SWNOVELXO Chapter 443: Using the Toxin
"My current state is far from ideal. I won't be able to offer you much assistance," the voice of the Goddess of Life echoed as the magic circle was completed.
Jeremy, already aware of her weakened condition, quickly responded, "I understand your situation. I'm not expecting you to intervene directly. I only seek some guidance from you."
"Very well, what kind of guidance do you need?"
"Can you provide me with information about this toxin? How can I counteract it?" Jeremy asked directly, presenting a sample of the toxic gas he had brought forward from the area ahead.
The Goddess of Life examined the form of the toxin briefly.
"This is a particularly vicious toxin! Not only does it paralyze the nervous system, but it also corrodes the soul of any living being. Countering this toxin is extremely challenging. Without my intervention, it would be nearly impossible," she replied.
Her words left Jeremy deeply disappointed.
"Then what are we supposed to do? We're trapped in the underground area, and the path ahead is filled with this toxin," Jeremy muttered to himself in frustration.
Hearing his words, the Goddess of Life suddenly thought of a clever idea.
"When such a large concentration of toxins gathers in one place, it doesn't just cause harm to living beings. Over time, the toxins can even erode inorganic materials in their vicinity.
If your observations are correct, the structures in the toxin-filled area ahead should have become incredibly fragile. You might be able to use brute force to destroy the barriers in your path.
Moreover, if the toxins have been accumulating there for a long time, they would likely have crystallized into small green formations.
These green crystals are extremely toxic, but as long as they are not ingested, they won't cause significant harm to a living organism's body. The toxins are confined within the crystals themselves," the Goddess of Life explained.
Her insights lifted Jeremy's spirits.
"I understand! Thank you so much for your help! I'll make good use of the information you've provided," Jeremy said enthusiastically.
With those words, Jeremy took the initiative to sever the connection with the Goddess of Life.
Jeremy knew very well that maintaining contact with the Goddess of Life would take a toll on her already weakened condition. Thus, he was determined not to disturb her any further.
After severing the connection with the Goddess of Life, Jeremy returned to Major Joseph and Ritchie's side.
"So, how did it go? Did you come up with a way to get us out of this mess? What should we do next?" Major Joseph asked hurriedly.
Ritchie, though immobilized and unable to speak, turned his gaze toward Jeremy, clearly eager to know if a solution had been found.
Jeremy nodded.
"I've come up with a way to resolve our current crisis. However, this plan is extremely risky, so I need to explain everything beforehand," Jeremy said.
The plan he had in mind was indeed daring.
He intended to use his King of Time and Space ability to gather all the toxins in the area ahead into a single spot.
If the information provided by the Goddess of Life was accurate, the toxins would condense into green crystals. Once the crystals had formed, they could be collected safely, allowing the group to pass through the toxic area unharmed.
As soon as Jeremy finished explaining his plan, Major Joseph immediately voiced his objections.
"This is far too dangerous! Ritchie only inhaled a small amount of the toxin, and he's already completely paralyzed. How can you be sure the toxins released from the green crystals won't poison us too?"
Major Joseph's concerns were entirely valid.
Jeremy, however, wasn't interested in further debate.
"You're right to question me, and I don't have a definitive answer to your doubts. But given the situation we're in, do you have any better ideas? If not, then follow me and let's get this done."
Without waiting for further argument, Jeremy moved toward Ritchie, preparing to lead him forward into the toxic area.
Despite his lingering worries, Major Joseph had no choice but to follow Jeremy.
The three of them ventured into the toxin-filled zone together.
Using his King of Time and Space ability, Jeremy concentrated all the toxins in the area into a single location.
Just as the Goddess of Life had described, when the toxins gathered together, they began to solidify and eventually formed green crystals.
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The green crystals lay on the ground, emitting a dangerous glow.
When Major Joseph saw the green crystals, his expression darkened significantly.
He had no intention of picking them up.
