38: Chapter 38 Crystallization Erosion

With that said, the biggest problem facing Byron now was how to leave this Desert.

Looking at the unusually calm Desert, a flash of keen insight crossed Byron's eyes.

"Omniscience, scan this region, focus on the underground, maximum range!"

[Scanning started...]

As the scan began, Byron's head felt as if it had been pricked by needles, and a sharp pain emerged.

He knew in his heart that this was the result of exerting his Mental Energy to the limit.

"It really has been a long time since I experienced this feeling; the last time must have been on the ferry, right?" Byron mused inwardly.

Time passed bit by bit, and the sharp pain in Byron's mind gradually subsided.

Shortly after, a message suddenly appeared before Byron's eyes.

[Analysis complete.]

[There are two races in the Desert. One is recorded on the information crystal: the Crystal Cave Worm Race. They live underground and take the form of half-human, half-crystal insectoids, with their bodies covered in unknown pale blue crystals and lacking facial features.]

[It is highly likely that this race relies on their entire crystalline bodies to perceive the outside world and is extremely sensitive to vibrations. It is recommended not to move around freely until the situation is investigated.]

[The other is the Crystal-Light Floater, consisting of energy crystal clusters about the size of a fist. They have no physical form, float in the air, and are non-aggressive.]

At the same time, at the end of the information, the Eye of Omniscience attached a 3D underground map, marking the distribution of the discovered Crystal Cave Worm Race.

Looking at the complex underground structure displayed on the 3D map—honeycombed crystal cave nests—along with the dense red dots and the areas marked as extremely dangerous, Byron couldn't help but feel a headache.

Byron looked up, his gaze filled with gravity as he surveyed the gray-white crystalline Desert.

It seemed that his decision not to act rashly earlier was absolutely correct.

This region appeared calm, but underneath, it was turbulent.

He definitely couldn't force his way through this region; he had to use his wits.

However...

Byron suddenly raised his hand, staring at the glowing crystalline speck on his fingertip, and fell into silence.

"Is this the crystallization erosion recorded in the information crystal? It's truly overbearing. Has it already started after such a short time since I arrived?"

"I must figure out how much time I have left to make better arrangements. Omniscience, analyze the crystallization erosion appearing on my body, estimate how much time I have left, and find any solutions."

[Analysis started... Analysis complete]

[crystallization erosion: A unique rule of the Ghost Marrow Crystal Nest Plane. All free-floating magic power within the plane spontaneously condenses into solid crystals.]

[For organic lifeforms that stay for a long time, flesh, bones, and magic power will gradually undergo crystalline mutation.]

[Solution: Possess the Bloodline of a native creature or enter a Wizard Settlement.]

[Estimated time for total crystallization: 371 hours, 51 minutes, 19 seconds]

[Warning: When crystallization reaches 60%, movement will become difficult; at 70%, it will be completely impossible to move.]

Looking at the information in front of him, Byron's expression remained calm as he muttered to himself, "Since that's the case, I don't have fifteen days. I have at most ten days left."

"It seems I must find a way to evade the perception of those worms in the next few days."

Just then, Byron suddenly perceived the sound of footsteps coming from ahead.

Byron frowned, then quickly kept his legs still, crouched down, and tried his best to hide his figure.

He understood that this commotion couldn't be caused by the Worm Race, as they didn't have legs.

So, it could only be another student who, like him, had been teleported to this godforsaken Desert.

After concealing his figure, Byron raised his eyes and looked in the direction the sound came from.

At this moment, a student wearing tight-fitting clothing was in front of him to the left, heading in the direction indicated by the information crystal.

At the same time, Byron also discovered that the Worm Race marked by the Eye of Omniscience on the map were currently moving rapidly toward the student's location and surrounding him.

Seeing this scene, Byron silently offered a blessing to that student in his heart and hid his figure even better.

After all, who knew what that student might do upon discovering him while facing death?

Byron dared not gamble on human nature, especially since that person was a Wizard.

He knew the temperament of these people too well; after all, he was also a Wizard, and he was the same way.

Byron had originally worried that this wasn't safe enough and wanted to use "Light Refraction Concealment" to completely hide his figure.

But the moment his Mental Energy connected with his magic power, Byron discovered that the Worm Race around him, which had originally been heading toward the student in tight-fitting clothing, suddenly turned around to look at him.

This discovery nearly scared Byron out of his wits; he realized that besides vibrations, these Worm Race were also very sensitive to fluctuations in magic power.

Consequently, Byron hurriedly interrupted the connection to his magic power and completely silenced his own magic power.

The moment his magic power was completely silenced, those few Worm Race that had turned back headed once again toward the student in tight-fitting clothing.

Seeing this, Byron breathed a sigh of relief and began to honestly watch the student in tight-fitting clothing, waiting for what was about to happen while having the Eye of Omniscience make a record.

After all, this was the first time he had seen a battle involving a Wizard Apprentice, and it was erupting against this Worm Race.

Not only could he obtain information about other Wizard Apprentices, but it could also help him further understand this Worm Race and find a way out faster.

"Thanks to that friend who is silently contributing. When I leave in the future, I will definitely collect your remains properly so you aren't left exposed in the wilderness."

Just as Byron was watching, that Wizard Apprentice also seemed to sense something; his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes scanned his surroundings vigilantly.

A handful of orange, flickering flames even suddenly appeared in his hand.

Byron recognized that thing; it was "Elemental Fireball," one of the Wizardry Tricks he had learned.

Seeing this, Byron stared at him intently and silently mourned for him in his heart.

Because the moment the fireball appeared, not only were the Worm Race around him triggered, but even the Worm Race wandering in a large area around Byron were attracted to it.

At this moment, the student in tight-fitting clothing had officially gone from having a slim chance of survival to having zero chance of survival.

The student in tight-fitting clothing shouted, "Out..."

"Pfft—!"

Before the student in tight-fitting clothing could finish his words, he was interrupted by this sound.

Countless Worm Race with thick bodies and surfaces shimmering with pale blue crystalline armor rushed out from underground.

And the expression of the student in tight-fitting clothing shifted completely from gravity to terror.

But before he could react, he had already been submerged by the dense mass of the Worm Race.

Moreover, more and more worms were attracted by this commotion, becoming part of the swarm.

Seeing this scene, the corner of Byron's eye twitched. Brutal, it was truly too brutal.

As for that student in tight-fitting clothing, from beginning to end, other than uttering one harsh remark and casting one "Elemental Fireball" Wizardry Trick, he hadn't made any other commotion.

It really left Byron somewhat disappointed, even feeling grief for his misfortune and anger at his lack of competence.

He hadn't expected it to be such a case of "all thunder and no rain."