LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Chapter 314: Most troublesome

Lyerin stood on the edge of the massive mountain tree where his temporary tribe had helped him establish his enigmatic statues.

His arms crossed, his gaze pierced the horizon, and he let out a long sigh.

The entire journey through this land was still fresh in his memory, each place a vivid picture painted in his mind. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself a rare moment of reflection.

Lyerin began, his voice steady and reflective.

"The Obsidian Canyon... its jagged walls shimmer like black mirrors under faint light. A place of eerie beauty. The lizard creatures there, oh yes, those prism-scaled predators. They didn't attack me, no.

"They were cautious, yes, but calculating, as though they were measuring whether I was worth the effort. I wonder... would they have struck if I lingered too long? Or were they just cowards basking in their illusory superiority? Amusing, really."

He chuckled lightly.

"Not particularly troublesome. Their threat is in their numbers, not their strength. Still, the shimmering scales… perhaps I'll collect one someday for the tribe's armor. I can see it now—glorious."

Lyerin shifted his weight and continued, his tone now tinged with admiration.

"The Sea of Sapphire Grass... an endless field of beauty, shimmering like the ocean under sunlight. A calm, serene facade that masks an underlying danger.

"The deer-like creatures, with their midnight blue fur and spiraling antlers... deceptive in their elegance. But what's more curious is their cries—so melodic they almost entranced me. A hunter, distracted by prey. How ironic."

His voice grew more analytical.

"They aren't strong in combat, but their cries... If a herd surrounds you, and you hear that sound? You could easily lose focus, lose time, and perhaps... lose your life. Not the most dangerous, but troublesome enough to warrant caution. Yes, they'd be interesting foes if they ever grew more bold."

He frowned slightly, the memory clearly less pleasant.

"The Shifting Woods... unsettling. Those trees, twisting and turning as though alive, watching. A forest that breathes. The translucent leaves emit this soft, deceptive glow, lulling you into a false sense of safety.

"And then there are the beasts—ah, those insect-like abominations with their shimmering wings. They hum in unison, weaving a hypnotic rhythm. Clever little pests."

Lyerin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Troublesome? Certainly. But not for their power. No, it's their ability to unnerve and disorient.

"A skilled warrior could cut them down with ease, but would they see the attack coming in time? These beasts aren't for fun; they're for those who enjoy paranoia."

His tone softened, almost as if speaking to himself.

"Ah, the Starlit Swamp... now that is a place to remember. Pools of glowing water reflecting the sky, fungi that pulse like a heartbeat. The beauty there is almost... fragile. But the beasts? Fragile, they are not."

He grinned, recalling the frog-like creatures.

"Those croaking giants, vibrating the ground with their deep tones. And the serpent... translucent, glowing, its very core visible. You could see its muscles ripple as it moved. Majestic and horrifying."

Lyerin paused, then chuckled.

"Dangerous? Absolutely. Fun? Without question. The serpent especially. It would be a thrill to face something that large and agile. Perhaps I'll return someday to test its mettle—or mine."

His gaze drifted upward, as though imagining the cliffs before him.

"The Crystal Cliffs... breathtaking. Jagged crystalline formations refracting light into endless colors. The air there is cold, sharp, invigorating. And the flying beasts... oh, those magnificent winged hunters."

He tilted his head, his expression one of respect.

"The glass-winged birds, scattering light as they soar. They're predators of the skies, elegant and deadly. But it's the way they move, the way they cry out with such piercing clarity—it's not just a hunt; it's a performance."

Lyerin smirked.

"They'd be troublesome only if one were foolish enough to challenge them on their own terrain. But oh, the challenge would be thrilling. To fight in the air, with no ground to anchor you... now that's excitement."

His voice grew more serious, the memory of the heat still fresh.

"The Ember Fields... an inferno disguised as a meadow. That glowing red moss, radiating heat... it's like walking through the breath of a volcano.

"And the beasts... fire incarnate. Those lizards with flames licking at their scales, the foxes of fire—living embodiments of destruction."

He exhaled slowly, his tone contemplative.

"They're strong, yes. But predictable. Their strength lies in their environment, not in themselves.

"Strip them of the Ember Fields, and they're just embers waiting to die out. Troublesome only if you underestimate them. Still... they're beautiful in their own way."

A rare smile crossed his face.

"The Floating Archipelago... what a marvel. Islands suspended in the air, connected by bridges of light. Waterfalls cascading into the void below. It's a place that defies logic, a place of wonder."

He grew more animated, describing the flying beasts.

"The dragons, sleek and majestic, their wings casting shadows over the islands. And the smaller birds, their feathers sparkling like gemstones. A sky full of predators and prey, a dance of survival played out in the heavens."

Lyerin's smile faded slightly.

"Troublesome? Not particularly. The bridges are the real danger, flickering and shifting. A misstep could mean death. But the beasts? They're just guardians of a paradise they don't even understand."

Finally, his voice darkened.

"The Abyssal Hollow... a crater that swallows light, its depths an enigma. Those floating orbs, erratic and untrustworthy. And the beasts... twisted forms, unnatural, as though they were torn from nightmares."

He clenched his fists.

"They're not just dangerous—they're wrong. Everything about them screams chaos, disorder. They don't belong, and yet, they thrive."

Lyerin shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of the memory.

"I'll return there eventually. Not for fun, but for answers. Something about that place... it feels important. Like it's waiting for something—or someone.

He straightened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Now, which of these beasts shall I challenge first? The serpent in the swamp? The glass-winged birds of the cliffs? No... the twisted forms of the Hollow, they call to me.

"The most troublesome, the most chaotic. They'll provide the greatest challenge... and the most satisfaction."

With that, Lyerin began his descent, a faint smile playing on his lips. His journey was far from over, and the fun was just beginning.