Giantwood Forest.
Ned stood alone at the edge of a giant tree.
Beside him.
The Shell Insect towered motionlessly at his side.
And across from him.
It was unmistakably Barlow.
Along with several clansmen who likewise carried bows and arrows on their backs.
These young clansmen looked at one another, hesitation showing on all their faces.
"Chief Ned, is it really all right to do this?"
"Why don't you just let Guard Captain Barlow give it a try? We really don't dare raise a hand against you."
Ned smiled.
"Don't worry. With the Shell Insect here, are you still afraid you'll hurt me?"
Several months ago.
Not long after he had awakened.
He had very quickly sensed some changes in himself.
It was not only those Cave Dwellers whose bodies had undergone a strange change after that radiance.
Even within his own body, the Decaying power granted to him by the Messenger of the Gods had also undergone a certain transformation.
Only.
This transformation in power.
This time, it was not reflected in the power itself.
Rather, it was reflected in his own understanding and awareness of that Decaying power.
Although the strength of this Decay Power was no different from before.
It was as if it was no longer power lent to him by the Rot Spirit Staff.
Instead, in the truest sense, it had merged into his soul as its host, giving him the ability to learn and understand this Decay Power.
To put it plainly.
The previous him had been like an ignorant primitive holding a bow and arrow, only knowing how to use the bow to shoot.
But he had known absolutely nothing about how bows were made, nor had he ever thought at all about the principle behind shooting an arrow.
But now, after this