Splash, splash—
The scorching rain, like an unwelcome guest unaware of social etiquette, began to fall at the most inopportune time.
The suffocating heat and mist only added to the eerie atmosphere of the swamp.
At this point, the exploration team didn't bother looking for cover from the rain anymore.
They extended their Nen around them, creating a protective Nen membrane like a raincoat to shield them from the burning raindrops.
Germain's "En," centered on him, swiftly shot out, only to retract in the blink of an eye.
"There are two enemies ahead, without a doubt 'Champion-level'," Germain reported his quick findings. "The swamp's depth varies, so be careful not to get stuck in the mud."
Gone was the arrogance of someone who had just advanced to "Champion-level." Ging didn't push his limits and said:
"Let's stick to the plan. You handle one, we'll handle the other."
"Sure," Germain agreed without hesitation, never one to delegate the heavy lifting. "I'll take care of one as quickly as possible and then come to help."
Ging grinned. "Maybe we'll handle one first and come to help you."
"That works too, as long as we win," Germain had no burden about it.
But Bisky stood still, staring at the swamp and said thoughtfully:
"Looking at this place reminds me of when Shizuku and I first joined the group and arrived at that swamp."
"'The Lord of Crows'?" Shizuku, whose memory was usually unreliable, had a sudden spark of recollection. She remembered the elite monster.
"I remember it. Its corpse earned us a small fortune. That was our first bucket of gold."
"But it also led the old man to find us faster," Bisky added. "Time really flies. It's already been over a year."
She still appeared small and delicate as she spoke. After finishing her words, she stepped out from behind Shizuku and immediately transformed into a towering, muscular figure, as sturdy as an iron tower.
Bisky smiled and struck her left palm with her right fist, making a loud pa pa pa sound as she said:
"Just like that battle, let them be buried here."
The four of them moved forward, using the "En" to carefully explore the area. They confirmed where they could step without falling and where stepping would lead to a trap before taking action.
They pushed aside sharp reeds that could slice through flesh and brushed through the misty rain that could burn their skin.
Facing the setting sun, which was slowly being swallowed by the distant mountains, they finally saw their target.
It was a breathing mountain made of scales and flesh.
However, with a keen eye, they could recognize that it was actually two large poisonous snakes intertwined and coiled together.
Only when they sensed the approaching steps of the small human group did the snakes begin to move, loosening their grip on each other.
Swish swish swish—
The sound of scales scraping against each other filled the air, accompanied by the occasional spark.
One snake was red as fire, while the other was dark like ink. Both of their vertical pupils were locked on the group.
"The Twins of Jealousy and Defamation," like a massive disaster descending.
Behind them, just beyond their guarding position, was the naturally growing "Longevity Food: Nitro Rice."
From a distance, the "Longevity Food: Nitro Rice" looked strangely misaligned and blurred.
Without giving Germain and the others much time to observe, the red fire-like giant snake, "Son of Jealousy," made the first move.
It swung its head and tail, rising straight up like a tower reaching the darkened sky, then suddenly twisted and dove toward the ground as if jumping into water!
Thud—
Mud, algae, and reeds were all pushed aside as the red serpent twisted and changed. Its enormous body rapidly compressed!
In an instant, the "Son of Jealousy" transformed into a red figure resembling a human!
Everyone stared in shock, frequently turning to look at Germain.
Because the "Son of Jealousy" had transformed into another "Germain."
But it was entirely red, radiating an eerie aura, and wearing a malicious smile on its face.
However, this was not the end.
From the mist behind him, two more figures stepped out.
One was the "Man-at-Arms" holding a solid shield and a mace, and the other was the "Antiquarian" holding a skull incense burner.
Without saying a word, both the "Man-at-Arms" and the "Antiquarian" used their nen abilities to enhance the defense and evasion of the "Son of Jealousy."
"It seems the duel I've always wanted with you is finally going to happen here."
That was Ging's perspective.
"It seems the beating I've always wanted to give you, to knock you down to the ground, will finally happen here."
That was Bisky's perspective.
Shizuku adjusted her black-framed glasses, glanced at Bisky, then at Ging, but didn't join in mocking Germain like they did.
Upon hearing them, Germain knew that their target was the "Son of Jealousy," who had now become eerily similar to him.
"He likely has many of my abilities, though I'm unsure how much of my combat power he's imitated. But at least he's 'Champion Level.' Be careful."
Ging and Bisky both smiled and nodded in agreement.
He then gave Shizuku a separate warning:
"Shizuku, don't hold back. He's not me."
"Got it," Shizuku replied expressionlessly, holding the "Blinky" with its tongue sticking out. "I'll smash that imposter's head in."
She deliberately pointed to the top of Germain's head and added, "I'll hit him right here."
Germain smiled, nodded at them, and shifted his focus to the other giant snake.
The dark, ink-like "Son of Defamation" stood upright, revealing its slightly different body from the "Son of Jealousy."
Its long body had nine black cysts, resembling nine rings wrapping around it.
Then, black mist began to spread from its body, making it seem as though a huge, vicious snake head was emerging from a black hole.
Hissssss—
Its forked tongue flicked out, gathering like a spell into a series of masks.
Each mask had a different expression, but all shared the same twisted, painful, and furious emotion.
The malicious masks, like meteors trailing flame clouds, howled in a way that unsettled the nerves, surrounding Germain from all directions.
The final battle in the rainforest swamp began.
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