Chereads / Eternal Battlefield:The Unkillable Cain / Chapter 19 - Chapter 20:Survival on the Floating Island

Chapter 19 - Chapter 20:Survival on the Floating Island

The atmosphere aboard the ship was stifling. Every participant wore a grim expression, their eyes betraying their silent dread for the ordeal ahead.

On the way to the ship, Cedric had explained the threats Cain might encounter.

The outer perimeter of the floating island was the least dangerous, but that didn't mean it was safe. The native creatures of the island, strange and unnatural, were unlike anything found elsewhere. Cain had been explicitly warned about their blood.

"It carries something called 'Will Erosion,'" Cedric had said. "Even minimal exposure can chip away at your sanity. Get exposed enough, and you'll lose all reason—until you become one of them."

These creatures were classified as the Dreadkin, a race that inspired fear and unease across the Eternal Battleground. Many of the most infamous cults had ties to the Dreadkin, though the full nature of their connection was a dark mystery few dared to unravel.

Soon, the ship descended at the island's edge, landing on a desolate outcrop surrounded by dense forest.

The leader of the operation, a silver-haired Gaian, stepped forward. "Get off. Survive for 24 hours. We'll pick you up here tomorrow—if you're still alive. Don't make this a wasted trip."

Cain, along with over a hundred other recruits, stepped onto the eerily quiet ground. Around them was a dense forest, and beyond it, towering mountains. One of the peaks held a waterfall spilling crimson liquid, its unnerving color sending chills through the group.

The recruits erupted into chaotic discussion, the tension bubbling over.

"We should form teams. It's safer in numbers."

"Are you crazy? A big group is an obvious target. I don't want to die because of someone else's stupidity."

"Who wants to team up with me? I've got survival training!"

"I'm a magic-type Evolver and can heal wounds. Who's with me?"

"I don't want to die! Someone, please take me with you."

"I'll do anything—anything—if you help me!"

Cain watched them quietly, keeping to himself.

Cedric's advice echoed in his mind: The first thing you need to do when you land is find a safe place for the night.

The high ground was the best choice since most of the native creatures only prowled the forest floor. There were two viable options—climbing a tall tree or reaching the mountain summit.

The nearby trees, however, were too short to be reliable, leaving the mountains as the only option.

Cain glanced at the artificial sun hanging in the sky. He estimated about ten hours until nightfall—plenty of time to secure a safe spot. Without a word, he slipped away from the noisy crowd and entered the forest alone.

The deeper Cain ventured into the forest, the heavier the air became. A sickening stench filled his nostrils—not the smell of decay, but something far worse, as if living flesh was rotting away while still alive.

Cain forced himself to keep moving, stepping cautiously through the underbrush.

Soon, he stumbled upon corpses—human corpses. Their faces were twisted in agony, their wounds fresh. They had likely been part of a previous group, ones who hadn't made it out alive.

Beyond the corpse-laden area, the stench grew stronger, and the vegetation turned bizarre. Some plants resembled distorted human figures, others like the grotesque heads of beasts, and some appeared like exposed organs.

What unsettled Cain the most was that these plants weren't stationary. They pulsed as if breathing and seemed to sway subtly, tracking his movements.

"This place... it's wrong," Cain muttered, his skin crawling.

After trekking for some time, Cain found a small clearing. Ensuring he was alone, he retrieved his Evolution Crystals.

Selecting a low-level crystal, he recalled Cedric's instructions and began the absorption process.

Within moments, the energy from the crystal flowed into his body, activating his Evolution Seed. The crystal dissolved into pure energy and was absorbed by the seed, but the process wasn't automatic.

Cain had to choose where the energy would go: into the seed itself to boost his Evolution Metrics, into one of his Totems to advance its progress, or into an ability to increase its level.

Cain had already made up his mind. He directed all the energy to his primary Totem. The Totem Ring's charge increased by 5%.

"Just 5% from one E-tier Level 1 crystal?" Cain frowned. "This is going to take forever."

Still, what he needed most was to recharge his revival mark. Everything else could wait.

Cain absorbed the remaining Level 1 crystals, raising the charge to 40%. Finally, he took out the E-tier Level 3 crystal he'd earned from his previous battle.

The result exceeded his expectations. The crystal filled the Totem Ring completely, with an additional 10% left over.

"So higher-tier crystals really make a difference," Cain thought, a small grin forming. His confidence in his survival chances grew.

Satisfied, he rose to continue his search for high ground.

He hadn't gone far when something lashed out at him—a yellow, vine-like tendril coated in foul-smelling slime. The tendril coiled around him, pinning his arms to his sides before yanking him toward its source.

Cain's breath caught as he was dragged toward a massive, pulsating yellow plant. Its surface was covered in grotesque human faces, their expressions twisted into masks of anguish, hatred, and maniacal laughter.

Every face opened its mouth in a soundless scream, revealing rows of jagged, decayed teeth.

Cain didn't hesitate. Summoning his second Totem, he unleashed the power of Corruptive Decay.

A wave of decaying energy surged through his body and into the tendril, which began to writhe violently. Seizing the moment, Cain broke free of the plant's grip.

The corruption spread like a plague, overtaking the plant's main body. It emitted a piercing, otherworldly scream as its flesh dissolved into black sludge.

Within a minute, the plant had collapsed into a foul-smelling pool of liquid. Amid the muck, something faintly glowed.

Cain approached cautiously, ignoring the stench, and retrieved the source of the light—a gleaming E-tier Level 2 crystal.

"Not bad," he muttered, pocketing the crystal before moving on.

The forest grew darker and more ominous as he continued. Distant screams echoed through the trees—the final cries of other recruits meeting their grisly ends.

Cain clenched his fists, forcing himself to block out the noise. He couldn't afford to be distracted. Helping others was a luxury he couldn't risk; one misstep could mean his death.

After hours of careful navigation, Cain reached the base of the first mountain. Along the way, he'd fought and defeated several monstrous plants, earning five additional E-tier Level 2 crystals.

Yet he didn't absorb them. He had another goal in mind.As long as Cain survived and returned with 10 Evolution Crystals, regardless of their tier, he would earn his first weapon.

And it wasn't just any weapon—it was a magical artifact brought from the Greenfield Kingdom by Cedric himself!

A good weapon was crucial for Cain. He had no intention of relying solely on his bare hands in battles—that was far too dangerous.

The sun dipped lower, and shadows stretched across the forest as night fell. Cain climbed halfway up the mountain, eventually stopping on a ledge.

He gazed downward, deciding the height was sufficient. Climbing further in the dark was too dangerous; a single misstep could send him plummeting to his death.

Night descended fully, bringing with it an oppressive, unnatural silence.

Then, faint noises began—soft, wet sounds and guttural growls.

Cain tightened his grip on the small blade he had picked up along the way.

"The real nightmare starts now," he whispered.

From the shadows below, something stirred.