Trunulesia Forest,
(From MC's perspective)
Erik Lloyd's eyes gleamed with a twinkle when he misunderstood Zack's cultivation base as Trainee Warrior. Not only he, everyone else thinks like that. Because of this, no one looked at Zack with contempt and ridicule anymore.
Since Zack is strong, there is no need to give him the cold shoulder. Especially, Valerie Lyons is glad that Zack is not oil battle. She looked at leader Compton with admitting gaze. "No wonder that he was calm and composed," She thought to herself.
On the other hand, Ricardo Compton decided to move from the spot. He led the exploration towards the trunulesia forest. Which is a walkable distance from the train station.
Everyone moved according to the formation.
At the same time, after feeling the shift in attitude from everyone, "I sighed inwardly."
I vaguely heard their conversation. They think I'm a trainee warrior. But only I know the truth. I'm seemingly operating after wearing the full body gear because of my body strength.
Then dispelling the thoughts, I continued to follow along with the formation. While walking, I felt a cold stare from behind. No doubt, it's Erik Lloyd. I have a vague feeling that he still hasn't given up his thoughts.
So I decided to keep an eye on him.
Time went by,
After twenty minutes, we arrived at the entrance of the trunulesia forest. Seeing the dark gloomy forest ahead in the daytime. I don't why a sense of uneasiness filled my heart.
Not only me, I saw my fellow team members stop their movements.
On the other hand, a trace of apprehension appeared in Elder Compton's eyes. He found the forest has visible changes compared to last time. This time he can visibly see the dark clouds above the forest.
Which then entirely shrouds the whole forest in a dark atmosphere. Fortunately, the mutated monsters will only appear at night time. So they got plenty of time clear the forest.
Before continuing, he looked at everyone and instructed, "You can see that the forest has some changes. So keep your guard up all the time."
Hearing that everyone nodded their head including me. The demeanour of the exploration team has completely changed. They are not cold and arrogant anymore. I can feel the air of nervousness.
Which in turn made me wrinkle my eyebrows. Everyone is worried in presence of a Mid-elite warrior like Elder Compton. I don't know how to describe this feeling.
Then slowly we walked towards the entrance. It's daytime, so the area is visible. But the problem lies in the dark clouds.
When everyone reached the entrance, Compton turned again to observe the team. Before going inside, he wants to make sure that everyone is fully equipped and covered their head.
Because once they go deep into the woods. The weird mists will envelop them. If the weird mists come to contact will any exposed skin parts, then death will be the only result.
After checking out, everyone entered the forest in formation.
Right now, I'm more concerned about the dangers lurking inside the forest than Erik Lloyd. Because the uneasiness in my heart is getting increasing.
We walked along the narrow path. This route may probably formed by the researchers who visit this place often. Then suddenly, I recalled the ruins.
Earlier, Elder Compton had briefed everyone about the trunulesia forest. Since I'm new, he explained it in more detail.
Unlike the monster zones, this trunulesia forest is quite different. From the map, I recalled this forest was stretched like a canyon. I don't where its border ends on both sides.
But the location of the ruins was quite clear. It was located in opposite direction. Once we crossed this forest. We will soon reach the north end where the ruin is located.
Now we are entering the forest from the southern direction. Where the train station is located. After recalling the complex structure of the forest, I couldn't help but sigh inside.
If someone runs in the direction east or west end, they will be dead for sure. Because there is no end in both directions.
After realising that, I decided to have some sense of direction.
From time to time, Compton turned around to check up on the team. Since everyone wore full body armour, it was impossible to see their facial expression.
But Compton never failed to strike up a conversation. Then he looked at Zack and said, "Zack, relax. We are not in danger right now."
Hearing that, I revealed a bitter smile. But still, I nodded at him. He says there is no danger. But why do I feel something wrong?
On the other hand, Compton shook his head after seeing the slow response.
Time went by,
After one hour, the exploration team already is getting closer to the centre. If they continue at the same pace, they will cross the trunulesia forest after four hours.
Suddenly, Compton halted his footsteps. Seeing that everyone stopped moving.
The air around him felt denser than before. He knew it was because of the mutated energy. Compton wanted to check the weird energy. But he has no extra time for it. So he decided to head to the ruin first.
"Let's go," he said.
After saying that, he continued to lead everyone deep into the woods.
But as they go inside, apart from the weird energy, the calm and quiet atmosphere gives everyone a creepy feeling.
No one said anything, everyone quietly followed behind. Even Erik has stopped thinking about Zack. Instead, he focused on the surroundings.
When everyone moved ahead, the ground below them started to shake. The tremor is not like an earthquake but it's happening inside a specific range.
"Step back a little," Compton shouted.
Hearing that I immediately leapt backwards. But still, the ground continued to shake. Like something is going to come out.
"It's a monster," the vice leader, Valerie shouted at Compton. Apart from the monster, nothing can make such huge tremors.
"Impossible," Erik uttered from behind.
My mind went blank for a moment. It's hard to fathom what's going on here. The tremor is making it impossible to control the balance.
But I vaguely heard their conversation. "Monster, how could be?" I mumbled under my breath. Elder Compton told me that there will be no monster activity here at day time.
If so then what happened now?
I raised my head to see the situation. My eyes widened in surprise the next moment. I saw a gigantic head rising from the ground. The head size alone looks the size of the monster.
My face become discoloured after realising the fact. If it's the head then, what about the rest of the body? The monster's head alone is humungous in size.
Then I can't imagine the size of the rest of the body. I suddenly recalled the name of the monster. "Ground Worm," I uttered in surprise.
But unlike normal worm monsters. This one looked completely back. Apart from the pitch-black head, only two red eyes can be seen clearly.
I had never seen such a creepy monster before.
BOOM
The next second, another tremor happened. The worm monster began to take out its entire body from the ground. The exploration team members immediately separated from the formation.
Only Ricardo Compton stayed in one place. If someone watches carefully they can see, using his elite power, Compton stood in mid-air.
A trace of confusion and apprehension appeared in Compton's eyes. Confusion because the mutated monster had never appeared during the daytime.
So this is the first time he to come across such a situation. Second, he has slight fear that many more monsters will appear in succession.
Because the tremor caused by this worm monster was so huge that it will soon attract other nearby monsters. So Compton decided to kill the monster quickly before leaving this place.
When the huge monster appeared, Compton swiftly acted. He raised his hand to conjure fireballs in a blink of an eye and threw them towards the worm monster.
Those fireballs emitted heat like a blazing sun. When they landed on the monster's body.
BOOM
A deafening sound reverberated through the area. The worm monster twisted its huge body to stop the fire. But the fireballs had caused enough damage.
It immediately affected the vitality of the monster. Seeing that, the monster is dying. Compton has no change in expression. When the monster first appeared, he has already seen through the monster.
The worm monster has the strength of Class 3 Mid level. So as an elite warrior, it was no problem for him to make it disappear.
But to end it quickly. Compton once again used the fireballs to kill the monster. When everything was over, he turned towards his team.
Seeing that everyone is fine, he sighed in relief. Then he led everyone towards the destination. But this time, the whole team increased their speed.
The appearance of the monster is not a good sign at all. So the whole team decide to move from this place as soon as possible.
Not long after they left, the destruction spot was swarmed by other mutated monsters.