Chapter 287: Dodging
Time flew as they traveled around The Verdant Isle, Irwin searching and not finding anything odd. During the evenings, Greldo would hunt something for them, and their meals consisted of rations and fresh meat. Although they both knew they could easily return home if they wanted to, they continued traveling the forests.
The only thing of note that happened during those relaxed times was that Irwin began feeling more at home in the forest of the new world. So far, every time he'd been here had been spent either crafting or planning. The few times he'd gone out of the city to explore things had been by teleporting. Now, as he traveled the lands, walking between the trees that were darker, larger, and had sharper leaves than those back on Giard, he slowly got used to it.
They traveled slowly, scouting out caves and other large areas with care. After finding the portal leading to—what Greldo was calling—Insect World, hidden below the ground, neither wanted to risk missing one.
So, over two weeks after they returned from the adjacent world, they finally reached the last of the towers on the west side of the island. It was the same as all the other ranger towers, though slightly lower to match the surroundings. The trees here had gone from towering giants to those Irwin could sometimes even wrap his arms around.
The salty scent of the sea blew in from the north, and the distant crashing of waves mixed with the constant rustling.
Irwin scratched his neck, removing an adventurous insect that seemed to be searching for a spot to drink his blood. He looked at what had probably been a fly, now squished between his fingers, and then wiped it on his grimy pants. There was barely a clean spot left, and he wondered if he should burn them instead of trying to clean them.
"So, you are sure you want to head back now instead of checking out the east side?" Greldo said as he came out of the tower.
"Mom will be worried, and unless you want to be the one explaining things to her, I think it's time," Irwin said. "Also, Daubutim had other things he wanted me to do first. Let's scout the final bit before heading back."
Greldo let out a theatrical, reluctant sigh. "Fine! Back to work, I guess!"
Irwin smiled as he walked toward the distant shore.
It didn't take them too long to scout the final region, and eventually, Irwin found himself on a gray pebble beach, staring at the dark sea swirling in front of them. The dark gray sky, promising rain, and the dark sea gave everything a gloomy feel to it.
"Let's head back. Daub first, then back to New Malorin," he said.