Chapter 214: The Familiar Locket

Gray continued observing the expedition from the shadows, his golden eyes following the movements of the unfamiliar visitors.

He had to admit that their strength was impressive.

’I didn’t expect them to defeat those imps so easily.’

Even with their ridiculous regeneration, the expedition had managed to discover their weakness and slaughter them in a relatively short time. Their coordination was also much better than Gray had anticipated.

It seemed that most of the people in this expedition were humans.

At least, they looked human to him.

His attention briefly shifted toward the female mage who had unleashed that enormous fire spell.

’And that woman...’

Gray couldn’t help but admire her appearance.

She was exceptionally beautiful, almost like a celebrity from his previous life. Her elegant features and confident demeanor made her stand out even among the other expedition members.

For a moment, he found himself staring.

’Damn. She’s gorgeous.’

However, Gray quickly shook off the distraction.

’Focus. These people might be dangerous.’

No matter how attractive or impressive they seemed, they were still intruders who had forcibly broken through Great Tartarus’s barrier. Gray had no reason to trust them, especially when Cindy and Lily were still nearby.

He continued observing their activities.

The expedition members had begun setting up tents around the clearing. Some were gathering supplies, while others were preparing food and tending to their wounds.

Meanwhile, several pirates had started cutting apart the bodies of the mutated imps.

Gray watched with mild curiosity.

’What are they doing? Are they planning to eat those things?’

The thought made him somewhat uncomfortable.

But after observing them for a little longer, he realized that the pirates weren’t interested in the flesh.

Instead, they carefully extracted the black horns and hearts from the imp corpses, collecting them in separate containers.

’Oh. So they’re gathering materials.’

Gray wasn’t sure what those components were used for, but judging by how carefully the expedition members handled them, they probably had some value.

Then, another group began placing strange objects around the perimeter of the camp.

The devices looked like small metallic artifacts, each with several intricate runes carved into its surface. Once activated, they emitted a faint magical glow.

Gray narrowed his eyes.

[Analyzing unfamiliar artifact...]

[Analysis Complete.]

[Artifact: Monster Detection Device]

[Function: Detects nearby monsters through fluctuations in magical energy.]

Gray’s expression immediately changed.

’Monster detection?’

That was troublesome.

If those devices could detect him, then remaining nearby might become dangerous.

He glanced down at his own body.

’Wait...’

’Am I still considered a monster?’

He had evolved several times, and his current species was far removed from the ordinary jellyfish he had once been. His existence was now something entirely different.

But that didn’t necessarily mean the system or the people in this world would recognize him as anything other than a monster.

Gray couldn’t afford to make assumptions.

’I need to find out.’

He continued watching the expedition as the camp gradually took shape.

The people were beginning to relax. Some were eating, others chatting, and a few had already settled inside their tents.

Gray considered approaching them during the day, but quickly dismissed the idea.

’Too risky.’

Instead, he decided to wait until night.

People tend to let their guard down when they think everything is safe.

If he used Phantom Cloak and moved carefully, he might be able to slip into their camp without being detected.

His objective wasn’t to fight them.

He simply wanted to learn more about the people who had arrived on Great Tartarus.

And if possible, find out whether he was still classified as a monster.

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Night eventually settled over Great Tartarus.

The expedition’s camp was illuminated by several campfires, their flickering light casting long shadows across the surrounding trees. Most of the exhausted members had already retired to their tents, though a few remained awake to eat, drink, or keep watch.

Gray finally decided it was time to move.

[Phantom Cloak activated.]

His figure gradually faded into the darkness.

He carefully approached the camp, keeping his movements quiet and deliberate. Several knights were patrolling the perimeter, their weapons ready as they inspected the surrounding vegetation.

’They’re taking security seriously.’

Gray waited until one of the knights passed before slipping between the trees.

As he approached the camp, he noticed something strange.

The monster detection artifacts remained completely silent.

’Huh?’

He was already within what should have been their detection range, yet none of the devices reacted.

Gray cautiously moved closer to one of the artifacts, observing its glowing runes.

Nothing happened.

’So they can’t detect me?’

There were two possible explanations.

Perhaps Phantom Cloak was interfering with the artifacts, preventing them from detecting his presence. Or perhaps his current body was no longer classified as a monster.

After all, he had undergone an extraordinary evolution and become a Primordial. His existence might have changed to the point where ordinary monster detection no longer recognized him.

Unfortunately, there was no way to confirm it at the moment.

’Well, whatever the reason, this works in my favor.’

Gray continued moving through the camp, carefully avoiding the patrols.

Several expedition members were still gathered around the campfire, enjoying their evening. Among them was the pirate captain, Jooquin, who was drinking enthusiastically and laughing at something one of his subordinates had said.

William stood nearby, watching him with an irritated expression.

The knight captain seemed particularly unwilling to relax while Jooquin was around. Even now, he remained vigilant while keeping an eye on Luna’s tent.

Gray quietly observed the two men.

’That pirate...’

He still remembered the results of his earlier analyze.

William was Level 58, while the female mage, Luna, was Level 52.

However, Jooquin’s level had appeared as nothing more than a question mark.

’That guy is definitely dangerous. I should avoid getting anywhere near him.’

Gray decided to be especially careful around the pirate captain.

After observing the camp for a while longer, he finally approached Luna’s tent.

He carefully moved around the entrance, making sure no one was nearby.

Inside, Luna was sitting on a chair, reading a book.

She had changed into elegant nightwear, and her long black hair flowed freely over her shoulders. Her red eyes were focused intently on the pages before her.

Even in the quiet of the night, she possessed an unmistakable elegance.

Gray couldn’t help but stare for a moment.

’She’s even more beautiful up close...’

He gradually moved closer to the tent, trying to observe its interior without making a sound.

’I’m not peeping. I’m gathering information.’

He repeated that justification in his mind, though even he wasn’t entirely convinced.

As his gaze wandered around the tent, he suddenly noticed something familiar resting near Luna’s belongings.

A small locket.

Gray’s thoughts immediately came to a halt.

’...Wait.’

He recognized that object.

It was the same locket Cindy had once worn.