Chapter 669 - 424: The Light Chaser in the Village

Chapter 669: Chapter 424: The Light Chaser in the Village

"So, what’s the matter?"

Zhou Chen took a small stool from his Player Backpack and sat down by the campfire. He then pulled out a rack and some raw meat skewers, setting them up to roast over the fire. Soon, the aroma of cooking meat began to fill the air.

The Nameless Ghost stood silently, gazing at the majestic, faintly-visible volcano on the horizon. "I sense the Energy in the Volcanic Area is rapidly activating and expanding," he said. "If things continue like this, every volcano except the extinct ones will erupt within five days. It will be much more difficult for you to reach Sun Cliff Peak then."

"Volcanoes erupting?"

Zhou Chen was stunned. He recalled reading that ninety percent of Gaia’s volcanoes were dormant and had been for over twenty centuries. The Star Association’s geologists had predicted no signs of eruption for at least another forty centuries. ’Why are they about to erupt now, just a few days after the game launched?’

He felt a headache coming on. ’My luck is just the worst.’

"It’s not just the Volcanic Area..." The Nameless Ghost held out his palm, as if feeling the pulse of the world. "The entire World is becoming more active," he said slowly. "This is highly unusual. Nothing like it has ever happened before... I have a feeling a drastic change is on its way."

’A drastic change? If all of Gaia’s volcanoes really do erupt, that’s not a drastic change—it’s the apocalypse!’

Zhou Chen recalled his long-forgotten middle school science—the volcanic eruptions alone would be enough to alter the environment across half of Gaia. The toxic volcanic gases contained sulfur and chlorine. These toxic gases would drift into the clouds and form acid rain. In a worst-case scenario, it would be corrosive enough to burn human skin. Meanwhile, the spread of volcanic ash would blot out the sky, causing temperatures to plummet.

Gaia’s Sun, though corrupted by Abyssal Power, still emitted light and heat. However, the light it now shed was one of Darkness, causing Evil Objects to proliferate.

Conditions were harsh, but at least life could go on. But if the heat were blocked and temperatures plummeted, a mass extinction would be inevitable.

Add a few mega-earthquakes, mega-hurricanes, and mega-tsunamis to the mix... and it would be a full-blown apocalypse.

"Why do I always run into such bad luck?"

With a sigh, Zhou Chen took out a small spray bottle and spritzed the roasting meat a few times. A fine, light-blue mist filled with shimmering, ice-like crystals emerged.

This was the Heat Resistance Potion from the Magic Academy. A little spritz on food would grant heat resistance for a period of time after consumption. Of course, one could also spray it directly into their mouth, but that would create a chilling rush like drinking ice water after eating a mint. The effect would also be nearly ten times stronger and last much longer, which could easily affect a person’s condition.

Zhou Chen devoured the roasted meat in a few bites. The oppressive heat around him immediately vanished, replaced by a cool sensation that washed over his body. A [Heat Resistance] buff appeared on his Status Bar with a duration of four hours.

"Do you want to come with me?" Zhou Chen looked at the Nameless Ghost.

"Ah... Of course. I am, after all, just a wandering spirit with nowhere else to go... I just wonder if the lady accompanying you would agree." The Nameless Ghost had clearly sensed Danika’s presence.

The light of a Spirit Body shimmered, and the White-haired Witch Danika appeared, her face full of suspicion as she demanded:

"Who exactly are you? Not even Gandoldov or Lisi Jeanne could sense my presence. How were you able to detect me so easily?

Furthermore, you easily sensed the unrest in the Volcanic Area. That kind of Sensing Ability is something even a Magic Master could only dream of.

I’ve heard the legends about you. A Nameless Ghost who wanders Gaia Land, helping Heroes and outsiders for centuries. You come and go without a trace, and it’s said that few have ever seen you more than once...

Some say you’re a manifestation of the King of Gaia’s lingering soul. Others claim you’re the great Hero, Raymond... Who are you, really?"

The Nameless Ghost maintained a friendly demeanor. "Calm yourself, madam. Since you’ve heard stories about me, you must know I’m just a helpful, lonely spirit. My past is nothing worth mentioning. These days, I’m merely a guide for newcomers, helping those I’m fated to meet. That’s all.

Besides, isn’t it polite to introduce yourself before asking about another’s origins?"

"There’s no way you don’t know who I am," Danika said, staring directly at the Nameless Ghost.

"Ah... I do know who you are. That’s precisely why I’m puzzled about your decision to help him."

Zhou Chen watched the two riddlers with a deadpan expression. "If you two don’t start speaking plainly, I’m refusing to take you with me."

"I’m just a guide for newcomers," the Nameless Ghost said with a shrug.

"And I’m just a Witch seeking atonement," Danika said softly.

’Give me a break. I can’t believe I still have to deal with riddlers inside a game...’

Zhou Chen sighed dramatically and waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Do whatever you want. I’m leaving."

He knew full well that if these riddlers didn’t want to explain themselves, nothing on earth could pry it out of them.

The Nameless Ghost and Danika promptly dissolved into motes of light and vanished.

Zhou Chen summoned his Spirit Horse, Bao Li, and galloped off.

·

「Five hours later.」

After an unfortunate fall while navigating the cliffs on horseback, a hidden village appeared before Zhou Chen.

"There’s actually a village here?"

He was utterly astonished. First, he couldn’t believe that his reckless cliff-hopping on horseback had ended with him falling right next to a village. Second, he never would have imagined that people actually lived in the Volcanic Area.