......
Spirits of nature, ford by geographical environnt and collective consciousness, often have their own temperants.
For instance, the spirit of a snowy mountain tends to be fond of sleep, showing great lethargy in external communication. Even with Matthew's high affinity with nature, it might not be willing to interact with him.
The rainforest, however, is different. It appears youthful, lively, yet cruel and warlike.
This is related to environntal factors. The rainforest is rich in species and densely populated with ecological niches. All creatures find their path of evolution through constant strife.
The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest.
Therefore, the collective consciousness ford by these creatures is naturally violent and warlike.
Faced with the challenge of the spirit of the rainforest, Matthew had no choice but to accept!
If he chose to avoid the fight, he would not only lose an opportunity to improve himself, but also potentially cast a shadow over his future developnt in the realm of nature.
"Hold on."
After accepting the challenge, Matthew imdiately stopped. He said to Old Gitch and Loran:
"I've run into a bit of trouble and won't be able to travel with you for a short while."
The challenge of the spirit of the rainforest was directed solely at Matthew. He didn't want to drag Old Gitch and Loran into it.
Under their puzzled gazes, Matthew explained:
"Just now, I had a bit of a clash with the spirit of this rainforest. It's not too happy with . Before long, all sorts of beasts and monsters will co looking for . I don't want to involve you."
Old Gitch looked at Matthew suspiciously:
"You can communicate with the spirit of the rainforest?"
Matthew didn't elaborate, only nodding and saying:
"It's a stroke of luck."
Upon hearing this, Loran imdiately declared:
"How could we abandon a companion at a ti like this? Matthew, no matter how many monsters co, I will fight alongside you. I am your strongest support in battle!"
"I was just lanting how dull the journey was, with no material to draw from. Now, let
see what kind of monsters this rainforest has! It's a pity that no matter how powerful they are, they can't compare to the Sky Giant I caught with my own hands!"
Old Gitch gave Matthew a deep look.
The next mont, he picked up his short knife and started to walk back:
"I won't abandon my employer halfway. Moreover, you're unfamiliar with this area. If we part ways, your chances of winning will greatly decrease."
"But, can you be more specific about the attack of the jungle monsters?"
Matthew pondered:
"It will probably last for about ten days. During the day, they might just be ordinary harassnts. Generally, around midnight, the possibility of the monsters going berserk and attacking is greater."
This wasn't a bluff from Matthew, but fragnts of information revealed by the spirit of the rainforest during their communication, which he had caught.
However, Matthew wasn't sure if this was a smokescreen.
In any case, for the next ten days, he would have to be on high alert.
After hearing this, Old Gitch chose another path, signaling Matthew and Loran to follow:
"The terrain here is not suitable for us to fight. I'll take you to another place.
That's the outskirts of the Bitterwater Swamp. The terrain there is relatively open, and the landscape is not so complicated.
The monsters that appear nearby are only Blackback Gnolls and small mite monsters, most of which are not a concern.
There are only two things to note. Occasionally, there will be groups of bipedal flying dragons in that area, but the chances of us running into them are very low;
In addition, the west of the Bitterwater Swamp is the territory of a Scorpion-tailed Lion. It has lived for a very long ti, at least two hundred years, so try not to go near there—
Just to be clear, if a Scorpion-tailed Lion or bipedal flying dragons appear, then I can only prioritize my own safety."
Loran laughed dismissively:
"No problem, I will protect you!
I'm getting a bit excited. How will the people of the future recount this experience—
The legendary journey of the great poet Loran begins?
Hmm, this title is a bit cliché. A bard should sing praises of others rather than boasting about himself.
Haha, I've thought of a title for my new work, it's called 'Brave Matthew/Part One: Jungle Heat'!
Maybe it could even be adapted into a stage play!
The poster for the play will use the rainforest as the background, with your portrait in the center, and two scantily clad, admiring Django won on the side. You can even strike a pose with a woman on each arm, how about that?"
Matthew patted his shoulder:
"Sounds good, but rember to pay
a portrait fee and authorization fee after the big success."
......
To the west of the Bitterwater Swamp, on a barren land scattered with sparse reeds and thorns, Old Gitch was using his short knife to cut away all the plants that might obstruct their view.
Matthew and Loran were also helping.
Matthew looked around and found that the place Old Gitch had chosen was indeed good.
Firstly, it was on higher ground with a relatively open view.
Secondly, it was a dry land, far from rivers and streams. There were fewer weeds and shrubs, making it easier to clear.
Lastly, there weren't many tall trees nearby, making it a small open space in the dense rainforest.
"Why is there a place like this?"
Matthew noticed that this highland was not naturally ford and asked.
Old Gitch was ticulously cutting the thorns:
"There used to be a mage living deep in the Bitterwater Swamp. He was a loner, didn't like to interact with people, and hated others approaching his territory.
So when the mage first arrived, he had several conflicts with the Django tribe and so monsters in the rainforest.
After several rounds of fierce battles, the mage erged victorious.
After that, no one wanted to approach this place, especially the beasts in the rainforest that understood spirituality.
