Chapter 348: Into the Polluted Zone

Pruis didn’t understand why Helag and Franz clashed so violently.

It seemed reckless, but the outcome was favorable.

After investigating the underground situation, Pruis and his team felt a sense of dread.

Beneath the entire Mozambi slum lay a massive array, its purpose still unclear.

The array was enormous, requiring extensive time to document and analyze.

Judging by its complexity, it surpassed typical second or third-level arrays.

The secrets it held were significant, and evidence suggested it had briefly activated but failed.

Goodwin personally led the array investigation, assembling skilled array masters for analysis.

Results would take time, with other investigations proceeding simultaneously.

Helag’s whereabouts were unknown, and evidence suggested he hadn’t left but vanished suddenly.

He disappeared near Franz’s head, seemingly holding it before vanishing.

Pruis suspected the array was involved, awaiting investigation results for clarity.

As for Helag’s survival, Pruis believed he was likely unharmed, as no injury traces were found.

For now, they would broadcast a search for Helag across the Land of Dawn.

***

Helag gazed at the black earth beneath him, deep in thought.

He had evidently arrived in the polluted zone.

The question was, where in the polluted zone was he?

Helag had no detailed map of the zone; likely, no one in the Land of Dawn did.

He looked up, gauging the stars’ positions, and determined to head east.

The Land of Dawn lay east of the polluted zone.

Unless he was east of the Land of Dawn, heading east would eventually lead him there.

If he reached the coast, the Land of Dawn was west.

Helag chose to gamble, as heading west was unwise.

If he was west of the Land of Dawn, heading west would deepen his entry into the zone.

Statistically, the eastern area of the Land of Dawn was smaller than other directions.

Thus, the likelihood of being east of the Land of Dawn was lower.

Considering this, heading east was most logical.

However, these were long-term concerns; immediate survival was paramount.

The polluted zone’s dangers were well-known to Helag.

He first checked his belongings: his spatial ring and communication stone were intact.

As long as he had his spatial ring, he was fine, with ample supplies stored.

He had a vast stock of potion materials, enough to fill a potion warehouse.

He also had several sets of potion-making equipment, allowing for potion crafting as needed.

He had a large stock of finished potions, plentiful in number.

Helag, always prepared for crises, kept a variety of potions in his spatial ring.

He prioritized a rich, sufficient supply.

He had plenty of food, enough dry rations for half a year.

Water was the only concern, with only a month’s supply in his ring.

Currently, it wasn’t a worry, but water reserves were low compared to other supplies.

After inventorying his supplies, Helag focused on his surroundings.

The landscape was monotonous: black earth, barren rocks, and hills.

He saw no vegetation or life.

In the distance were mountains, obscuring further views.

Helag maintained his Power of the Titan state, ready for any situation.

His Absolute Defense shield remained active; if mana depleted, he had potions.

Safety was paramount.

Deep Blue’s environment detection was constantly active, monitoring for changes.

As Helag walked, he noted the eerie silence, as if the world held no life.

The polluted zone’s sky differed from the Land of Dawn’s, with black clouds and gray mist obscuring its contents.

Without the Starry Meditation method, Helag couldn’t navigate by stars.

He sensed star positions to determine direction.

Helag traversed the desolate black land for three hours, encountering no living beings.

Fortunately, the scenery varied, indicating progress.

Otherwise, he might have felt stuck in place.

Suddenly, Helag stopped, looking at the ground.

Rocks trembled slightly.

Normally, Helag wouldn’t notice such things.

But after walking so long, he understood the area.

Subtle changes indicated potential events.

He focused on the underground, finding nothing yet.

Then, a massive object entered Deep Blue’s detection range, rushing at Helag.

Its speed was such that the ground beneath Helag cracked instantly.

Helag teleported ten meters away.

Where he stood, a giant worm-like creature emerged.

Its top bore a cavernous mouth, like a cave entrance.

The cylindrical worm was about twenty meters in diameter, massive.

Despite its size, it moved rapidly.

Helag suspected that without noticing the rocks’ tremors, he might not have reacted in time.

When the worm entered Deep Blue’s range, it was almost too late.

The worm’s speed was incredible.

After surfacing, the worm’s mouth opened and closed, realizing it had missed Helag.

It seemed to assume it had caught Helag, expecting to consume him, but bit air.

The worm sniffed around, quickly orienting its mouth toward Helag.

It had no eyes, just a cylindrical body and a huge mouth.