Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix
Chapter 1283 - 1283: Clan

The group tried to dash toward the next battlefield as fast as possible. However, the weariness from their previous engagements weighed heavily on them. Each step felt like a struggle, and the once swift movements were now sluggish. The intensity of their previous battles had taken a toll on their stamina, leaving them drained and fatigued.

Rain, in particular, suffered the most. Every step he took sent shivers of pain through his body. The wounds on his back and side, inflicted by the giant shadow spider-woman, throbbed with each movement. Despite his determination, the physical strain was evident, and it became increasingly clear that Rain was not in his peak condition.

Sealyn's earlier suggestion echoed in his mind: Rain might be better off on the backline this time around. The group needed his strategic insight and magical support, and pushing himself to the front lines in his current state might do more harm than good.

"Ugh, why can't I have some easy wins for a change?" Rain thought.

Eventually, the group reached the area of the swamp and soon saw that the place had changed quite a bit. The swamp, once a desolate and eerie landscape filled with the undead minions of the lord of zombies, now appeared less lifeless. The absence of the zombies and undead trents left a noticeable void, and the air was no longer permeated with the unmistakable stench of death.

The swamp seemed to regain a semblance of life.

However, a yellow mist hung in the air, creating an unsettling atmosphere. It was as if the very essence of decay and pestilence lingered in the form of this noxious haze. The group cautiously approached the mist, aware that their next adversary might be concealed within its ominous embrace.

Rain, despite his weakened state, took the lead and stepped into the yellow mist. As he entered, he felt an intense stinging sensation in his wounds, causing him to grunt in pain. The mist seemed to carry an unseen malevolence, exacerbating the discomfort of his injuries. The group followed suit, each member experiencing the unsettling effects of the mist in their own way.

"What the hell is this?" Rain thought.

The mist was gathering on everyone's wounds as if it was alive. Rain could feel some mana on the mist and soon after focusing his eyes, he saw that the mist was essentially living spores that were eating the exposed flesh of their wounds.

Rain tried to blast away the spores with wind magic, but most of it was nullified like the spores had eaten the mana as well. It was a microorganism that ate mana and flesh from the wounds of the targets.

"Arel didn't mention about this…" Rain said. "Although, we didn't ask for the details about that yellow mist clan since their base is pretty far away."

"Indeed, you didn't ask," Arel said. "Sorry for not warning you, but when I was about to do it, you contacted Terra."

"... Sealyn, it will be best if you stay away from the mist," Rain said. "We can't say yet if this is something that we can breathe without worrying."

"Not a problem," Sealyn said.

In the next moment, Sealyn swiftly took action. With her spear in hand, she summoned a barrage of water, creating a protective shield to cover the yellow mist. Before the insidious spores could feast on the mana and exposed flesh, Sealyn exerted her powers to freeze the water around them, effectively neutralizing the threat.

The frozen barrier acted as a temporary shield, allowing the group to advance through the mist without the worry of their wounds being further assaulted. Rain, though still weakened, felt a sense of relief as Sealyn's quick thinking spared them from the torment of the mist's malevolent microorganisms.

The group began to move once again while they saw the frozen particles of the spores falling on the ground. Rain wondered if they would return to life at some point, but soon, he confirmed that they wouldn't when he decided to help Sealyn.

The skill Frostbite received 01 experience points.

The skill Frostbite received 01 experience points.

The skill Frostbite received 01 experience points.

…

"Hmm, are they monsters?" Rain furrowed his eyebrows.

Before long, the group began to hear the sounds of grunts and screams. That forced them to speed up, and then, eventually, they found the others surrounded by a thicker yellow mist. Rain quickly left both groups behind when he used his earth magic and then sensed the location of the enemies.

After charging with Impulse and then splitting the mist with his sword, Rain found one of the enemies. As the mist began to disperse, revealing the presence of the yellow mist clan, one of its members came into view. The individual looked like a relic from a bygone era, resembling a primitive caveman. His appearance was rugged, with long and unkempt hair cascading down his shoulders.

Dressed in what seemed like a combination of fur and a rough robe, the clan member exuded a primal aura that contrasted sharply with the modern surroundings of the group.

The caveman-like figure glared at Rain, his eyes filled with a feral intensity. It was clear that beneath the exterior of a primitive appearance, there lay a dangerous adversary, ready to unleash the powers of the yellow mist clan upon the unsuspecting enemies.

When Rain stepped in to attack the enemy, a wall of spores suddenly stopped him… it was a large concentration that even his ice magic had a hard time freezing… when that was done, the enemy was no longer in the same spot.

When Rain checked the positions of the nearest enemies on the ground, he noticed that they were running away… their numbers were equal now, but it seemed that the yellow mist clan didn't want a battle under those conditions. At the same time, the spores began to move away, and soon Rain was able to find Seara, Terra, and the others shaking with exposed flesh of their wounds…