That mage disappeared about 3 years ago. So guessed that he died, others guessed that he just left for a long ti. But no matter what, the Bitterwater Swamp was left vacant.
However, due to the traps and deterrents left by the mage, there hasn't been a large monster settlent proliferating here.
The highland we're standing on was ford by the accumulation of the bodies of earth giants summoned by the mage in a battle.
"I chose this place not only for its terrain, but also for two other reasons. First, the deterrent effect of that mage on the rainforest creatures is still present, which may help filter out so enemies for you;
Second, if the situation becos dire, I suggest you try to escape into the depths of the swamp. Of course, this is a path of seeking life from death."
Matthew instantly understood the hidden aning in Old Gitch's words:
"So, that mage, is he also a Necromancer?"
Thud!
After chopping off the last thorn, Old Gitch dropped his knife, took out a dry pipe from the bundle on his back, took a couple of puffs, and then nodded and continued:
"Yes. That Necromancer is very powerful and extrely evil, once a nightmare for the nearby Jango tribes.
Half of his undead army was transford from rainforest creatures, and the other half were Jango people. He even used the bodies of the Jango people to create two Abominations!
But the Jango people were helpless against him. In their several confrontations with the Necromancer, they prayed to the Feathered Serpent God, deployed jungle war beasts, and even sacrificed five or six shamans, but they still lost in the end.
If it weren't for the Necromancer's lack of ambition to expand his territory, I'm afraid this rainforest would have been taken over long ago.
In short, I suspect that the Necromancer has approached or even stepped into the realm of legends.
He has left many traps and undead in the swamp.
Even you, a Necromancer, may find it difficult to communicate with those undead.
So don't risk going deep into the swamp until the last mont!"
After listening to Old Gitch's warning.
Matthew sincerely said:
"Thank you."
Old Gitch just waved his hand:
"I'm just a guide, I can't help you much. If a fight breaks out, you'll have to fend for yourself."
At this point, Lolan interjected:
"Don't worry, I'll be there when the fight starts. Although I don't know magic and my martial skills are average, my flute will surprise you!"
As he spoke, he even shook the light green flute at his waist.
"Then we'll wait and see."
Matthew smiled and continued to prepare for the upcoming battle.
The sun was setting.
Birds were returning to their nests.
In the sporadic chirping.
Unbeknownst to anyone, so malicious figures had appeared in the jungle on the edge of the high ground.
"They're here."
Matthew reminded in a low voice.
Beside him, Old Gitch was on full alert.
Only Lolan was still engrossed in a book that looked like a children's book, occasionally chuckling.
It wasn't until he heard Matthew's reminder.
That he slowly closed the book, stretched lazily and looked around blankly:
"Where?"
"East."
Matthew calmly said: "It's a group of Blackback Gnolls, about 8 to 11 in number - are there dungeons nearby?"
Old Gitch quickly replied:
"There are a few, but not many, and the surface exits are far from here."
Matthew nodded:
"There are three jungle panthers to the west, all female, with an average level of around 10."
"There's also an 11th level Forest Giant Python lurking on the banyan tree to the north. It has camouflage color, I almost didn't recognize it."
Old Gitch looked at Matthew in surprise:
"Did you use a detection spell?"
With his many years of experience traversing the rainforest and his abilities suited to this environnt, he hadn't noticed the Forest Giant Python, yet Matthew, a Necromancer, had spotted it with his naked eye. How could he not be surprised?
Matthew didn't explain.
In fact, it was Ella in his arms who had quietly reminded him. The spirit of nature was indeed unparalleled in sensing beasts. With Ella, no creature in the rainforest could escape Matthew's eyes.
"It's ti to act."
Matthew noticed the Blackback Gnolls' movents.
"I'll go distract that Forest Giant Python."
Old Gitch quickly said:
"I have a lot of experience dealing with pythons, you don't have to worry about ."
With that, he headed alone towards the python.
On the other side.
The Blackback Gnolls seed to realize that they had been exposed, they no longer hid and directly surrounded them.
Blackback Gnolls are close relatives of the Gnolls, but they are much larger in size than ordinary Gnolls. They have sparse black hair and are very muscular, almost catching up with half-orcs.
These creatures are usually active in dungeons and are very rare in the rainforest. However, their appearance in this encirclent proves that they are also a part of this rainforest, driven by the spirit of the rainforest.
Matthew didn't take it lightly, the level of this group of Blackback Gnolls was very high, averaging over level 7, with several at level 9. In addition, they were also inspired by the bloodlust of the spirit of the jungle, their strength was not to be underestimated.
He controlled the Skeleton Soldiers to confront the enemy, while Sodie's figure gradually disappeared into the air.
Just then.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
A cheerful flute sound rang out, it was Lolan playing with a satisfied expression.
He played quickly and skillfully.
In just a few seconds, the short flute sound went from cheerful and intense to lodious and grand.
And with the change in the flute sound, one buff after another was hung on Matthew.
……
「Prompt: You have listened to Lolan's music excerpt "Mountain Crossing Tune
Reviews
All reviews (0)