Chapter 61: Dungeons and Corrupted Ground
Two hours – that’s how long the rain poured.
Fortunately, under Rhonia’s leadership and the assistance of several others, Hiro’s Realm was still able to get breakfast ready within a reasonable time.
Right now, variety in terms of food was non-existent. People would have to eat monster meat again. But nobody complained, since monster meat tended to be both delicious and nutritious.
Hushed murmurs filled the air as people went about their morning routines, their conversations centered around one incredible fact - they had spent an entire night in the Desolate Lands and were still fucking alive!
The reputation of the Desolate Lands was so nightmarish throughout Selune’s domain up North that for most people, merely surviving a single night was considered a monumental feat.
Nothing particularly dramatic had occurred during the night either. No monster attacks, no emergencies—neither from the mysterious cock-shaped building nor from wandering creatures. It seemed the Goddess Statue was doing an admirable job protecting against roaming monsters, even though it proved ineffective against the creatures that emerged from the hypnotic mist.
The cock-shaped structure remained an enigma. None of Hiro’s citizens could say with certainty what it truly was, though theories abounded.
New faces could be seen among the citizens - the settlement’s population had increased by three overnight. One of the new arrivals was a tough-looking old man with a muscular build and dark skin—a stonemason by trade. He carried a mild air of melancholy about him, but then again, few who sought refuge came bearing joy. Hiro had already noted his arrival and recognized his potential value to the settlement.
While most of the settlement ate breakfast, a crucial discussion was taking place inside Bob and Furina’s tent. The key members present included Hiro, Starius, Targon, Vasquen, Fiona, Barbara, Shuvichi, and Tara. Tara felt somewhat out of place among these powerful individuals, acutely aware of how much stronger the others were compared to her.
Inside the tent, the table occupied the center position with parchment covered in various details spread across its surface. The chairs had been pushed to the sides to accommodate everyone.
"Understanding the land around us is crucial," Hiro said, mustering an authoritative tone. "We need to comprehend the terrain, the resources, monsters, dungeons—everything."