Chapter 60: Miasma Swamp V

Ben examined the crystal from a distance.

Its dark green surface was partially covered by the black soil, but the strange patterns running across it were clearly visible. Occasionally, a faint green light flickered inside, accompanied by a weak pulse of energy.

’It doesn’t look like an ordinary Miasma Crystal.’

He considered using his White Ruination to retrieve it, but quickly dismissed the idea.

If the crystal contained some unusual energy, directly exposing it to White Ruination might destroy it before he could examine it properly.

Instead, he decided to use his Ruination Dimensions.

Ben extended his right hand.

The space around the crystal began to distort, and the surrounding soil slowly separated from it. A small section of earth rose into the air, carrying the crystal with it.

However, the moment the crystal left the ground, its energy fluctuations suddenly intensified.

Crack!

Several black lines spread across its surface.

Ben immediately stopped.

A faint wave of corrosive energy burst outward, spreading through the surrounding air.

The Leonardo Lament Ring reacted instantly.

[Lament’s Barrier: Corrosive Energy Detected]

[Defensive Response: Activated]

The protective barrier around Ben shimmered as the corrosive energy struck it.

Although the barrier successfully blocked the attack, Ben could feel that it had consumed more energy than before.

’So it reacts when separated from the ground?’

He narrowed his eyes.

The crystal had been relatively stable while buried in the soil. However, after being removed, its energy had become much more aggressive.

Morbius stepped forward and examined it.

"Interesting. It seems to have absorbed something from its surroundings."

"Can you identify it now?"

"Not completely. But I can sense a mixture of miasma and corrosive energy inside. There is also something else."

"What?"

Morbius looked at the crystal.

"Death energy."

Ben’s expression changed slightly.

Death energy?

He looked at the blackened vegetation surrounding them.

’That would explain why the plants have completely withered.’

He had encountered several types of poisonous resources since entering the secret realm, but this was the first time he had come across something containing death energy.

"Is it dangerous?"

"Everything in this place is dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it."

Ben glanced at him.

"That’s not an answer."

Morbius snorted.

"It is unstable, but I don’t think it will explode immediately. Still, don’t touch it with your bare hands."

Ben nodded.

He maintained his control over the surrounding space and carefully moved the crystal toward himself.

Once it reached a suitable distance, he opened his inventory and stored it.

The moment the crystal disappeared, the corrosive energy in the surrounding area gradually weakened.

Ben opened his inventory and examined the newly acquired item.

However, the system couldn’t provide a detailed description.

[Unknown Resource]

[Properties: Miasma, Corrosion, Death Energy]

[Identification: Incomplete]

[Further analysis required.]

Ben studied the information.

’An unknown resource containing three different energy properties.’

It was certainly worth investigating.

He had no immediate plans to use it, but perhaps the academy’s Research Department could identify it later.

More importantly, he wanted to know whether similar crystals could be found elsewhere.

Ben looked around.

The blackened vegetation extended farther into the forest, and several patches of unusually dark soil could be seen between the trees.

There was a possibility that more crystals were buried in the area.

"Morbius, do you sense any others?"

The black dog closed his eyes for a moment.

A faint wave of energy spread from his body, passing through the surrounding vegetation.

After several seconds, he opened his eyes.

"There are three more. One is nearby, while the other two are farther ahead."

Ben’s eyes lit up.

"Can you show me where they are?"

Morbius pointed his snout toward the left.

"That way. But the concentration of corrosive energy is higher in that direction."

Ben checked his ring.

The protective barrier was still functioning, although its energy consumption had increased slightly after the previous incident.

He wasn’t particularly concerned about exploring a little farther, but he would need to remain careful.

"Let’s collect the nearby one first."

Morbius nodded.

The two moved toward the location.

As they approached, the vegetation became increasingly sparse. Several trees had completely lost their leaves, while their trunks were covered in dark patches.

Ben also noticed that the ground had become softer.

Small bubbles occasionally appeared on its surface before releasing thin streams of greenish fumes.

’This area is much more contaminated.’

He carefully avoided the suspicious patches of soil.

After walking for a few minutes, Morbius stopped beside a large tree.

"It’s underneath."

Ben looked down.

A small section of black soil was visible between the tree’s enormous roots.

He extended his energy and carefully separated the surrounding earth.

This time, he didn’t remove the crystal directly.

Instead, he created a small spatial enclosure around it, isolating it from the surrounding environment.

Only after confirming that the enclosure was stable did he slowly lift it.

The crystal emerged from the ground.

Unlike the previous one, its surface was relatively smooth, with only a few black lines running across it.

Its energy fluctuations were also considerably weaker.

Ben stored it immediately.

[Unknown Resource Obtained]

[Quantity: 2]

’That makes two.’

He continued searching for the remaining crystals, but the other two were located farther ahead.

Before proceeding, Ben opened his information device and checked the surrounding map.

The location wasn’t marked as a resource collection point. It appeared to be part of an unexplored section near the boundary of the academy’s recorded region.

’Perhaps these crystals haven’t been discovered yet.’

That would explain why the database couldn’t identify them.

Ben looked toward the deeper forest.

The concentration of miasma was noticeably higher there, and the corrosive energy seemed to be coming from that direction.

"Should we continue?" Morbius asked.

Ben considered it for a moment.

He had already collected several useful materials, and his mission didn’t require him to explore unknown areas.

However, discovering an unrecorded resource was an opportunity he didn’t want to ignore.

"Let’s take a look at the next location. If the environment becomes too dangerous, we’ll turn back."

Morbius gave a small nod.

"Fine. Just don’t expect me to carry you out if you get yourself into trouble."

Ben smiled faintly.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

The two continued deeper into the forest.

After walking for approximately ten minutes, Ben suddenly sensed something unusual.

A powerful energy fluctuation came from somewhere ahead.

It was considerably stronger than the creatures he had encountered so far.

Ben stopped.

Morbius also raised his head, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

"There’s something ahead."

Ben looked toward the thick green fumes.

"Another creature?"

"Probably. And unlike those little snakes, this one isn’t particularly weak."

Ben’s expression remained calm.

He opened his information device and checked the map.

The area ahead was listed as an unexplored zone, with no recorded information about its inhabitants.

He slowly closed the interface.

’Looks like this expedition is becoming more interesting.’