"This is the document about the Neo-Fleshmorph Lurker, a subspecies of Fleshmorph similar to Slime. As you all may know, dungeons are often places where noble clans or royal family members construct tombs to store their wealth, enchanted weapons, or ancient books, driven by their concerns over how their descendants might treat their remains and treasures. This is also where goblins tend to reside," Aldo, clad in a long black cloak with red trim, his robe trailing to the ground, wrapped a scarf around his head, donned black gloves and boots, and wore a black mask emblazoned with a red emblem resembling a shard, handed me (Fermos), Helzard, Auburn, and Neva a summary paper detailing the Lurker.
"I wouldn't know the purpose of the dungeon if you didn't mention it," Helzard, with a sly expression, replied.
"Not bothering to learn, then it's true you wouldn't know. That's surely why the guilds always require some tests of knowledge for every adventurer, right?" Aldo retorted.
Meanwhile, I picked up the paper and skimmed through the entire information.
Below is the translated information about the Neo-Fleshmorph Lurker into English:
**Form:** It resembles an amoeba with smooth, soft skin and the ability to shapeshift; it has no eyes but can develop pseudopods to move.
**Sensory Abilities:** Its skin is extremely sensitive, allowing it to detect touch, with excellent elasticity and quick reflexes.
**Diet:** Carnivorous, consuming a range of prey from small insects to goblins and even humans.
**Reproduction:** Asexual reproduction takes 2 years; sexual reproduction with another Lurker takes 2 months.
**Lifespan:** An average of 10 years, during which 30% of the time is spent on reproduction and 65% in a dormant state.
**Behavior:** Expands its body area, opens its mouth, and uses reflexes to capture and digest prey through digestive fluids.
**Impact:** Instills fear in adventurers and dungeon explorers, causing other species in the dungeon to cooperate in hunting them.
**Habitat:** Found in dungeons of adventurers near the Hidden Desert and in remote forests; populations do not exceed 5 Lurkers per dungeon.
**Civilization:** A solitary and reclusive lifestyle prevents the establishment of civilization; it avoids light and migrates if necessary.
**National Response:** The Anti-Lurker Task Force of the Therasirus Empire uses fire and magic, resulting in a decline in Lurker populations and pushing them close to extinction.
"Neo-Fleshmorph Lurker? Did you just say Neo-Fleshmorph, Aldo? So which Neo-Fleshmorph are you ?" I looked at Aldo with curiosity.
"In the 18 new Neo-Fleshmorph species, the description of the Pure Descendant seems to fit best compared to the other humanoid forms," Aldo replied in an emotionless tone.
"Are there other humanoid forms of Neo-Fleshmorphs? Do give me a few examples!" I eagerly asked.
"The Aviator has a star-shaped heart, a bird-like body, and a human head. The Bone-breaker has a beak-like mouth with tooth-like structures, the Mole resembles a humanoid rat, while the Sensualist, that species has become extinct, and no one cares because it was a branch of Fleshmorphs modified to satisfy the sexual desires of a group from Inferno, and they were eradicated long ago," Aldo answered.
Auburn picked up the paper and showed it to Aldo, raising an eyebrow and saying, "The Lurker is also on the verge of extinction. Why are you providing us with information about this species?"
"Being on the verge of extinction does not mean there are no specimens left on this planet. Even with a very low probability, you cannot be 100% certain you won't encounter them while exploring the dungeon. And here's the information about Parasital, another Neo-Fleshmorph species," Aldo continued, handing Auburn a paper with new notes. Auburn squinted at Aldo.
"Read it. In case you face Parasital, you'll know their weak points. Still… fire and chemical weapons, as always~," Aldo replied.
Auburn continued to squint at Aldo, then bent down to read the notes, while Helzard, Neva, and I tilted our heads to read them too. Immediately, Neva's eyes widened in astonishment, Auburn's expression turned blank and fearful, and Helzard's jaw dropped as he looked at Aldo with furrowed brows, biting his lip, he sighed twice and said,
"Aldo, what does 'parasitizing the intestines, then stabbing the tail into the spinal cord to control the host, and… laying eggs in the reproductive organ of the host' mean!? How can there be a species with such absurd and gruesome behavior?" Helzard exclaimed loudly.
