Chapter 69: The Dile Marsh
Seth gaped at his surroundings in awe. Creatures of various forms and features could be seen everywhere.
He felt surreal. All kinds of alien races stayed in GreenFold Settlement.
He saw some forming adventurer teams, others going about their days as normal.
All forms, shapes, and sizes — yet they weren’t alienated.
He watched as a drunken Dai race member and a furry humanoid cat-like figure with three eyes, also drunk, held each other by the shoulder, laughing as they stumbled into the distance.
This was quite a contrast to what Seth expected. While he did expect to see this many varying races, he never expected them to be so... united.
Reva smiled beside him, sensing his confusion. She explained, "Naturally, things aren’t always as they seem, Seth."
She turned to stare at the crowd. "Beneath what you see, there is conflict, there is animosity, and there are factions. But naturally, we still have some semblance of unity."
Seth raised a brow. "A coalition of sorts?"
Rand chuckled. "No. There are only sides."
He glanced at Seth. "The way you speak, it seems your planet has yet to come in contact with the vaster cosmos."
Seth didn’t reply, but he knew that was a dead giveaway. He couldn’t help it — he was too ignorant of the grander cosmos to even know things considered common knowledge.
Reva helped explain. "There are two types of life forms across the vast cosmos: origin life and corrupt life. These two opposing sides have been in constant war since the dawn of time. I’m sure even you should have had encounters with the corrupted."
Seth nodded solemnly. He remained quiet.
’This is new information... it provides insight into what the corruption really is.’
Reva continued, "The fearsome corruption is a blight that eats at our reality, and the origin is the only order that can resist it. The reason the races are somewhat united is because that’s the only way to face this common, unrelenting enemy of ours."
The group walked to a teleportation pad, as Rand chimed in, "Even with that, there’s still little unity among races. There are constant fallouts and wars that break out now and then. But for now, this era could be said to be quite peaceful."
Seth’s gaze flashed with understanding.
’Once humanity resolves its problems on Earth, we can then progress to the interstellar exploration era.’
But thinking about the deep, unfathomable secrets Earth seemed to hold, Seth didn’t think it would be that easy.
Rond smiled. "Good, we are here. Pay two crystals as a fee, then this hub will lead you straight to the Trade Hall."
Seth nodded. "I really have to thank you guys."
The three waved, smiling. "It’s not like we acted out of the goodness of our hearts. We already got the title."
Seth smiled, but he still remembered this favor. Indeed, the system had paid them, but he hadn’t.
He watched as they went on their way, and now he was alone — the only human across the infinite Origin Realm.
He smiled with anticipation.
’Which class should I choose?’
He wanted to pay the teleportation pad controller to get to the hub, but he stopped.
He still had a legendary Class Path Crystal. He had to recover it from those elders before he even considered going to the Trade Hall.
And there was also the fact that he had the dual-class physique, meaning he could claim two classes.
But of all these things, what he needed most was to get stronger.
Right now, he was possibly the weakest Monarch-grade Awakened Rank creature in the whole of the Origin.
And this was because of two factors: for one, he had yet to select a class.
And for two, he had yet to break the gene locks restraining his two new abilities.
According to Rand, even Awakeners with gene lineages had to break the gene locks to acquire their gene skills after ascension.
Either that, or they slew creatures and, if lucky, claimed the gene skill that dropped.
Apparently, Awakeners could have three gene skills. Meaning for Seth, apart from the two locked skills provided by his gene lineage, he could acquire another.
"Come on, man, decide where you want to go already." The short, hairy man with tentacles for hair urged Seth.
Seth made his choice. He stared at the pad controller. "Say, do you know a hunting ground safe for, let’s say, a mid-level Leader-grade Awakener?"
The tentacled-haired man pondered for a bit, then snapped his fingers. "Ah, you’re talking about the Dile Marsh. It fits the description perfectly.
The place is littered with Dile Origin Beasts, and the strongest you can find is a high Leader-grade class beast."
Seth’s eyes lit up. "Good. Let me go there then."
The tentacled-haired man chuckled. "Then you’re at the wrong place. I only provide in-settlement transport. The Dai can take you to the Dile Marshes though, for a suitable sum."
"I see. Sorry for disturbing then." Seth quickly walked away, heading back to where they had left the last Dai carrier.
He had planned on going to the Trade Hall previously, but after a brief consideration, it was more worthwhile for him to wait and recover his treasures first.
So for now, he would head to the Dile Marsh, get stronger, and then return to Earth.
"The Dile Marsh? Sure, that will be 12 essence crystals!" The Dai called coldly, his expression showing his lack of interest in bargaining.
But Seth didn’t care. He had the money, so he paid. And once more, he was saddled tight to the back of the beautiful Roc.
It took to the skies. This time the journey was longer, but because it was by flight, they quickly arrived at the destination.
Staring at the silent, muddy marsh below, Seth felt a thrill in his heart. It was as though something called to him. But as quickly as the feeling came, it vanished, leaving him unable to tell if that was his imagination.
The Roc suddenly plummeted from the skies, gliding slowly to the marshy field.
Seth alighted, and the Dai and his beast left.
The marshy plains bubbled, as large creatures peeked out from it slowly encroaching.
Staring at the growling Dile beasts that looked very much like crocodiles from Earth, except for their ashy black scales, his gaze flashed.
He pulled his dagger from his waist. The full force of his gene skill Absolute Weapon Resonance was unleashed, fueled by the powerful essence of an Awakened. It was even stronger.
"Let the slaughter commence," Seth muttered with a smirk.