Chapter 55: Right Here

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Right Here

So...

What’s the difference between using Insight and not using it?

Seraphina Sinclair frowned, glancing from left to right. The black mist obscured nearly everything. If she ignored the text hovering over the two paths, the choices looked completely identical.

After a moment of thought, she suddenly took a step toward "The Misty Path."

The next moment, the black mist that had been swirling around the two options expanded, filling the entire mobile cabin.

Just like when the black mist had surged in before, the fog blotted out Seraphina Sinclair’s vision. She silently drew her dagger and stood still, listening for a moment.

No monsters. ’It should be safe.’

’Alright, now I can get to a higher vantage point to see what’s going on.’

Clutching her dagger, she slowly backed away until her back hit the wall. From there, she felt her way to a familiar spot. Only when she was standing on high ground with a clear view of the situation did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The current situation was very similar to when the black mist had flooded in, but it wasn’t quite the same.

Seraphina Sinclair remembered clearly. This was Insight, so... the Insight panels did, in fact, exist.

Unlike before, they didn’t appear directly in front of her. Instead, they were hidden above the black mist. Once Seraphina Sinclair stood on her bed, she could just make out the contents of the panels.

Three panels had appeared in total.

Seraphina Sinclair gave them a quick glance. The first described the [Node Choice], and the other two were for the two paths.

She didn’t rush to read them, sighing first instead.

’The system is getting better and better at hiding things. I bet very few people can find these, huh?’

She looked at the first panel.

[Node Selection]

[Description: Determine the region you will traverse for the next seven days by choosing a path! Different regions will inflict different negative effects, so please choose carefully! When the black mist surges into a region, it will bring unique monsters! The monster grades within a region are for reference only; the actual strength of different monsters can vary significantly due to differences in size, traits, etc.! The path’s Danger Level is also for reference only. The difficulty of each path varies from person to person. Consider your own abilities and make the most informed choice! Additionally, the regions don’t just contain dangers and monsters. Occasionally... you might also encounter a land of opportunity overflowing with treasure!]

Seraphina Sinclair read it through carefully, then repeated it to herself until she had practically memorized the entire text.

’In short, the main purpose of the Node Selection is to slap survivors with a negative effect...’

Seraphina Sinclair pursed her lips. She checked the activation time for the node. The node chosen today would take effect tomorrow and last for seven consecutive days. And her novice protection period happened to end tomorrow...

’So... not making us choose a node on the first day in The Black Mist World... that’s the system’s so-called "novice protection," isn’t it?’

’Makes perfect sense.’

Seraphina Sinclair nodded, then felt a little speechless.

’The monster grades are for reference only, the path’s Danger Level is for reference only...’

Even though the system’s explanation was perfectly reasonable, Seraphina Sinclair still had to complain. ’If it’s so inaccurate, can’t you just upgrade it?’

She shook her head, her gaze falling on the words "a land of opportunity overflowing with treasure."

After a long silence, Seraphina Sinclair suddenly sighed. Her luck in her past life had been terrible; when playing games, she’d always hit pity before getting a rare drop. Although her luck had been pretty good since coming here, she knew it couldn’t last forever.

She looked at those words and sighed again. ’Whatever. As long as I get to see one while I’m still alive, that’ll be enough.’

Seraphina Sinclair opened the two panels below.

[The Misty Path]

[Danger Level: F-level]

[Description: Hunters that devour memories lurk within the seemingly calm mist. The fog will gradually cause Erosion to the survivor’s sanity. When you forget who you are, you will become one of them. It is recommended to carry items that can clear Spiritual Pollution. Of course, you definitely don’t have any right now.]

’The Danger Level is F, and judging by the description, the main danger is Spiritual Pollution.’

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the line "you definitely don’t have any right now" for a moment, then suddenly laughed out loud. ’So there are things the system can’t predict, huh?’

Not only did she have one, but she had already used it once.

’Looks like this is the most suitable path for me, as long as the other one isn’t anything special.’

She opened the last panel.

[Ironrust Corridor]

[Danger Level: F+ Level]

[Description: Rusted slayers roam among the mechanical wreckage. Their joints will emit a piercing, grinding sound, but don’t be fooled... the most dangerous moment is when the sound disappears. Metal fatigue will cause one’s movements to become Slow, like a rusty gear.]

’This one...’

’Based on the description, this one’s really confusing.’

’It sounds like it causes your body to randomly stiffen up, or maybe it’s something to do with noise...’

Seraphina Sinclair frowned.

This path’s Danger Level was one grade higher than the first, and she had an advantage on the first path. Even just for safety’s sake, she should choose The Misty Path.

"Oh..."

Seraphina Sinclair’s train of thought was interrupted. She turned to look at the suddenly active Sunflower.

Every single time, Sunflower managed to reveal some important information.

’Oh?’

Seraphina Sinclair mulled over the sound. She didn’t quite understand what Sunflower was saying, but the child seemed to have gotten stuck, saying nothing more.

’What is it trying to say?’

Sometimes, Seraphina Sinclair really wanted to grab a baseball bat, leap into the air, and "gently" awaken Sunflower’s slumbering soul.

As if sensing Seraphina Sinclair’s threatening aura, the Sunflower, which had been playing dead, suddenly stirred its leaves and buried its face a little deeper. Its mental activity, however, became quite lively.

"Good stuff..."

That was a lot clearer!

Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes lit up. Her casual glance toward Sunflower turned into an intense stare.

’If it gets stuck here...’

Sunflower didn’t disappoint, letting out a flood of thoughts all at once.

"Scent is far away... can’t tell where... but it’s really good stuff... want it... want it..."

At first listen, it sounded completely useless. But who was Seraphina Sinclair?

Seraphina Sinclair was an extremely patient parent!

She realized the key to the problem almost immediately. Sunflower was safe and sound inside the mobile cabin. Where could the fresh scent it was sensing be coming from?

’From the black mist brought on by Insight, of course!’

Seraphina Sinclair narrowed her eyes. She decisively scooped up Sunflower and strode over to where the black mist had first spread from.

’This is basically the source of the black mist in the cabin...’

’If that’s really the case, Sunflower should be able to tell for sure now, right?’

Standing in the black mist, using the faint light from the glowing fish swim bladder, Seraphina Sinclair stared intently at Sunflower’s vague silhouette.

Sunflower was quiet for a long while. Just as Seraphina Sinclair thought her plan had failed, she suddenly heard a loud cry: "It’s right here!"

’It’s right here!’

Her spirits lifted, and Seraphina Sinclair immediately selected: "The Misty Path."