Compared to other areas of Hallownest, Fungal Wastes is relatively vibrant, almost one of the most biodiverse places.
Walking here, the most troublesome thing is finding the main path; mushrooms of all sizes fill the vision, and the pilgrim's path is submerged by these fungi, requiring effort to discern the correct direction.
There are two main types of fungi here: one is the common fungus with yellow spots, and the other is a long-stemmed, red-capped fungus whose cap is very elastic and can be used as a trampoline.
Along the way, Simon also saw many different creatures.
For example, Amblu, a small walking fungus with hard spines on its cap, simple-minded, only wanders back and forth in one place.
For example, Fungal Balls, which are fungi filled with gas that can float in the air, round like hot air balloons. Small Fungal Balls are not a threat, but mature Fungal Balls will spray internal gas, which is toxic, at attackers. Simon can puncture these Fungal Balls like popping balloons, watching them fly around, propelled by their internal gas.
Sometimes, as Simon walks, a pile of ordinary-looking mushrooms by the path will suddenly pop out of the ground and start running around aimlessly. These mushrooms are young fungal creatures, different from Amblu, as they will grow up.
They are very cute, harmless, and countless in number. Simon sees such a group of small mushrooms every time he walks a short distance.
Infected bug husks wander aimlessly. They occasionally release toxic gas clouds. Simon suspects they are the main contributors to air pollution in Fungal Wastes.
In some complex terrains, there are often plants called Sporgs. They can sense moving objects and then spray explosive spores that float towards the target. They were annoying in the game, and now they are even more annoying. Some areas are practically packed with them, spraying a large area of spores that explode everywhere.
The funny thing is, these spores often hit friendly targets, and many Sporgs die from the spores of their own kind.
What Simon found most incredible were the mature fungal creatures—the Mushroom Warriors and Mushroom Giants. They grew faces, hearts, and possessed their own consciousness. In the game, these guys were quite cute, but seeing plants that can run, jump, think, and attack firsthand always gives him a sense of horror.
Simon dissected several Mushroom Warriors and saw a simple set of organs inside. Opening the cap, there was no brain, only a strange cavity filled with mycelia, which might be their brain.
This world truly holds many secrets.
But the biggest problem facing Simon was getting lost.
He is not directionally challenged, but the terrain here is a labyrinth.
Simon unknowingly deviated from his route and arrived at a hidden village.
Long poles adorned with grotesque masks and bug corpses began to appear, stuck along an unusually clean path.
At the end of the path, there was a stone tablet.
"Wanderer seeking death, welcome
May you breathe your last with pleasure under our claws"
Simon immediately realized that he had arrived at Mantis Tribe.
At that moment, he wanted to leave, but he also realized that these natives likely knew the way to Queen's Gardens, so a negotiation was necessary.
There was a pit in the ground leading to the lower level, which was Mantis Village, and Simon jumped in without hesitation.
Upon entering, he immediately saw several Mantis Warriors standing not far ahead. These blue Mantises have powerful, sharp scythe-like claws that can cover a wide range when swung. Moreover, they are all agile, making them rare warriors.
Simon knew they would try their best to prevent outsiders from invading their territory, and there would definitely be a battle before he could interact with them.
And when dealing with such a great warrior tribe, the most important thing is to thoroughly defeat them, for example, by defeating their leaders, which will earn their respect.
The Mantis Warriors saw Simon and immediately became vigilant, gently waving their gleaming scythe-claws, full of warning.
Simon teleported into the middle of these warriors, swung his Nail, and a circular sword light flashed and then extinguished, brilliant like a meteor, taking several souls with it.
Simon quickened his pace, advancing rapidly.
This place was originally full of traps, but now they were open, which must mean Little Knight had been here.
This saved Simon's effort and also reduced the Mantis Tribe's casualties.
Besides Mantis Warriors, Simon was also intercepted by flying Mantis Youths, who attacked intruders with their sharp tail stingers, which Simon easily dodged.
He moved through the solemn corridors, deep into the center of the village, and then jumped into a huge skylight, moving very quickly, in one fluid motion, so fast that many warriors couldn't react.
The paths on the lower level were more complex, but Simon followed one principle: "Go down if possible." When encountering a fork, he would first take the path that led downwards.
Thus, he finally arrived at the tribe's center, before the thrones of the three Mantis Lords.
The warriors pursuing Simon retreated, leaving the battlefield to the Lords.
Simon surveyed the wide arena. The three Lords sat on pillar-like thrones. There were four such pillars, but the one on the far right was broken, hinting at a past internal schism.
Behind the Lords was a tightly closed door, which led to Deepnest.
This great tribe guards Deepnest; they are independent and autonomous, possessing their own honor, and their unwavering fighting spirit sustains them from being infected by The Radiance.
The battle with the Mantis Lords is definitely an unforgettable scene in the game. Their movements are agile and decisive, and the combat is highly ritualistic, providing the thrill of sparring with martial arts masters.
Simon stood in the center of the battle arena, his longest Nail pointing directly at the three Lords.
This was an outsider's challenge to the entire tribe. The victor would gain respect, honor, and the right to enter Deepnest; the defeated would willingly die in such a magnificent battle.
The three Lords rose from their high thrones, the circular railing outside the arena dropped, and ground mechanisms opened, revealing a ring of spikes along the inner side of the railing.
The challenge begins!