However, Jeremy didn't hesitate and began collecting the green crystals one by one.
"If you're not willing to help me with this, then at least take care of Ritchie," Jeremy said, pushing Ritchie toward Major Joseph.
Major Joseph naturally didn't refuse.
After all, collecting the green crystals was a far riskier task.
Jeremy quickly gathered all the green crystals into a single container.
"Let's keep moving. There should be an elevator ahead that leads directly to the surface, right?" Jeremy asked, glancing back at Major Joseph.
Major Joseph nodded.
"Yes, there's an elevator just ahead. But I wouldn't recommend using it. If your theory is correct, it means someone is actively targeting us. They'll likely be waiting at the elevator exit."
Major Joseph's words gave Jeremy pause.
Jeremy nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Then where do you suggest we go?"
"I suggest we take the nearby vertical shaft. Most of the shaft is accessible via the elevator, but we can climb up from the section closest to the surface.
This way, we can conserve energy while avoiding the most dangerous areas. Plus, I doubt the exit of the shaft will be heavily guarded. It's located in an old, abandoned courtyard," Major Joseph explained in detail.
Jeremy immediately agreed with his assessment.
The three of them made their way to the vertical shaft and began climbing upward.
Although Ritchie was completely immobilized, Jeremy and Major Joseph ensured their pace remained swift.
After about fifteen minutes, they finally reached the surface.
Just as Major Joseph had described, they emerged into an old, abandoned courtyard.
Major Joseph took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air.
"This is what fresh air smells like," he remarked with relief.
Before he could say more, Jeremy quickly gestured for him to remain quiet.
Major Joseph and Jeremy carefully observed their surroundings.
They quickly realized that there were numerous monsters nearby, but what shocked them even more was the presence of several humans conversing with the monsters.
"These people can actually coexist with monsters! That's incredibly strange! They must be deeply connected to the trouble we've encountered," Major Joseph whispered to Jeremy, his tone cautious.
Jeremy was already aware of the implications.
"Let's not alert them for now. We should listen in on what they're saying. They might be discussing something important," Jeremy replied.
The two of them held their breath, straining to hear the voices from outside.
The people outside the courtyard were none other than Kean's subordinates and several city government officials.
Kean's subordinates were visibly agitated.
Although their operation had been a success so far, they had failed to locate Jeremy and Ritchie.
What frustrated them even more was that even the monsters had been unable to find Jeremy and Ritchie.
"What the hell is going on?! Where are Jeremy and Ritchie?! Aren't they supposed to still be in Valley City?!" one of Kean's subordinates roared angrily.
It was clear he wasn't looking for answers—he was simply venting his frustration.
The city government officials standing nearby were visibly nervous and uneasy.
"Why isn't anyone answering me? Are you all secretly helping Jeremy and Ritchie?" the subordinate snapped, directing his ire at one of the officials.
The official, clearly terrified, stammered in response.
"I haven't helped them at all! I've been here the whole time! How could I possibly help them from here?"
His response came quickly, his voice trembling noticeably with fear.
Kean's subordinate let out a cold snort.
"You useless bunch are, of course, incapable of providing any help to Jeremy and Ritchie!"
As Kean's subordinate spoke these words, he had already reached his conclusion internally.
In his judgment, Jeremy and Ritchie must have received assistance from the mayor of Valley City.
In his view, without the help of the mayor, there was no way Jeremy and Ritchie could have remained hidden for this long.
"It seems I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands! The mayor, not only unwilling to assist me in any way, has even gone so far as to aid my enemies. I can no longer afford to be polite to him!"
After uttering these words, Kean's subordinate turned around abruptly and left.
As he departed, many of the monsters in the vicinity followed him.
The number of creatures around the courtyard decreased significantly.
The remaining monsters were only there to guard the city government staff.
Inside the courtyard, Jeremy and Major Joseph finally pieced everything together.
At last, they knew who their enemy was.