"Calm down, Helzard; that species is extinct anyway. Aldo is merely trying to scare us!" Auburn patted Helzard's shoulder, appearing to comfort him.
"I know anyone reading about this species for the first time would feel the same way. As for that behavior, I speculate this species may be capable of burrowing into internal organs and healing wounds by inserting themselves into the host's body and secreting restorative fluids," Aldo shrugged, showing no signs of agitation as he spoke about the behavior of Parasital, an emotion that left all four of us, including Neva, gaping in astonishment.
"Initially, these Fleshmorphs were transformed into earthworms, then rapidly mutated into parasitic worms, leading to the complete extinction of Green Orcs, White Orcs, Catmen, and Beemen. This serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of biological warfare and uncontrolled genetic modifications," Aldo nodded, continuing, as if he were monologuing.
Helzard patted Neva on the shoulder and looked into her eyes, "Neva, having lived with him for two months, you must have endured such horrifying moments, right?"
"Yes, quite often. But I've gotten used to it…" Neva smiled brightly in response.
Auburn took a moment to calm down.
"Parasital has become extinct along with those four species. Why did you provide us with information about this species?" Auburn asked.
"Because I just found this article," Aldo handed us a sample article in Arabic, Neva somehow understood it, while I, Auburn, and Helzard had been granted the Universal Language (Refer to section two of 'Normal' to fully understand the reason), so we comprehended the content of the article, all was clear from the title "Significant Decline of Goblin Populations in the Wild" and "Discovery of a Strange Parasite Attached to the Reproductive Organs and Intestines of Adult Goblins."
"What does it have to do with us?" Helzard stroked his chin, inquiring.
"You fool! Read Parasital's behavior carefully and compare it with the title of the second article!" Aldo coldly replied.
Afterward, Helzard read and reread the Parasital information and the content of the second article, turning back several times, I counted exactly 23 times. Only then did he nod.
"So that's it, I understand now!" Helzard exclaimed.
"Finally…" Aldo said in a tired tone.
"Forget it!" Helzard shouted, "Let's go, everyone!" he added.
After that, we left, waving goodbye to Aldo and began our expedition as a small team. We continued our journey to a forest about 40 km from the city.
"Ah, according to what Aldo says, this is the definition of the Transitional Desert, a long but narrow desert separating two different types of terrain," Neva says with an innocent, curious, and endearing tone, heavily influenced by Aldo.
"You… you've become as 'knowledge-thirsty' as him after two months living with Aldo?" Helzard asks in surprise.
"Yes, when I expressed my desire to escape from slavery, he listed several issues of a free slave. It's quite complicated. For example, 'Economic instability,' 'Social integration,' 'Educational opportunities,' 'Health and psychological issues,' and…," Neva pauses for a moment, trying to recall Aldo's exact words, "Legal and political support as well, if I remember correctly," Neva replies naturally.
"He's really serious about this issue…" Auburn says with a sigh, and I can't tell if he's praising or criticizing Aldo.
"And he's supporting me with education, social integration, and 'health and psychological issues' too. I think he's a kind-hearted person. Not only does he avoid touching me like other masters, but he also supports me as much as he can…" Neva says with gratitude.
"Social integration, huh? It seems like Aldo is really bad at interacting with people. Maybe I'll wait until he's asleep and then toss him into the house of a random villager to force him to improve his communication skills," Helzard says with enthusiasm. "But it seems we're a bit off-topic. So, in short, did Aldo say anything to you, like advice or warnings?"
"Aldo did tell me three things. One is to always keep my own opinions, two is to always be curious and view everything around me more objectively rather than emotionally, and three is to always stay calm and have 'a cool head,'" Neva replies. "Even though I try, I still can't fully implement these three things well."
"Geez, even people like me and others don't always follow…" Helzard nods sympathetically.
"Well, not everyone is like Aldo. Someone who is shot by arrows and faces more than a dozen Giant Crocodiles and a Hag, and still remains calm!" Auburn complains.
