Law did not believe that searching for a way out would pose any significant danger, and at most, it would require considerable time and effort.
While having Bruna, a local resident, as a guide might improve efficiency, it would also put her at risk. Therefore, Law could not bring himself to agree.
Faced with Law's refusal, the Chief looked at Bruna, who then asked, "Can you determine when the Rock Island Crab is deep in the ocean and when it is on land?"
Law's eyes flickered, 'That was indeed a problem.'
Although they were clearly inside the Rock Island Crab's body, they felt no vibrations, giving the impression that the crab was always stationary. In reality, however, it was constantly moving.
Thus, determining when the Rock Island Crab would ascend to the Dark Continent seemed like an unsolvable puzzle.
If they found a way to leave the Rock Island Crab's body but chose the wrong moment, they would likely be crushed by the water pressure instantly.
"I can." Bruna said softly at this time.
Hearing this, Law hesitated for a moment before asking, "After we leave, how will you return to the settlement?"
"I have a way." Bruna replied, her body glowing with a red light.
Despite Bruna's assurance, Law still felt this was too dangerous for her.
Sensing Law's hesitation, Bruna floated closer and whispered, "Please give us a chance to repay your kindness."
To gather energy needed to sustain the luminous algae, the Buru Tribe had to endure risks from the parasites, inevitably leading to sacrifices.
The energy Law provided would sustain the Buru Tribe for at least six months. To acquire the same amount of energy, the tribe might have had to pay with at least ten lives.
Thus, the Buru tribe was deeply grateful to Law and sought this opportunity to repay him.
Bruna's resolve was firm. In the end, Law agreed.
With Bruna accompanying them, they crossed the stone bridge toward the exit.
In the settlement, the Buru Tribe's members watched silently as Law and the others departed.
The Chief's gaze lingered on Bruna. For some reason, his aged body emitted a faint blue light.
Returning to the dark area, Tonpa immediately used his Nen for detection.
"These algae are quite useful," Biscuit remarked as she channeled Aura into the luminous algae attached to her body. A bright light flashed momentarily before fading when she cut off the energy supply.
"Take some of the other types of algae as well, they might come in handy," Law said, distributing portions of the other algae to Biscuit. His limbs were also adorned with luminous algae, which glowed brightly under his Aura.
Biscuit accepted the algae. True to their origin in the Dark Continent, these algae, when fueled by Aura, almost functioned like conjured Nen Artifacts.
Tonpa also had luminous algae attached to him, but his Aura Control was relatively crude. He could not multitask, like using his Nen Ability while simultaneously supplying energy to the algae, so his algae remained unlit.
Kuro could also use the algae, but he was unwilling to waste his stored Nen. After playing with the algae for a while, he retreated back into Law's palm.
Bruna clung to Law's shoulder, her tentacles always connected to his temples, guiding them through the darkness.
The environment here was perpetually pitch-black, yet Bruna could discern direction and paths… perhaps a racial talent of the Buru Tribe.
The light from the luminous algae shone like a sun in the dark area, immediately drawing the attention of the parasites hidden in the shadows. However, they kept their distance, watching the distant sphere of light with turbid, disgusted eyes.
According to the Chief, long ago, many different species served as scavengers within the Rock Island Crab. But after ages of conflict, only the fish-headed, beast-bodied parasites emerged victorious in the evolutionary struggle, eventually thriving as a dominant race.
Their evolution came at the cost of a vulnerability to strong light, but it granted them terrifying combat prowess in the darkness.
Even the other three magical beast races in the safe zones, known for their ferocity in battle, often suffered heavy losses when outnumbered.
Such evolution was, in itself, a choice.
They gained dominance within the Rock Island Crab's body but forever lost the right to pursue freedom. As for the four magical beast races in the safe zones, they might secretly harbor dreams of leaving their sheltered homes to establish independence.
Perhaps, to them, the Six Continents of the human world were the true holy land… a place of abundant resources, safety, and almost dreamlike conditions.
After three hours of rapid travel, the path seemed endless, a testament to the unimaginable size of the Rock Island Crab. They marveled at the severity of the crab's 'calculus' condition… if a human body suffered from so many stones, the pain would be unbearable.
Along the way, Tonpa's reports hardly ever stopped. Every minute or two, he would detect a new small group of parasites, underscoring the fact that their numbers were truly immeasurable.
Without the luminous algae, if the parasites ever had a sudden change of heart, Law and the others would likely face endless attacks, making progress impossible and potentially leading to exhaustion and death.
After traveling for most of the day, Law's group paused briefly to rest and eat before continuing their journey.
Suddenly, Bruna's tentacles twitched gently, and she warned, "The Rock Island Crab is feeding."
Law immediately relayed Bruna's warning to Biscuit and the others.
'Feeding? Yet we felt no movement whatsoever.'
Law and Biscuit glanced around, the surroundings were eerily quiet. They wondered how Bruna had reached this conclusion.
"This is one of the food drop points. We need to leave quickly." Bruna said, her body emitting a faint green glow.
"Guide us." Law said decisively.
Bruna immediately pointed in a direction, leading the group to a sloping structure. They climbed upward along the slope for a full five hundred meters before reaching the top.
At that moment, a roaring sound of rushing water echoed through the pitch-black surroundings. The noise seemed distant at first, but its intensity was unmistakable, just like when they had inexplicably fallen into the crab's body.
Bruna's green glow gradually brightened. Her body was frail, even a strong gust of wind might overwhelm her, let alone a massive wave.
The commotion escalated rapidly. The roaring water, which had seemed far away just seconds ago, now sounded as if it were right beside them.
"Roar!"
A deafening roar echoed from somewhere above, startling Tonpa and Bruna, causing their bodies to tremble.
It was likely a massive sea monster swallowed by the Rock Island Crab, still alive as it traveled down the esophagus and capable of roaring. Yet, in the end, it could not escape death.
Turbulent, rushing tides carrying countless creatures crashed down, instantly flooding the vast ground below.
Large volumes of seawater surged past, draining away through unknown pathways and quickly disappearing, leaving behind numerous sea monster's corpses on the damp, level ground.
After the tides subsided, countless parasites emerged from the darkness to act. At the same time, other magical beast races ventured out from their safe zones, attempting to secure energy and food.
Soon, clashes erupted in the darkness.
Law's group stood on high ground, their bright light shining like a sun suspended in the sky. Though highly conspicuous, no parasites attacked them.
'It seems we won't be able to go down for now.'
Hearing the sounds of battle echoing from the darkness, Law chose to lay low for the time being.
Even though strong light could repel the parasites, it was wiser to avoid descending during the chaos of battle.