed."
Bisky and Shizuku nodded in agreement.
This decision had been reached collectively, a testament to their courage. While they could have sought safety within Germain's previously explored territories, fear of the unknown did not hold them back.
With the agreement sealed, they took a day's respite until the early hours of the 22nd. Most lights dimmed within the opulent suite, casting a faint glow upon the trio.
"Confirming one last time: Are you prepared?" Germain inspected his backpack before addressing them.
Shizuku nodded, her backpack resting before her. "I'm ready."
"Me too," Bisky confirmed. "And remember, the 'doctor' I mentioned earlier is already nearby."
"But she's quite timid. She probably won't show up without my message."
Germain nodded, adding, "That's okay. We don't need too many people to know the details. Let her think it's just a regular job."
"Don't worry, that kid is dependable," Bisky chimed in, suddenly eager. "Let's get started. Show me your 'lantern.'"
"Okay," Germain agreed, not saying more.
He extended his right palm, and his aura materialized a "Hunter's Badge," resembling a fractured piece. From it, he conjured a "Lantern" in the central area where the three sat.
Purple light dripped from the "Hunter Badge" like water, forming ripples on the ground.
Soon, a basic lantern emerged from the liquid-like floor. Perched on the lamp holder were four emaciated little specters, resembling premature mummies.
"Even though you described it before, seeing it in person still gives me chills," Bisky remarked, eyeing the imps. "It doesn't look like a 'Nen beast,' just a part of the 'lantern.'"
The four ghosts didn't falter despite the presence of two strangers. They continued to whine at Germain like petulant children, their cries eerie in the dark night.
Shizuku, touching the inverted cross on their chest, suggested, "I think we need to hurry. If someone hears this in the early morning, they might come to investigate."
"It might just become a weird tale about this hotel," Bisky chuckled mischievously.
German nodded in agreement and said, "Then just stretch out your hands and hold them together."
He extended a hand as a demonstration and clasped the hand of one of the little ghosts. The ghost let out a surprised cry.
Bisky and Shizuku exchanged glances and also reached out to communicate with the little ghosts. As their rough, cold fingers touched, they sensed the fragility of the ghosts, as if they could be crushed at any moment.
Only one little ghost was left unchosen. It didn't wail but instead hugged the base of the lantern in disappointment and weakness.
"Do they also experience 'emotions'?" Shizuku asked curiously.
"Probably," Germain replied. "I've tried to communicate with them before, but aside from crying and laughter, they haven't made any other sounds."
Bisky raised a finger and said, "So, they cannot be communicated with and are only used for 'teleportation' guidance."
Germain nodded and then glanced at the information displayed by the lantern.
"Lantern location: Dry Valley/Mudlands"
"Cooling time: 32 minutes (already cooled)"
"Let's go," Germain reminded Bisky and Shizuku before turning to the three little ghosts. "We're heading to the Mudlands."
Bisky and Shizuku, feeling a bit anxious, noticed that the little ghosts were gripping their fingers tighter. Then, they witnessed the scene undergo an extremely strange transformation.
The sky spun, stars shifted, and the surroundings distorted and shattered before reorganizing in a peculiar manner within a short span.
In this new location, it was daytime, surrounded by towering reeds resembling a forest, yet a large portion was charred, leaving behind gray embers.
Germain quickly scanned the edge of the former Mudlands and noticed that the corpse of the "Lord of Crows" had vanished.
There were drag marks nearby, leading deeper into the Mudlands.
His eyes narrowed in alarm.
Is this cannibalism, or has a new king been born, or is this place inhabited by other species?
Germain relinquished his inquiry into the matter and turned his attention to Bisky and Shizuku, who were scanning their surroundings with curiosity.
"It does appear to have been transported to some other location," Bisky remarked as he touched the ground and sifted through the loose soil. "Even the cycle of day and night is reversed. Could it be a result of longitude and latitude?"
Germain glanced up at the sky, then back at Bisky and Shizuku beside him.
"I had the same thought. That's why I attempted teleportation to the 'Dark Continent' four times, all around one in the morning, but at different coordinates."
"Yet, regardless of whether I teleported from one end of the six continents to the other, it was always daytime upon arrival."
"During my last attempt, I brought a compass and traveled north for over half an hour. Every time I reached an open area, I'd insert a branch into the ground and observe its shadow," Germain explained.
"The shadow consistently moved from the northwest to the due north, gradually diminishing in length. It's likely that it was morning."
Bisky pursed her lips in contemplation.
"In other words, the 'Six Continents' pale in comparison to the vastness of the 'Dark Continent.' It's conceivable they occupy less than a single time zone..."
"This is the northeast corner of Lake Mobius, nestled within the 'Dark Continent's' belly."
********
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