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Chapter 331: The Explorer
Chapter 331: The Explorer
Before the conflict arose, no one could have predicted that it would be an ordinary member of the team who ultimately decided the expedition's path.
Amidst the crowd's encouragement and support, Lezer quickly finalized the next course of action.
Even some of the Awakened, who had initially held conservative opinions, changed their minds.
After a final rest in the morning, the fleet was ready to set sail and continue their journey into the forest along the Echo Valley River.
However, a few Awakened members still refused to take the risk.
They wanted to stay put in this clearing.
"Friends, I have a lot of experience in this area," Lezer said, trying to convince them.
"Staying here alone in this situation is definitely not a good choice."
As the fleet prepared supplies and returned to the ships, Lezer remained on the ground, counseling the Awakened who planned to stay behind.
After stating the facts, he didn't threaten them but instead invited them warmly, "Moreover, the fleet needs your strength.
"Only by staying united at this moment can we protect ourselves!"
The leader's humble invitation resonated with many, despite the previous events that had bruised their egos.
By the time the ships set sail, heading deeper into the forest along the river, only two remained on the shore.
"An experienced explorer like Lezer is hard to come by," Lindsey remarked as he stood at the bow, gazing forward.
His demonstrated abilities had undoubtedly made him an invaluable scout.
The turbulent forest continued to rustle along the shore, but a gentle breeze from afar brought a refreshing sensation.
Lindsey turned and glanced back, ensuring no one was watching. He casually pulled a chair from his satchel and sat down, enjoying the moment.
His primary scouting skill was the Map ability, which required only occasional glances to maintain its effectiveness. Compared to the busy fleet members, Lindsey had a relatively leisurely time.
The fleet sailed downstream, and as the afternoon wore on, Lindsey checked the map.
"The markings on the map... all clear," he confirmed, and indeed, there were no enemy sightings throughout the afternoon.
In this peaceful moment, he couldn't help but consider getting his fishing rod.
Perhaps to pass the time a bit.
"With only me here, even if I reel in a wooden box, no one would notice as long as I'm quick..." Lindsey thought.
Just as he reached into his satchel, footsteps sounded from behind.
"Drake, I'm truly grateful for your reminder this morning," Lindsey said, turning to see Lezer approaching.
There was no denying Lindsey's invaluable contributions to the expedition's twists and turns, and Lezer valued him for it.
With fewer tasks at hand, Lezer wanted to chat with Lindsey.
"I was merely offering a casual suggestion, a shallow piece of advice," Lindsey replied with a nod. "How are the others doing?"
He referred to the Awakened members Lezer had convinced to board the ships.
Lezer didn't indulge in small talk and instead shook his head with a bitter smile, "Once hearts are torn, even if you mend them, they'll soon tear again."
Lindsey noticed Lezer's attempt to relax in his presence.
He smiled back, "That's not the attitude of a leader."
Lezer chuckled, "Ha— I'm just an ordinary person, not a leader."
He jumped and sat on the ship's railing, letting the wind from the forest blow against his back, his gaze turning distant.
"I was just a young, impulsive adventurer when I left my hometown for Fortnox eight years ago. I heard about a lost city in a desert world that had been consuming explorers. Ignorant and eager, I rushed in without a second thought."
Intrigued, Lindsey waited for Lezer to continue.
Lezer reached into his chest pocket and produced a pendant, handing it to Lindsey.
"I got this afterward."
Lindsey examined the pendant; its chain was made of white metal, and the core was an irregularly shaped pebble.
Upon touching it, the pendant offered Lindsey a vague direction—the nearest water source.
[Accessory/Material: Seeker's Stone]
[Can guide the wearer to the nearest water source; can also be used as a material to craft other items.]
】
【A pendant with special effects, of moderate value.】
"Isn't that Echo Valley River down there?"
Materials directly recognized by the workbench, and the effects are quite good.
Lindsey was tempted, but he couldn't forcefully take Lezer's treasure. After taking a look, he politely returned it.
Lezer took the pendant.
He caressed the Seeker's Stone with longing, continuing to share his experiences:
"I was almost as thirsty as my predecessors, dying in the desert. But fortunately, I was lucky enough to find it there, thus gaining access to a water source. Finally, I successfully reached that city and entered the Fifth Stage, becoming a member of the Ascenders."
At this point, Lindsey was also curious.
He had learned about explorers' abilities in the Hidden Frontier, but there were many contradictory and inconsistent records.
Currently, he had a living example standing before him.
He asked:
"Lezer, I don't know much about explorers' abilities."
Lezer explained generously:
"It's simple, starting with journaling."
"First Stage explorers only need to create their own journals, accumulating knowledge in this regard. But by the Second Stage, they need to travel, and during this stage, we usually call them travelers."
As he spoke, Lezer took out a yellowish-brown leather journal, tying it securely with a rope.
Lezer untied the rope in front of Lindsey.
He opened the journal, pointing to a passage and saying:
"By experiencing enough adventures during your travels and recording them in your journal, your skills will improve. Then, you'll reach the Third Stage, the true domain of explorers. When your stories begin to be told by others, you'll enter the Fourth Stage. As for the Fifth Stage..."
Lezer snapped the journal shut.
He tossed the Seeker's Stone in his hand, his brown irises filled with mixed emotions.
There was longing and also nostalgia:
"The ancient world that was lost, the ruins that disappeared in history, and the kingdom's treasures with unknown whereabouts. Finding them and accomplishing feats of this caliber will naturally lead to advancement."
"Most outsiders don't understand explorers' abilities, and this is the reason."
"Explorers with different personalities and experiences often develop vastly different skills. It's like craftsmen; some are skilled in tool-making, while others excel in building houses. It's challenging to provide a general and accurate answer."
"What about after that?" Lindsey couldn't help but ask, "Does the Fifth Stage require finding such rare things? How do you advance further?"
Lezer gave an example:
"Drake, do you know about Spatial Mages?"
"Their abilities come from mimicking spatial phenomena of the world itself, and these phenomena sometimes cause people to be thrown from one world to another."
Lindsey immediately understood.
"Is this related to your subsequent advancement?"
Lezer nodded:
"We explorers constantly travel the world to find such singularities."
"If you successfully discover a new world, record it, and inform the entire universe, the door to the Sixth Stage will open for you. Subsequent skill advancement continues in this direction."
From journaling to exploring new worlds, the explorer's profession is aptly named.
Lindsey sincerely exclaimed:
"Your abilities are truly remarkable."
Lindsey thought of the Great Explorer Statue in the Hidden Frontier.
After the Fifth Stage, explorers need to seek out unfamiliar worlds to advance.
The Grand Expedition's purpose is to explore the boundaries of the known world.
For the explorers, this is indeed a tempting endeavor.
The two chatted for a while longer.
Then, Lezer heard intense discussions coming from the back of the ship.
He nodded farewell to Lindsey, jumped off the ship's railing, and headed straight for the cabin:
"Mr. Drake, it was a pleasure to exchange ideas with you."
"Tonight, I'll arrange for someone to take over your shift so you can relax appropriately. It's an essential part of the adventure."
Lindsey took out his fishing rod, putting the advice into action:
"No problem, I'll start relaxing right away!"
(End of Chapter)
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