Evolution begins with an ant colony
Chapter 33 What lies beyond the barrier

As the adventurers created some distance between themselves and Akun a palpable sense of relief seemed to wash over them, though hidden beneath their polite farewells. The boundary between the dense woods and the world beyond felt like a return to familiarity, a place where their fears could slowly dissipate.

Darius's glance toward Akun held a mixture of gratitude and underlying tension. He was glad to be leaving this unusual encounter behind, even though the meeting held an undeniable element of curiosity.

As the adventurers walk away, Darius couldn't help but steal a last glance back at the forest's edge, where Akun stood. The memory of their time together was a peculiar mixture of awe and fear, his heart still racing from the unexpected encounters and power that Akun wielded.

The whisper of the wind carried his thoughts, a silent acknowledgment that they were indeed heading back to where they felt more secure. And as the distance grew between them and the forest, Darius knew he could finally release the tension that had gripped him.

His party members echoed his sentiments. Once they were a considerable distance away, the shared sentiment became a topic of conversation.

"I'm just glad we're out of there," Elara admitted, her voice soft but filled with relief.

Gromm let out a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing. "That was... intense."

Raela chimed in, her words resonating with the group. "Did you see the way he moved? It was like he was reading our every thought."

Torin nodded, his expression mirroring their unease. "I've never felt such pressure from anyone or anything before."

Darius's agreement was evident in the tired smile he offered them. "We're all in agreement, then."

As they continued on their path, the forest's mysteries and the enigmatic figure they had encountered became tales to be shared. Their steps might have taken them away from Akun, but the memory of his presence and power lingered, a reminder of the otherworldly experiences that could change their perspectives forever.

Emerging from the forest's depths, the adventurers breathed a collective sigh of relief as they stepped back into familiar territory. The resonant chime of their status windows filled the air, their ethereal presence casting a gentle glow.

Darius and his companions exchanged knowing glances, their faces a mix of intrigue and familiarity with the phenomenon. Elara's voice held a tinge of amazement. "The forest's effect, fading away."

Gromm scratched his head, a grin forming. "Our stats are going back to normal."

As the luminous display flickered to life, their stats gradually realigned. The skewed numbers that had puzzled them within the forest returned to their customary values. Elara murmured in realization. "Our stats... back to what they were."

Gromm's jovial chuckle resonated. "Guess the forest's trick didn't last."

Raela's voice held a light laugh. "Who knew a stroll could mess with us like that?"

Darius nodded, a sense of camaraderie uniting them. "Back to our adventurer selves."

As the status windows dimmed, a renewed sense of determination settled over the group. With the oddity of the forest behind them, they embraced the ordinary yet thrilling path that lay ahead, their steps echoing with the echoes of their shared adventure.

Having put a considerable distance between themselves and the forest, Akun's gaze lifted to the sky.

A faint smile graced his lips as he murmured, almost to himself, "Ordinary eyes wouldn't catch it, but after my evolution... I now possess the eyes of a true dragon."

His purple eyes, glinting with a mix of wisdom and power, were fixed upon the barrier that enshrouded the accursed forest. The magical veil, imperceptible to most, was vividly apparent to Akun.

[Barrier Stats:]

[Caster: Vino Valona]

[Tier: God]

[Barrier Effects: Weakening (SSS Rank)]

[Durability: +99999]

[Notice!! The Weakening effect, denoted by its formidable SSS Rank, signified the barrier's ability to dampen the strength, skills, and attributes of those it enclosed. No matter how fearsome a being's powers might be, they would replace their might sapped and their abilities dulled within the barrier's confines.]

"Vino Valona... that name's got some weight to it," Akun mused to himself, his eyes trained on the barrier standing like an invisible wall in front of him. "Last true dragon, turned betrayer, and then she climbed up the ladder to godhood."

He let his eyelids drop for a beat, letting the Black dragon's memories rush in. A flurry of images, a mix of power, love, and twisty decisions, played out in his mind like a movie. The whole saga of her choices, the ripples they caused, it all danced vividly in his thoughts.

"It's like her love and her double-cross set the GPS for all our lives," he went on, his tone carrying a dash of wonder and reflection. "Dumping us into this new world, throwing us into her story, and setting off fireworks we couldn't even imagine."

A soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he unraveled the intricate layers of connections. "And now here I am, staring at this barrier. I can't help but think about the masterclass she's taught us in destiny. She locked her crew up in this forest, and it's like the echoes still bounce around."

"Can I break through this barrier?" Akun muttered to himself, a contemplative look in his eyes. His gaze remained fixed on the transparent obstruction before him, his mind playing out various scenarios.

"I mean, I'm pretty darn powerful under the effect of that weakening spell. If this is me weakened, I can't help but wonder... How strong will I be when I'm finally free of this?"

The thought churned in his mind, curiosity mingling with a healthy dose of excitement. His lips curled into a faint smile as he imagined the potential surge of power once the barrier's constraints were lifted.

"It's like being coiled up, ready to burst out. A dragon unchained, perhaps."

A breeze rustled the leaves around him, carrying a whisper of anticipation. "Guess there's only one way to replace out," he murmured, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Akun took a step back from the barrier.

"Here goes nothing," Akun muttered to himself, determination blazing in his eyes. With newfound resolve, he gathered his strength and charged toward the barrier with all his might.

"Aaaaargh!" Akun's voice erupted into a cry of anguish, his face contorted in pain. His hands instinctively grasped his head as if trying to quell the intense throbbing that reverberated within.

"I-I can't believe it... the barrier... it's impenetrable," he managed to gasp between clenched teeth, his voice strained by the ordeal. The frustration in his tone was palpable, a mix of disbelief and a deep yearning to transcend the limitations that confined him.

Wll, that didn't quite go as planned," he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and annoyance.

[Notice!! Exit denied]

Akun's thoughts raced as he contemplated the meaning behind the message "Exit denied." His curiosity and determination compelled him to seek answers.

He focused his attention inward, reaching out to the endless evolution system that resided within his mind.

"Endless Evolution System," he called out within his thoughts, his mental voice resonating with urgency.

[Ding!! What is it player? QwQ]

"Is there any way to overcome this barrier? Maybe by using evolution points or something?"

[Notice!! Evolution points are designated exclusively for evolution and utilization of the the Super Gamer Shop. Overcoming external barriers is not within the scope of their application. As of now, there is no known method to breach this specific barrier using evolution points.]

[Notice!! Player, an alternative solution to navigate beyond this barrier could be acquiring the Puppeteer skill from the Super Gamer Shop. This skill would enable you to craft a silver puppet, allowing customization of its appearance and attributes. This puppet, not bound by the barrier, could potentially aid you in exploring beyond it's confines.]

Akun's eyes widened in astonishment as he gazed at the price displayed for the puppeteer skill. He muttered to himself, "That's... a hefty cost."

[Notice!! Player, remember that substantial gains often require significant investments. The Puppeteer skill, though expensive, could offer a valuable solution. Proceeding with the purchase will grant you the means to create a silver puppet. Please confirm your decision.]

With a resigned sigh, he realized that his options were limited. He finally spoke aloud, "Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice if I want to explore what exists beyond the barrier." Taking a deep breath, he clicked on the confirmation button to make the purchase.

[Notice!! Skill: Puppeteer Acquired]

Akun activated the Puppeteer skill, and suddenly a silver figure materialized before him. As if by magic, the figure gained color, and Akun's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Wait... This character is.."