Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 166: Return to Familiar Grounds

As the sun steadily climbed the horizon, its warmth chased away the lingering chill in the wilderness. Stirred by the dawn of a new day, the forest came alive with the activity of creatures beginning their morning routines.

They emerged from hiding places, scurrying about and reclaiming their territory. Rabbits and squirrels darted between the undergrowth, their movements quick and slippery, while birds chirped as they flitted from branch to branch.

This lively and harmonious scene stood in stark contrast to the area surrounding the mining site, where an unsettling, oppressive silence reigned— a grim reminder of the contamination tainting the land.

Although Lynn had eliminated the spider monsters and temporarily suppressed the pollution source, it would still take time for nature to recover fully from the blight that had seeped into the very earth.

His fingers traced the trunk of a towering oak tree at the edge of the zone. Once weathered and rough, the bark felt subtly different, as if it was slowly reclaiming its vitality, the vicious influence gradually receding.

"Maybe a few months, perhaps just weeks, and it might return to its former state," he analyzed, observing the leaves sparkle with morning dew and inhaling the earthy scent of fertile soil carried by the wind.

The sight offered a fleeting sense of comfort, soothing the last vestiges of tension inside his body. But the moment was short-lived as he quickly averted his gaze away, knowing he could not afford to stay here any longer.

His thoughts shifted gears, already redirecting their focus toward the next steps of his journey. Though it had been barely a week since his return from the second dungeon, it felt like an eternity to him.

The events and experiences he had undergone in the interim—from the Midnight Rose Exchange to the confrontation with the monstrous spider—had left an indelible mark on his psyche and mind.

In a way, he almost longed to linger in this tranquil setting, basking in the restorative power of the natural world. However, countless threats hung over him like a dark cloud, each more pressing than the last.

"I cannot risk slowing down," Lynn murmured repeatedly to himself, steeling his resolve. With the survival of his existence at stake, every second was dedicated to fortifying his strength and readiness for the challenges ahead.

Feeling the subtle flow of energy within, he quickened his pace. In an instant, his form blurred, becoming a streak of motion that defied human limitations, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved.

He deliberately avoided the direct route back to the city, opting for a circuitous path that bypassed the abandoned district and the dangers lurking in its shadows. Instead of retracing his steps, he took a wide detour for safety.

Another confrontation was the last thing he needed. With his senses remaining on high alert, he scanned the surroundings for any sign of potential threats or obstacles that could impede his progress.

Meanwhile, his mind raced with multiple strategies to increase his combat power, revisiting the information gained during the short stay in the mine. In particular, the [Mimicry Heart] skill drew his intense focus.

After discovering the cap on the number of capacities he could imitate, he became acutely aware of the need to apply this ability strategically despite this limit increasing with his level.

"Quality over quantity," he decided, his steps never faltering as he navigated the uneven terrain. Rather than relying on the brute force from myriad powers, he opted for a more innovative approach.

He would curate a few extraordinary characteristics that complemented each other seamlessly, creating a synergistic effect to amplify his combat effectiveness to its highest potential.