Chapter 28: Let's switch to a lighter topic...

The Dark Forest is a vast and sprawling wilderness, stretching across countless miles. Within this expansive forest, numerous wild monsters roam freely, and there are many strongholds built by the native intelligent creatures.

These strongholds are scattered throughout the Dark Forest.

Among them, the Goblin Tribe, the Two-Headed Giant Tribe, and the Gray Dwarves Tribe are just a few of the smaller factions. While these tribes appear to govern specific areas and have their own territories, their power is relatively insignificant when compared to the four major forces in the forest.

According to a somewhat vague account by a Goblin named Frank, the four major superpowers are stationed in different directions within the Dark Forest.

The Giant Kingdom holds the western region.

the Bone Temple guards the southern area.

the Elven Garden is situated in the eastern part.

And the Naga Kingdom controls another southern region.

These four powers jointly block any external forces from entering and prevent internal forces from extending out of the forest.

Of course, this information comes from a minor Goblin, and whether it is entirely accurate or not is something that Edward needs to verify himself.

Goblin Frank mentioned in a state of great fear that among these four major forces, there are immortal deities. Whether this is true or merely a legend is unknown.

However, Edward tends to believe the information leaked by seasoned professionals on the "Professionals Forum" rather than the tales of a low-level Goblin warrior.

According to these professionals, the highest native combat power in the Worlds' Floating Isles is at the demi-god peak level. Only beyond the Worlds' Floating Isles, on the grand stage of myriad worlds, might one encounter true immortal gods.

...

"My territory is located in the western part of the Dark Forest."

"The highest ruling power in this area is the Giant Kingdom."

"This is a very important piece of information."

If things go as expected, the first target Edward would need to take down to conquer the Dark Forest would be the Giant Kingdom.

After all, they are right next door.

Once Edward's territory develops to a level where it could threaten the Giant Kingdom,

even if he doesn't declare war, the Giant Kingdom would likely send a large army to suppress his growing power.

A mountain cannot harbor two tigers.

Similarly, one region cannot accommodate two major forces.

"But that's a problem for another day; no need to worry about it now."

Instead of fretting over the threat from the Giant Kingdom, Edward decided to focus on his plan to take down the two-headed giant Tribe.

Centered around Edward's territory,

the mountainous forests within a radius of several dozen miles house three native forces.

These are the Goblin Tribe, the Gray Dwarf Tribe, and the Two-Headed Giant Tribe.

The first two tribes are roughly equal in strength, with chieftains who are both ninth-level professionals.

The Two-Headed Giant Tribe is the strongest, led by a king-level powerhouse.

If Edward could take down the Two-Headed Giant Tribe, he would essentially control the forested mountains within this radius, free to do as he pleases.

As he pondered, Edward also began to formulate a preliminary plan.

Night falls swiftly on the Worlds' Floating Isles. The lingering twilight barely fades before darkness descends at a visibly rapid pace. In less than half an hour, it's pitch black outside the Territory, thick enough to obscure any sight.

In such conditions, the visibility of professionals is severely limited, making hunting disadvantageous. Conversely, wild monsters are minimally affected and become unusually active.

If professionals don't quickly find a safe place, they're likely to fall prey to stealth attacks by wild monsters. In such pitch darkness, one wouldn't even know how they died.

Fortunately, the newcomers on the island remembered last night's lessons. Before night fully fell, they quickly sought refuge. Of course, these are the hard-luck combat professionals.

As for the Lord professionals, with their own Territories to protect them, they don't have to worry about attacks from wild monsters, nor waste time seeking shelter. And at times like these...

The chat channels burst with envious voices longing for the life of a Lord professional.

[Another night jealous of the Lords.]

[I'd love to see what a Lord professional's Territory looks like. Any kind-hearted Lord willing to leak their coordinates so us combat folks can drop by for a visit, maybe learn a thing or two?]

[High EQ: Visit the Territory; Low EQ: Raid it.]

[At this stage, no Lord would dare reveal their coordinates, not even top-tier Lords like Edward.]

[That's the truth. Until a Lord's military units are developed, a group of fully-armed combat professionals could easily sweep through a Lord's domain.]

[Hey, don't stir up trouble between us combat professionals and the Lord professionals.]

[As everyone knows, a Lord's Territory is the safest haven for us combat professionals. Seeking refuge with a Lord is what we most desire.]

[Talk like it's the real deal.]

[People have been spilling similar beans on the Professionals Forum.]

[On Worlds' Floating Isles number 013724, there have been wars between Lord professionals and combat professionals, and not just once.]

[I've heard too. Wars have led to many combat professionals dying, and even Lords being killed.]

Worlds' Floating Isles, number 013724. This is one of the Worlds' Floating Isles where the first batch of humans arrived. Different numbers signify different Worlds' Floating Isles.

No one knows how many Worlds' Floating Isles exist in 'this world'. The only known fact is that becoming the master of a Worlds' Floating Isles is the key to unlocking the portals to myriad worlds.

Once someone becomes the master of an isle, a portal to myriad worlds appears under their rule. This is the information revealed by the Worlds' Floating Isles. Though so far, no professional has achieved this goal and ascended to the position of an island master, this information is undoubtedly true.

[If our Worlds' Floating Isles were to experience turmoil, more professionals would die.]

[That's inevitable, given how many people are on our island.]

[Let's switch to a lighter topic...]

[Sure, today alone, three of my friends' icons turned gray.]

[...]