"Living fruit?"
Oboro picked up the freshly harvested specimen and examined it closely. Beneath the colorful exterior grew a row of hairy, wriggling tentacles that pulsated with life. This was clearly something between plant and animal a hybrid creation unique to the Dark Continent.
The fruit's tentacles repeatedly attempted to pierce his skin, seeking to burrow into his flesh, but Oboro's naturally hardened skin through Ten prevented any penetration.
"This do you actually plan to eat it?" Anthony asked nervously, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.
Oboro deliberately relaxed his Ten, allowing his skin to become more permeable. The fruit's tentacles immediately seized the opportunity, burrowing into his arm and beginning to suck his blood.
Menchi and the others watched silently. There was no denying that Oboro was far better suited for such dangerous experimentation than any of them.
The parasitic fruit attached firmly to Oboro's arm, greedily drawing blood. It resembled an external heart as it began to beat rhythmically against his skin.
"Hmm Just as I suspected," Oboro murmured after a moment of concentration, using Gyo to observe the aura flow between himself and the creature. "This fruit isn't meant to be eaten. It absorbs nutrients from blood to survive, but then secretes transformed nutrients back into the host's body."
"Nutrients?" Anthony leaned forward with interest.
"Yes, exactly the nutrition required by the human body," Oboro explained. "Simply put, with this attached, you wouldn't need to eat anymore. It's essentially a portable supply pack." He paused, carefully monitoring the creature's aura. "The question is how long it can 'survive.' For now, it appears harmless it's a purely parasitic relationship." As he spoke, Oboro handed the remaining fruits to his three companions.
They quickly placed the fruits on areas of their bodies that wouldn't restrict movement, allowing the strange organisms to attach and establish their parasitic connection.
"Incredible" Menchi said with genuine amazement.
This discovery undoubtedly qualified as a "Hope" one of the five treasures they sought from the Dark Continent. Unfortunately, it wasn't the specific Hope they needed, but it solved their immediate survival concerns. At least they wouldn't have to consume raw meat during the next phase of their expedition.
"There must be some form of advanced life nearby," Oboro warned, his En extending outward to sense potential threats. "Something quite unusual."
"The scarecrows again?" Menchi asked, referencing the strange warning markers they'd encountered earlier.
"Possibly. According to our intelligence, advanced sentient beings exist in the Dark Continent. This was once territory shared by both humans and other intelligent species. The human ancestors who fled to the central lake's island were likely just a fraction of the original population. Others must have remained behind." Oboro's eyes narrowed as he scanned their surroundings. "The 'Gatekeepers' are also sub-humans capable of communication with humans. Without their permission, no human expedition can truly access the Dark Continent."
"But our route is different," Anthony frowned. "If we enter from this direction, will we still encounter Gatekeepers?"
"Most likely"
Oboro harbored a private theory about this, but kept it to himself for now. More information was needed.
Menchi exchanged concerned glances with her companions. If the captain's suspicions were correct, an unimaginable barrier encircled this continent. Moreover, it seemed that humans driven by greed or other base desires would be deemed unworthy to pass by the Gatekeepers not deserving of entry into this forbidden realm.
"Wait," Oboro suddenly halted.
Another potential "Hope" appeared before them. The landscape opened to reveal numerous pools of dark red water erupting from the ground. The liquid boiled like magma but lacked its viscosity. In the center of each spring grew pristine white flowers with unusual aura signatures.
The area was densely populated with scarecrows far more than they'd seen previously.
"This is an oasis," Menchi observed, her voice serious. The Dark Continent was bizarre not only in its lifeforms but in its very environment.
"Could there be a volcano beneath us?" she wondered silently. But that made no logical sense
"It seems the deeper we venture, the fewer actual monsters we encounter," Anthony noted.
"A single scarecrow means nothing, but this many" Menchi grew tense. "It indicates some type of creature nearby something that lives in groups. We've entered their territory." Her hand instinctively moved toward her weapon.
Oboro, however, seemed to relax slightly.
The proliferation of scarecrows suggested these weren't manifestations of the rules system, but rather warnings left by intelligent beings. Within this oasis, organisms across the food chain had reached an understanding.
