Chapter 274: The Giant Black Shadow
The next day, the Grassland and River gradually thinned out, replaced by endless Shrubbery and countless towering Broadleaf Trees. The Sky above was no longer blue but a dense cluster of Green Leaves layered upon each other. The dim light piercing through the thick Dark Clouds filtered through the Green Leafy Crevices, making it even more faint. Even at high noon, the Surroundings were shrouded in gloom.
We had now crossed the border between the Plains and the Forest, officially entering the Misty Forest. Led by Warriv, we advanced along a rugged Trail just wide enough for a single Carriage. Four or five Wagons and seven people stretched into a long, thin line like a centipede. The path was difficult, a Trial especially for the Pack Mule Beasts pulling the Wagons. Fortunately, they had traveled this road countless times and were like old horses knowing the way, quite skilled. However, the people could no longer sit on the Carriages, partly to lighten the burden on the Mule Camel Beasts, and partly because unless you thought your Buttocks were too perky and wanted them flattened by the bumps.
Warriv told us that despite the trail's simplicity, it had been carved out over thousands of years by their ancestors' constant treading. The Vines and shrubs in the Forest grew quickly; often, after clearing it on the way in, they would find it blocked again on the way back. This small path was the result of continuous clearing and treading over millennia, finally changing the growth patterns of these shrubs and Vines and opening up the Passage they now used.
As Warriv said, the Misty Forest might seem terrifying, but as long as you understood its underlying rules, passing through safely wasn't impossible. In fact, on the second day after entering the Misty Forest, we even encountered a Mercenary Squad. They were protecting several Woodcutters searching for valuable Wood nearby. The Hardwood tables in the Rogue Tavern were made from Wood found deep within this Forest. If they could find one or two such Hardwood Trees, both the Mercenary and the Woodcutters could make a fortune, which was why they were willing to brave such great Danger in the Misty Forest.
We walked for another five or six days. The branches and leaves overhead became increasingly dense, completely blocking out the Sky. However, according to the experienced Warriv's judgment, the Dark Clouds accumulated over the past few days had not dispersed but had grown even thicker. Looking up from the treetop, goodness, the entire world was a gray expanse. The Dark Clouds pressing down from above felt like they could be touched by reaching out. These Dark Clouds kept accumulating, but the Rain was slow to fall, like a Sword hanging precariously overhead, making everyone feel stifled.
"Slap—" A sharp sound rang out. Doug, walking ahead, slapped his own face hard.
"Damn it, these cursed Mosquitoes." Doug pinched his face. A Green-Patterned Mosquito about half a thumb's size was crushed between his fingers. He couldn't help but curse bitterly. Deep in the Forest, Mosquitoes, snakes, and Insects were rampant. Even covering oneself tightly with a Cloak couldn't prevent the Harassment. No wonder Warriv always wore those airtight, tight-fitting Clothes.
"Little one, are you okay?" I opened my Cloak and asked the little head peeking out from inside. In a place swarming with Insects like this, the best thing was to hold Sarah and wrap her in my Cloak, like a kangaroo protecting its joey. It was a bit stuffy, but better than being bitten. Who knew if these Insects carried diseases?
"With Big Brother here, I'm not afraid of anything." The little one tilted her head cutely, her bright Eyes looking at me, snuggling comfortably in my arms. Then she drowsily closed her Eyes, showing an expression of Enjoyment.
"Let's stop here for today." Warriv, walking at the front, suddenly raised a Large Hand and stopped. Then he led us to a conspicuous Large Tree nearby. It was truly conspicuous, so large that ten people couldn't link arms around it. It had been hollowed out inside, more than enough space for the seven of us.
"It's better if this rain doesn't fall. We might as well push through the Misty Forest in one go now. At our current Speed, if nothing unexpected happens ahead, a month should be enough Time."
Gathered around the Campfire, everyone's Expressions were heavy due to the weather. Seeing this, Warriv kept trying to cheer us up, but he was also uneasy. With his experience, he knew there would always be minor or major troubles slowing their Footsteps ahead. Getting through in a month and a half would be lucky. The question was, could the Rain hold off for that long? What about the active Monsters and the widespread Swamps then?
