Days of aimless wandering continued. Perhaps if I had stayed in one place, the level of safety would have increased slightly. To travel is to constantly court the danger of contact with unknown threats. Even so, pinning my hopes on a sliver of possibility, I walked on in search of a clue to escape this continent.
Then, one day, I discovered ruins within the forest. It was a trace left behind by intelligent life, the first I had ever seen.
From a distance, the exterior appeared to be made of processed metal. I wouldn't know anything more without getting closer. However, it was a suspicious place just by looking at it. Unknown ruins suddenly appearing in the depths of a dense jungle. It was high risk to step inside without thinking.
But this was an artificial change I had finally found after journeying this far through unexplored hinterlands. Doubt remained as to whether humans had made it, but there was a possibility of gaining some information regarding this continent. I decided to explore.
Naturally, judging that charging in without a plan would be reckless, the main body waited in a safe location. I decided to have only Quinn infiltrate alone. I felt guilty about a strategy that used Quinn as bait, but it couldn't be helped when lives were at stake. If anything, this kind of operation was the original intended use of a Nen beast.
I transferred as much aura as possible to Quinn, up to her storage limit. If the main body wasn't nearby, I couldn't supply additional aura. I gave her enough to last a few days if nothing happened, but that was wishful thinking. Quinn could not perform proper combat without the main body's backup. Starting a fight equaled death.
Prioritizing infiltration, I kept Quinn in a state of 'Zetsu' at all times. If she were found by an enemy, she would be killed instantly even if she defended with aura, so combat wasn't planned from the start. Anyway, I concentrated on gathering even a single piece of information.
Cutting off reinforcement completely, I directed Quinn's body, which felt heavier than usual, toward the ruins. As she approached, its appearance became clear.
The ruins were shaped by countless metal pipes stretched all around. Several objects that looked like machines were embedded within them. It was clearly made with someone's intent. Perhaps there was someone inside. It would be nice if it were someone I could communicate with.
It might be a trap. I felt that possibility was overwhelmingly higher, but I had no intention of turning back. I intended to go as far as I could. Holding my breath, I sneaked inside.
The outer walls were rusted from exposure to the elements, but the interior didn't look as deteriorated by age. There was also no sign of traps activating. There were holes in the ceiling here and there; though a bit dim, visibility was secured. I couldn't say for sure since I couldn't detect anything via 'Link', but for now, I didn't sense any presence resembling an enemy.
The interior was also full of mysterious machines and piping. I couldn't guess at all what purpose this device was built for. I was also curious about how power was secured for such a large-scale apparatus. Many of the pipes were cut off midway. The severed ends all protruded from the corridor walls pointing toward me. It felt as if gun muzzles were aimed at me, and I was wary that something might fly out, but nothing in particular happened.
About a few minutes after entering, I arrived at what seemed to be the central area without getting lost. There was a small spring there. In a hollow where iron pipes were tangled like spaghetti, clear water was gushing out endlessly. There was no sign of living creatures.
It was a very unnatural scene. First of all, it was strange that no biological figures could be seen at the waterside at all. Water is the source of life. Moisture is indispensable for survival, but in nature, the methods of acquiring it are limited. It is common for disputes to occur over a small amount of water. You could even say that the closer you get to the waterside, the more powerful the enemies occupying it are.
In this region where even muddy water is precious, such abundant and clean water was left untouched. I could only think there was a catch. I carefully explored the area around the spring.
Along the way, I discovered a machine with a familiar shape. It appeared to be a personal computer. The display was cracked, and it was wedged in a gap between iron pipes. It was broken without needing to check. It was impossible to tell what era it was from. Only this device that looked like a PC had a different flavor from the other machines, which bothered me a little.
As I was investigating near it, I found an attaché case. I pulled it out from deep within a gap in the wall. The exterior was quite deteriorated, and although it had a lock, it was crumbling. I succeeded in opening it without difficulty. Inside were multiple documents. The paper had also deteriorated, but it still retained its shape. However, I couldn't understand the contents at all. I could read the characters themselves, but I didn't understand the meaning of the documents. It was a storm of proper nouns and technical terms.
Among the documents, I discovered something that looked like a map. My expectations rose for this. As usual, I couldn't decipher the written text, but pictures resembling terrain were clearly drawn, and compared to the previous documents, there was more intelligible information. I would take it back and analyze it carefully.
Then there were several test tubes. They contained things I didn't understand well, such as colored liquids, withered plants, and insect carcasses. And finally, a small notebook came out.
Luan Almeiza.
Is this a human name? It was written small at the bottom of the cover. Looking inside, it appeared to be a diary.
June 15, 1958 Third Survey Team, departed Saherta. Anxiety and expectation are intermingled. I feel like I'm the only one out of place among the carefully selected elites, but let's fulfill the role I can do.
Apparently, it was a memoir of a survey team dispatched from a human country to visit the Dark Continent. It was good news I couldn't have hoped for. I never expected to come across an opportunity to trace footsteps left by humans this quickly. Flipping through the pages, I roughly checked the inside.
