The milky white ground light spanned the floor of the Forest of Medusa, extending to every corner of one's vision.
Countless specks of light slowly rose, some large and some small, eventually adhering to parts of the gray-white caltrop trees and merging with them.
Protected by Law's Domain, the group marveled at the stunningly beautiful scene before them, their spirits completely captivated.
If not for the potential risks, they would have reached out to grab at the specks of light.
"This ground is very hard."
Ging stomped on the glowing ground.
The milky white light wasn't glaring at all, but no matter how intently one stared, it was difficult to discern anything beneath the glow.
In other words, this layer of soft light, while illuminating the Forest of Medusa, also veiled the ground in a dense fog, making it hard to see clearly, let alone determine the true condition of the surface.
Their gazes passed over the light specks and looked around.
The bases of the caltrop trees were like three-pronged anchors driven into the ground, and within the hollow spaces of those bases swirled flowing light specks.
The diameters of these trees were enormous... ten people couldn't encircle one.
The canopy, with its intertwined spikes, stood over twenty meters above the ground.
The caltrop trees were entirely gray-white, with no other colors visible.
More precisely, standing in the Forest of Medusa, one could only see two colors that were not very distinct: the gray-white of the caltrop trees surrounding them, and the milky white glow emanating from the ground.
"No immediate danger."
Tonpa quickly stopped focusing on the strange forest scenery and concentrated on vigilance.
To ensure precision, he limited his Nen Ability to one kilometer. Even so, the constantly floating light specks still caused some interference.
"Stay put for now, wait for Ai-chan's appraisal results."
Law examined their surroundings. If anything happened, Tonpa could respond quickly, and as of now, Law hadn't sensed any danger.
However, Coo had defined the Forest of Medusa as a dead zone, indicating it was extremely perilous.
Inside the Domain, not only Ging and the others were looking around, but Coo and the Skeleton were as well.
Clearly, as the longest-living natives of the group, they were also unfamiliar with this place.
Law moved to the edge of the Domain's light ring, staring at the light specks rising from the ground. He could barely make out that the specks resembled feathers, but their structure was very blurry... it could only be said they looked somewhat similar.
Before Ai-chan's appraisal results came out, they would not take any further action.
After waiting about twenty minutes, the results finally arrived.
"Petrified feathers. A type of stone that constantly cycles between decomposition and reconstruction. They attach to any object, including living beings, and alter the essence of what they attach to. In other words, assimilation."
"Targets attached to by petrified feathers do not die, but the essence of the living being turns to stone."
Ai-chan spat out the eagle head and conveyed the appraisal results in a soothing tone.
"Turn the essence to stone, huh..."
Law's gaze briefly passed over the eagle head and turned to the light specks right before his eyes.
True to their name, these dust-fine entities had the outline of feathers, though the barbs on their sides looked very blurred, making them also somewhat resemble catkins.
From the information Ai-chan narrated, since these tiny petrified feathers could petrify living beings, it was quite fitting that this place was called the Forest of Medusa.
It was unclear whether this was a coincidence or if there existed something similar to Medusa on the Dark Continent.
"As long as things attach to these, they become like this eagle?" Knov pushed up his glasses, his tone slightly grim.
"That's about the gist of it."
Ai-chan blinked at Knov.
Her personality was very similar to Biscuit's... she had a strong interest in handsome men.
Although Law and Ging were also handsome, they seemed like middle-aged men heading towards a midlife crisis, which made it difficult for her to muster any interest.
"So if we fight the Mender here..."
Knov looked at the catkin-like specks fluttering wildly outside the Domain. Just imagining it, the consequences seemed severe.
"We'd be completely unable to fight properly, right?"
Uvogin scratched his head. Since arriving on the Dark Continent, he was no longer the tank who never thought and only charged blindly.
Now, he was wary of some of the incomprehensible existences on the Dark Continent.
"It's too early to jump to conclusions. Maybe we can use Nen to resist these petrified feathers."
"Hmm, we'll know once we try."
Ging turned his head, looking at the petrified feathers close at hand.
These dust-like stones contained deadly danger.
Although one wouldn't die after being petrified, they would have to live like the stone eagle they just encountered. In that case, dying outright would be more straightforward.
Moreover, judging from the stone eagle's symptoms, it was essentially certain that once petrified, the life force within would also dissipate. In that state, one couldn't use Nen.
"How do we try?"
Biscuit raised an eyebrow.
"Like this."
Under everyone's watch, Ging raised his hand and, using precise manipulation, pierced a gap just large enough for his hand through Law's Domain.
The palm extend outside soon attracted many petrified feathers to adhere to it.
Watching Ging's action, Law didn't react, as he had intended to do the same.
As for Biscuit and the others, they were slightly taken aback, but after considering the level of medical care within the team, they quickly calmed down.
This kind of trial was acceptable. Even if the experiment failed, the team had plenty of ways to restore a severed palm for Ging.
After about thirty seconds, the hand Ging had extended was entirely covered in petrified feathers, densely layered without a gap.
"Can you block it?"
Law looked at Ging and asked.
Ging nodded, shook his hand, shaking off all the adhered petrified feathers, revealing an intact palm with a layer of Nen flowing over it.
"Ten can block it."
"Is that so? Then the threat of the petrified feathers drops sharply."
"Indeed, but as long as we're here, it means we can't use Ko or En."
"Hmm?"
Everyone quickly understood the implication and looked towards Tonpa.
Although Nen could resist erosion from petrified feathers, once Nen left the body's surface, it was equivalent to exposing the body to them.
Techniques like Ko and En would be restricted here. Thus, Tonpa's outward-emitting radar ability would also be limited.
"I think we can test how long it takes for the petrified feathers to petrify the body," Ging suggested.
"Alright. First get an accurate value to mentally prepare ourselves."
"Then I'll..."
Before Ging could finish, Law interrupted him.
"No need. We have the best candidate right here."
"Huh?"
Ging was taken aback but quickly caught on and looked towards Kuro.
At that moment, Law also looked at Kuro.
Their actions triggered a crowd effect, causing everyone present to look at Kuro.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
Kuro's attention had been on Coo, and he hadn't been following their conversation.
Now, noticing everyone staring at him, his face showed confusion.