Chapter 338 Experiment Log

Thin fog flowed around his knees like a stream. With every step, he felt a damp chill seeping into his leather boots.

The canyon was dim, visibility terribly low.

Fortunately, Xia Nan had some night vision. His outstanding Perception also let him easily distinguish the subtle shifts in the scenery on both sides, keeping him from losing his way.

The scattered stalks of fog lamp grass, their blue-white fluorescence rippling hazily through the mist, acted as guiding lights for the lost, stretching into the deepest part of the canyon.

Unlike the candlelight intelligent beings used for illumination, the glow emitted by the fog lamp grass was far more natural and soft. It didn't disperse the surrounding fog; instead, it seemed to merge with it, allowing the blue-white light to scatter and swirl into a drifting luminous mist.

Xia Nan found the sensation quite pleasant. It gave the area a uniquely tranquil atmosphere.

It was just a pity that the blooming period of fog lamp grass was strictly limited. For the vast majority of the year, they looked no different from ordinary roadside weeds.

Otherwise, he would have picked a few to take back, potted them on the windowsill of his inn room, and admired them to relax his mind after a long day of training.

The side of the canyon closest to Fog Lamp Village was likely much deeper than the other end. He kept his guard up against potential dangers as he carefully explored forward.

After walking for several dozen minutes, Xia Nan finally reached the deepest section—a towering rock wall that split the entire canyon in two, dividing it into an inner and outer region.

He thought this trip was over, assuming there was nothing else special in the canyon besides that Fog Lamp Monster.

Unexpectedly, after just a little more exploring, he noticed something strange about the adjacent rock wall.

It wasn't a solid, unbroken surface. Hidden behind a few clumps of weeds and hanging vines, an inconspicuous fissure faintly revealed itself within the curtain of light woven by the fog and blue-white fluorescence.

Xia Nan keenly sensed the oddity of it.

He subconsciously leaned closer, pushing the weeds and vines aside. Peering inside, he could faintly catch a glimmer of light.

His heart stirred.

A second later, he turned sideways and squeezed into the crevice.

His chainmail scraped against the damp stone, producing faint, crisp metallic clinks.

The narrow passage wasn't particularly long. After he shuffled sideways for a few steps and turned a corner, the view suddenly opened up.

What met his eyes was a small hollow surrounded by rock walls, likely less than half the size of a basketball court.

And at the very back, nestled tightly against the stone surface, stood a small wooden cabin.

Its design was completely natural, almost blending in with the dark gray rocks on either side. Thick moss covered the roof, while unknown green vines climbed the wooden exterior. The wooden door was rotting and dilapidated; having long lost its original function, it hung lopsided from one side of the frame.

A few stalks of fog lamp grass were planted together in the mud near the entrance, acting like porch lights. Their swaying fluorescence intertwined—the exact source of the light Xia Nan had glimpsed through the crevice.

In no rush to approach, Xia Nan observed it from a distance.

Only after he noted the wildly overgrown weeds at the entrance and the muddy, trackless ground around it—concluding that no living creature had been active here for a very long time—did he relax slightly.

Gripping his straight sword, he slowly walked over.

The interior of the cabin was cramped and damp, the air thick with the stale scent of mud mixed with rotting wood. Dim light filtered down through cracks in the roof and walls, struggling to illuminate the room.

A pile of long-rotted leaves and dead branches lay in a corner, its shape suggesting it had once served as a "bed." Near the edge of the windowsill sat a crude stone table covered in a thick layer of dust. Several shattered clay pots were scattered across it, their inner walls caked with dried, unidentifiable residue.

Xia Nan stood at the doorway, doing his best to leave everything inside exactly as he found it.

After carefully scanning the room several times, he finally began searching for anything useful.

Yet, he couldn't help but find it strange.

For the villagers of Fog Lamp Village, this side of the canyon was a dangerous, forbidden area they were never allowed to enter.

Even the most mischievous and rebellious children, drilled with near-mandatory warnings since childhood, never dared to come close.

Under those circumstances, it was bizarre that a wooden house clearly built by an intelligent creature sat in the deepest part of the canyon.

Could it be... built by the villagers sent into the canyon as sacrifices during past sacrificial rituals?

No, that was highly unlikely.

The moment the thought arose, Xia Nan shot down his own guess.

