Poison Thorns
Linsey sat on the boat, holding a piece of gray, Thorn wood in her hand.
While slaying the Tree Mother in the Black Mountain World, Linsey collected a lot of Hardwood Seed, but he didn't have time to cultivate them during his journey.
During his two weeks in Nine Bends City, he finally managed to cultivate these seeds.
Although it's only the most basic Miraculous Seed, the Thorn tree grown from the [Hardwood Seed] is quite strong.
Besides using it as wood to make all sorts of equipment, there are two crafting options that Linsey is particularly interested in.
Arrow: Poison Thorn Arrow
Arrows made of Thorn, upon hitting a target, will cause excruciating pain due to their poison!
[An arrow that inflicts severe pain on its prey without killing it. Often used for capturing prey alive, it is of relatively low value.]
[Armor: Poison Thorn Wood Armor]
Armor made from Poison Thorns thornwood has a strength similar to steel, but differs in heat resistance and flexibility. Touching the Poison Thorn Wood Armor will cause excruciating pain due to the toxicity. This armor has poor durability and cannot be repaired once damaged.
[Deadly Poison Plant Set - (1/7)]
[Armor with Poison Thorns, moderately valuable.]
Linsey made a batch of the Poison Thorn Arrow and kept them for future use.
As for the [Poison Thorn Wood Armor]...
The armor looks quite ferocious, with rings of poisonous spikes growing on the gray wood.
If the wearer is not careful, they might even injure themselves.
In actual combat, the enemy, seeing such menacing armor, wouldn't be so foolish as to reach for the poisoned stinger.
But Linsey's situation is quite different.
He has Equipment Slot! Activating the [Poison Thorn Wood Armor] effect with the Equipment Slot will not change Linsey's appearance, but the corresponding counter-damage poison sting effect will still exist, making it virtually impossible to defend against.
The only minor problem.
The problem is that you can't control when to activate this thing, so you can't always equip it.
Otherwise, if you just rub against or stick close to someone...
The other party would wail and curl up on the ground, their bodies collapsing.
If the entire set can be completed in the future, similar to the Fisherman's equipment, there should be some unexpected surprises.
"..."
"Mr. Linsey, dinner is ready!"
At that moment, Weikena approached Linsey with food in a leaf.
The fleet has been away from Nine Bends City for two weeks.
Although it is a single team, there are subtle power divisions within it.
The awakened ones banded together, vaguely forming small factions.
Ordinary people seek the protection of the strong and flock to the ranks of the awakened ones they admire.
Linsey's situation stems from her immigration status.
I don't associate with these people; I maintain relative independence.
Meanwhile, his close friend Weikena became like his follower. Besides running errands for him, he would also deliver food to Linsey every day.
"Thanks."
Linsey said thank you.
He tossed two copper coins to Weikena as a running fee.
He didn't want to reveal his skills, so he didn't cook for himself and just used the food provided on the ship.
Linsey opened the bright green leaves.
The Courtyard in the Forest is rich in produce, and the fleet is traveling on the river, so there is no problem with food for a short time, although the diet is relatively monotonous.
It's basically grilled fish and fruit picked from the forest.
Linsey followed the locals' way of eating, squeezing juice onto the fish and taking a couple of bites. The sweet and sour juice balanced the somewhat greasy texture of the river fish, and the taste was quite good.
While eating, Linsey asked Weikena, who was sitting across from her:
"Weikena, any news from the fleet today?"
"For example, Forest Secret Realm."
Upon hearing Linsey's question, Weikena glanced at the man at the front of the fleet.
The explorer – Reze.
The teams that started from Nine Bends City were run by all sorts of people.
This explorer was skilled in exploration and reconnaissance, and he took care of many things on the ship. The issues of navigation and food were handled by Reze's companions.
We spent more than ten days together.
This expedition team has consistently demonstrated exceptional efficiency and effectiveness.
Weikena, who often walked around the boat, immediately approached Linsey and cautiously said:
"There was some news around noon today."
"Many people from the same fleet that left the city as us suddenly disappeared today. It's said that Devil Beast are attacking humans."
Linsey opened the map and saw many Red Dot and yellow dots around the river.
Whether the Devil Beast in this world are hostile to humans depends mainly on whether they are hungry.
Relying solely on information provided by maps is no longer very accurate.
As Linsey pondered whether she should offer some assistance to the team, a hearty laugh erupted from ahead.
"Yes, that's right!"
"The statue of the Great Explorer Will I stands in the town of the outpost. After our adventure here is over, let's go check out Black Mountain; there are bound to be many more secrets waiting for us there!"
The fleet's owner, explorer Reze, was ahead, chatting happily with his friends.
This is one of the few men who are completely unaffected by the Organizer's Craft.
Since its abilities come from exploration activities, joining the forest exploration campaign is a perfect fit.
But looking at the spirited explorer, Linsey frowned. "Be careful..."
Bang! Just as Linsey opened her mouth, a thick, long black shadow leaped out of the water and crashed directly into the group at the bow of the boat.
The crisis was imminent, arriving in the blink of an eye.
"Um?"
The explorer, who was laughing just a second ago, kicked away his companion who was unable to fight.
He drew his short sword from his waist and, instead of retreating, charged towards the danger in front of him.
What emerged from the water was a python, over ten meters long, possessing the Essence.
The explorers faced the challenge head-on.
However, it did not display excessive skill or power.
He simply took a step forward with one foot, tilted his body slightly, and the dagger he had just drawn drew an arc in front of him as he raised his head.
Click—
With courage and the right timing.
At the last second, he dodged the python's attack and severed its head with a single stroke.
The whole process was smooth and seamless, as if it were a pre-arranged shooting scene.
"..."
Linsey, who had just gotten up, sat back down and put away the support she had prepared.
"An explorer who can organize a fleet is indeed quite capable."
"..."
Soon, the bow of the ship became busy.
After the Devil Beast python was killed, its body was dragged onto the boat using hooks.
Before the body could be disposed of, a shocking scene unfolded before people's eyes.
The Devil Beast python's belly was swollen, vaguely resembling a human shape! "This beast ate people?!"
Reze was furious.
He sliced open the snake's belly, and slime splattered out, revealing a half-digested human corpse.
It fell to the ground with a thud.
The body had shifted slightly due to the digestive fluids, as if the deceased were struggling.
"This..."
"Damn it! Ugh—"
The scene was disturbing; some people even vomited on the boat.
This was the first victim of the adventure, which the explorer could accept, though his expression was somber.
In a somber atmosphere.
Some were annoyed, some were nervous, and some regretted leaving the city.
In this delicate atmosphere, Linsey suddenly spoke up, reminding everyone. "Snakes shouldn't attack others for a long time after feeding. This attack is unusual."
Splash—
A series of dense rustling sounds of branches and leaves echoed through the forest.
The surrounding trees swayed without wind, and the tranquil summer-like countryside scenery of a moment ago suddenly turned into a demonic realm.
Not to mention, right on the ship, there was a ripped-open snake belly and a half-digested human corpse.
A voice trembled as someone said, "The forest, the strange changes in the forest, have begun again?"