Chapter 57: Miasma Swamp II

Three days passed quickly.

Ben spent most of his time preparing for the expedition. He checked his equipment, organized his supplies, and familiarized himself with the Leonardo Lament Ring’s defensive properties.

When the day of the expedition finally arrived, he left his mansion early and headed toward the academy’s transportation facility.

As instructed, he arrived thirty minutes before the scheduled departure.

The transportation facility was considerably larger than he had expected. Several students were already gathered near the designated platforms, carrying their equipment and discussing their upcoming explorations.

Ben approached the registration counter and presented his exploration token.

[Identity Confirmed]

[Secret Realm: Miasma Swamp]

[Entry Session: 08:00]

[Exploration Duration: Maximum 7 Days]

[Please proceed to the designated transportation platform.]

After confirming his registration, Ben followed the directions displayed on his information device.

A large spatial transportation gate stood at the center of the platform. Several academy staff members were stationed nearby, checking the students’ identities and ensuring that everyone had the necessary equipment.

Ben found an empty spot and waited.

A few minutes later, Morbius appeared beside him.

The large black dog attracted some attention, but familiars accompanying students were not particularly unusual within the academy.

"Ready?" Morbius asked.

"Yeah."

Ben glanced at the transportation gate.

A faint greenish light flickered across its surface.

"Let’s go, then."

Once the scheduled time arrived, the academy staff activated the gate.

A spatial passage opened, revealing a dark entrance on the other side.

One by one, the students entered.

Ben followed them.

The moment they crossed the passage, the environment around them changed.

A vast forest stretched across their field of vision.

However, it wasn’t an ordinary forest.

Thick greenish fumes covered the entire region, drifting between enormous trees and spreading across the ground. The vegetation had unusual shapes, and many of the plants possessed dark green leaves with strange patterns.

The air itself looked slightly distorted because of the concentrated miasma.

Ben immediately felt the Leonardo Lament Ring activate.

A faint protective barrier spread around his body, forming an almost transparent layer over his skin. The greenish fumes approaching him seemed to weaken as they came into contact with the barrier.

[Leonardo Lament Ring: Lament’s Barrier Activated]

[Environmental Protection: Active]

[Poison Resistance: Enhanced]

Ben carefully examined the surroundings.

’So this is the Miasma Swamp.’

Although the academy database had provided some information, seeing the environment firsthand was different.

The concentration of miasma was considerably higher than he had expected.

Even though the ring was protecting him, he could sense the pressure exerted by the poisonous atmosphere.

Beside him, Morbius came out of the bond space and seemed completely unaffected.

A thin veil of black Death Flames covered his snout, flickering gently around his nose and mouth.

Ben noticed the unusual phenomenon.

"How?"

"What?"

"How are you protecting yourself against the poison?"

Morbius glanced at him.

"What do you mean?"

Ben pointed toward the Death Flames surrounding his snout.

"Those flames. Are you using them to filter the poisonous air?"

Morbius looked at him for a moment before nodding.

"Something like that. I can control my Death Flames to form a thin protective layer around my snout. It filters the air before it enters my body."

Ben examined the flames more closely.

The veil was extremely thin, and its energy fluctuations were barely noticeable. It didn’t look like an ordinary defensive technique.

’Interesting. He’s using his flames to filter the air instead of simply blocking it.’

Ben considered the possibility of learning something similar.

"Can you teach me?"

Morbius clicked his tongue.

"Why? Doesn’t your ring already protect you?"

"Having another method of protection wouldn’t hurt."

"Hmph. Humans really are troublesome."

Despite his complaint, Morbius didn’t refuse.

He began explaining how to control a small amount of Death Flames and maintain it around the nose and mouth without allowing the flames to spread.

Ben listened carefully.

The technique wasn’t particularly complicated, but controlling the flames with enough precision to filter the surrounding air required considerable practice.

It was also different from using Death Flames in combat.

Instead of releasing their destructive properties, Morbius was manipulating their energy to create a stable barrier.

Ben understood the general principle.

However, he would need some time to reproduce it using his own energy.

While Morbius continued explaining, Ben glanced toward his familiar space.

’Lumi should be fine in this environment, right?’

He considered summoning her but hesitated.

"Morbius, what about Lumi? Can she survive in a place like this?"

Morbius turned his head toward him.

"Why are you asking me? She’s a slime."

"That doesn’t answer my question."

Morbius let out a small snort.

"Slimes are among the creatures capable of surviving in almost any environment. Their bodies can adapt to a wide variety of conditions, including poisonous surroundings."

Ben nodded slightly.

That was reassuring.

However, Morbius continued.

"That doesn’t mean she can’t die. If the poison is strong enough, or if she encounters something capable of destroying her body, she can still be killed."

Ben looked toward the forest.

"I see."

"Besides, there’s no need to let her wander around eating everything she finds. Keep her with you."

Ben nodded.

He had no intention of putting Lumi in unnecessary danger.

For now, he would keep her inside his familiar space.

After finishing their discussion, Ben turned his attention back to the surroundings.

Several students had already started moving deeper into the forest. Others were checking their maps and discussing which direction they should take.

The academy had established a designated starting area, but there were no instructors accompanying them.

Once the students entered the secret realm, they were responsible for their own exploration.

Ben opened his information device.

A map of the Miasma Swamp appeared on the screen, displaying the known regions and several recorded resource locations.

The area near the entrance was relatively safe compared to the deeper regions, but even here, the miasma concentration was considerable.

’I’ll start by exploring the surrounding area.’

His mission only required him to collect ten Miasma Core Fragments. There was no reason to rush toward the deeper regions before understanding the environment.

Ben stored the map and looked at Morbius.

"Let’s go."

Morbius nodded.

The two began walking toward the forest.

As they moved forward, Ben carefully observed the vegetation and the ground beneath his feet. The soil was dark and damp, with patches of greenish liquid scattered between the roots of enormous trees.

Occasionally, strange insects crawled across the tree trunks.

Some had translucent wings, while others possessed several pairs of legs and dark green bodies.

Ben could sense weak poisonous energy coming from them.

He didn’t bother disturbing them.

After walking for several minutes, he noticed something moving inside a patch of thick vegetation.

His eyes narrowed.

A moment later, a large creature emerged from behind the plants.

It resembled a crocodile, but its body was covered in dark green scales. Several clusters of poisonous growths protruded from its back, releasing faint streams of green fumes.

A pair of yellow eyes stared directly at Ben.

[Species: Miasma Crocodile]

[Realm: Silver Realm - First Stage]

[Threat Assessment: Moderate]

Ben stopped walking.

’We’ve found our first opponent.’