Given the strength of ordinary villagers, they would have zero ability to resist a monster with a Challenge Rating between 2 and 3 like the one he had just faced.

And judging by the intelligence and bloodthirst the Fog Lamp Monster had displayed during their fight, Xia Nan highly doubted it had the kindness to let a sacrifice off the hook.

If he hadn't been there, Lillie and Dongshu would probably have been torn to shreds by those thorny vines. How could they have safely made it this deep and even built a cabin?

Perhaps—

Xia Nan faintly harbored a suspicion.

Suddenly, a slightly warped floorboard in the corner of the room, distinctly different from the surrounding ground, caught his attention.

Stepping closer, he crouched down. Without physically touching it, he simply waved his hand a few inches over the floorboard.

Drawn by the invisible pull of gravity, the dust accumulated on its surface was gently swept aside.

Bending his fingers, he rapped his knuckles against the wood, carefully feeling the impact and listening to the hollow echo that followed.

Understanding instantly, Xia Nan drew his Short Dagger from his waist. Holding it in his left hand, he wedged it at an angle into the gap where the board lifted from the floor.

He applied a little force.

"Creak."

Along with a crisp sound, the long plank was pried entirely loose, revealing the items hidden beneath it.

A bulging cloth bag and a leather-bound notebook wrapped in oilcloth and preserved in relatively good condition.

Xia Nan's eyes lit up. He lifted the cloth bag, weighed it in his hand, and pulled the opening wide to look inside.

The brilliant gleam of gold coins instantly reflected in his dark eyes, painting them gold.

It was nearly thirty gold coins!

He felt incomparably satisfied.

Only because he had been cautious and searched so thoroughly did he find this. Anyone else might have easily missed it.

In a way, this small purse stuffed with gold coins was already worth the dozens of minutes he had spent venturing deep into the canyon.

He carefully stowed the money bag in his backpack, feeling no rush.

Using his [Gravity Control] ability, Xia Nan cleaned off the small table and wooden chair in the center of the room before taking a seat. Unfolding the oilcloth around the notebook, he flipped to the first page.

[Month of Bloom, 27th]

Damn it, why would a "Gauth Beholder" appear on the outer periphery of the Underdark? Kela is dead, and my injuries are far from light. We've decided to retreat temporarily and continue the mission after we've rested and recovered.

[Month of the Summer Tide, 2nd]

My injuries are worse than I imagined. The beholder's "Devour Magic Ray" unexpectedly triggered the curse on my body. I need a safe place to heal.

[Month of the Summer Tide, 5th]

Lawrence couldn't hold on after all. May the Goddess bless his soul to find its final rest.

That brat from the Morton Family said he was heading to Barracuda Bay. I hear the sunlight and sea breeze there can purify anything—of course, the hundreds of casinos across the archipelago can also help purify his wallet.

I asked him why he didn't just go back to Sticky-Tree Territory and inherit his title. After all, with the Morton Family's wealth, at the very least he could spend his twilight years comfortably in the city instead of struggling out here.

He replied that he had stolen the family heirloom when he left home. Oh, now that I think about it, I seem to have seen it before—that bizarre silver-white metallic object. I have no idea what it's used for.

But that so-called heirloom probably wasn't of any use, otherwise Kela and Lawrence wouldn't have...

[Month of the Summer Tide, 15th]

My injuries are growing more severe. I can feel my life slipping away.

Fortunately, not long after leaving Rivervale Town, I found a hidden, tranquil canyon.

The outer side is completely blocked off. The only entrance connects exclusively to a remote little village outside.

I've decided to recuperate here.

[Month of the Summer Tide, 19th]

—No! Damn it! The treatment failed. The curse is still worsening!

I have to find another way to recover!

[Month of the Summer Tide, 23rd]

The great God of Nature has heard the prayers of His most devout believer.

The fog lamp grass in the canyon has bloomed. Their swaying light in the mist... it's not just light. I can feel the profound mystery hidden within it, stirring the natural power inside my body.

This is a precious opportunity bestowed by the great existence above the divine kingdom. If I can guide this energy, perhaps I can not only cure this damned curse but also take another step forward on the path of nature.

[Month of the Summer Tide, 29th]

The extraction failed...

