The Jeju Swamps stretched before Moon's eyes as nothing but a filthy forest, infested with all sorts of gri.
The forest was a maze of dark trees whose roots disappeared into murky, stagnant water that reflected nothing from how dark it was.
Old cypresses and dead oaks rose from the fetid pools, their branches draped with hanging moss that swayed in the humid air like ghostly curtains. The canopy above was abundant and thick, creating a perpetual twilight that made everything appear sickly, adding to the odd atmosphere.
Before stepping foot into the Swamp, Moon could already sll an overwhelming, nauseating mixture of rotting plants, murky water, and decomposing matter that had been festering for who knew how long. Sulfurous gases bubbled up from the deeper pools, adding the stench of rotten eggs to the already toxic atmosphere. Patches of bright green algae covered much of the dark water's surface, occasionally broken by the skeletal remains of creatures that hadn't survived whatever creatures called this place ho. The ground that wasn't subrged was soft and treacherous—a mixture of mud, rotting leaves, and sludge that squelched underfoot and threatened to trap unwary travelers.
Despite the revolting environnt, Moon could sense the presence of powerful creatures hidden within the murky depths. This was exactly the territory where dangerous S-rank beasts thrived, feeding on the abundant ecosystem of smaller creatures and scavengers.
Moon guided his Direhorse carefully into the swamp, both maintaining a high level of alertness for the threats that surely lurked beneath the deceptively calm surface.
Just as they crossed the threshold into the deeper marsh, they were imdiately attacked by a grotesque plant creature that erupted from the murky, calm water without any warning. Dirty water splashed Moon and the Direhorse as the massive plant opened its tooth-lined maw, attempting to clamp down on the Direhorse's legs.
Moon responded imdiately, channeling his wind elent into a blade that struck the plant before it could complete its attack on the Direhorse.
SLASH!
The wind blade cut the grotesque plant cleanly in half, severing its thick stem and causing both sections to collapse with a soft splash into the stagnant water.
[You have killed a level 21 A-Rank Poisonous Flytrap]
[You have gained 10 Lives]
Moon glanced at the notification with mild disappointnt before sighing audibly. His life gains were decreasing exponentially as his power level continued to grow far beyond most creatures in the First Sanctuary. Soon, only level 25 S-rank beasts would provide aningful life rewards upon dying.
♢♢♢♢
Over the course of a single day, Moon traveled across the entire swamp system, eliminating dozens of A-rank creatures and most importantly, successfully hunting down two S-Rank beasts that had been terrorizing the deeper regions of the marsh.
During his exploration, Moon found dozens of human skeletons of previous adventurers that had tried to explore the swamps but ultimately failed.
[Kill Fifty level 25 creatures classified at S-Rank power level alone: 14/50]
With his objectives for this location completed, Moon imdiately left the oppressive swamp environnt to distance himself from the toxic atmosphere and overwhelming stench.
After locating a secluded cave in the nearby hills, Moon dismounted and entered the rocky shelter. Using his water elent, he created a bathing area and thoroughly washed himself to remove the clinging odor of rotting vegetation and stagnant marsh water from his body.
The sll had beco absolutely unbearable—so pungent and persistent that he couldn't focus on anything else until it was completely eliminated.
Even his Direhorse seed grateful to be away from the fetid environnt, shaking itself vigorously to dislodge the accumulated gri from their expedition. Moon also cleaned the direhorse to remove the stench.
Moon then checked his position and the map, before marching over to his next position.
The hunt continued, but he was making solid progress toward his evolution requirents.
♢♢♢♢
Inside a massive Spirit Pavilion, Alaric and Emma stood before an imposing door that was previously heavily sealed with multiple layers of barriers.
"Alaric, are you absolutely certain you want to attempt this again?" Emma's voice carried deep concern.
"The last ti you tried going against the predetermined path, you were severely injured for nearly a month. There's no guarantee this approach could actually work—in fact, it probably won't."
She stepped closer towards him with a worried expression that could be seen from a quick glance. She was no longer the sa, teasing woman, rather…she was like a worried little girl.
"Think this through carefully. Isn't it safer to simply follow the established path like everyone else? Why risk everything trying to deviate from what's been proven to work? Your path is also much stronger than other paths, you can easily beco an ascender, and possible reach higher in the future."
Emma looked at Alaric's determined face with growing dread. She was really afraid that this ti, instead of returning injured, he might not return at all.
"Following the path..." Alaric turned toward her, his eyes in deep contemplation that went beyond simple arguing or rebellion. "Emma, do you ever ask yourself questions about these paths? These paths that we walk through, these predetermined routes to power—who originally created them? Why were they already established and waiting for us? Why are we expected to follow them without question?"
Emma remained silent for a long mont, trying to gauge his intention from his words.
"Isn't it the system itself that creates these advancent paths?" she finally replied. "What else would have the power to establish routes through the river of paths?"
"That's certainly one famous possibility," Alaric acknowledged. "But have you ever considered an alternative? What if these paths weren't created by the system, but by actual individuals? People who achieved power with our classes and then deliberately shaped the routes that future generations would follow?"
Emma's eyes widened with sudden understanding and horror. Knowing Alaric as much as she did, she instantly understood why he was so adamant on not following the paths.
"How could they possibly... Alaric, are you saying that's what you're trying to do? Create your own path from scratch? That's absolute suicide!"
"Do you have so little faith in ?"
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