Skill Extraction: Exploring Dungeons-Chapter 557 - 499: Gathering Place

The eternally shining golden rainbow bridge.

The warm body, invigorating spirit of the golden light pouring down from the sky.

Evenly spread across the ground, not missing a single corner he can illuminate.

This light is so brilliant and heartwarming, it even dispels the cyclical night.

Even the flowers on the ground open towards the golden bridge in the sky.

White clouds are bathed in this golden radiance.

A white cloud drifts down, transforming into a thick white rope by an invisible force.

Cotton Candy floats in mid-air, mouth shaped in an ’O’.

A strong suction emits from the mouth, absorbing clouds, replenishing the nutrients needed for his growth.

After some time, he smacks his lips, showing a satisfied expression and descends back to the ground.

"Full now? Let’s continue our journey then."

Kane speaks as he rises from the tree he leaned against, dusting off the dirt and leaves from his backside, even brushing one off his head.

As if on cue, Yuuyuu begins leading the way for Kane once more.

Unfamiliar with the surrounding environment and the dungeon’s state, Kane opts not to use any transportation vehicle for swift travel.

Instead, he relies on his legs, walking slowly upon the earth.

There’s no alternative, it’s a necessity; Kane, alone, cannot boldly tread unfamiliar lands.

Furthermore, the destination isn’t far from Deadman’s Village, taking only a little time to reach.

There’s no need to hurry.

With perpetual daylight, Kane no longer distinguishes day from night.

Observing the surroundings.

Kane wonders if the dungeon experiences seasons, but autumn is clearly present.

The dungeon is in an autumn season, the leaves on surrounding trees mostly changing color.

A cool autumn breeze blows from afar.

Rustling through the dense tree leaves around, creating a soft rustling sound.

Some leaves, already yellow and dry, fall to the ground, accumulating.

The entire world, under the golden light, becomes even more radiant.

Admiring the view, the surroundings may appear quite beautiful.

If you overlook the scattered bones by the trees.

Kane finally understands what a world ravaged by war is, realizing what centuries of conflict have done.

Along the way, he passes many village ruins, practically every few kilometers.

Judging by the completeness of the ruins and the plants growing on them, he can roughly estimate the time of destruction; some within a few years, others over a hundred years ago.

The ruins are filled with scattered bones, virtually all with sword and blade marks.

This results in Kane not finding any human or intelligent beings gathered anywhere.

Instead, there are countless scattered bones beside the road.

Even visible are numerous dug-up pits, with bones dragged from the middle, bearing various teeth marks.

He finally comprehends the saying, "White bones exposed in the wild, no chickens crow for miles."

Walking for an indeterminate time, Kane finally spies a wisp of cooking smoke rising in the distance.

Indicating a gathering of intelligent beings in that direction.

Yuuyuu’s voice reaches him at this moment.

"Master, the destination is near."

Upon hearing Yuuyuu, Kane nods, but this time doesn’t have Yuuyuu hide or Cotton Candy cling to him.

As Kane spots a cluster of buildings ahead, he senses disturbances in the surrounding woods.

They should be the sentinels responsible for keeping watch.

Glancing at the nearby woods, Kane points to the tree trunk with the strongest energy response, then waves his hand, speaking.

"I see you there, don’t worry, I’m not an enemy, I bear a token."

With Kane’s words, silence pervades the surroundings, and nobody emerges.

Helplessly shaking his head, Kane points to another direction, noticing the strongest energy signature stealthily shifting there.

Then, rustling leaves are heard as a silhouette slips out from the trees.

These individuals clad in green and yellow armored leather, some with bows drawn and arrows nocked, others wielding daggers.

They aim at Kane, the sweet-looking Cotton Candy, and even at Yuuyuu beside his feet.

From their appearances and builds, one can tell they belong to different races.

Some resemble humans like Kane, others are hairy humanoid beasts, and some resemble plant creatures akin to humanoid plants.

Kane looks at the plant creature, wrinkles his brow; this form looks all too familiar.

If their plants were duller, their eyes void with emptiness, and their bodies more bent, they’d be identical to the monsters Kane encountered his first time in the dungeon.

Or rather, these are the normal version of plant humanoids.

He recalls their race being called Waldri.

The leader among them is that plant humanoid, who steps forward and says to Kane, "Why does an outsider come here? This place does not welcome strangers; please leave."

Kane raises the bracelet he holds in his hand and says, "Someone sent me here for someone."