After going into the sea, I met the witch.

Another ten minutes or so passed, and only after confirming that the "Crimson King" had really gone far away did Ryan carefully walk out of the tree hole.

He arrived at the place where the Thunder Dragon and the strange bird had fought before.

The area is littered with scales, feathers, and other debris that fell during their fierce battle.

Ryan picked up one of the pale red scales, and a description in gray text appeared before his eyes.

[Fire-Umbrella Bird Scales: Scales dropped by a bird-dragon species that inhabits ancient forests. Collecting large quantities can use them as crafting materials. Each scale, when materialized into the user's body, requires 5 spirit points. The Fire-Umbrella Bird is a unique species, resembling a crane with scales on its body and an umbrella-shaped crest on the back of its head. It possesses extremely high short-range flight speed and has special organs that allow it to store and release fire attacks.]

"Is the strange bird's name the Fire Umbrella Bird?"

Ryan muttered to himself.

After collecting the materials on the ground that could be displayed in gray font and storing them in his spatial ring, Ryan's gaze fell on the blue, dried bloodstains that stretched into the distance on the ground.

"Silent Thunder Dragon..."

A faint smile curved Ryan's lips as he strode off in the direction of the bloodstains.

He's not one to hold grudges; if he does, he'll settle the score as soon as he gets the chance!

That lightning strike from Jing Leilong just now really hurt...

Chapter 43 [Loot: The Electric Needle]

In the quiet forest of giant trees.

Ryan followed the trail of blue blood scattered on the ground.

To his surprise, Jing Leilong's stamina was unexpectedly good. Despite his serious injuries, he chased after it for hundreds of meters but still couldn't find it.

Furthermore, the decreasing amount of bloodstains on the ground suggests that the Thunder Dragon's injuries had been gradually lessening during its escape.

Well, he truly lives up to his reputation as a monster!

During the hunt, before finding the Thunder Dragon, Ryan made an unexpected and delightful discovery.

It was a strange place where several giant trees grew together, and the central area surrounded by them was an excellent place to rest.

Of course, if that were all, it wouldn't be much of a problem. For a tiny human like him, there was plenty of room to hide in this giant forest.

The key point is the hint given in gray text when Ryan sets foot here.

You have discovered a place where spiritual energy converges—a crevice in the giant tree.

You can set up a "campfire" here to enable fast teleportation between the "starting point" and the starting point.

While inside the "campfire," you can use all functions except for "Return."

Whether you're a navigator or a hunter, getting enough rest is extremely important.

[Campfire - Gap in the Giant Tree]

Upon seeing the prompt, Ryan was overjoyed and immediately set the spot as a campfire location.

As the exploration of the island deepens, if he always departs from the "raft," a lot of time will be wasted on the journey. However, with the "campfire" for fast teleportation, he will have more time for exploration and combat.

At the top of [Campfire - Gap in the Giant Tree], intertwined branches and vines provide shelter from the rain while also offering ample light.

Ryan stepped into this place and was surprised to find traces of human footsteps: a pile of burnt matches in the center, a simple wooden frame and bed board in the corner. Although the surfaces of these things were covered with moss because they had not been used for a long time, traces of the past could still be seen.

After a quick search, Ryan found a dusty old diary.

Judging from the material, it is almost identical to the diary he found in the cave under the cliff, only much thinner, so it should have been used as a temporary record.

This temporary diary was contained in a thin membrane similar to the wall of an animal's intestines. Because it was so well preserved, the words inside were still clearly visible.

[July 11th, Summer: ...How long have I been on the island? Five years? Seven years? I can't remember anymore... I originally thought that "Crimson" only worked on monsters, but I was wrong, terribly wrong. Even humans are affected by "Crimson," becoming confused and prone to irritability and madness. It's just that it takes much longer to take effect compared to monsters. This subtle change terrifies me.]

This is an astonishing discovery; it must be sent back to the hunting party headquarters.

[To those who come after me: I wonder if you've seen the notebook I left in the seaside cave in the outer area. Oh, by the way, those two alchemical statues guarding the entrance won't be attacked as long as you're wearing the "Hunter's Medal." Hmm... If you managed to get in by enduring their attacks, that's fine too. After you've taken what I left behind, if you have the chance, please help me relay this information back to the Hunter's Guild headquarters. It concerns the life and death of humanity!]

My consciousness blurs from time to time... Sometimes when I'm conscious, I'm covered in blood, with my wounded comrades lying beside me... Having come into contact with "Red Radiance" and conducted forbidden experiments, I'm no longer worthy to wear that medal that symbolizes hope and dawn... I know our time is running out.

To find a way to lift the effects of "Red Sun," we must venture deep into the isolated island. Even if the ultimate fate is death, if we can uncover the secrets behind the arrival of the "Ancient Dragon," the migration of spirits, and the "Red Sun," then our death will have been worthwhile.

Speaking of which, the monsters inhabiting this mysterious island are truly powerful. The leaders of the forest area, those male and female fire dragons, are even larger than their counterparts in the New World. It's hard to imagine what kind of terrifying beings inhabit the inner and even central areas.

[Time was limited, so I didn't linger with the attacking male and female fire dragons. After repelling them, I set off for the inner area.]

This place is dangerous. Those who come after, please be extremely careful.

[Seventh Reconnaissance Hunting Squad, Vice Commander, Loik Froome, to remain.]

