As I explore further in pursuit of eliminating the Horrors that infest this island, I've meticulously observed the terrain, gaining a comprehensive understanding of a significant portion of this vast landmass.
I've started making traps, made wooden and stone weapons, and got Horror corpses and used some of them either for materials or food.
I've also named quite a few Horrors and in fact, I found two identical Horrors but the only difference between them is that there are no horns from the other Horror.
Hence I named the Horror with a horn, Unihorn. While the other Horror gets the name Hornless.
Though, I put them on the Horn Family Variation One since they are the first ones with horn characteristics that I've put on my notes.
'I still couldn't see Twin Tongue…'
The memory of that specific Horror is indelibly imprinted in my mind, especially considering the havoc it wreaked upon my hut. Consequently, my initial day was dedicated to its reconstruction, a task undertaken with heightened vigilance due to the need to conserve both my stamina and reserves..
After extensive training and careful teaching from the figure, I came to know that my doing of 'efficiency' was efficient enough.
Well, those mistakes rarely happen now.
'Now then…'
It was finally time to expand my knowledge of this island by taking another quarter of the area. The past week has been going well and I've met a few strong ones but the time I ventured deeper, more opponents will come, and stronger.
Upon discovering the boundary I had marked with a wooden stick, extending beyond the limits of my familiar terrain, I boldly stepped across it, preparing myself for the unknown that lay ahead.
Navigating through the dense thicket of trees, diligently marking nearby stones as makeshift guides of my passage, I suddenly halted as a tingling sensation prickled my senses.
Growl!
Before me stood a few Horrors, their piercing gazes locking onto mine with an unsettling intensity.
'I've already expected it.'
Bringing my daggers out from the scabbard on my side, I prepared myself for the incoming attack.
"Come."
…
Slash—!
With a heavy sigh, I dispatched the final mindless Horror, wiping away the bloodstains that adorned my face. The caliber of these Horrors is on a different level, depleting nearly half of my stamina with each encounter, making the battles both physically and mentally taxing.
By the looks of it, the deeper I went inside, the more dangerous the Horrors were. Well, every Horror is dangerous and unpredictable so nothing is new about it.
Rumble—!
'Hmm!?'
Abruptly, as I lifted the corpse and marked my surroundings, a colossal explosion erupted near the center of the island, causing my eyes to widen in astonishment.
"The hell?"
Concealing the Horrors beside a massive stone and shrouding them with oversized leaves, I swiftly navigated my way toward the source of the explosion, keenly surveying my surroundings as I progressed.
As expected, there were a lot of Horrors in my surroundings but they were either running away from the explosion or stayed in their places as they watched the situation from afar.
'Horrors watching?'
From the sidelines, I observed two colossal Horrors engaged in a fierce battle at the epicenter of the explosion.
One of them resembled a massive cobblestone, seemingly held together by a viscous liquid oozing from its body. The other, a peculiar slime, displayed transparent qualities, revealing its internal body parts in a somewhat disorganized arrangement.
It seems the fight only happened a few minutes ago.
It was a kind of funny fight since the Horrors are completely different. One is solid while the other is liquid.
Following several intense clashes between the two formidable adversaries, it became increasingly perplexing for me to discern the purpose or motive behind their relentless combat.
At first, I thought these Horrors were fighting for territory which might be a part of it but not specifically the entirety of the situation.
'Just what are they fighting—'
Suddenly, my eyes darted at one spot where the cobblestone and slime just slightly left the main battlefield
'Is that…'
Amidst their battle, a substantial quantity of medium-grade essence crystals emerged, casting a luminous glow across the dark and muddy expanse of the island. Despite the morning hour, the ominous state of the skies obscured visibility for all, enveloping the surroundings in an enduring gloom.
The two Horrors seemed to be contesting the crystals that they were only aware of. They must be following their instinct, and was telling them that those crystals are important.
By the looks of it, they were up to the point where they could gain consciousness and the two were fighting their lives as if it all depended on it.
'Well, I guess that's natural. The figure told me that the offspring were getting essence crystals for them to grow a subconsciousness.'
