At this moment, a speculation instinctively surfaced in Akira's heart.
And as time passed, he became increasingly convinced of its plausibility.
Apart from Akira, the others also noticed the dark figure on the small hillside and were suddenly struck with shock.
At first glance, everyone thought it was some unknown [Calamity], given how the creature was shrouded in eerie blackness.
It gave off an unmistakable aura of danger, warning others to stay away.
Unidentifiable black mist swirled around its body, as if dense, malevolent Aura clung to its form.
An ordinary person would likely perish just from being near that black mist.
This was why, at first glance, everyone assumed the creature was some kind of [Calamity].
Such a dangerous and bizarre existence—if it wasn't a [Calamity], then what was?
Yet, after a few moments, upon closer inspection, they realized something was off. It didn't quite match their expectations.
Beneath the swirling black mist was a black cloak, though the obscuring haze made it hard to discern.
The more they observed, the more astonished they became.
Could there really be a creature wearing something like a cloak?
Didn't that imply it likely possessed intelligence?
Or perhaps, like the [Bone Tribe] they had heard of before, this creature was another type of non-human from the Dark Continent?
For a moment, many in the group thought along these lines.
Except for a select few.
What they didn't know was that the "unknown creature" they were scrutinizing was also observing them.
And its inner shock was no less than theirs.
The dark figure stood on the hillside, gazing down at Akira and the others at the forest's edge.
A pair of weary, aged eyes suddenly brightened, filled with disbelief.
'Such a physique… are they non-humans?'
'No, their attire doesn't belong here. It differs from most non-humans.'
The figure frowned in contemplation, initially assuming Akira and the others might be a variant of non-humans.
But upon noticing their uniform Safety suits, it dismissed the thought.
Then, it suddenly occurred to the figure that just beyond this place lay the sea.
And on the other side of that sea was…
At this realization, the figure trembled slightly, swayed, and then vanished from sight.
Before anyone could react, the figure reappeared not far from them, maintaining a distance of about ten meters.
As if deliberately keeping its distance to avoid alarming them.
Seeing the distant figure suddenly appear just ten meters away, the group's expressions shifted, and Aura surged around them.
Noticing the unmistakable Aura fluctuations, the figure's gaze changed again, a flicker of joy flashing in its eyes.
Beyond joy, there was also nostalgia.
As expected—it hadn't been mistaken!
Observing the group's tense readiness for battle, the figure spoke slowly.
"Ahem… are you… from the Six Continents?"
The voice was hoarse and low, as if it hadn't been used in a very, very long time.
If it could be visualized, spiderwebs might have formed in its throat.
Such a voice naturally unsettled the group.
But this discomfort was completely overshadowed by an expression of shock!
Because the shadowy figure had just spoken!
And what's more—it spoke in the language of the Six Continents.
Akira's face lit up with a faint smile—he hadn't been mistaken.
The person standing before them now was indeed that man.
While Akira already knew the true identity of the shadowy figure, the others were still reeling from the shock of hearing it speak.
Beyond frowned deeply, his mind racing.
'He's actually speaking the language of the Six Continents?'
'What kind of bizarre calamity is this? Or perhaps...'
At that moment, Beyond's thoughts spun rapidly until he suddenly recalled a piece of information he had once come across.
It was said that several hundred years ago, a certain human had ventured into the Dark Continent—a man whose strength was terrifyingly formidable.
After arriving in the Dark Continent, he had remained active there, even compiling a book under such circumstances.
That book contained records of the Dark Continent, which was precisely why it had later been sealed away by the V5.
Ordinary people could hardly access it.
Beyond had read that book himself. Its title was New Continent Travelogue: East.
The term "New Continent" was easy to understand—it referred to the Dark Continent, a completely unknown land to most people.
As for "East," it indicated that the contents of the book were all about the region east of Mobius Lake.
This was also why Ging had previously speculated that there was no New Continent Travelogue: West in the Six Continents.
Most likely, the author was still traveling and had yet to explore or compile records of the western regions.
And the author of that book was none other than—Don Freecss!
At this thought, Beyond spared a glance at Ging beside him, as if trying to discern some connection between the two.
However, the shadowy figure's appearance was far too abstract—only a vaguely humanoid shape could be made out.
At least for now, there was no visible link between Ging and this shadowy figure who might be Don Freecss.
At this moment, Ging himself had no attention to spare for Beyond.
His eyes widened slightly in astonishment as he thought.
'No way...'
'Could it really be such a coincidence?'
Ging began to doubt whether he had misheard earlier.
Was it truly possible for something so coincidental to happen?
Even before setting out for the Dark Continent, Ging had known that an ancestor from several generations past was still traveling here.
He had even entertained the thought that they might one day cross paths.
But he had never imagined that the opportunity for such a meeting would come so soon.
Apart from the three strongest and most quick-witted among them, the rest of the group stood as if frozen by some 'Paralysis Spell'.
They were utterly petrified, still struggling to process their shock.
Seeing their stunned expressions, the shadowy figure remained motionless, though the black mist around it began to stir faintly.
Like an ink-black tide, it surged and churned, resembling the 'Annihilation Ants' at first glance.
The rolling mist gathered toward the figure's head before seeming to peel away, flowing behind it.
In that instant, the black mist miraculously cleared from the figure's head, and its hood was lowered.
Under the direct sunlight, the figure's true appearance was laid bare before everyone.
"Since this is our first meeting, let me introduce myself. My name is Don."
Perhaps because he had already spoken earlier, his words now flowed more smoothly, easing the discomfort of those listening.
Hearing this, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Akira's eyes.
It was indeed him.
The man who had arrived in the Dark Continent centuries ago and had been traveling there ever since—
Don Freecss!
Don Freecss stood composed, a faint smile on his face as he gazed at the group, carrying a trace of benevolence.
At this moment, his eyes held the look of an elder observing the younger generation.
Even more so, it was the gaze of a fellow countryman recognizing another!