Perspective: Bai Yueguang

Location: Near the national border, Stone Harbor

Despite looking very eerie, we accelerated towards the coast.

Of course, at such a close distance, we naturally identified our exact location and soon landed at the farthest harbor on the east side of Li Guodong—Stone Harbor.

However, the situation on the Lost Continent now seemed very grim.

The strange shadows in the sky resembled dark clouds, but they churned in the air as if they were alive.

Upon landing, we were met with a desolate scene, completely devoid of the vibrant atmosphere we had seen on the beach earlier.

"It seems like something got here before us," Cui Shao said, looking up at the sky.

"Now that we're here, what should we do?"

However, we didn't have time to answer his question. Instead, we attempted to connect to nearby individuals through the restored system.

Unfortunately, although our friends list was restored, all I could see were grayed-out names, indicating that they were still very far from us.

Some might not have even returned to the Lost Continent yet.

I looked at Taishi Xi and Hei Luoli, who also appeared unsure of what to do.

"This is the most remote harbor around," Hei Luoli remarked.

"The nearest city is just ten minutes away, but right now, we can't even see any signs of life, so..."

"Don't worry," I reassured her, patting her shoulder.

"Let's first figure out what happened during our absence. This situation seems inexplicable at first glance."

"Indeed, you're right," Hei Luoli nodded. I turned to walk towards Cui Zhengping.

"Cui Shao, let's check the situation ahead along the road. Since your people need to rest, we can move ahead freely."

"Well, that's... fine," Cui Zhengping replied, glancing at the busy crew behind him.

"You go ahead and see. Later, we'll follow along the road. If anything happens, you just... Oh, here's a signal flare. Use yellow for simple dangers, and red for extremely dangerous foes. Is that clear?"

"Understood," I said, taking the signal flare.

"Then, we'll be on our way."

――― Separation Line ―――

"Is he giving us the signal flare to act as scouts?" Hei Luoli asked, looking at the signal flare in her hand.

"It really seems like a bargain," she added with a wry smile.

"Well, we did come here on his ship, so it doesn't matter," I chuckled.

"Besides, whether or not we use it is up to us, right?"

"You have a point," Hei Luoli agreed, then gazed up at the sky.

"But what in the world is that up there? It looks so strange, doesn't it? Is it magic, or is there really something flying up there?"

"I think it's more like an enchantment than anything," Taishi Xi replied.

"Enchantment? What purpose does it serve for the people on this continent? These people seem much weaker compared to those outside the continent. Why would the Aquatic Tribe bother with such complex attacks?"

Hei Luoli asked in confusion.

"It's more secure," I explained.

"And the areas where humans reside on the Lost Continent are relatively small, so placing an enchantment there is simpler."

"I wonder how the Dragon Clan and the Elves are doing," Taishi Xi continued.

"If their battle is over, and considering the Aquatic Tribe's desire to control this territory of humans, they wouldn't just sit idly by. The current situation is indeed puzzling."

Just then, the strange dark shadows in the sky began to converge in a certain direction.

I gestured for Hei Luoli and the others to look, only to see the object quickly descend like a meteor, crashing onto the ground with a loud bang!

A massive crater appeared before us, emitting a mix of sulfur and burnt material that wafted through the air.

We glanced at each other and placed our hands on our weapons.

Before we knew it, a shadow swiftly leaped out of the crater and darted straight towards Hei Luoli. Reacting in unison, the three of us sprang into action. In the next moment, a black creature resembling a wolf was impaled by Taishi Xi’s lance, its head severed by me, with Hei Luoli's arrow still lodged in its skull.

We exchanged looks and shared a laugh.

Taishi Xi tossed the body aside and propped it next to its severed head.

"What in the world is this?" Hei Luoli asked.

"Well, I'm not sure," I said, looking at the corpse wryly.

"Because... this thing doesn't look too strong."

Wolf, Level 5

(???)

An ordinary wolf that lives in the forest.

Isn’t this introduction incorrect? Your household wolves aren’t supposed to fall from the sky and be as dark as demons?

However, the ominous black shadow in the sky truly raises concerns; who knows what kind of entity it is...

"I think... we should pick up the pace. If normal wolves are turning into this, then other monsters..."

Taishi Xi suggested.

"You're right... But..."

I glanced ahead as several shadows emerged from the surrounding bushes.

"It won't be that easy."