Bang—!
Just as I was daydreaming about the situation for only a moment, the battle between the two titans started to show some favor on one side.
"Groaaar!"
The cobblestoned Horror unleashed a deafening scream, utilizing its colossal foot to crush the slime into pieces, scattering its insides upon impact.
With another thunderous roar, the cobblestoned Horror hurled its massive body at the slime, pulverizing it into utter nothingness.
Thud—!
The force of the impact generated an aftershock, leaving behind a noticeable dent at the point where the cobblestoned Horror eradicated the slime.
Would I say that the result is expected as no matter how anyone sees it, the cobblestoned monster had an advantage?
Certainly, but my attention remained fixated on a particular spot where the cobblestoned monster returned and reclined, seemingly unfazed, right in front of the mana crystals, as if the intense battle had never transpired.
'Essence crystals… Can I steal it?'
And aside from this place, are there any essence crystals I could use so that I could do what's on my mind?
'Why didn't I consider this?'
Using essence crystals to form a soul core.
Having insufficient essence even though was one of the things I was struggling with while making it.
'It took a whole week to realize this. Well, I've used up all my crystals to repair my undeveloped soul so no big deal, but how could I've forgotten about it?'
My mind is really occupied with this revenge that sometimes I'm not really thinking straight.
I only diverted my attention because the notion intrigued me, sensing potential usefulness in the scenario.
'Urgh, but does that mean I do not think it was useful for me a week ago?'
Scratching my hair in annoyance, most Horror who watched the spectacle between the two titans started to leave.
Despite some opting to linger in an attempt to catch the cobblestoned Horror off guard, my assessment led me to the conclusion that this formidable entity possessed a strength comparable to the one lurking beneath the sands along the shores.
Well, maybe a bit more inferior to that thing?
With this realization in mind, I departed from the scene, setting forth on my journey across the entirety of the island, acknowledging that my plans had indeed been altered by this unexpected encounter.
How many essence crystals are found in this area? Does that mean the mindless Horrors who were on the same level as the cobblestoned Horror had ones on their side too? Will I be able to steal them all? If I did, can it help me build soul cores?
As I contemplated the impending battle, a multitude of questions swirled in my mind, prompting me to explore various strategies for the challenges that lay ahead.
I'm sure the Horror beneath the sands, the cobblestoned creature, the gigantic deformed snake, and Twin Tongue are not the only Horror in these swamps that are powerful.
Maybe it is much stronger than the figure?
I don't know.
There's no telling what would happen.
But I will be ready.
Consequently, I dedicated two weeks to thorough preparation, scouring the entire island. To my surprise, I discovered six additional locations akin to where the cobblestoned Horror had emerged, each featuring a cluster of essence crystals.
Especially in the middle part of the swamp where a high-grade crystal resides, being guarded by a single Horror, whom I got the chills by just watching it.
On this island alone, excluding the deformed snake, there are at least eight Horrors I need to watch out for, which I'm aware of.
It would be bad if I didn't know other strong Horrors, but they would've shown themselves just by protecting those essence crystals.
"Eight bosses, huh? Nine if I included the dreaded snake."
Dropping my belongings down on a nearby tree while picking up my three weapons—daggers, a short sword, and a chained knife— together, I heaved a sigh of relief before venturing out from this tree.
Approaching a particular destination, I sensed a myriad of hostile gazes fixed upon me. The intensity of their stares conveyed an unmistakable message as if I were perceived as a challenger intruding upon the territory of the creatures inhabiting this island.
And I was.
As I traversed beyond the first tree, my gaze was drawn ahead to a formidable, mindless, furry Horror. Its limbs dangled from nearby trees, and its head contorted in a twisted, convoluted manner. With two faces grinning malevolently, its eyes arced and fixed upon me, creating an eerie and unsettling spectacle.
"Two Faced."
This thing didn't look like it had gained subconsciousness, but that didn't mean it didn't know how to use essence.
"I'll start with you."
Once I declared to fight this Horror, I dashed forward with my daggers on my hands.