"At least Aldo's social skills are very poor, making him appear more human…" I add.
"True, when we first met, I felt like Aldo was even shyer than I was…" Neva responds innocently.
So, all four of us laugh, continuing our conversation as we follow the winding path deeper into the forest.
Deep within the ancient forest, where time seems to slow down, nature weaves a delicate tapestry of tranquility and life. The scenery unfolds beneath a towering canopy, branches twisting upwards as if to honor the greatness above. The forest floor is a mosaic of lush green and rich earthy tones, shaped by many seasons.
A small stream winds through the landscape, its crystal-clear water sparkling in the gentle embrace of sunlight. The stream, merely a ribbon of liquid crystal, murmurs softly as it flows over smooth, polished stones. The water dances with playful reflections of warm golden sunlight, filtering through the dense canopy above into a series of faint and mystical rays. These rays pierce through the green foliage of the forest at an angle, creating a play of light and shadow that shifts as the leaves rustle in the breeze.
The air is filled with the melodies of the forest's avian inhabitants. Birds of various sizes and colors flit among the branches, their songs blending harmoniously with the gentle murmur of the stream. A pair of robins, with bright red breasts and gentle chirps, flit around in a lively game of tag. Their wings beat softly against the still air, creating a faint rustling sound. Higher up, a solitary woodpecker taps out a rhythm on the trunk of an ancient oak, its repetitive drumming adding a steady and pleasant beat to the natural symphony of the forest.
Nearby, a small family of deer cautiously makes its way along the stream's edge. The doe, with a sleek brown coat accented by white spots, leads her two fawns through the lush underbrush. The fawns, with their lighter brown fur, follow closely behind, their sensitive hooves barely making a sound on the moss-covered ground. Their large, expressive eyes dart around, taking in the wonders of the forest with innocent curiosity. Occasionally, the deer stop to nibble on tender shoots of grass growing along the stream's edge, the soft crunching of their chewing blending with the other sounds of the forest.
The winding path through this enchanting forest is covered in a thick layer of grass, dotted with wildflowers in shades of purple, yellow, and white. The grass sways gently in the breeze, creating a soft, rippling effect that enhances the forest's serene atmosphere. Here and there, clusters of bushes enrich the scene, their dense foliage providing shelter for smaller creatures that call this forest home. The bushes are adorned with clusters of berries, their bright red and dark blue hues standing out against the surrounding green.
As we venture deeper into the forest, the light becomes dimmer, filtering through countless leaves to form a protective canopy overhead. Sunlight still streams through the foliage, casting long, delicate shadows that move with the swaying branches. The interplay of light and shadow creates a mystical ambiance, where each step reveals a new facet of the forest's beauty.
The air is filled with a subtle aroma, evoking the sense of earth, decaying leaves, and the fresh scent of pine. This fragrance attests to the rich ecosystem of the forest, where each fallen leaf and decaying log contributes to a complex web of life. Butterflies occasionally flutter by, adding a touch of color to the scene, their delicate wings reflecting sunlight with glimmers of orange and black.
In this serene place, time seems almost negligible. The forest stands as a timeless sanctuary where each element—the brook, the birds, the deer, and the sunlight—plays a role in nature's delicate dance. It is a realm where one can find tranquility and wonder, a reminder of the simple yet profound beauty present in the natural world.
As the sun begins to set, the light in the forest softens, taking on a warm, golden hue. Shadows stretch, and the gentle rustle of leaves becomes a lullaby. The brook continues its peaceful journey, its waters now reflecting the deepening colors of the twilight sky. The birds, their songs fading into a quieter tone, settle into their nests for the evening.
The deer, too, begin to retreat, their graceful forms disappearing into the deeper reaches of the forest. The scene is a quiet transformation, a reminder that even amidst such beauty, change is an ever-present and unavoidable part of life. As darkness gently blankets the forest, the light of fireflies begins to emerge, adding a final touch of enchantment to this already mystical place.
