Chapter 8 - mysterious lands

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Standing there, looking directly into my eyes, its whole presence was intimidating. This was the first time I saw and was about to fight a monster more than 20 levels higher than me.

The first thought that appeared in my mind was to run. The unprecedented feeling of power and danger that monster gave me was way out of my league.

Without wasting a single thought, I fled. I knew turning my back against a monster of this caliber was death. "What was I expected to do?" I thought. If I stayed there, I'll die, and if I run, I'll also die. I was not about to stay there and be killed.

I ran with all my might, leaving nothing holding me back. After running some miles away, out of curiosity, I looked back. I didn't feel the monster's presence around me. What if it didn't even recognize me as a threat and let me go?

I thanked my luck and quickly left the mountain area. If I could see a monster of that power in a random cave, what about other parts of the mountain?

I started thinking and talking to myself, a habit I picked up lately since being alone for too long is starting to get to my head. I needed something to get my mind off something, so I started talking to myself.

I resumed my roaming of the battlefield. I found many strange plants, which I collected, defeated beasts, and continued leveling up.

Weeks later, I found a strange area. There were no signs of grass or any living thing around. It was a huge place divided into two—a part with dry red ground that was very hot and the other with iced blue ground that was cold.

As I ventured further into this strange area, I could feel the temperature changing rapidly. It was as if I was crossing into different elemental domains. The contrast between the scorching heat and bone-chilling cold was surreal.

With cautious steps, I explored the red ground, feeling the heat searing through the soles of my boots. My skin prickled with sweat as I trudged forward, scanning the surroundings for any signs of life or danger. Despite the harsh conditions, there was a strange beauty in the desolation, the crimson earth stretching out like a vast, barren wasteland.

After what felt like an eternity, I reached the boundary where the red ground met the blue ice. The transition was abrupt, the air turning frigid, and my breath forming misty clouds in front of me. With each step, the ground beneath me grew slick and slippery, forcing me to tread carefully to avoid losing my footing.

Despite the biting cold, my curiosity drove me onward. I couldn't resist the allure of the icy expanse before me. It was a stark contrast to the blistering heat I had just endured, yet equally mesmerizing in its own way. The blue ice shimmered under the faint light, casting an otherworldly glow that danced across the frozen landscape.

As I ventured deeper into the icy realm, I stumbled upon a peculiar sight—a towering structure rising from the frozen ground. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, its sleek, metallic surface gleaming in the dim light. Intrigued, I approached cautiously, my heart pounding with anticipation.

As I drew closer, I noticed intricate markings etched into the surface of the structure, symbols and runes that seemed to pulse with energy. It was clear that this was no ordinary landmark—it held ancient secrets and untold mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

With a sense of trepidation, I reached out to touch the surface, my fingers tingling with anticipation. And then, in a flash of blinding light, everything changed.

I found myself engulfed in a swirling vortex of energy, my senses overwhelmed by the sheer power emanating from the structure. Colors danced before my eyes, shapes shifting and morphing in a mesmerizing display of raw elemental magic.

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the vortex vanished, leaving me standing in the midst of an unfamiliar landscape. Gone were the scorching heat and freezing cold, replaced by a gentle warmth that washed over me like a comforting embrace.

I looked around in wonder, taking in my surroundings with wide-eyed amazement. Before me stretched a vast, verdant forest, teeming with life and vitality. Trees towered overhead, their branches reaching towards the heavens, while streams gurgled merrily along moss-covered banks.

It was a scene of breathtaking beauty, a stark contrast to the desolate wasteland I had traversed mere moments ago. And yet, there was something more—a sense of magic and wonder that lingered in the air, whispering of ancient secrets waiting to be discovered.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I set off into the forest, eager to uncover the mysteries that lay hidden within its depths. And as I ventured forth, I knew that my journey was only just beginning,