NOVEL WEB Chapter 13: The Search for Foundation
Lysander moved through the alien landscape, his senses on high alert. The air hummed with an unsettling energy, the bioluminescent flora casting an eerie, shifting light that played tricks on his vision. Twisted, thorny trees loomed like skeletal sentinels, their petrified adornments whispering silent warnings. The ground underfoot was uneven, a mix of loose rock and spongy, moss-like growth that squelched with each step.
He kept a wary eye on the horizon, scanning for any signs of movement, any indication of the strange creatures that had howled in the distance. The silence between their calls was almost more unnerving, a pregnant stillness that hinted at unseen predators.
His internal interface provided a rudimentary map of his immediate surroundings, a blank canvas waiting to be filled in as he explored. There were no landmarks, no indications of resources or potential threats, only the faint outline of the terrain.
He passed several other lone Lords, each moving with a similar air of cautious determination. They gave each other wide berth, the earlier aggression at the teleportation site serving as a grim lesson. Trust was a luxury none of them could afford.
Lysander's sharp intellect analyzed the environment. The pulsating flora seemed to draw energy from the strange, bruised-plum sky. Perhaps they contained unique elemental properties. The twisted trees might offer durable lumber, if he could find a way to harvest it. The uneven terrain suggested the possibility of underground caverns or mineral deposits.
He considered his initial resources – a mere thousand units of stone and lumber. It was a pittance, barely enough to erect the most basic structures. He would need to find a location with readily available resources to supplement his initial holdings.
He climbed a rocky outcrop, his movements agile and silent. From this vantage point, he could survey a wider area. The landscape stretched before him, a tapestry of bizarre vegetation and jagged rock formations under the oppressive sky. In the distance, he saw what looked like the ruins of ancient structures, their dark silhouettes stark against the pulsating green of the flora.
Ruins… The thought sparked a flicker of interest. They might hold valuable artifacts, forgotten knowledge, or even serve as a defensible starting position. However, they also likely harbored unknown dangers.
He descended the outcrop, his mind weighing the potential benefits against the inherent risks. He continued his trek, drawn by an unseen pull towards a region where the bizarre flora seemed less dense, replaced by more rugged, rocky terrain.
As he moved, he occasionally activated his internal system, reviewing the descriptions of his Lord skills. Twilight Sovereignty hinted at an innate connection to shadows and twilight, suggesting that areas with dim light or unusual atmospheric conditions might be advantageous. Whispers of the Infinite Horde promised the ability to multiply resources, making resource-rich areas less of an immediate priority, though a good initial supply would still be beneficial. Echoes of Mastery suggested that encountering other beings, even hostile ones, could be a source of immense power through skill acquisition.
The sun, if it could be called that, remained hidden behind the bruised sky, casting long, distorted shadows that danced with the pulsating light of the flora. The air grew heavier, the cloying scent intensifying. A sense of unease settled in his stomach. This world felt ancient and malevolent, a place where survival would be a constant struggle.
Despite the unsettling atmosphere, Lysander pressed on. He would not be deterred. He needed to find a place to anchor his Territory Core, a foundation upon which to build his power in this hostile new reality. The perfect location remained elusive, hidden somewhere within this alien landscape, waiting to be claimed. But the world held its secrets close, and Lysander knew his search had only just begun.