Concealed in a hidden corner of the forest, obscured by the verdant embrace of ancient trees and dense foliage, lies a forgotten Dungeon, a relic of a bygone era. This Dungeon is a masterpiece of Eastern architecture, now crumbling, its ruins telling the story of a grandeur long faded, of Earth's people during their golden age on this land. Built entirely from various kinds of wood, the once resplendent design of the Dungeon is now a ghostly image of antiquity, covered in moss and vines clinging to every surface.
As we approach the entrance, the first thing that captures the eye is the intricately carved wooden archway, its decorative motifs almost obscured by the encroaching green. The archway, once a proud display of craftsmanship, now bears the burden of centuries of wear, buried beneath the relentless flow of time. Dragons and mythical creatures, intricately carved, are now nearly invisible beneath the green blanket of moss. Their eyes, once fierce and majestic, are now dull and lifeless, their shapes eroded by the unending passage of time.
Flanking the entrance are massive wooden columns standing as silent sentinels. These dark, gnarled columns, once polished to a deep luster, are now covered with a thick layer of green moss. The moss, bright green, contrasts sharply with the dark wood. Some columns have cracked or warped with time, their surfaces fissured and splintered, yet they retain a sense of ancient solemnity. Vines coil around these columns, their tendrils winding and curling like serpents, adding to the Dungeon's mystery.
Inside, the Dungeon opens into a vast hall, its expansive space marked by intricately carved wooden panels and lattice windows. The ceiling, supported by a series of curved beams once graceful, now sags and warps under the weight of time. The beams are adorned with intricate patterns of flowers and mythical creatures, although many details have eroded. Hanging from these beams are thick drapes of moss and lichens, their pale green shimmering gently in the dim light filtering through cracks in the wooden walls.
The floor, once covered with glossy wooden tiles, is now rugged and perilous. The tiles, though cracked and distorted, still retain faint traces of their former elegance. The gaps between the tiles are filled with a thick layer of moss, creating a soft cushion for each step. Parts of the floor are submerged in stagnant water, forming small pools where moss has grown densely, creating a reflective surface that mirrors the Dungeon's tarnished beauty.
Along the walls, wooden shelves and niches, now forgotten and abandoned, once held treasures and artifacts. The shelves, made from beautiful grained wood and fine veneers, have warped under the strain of time and now partially collapsed. In some places, the shelves have completely fallen apart, their debris scattered across the floor in disarray. The walls themselves are covered in a thick layer of moss and vines, cascading like green curtains, obscuring much of the original decor.
The Dungeon's corridors wind through the ruins like veins of a decaying creature. The narrow corridors, lined with rotting wooden planks and covered in creeping vines, lead to rooms of varying sizes. Some rooms are entirely overtaken by moss, with the ceiling covered in heavy vines swaying gently with each breeze. The air in these rooms is cool and damp, filled with the earthy scent of decay and a faint hint of mildew.
In one particularly large room, the remnants of a grand wooden altar stand in the center, its once intricate carvings now worn into abstract shapes. The altar is surrounded by a circle of ancient wooden statues, their once intricate carvings now completely lost. These statues, now mere shadows of their former shapes, are nearly covered in moss, with only faint traces of their original forms remaining. Their presence adds a strange solemnity to the room, as if they are the guardians of a long-forgotten ritual.
The ancient wooden doors of the Dungeon, once grand, now hang askew on their hinges, creaking with every gust of wind. These doors, adorned with intricate patterns and metal fittings long corroded, are covered in a thick layer of moss, their surfaces uneven in color. Occasionally, light filtering through a broken part of the roof highlights the textures of the moss and wood, creating a play of light and shadow that enhances the Dungeon's timelessness.
The group halts as they step inside the dungeon. The first floor's structure is simple and eerily empty... The floor is covered in thick dust, with splintered wooden fragments scattered everywhere. Among them are tattered and rotting pieces of paper, but we can still make out some of the characters on them are Chinese (or some dialect of it; I'm not very versed in it). A large section of the floor has collapsed, letting the golden sunlight shine through. Helzard steps closer, peering down.
"Look at this, guys! The lower floors seem to have also suffered a major collapse! As if a high-energy beam shot through!" Helzard muses, with an excited grin and a vivid imagination.
