"So, same as usual?"
Kanzai glanced at Moses and asked.
Things like scouting or testing the path was typically the job of an Enhancer.
However, since Moses has Soul Echo, there was no need for Kanzai to risk his life.
Otherwise, even with his super healing ability, Tiger Stripe, facing the bizarre and unknown creatures of the Dark Continent, he wouldn't have enough lives to spare.
"Of course."
Moses nodded, looked up at the many coral-like rock formations towering above, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
'After nearly three months of trekking, everything we had seen so far bore no resemblance to the contents of the New World Travelogue...'
'Did this mean we had been transported by the Ancient Pipeline to a place completely unrelated to Nitro Rice?'
If he had known this would happen earlier, perhaps he would not have been in such a hurry to use the Ancient Pipeline to reach the Dark Continent.
But if he hadn't done so…
Even the matter of sneaking across would have been a distant hope.
In the end, it was because they had too few options.
But Moses knew dwelling on this now was pointless. They could only try to find a way to gather information as quickly as possible.
Moses just hope that they can encounter intelligent creatures capable of communication on the unknown path ahead.
Even if they had to face a few demons or monsters, it wouldn't matter.
Moses suppressed his emotions and then controlled 3D Hisoka to slowly approach the root-like object that separated the two areas.
The reason their team had made it this far safely was largely due to the Shadow World, which allowed them to carry ample survival supplies and provided a refuge in times of crisis.
But more importantly, it was because the shadow clones had given the team countless opportunities to test and learn.
The shadow clones had significantly increased the margin for error when exploring new paths.
3D slowly approached the root-like object, and then, under the close attention of everyone, he stepped over the tree root-like object on the ground.
But at that moment, the previously lifeless root-like object suddenly began to churn like a liquid, instantly sprouting countless anemone-like tendrils.
These tendrils then closed in like rapidly interlocking teeth, enveloping 3D Hisoka.
In the next instant, these tendrils quickly retracted and shrank back into their original root-like form at a speed visible to the naked eye.
However, Hisoka, who had been wrapped inside, had vanished without a trace.
At the same time.
Moses received the feedback of pain.
It felt as though countless red-hot iron rods had pierced his body. Despite his high pain tolerance, he couldn't help but furrow his brow, silently enduring the indescribable agony.
While the shadow clones had indeed played a crucial role in exploring the path, the cost was Moses having to endure various forms of pain.
Fortunately, Moses had long since trained his pain tolerance. Otherwise, the constant onslaught of pain might have shattered his will and driven him to mental breakdown.
"Damn!"
Seeing the root-like object transform into countless tendrils and devour 3D Hisoka, Kanzai's expression changed.
Even though Kanzai wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he couldn't help but wonder why the root-like object was so blatantly laid out on the ground.
Since it is a trap-based hunting method, it should have been better hidden.
However, Shizuku, Menchi and the others' focus was on Moses.
They noticed the pained expression on his face as he frowned.
As far as they could remember, it seemed to be the first time they saw Moses show such an obvious reaction.
"Moses..."
Pyon took a couple of steps closer and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"
The rest of the team also turned their attention to Moses.
Facing the concerned looks from everyone, Moses didn't hide it and nodded, "It hurts a lot. On a scale, it's at least an 'A-' level."
"That intense?"
Biscuit raised an eyebrow.
What she just saw was that 3D Hisoka being devoured in an instant.
She thought that such a quick way of death would not cause any pain, but she didn't expect the reality was the opposite.
Moses nodded again, and then conjured a new 3D Hisoka.
"As long as we can figure out the attack range of this thing, we should be able to get past it."
With that, Moses controlled 3D Hisoka to leap ten meters into the air, attempting to use this method to cross the root-like object on the ground.
However, just as 3D Hisoka passed overhead, the root-like object once again churned like a liquid, sprouting countless anemone-like tendrils, and this time, the attack speed was several times faster...
The team's expressions changed as they barely managed to see the tendrils leap out like whales leaping out of the sea surface, opening wide to swallow 3D Hisoka.
In less than a second…
The root-like object, having devoured 3D Hisoka, returned to its original form.
Seeing this scene, everyone fell silent and they all looked at Moses.
They saw him frowning, silently enduring the feedback of pain.
Once the pain subsided, Moses conjured another 3D Hisoka.
This time, the leap was thirty meters high, and 3D Hisoka moved at his fastest speed.
Unfortunately, 3D Hisoka was still swallowed by the countless anemone-like tendrils in an instant.
"It seems not possible. This thing seems to be able to adjust the height and speed of the attack according to the situation."
After several attempts, Moses realized this.
Since Biscuit and others also saw the experimental process, they naturally shared the same view as Moses.
"So we can't get past it?"
Kanzai stared wide-eyed at the root-like object blocking their path.
Who would have thought that something so seemingly ordinary could have such a terrifying hunting ability.
"We still have Rat Jewel."
As he said that, Moses raised his finger and lightly tapped the bead necklace.
The bead glowed with white light and then turned into Rat Jewel.
"Chu chu!"
Rat Jewel looked up at Moses and patted its chest with its tiny hands, indicating that there was no problem at all.
Moses smiled but didn't get happy too soon.
'Based on the test results, it was still unclear whether the root-like object would only attack those crossing the boundary, or if it would also attack those who had already crossed.'
'If it attacked even those who had crossed, then Rat Jewel's ability would be meaningless.'
'But in any case, it was worth a try.'
'Anyway, we could always use 3D Hisoka to test it first.'
With that thought, Moses set aside his concerns.
"Chu chu!"
Rat Jewel activated its Aura and soon created a portal.
The team then jumped into the portal.
A moment later.
On the surface of a coral-like rock dozens of meters away from the root-like object, a black portal with green edges appeared.
Then, 3D Hisoka stepped out of the black circle, facing the root-like object on the ground.
This time, the root-like object showed no reaction.
Seeing this result, Moses breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon after, the team emerged one by one from the [One-Way Passage], successfully crossing the boundary set by the root-like object.
Now-
They had to keep moving.
A few days later.
Don Freecss followed the trail to this location.
"They actually managed to get past the Boundary-Guarding Plant so quickly. Impressive."
After confirming that Moses and his group had passed through the root-like object known as the Boundary-Guarding Plant, Don Freecss's interest grew even stronger.
It had been a long, long time since he had seen other humans.
Moreover, these people are a group of humans with outstanding abilities capable of overcoming the various dangers of the Dark Continent.