Solo Dungeon Streamer-I Am Overpowered

Chapter 143: The Island Beckons

The journey from the dungeon's clearing back to the outskirts of town was uneventful, yet my mind was far from calm. The map etched into the crystal replayed in my thoughts, the island's contours and glowing symbols etched as clearly in my mind as they had been on its surface. Kijin padded ahead silently, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, while Raijuu trotted beside me, his tail flicking with faint arcs of electricity.

The chat kept me grounded, their buzzing commentary pulling me out of my thoughts every now and then.

: Tsukasa, where even is that island? Do you have any idea?

: The Forbidden Floors are one thing, but now you're heading into the unknown.

: Please tell me you're going to get a boat and not, like, swim there.

I gave the camera a small smile. "Don't worry, chat. No swimming. But you're right—we need to figure out where this place is. The crystal only gave us a shape, not a location."

The crystal's faint hum was still present, a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with my heartbeat. I could feel its energy, guiding and steady, like a compass pointing toward the unknown. Whatever this island was, it wasn't on any map I'd seen, but I was certain it existed. The Forgotten's guidance was deliberate, their story far from finished.

We arrived back at the small town that bordered the dungeon entrance—a place that served as a hub for adventurers and explorers alike. The familiar noise of merchants, equipment vendors, and tavern chatter filled the air, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the Forbidden Floors. The sight of other people brought a strange sense of normalcy, yet it felt almost foreign after the solitude of the journey below.

I made my way to a quiet corner of the adventurers' guild, a place where maps of the surrounding regions were displayed for planning expeditions. The maps were detailed, showing everything from major cities to the smaller uncharted territories on the edges of civilization. Yet, as I scanned the charts, I couldn't find anything resembling the island the crystal had shown me.

The chat chimed in with suggestions.

: Maybe it's in uncharted waters? Someplace nobody's explored yet?

: Tsukasa, are there any adventurer logs about far-off islands? Someone might've seen it.

: Could the crystal itself help pinpoint the location? Maybe it's like a homing beacon.

I nodded, the idea sparking something in me. "That's a good point, chat. The crystal's been guiding us this far. Maybe it can do more than just show the map."

I stepped back from the charts, holding the crystal up in my hand. Its glow was faint, but the moment I focused on it, the energy pulsed stronger. Closing my eyes, I tried to tune into the rhythm, letting its faint hum guide my thoughts. A warmth spread through my chest, and a faint image flickered in my mind—waves crashing against rocky shores, dense forests rising in the distance, and a starry sky overhead.

The crystal's glow flared briefly, then dimmed again, its energy fading back to a steady pulse. I opened my eyes, exhaling slowly as the image lingered in my memory.

"Chat, I think I just saw it. The island… it's isolated, surrounded by rough waters, but it's real." I glanced at the maps again. "We just need to figure out how to match what I saw with the coastline."

The chat lit up with excitement.

: That's amazing! It's like the crystal is showing you fragments of the Forgotten's memories.

: If the island's that remote, maybe it's not on modern maps.

: Could it be near one of the uncharted areas? The coastline might match.

I decided to start asking around the guild, showing a rough sketch of the island's shape based on the crystal's vision. Most of the adventurers shook their heads, muttering about how they'd never seen such a place, but a grizzled sailor in the corner perked up at the drawing.

"That shape…" he muttered, his voice rough but curious. "Reminds me of an old tale. The 'Shifting Isle,' they called it. Supposedly somewhere off the western seas, beyond the trade routes. No one's ever come back from trying to find it."

I leaned in, intrigued. "The Shifting Isle? Why is it called that?"

The sailor chuckled darkly. "Because it ain't always there. The ocean swallows it up, or the mists hide it, or maybe it's just a myth. But if you're looking for strange places, that's your best bet."

The chat was buzzing with theories.

: The Shifting Isle? That sounds like something the Forgotten would be tied to.

: Maybe the island isn't fixed. What if it moves, like a living dungeon?

: Tsukasa, this feels like it's leading to something huge. You have to check it out.

I thanked the sailor, his cryptic clues adding another layer to the mystery. If the Shifting Isle truly existed, it would be a challenge to find, let alone reach. But with the crystal as my guide and the Forgotten's legacy driving me forward, I couldn't ignore the pull of this new adventure.

The next step was preparing for the journey. I returned to the inn where I'd left most of my gear, taking stock of what I had and what I would need. Kijin and Raijuu rested near the window, their postures relaxed but their eyes watchful. I could tell they were ready for whatever came next, their loyalty unwavering.

"Chat," I said, turning the camera toward my supplies, "this isn't just another dungeon dive. We're heading into uncharted territory. It's going to take more than the usual gear to make it out there."

The chat was quick with suggestions.

: You'll need a sturdy boat, for starters. No way you're swimming to a shifting island.

: Stock up on supplies. Who knows what's on that island—or how long you'll be there.

: Don't forget to bring extra food for Kijin and Raijuu! They earned it.

I made a mental checklist, jotting down notes as I planned the expedition. The Shifting Isle, if it existed, would require navigation tools, survival gear, and more than a little luck. But something about the journey felt right, as though the Forgotten themselves were urging me forward.

The crystal's faint hum pulsed again, and I glanced at it, the glow steady and calm. It was as if it was waiting, guiding, trusting me to take the next step.

By the time I finished organizing my supplies, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the town. I stood at the edge of the dock, the cool breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and adventure. In the distance, the ocean stretched endlessly, its surface glittering in the fading light.

Kijin and Raijuu stood beside me, their eyes fixed on the horizon. The chat was quieter now, their messages filled with a mix of excitement and reverence.

: This is it. The next step in the Forgotten's story.

: Tsukasa, you're about to venture into something legendary.

: Whatever happens, we're here with you. Let's find the Shifting Isle.

I glanced at the crystal one last time, its glow pulsing in sync with the rhythm of the waves. This journey wasn't just about uncovering a story—it was about understanding a legacy that had been hidden for centuries, waiting for someone to carry it forward