The world map known to humanity-
In truth, it is nothing more than an enormous lake called Lake Mobius, which is situated at the very center of the Dark Continent.
According to data from the International Permit Agencies, there have been a total of 149 recorded voyages challenging the Dark Continent throughout history.
Of these, only 5 expeditions had survivors return, with a total of 28 people making it back alive.
However, as time passed, only a handful of these survivors remain alive today.
Among these records, the most valuable references are undoubtedly the voyages directly involving Calamities and Hopes.
In the treacherous mountain ranges along the northeastern shores of Lake Mobius in the Dark Continent, a type of ore called Unmanned Stone can be mined, which is capable of generating electricity simply by submerging it in water.
But that area is the territory of Pap, the Human-Keeping Beast.
In order to explore the entire route, the Begerosso Union sent a 1,000-person investigation team there, but in the end, only seven people came back without getting anything.
At the landing point directly north of Lake Mobius, traveling 400 kilometers inland would lead to an ancient labyrinth city with a strikingly modern aesthetic.
The United States of Saherta sent a large-scale special forces unit there, only to encounter the Botanical Weapon, Brion. In the end, only two survived.
To the southeast of Lake Mobius, heading straight ahead would bring travelers to a swamp where the longevity food, Nitro Rice, grows.
The Federation of Ochima selected this route and dispatched a 1,100-member expedition, but 99% of them became prey for Hellbell, the Twin-Tailed Snake.
After these voyages were officially documented, the Mimbo Republic chose a different route, sending a 2,000-member force.
But in the end, they still returned with nothing, and only three survivors made it back.
Moreover, these three people were suspected to have been affected by some unknown creature. Although they returned alive, they were all mentally unstable and passed away not long after.
These are the official records of Dark Continent's voyages that can serve as reference.
In addition to these, there are actually some unofficial voyages.
For example-
A small team of three individuals.
The members of this team are:
Isaac Netero, the 13th Chairman of the Hunter Association.
Double-Star Gourmet Hunter, Linne Horsdoeuvre.
The Zoldyck Family's member, Zigg Zoldyck.
…
"Isaac, could you please stop tasting everything you see?"
Under a pitch-black sky, inside an open cave, Linne, who looked somewhat similar to Biscuit in her loli form, furrowed her brows in irritation.
On the ground in front of her, there were several white stones piled up.
Strands of azure flames were generated directly from the surface of the stone, converging into a single fire.
Above the flames, skewered fist-sized insects sizzled, their brightly patterned exoskeletons oozing golden oil under the intense heat.
Netero, who is still in his prime, was sitting opposite Linne, was staring intently at the roasting insects, completely ignoring Linne's complaint.
Seeing that Netero hadn't even registered her words, veins bulged on Lin Nie's forehead. She raised her hand to gather her Aura, picked up a white stone beside her and hurled it straight at Netero.
The moment the stone left Linne's palm, a large ball of blue flame suddenly burst out, as if because it had touched Linne's Aura.
Netero suddenly came to his senses and raised his hand to slap away the stone wrapped in blue flames that was coming towards him.
"Close call, close call."
After slapping the stone away, Netero blew a few breaths into his palm.
Whether it was intentional or not, the stone he deflected flew straight toward Zigg, who was quietly studying voyage records nearby.
At this moment, Zigg's attention remained entirely on the documents, and he had no idea about the flaming stone flying straight at him.
But just when the flaming stone was about to hit his forehead, Zigg's left hand suddenly turned into a blur, and in an instant, the stone was sliced into dozens of pieces.
Clatter-
White stone fragments scattered all over the ground, and the raging blue flames gradually died out.
However, the perpetrator, Zigg, didn't even lift his gaze, his eyes still locked onto the voyage records.
Netero glanced at Zigg, who was not affected at all, and then looked at Linne, and said with drooping eyelids: "Linne, couldn't you be a little gentler?"
"Drop dead."
Linne's large, doll-like eyes glared daggers at Netero.
Netero shrugged, entirely unbothered by her hostility.
Seeing Netero's carefree attitude, Linne cursed him in her heart, 'You stinky Enhancer!'
Then, she snapped viciously:
"Netero, I wasn't reminding you just now, I was warning you. Do you even realize where we are?"
"Anything you think is edible could be carrying lethal toxins or pathogens, so can you please use your brain for once?! Even if you're starving, at least let me check it first before you shove it in your mouth!!!"
"And also, do you even know what this team's biggest weakness is?!"
"It's a doctor! We don't have a doctor!!! Do you understand what that means!?"
"You don't think that relying on Zigg's half-assed first aid measures alone is enough to keep you safe, do you?!!"
"I'm begging you, can you please remove all the muscles in your brain!!!"
The more Linne spoke, the angrier she got. Originally, there was only one blue vein on her forehead, but now, there were five.
