Chapter 84: Big Sword Ability, Healing Grass

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Big Sword Ability, Healing Grass

The group silently disappeared into the pitch-black forest.

Sean Chandler took the lead, clearing the path with the keen senses and powerful combat ability granted by his [Beastification] Skill.

No one noticed that Sean Chandler’s eyes had changed into the green irises of a wolf.

His nose twitched constantly, as if he were searching for something.

Ash followed close by his side, doing his best to make out the direction.

Seraphina Sullivan activated the [Night Vision Mode] on her [Analysis Glasses].

The scene before her was instantly overlaid with an eerie green filter. Though not as clear as daylight, it was enough to make out the silhouettes of the trees and the path underfoot.

However, she soon noticed something unusual.

Sean Chandler could move so smoothly at night because of his [Beastification] Ability, which was based on a Werewolf.

But Ash was also moving through the darkness with exceptional ease.

Unlike her and Dustin Sullivan, he barely seemed to need faint light or Skills to see. He accurately avoided roots on the ground and low-hanging branches.

He would even occasionally point to a blurry shadow in the distance and whisper, "I think there’s movement over there."

This was definitely not the kind of vision a normal person would have in this environment.

’Looks like you can’t underestimate anyone.’

Seraphina Sullivan cautioned herself once again.

Her [Eye of Resume] wasn’t omnipotent. It could only display information that was recognized by the system or that she already knew.

Subtle Abilities like Ash’s—which likely stemmed from this world’s "Spiritual Energy Revival" and awakened naturally, not yet fully "digitized" by the system—were easy to overlook.

This gave her a newfound appreciation for the potential of this world’s Native People.

Nearby, Dustin Sullivan had clearly noticed Ash’s strange behavior as well.

He was reminded of the Native girl from the chicken slaughterhouse who could Control animals.

A chill went through him.

This instance world was far more complex than they had first imagined.

The humans who had survived the Spiritual Energy Revival seemed to be quietly undergoing some kind of Evolution.

’Perhaps this world hides even more secrets and systems of Power yet to be discovered by Players?’

But he quickly shook his head, casting the tempting yet distant thought aside.

The instance only lasted seven days—not nearly enough time to explore this world.

’What’s the point of thinking about all this...?’

Dustin Sullivan told himself, a hint of imperceptible longing and resolve flashing in his eyes.

’I have to survive. Mom and my sister are waiting for me back in the real world.’

Survival was always the top priority.

You had to be alive to explore the world’s secrets.

Lily Underwood let out a faint moan from the jolting and pain. She weakly lifted her head, her voice barely a whisper. "How... how much longer? The Healing Grass..."

Ash stopped and carefully examined a shadow beneath a massive rock up ahead.

He nodded with certainty. "It’s just ahead! Under that big rock. I caught a glimpse of it during the day, it should be the Healing Grass. In the moonlight, the edges of its leaves will have a very faint silver glow. Keep an eye out."

Everyone’s spirits lifted.

Hope was right in front of them.

However, just as they prepared to approach the massive rock, Sean Chandler suddenly stopped, his muscles tensing as he gave a silent warning.

Dustin Sullivan instantly tightened his grip on his weapon as well.

Through her [Night Vision Mode], Seraphina Sullivan could clearly see it: coiled next to the clump of herbs giving off a faint silvery light was a massive python, its scales reflecting a cold sheen in the gloom!

It seemed to regard the clump of Healing Grass as its own possession, coiled lazily around it.

The path to obtaining Healing resources was never a smooth one.

"Careful! A python!" Ash gasped in a low voice. He had also spotted the massive shadow coiled by the herbs and instinctively took half a step back.

Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes narrowed. With a slight twitch of her fingers, an invisible [Quick Sewing] Energy Silver Needle coalesced at her fingertips, ready to find the right moment to pin the beast to the ground.

But someone was faster.

With a flick of his wrist, a small, silver sword that looked like a mere ornament appeared in Dustin Sullivan’s hand.

Instead of rushing forward for Close Combat, he aimed the tip of the small sword at the distant python and shouted:

"Take it down!"

As the words left his lips, the small sword seemed to come alive. Its blade hummed and abruptly grew several times larger.

Then, like an arrow released from a bow, it shot forward!

As it flew, the blade impossibly elongated at incredible speed, instantly stretching from the length of a one-handed sword to over ten meters, transforming into a massive, gleaming spear!

WHOOSH—SQUELCH!

The sharp whistle of something tearing through the air was followed by the sickening thud of a blade piercing flesh!

The elongated greatsword had pierced the python’s head with unerring accuracy, pinning it dead to the rock behind it!

The massive python didn’t even have time to struggle. Its enormous body twitched twice, then fell completely still.

At the same time, the counter on Dustin Sullivan’s wrist ticked up slightly: [+1].

Everyone finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, when Seraphina Sullivan looked at Dustin Sullivan, her gaze now held a deep sense of wariness and re-evaluation.

’He’s strong!’ she thought.

She had originally thought Dustin Sullivan’s [Big Sword] Talent only allowed him to change his sword’s size, making it suitable for combat.

But now it was clear this Ability was far more than that!

Not only could the sword change size, but it could also launch like a remote-controlled missile to deliver precise, over-the-horizon strikes!

It was the perfect weapon for an ambush!

’Just imagine it. An enemy thinks they’re at a safe distance, and suddenly a giant sword elongates and shoots toward them at high speed... It would be impossible to defend against!’

Dustin Sullivan seemed to sense Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze and glanced at her coolly.

He didn’t say anything, merely raising his hand in a beckoning gesture.

The long sword pinning the python rapidly shrank, and with a SWOOSH, it flew back to his hand, returning to its original form without a single trace of blood on the blade.

"Alright, the python is taken care of. Let’s go pick the Healing Grass," Dustin Sullivan said calmly, as if he’d just performed a trivial task.

With the crisis averted, the group immediately moved forward.

Ash carefully plucked the stalks of Healing Grass, which were emitting a faint silvery glow.

"I didn’t expect to find so much Healing Grass here," he said. "No wonder an animal was guarding it."

Ash picked a good amount, but there was still more Healing Grass left.

Ash handed the Healing Grass to Lily Underwood.

"Just chew it a bit and apply it to the wound."

Lily Underwood took the dandelion-like Healing Grass, stuffed it in her mouth, and began to chew.

The taste was pungent, but Lily Underwood forced herself to endure it for the sake of a quick recovery.

Meanwhile, Seraphina Sullivan looked at the large patch of Healing Grass that remained.

[Healing Grass]

Effect: When applied to a wound, it accelerates recovery.

This was all good stuff.

"Should we split the rest?" Seraphina suggested. "Who knows if we’ll get injured later on!"