The crushed sap of the fog lamp grass rapidly lost its inherent energy. The light dissipated, leaving behind only useless residue.

Why? Was my line of thinking wrong?

I must find a way to preserve its energetic essence!

Should I try soaking it in special marrow-dew under the moonlight? Or... some other kind of resonance?

[Month of the Blazing Sun, 5th]

I found it!

So that's how it is! The transformation of the fog lamp grass requires pure life force as a medium and catalyst!

Thanks to the young girl who wandered into the canyon by mistake this morning. Otherwise, I'm afraid I never would have discovered this!

Naturally, for the continuation and evolution of life, this was a necessary sacrifice.

I have already conveyed the "Will of Nature" to that little village outside called Fog Lamp Village. Every year at this time, when the fog lamp grass blooms, they will offer sacrifices.

[Month of the Blazing Sun, 8th]

It's a success! The essence of the fog lamp grass stabilized under the guidance of the life medium!

My curse and injuries have stopped worsening. They are even showing signs of improvement.

Oh, great God of Nature, thank you for your generous gift!

This refined essence is enough to sustain me until the fog lamp grass blooms next year. I am going to enter a state of dormancy. I hope that when I wake next year, the progress will go as smoothly as expected.

[Illegible scribbles]

[The handwriting abruptly changed, as if a considerable amount of time had passed since the previous entry.]

[The concept of time seemed to blur for the diary's author; the originally clear dates vanished entirely.]

As the fluorescence of the fog lamp grass fills the room, I have forgotten how many times I've woken up.

The nearby village seems to have grown accustomed to the sacrificial ritual. Even though my injuries are fully healed and I no longer need fresh life force to refine the fog lamp grass essence, they still send young girls into the canyon every so often.

Of course, the frequency of the rituals has gradually decreased. With the size of their village, they clearly can't sustain an annual sacrifice.

Curiously enough, when I left the canyon a while ago to purchase supplies in Rivervale Town, I discovered that the village chief seemed to be planning to lure a monster near their village.

Isn't he afraid the monster will charge right into the village and eat them all?

These ignorant villagers are always like this. For the sake of some trivial, worthless scrap of power, they put lives in danger, using superstition and false delusions to maintain their rule.

Naturally, I won't turn away the girls they send into the canyon.

After all, nourished by fresh life force, the fog lamp grass truly does grow much better.

They need nutrients.

The plan is going exceptionally well.

Taking the fog lamp grass essence over a long period has forged a deep, blood-deep connection between my body and this plant.

Perhaps this will help me complete my class change and break through the Level 5 bottleneck.

But before that, just to be safe, I need to conduct a little experiment.

The experiment succeeded—but only partially.

Using the blooming flowers of the fog lamp grass as a core, supplemented with natural energy from the druid system, I created a mutated plant-type monster.

Unfortunately, the natural energy I currently command isn't potent enough. This mutated plant monster is only a half-finished product. Its intelligence is higher than that of an ordinary beast, but nowhere near the level of a sapient creature.

Furthermore, it can only regain its physical vitality and the ability to move independently during the months of the Summer Tide and Blazing Sun, when the fog lamp grass blooms.

It might be because of the "sacrifices" I fed it during its cultivation, but this monster has a particular fondness for human girls. The sacrifices sent in over recent years have all served as its little snacks to satisfy its cravings.

Luckily, the growth traits of the fog lamp grass restrict its area of activity to within the canyon.

Otherwise, if it were to wander out and cause trouble, drawing the attention of the Adventurers' Association in nearby Rivervale Town, I fear I'd have to move out of the canyon and find somewhere else to continue my experiments.

Preparations are complete.

I no longer need an external life medium. The fog lamp grass essence has developed a deep resonance with my own life force.

A more profound transformation is calling me.

Not merely healing, but transcendence, evolution!

Casting off this curse-ridden shell and merging with the stalks and roots to become an eternal existence.

I admit this is a massive gamble.

The price of failure may be unimaginably heavy...

But if I succeed, I will step into a new tier of life, and this so-called professional bottleneck will cease to exist.

It happens tonight, when the bright moon hangs in the sky, when the fog is at its thickest, and the grasses are in full bloom.

Surrounded by the fog lamp grass, I will complete the final ritual.

Wish me luck.

May the great God of Nature receive my soul.

The diary abruptly ended there.