Chapter 560: Misty Canyon
Chapter 560: Misty Canyon
In the desolate northern continent, a peculiar figure was sprinting across the lifeless wasteland, its silhouette transitioning from darkness to dawn as the sun rose.
From a distance, this creature appeared to have two legs and six arms, along with three heads. Not only was its form incredibly bizarre, but even upon closer inspection, it didn't conform to the typical growth patterns of living beings.
However, as the morning light pierced through the darkness, the truth became apparent.
Lindsay was running across the land.
Behind him, on either side, Lindsay was dragging Silude with one hand and carrying Dune with the other.
The three of them ran southward across the wasteland like a trio of acrobats.
"..."
"This is the downside of having a team with uneven strengths."
Lindsay, responsible for leading the way, couldn't help but complain.
There was no need to mention Silude, who was in a wheelchair, and Dune, who couldn't keep up with Lindsay's speed.
Unfortunately, this time, the matter at hand was quite important, and Lindsay didn't want to waste any time.
So, he had no choice but to hold onto one with each hand, running towards their destination in this rather odd posture.
After the morning, but before noon, Lindsay's journey began to show results.
The barren land, once dry and yellow, gradually revealed more noticeable undulations. As he looked into the distance, the shadows of mountains appeared in his field of view.
"Lindsay, we're almost there!"
"Slightly to the west, the canyon between those two peaks is where those bugs emerged!"
Dune spoke up, reminding them.
Lindsay slightly adjusted his direction and continued forward. After a short distance, the canyon indeed came into view.
Lindsay judged the distance and let go of Dune and Silude.
As his feet touched the ground again, Dune casually moved his body a couple of times, quickly adapting to the new terrain.
But Silude wasn't as comfortable.
The writer girl, her face pale, clutched her stomach. She spoke to Lindsay, half in admiration and half in exasperation:
"Compared to our first meeting, your speed has increased by more than a little."
"The blessing of life and will, two types of essence enhancement... it's far superior to ordinary Awakened, not to mention your chaotic skills."
Silude needed a break after every sentence.
Lindsay ignored her and waved for her to follow, then proceeded into the canyon alone.
As expected, the canyon was filled with mist.
As Lindsay stepped into it, his heightened perception made him feel as if he were passing through a thin veil. He then sniffed lightly, noticing that the air was significantly more moist than outside.
"The environment is indeed different; it's not dry at all."
Lindsay contemplated and switched to the [Puzzle Game] module.
"Mist—non-toxic and harmless; no ambush traps; and there are mutated scythe beetle tracks..."
As expected, the beetle's tracks appeared in the surrounding grass.
They were thin, green tracks that extended from the canyon in all directions, initially emerging from the corners of the steep cliffs on both sides.
Lindsay prepared to examine them, but as he stepped on a plant in the canyon, his pace slowed unconsciously.
"Plant..."
[Plant: Night Sheepgrass]
[A common pasture grass, infected by a plague, possesses a certain level of toxicity.]
[The toxicity of this infected pasture grass is currently suppressed, rendering it almost worthless.]
"Infected by the plague?"
Lindsay thought of the description of the mutated scythe beetle.
That mutated insect, although artificially created, also had a plague-related trait.
Lindsey reached out and touched the ground.
As expected, the soil in the canyon was indeed contaminated with some lingering plague.
However, as it was currently suppressed, it wasn't spreading outward.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
At this moment, from the corners on both sides of the canyon, a rustling sound began to emerge.
"Lord Lindsey, it's those bugs again!"
"Heh—"
Upon noticing the commotion, Dune immediately alerted Lindsey and moved closer to him.
Silude scanned the surroundings but couldn't help but let out a disdainful laugh.
Lindsey observed his surroundings.
In the corners of the valley, hidden among the plants, there seemed to be some passages leading to the cliffs and underground. These mutated scythe bugs were crawling out from these very passages.
Lindsey promptly unfolded his map.
Koto, beneath the canyon and on both sides of the mountain, there were numerous tunnel caves.
But besides these red dots, symbolizing hostile and densely packed insects, there were also a few scarce yellow markers hidden in the deeper parts of the canyon.
At this very moment, the mutated scythe bugs had surrounded Lindsey and the other two.
Their sharp blade-like arms and mouthparts were clearly visible.
However, Lindsey showed no fear, not even considering turning back.
He stood firmly in place and shouted into the air within the canyon:
"I know that someone is controlling these bugs!"
"Unknown friend, I come with a sword and good intentions!"
"Whoever you are, please come out and choose how we'll continue our conversation!"
Whoosh—
As his words landed, Lindsey drew a longsword and thrust it straight into the mud to his left.
Dune, by his side, was still watching everything with utmost tension.
This hunter didn't know any more information.
In his eyes, the three of them were already in a deadly crisis, and the only choice left was to fight their way out.
"Huh?"
At this moment, Dune's expression froze.
Because he suddenly realized that these mutated scythe bugs had indeed stopped their movements, just as Lindsey had said!
"Can bugs negotiate with humans?"
"..."
The mutated scythe bugs surrounded the trio, silent as ever.
After waiting a few more minutes, a strange, raspy voice slowly emerged from the misty canyon:
"Human, you shouldn't be here."
Lindsey's gaze intensified.
Before the other party fully appeared, his exceptional eyesight allowed him to see their silhouette through the mist.
At first glance, they had a simple human appearance.
But as they stepped forward, various twisted bodily details revealed their uniqueness.
Their exoskeleton, compound eyes, and body segments.
If the previous mutated scythe bugs were a fusion of insects, this new creature was a fusion of humans and insects.
Their flesh and blood had been distorted into a bizarre form.
Their appearance was indeed chilling.
However, on Lindsey's map, they were clearly marked in yellow, indicating a neutral stance.
Lindsey spoke:
"First of all, I apologize for my companions disturbing you."
"You may not be aware, but I've established a new territory at a more distant location, and the environment there..."
Lindsey was about to negotiate.
But the strange creature that had come out to respond interrupted him with a raspy voice through insect-like mouthparts:
"Sir, I hope you'll leave."
"We don't intend to leave here, nor do we want others to come in."
"Your continued presence here will only bring endless calamities to this decaying world."
(End of Chapter)
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