Smiler X Land of Deception

"What a strange creature." Kevin was immediately captivated and held the report as he studied it carefully.

Begel watched Kevin's focused expression without disturbing him. He merely gave Moagu a few quiet instructions before leaving on his own.

Only after he had finished reading through all the files did Kevin reluctantly close them.

"Interesting, right? This kind of creature."

Hearing the voice beside him, Kevin nodded. "It really is fascinating. I never expected such a unique form of existence."

"This is a Shadow Larva specimen." Moagu handed him a long, narrow crystal slide.

Kevin accepted it eagerly. Sandwiched within the transparent slide was a specially preserved Shadow Larva corpse specimen, looking like nothing more than a long black shadow.

GOOGLE searched TWKAN

A faint yearning rose in his heart. It was incredibly weak, perhaps the most subtle yearning Kevin had sensed at this stage.

"Is it an endangered species?"

"You could say that. Nearly all species unique to Smiler Wetland are endangered. Relatively speaking, though, this one is fairly safe."

Kevin could understand the reasoning behind that.

The reason was simple. Unless one was a Nen user, ordinary people found it difficult to detect this creature. Furthermore, it posed little actual danger to humans, especially after Smiler Wetland had been designated a forbidden zone.

At present, this insect mainly used shadows to lure in small animals and Mosquito Flies for food. Its unusual way of surviving also made it difficult to capture, so it had almost no natural predators.

Although the food it consumed was limited, thanks to its safe living environment, its population had remained relatively stable.

"The boss went somewhere else to handle some things. I'll show you around the place and take you to see where you'll be staying."

Kevin nodded, stood up, and followed Moagu out.

After making a round of the base, Kevin had seen all kinds of bizarre species and briefly met and learned about some of the staff.

Afterward, he returned to his quarters.

Since the base did not have many staff members, Kevin had been assigned a spacious private room with a small laboratory attached.

The space suited Kevin perfectly. After all, he was only staying here temporarily for two or three months.

Since they had already explored one area and collected quite a few species samples and informational records, no expeditions would be arranged for the coming week.

Other than studying the various knowledge within the research base and reviewing files and records, Kevin only had training left to occupy his time.

Just as Kevin finished a simple set of warm-up exercises, someone knocked on the door.

Kevin looked outside and saw a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, wearing black-rimmed glasses and smiling as he waved at him.

Kevin remembered him. They had met several times over the past week.

"Dr. Belut, what brings you here?"

Dr. Belut smiled gently. "It's like this, Mr. Kevin. The food needed by those specimens I found during our last trip has run out. Um... I'd like to gather some more. I wonder if I could trouble you..."

Kevin directly waved a hand and laughed heartily. "Of course, Doctor. When do we leave?"

Dr. Belut revealed a delighted smile. "If possible, we can leave now."

"Then please wait a moment."

Very soon, Kevin changed into his clothes and set off in an off-road vehicle with Dr. Belut and the two assistants he had brought along.

The vehicle drove all the way to the end of the path, where a sign bearing a Danger Sign stood nearby.

"Up ahead is the wetland. Once we enter, it's best to proceed on foot. Driving vehicles could easily disturb the creatures inside and put us in danger."

It was nearly noon, yet the wetland was blanketed in thick fog.

They took out specially made devices and fastened them around their waists. The devices served as both signal transmitters and emergency beacons, and they also had scanning screens. If they accidentally became separated, they could use them to see one another's directions.

Dr. Belut walked in front, with Kevin at his side. The other two assistants followed behind them.

The four stayed close together, and Kevin, standing to one side, could quickly support any of the other three.

At that moment, Kevin was manipulating his En, releasing it one moment and drawing it back the next.

This was both to remain vigilant and, to some extent, to train. He was trying to control his En and disperse it irregularly.

Although he had yet to achieve any obvious results, after hearing Jin's analysis, Kevin felt that this attempt was feasible. He also had a vague feeling that he was close to succeeding.

"This damned place feels uncomfortable no matter whether it's day or night." Toby, walking behind them, could not help complaining.

"The scenery might be prettier at night, of course. It's also more dangerous." The other assistant, Haka, replied.

Kevin asked curiously, "You've been here at night?"

Dr. Belut nodded beside him and answered, "We came once at night before. The creatures active at night differ greatly from those active during the day. I even suggested that we find another night to come explore again."

The others were unwilling to venture deep into the area at night for no other reason than that the wetland was more dangerous after dark, especially in this kind of wilderness environment.

They had not gone much farther when Kevin saw a string of footprints appear in a patch of soft mud. The tracks stretched forward through the fog before eventually vanishing from sight.

Dr. Belut eagerly stepped forward, crouched down, and took out his camera to photograph the footprints.

Kevin also observed them curiously from the side.

"Someone came through here?" Toby asked.

Haka beside him gave him a look as though he were an idiot.

Dr. Belut turned around too and scolded him in exasperation, "You idiot! Didn't we encounter this plant last time? I even told you to record it."

"Huh?" Toby looked utterly confused. He did not remember anything like that.

Haka could not help interjecting, "Professor, he was already paralyzed at the time. Have you forgotten?"

Dr. Belut seemed to remember. He silently turned his head away and said, "When we get back, thoroughly review the follow-up records for me."

Then he began explaining simply. "These footprints are an illusion, simulated by a plant. Judging by their shape, they should be the footprints of someone from our institute. The tread pattern matches the boots issued to us.

"It probably noticed that we had been frequently coming and going along this route lately, so it imitated them."

With that, Dr. Belut straightened up. It seemed he had finished taking pictures.

"Dr. Kuze named it the Pseudopod Fern. It's a mimic plant. What look like footprints are actually its leaves.

"The undersides of its leaves can make subtle adjustments and deformations, changing shape according to the surrounding environment to form something resembling footprints.

"Those following the tracks may mistake them for a companion's trail and ultimately be led into a dangerous area. It is said that it can also transform into other traces to lure in somewhat larger animals.

"However, the environmental conditions it requires to grow are still unclear, so we have not dug up any specimens to bring back to the laboratory."

As he spoke, the group continued onward.

At that moment, a cry for help came from the white fog in the distance.

"Help! Is anyone there? I'm trapped!"

Toby could not help rolling his eyes and complaining, "Wasn't it the same line last time? Can't these Deceiver Crows come up with something new?"