Germain glanced down at the projection of the "lantern", the display revealing two lines of text without sparking any surprise.
"Lantern location: Islands in the center of Lake Mobius"
"Cooling time: 1 hour (countdown 59 minutes and 45 seconds)"
The cooling time for the teleportation lantern should have been rounded up to 64 minutes, yet it was rounded down to 1 hour.
Although the reduction was merely 4 minutes, it was still a favorable outcome for Germain, leaving him naturally content.
He deactivated the "lantern", retrieved the "Hunter's Badge", and then dematerialized it, shifting his attention to Bisky and Shizuku, who were still surveying their surroundings.
Bisky paced back and forth with her cell phone, eventually conceding, "As expected, no signal. However, the camera, recording, memo, and other functions of the cell phone can still be utilized."
She would intermittently record her observations, leaving reconnaissance to Germain. Given Shizuku's potential difficulty in retaining information amidst combat, she was assigned the task.
Regardless of whether they were in the "Dark Continent", a concealed forbidden area, or a secretive domain, they adhered to their prearranged division of labor.
Shizuku squatted by the muddy terrain's edge, scrutinizing the tracks left by the Lord of Crow's departure, leading deep into the charred reed forest. After a prolonged moment, she rose to her feet.
"I didn't spot a single crow," Shizuku's wide eyes remained unblinking, doll-like. "Should we venture deeper into the reed forest to search?"
"We should adhere to the original plan," Bisky affirmed, ensuring her single ponytail was tightly secured before continuing, "Our priority now is to safely endure the 1-hour cooldown period of the 'lantern'."
"Germain dealt with the Lord of Crows in the Mud Land a few days ago, suggesting this area should be relatively secure for now," she reasoned. "A stable plan is preferable..."
Before she could finish her statement, a cacophony of crows' calls erupted from deep within the reed forest, small black silhouettes taking flight and perching atop tall reeds.
"Well, isn't that just perfect?" Bisky sighed, hands resting on her hips. "I had just finished speaking..."
Shizuku glanced at Germain.
"I did kill the Lord of Crows," Germain affirmed, meeting the significance in her eyes.
The reeds quivered slightly as a cluster of black shadows approached, each crow's gaze fixated on the intruders.
"Ah!" one crow cawed, setting off a cacophony among the others.
But abruptly, their cries ceased, beaks closing as all eyes turned toward the heart of the reed forest, where a strange noise, akin to "Pululu," heralded the parting of the reeds.
Emerging from within was a skeletal figure draped in tattered flesh.
Once the imposing form of the Lord of Crows, now stripped of burnt feathers and decayed tissue by the relentless crows of the Milt Land. Yet, this skeletal state signified its rebirth—its 'nirvana.'
Though Germain had indeed slain the Lord, the crows refused to relinquish their leader. With only a skeleton remaining, they filled it with their own flesh, that of other beasts, crafting fresh organs from bone.
In a week's time, the Lord of Crows would be restored—flesh, wings, and eyes alike.
Awaiting its rejuvenation in the murky depths, it sensed the intruders' return, compelled by its innate ability to command the muddy expanse, confirmed by the cries of its minions.
The Bone Crow halted, emitting a deafening, enraged shriek at Germain, prompting all three to cover their ears amidst the clamor.
The mud churned beneath their feet, skeletal forms emerging, assembled from the abyss—fangs, tails, shells, and all.
Some twenty bone creatures, animated by the Bone Crow's cries, charged at Germain and her companions with relentless fury.
"You've truly vexed these crows," Bisky remarked, having analyzed the situation with her "En".
"It commands this army of the dead with its screams."
Germain surveyed the array of bones comprising the bone army. He glanced at it, calmly remarking, "Bisky, Shizuku, handle these 'bone puppets.'"
"I got it, no problem!" Bisky replied, striding forth. With a powerful swing of her right arm, akin to wielding a hammer, she shattered the skull of the nearest "Bone Puppet," sending bone shards flying.
Yet, even with its skull obliterated, the "bone puppet" showed no hesitation, its bone claws reaching out for Bisky.
"Attack the closest target, that's the most basic directive..." Bisky's thoughts raced. "Every bone on their bodies is a weapon. Destroy them to cease their 'operations.'"
She skillfully evaded the bone claws, then braced herself, delivering a swift, powerful punch with her petite frame. The "bone puppet" crumbled instantly, its skeletal form collapsing to the ground with a hollow thud.
On the other side, Shizuku employed her "Blinky" to crush another "Bone Puppet."
"Shizuku!" Bisky called out, noticing. "Isn't your 'Blinky' capable of absorbing inanimate objects? Use it then!"
"Huh?" Shizuku dispatched another "Bone Puppet" with her "Blinky," then shrugged at Bisky. "No need. They're still moving. If they can move, they're considered alive, right?"
Bisky scoffed, delivering a swift kick that shattered another "bone puppet." "You really stick to your own rules."
"Nen abilities fundamentally reflect a person's own character and idiosyncrasies" Bisky continued, "so the conditions and parameters of the 'Vows and Limitations' the user set are quite subjective, after all."
Next to Shizuku, there was no referee or judge to determine whether she had violated her "Vows and Limitations." It was solely her responsibility to make that judgment.
Only if Shizuku firmly believed she hadn't broken the "Vows and Limitations" could the ability of "Blinky" remain unchanged; otherwise, it would adapt or even cease to function entirely.
With this understanding, neither Germain nor Bisky had any intention of forcibly altering Shizuku's mindset.
Should her convictions shift, "Blinky" might lose its capacity to engulf all the objects she deemed lifeless.
Bisky and Shizuku took the initiative to clear away the "Bone Puppet," creating a path for Germain.
Seizing the opportunity, Germain swiftly advanced, leaving only afterimages in his wake, rendering several "Bone Puppets" unresponsive to his presence.
Reaching the edge of the marshy terrain, Germain leaped, landing lightly on the reeds, then propelled himself towards the concealed Bone Crow with a powerful bound!
********
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