The contents were very concise, merely a memorandum. There were descriptions of the 'Gatekeeper' who acts as a bridge between the human world and the Dark Continent, and the 'Guide' summoned by that Gatekeeper, but nothing detailed was understood. It seems one cannot even enter the Dark Continent without them, but the specific procedure is unclear. I wonder if their help is also needed when leaving the Dark Continent.
Shortly after landing, the survey team seemed to have undergone a baptism of survival of the fittest. Just when I thought one member had their upper body swallowed whole by a giant snake, it was written that it was actually a giant land planarian. It didn't die even when cut, and other members who touched the poisonous liquid secreted from its body apparently had their arms rot and fall off.
The number of victims continued to increase with each passing day. At first, the characteristics of the monsters they encountered were briefly noted, but as time went on, only a single sentence stating that so-and-so died was written. The characters, which had been in beautiful handwriting, became scribbled messily. The dirt on the pages also became severe.
It seems all members of the survey team were skilled Nen users. However, even for first-rate users, their power was insufficient to survive on this continent. What was needed was not combat power, but the ability to avoid combat. It seems they continued their survey while hiding themselves using 'Zetsu'. It is a situation similar to mine right now.
The victims who increased day by day were not just those who were unlucky enough to lose their lives. They cast themselves away as decoys to let their comrades move forward. Against some monsters, there were times when they couldn't get through without doing so. I understood because I made Quinn do the same thing.
For a while, the diary continued only listing the names of the dead, but the entry for the last date was different.
June 27 Return discovered! Cornered by a swarm of small monsters resembling humans, in the place we fled to For some reason, the enemy does not approach this place Deep in the forest, inside a structure that looks made of tangled metal pipes, we discovered a water source believed to be the Return Spring water that fully restores aura if one drinks even a single drop The higher-ups won't be convinced if I bring back only a result of this level, but continuing the survey any further is difficult If research proceeds in the home country
The text around the end was messy and illegible. Nothing was written on the pages beyond that. The diary ended here. Was the water of this spring what they wanted to obtain even at the risk of their lives?
Seeking the resources sleeping in the Dark Continent, humanity has repeatedly challenged this unexplored land. Such resources are recorded as 'Return' in the "Journey to the New World." The Unexhausted Stone that generates vast electrical energy in water, the aromatic herb that cures all illnesses, the ultimate longevity food Nitro Rice, the Triple-Origin Water that can become the source of all liquids, the alchemy plant Metallion. All of them possess value enough to bring about a revolution in human development.
"Water that fully restores aura" leaves a rather lackluster impression compared to the Returns mentioned above. It is certainly amazing, but not something that can be called revolutionary. I thought about trying a little, but decided against it. It might not have any effect if Quinn, who cannot produce aura, drinks it, and there is no need to recover right now by drinking unidentified water.
More concerning than that is why this diary remains here. Even documents that seem to be research materials are left with it. Doesn't the fact that they brought it all this way while carrying such luggage mean it was important?
There is a possibility that a problem arose forcing them to leave it behind, or that the return itself did not come true. Hope (Return) is something accompanied by Despair (Risk). In my memories, the two were in a relationship where one could not be spoken of without the other. Humanity aimed for the Dark Continent seeking numerous Returns, but what they actually encountered was an equal number of Risks.
The human-keeping beast Pap, the weapon guarding ancient ruins Brion, the two-tailed snake Hellbell, the gas lifeform Ai, the immortal sickness Zobae Disease. These are called the "Five Great Calamities" and were brought back from this continent. It seems they are threats with the potential to destroy humanity even if just one exists. Their danger level is certainly B or higher.
Even if these threats bared their fangs, humans do not possess effective countermeasures. Even if there were measures, executing them would require tremendous cost, and there is no guarantee they can be reliably exterminated. At the very least, a response at the national level would be required.
By the way, the danger level of humanoid Chimera Ants is B. I feel like it's surprisingly high, but the danger level of an individual human is C. You can see how large the difference of one rank is. Furthermore, in my case, since I am not a humanoid type, the danger level would probably be lower.
This index is an evaluation of danger to humans, and does not necessarily represent strength as a living creature. However, that doesn't mean it should be taken lightly. I don't know anything about the specific dangers of the Five Great Calamities, but anyway, encounters should be avoided.
In that sense, the ruins I am in now could not be called safe either. Calamity (Risk) isn't necessarily always with the Return, but it's a situation sufficient for caution. I immediately gathered the luggage. I don't know if it's a Return or whatever, but it's something I don't need right now. As long as I have this attaché case, I have no business in this place. Let's go home quickly.
Pzzzt
Just as I was about to leave with the luggage, I sensed a faint strange sound. I turned around. The place where I was just a moment ago. The broken PC had started up.
The cracked display was emitting a faint light. A phenomenon that couldn't be dismissed with the word coincidence. Something "is" in this space. It has noticed my existence.
My heart leaped. What is the best move? Maintain Zetsu like this? There is a possibility my presence hasn't been fully realized yet. If I release Zetsu now, I will definitely be exposed.
But if my location has already been grasped, it's a bad move. Right now, in Quinn's hands, there is a mass of information that must be brought out no matter what. There might not be a next opportunity. Shouldn't I divert all the aura I have to reinforcement and run at full speed?
I don't know. I looked toward the PC. What is there? What is displayed on the screen?