"How many floors are there, Helzard? Take a closer look!" Auburn urges.
"Nine floors! If I'm not mistaken, it's nine floors!" Helzard continues peering down, answering enthusiastically and curiously like a child.
"This is definitely ancient Eastern architecture…" I scan around, observing the hexagonal layout of the first floor, and spot a window frame covered thickly with moss. I take a few steps closer, bend down to examine it more closely, and tear off a heavy, rotting piece of paper. I open my eyes wide, studying it more carefully. "The window frame is wooden and covered with paper—this is clearly a type of window popular in imperial China!" I exclaim, my voice echoing in the empty first floor.
"Hey, there's a sign at the entrance made of bronze with Chinese characters on it!" Auburn, who is still standing outside, points to a blue sign (the blue color of the bronze oxidized over time). The characters on the sign are "青霄研究院".
Neva, Helzard, and I step outside and look in the direction Auburn is pointing.
"Indeed, that's Chinese!" I agree.
"The Han people must have been here, but can anyone translate those characters?" Helzard asks curiously.
"I think it's Traditional Chinese. This language has been around since the Han Dynasty in China! Zihao is fluent in many Chinese dialects and sometimes teaches me a bit when he has free time," Neva replies. The three of us look at her with surprise and admiration. Neva just smiles innocently and continues, "The characters on the sign mean Qing Xiao Research Institute!"
"So this dungeon was essentially an abandoned research institute with ancient Chinese architecture? Sounds intriguing!" Helzard grins mischievously, stroking his chin.
"There seem to be some paper scraps inside that might be research documents. Maybe we should take them to Zihao; he might be able to decipher them!" Auburn suggests enthusiastically.
"First, let's explore all nine floors," I reply, and Auburn and the others nod in agreement.
Thus, we begin our exploration as the sun starts to set. Meanwhile, in another place, in a high-rise building where Zihao and Aldo are resting and watching the sunset, a slow and lively atmosphere begins to unfold.
"Have you heard the latest news, Aldo? Veritas has been arrested for an accusation, and the accuser is a woman in a pink robe…" Zihao sits in a chair, leaning back, with a white cat on his lap, stroking it. His eyes are fixed on the golden lanterns casting a warm, nostalgic light (with him), and his lips remain gently smiling.
"A dirty trick from the sect. So they've decided to declare war on us now?" Aldo, standing next to Zihao, responds with his usual emotionless tone.
"It only costs 300 silver coins to bring it out. After all, it's just a baseless accusation. We still have the right to counter-sue if we want," Zihao adds calmly, his voice and demeanor still collected.
"If possible, we should resolve the conflict with the sect quickly to focus our resources on the goal of returning to Earth. We are all closely connected with our families…" Aldo continues.
"Don't say that! You're making me miss home…" Zihao sighs, looking up at the twinkling stars in the sky. "I hope my older sister, who's three years older than me, has improved her cooking skills…"
"It's been a while since I've heard you talk about your family…" Aldo remarks casually.
"Next time, let's share stories about our families, okay? And some memories too? I promise you'll see China in a different light!" Zihao smiles.
"Of course…" Aldo replies coldly.
The two then fall silent, with the white cat still perched on Zihao's lap. The three of them focus on the bustling crowds moving along the streets… amid the continuous ticking of a clock. And in another place, we are far from such peace.
"Leading the group is Aric, a seasoned warrior. His broad shoulders and polished armor make him a formidable fighter, even in the weak light of the evening. His long sword, a great sword, is drawn and ready, its blade razor-sharp..." Helzard mutters to himself, his eyes wide and his body trembling, leaning on his steel spear while sitting in a corner on the second floor.
"What's wrong with Helzard?" Neva tilts her head, curious.
"He just got a shock from facing a dozen goblins that aren't like the ones he heard about in stories when he was young, so he's a bit rattled," I sigh, leaning beside Helzard, answering.
"Let's keep moving, everyone. We still have seven more floors to explore," Auburn urges, pointing down the wooden stairs leading to the deeper levels, "The stairs are still here. Let's quickly finish exploring this dungeon, find something valuable, and head back."
"Wait a moment!" I reply.
