322 Black Swamp (1/2)
In this world, dark clouds loomed over the skies and blotted out all the sunlight all year round. If not for the red moon's dreary crimson light, the world would be plunged into perpetual darkness.
One could even say that on this land, day and night are reversed. Night is day, and day is night.
”So, this is what lies on the other side?” Leon quietly murmured to himself.
After arriving, his vigilance was raised to the max and refrained himself from scouting with divine sense.
Some creatures were sensitive divine sense. He could not guarantee that using divine sense would give away his location.
[Spirit Eyes]
His blackish-grey pupils began to glow with a silver light.
Smothering black gas filled his vision while the ground felt wet and soft. He found himself in a black swamp with water levels reaching his knees while countless bones littered the place.
Everything he could see was painted black by the boundless darkness profound energy.
”No signs of demons so far,” Leon concluded after sensing no nearby lifeforms. Shortly after, his brows furrowed.
”There are so many bones belonging to demons, beasts, and even humans are in this place. A big battle must have happened here long ago…”
Leon suddenly paused.
He picked up a white human skull and rubbed the texture, before continuing his analysis, ”…However, a portion of these bones are very fresh. Their age doesn't match the rest of the bones.”
At this point, Leon's heart trembled slightly on a certain possibility, but he quickly shook his head out of such thinking.
”No, these skulls greatly resemble humans, but there are also some minor differences. Nothing is conclusive yet. Mom and the others might still be alive.”
With that in mind, Leon continued to study the surrounding.
”It's no wonder that adoptive father and the others passed out so quickly after arriving. There is such a high concentration of miasma in this place. Something big must have also happened here recently. Also…”
At this point, Leon slightly lifted his knees and checked each leg. He shook his head when his long pants had transformed into shorts. Wiggling his toes, he found that his leather boots had also disappeared.
In that regard, Leon felt a bit helpless.
He had prepared quite a few spare sets of clothes for the trip, but he did not prepare extra shoes. It appeared that he would barefooted until he finds something to wear.
”…This black water possesses some level of corrosiveness. It is not enough to threaten me in the short term but soak in it for a few days, and I would also be joining the rest of the bones.
Divine Will rippled out from his body and subtly warded away the surrounding black gas. The black swamp water was also divided, revealing the Tier 4 Teleportation Array below his feet.
This Tier 4 Teleportation Array was different from the one in Lost Isle Alley, but both were absolutely necessary for spatial travel between the two locations.
If someone tries to jump through a teleportation array without having the other one, the chances of being sent into the void were relatively high.
That being said, both teleportation arrays do not need to be activated simultaneously for spatial travel. One was enough, but the other one must be activated for the return trip.
As Leon studied the array, his eyes flashed with an understanding look.
”I see, the array is hidden in quite an unassuming location, and the demon core's energy had also been depleted.”
From these clues, he was able to determine the reason why the others failed to return with the rest of the group.
”But… who would build such a profound array in such an obscured location? It's like they don't want anyone to find it.”
Leon frowned with a pondering look.
This was contrary to his belief that the demons were plotting something against them.
But whatever the case may be, it was at least certain that the one who laid the teleportation arrays was very familiar with both locations.
However, he did not ponder too deeply. He believed that the answer would come to him eventually. First and foremost, he needed to find his adoptive mother. Everything else comes after.
Leon continued to search for clues within the black swamp.
Amidst the mountain of bones found in the area, he also found some interesting weapons and equipment under the black water. In fact, they were fascinating!
A bone sword was soon picked up for study.
”These weapons are quite primitive, but bone is quite sharp and strong. These are some good bones, but the runic enchantments are even better!” Leon commented as he studied the Tier 2 runic engravings.
”Hm?”