Netero nodded repeatedly, but his eyes remained glued to the roasting insects.
He waited until Linne had finished talking before he pointed at the roasted insects and said anxiously, "It's almost burnt."
"?"
Linne's breathing hitched, and then she punched Netero on the head.
Bang!
A muffled sound came from the narrow open-air cave.
Zigg, who had been absorbed in his documents, jolted in surprise. He looked at Netero in confusion, where a bright red lump began to grow on his forehead. He had no idea what had just happened.
"Huh?"
Then, he glanced at the shattered stones scattered at his feet, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
He didn't remember those stones being there earlier.
'...Whatever. It's not worth thinking about.'
Zigg shook his head, set the documents aside, then turned to Netero and Linne and said with a grave expression: "I've gone through all the voyage records. There's no mention of 'that gaze' anywhere."
"I see…"
Linne's brow furrowed slightly.
After punching Netero, her mood became much better.
But hearing what Zigg said, she couldn't help but feel upset again.
Just four days ago-
after passing through a lifeless black forest, they had begun sensing a gaze watching them from behind.
But no matter what countermeasures they tried, they couldn't identify its source or true nature.
The only thing they knew for certain was that it was getting closer...
Netero and Zigg weren't too bothered by it. Their stance was the same: if they couldn't figure it out through conventional means, they'd simply wait until 'that gaze' was right in front of them.
At that time, the two of them would resort to force to resolve the issue.
But for Linne, the only woman in the group, it was very unbearable.
Not to mention taking a shower, just going to the bathroom makes her feel uncomfortable.
"What kind of disgusting, cowardly thing is this…?"
Linne gritted her teeth.
…
Voyage Log - Day 7.
I don't have the habit of keeping a diary.
But I'm not sure if I'll make it back. Maybe I should leave something behind.
Today marks the seventh day since landing. Our southward journey has been uneventful.
We crossed a barren wasteland, and the annoying thing was that the sun above our heads never set.
Voyage Log - Day 8.
Our water supply is running low. Thankfully, we've finally left that wretched barren land behind.
We've reached a forest.
Praise Asa!
But the color of the land in this forest is unsettling.
It's too black.
Like ink...
We need to find a source of drinkable water.
Voyage Log - Day 9.
Thank goodness, the advance team found an underground spring.
This is the first time I have seen such clear water.
Praise Asa!
The abundant water supply has cleared away the haze in our hearts.
Team leader decided to rest near the spring for a day. I think we're getting closer to our destination.
Voyage Log - Day 10.
After realizing how hard it is to replenish water, we decided to carry more water with us.
It'll slow us down, but we agreed it's necessary.
Before setting off today, I saw three crows perched on a black, coral-like branches. They were so dark that I almost didn't notice them.
How strange.
It turns out there are also crows in this kind of place.
Voyage Log - Day 11.
This gloomy forest is too quiet...
The crows keep their distance from us.
They also never make a sound.
That's good.
I don't want to hear their ominous, shrill cries.
Voyage Log - Day 12.
Finally out of that damn eerie forest.
The water we brought from there is still plentiful, so at least we won't have to worry about it for at least a week.
We can pick up the pace now...
Voyage Log - Day 13.
Is something watching me?
Maybe my nerves are just frayed.
Voyage Log - Day 14.
No!
Something really is staring at me.
But no matter how many times I turn around, I can't find the owner of those eyes.
I don't want to stay at the back of the group anymore.
I requested a position change from the team leader.
But the team leader refused.
He didn't believe what I said.
I think-
Maybe he's right.
The long march has worn me down.
Voyage Log - Day 14 (Addendum).
Is it really because I am under too much mental stress?
But I've taken the medicine prescribed by the team doctor on time...
Why is that gaze getting closer?
This is bad.
Something feels wrong.
But why am I the only one…?
Voyage Log - Day 15.
We've finally reached our destination, about three days ahead of schedule.
That's encouraging.
But what makes me even happier is that the gaze is finally gone.
The only regret is...
Where did everyone else go?
…
Snap.
Zigg closed the handwritten journal he had pulled from a crevice in the rocks.
"We drank from that spring too."
As he spoke, he passed the handwritten journal to Linne.
Linne took the book left by the deceased, let out a long sigh, then spoke solemnly: "That gaze is getting closer to us too..."
"It doesn't matter, because I'm here."
Netero cracked his knuckles, his expression uncharacteristically serious.
Zigg and Linne instinctively glanced at Netero, and for some reason, they felt a flicker of reassurance.
"There's just one thing I'm curious about now."
Linne suddenly raised the handwritten journal, which cover was stained with grime, and said word by word:
"Isn't the timing of this diary's appearance… a little too convenient?"
"And wasn't it a little too easy for us to find?"
"..."
Zigg and Netero looked at each other.
Then Linne continued:
"Is it… even real?"
"..."