The group moved carefully through the twisting canyons. The mist grew thicker, and the ground occasionally felt like it shifted under their feet.

During the walk, Ignis spoke up first, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.

"So… how long do you think it'll take until we find the Abyssal Bloom?"

Azrynn shook her head slightly. "I don't know. The deeper regions don't follow normal time or distance."

Lilith glanced at Adam. "As long as the compass keeps pointing, we have a direction. That's already better than most who enter this place."

Adam nodded, keeping his eyes on the compass and surroundings.

They continued walking for nearly an hour when Azrynn suddenly raised her hand.

"Stop," she said sharply.

Everyone froze. Adam looked ahead, there was nothing but rocky ground and swirling mist.

"Azrynn? What's wrong?" he asked.

Azrynn took a small stone from her pouch and threw it forward. The stone flew for a few meters… then suddenly dropped straight down without any sound of landing.

A massive, invisible chasm lay right in front of them, so deep it seemed bottomless. The illusion had perfectly hidden the deadly drop.

Ignis's eyes widened. "Whoa! Good thing we didn't just keep walking! I almost stepped forward!"

Adam exhaled slowly, staring at the empty space in front of them.

"The compass is useful. It tells us the right direction toward our goal… but it doesn't show us the safe path. We still have to be extremely careful."

Azrynn nodded grimly.

"Exactly. This is what makes the Wasteland so dangerous. The illusions aren't just visual, they affect your sense of space. We must stay vigilant at all times."

Lilith looked at the hidden chasm and suggested calmly, "Wouldn't it be easier if we just flew across? Adam and Ignis can fly, and I can use my threads to cross."

Azrynn immediately shook her head.

"That would be very dangerous. Flying attracts far more attention here. There are aerial predators and worse spatial tears in the air that can rip anything that flies into pieces. Many of our scouts who tried to fly never came back. We should stay on the ground and move carefully."

Adam stored the compass for a moment and looked at the group.

"Understood. We follow Azrynn's lead."

The group carefully detoured around the massive chasm, tension rising as they realized just how treacherous the Wasteland truly was.

The path sloped downward through jagged rocks and swirling mist until they finally found a narrow, unstable ridge that allowed them to cross to the other side.

As they continued deeper, several monstrous figures appeared in the distance, large, shadowy creatures with glowing eyes that resembled a mix between giant scorpions and hulking beasts. They watched the group intently but did not approach.

Ignis tensed up, flames flaring around her shoulders. "Monsters!"

Azrynn quickly raised her hand.

"Don't attack and don't provoke them," she warned calmly. "These creatures are territorial but not aggressive unless we enter their domain or show hostility. As long as we keep moving steadily and don't show fear, they will leave us alone."

True to her words, the monsters simply observed them for a while before slowly retreating back into the mist. The group released a collective breath and continued forward.

While walking, Adam glanced at Azrynn.

"Azrynn, be honest with me. Are your people truly satisfied living trapped in that pocket dimension? Or do many of you still wish to return to the surface world?"

Azrynn was silent for a moment, her silver hair swaying as she walked.

"We've tried many times in the past," she answered quietly. "Our ancestors, our elders, even the current generation… we've sent expeditions. None ever succeeded. After so many losses, most of us have stopped hoping. We've accepted this place as our home."

She paused, then added with a small, wistful smile.

"However… I am still curious. What is the outside world truly like? The sky, the sun, the vast oceans, the forests… I've only heard stories."

Isolde, who had been walking slightly behind, let out a cold, bitter laugh.

"The outside world is chaotic and full of war. Kingdoms fight each other endlessly. Humans betray one another for power, land, and greed. You're better off staying here. At least the monsters here are honest, they attack because they're hungry or territorial. Humans are far more cruel and unpredictable."

Azrynn glanced at Isolde but didn't argue. Instead, she simply nodded slowly.

"Perhaps you're right. Monsters are… simpler."

Lilith let out a soft, elegant chuckle as she walked beside Adam.

"I agree with Isolde," she said calmly. "The outside world is full of ugly, scheming creatures. Though if I'm being honest… I wouldn't mind capturing a few of them to torture slowly. It would be quite entertaining. Other than that, there's really nothing worth seeing from humans."

Ignis immediately puffed her cheeks in protest.

"That's not true! There are many good people too!" she argued, waving her hands. "Like Philip and Aish! They were really kind to us. And Elise and Seraphina too! They're good people!"

Azrynn listened to the conversation with quiet interest, a small smile on her lips.

Before anyone could continue, a sharp, piercing cry echoed from above.

"Everyone, dodge!" Adam shouted instantly.

A massive shadow descended rapidly from the swirling mist above them.

WHOOSH!

The group scattered just in time as a terrifying creature swooped down, its claws missing Adam's head by mere inches.

The monster landed heavily on a nearby rock outcrop. It had multiple pairs of tattered, leathery wings, a sharp curved beak like a predatory bird, and glowing crimson eyes that radiated pure malice. Its body was covered in dark, oily feathers and armored scales. An overwhelming, oppressive aura emanated from it.

[Void Harpy Matriarch Lv. 71]

Azrynn's eyes widened in genuine surprise as she nocked an arrow on her bow.

"I've never seen this kind of monster before…" she muttered, tension clear in her voice. "It's not one of the usual Wasteland predators."

The Void Harpy Matriarch let out another ear-piercing screech, its sharp eyes locking onto the group particularly on Adam, as if sensing him as the biggest threat.

Adam drew his focus, crimson eyes narrowing.

"Looks like we've attracted something unpleasant."