"You're leader ain't that talkative, isn't he?" Dylan whispered at Hank who was walking in front of him with steady steps.
Hank, the scarred warrior, only shrugged. "It's not too obvious, ain't it? I will say it to you now... Our leader is as proud as the heavens. Don't try to provoke him. You won't end up good," he warned.
'Why would I provoke such a monster? Unless I'm seeking death. I'm not in a Chinese Novel to do that.'
Just like that, they continued to walk for another thirteen minutes before they finally saw the Savage Deer. In the end, Dylan mounted the Savage Deer; there was still space from the back, but Dylan didn't offer them to his team members. After all, he still has to respect the Savage Deer.
Dylan knew his character the most. After all, they're the same soul. He could feel that the Savage Deer was against the idea of strangers on his back. He was fine with Dylan because it was himself.
A few hours later, with Orochi levitating forward, they managed to reach the Orange Milk River with Dylan, Hank, and Kevin exchanging words occasionally. Well, mainly, it was Hank who took the initiative to explain things they encountered and things that piqued Dylan's interest.
Although he could be considered a regressor. Dylan obviously didn't know everything about the game. He only knew the popular stuff and major events, some important things there are, and important minor events happened in the game.
Dylan solely focused on the storyline of the game and leveling up his characters. He knew a lot of secrets because he was obsessed with reading posts in the gaming community.
However, some nuances that aren't in his consideration. He's not omniscient in the game world. He has a lot of details that he didn't know. He wasn't arrogant enough to think that he could track everything. That's why with limited time and with his current power. He only plans to exploit the opportunities that would bring him the biggest benefits. Benefits that would let him leave the players to dust.
Dylan looked at the Orange River that, according to Hank, spans a hundred kilometers. What concept is that? For reference, an average marathon is only 42 kilometers. On average of course. So, the Orange Milky River can be said to be two marathons long.
However, although the river was long. It wasn't too wide. It's only as wide as half of the football field.
"What's the origin of this river?"
Dylan looked at Kevin, the blue-robed warrior.
Honestly, he has a good impression of Kevin and Hank. They weren't rude or arrogant. They didn't act pretentiously and were willing to talk to him without showing impatience. People like this are on Dylan's good side.
Kevin sighed. "I don't actually know anything about the story behind this river. Neither Hank."
Honk nodded. Then, he pointed at Kenjaku. "This guy knows. He likes to collect intelligence about places and terrains."
Hearing this, Kenjaku lifted his glasses. "To know the terrain and your enemies, to win a hundred battles."
'Wait that sounds wrong but also right...' Dylan couldn't help but think of a quote from Sun Zhu'e's Art of War book.
This guy, Kenjaku, was a strategist! A philosophical one at that!
Dylan had a new evaluation of Kenjaku in his heart.
"The Orange Milky River has an interesting story behind it..." Kenjaku's eyes flickered as he began.
Even while walking, Dylan and the two had their ears perked up. Only Orochi was indiffirent. As if nothing in this world was worthy of his attention.
"In the past, roughly a thousand years before, the Congyun City was actually called the Congyun Ocean. Yes, the city, the very land we are walking in, and this river here are all part of the Congyun Ocean..."
'What the hell? This place is actually a sea long ago?'
Dylan looked around and shuddered. He couldn't even imagine.
"So what happened? Why did the Congyun Ocean become land? Did it dry up?? Since just the Orange Milky River was already 100 kilometers long. I can't imagine how large the Congyun Ocean was since it's just a part of it." Dylan expressed his thoughts.
"I don't know what causes it... All the intelligence I got was from historical books. There's no mention of its cause. However, there's one thing for sure. It's not a natural cause." Kenjaku's voice contained excitement within for some reason.
Hank chuckled. "What a geek..."
Dylan took a deep breath. He was inwardly shocked, his breathing rapid. "If it's not a natural cause? What kind of creature could dry up a large body of water? Sounds like a mystery."
Even in his past life, he played until the game updated its version again and again. Version 10, where the aboriginals had to leave the planet with the help of Alien technology excavated on an ancient tomb. Dylan played the ongoing version 13, he was already on the Universe. Why haven't he heard that the Congyun City was actually an Ocean at the beginning?
"There must be a big secret behind it. I'm afraid we are not strong enough to know. After all, there should have been mentions about the causes in the books, but there are not. The people in power must be hiding something. What do you think, leader?"
Hank turned his head at Orochi. The strongest in the group.
Surprisingly, Orochi opened his mouth this time and said with a deep voice. "Mortals don't have the qualifications to know about the Act of Gods." Then he closed his eyes and became silent.
"Act of Gods?" Kenjaku muttered.
On the other hand, Hank and Kevin just shook their heads. Gods? Are there Gods in these world? If there really are, in their opinion, they're not good gods. If they are, why does suffering exist?
Dylan gave Orochi a deep look who was currently meditating while levitating forward. 'Act of Gods... This Orochi is titled as the Sun God's Incarnation. If he really knows something I wouldn't be surprised.'
Just like that, the group reached their destination. The Forest of Green Beasts. Dylan didn't bring up the topic of Midnight Shadow Mountain yet. He still thinks he needs to at least level up to 9. After all, if he's too weak. How would he have a voice in their group? He's afraid that he won't be able to fight them if push comes to shove, even with his skills.
After all, two are level 15. Then, there's Orochi. How would he resist?