Christina was curious about this matter and asked, "Where did you obtain the map you just showed me? What do the lines and arrows signify?"

"I came across it by chance," Ming casually replied, then added, "I won't disturb you any further; I'm going to arrange our sea crossing." With that, he turned and left.

Christina watched his retreating back, then leaped onto the giant crab's shell and sat down next to Alan. In a soft voice, she said, "Your Gutmann had a strange expression just now. I'm unsure what was odd; perhaps it's just a woman's intuition."

Keeping his gaze fixed ahead, Alan responded, "It's nothing; I have complete faith in him. If he has something he's not saying, he hasn't figured out how to express it yet."

Christina's mouth curved into a faint smile. "I don't know why, but when you say that, it makes you two seem almost like a couple."

Alan's expression remained impassive. "Don't worry; nothing like that could ever happen between us."

After walking some distance away, Ming took out the map again and scrutinized it carefully. The arrow's endpoint seemed to indicate a small town. That would make sense; there was probably a police station in the town.

Should I go take a look? The thought crossed his mind, and he put the map away again with a deep breath.

Based on the current route, which followed the coastline due to the sea and the mountainous terrain, their direction aligned roughly with the marked path on the map. Perhaps that truly was the final destination.

At this time, the group stood at the western end of the mountain ridge, facing the churning ocean and a fleet of ships. Clearly, there was still some distance between the ships and the mountainside, which impeded most people's steps, though a number of them could swim.

The distance was too great for many to be certain they could make it across, and the waters were unsafe. Everyone looked collectively at Ming.

He pointed at the flying leech and said to the group, "Don't be put off by its appearance; it's actually quite gentle. When its tendrils wrap around you, whatever you do, don't panic or become fearful. If you feel it's gripping you too tightly, there's no need to get agitated - that's just its way of holding on firmly to prevent accidents and falling into the sea. And don't be afraid of all those mouths and sharp teeth either - they don't mean it want to eat people! Alright, who wants to go first?"

"..."

Though initially unafraid, after this introduction from Gutmann, many felt somewhat apprehensive. Being gripped too tightly, how could they not feel afraid?

Seeing the group's lack of enthusiasm, Ming pointed toward the Kraken on the other side and said, "Of course, there is a second option - this giant monster. As you can see, its tentacles are covered in countless suction cups. It will attach you to them securely, with no risk of falling off into the water. Though it doesn't fly, it prefers moving around underwater... Actually, it's also quite gentle." Here, he turned to Poseidon beside him for confirmation. "Right?"

Poseidon waved his trident and nodded. "Yes~""..."

The group no longer paid the Kraken any mind, instead unanimously walking to the flying leech, feeling it was the better option.

A few days later, everyone arrived on the eastern shore of the mountain range...

After arranging the fleet's route and docking locations, Ming finally caught up with the land group and began scouting ahead with Mike.

According to the established plan, the group advanced without impediment as Ming cleared the way ahead. The monsters they encountered were all rendered quite docile by his presence. And so, Napoleon's legions continued to grow in strength. As time passed, none could halt their steady march forward.

A few days later, they entered a small county town. The buildings within were well-preserved, though the streets were filled with sand.

That night, Ming and a group rested in a small school in town.

After dinner, David found Ming and sat down across from him. He lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and exhaled the smoke with a sigh, releasing days of fatigue from their journey. "It's been so many days; the water has stopped rising and is far from us now. Everyone is tired and hopes we can settle here for a while."

"That's fine," Ming nodded in agreement. It wouldn't be suitable for so many to continue on the 'road' that remained.

That night, he left the town alone, following the marked path on the map northwestward. His thinking was simple - traveling light allowed greater freedom of movement.

If hundreds of thousands were to follow along, it would be difficult to react flexibly. Quality over quantity.

After so many days of rest, he'd confirmed one thing - the frogs showed no reaction to the high plateau, remaining as energetic as ever. Only the nighttime cold made them a little tired.

At this time, Kubo was driving the SUV while Ming sat in the back seat, lost in thought.

Two days later, he straightened up in the backseat and stretched with a yawn, gazing out the window at the desolation. Where was this?

Ming hadn't intended to sleep, but Kubo's driving was so smooth it would be a disservice not to nap.

A large signboard appeared ahead - 'Automotive Repair and Services, 1KM Ahead'.

Seeing this, Ming decided to stop in. Logically, he should be able to find some landmarks or place names there. Shortly after, Kubo pulled up at the repair shop entrance.

Hiss~ The instant he saw the entrance, Ming suddenly recalled he'd been here before...

This was the random personal instance [No Man's Land] from Book 3.

After getting out of the car, he entered the yard. A few vehicles waiting to be repaired were parked haphazardly. A perimeter search revealed nothing, so he went inside the building. There, he found some long-rotted zombie corpses strewn on the floor but nothing else.

So this is where Janice was...forced to repair cars?

It was likely. This instance had been the simplest, farmed endlessly for experience...no wonder...

Having identified the location, Ming checked the map. There was still some distance to the town the arrow indicated. They got back in the car and continued onward, but soon, a sandstorm picked up outside.

Ming watched a tumbleweed blow forward in the wind, only to stop right in the middle of the road ahead. Strangely, though the wind still blew strongly, the tumbleweed sat utterly motionless on the road.

Something was off!

"Kubo, stop the car!"

Ssshhh!!!

Kubo slammed on the brakes, but the car had already driven over the tumbleweed. Outside, the air was calm, without a hint of wind or sand.

Ming turned around and looked out the rear window - behind them was a sky filled with flying sand and gravel, yet the tumbleweed remained utterly still, as if two different spaces existed in one world.

Like fog?

But the rules stated that fog was gone...so what was this place?

Ming pushed open the door and got out. Suddenly, a roar like thunder exploded:

"Mortal, you dare trespass upon the Gates of Heaven!"

"Die now!"

"~~"

Ming looked ahead but saw no one. The only scents around were Kubo's perfume and the frogs' natural watery scent, nothing else. Just then, the sands on either side of the road churned and heaped up, rising high to form an enormous gate of sand blocking their way. It spanned meters wide and tens of meters tall.

Craning his neck, Ming exclaimed in admiration - this sand manipulation far outstripped David's abilities.