The eggshell-like branches cast large shadows and scattered light across the floor of Spider Valley. Lanterns appeared suddenly, illuminating four figures.
Germain lowered his head and confirmed that the lantern wouldn't cool down for another four hours. He retrieved it, and the faint light gradually faded.
"Is this the Dark Continent?" Wing marveled at their miraculous teleportation to an unfamiliar area. It was hard to believe.
"Yes," Germain nodded.
"Germain," Bisky suddenly spoke up, her usually casual demeanor replaced by seriousness. "Everyone, look at your feet."
Germain, Shizuku, and Wing all glanced down. They first noticed the fallen leaves covering the ground, stones embedded in the mud, burn marks from a previous incident, and finally, a noticeable indentation.
"Hmm?" Germain sensed something amiss. He surveyed the surroundings and noticed a significant depression where they stood, different from the original Spider Valley. "This shape..."
He gathered Nen in his legs and leaped towards the treetops above. From that vantage point, Bisky, Wing, and Shizuku appeared tiny as peanuts, and he finally understood.
"I see."
Bang!
Germain landed steadily on the ground, brushing off dust from his clothes.
"What's happening?" They gathered around, with Bisky, who first noticed the anomaly, asking.
"We're standing in a 'palm print'," Germain explained, adapting his description for clarity. "It's like the imprint Chairman Netero made with his Hundred-Type Guanyin."
Bisky and Wing understood immediately, while Shizuku took a moment longer but eventually grasped Germain's meaning.
"A giant, or perhaps a sub-human magical creature with this kind of destructive power," Bisky speculated, pinching her chin thoughtfully. "It attacked here after we left."
Wing trembled, well aware of the devastating power of Chairman Netero's Nen Ability.
"Could it be targeting us?"
"Likely, and my guess is it's a massive creature," Germain pointed overhead. "The spider silk here has been completely shredded."
The others looked up and saw, just as Germain said, that the spider silk which once bridged the gaps between the trees now hung in tatters from the branches, resembling discarded parachutes.
"It seems we shouldn't linger here," Germain glanced at Shizuku. "Let's unload our gear."
"Agreed." Shizuku wasted no time. She clenched her fists, summoning the metal pole of the "Blinky" between her hands. "Unload our gear."
The gaping mouth of the "Blinky" twitched like a beast, as if vomiting, and its long pink tongue extended like a ladder, causing everyone's backpacks to tumble down.
Bisky, Wing, and Shizuku retrieved their dry backpacks, free of any slime, making it impossible to tell they had been expelled from the "Blinky's" mouth.
"No matter how many times I see it, Shizuku's 'Nen Ability' is incredibly handy." Bisky stood with hands on hips, her backpack adorned with colorful stickers, resembling a girl on a day trip.
Germain, unencumbered by a backpack, had scouted ahead before the encounter, ensuring he could move freely at the front of the group.
Bisky then retrieved a round device resembling a Dragon Ball radar from her backpack and began giving instructions to the others.
"Each of us has a 'Nen Radar'. If we get separated, remember to use it. The four 'Radar' will attract each other like magnets, helping us reunite quickly."
This adventure began with their recent experience of getting lost nearby. Despite previous discussions emphasizing the use of "Nen Radar," Bisky tirelessly reiterated its importance this time.
"There's no other way. Wing and Shizuku can be forgetful at times, so Germain is more dependable. He doesn't talk much or emphasize things, so this responsibility falls to me," Bisky remarked, feeling like a true caretaker.
Upon everyone's agreement, Bisky couldn't help but add humorously, "Don't complain about my nagging, or I'll armbar you!"
Understanding her role, Germain and the others maintained their formation with Germain at the lead. After a few leaps, they successfully exited Spider Valley.
As they walked through the forest, Germain took the initiative to activate his "En." Its radius had expanded to fifteen meters, enabling him to periodically assess their surroundings.
While many exploration experts boast circles with much larger radii—such as Kite, Zeno Zoldyck, the Ant King Mereum, and the Three Royal Guards—Germain felt no shame.
The effectiveness of En isn't solely tied to strength; Kite and Zeno's extensive training was job-related, whereas the Ant King and Three Royal Guards were naturally gifted.
Meanwhile, Germain's En continued to expand. It was only a matter of time before its range, currently between 45 to 50 meters, would match Kite's.
Wing, experienced as a hunter, cautiously followed behind. His keen eyes behind the glasses surveyed their surroundings.
Bisky, meanwhile, rapidly tapped notes on her phone's virtual keyboard, documenting noteworthy observations along their path. She had upgraded to a new phone with a superior capacity and lens clarity specifically for recording scenes in the Dark Continent.
Shizuku walked alongside her, occasionally adjusting her slipping black-framed glasses, her attention fixed on the ground.
After her previous mishap with the teleportation black hole, she resolved silently not to stumble into another hidden danger.
Thus, the team of four proceeded through the woods: Germain and Wing on reconnaissance and guard duty, Bisky recording their journey, and Shizuku managing their shelter.
Along the way, they encountered enemy attacks, which Germain and Wing managed to fend off.
Shizuku fed interesting findings to her "Blinky," which devoured monster corpses and carnivorous plants they passed.
"We're still heading directly north," Bisky confirmed with a glance at the compass. "We're moving away from Lake Mobius, deeper into the heart of the wilderness."
Each member diligently carried out their roles, listening attentively to Bisky's guidance, recognizing the wisdom of their experienced leader.
"The monsters are grouped into territories. As we delve deeper, they grow stronger, with higher chances of encountering subspecies," Bisky explained.
So far, they had glimpsed two humanoid creatures resembling Warcraft sub-humans, but they avoided confrontation.
Leading the way, Germain pondered, "They likely inhabit this area due to similar combat capabilities, competing for territory."
Bisky nodded in understanding. "You mean, as we head north, we'll eventually reach a 'border.' Beyond that, we'll face a different level of danger?"
"Yes," Germain affirmed.
His words sent a chill through everyone. If such a border existed, what monstrous challenges lay beyond it?
Just then, Germain's reconnaissance revealed an open clearing ahead, signaling their exit from the forest.
At the same time, a pungent odor reached his senses.
********
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