"That's right, we even took down Andariel, are we afraid of a little Light Rain?" As the Captain and a Senior, Lars boosted his Spirit and echoed Warriv. The effect was clear; at least the simple-minded Barbarian Brothers were re-invigorated.
"Next..." Warriv spread out the Map and continued explaining the Things to note for the upcoming journey.
"Please note, the path ahead is a restricted area for Town Portal Scrolls. The teleportation range of both Rogue Encampment and Lut Gholein does not cover this area, so everyone must be extremely careful. Only after this point can Town Portal Scrolls be used, but then the teleportation Destination will no longer be Rogue Encampment, but Lut Gholein..." His finger moved to the other Edge of the Misty Forest. However, saying this was like saying nothing; by the time they reached that point, they would have almost passed through the Misty Forest. Who would waste a precious Town Portal Scroll just to save a few days of travel?
"There's one more Single Point I want to tell you. Do you know why there isn't a single Hell Monster in the Misty Forest?" Warriv's Expression suddenly turned serious.
"Hmm, is it because the Monsters in the Misty Forest have relatively stronger Strength?" I remembered Warriv mentioning this earlier.
"That's both right and wrong. It's true that the Monsters here have stronger Strength than the other Monsters, but don't forget those Monsters can Resurrect. If the Enemy was just slightly stronger, they wouldn't be afraid at all, unless the opponent is an Existence strong enough to make them feel Fear." Warriv lightly poked the charcoal in the Campfire, his Eyes flickering in the unsteady firelight. Without waiting for us to digest his words, he continued.
"There are also Tiers among Monsters. A pack of Monsters is led by a Chieftain of their kind. The Chieftain must accept Management from the Elite of their kind, and the Elite take orders from the Mini-Boss. And undoubtedly, all the Mini-Bosses in the Camp are ruled by Andariel. In other words, the Master of all Monsters in the entire Camp is Andariel. Do you understand what I mean?"
Everyone looked at each other. They all caught a hint of something from Warriv's words but weren't sure, or rather, they didn't dare to think about it, feeling a dryness in their Throats.
"Uncle means there's something in the Misty Forest that even Andariel Fears?" Just then, Sarah's clear voice from my arms finally broke the strange, quiet Atmosphere.
"That's right."
Warriv looked at us and gave an Affirmative answer to Sarah: "The Angelic Beast, the Champion of the Misty Forest. It possesses Strength that even Andariel (referring to her Projection here) cannot match. It is precisely because of its Existence that this Misty Forest is not encroached upon by the forces of the Hell Clan."
"Then aren't we..." Lars's Trio, who had just been full of Confidence from defeating Andariel, now had bitter expressions. They had defeated Andariel after exhausting all their efforts and barely surviving. If they were to face this Angelic Beast that even Andariel Feared, what Chance of Victory would they have?
"Haha, I knew you'd be Anxious. Don't worry, don't worry, it's fine."
Warriv suddenly burst into laughter, a successful scheme evident in his tone: "The more Powerful a Monster is, the higher its Wisdom. As long as we don't provoke the Angelic Beast, it won't bother with Small Fry like us. If that weren't the case, Lady Akara would have sent an Expert to take it down long ago. No matter how Powerful it is, can it be stronger than the Seniors in Harrogath or even Act II? I'm telling you this today just to broaden your horizons."
"You got us, Warriv, you actually tricked us..." Everyone had a Realization. If the Angelic Beast was truly that dangerous, would the Camp just leave it be? No one had thought of that Single Point, and they had all been fooled by Warriv.
After Warriv's little stunt, everyone's Mood relaxed considerably. After filling their stomachs and chatting for a while, they lay down by the Campfire and slept in their Clothes. Another night passed without incident.
They walked for over ten more days. As they went deeper, the Misty Forest finally showed its fangs. Ferocious Monsters inevitably appeared, but under Light Snow 's Claws, a small portion retreated, and most became Corpses. There were a few scattered showers of Rain, the longest not exceeding half an hour. The Sky remained oppressively dark, as if brewing something. Along with muffled Thunder, the Dark Clouds rolled, occasionally split by flashes like white snakes.