After reading the translated notes in gray font, Ryan was overwhelmed with emotion.

The name "Loyke Froome" appeared before his eyes once again.

Unlike when he first set out, this vice-leader of the reconnaissance hunting group is now feeling lost due to the influence of "Red Radiance".

What secrets does this isolated island hold?

Also, are the leaders of the forest area a male and female fire dragon?

Ryan frowned in thought.

I don't know if the one I saw not long ago was a female or male Rathalos. Such powerful monsters, and there are two of them in the forest area. I don't know whether to call it lucky or unlucky.

Shaking his head, Ryan put the temporary notebook into his spatial ring and continued his hunt for the Silent Thunder Dragon without resting.

……

After traveling for nearly ten minutes through the lush forest, Ryan finally found the escaped Thunder Dragon.

Here is a severed ancient tree stump, with vines falling down, and Jing Leilong is lying on top of this large tree stump, on a large net woven from vines, seemingly asleep.

Following the vines, Ryan carefully climbed up.

It must be said that these rough vines are really easy to climb, like a "natural ladder".

The tree stump had a radius of more than ten meters. It's hard to imagine what a towering ancient tree it was before it broke, and what kind of immense force could have caused such an ancient tree to break.

Standing at the edge of the tree stump, Ryan drew his greatsword and walked step by step toward the location of the Thunder Dragon.

Perhaps due to its severe injuries, the Thunder Dragon had fallen into a deep hibernation, and Ryan's approach did not awaken it.

What a great opportunity!

Ryan's heart skipped a beat.

He slowed his pace as much as possible, adjusted his position, and positioned himself about a meter to the side and in front of Jing Lei's head.

At this distance, he could clearly see the Thunder Dragon's chest rising and falling slightly with its breathing, as well as the numerous wounds on its body.

A faint smell of burning filled his nostrils. Ryan held his breath, shouldered the greatsword, and began to "charge up" his power, engaging all his muscles and channeling his spiritual energy.

The "charge" of the [Storm Sword Skill - Breaking Wave] is divided into three stages. Each stage increases the power of the slash significantly.

"Accumulating strength" not only requires physical strength, but is also a severe test of one's spirituality.

In terms of physical strength, the travel clone exceeded expectations, but in terms of spirituality... it was somewhat lacking, but it was still much stronger than the main body.

According to Ryan's own speculation, "a period of charging up" requires both [physical strength] and [spirituality] to reach 2.0 simultaneously in order to meet the minimum requirements for use.

As for the main body, Ryan's limit is "half a charge," while the wandering clone should be able to barely use "one full charge" when standing still.

The Thunder Dragon, currently fast asleep, has given Ryan the opportunity to "charge up" and then "sleep slash"!

In the blink of an eye, on the tree stump, Ryan charged up his energy for a full three seconds. The tense muscles in his body and the spiritual energy surging to its limit made him feel like a boiler about to explode. If he didn't release it soon, he would explode first.

"kill!"

With a roar, [Soaring Battle Cry] cleared the way. Under the "Morale Boost", Ryan's strength and speed increased further. He swung his silver-blue greatsword with all his might towards the neck of the Thunder Dragon.

This is the pinnacle of the [Storm Sword Skill - Wave Breaker], enhanced by a charged attack, [One-Handed Weapon Specialization], and the morale boost from [Soaring Battle Cry]!

The moment the greatsword was unleashed, an unprecedented sense of exhilaration surged through Ryan, captivating him completely.

"Pfft!"

Flesh was torn apart layer by layer, blue blood splattered, and the Greatsword - Ferocious Ice broke through the scales on the neck of the Thunder Dragon and went deeper until it was stopped by the sturdy bones at the cervical vertebrae.

However, the immense slashing force and sharp blade still caused the greatsword to embed itself in the cervical vertebrae, resulting in terrifying damage.

"hiss--!"

The excruciating pain jolted the Thunder Dragon awake from its deep sleep. In this life-or-death crisis, it violently swung its tail, sweeping away Ryan and the greatsword in his hand.

"Pfft..."

The greatsword detached from its body, causing the Thunder Dragon to suffer secondary damage. Large amounts of blood gushed out, and more seriously, the injury to its spine rendered half of its body immobile, leaving it only able to howl as it collapsed onto the vine net.

That sweeping attack that repelled Ryan was nothing more than a final burst of energy before his death.

"Thorn..."

Ryan slammed his greatsword into the ground and retreated a full five or six meters before finally dissipating the force of the Thunder Dragon's tail sweep.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. It has to be said that the monster's dying blow was indeed incredibly powerful.

Standing up, Ryan did not continue his attack, but maintained a safe distance, watching the Thunder Dragon lose a lot of blood and waiting for its life to end.

The successive battles had already left Jing Leilong extremely weak, and this sword that severed half of his neck was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

The wailing gradually subsided, and a minute later, the Jing Lei Long on the Teng Net was completely silent.

Just then, a notification popped up in front of Ryan's eyes.

-

[Level]: 6 (9%)

[Spiritual Value]: 4635 → 7635

[Spirituality]: 2.0

[Physical Strength]: 7.90 → 9.97

-

Power surged within him, and Ryan turned his gaze to the corpse of the Silent Thunder Dragon, where a needle-shaped object was emitting a faint glow.

Ryan stepped forward and picked it up, with the gray text providing a timely hint.

[Obtained [Loot: Lightning Needle]!]