184: detour

Chapter 182: Detour

In the world of DND, fungi can be exceptionally dangerous under certain circumstances.

Arthur finally understood why there were no Undead in this area.

For fungi, any living organism can become a host to nurture themselves.

Even the Undead, who have long lost their lives, can be infected by fungi and eventually become part of a massive fungal colony system.

Arthur had Airo keep an eye on the movements in the swamp, while he turned to check on Drax’s condition.

The monster that emerged from the swamp earlier was covered in viscous mud.

He initially didn’t notice anything unusual until the boar came out, and then he realized something was wrong.

The bloated monster that Drax had struck was a Gas Spore.

This is a spherical fungus with a fragile outer shell, its swollen body filled with deadly toxic spores.

Once attacked, its outer shell would instantly rupture.

Those highly poisonous spores would gush out like a fountain.

Organisms infected would die within hours.

The bodies of the infected would then nurture more Gas Spores days later.

Arthur had previously used a Protection from Poison spell to clear the spore poison from Drax's body.

However, the organ damage caused by the poisoning had not yet healed.

Coupled with the impact from the fungal boar, Drax’s injuries were further aggravated.

Arthur plucked a leaf from the Goddess's Scepter and cast a Healing spell.

A soft glow enveloped the orc, beginning to mend his internal injuries.

Ever since igniting Mist Town's ley lines, the Goddess's Scepter had been strengthened once again.

Now, the magic bestowed by the scepter could be cast directly by Arthur without the need for incantations or spellcasting gestures.

Drax's breathing gradually stabilized, and his condition improved.

He propped himself up, sat up, and thanked Arthur.

Then, he asked in confusion, “What in the world are these things?

“Aren’t they Undead creatures?”

Arthur then began to explain to everyone: “They are all fungal creatures.

“The one constantly emitting sharp screeches is a ‘Shrieker’.

“Once exposed to light or disturbed in other ways, they will emit an ear-splitting shriek.

“The sound wave vibrations produced by the shriek can be perceived by other fungal creatures.

“It itself has almost no combat power, serving only as an alarm.”

“And those deer and boars are the most common Violet Fungi.

“These fungi parasitize living organisms, absorbing nutrients and growing slowly.

“They eventually take over the creature’s body, disguising themselves as its original form, thereby infiltrating their communities.”

After hearing Arthur’s explanation, Heir suddenly understood and interjected, “So that’s it!

“No wonder there were those strange rumors!

“Everyone who came to the old mansion to search for treasure was infected by the fungi.

“Once completely taken over, they would return to that massive fungal colony.”

Arthur nodded, agreeing with Heir’s statement.

He cast his gaze towards the dilapidated old mansion in the distance and the seemingly calm swamp.

He knew that the Imp had deliberately withheld this crucial information, hoping they would die in this deadly trap.

Airo saw Arthur’s solemn expression and asked, “What do we do now?

“Are we still going to the old mansion? If so, perhaps we can go around the edge of the swamp.”

Arthur looked in the direction Airo pointed, seeing a sparse forest at the edge of the swamp.

They could indeed take a detour from there.

Although no one knew the situation inside the forest, it would certainly be safer than crossing the swamp.

However, Arthur was worried about something else.

These fungal creatures have no sight, and their perception is not particularly keen.

As long as they are not actively provoked, they will not attack.

What truly made him wary was that old mansion.

If his prediction was correct, that place had probably become a fungal “paradise.”

It was very likely that Violet Fungus Corpse Collectors existed there.

These massive fungal creations, formed by the aggregation of a large number of Violet Fungi, are quite troublesome to deal with.

If they startled a Shrieker while approaching the old mansion, it would likely lead to greater trouble.

“Should we scout the forest first?” Airo asked again.

Arthur ultimately decided that they should continue forward.

They had come this far; it would be too much of a pity to give up and go back.

He shook his head and said, “I’ll go.”

This decision surprised everyone present.

Arthur, before anyone else could ask, explained, “Don’t worry, I have a way. Xiao Lingdang, give me the Cloak of Invisibility.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a petite figure suddenly appeared beside Ge'ertu'da.

The sudden appearance of the Pixie startled Ge'ertu'da, who let out a gasp.

“So you really exist,” Heir said.

Just now at the farm, she had thought she was hallucinating.

Drax and Airo also stared curiously at the little creature.

Drax, the orc who grew up in the arena, couldn't help but exclaim, “Is this—a butterfly with hair?”

Xiao Lingdang immediately frowned, looking displeased at Drax, and corrected him, “I’m not some butterfly!

“I am a fairy, Princess Obera’s personal maid!”

As she spoke, she proudly lifted her head, flew to Arthur’s side, and took out the Cloak of Invisibility from her small satchel.

After Arthur took the Cloak of Invisibility, the cloak automatically enlarged.

He draped the cloak over himself, and he instantly vanished without a trace.

Everyone present showed expressions of astonishment.

Arthur took off the hood of the cloak, revealing his head, and said, “Leave the scouting to me.”

“Woah, this is the second time I’ve spoken to a head without a body,” Airo said, looking at the eerie scene before her, “Put your hood back on quickly, you look really creepy like this.”

Arthur smiled helplessly, put his hood back on, and said to Xiao Lingdang, “Come on, come with me.”

After Arthur left, Heir couldn't help but ask Airo, “By Mother Earth, how many more abilities does he have that he hasn’t shown yet?”

Airo spread her hands and retorted, “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?

“He didn’t have this ability before he came here.”

The Cloak of Invisibility gifted by Princess Obera had an effect equivalent to the 4th-level spell “Greater Invisibility.”

However, compared to Greater Invisibility, this cloak had significant advantages.

Greater Invisibility only lasts for about a minute, while the effect of this cloak can last for two hours.

More importantly, even when casting spells, moving quickly, or initiating an attack, the invisibility effect would not be broken.

Its only drawback was that it required the user to attune to it before use.

This meant that the cloak could only be used by Arthur at present.

Before entering the forest, Xiao Lingdang, hidden inside the Cloak of Invisibility, reminded him, “Arthur, even if we’re invisible, those mushroom people can still sense us.”

“I know that; they don’t rely on sight to perceive their surroundings,” Arthur’s voice came from above.

He cautiously stepped into the forest, his gaze vigilantly scanning his surroundings, “I’m wary of other things.”