"Haha, the Misty Forest isn't a big deal after all." Doug casually used his Short Sword to hack the unfortunate Viper hanging on a tree into two, wiped off the Blood splashed on his face, and said with a carefree laugh.
"I wonder who got played around by two Little Dogs." Lars, following behind, immediately retorted sarcastically. This referred to two days ago when several Monsters resembling Dogs but more than twice their Physique attacked. Doug, itching for a fight, immediately charged, but despite his Strength, he didn't kill the Enemies. Instead, they used the Forest's Advantage to play him around, and he almost got Lost. It was Light Snow and her companions who easily finished them off. As the Champions of the Forest, their Strength was maximized here. Perhaps even if that Angelic Beast came, they would have a fighting chance.
"That was just an Accident, an Accident." Doug quickly defended himself. The group chatted and laughed along the way, no longer burdened by the worries of the previous days. In fact, once they thought about it, it wasn't a big deal. No matter how bad the Environment in the Misty Forest was, could it be worse than those Caves and tombs?
"I'm so Hungry."
I rubbed my Stomach, and it immediately rumbled.
"Want a piece?" Doug beside me shook a piece of Jerky in his hand.
"No thanks." I immediately shook my head. It was probably almost Time for Rest. I'd look forward to Aunt Shali's cooking instead. Doug was definitely trying to tempt me to eat my fill now so he could eat my share from Aunt Shali later. Hmph, did he think that little trick could escape my Golden Gaze Fiery Eyes?
His scheme exposed, Doug let out a frustrated 'tsk', shook the piece of Jerky, and popped it into his mouth with loud chewing sounds, deliberately making noise: "Poor guy, look at us Barbarians, our Appetite is different. No matter how much we eat, we can still eat more."
"Don't be proud of being a glutton just because you are one." I retorted with Sarcasm, then rubbed my Stomach, which was rumbling even louder. I decided to shut my mouth and not waste even a shred of Energy.
"Big Brother, Sarah will roast Meat for you later." The Little Angel beside me said, shaking my hand. Mhm, Little one, I appreciate your kindness, but let's not.
On a side note, Sarah's cooking was on par with Marissa's when she was in a bad Mood...
Just then, Warriv, who was ahead, suddenly raised a Large Hand and stopped. His Expression changed several times, and he seemed to be muttering words like "strange," "impossible," and so on. Then he shook his head and continued forward, but his face clearly showed expressions of doubt, unease, and solemnity. It was the first Time we had seen the usually steady Warriv show such a flustered Expression.
"Everyone, quicken your Footsteps." Forcing down the Unease on his face, Warriv shouted loudly, then took the lead and quickened his pace.
"Caw caw—" The Lazy Crow, which had been patrolling in Mid-air, suddenly landed. What came through the Telepathy was its current Fear and Unease. However, limited by its Wisdom, I could only read a small amount of Information.
Giant, Shadow, coming.
From the vague Information received from the Lazy Crow, I looked at Warriv with Unease.
"It's nothing, quicken the Speed. It should be fine." Warriv replied with a poor Expression.
"Damn it, could it be another Monster Pack?" Doug muttered. One had appeared a few days ago, but Warriv had calmly led everyone around it then, nowhere near as flustered as he was now.
Among everyone, besides Warriv who seemed to know something, perhaps only I understood the current dangerous situation, because immediately after, Light Snow and her companions also sent a Warning.
Ground...
My Expression changed drastically. I slowed my Speed, falling behind the others, and then pressed my ear to the Ground.
"Thump—Thump—Thump—"
The rhythmic Vibration sound filled me with terror—clear and powerful strides. This was something a Monster Pack absolutely couldn't do. In other words, the Monster causing this intense Vibration was only one!!
What immense Size and Weight could cause the Earth to Vibrate like this?
Barely managing to calm my chaotic and uneasy Mood, I easily climbed up the dense Branches to the Canopy and looked into the distance.