I turn to Auburn, who is waving and pointing down the stairs across from the floor. It turns out this dungeon has such a simple structure that it's frustrating. There are only nine floors, each connected by stairs, and no walls or partitions creating more paths or rooms, naturally no surprises.
"Well, after all, this place was just a research facility," I think to myself.
"Next to him is Elara, the elven archer. Her lithe form barely makes a sound as she glides over the uneven ground. Her sharp eyes scan the shadows for any sign of movement, while her bow is slung on her back, ready to be drawn at any moment. Behind them are Roderick, the chubby priest, and Lyra, the mysterious sorceress..." Helzard continues to mumble, shivering in the corner.
"Are you afraid of goblins?" Neva pats Helzard on the shoulder, asking, but Helzard is still too shocked by the impression of the goblins we just faced.
One thing Aldo had warned...
"Roderick's armor clinks softly with each step, his hammer hanging from his belt, and his eyes focus on the dim path ahead. He occasionally murmurs a prayer under his breath, his faith a silent shield against the encroaching darkness. Lyra, in her black cloak billowing in the air, walks with calm confidence, her staff tapping rhythmically on the stone floor. Her fingers are already moving, weaving spells as she waits for what lies ahead." Helzard continues to mumble...
"Helzard? Helzard?" Neva shakes Helzard's shoulder.
I take Neva's hand and shake my head, "Let him be. We'll finish exploring and come back to get him."
I glance at the eight goblins we just defeated. One had its head cleaved off, blood spreading around the head and body; if you look closely, you can see a long, red strand like blood, which is definitely Parasital. Two were cleaved in half vertically; we saw a thread sticking to the spinal cord from the brain all the way to the organs and, of course, the reproductive organs. So Aldo's suspicion was not unfounded. The remaining five were either shot in the head with arrows or hit by acid I shot. Helzard was shocked by a Parasital tail protruding from the goblin's "sensitive area" and lightly touching his cheek. And he was shocked by that. Now I know Helzard is scared of things long and round like worms and snakes.
As for the goblins, personally, I had no impression except for one goblin who, though only 92 cm tall (within the average height of the species), fought fiercely despite being shot in the chest three times. It only fell when I shot it in the throat, probably due to the Parasital inside it being killed.
I'm lost in my thoughts until Neva tugs on my sleeve. I look down at her.
Neva looks at me with a bit of worry, glances at Helzard again, and nods. The two of us join Auburn and continue exploring the next floors. Auburn leads the way, holding a torch, the faint light illuminating a few meters ahead.
I smile, full of hope for the more challenging trials ahead, but it seems our isekai journey and my friends lean more towards battling with intelligence and people... We proceed straight to the ninth floor without encountering any more obstacles. When we reach the ninth floor, we find a thin book about Fleshmorphs. I flip through the pages, the text still clear and written in traditional Chinese. Neva reads silently, her eyes widening as she reads. After 20 minutes, I finish flipping through it. Though the last page and some pages were torn out, I slightly lean down and look at Neva.
"What does the book say?" I frown, asking seriously.
"The early pages introduce this research facility, essentially a place established 280 years ago by the Four Pillars to prepare for contingencies in case the Four Pillars lost to the uprising," Neva says.
"Aldo would know more about this. We should summarize it for him later," I roll my eyes, "What about the rest?"
"The remaining content lists 18 new forms of Fleshmorphs for concealment: Duner, Lurker, Deep-sea Carpet, Aviator with two variants, Bone-breaker, Vocalist, Parasital, Psyworm, Walker, Silencer, Mole, Sensualist, Monolith, Forsaked, Mini, Pure Descendant, Elephantor, and Hazard," Neva replies.
"Can you describe each type?" I continue to ask.
"Yes—" Neva is about to speak when Helzard runs up and interrupts.
"The Sapphic cult has sent a squad to chase us," Helzard rushes to us, breathing heavily, to the point I can feel his breath in my ears.
"Why now!?" Auburn panics, running around trying to find a place to hide.
From the stairs, I see many shadows coming down...
I signal Auburn to be quiet, frowning at... they've arrived.