The Sea of Earthly Rumbles, east of New Moon Fishing Village, the Mist Marsh.
The salty air was so thick it seemed it could be wrung for water. It gathered into gray-white miasma that flowed between the low shrubs, obscuring the view and carrying a rotting stench.
This was one of the restricted zones for newbies in the early stages, a gathering place for Mimic Water Lizards.
Three days ago, hardly anyone had come here.
Three days later, occasional player teams could be seen probing around the area.
At that moment, deep in the marsh.
Bang!
Crack!
A dull boom like a Heavy Hammer pounding a drum erupted, accompanied by the clear sound of bones breaking.
A Mimic Water Lizard disguised as a gray, rotten log was nearly two meters long and covered in scales. It looked as if it had been struck head-on by an invisible Siege Hammer. Its entire head twisted backward at a bizarre angle, and its massive body flew through the air before crashing heavily into a dead tree and sliding limply down.
Immediately afterward, its body began rapidly disintegrating into a dense mass of fog. Wisps drifted toward the figure standing not far away and were absorbed into his body.
That figure was Lin Ji.
He was barefoot and bare-chested, wearing only a pair of black shorts. His bronze skin was spattered with mud, sweat, and a few dried traces of Dark Red blood. His muscle lines were not exaggerated, yet they were taut and twisted like steel wires tempered through countless trials, radiating primitive strength.
His hands were empty, hanging loosely at his sides. Thick scabs covered his knuckles, which were slowly unclenching.
The blow that had shattered the skull had been delivered with his fist.
At the edge of his right fist, incompletely