Chapter 253: Garden of Eden or is it a Magic Box?

Unlike the Labyrinth City, with its buildings smothered in vegetation, this city within a house revealed itself with unexpected clarity. Where the Labyrinth City embraced chaos, this place embodied perfect order.

Pristine streets, laid out with geometric precision, stretched before them, dividing the city like differently sized blocks of tofu. Buildings stood side by side in meticulous rows, their exteriors remarkably intact. Even objects left outside bore no more than a thin layer of dust, silent witnesses to a once-thriving civilization.

Traces of habitation remained visible throughout, signs that could have belonged to humans or perhaps some other intelligent species. Yet something about the city was unmistakably human in its design and proportions.

"Judging by the dimensions of these dwellings and artifacts, whoever lived here was about our size," Oboro observed, leading the group down a dimly lit avenue. "That strongly suggests human inhabitants."

Menchi surveyed their surroundings, her voice barely above a whisper. "Some areas of the house, or rather the city districts, are as bright as day, while others remain shrouded in darkness."

The contrast came from the sunlight filtering through the windows of the "house" above. The limited opening created distinct zones of illumination, dividing the city into artificial regions of day and night.

"Look at all these murals," Anthony remarked.

As they moved deeper into the city, they discovered intricate images carved into the exterior walls of every building, regardless of size. The sight reminded Oboro of the book he'd acquired at the Kuruta clan's residence, and of the Bozwa tribe's reverence for stone artifacts in the eastern region.

They ventured into several buildings and found that most of the household items were made of ore, such as beds, chairs, and containers, while pure metal objects were remarkably rare. This was in stark contrast to the Labyrinth City, which had shown clear signs of technological development and prosperity.

Oboro studied the thick layer of dust beneath his feet and raised an eyebrow. "The cleanliness here is striking, just dust, no vegetation. This suggests that the original inhabitants left relatively recently. If it had been abandoned long ago, it would resemble the Labyrinth City with its rampant plant growth." He paused thoughtfully. "Alternatively, something could be constantly 'cleaning' this place."

His words cast a shadow over the group, the implications unsettling.

They passed through areas that resembled parks or recreation areas, planted with what appeared to be vegetation until closer inspection revealed that every plant, from trees to grass, had been meticulously carved from stone.

"The Dark Continent is overflowing with resources," Oboro continued as they walked. "Whatever species lived here, human or otherwise, had no practical need to rely on stone for daily necessities. Metals, textiles, composites would all have been readily available for the development of industry or technology." He gestured around them. "This phenomenon can only be explained by cultural preference."

"Migration, perhaps?" Anthony stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If there was a large-scale exodus, they certainly didn't move to the central lake where we are based. That suggests a movement towards the interior of the continent."

Menchi shook her head. "It doesn't have the characteristics of a migration. Everything left behind is the appearance of the city, household items remain too intact. A departing population would have taken the essentials with them, leaving some disorder no matter how much time had passed." She gave Oboro a cold look. "This looks more like an overnight disappearance, as if everyone just vanished for some reason."

Although the environment and geography were different from the Labyrinth City, the fundamental mystery remained the same: Where had all the people gone?

"Captain, you once theorized that the humans successfully brought back the Five Disasters because the 'Gatekeeper' intended to punish and warn humanity," Anthony said. "You suggested that he deliberately allowed humans to take those 'samples' that we couldn't have kept if he had wanted us to."

"Indeed," Oboro nodded slightly. "That means the Gatekeeper knows about the human civilization in the central lake. And he clearly doesn't welcome human encroachment on that continent. To truly enter the Dark Continent, one must pass through this 'gate,' which requires some form of test or recognition. What lies beyond, whether paradise or pandemonium, remains unknown."

As they approached the center of the city, four massive stone statues came into view, standing prominently where sunlight streamed through the windows above the landmark monuments that defined the heart of this mysterious metropolis.

"But why?" Anthony asked, perplexed. "If this is true, wouldn't this 'gatekeeper' function more as a 'manager'? Why such hostility to humans? Or is it a protective instinct?"

Oboro understood his meaning: perhaps the Gatekeeper was protecting the human world by preventing further exploration of the continent.

"After years of exploration, we have gained some understanding of this world," Oboro said. "What are the fundamental differences between here and human civilization?"

"Resources, treasures, extraordinary life forms, strange and powerful energies"

"The life forms here, though dangerous, exist in dazzling variety. From an existential perspective, most are fundamentally different from humans in that they lack mature souls. Whether large species or microorganisms, they have neither human-like consciousness nor our emotional range, especially greed. Oboro's expression darkened. "Human greed knows no bounds, a trait that surpasses that of 99% of the creatures we've encountered. Humanity resembles an insatiable monster; if it were to gain a foothold here, the resulting damage would prove immeasurable, destroying countless food chains and ecosystems."

Human nature, he explained, spawns too many ripple effects - war, power struggles, domination, conspiracy - that are completely incompatible with the natural laws that govern the Dark Continent.

"Humans possess remarkably weak life energy, yet they harbor tremendous destructive potential," Oboro continued. "Surely there are advanced beings here with intelligence equal to or greater than humanity, yet even they remain wary of us.

"As neighbors, if you seek to visit but are denied entry, there are only two explanations: either they fear and loathe you, or dangerous elements within their domain pose uncontrollable threats, motivating them to protect you."

"My experience leads me to the first scenario. Human conquest of this land would destroy the Dark Continent and its dominant life forms. Of course," he added, "today's humanity lacks that ability.

"If that's true," Menchi asked, "then why have we survived in the central lake so far? Why not eliminate us completely?"

"Why don't your neighbors kill you?" Oboro replied, no longer hiding his thoughts from the group.

"Because laws forbid murder under penalty of death. While the Dark Continent has no formal laws, there must be some natural order that benefits humans. Perhaps some dominant entity here has an affection for humanity, or faces certain constraints."

"More practically, the energy on the Sea Island is too impoverished. Many creatures from the Dark Continent cannot get the food they need after entering the human world, which is enough of a reason for most of them to avoid it. Would you willingly trade luxury for hardship?"

"Environmental conditions determine how organisms live," Oboro explained. "This continent is the ancestral home of both humans and monsters. Don Freecss roamed this continent for centuries. His existence, like mine, proves that humans once survived here with skill, controlling the now seemingly overwhelming life energy through unique power systems. Our Nen abilities are a manifestation of that heritage."

"As for why they fled or migrated, perhaps war, perhaps disaster. That remains speculation, possibly inaccurate." Oboro smiled at his companions, a rare occurrence since the deaths of Fant and Rita. "But understand this: humans are truly frightening creatures."

"Perhaps the incredible diversity of life forms on the Dark Continent was originally created by our ancestors."

"Those who migrated to the central lake probably represented a minority, not the entire continental population. Humans may still inhabit the heart of the continent today, developing new civilizations."

"Alternatively, this could be a 'purgatory' designed by other species. Whether Eden or Pandora's Box, we must open it ourselves, though I suspect the latter is more likely."

The three remained speechless as they reached the center of the city and stood in front of the towering stone statues, their conversation coming to an abrupt end.