Chapter 531: Desolate Plains
Chapter 531: Desolate Plains
"I've only rested for a month."
"Right after stepping out of the Teleportation Array, I have to investigate this massacre, and I hope no law enforcement officer mistakes me for the culprit."
Lindsey's expression turned slightly awkward.
He glanced at his attribute panel; the task bar remained unchanged, showing no reaction to the six-hour-late slaughter.
So, he opened the map and began to expand his reconnaissance range.
"Hmm..."
"Still nothing!"
The Map skill showed no signs of the culprit lurking nearby, nor were there any late-arriving law enforcement officers like in Thousand Sails City.
"After all, it's been six hours."
Lindsey shook his head slightly.
This amount of time, in an environment without surveillance or witnesses, would be a very tricky situation.
Not to mention, there were Awakened individuals in this world! Based on the analysis of the murderer's methods and speed in slaughtering the entire courtyard, this person was at least a 5th Stage Awakener or higher.
If this individual was determined to escape, they would have long left Lindsey's detection range.
"But why are there no clues?"
"Perhaps he didn't come here in person but used some kind of artistic skill to kill from a distance."
Lindsey checked one last time.
After confirming there was no other information, he finally stepped out of the courtyard's walls.
As he arrived in this new world, a vast and solemn atmosphere instantly enveloped him.
Looking north, between the snow-covered mountain ranges, there was a dim and dark deep valley, and a weak river rushed through the rocky canyons.
To the south, a grayish-white wasteland stretched to the horizon, barren, lifeless, and filled with the mournful sound of the wind.
In this desolate land, even the shadows of lone wolves were absent, and the clouds that occasionally passed by in the sky seemed to replace the work of vultures.
Only to the east.
In the equally desolate land, a road extended from the Teleportation Courtyard, leading to the distance.
Small bushes lined both sides of the road, separating patches of salt marshes.
The dark gray sky was devoid of flying birds, and the gloomy ground was silent.
There was only deadening silence.
As far as the eye could see and the ears could hear, there was only complete and hopeless desolation.
"..."
"What happened to this world?"
Lindsey mechanically took a step forward, walking along the only road.
During his time in Thousand Sails City, he had also done some preparatory work.
This world was supposed to have several human settlements, with mountains, seas, lakes, and various terrains, making it a fairly livable world.
And from here, heading east.
After about three months of travel, one could see the connection between the two worlds.
"This..."
"Anyway, this direction is definitely correct."
...
Over the next few days, Lindsey walked alone in solitude.
He felt like he had returned to the time when he first arrived in the Black Mountain world. In the vast land, he was once again alone.
However, unlike the situation with the clearly threatening dragon beasts, this world was unclear, and there was no one to communicate with.
Apart from the desolate atmosphere permeating the air, no other information was revealed to him.
Occasionally, he saw some wild wolves and beasts along the way, most of them skinny and sickly, looking weak and listless.
It was as if the world itself.
Was tormenting every living being within it.
"Sigh..."
"This world is separated from the Law Capital by another world, and it's already in such a desolate state. What if those who uphold justice destroy the world in their final battle? Where will they go to fulfill their will?"
Day 4.
Lindsay, traveling alone in the wilderness, grumbles to himself.
His inventory is well-stocked with supplies, enough to sustain him for a lengthy journey. Even if he runs out of meat jerky and reaches a truly desperate state, he has a blackberry bush growing in his courtyard that can provide sustenance.
【Unusual Item/Consumable: Blackberry】
【A small bush that produces a certain amount of blackberries daily. Eating the berries restores stamina, or they can be released to create a wide area covered in thorns.】
【Achievement Item, moderate value.】
This was the achievement reward for defeating a Treant.
Although the yield is not high, it is consistent, producing some berries every day.
As long as he doesn't use it as a one-time weapon and manages his resources, he won't starve.
"How am I supposed to live like this?"
"The portal hasn't recovered yet, and I can't just go find a frozen marsh and dig up a companion from some underground treasure trove, can I?"
In the evening, Lindsay mutters to himself to pass the time while preparing to find a flat spot to set up his shop and get a good night's rest.
He routinely opens his map to scout the surrounding environment.
"Oh?"
Lindsay's eyebrows shoot up, and his lazy stretch abruptly stops.
After four whole days, something finally catches his attention not too far ahead.
It's a cluster of red and yellow markers.
To be precise, there are 17 yellow markers surrounded by 21 red ones.
Conflict? Ambush? Battle?
"Who cares!"
"Finally, something to encounter!"
Lindsay's spirits lift, and he puts away his shop, ready to take action.
With an agility of 84, he dashes forward, leaving behind a fleeting afterimage.
In just a few breaths, the scene from the map reconnaissance appears before Lindsay.
21 red dots represent a pack of Desert Beasts, a type of primitive, pack-dwelling creature that Lindsay has encountered twice before.
【Desert Beasts】
【Primitive Awakening Level 1】
【Body Length: 0.5~1.2 meters】
【Weight: 4~12 kg】
【Running Speed: Comparable to an adult human】
【Diurnal animal with poor vision but a sharp sense of smell. No hibernation habits.】
【Desert Beasts inhabit deserts or forests. They are pack animals with a fierce and greedy nature, primarily attacking with claws and bites. When influenced by Essence, they evolve into Demons, gaining the ability to manipulate small rocks and soil. Their skin becomes tough, and their arm strength increases.】
【Weak Points: Brain, vital organs in the chest cavity.】
【Hunting Tips: Abdomen, Head (Do players really need these tips?)】
【Kill Achievement: 41/50】
As for what's being surrounded by these Desert Beasts, those 17 yellow markers—
Just as Lindsay had hoped, they represent people.
The beasts and humans face off against each other.
The Desert Beasts glare at the humans with fierce and greedy eyes, occasionally manipulating rocks to attack.
Among the humans, there are Awakened ones.
However, there are only two of them, and their skills are at the first and second stages. They struggle to protect the group, already exhausted and gasping for breath.
For Lindsay, dealing with these low-level Demons is a trivial matter.
But for ordinary people, this is a life-threatening situation!
"Finally, some action," Lindsay says calmly, taking out his Iron Horned Bow and nocking a few ordinary arrows.
"Let's get them out of there."
"And maybe I can gather some information about this world."
(End of Chapter)
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