Encountering these scarecrows was like encountering the actual creatures a sign to proceed with extreme caution.
Just as cats and dogs mark their territory, whatever species dominated this oasis possessed significant deterrent influence. Their territorial markers suggested they must be one of the dominant species in this ecosystem.
"It appears the impact humans left on the Dark Continent in the past was substantial," Oboro mused. "Even after countless generations, certain knowledge remains encoded in the genetic memory of these beings. Despite centuries of evolution and adaptation, some things cannot be forgotten." With that observation, he stepped forward.
When he reached the nearest spring, Oboro extended his hand into the boiling water which appeared to be at an impossibly high temperature as Menchi and the others watched nervously.
As he raised his arm, viscous liquid dripped down his skin, emitting a distinctive aroma.
"Honey?"
Oboro cautiously tasted a drop on his tongue.
The flavor indeed resembled honey, but with subtle differences
A moment later, Oboro suddenly stood upright, a smile spreading across his face.
He turned to face his companions. "Found it!"
This substance had effects similar to the legendary Oboroevity Rice! The liquid was rapidly absorbed after entering his system. Even from that tiny sample, Oboro could feel changes rippling through his body.
His aura flow improved subtly but significantly. His spirit felt more vibrant, his senses sharper.
"It increases physical strength, eliminates fatigue, and restores optimal condition," he analyzed. "With long-term consumption, it could substantially enhance one's physical capabilities!"
This effect was, effectively, a form of life extension disguised as physical enhancement.
Papapapapa
Without warning, the nearby scarecrows collapsed simultaneously, toppling to the ground.
Menchi and the others stared past Oboro, their faces draining of color, eyes widening with terror.
Something horrifying had appeared behind him.
Oboro instantly heightened his aura output, entering full combat mode, his Ren flaring.
Even his highly developed perception couldn't fully detect all dangers on this continent his range had limitations.
Many species could materialize from extreme distances without warning.
Like the three-headed carrion bird they'd encountered in the desert
Behind Oboro, something erupted from the earth a rhizome.
At first, there was only a single tendril, but it rapidly multiplied, becoming as dense and chaotic as tangled thread, seemingly growing from nothing.
Within seconds, it towered over a hundred meters high, its massive crown casting shadow across the landscape.
What made this tree bizarre wasn't merely its explosive growth but its distinctly humanoid features. Instead of branches, it possessed arm-like appendages. Rather than spreading foliage, it supported a hat-like crown at its summit.
Most disturbing of all, the center of its trunk featured bark wrinkles that formed an unmistakable human face.
A massive Treeman stood towering above them!
The earth around them surged in waves as more Treemen emerged, transforming the relatively flat terrain into a forest sea within moments.
The "eyes" of every Treeman fixed upon Oboro, who had just consumed their "forbidden fruit."
This tiny life form had trespassed against them.
"So that's it They've been deep underground all along. No wonder we couldn't detect them," Oboro murmured.
Dark mist erupted from his body as his expression hardened.
The billowing black aura didn't dissipate but solidified, forming distinct shapes as spirits emerged from the mist one after another.
The Ant King Meruem, the cat-like Royal Guard Neferpitou, Chairman Netero, Biovolt all souls he had absorbed previously. Each spirit commanded legions of ghosts, like armies at their general's call.
This was a grave crisis.
Dozens of these Treemen stood against them, each radiating terrifying life energy
In the desert, they had hunted monsters individually, never confronting groups.
Even a single one of these beings would overwhelm Menchi and the others. A group this size was catastrophic.
He had no choice but to unleash his full power.
"Spirit Vision," Oboro intoned, his eyes focusing with intensity.
The world in his perception transformed dramatically as physical objects faded from view.
All that remained visible were manifestations of soul essence.
Simultaneously, dark green flame consumed his face, revealing a mask.
It was the visage of Thresh, his most powerful Hatsu.
Just as the transformation completed, massive tree roots that blotted out the sun swept toward him from above, threatening to crush them all beneath the ancient might of the Dark Continent's guardians.