Is this really a Game?!

Chapter 973: Danger in the Jungle: The Evolving Corruption

"There's been movement from the corruption, but not like before," Gabriel said with a serious voice as Reign stared at him with confusion.

"It has … changed, at least in the way it operates in the jungle."

"I sensed it merely half an hour ago and have been trying to make sense of it, but … perhaps it is better to give you all a description of what is going on and to show it to you first," Gabriel said as he turned around and started walking to the tree, which was himself.

Right in front of the tree, a hologram suddenly appeared, one seemingly showing the entire jungle.

It was right at that time that Wolf and the others got out as well and stared at the projection with interest, as well as confusion.

Gabriel pointed to a section of the holographic jungle where a dark, swirling mass could be seen, pulsating with an ominous energy. "This is where the corruption has gathered," he explained. "But unlike before, it's not spreading outward."

"Instead, it seems to be... evolving."

"This is the only one I have noticed doing such a thing, it's also the only one I am capable of sensing right now, this happened very recently, and I have no idea why that is so."

Reign and the others watched in silence, their eyes fixed on the swirling mass. Mia frowned, her brows furrowed in concentration. "It's almost like... it's trying to form a... a barrier?" she mused aloud.

Gabriel nodded gravely. "That's what it seems like."

"It's as if the corruption is trying to isolate itself, to protect something within."

Reign exchanged a glance with Mia, both of them sensing that this development was significant. "What could it be protecting?" Reign wondered aloud.

"That's what we need to find out," Gabriel replied. "But approaching the corruption directly could be dangerous, after all, that part of the jungle is one that hasn't been visited by you or any other people before."

"We need to be cautious and gather more information before we make any moves, whatever the corruption is doing, it's bad."

Reign nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"A part of the jungle nobody has gone to before, could that be why the corruption is responding in such a way?" Beast suddenly asked before the others all glanced at him.

"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked as Beast sighed.

"Gabriel, do you remember when the corruption first started spreading, was it like this since the start?"

"No, at first, the jungle was only inhabited by monsters, no other beings visited for months, then the corruption appeared and started attacking the jungle, about a month after that is when I first noticed humans coming into the jungle."

"The Enclave?" Reign asked, to which Gabriel responded by nodding his head.

"Yes, they appeared about a month after the corruption had first appeared, at first, they did the same as you, they hunted down monsters, fought against the corruption when they could, and then found the place they use as their base right now, I think you guys appeared shortly after that, maybe 2 weeks after they made their base."

"So, since the corruption appeared, it only had a month before people arrived and started fighting against it, like the Enclave and then us."

"But that part of the jungle, the place where nobody has gone to before since it is on the other side, nobody has gone there to clear it from the corruption."

Beast stopped talking as Gabriel nodded his head.

"The Behemoth has gone there several times whenever I would sense the corruption spreading, but as I told you, I cannot sense every single corrupted area, some are very good at hiding themselves."

"And because of that, we can come to the conclusion that if a corrupted area is allowed to exist in an area for a long period of time, this is what happens, it evolves," Beast told Gabriel before staring at the holographic display.

"Now, what we need to learn is if all corrupted areas need so long to evolve, or if it depends on the size of the corrupted area, the strength of the core that was made, the surroundings …"

"No corrupted area we have come across was the same, some were larger, some smaller, but the weirdest thing was the fact that the size of the area doesn't necessarily mean the core is weaker or stronger, the cores seemingly have some kind of consciousness and some prefer to make the area they influence smaller, while others don't."

"Could it be that the smaller ones are the ones Gabriel can't sense?" Tank asked as Gabriel shook his head.

"I have sensed smaller areas than some that you started fighting without me noticing, so it seems it is up to the core, the size, even the strength of the core doesn't matter that much."

"Tch, so each core is like a different being, and some are good at hiding, which means that we can't base the strength of a corrupted area on that," Shadow said as he clicked his tongue.

"I will send the Behemoth with you, you should first stay a bit away from the area and observe it, see how different it is from the others."

"The Behemoth will have to stop quite a distance away from the corrupted area so it doesn't sense him and try to run away or hide itself."

Reign and the others nodded at Gabriel before quickly setting off, following the Behemoth.

As they ventured deeper into the jungle, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. They could feel the dark energy emanating from the corrupted area ahead, a palpable sense of dread hanging in the air.

The Behemoth led the way, its massive form moving with surprising agility through the dense foliage. Despite its imposing appearance, the creature seemed almost wary as it approached the edge of the corrupted zone as if sensing the danger that lay beyond.

Reign and the others followed closely behind, their senses on high alert as they scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger. The jungle seemed unnaturally quiet, the usual cacophony of wildlife silenced by the oppressive presence of corruption.

As they reached the edge of the corrupted zone, they paused, taking in the sight before them. The air shimmered with a sickly purple hue, the very essence of the jungle tainted by the malevolent energy of the corruption.

The Behemoth growled low in its throat, its instincts warning it of the danger ahead. Reign and the others exchanged a grim look, knowing that they needed to proceed with caution if they were to gather any useful information about the corrupted area.

They spread out, keeping a safe distance from the edge of the corruption as they observed it from various vantage points. Mia and the others frowned as they studied the swirling mass, their minds racing with possibilities.

"It's just like we said before, like a barrier," Mia whispered, her eyes fixed on the swirling mass. "The question, however, is whether it's trying to keep something out or... in."

Reign nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Whatever it is, we need to find out. But we have to be careful, we don't know what we're dealing with."

The group spent hours observing the corrupted area, noting any changes or movements. The Behemoth, with its keen senses shared with Gabriel, provided valuable insights, helping them understand the behavior of the corruption as Gabriel was able to better understand it from this distance and talk to them over the communication crystal.

As they watched, they noticed strange patterns in the corruption's movements, almost as if it was responding to something unseen. It would expand and contract in a rhythmic manner, as if breathing.

"It's like it's alive," Tanks muttered, his eyes wide with fascination and fear.

Suddenly, a loud roar pierced the air, causing the group to almost jump in unison. They turned to see the Behemoth, its massive form tense and alert.

"It sensed something," Gabriel said, his voice low and urgent. "The Behemoth is very sensitive to certain energies and auras, and right now, it is telling me that inside that place, something dangerous is present."

"So what do we do, do we attack it, get close to it, or continue observing?" Shadow asked as Gabriel took a moment to respond, not completely certain of what they should do.

"It might be too late, look," Beast said as he pointed at the corruption.

Before they could ponder the question further, they all stared at the corrupted area, right at the place Beast was pointing at. Something was emerging from the heart of the corruption, a dark shape-shifting and writhing as it clawed its way into the world.

The entirety of the corrupted area constricted around the monster, but not to stop it, but to seemingly give it life and power.

As the creature emerged fully, they recoiled in horror at the sight before them. It was like nothing they had ever seen, a twisted abomination of flesh and energy, its form shifting and changing with every passing moment.