Chapter 31 The Cold Edge

As Iryoku continued walking toward the shiny object, a grin crept across his face. He crouched down and picked it up. His eyes widened with recognition—it was his old, long-lost dagger, the one he had dropped when he first ended up on this side of the mountain.

“Well, well… looks like we’re on the right track,” he said with a sigh, his voice a mix of relief and concern. But if this is here… he thought, his expression darkening, it means we’re getting closer to that giant lizard.

Shaking off his unease, he turned back to Deborah. She already had the massive wolf’s body hoisted effortlessly over her shoulder.

A mischievous smirk flashed across his face. “Alright, I challenge you to a race back to the lair!” he called out with a laugh.

Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off into the tunnel, his laughter echoing through the cavern.

Deborah furrowed her brows in confusion for a moment, but then sprinted after him—wolf carcass and all.

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After a well-earned, hearty meal and a refreshing bath in the warm lake—

—followed, of course, by a long and much-deserved sexy time.

Both Deborah and Iryoku were more tired than ever. They lay on a makeshift mattress crafted by Iryoku from monster hides. The bed was in their usual spot, near the bonfire and right by the lake.

Iryoku didn’t dare to share any adult naptime in the secret room where the skeleton lay—out of respect for what he presumed was Deborah’s parent.

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The next day, Iryoku once again asked Deborah to help him process the monster wolf’s body. From its claws and fangs, he crafted a new assortment of blades. He also used the remaining hides to replace the damaged parts of his first wolf armor.

“I think this looks good,” he said to Deborah, fashioning a crude skirt from the leftover wolf pelt and hide.

“Here, try this,” he added, slipping the skirt onto her waist. “You can’t keep running around butt-naked anymore. I’m a very jealous man—I don’t want other guys seeing your naked body.”

Deborah glanced down at the skirt, wrinkling her nose in disapproval."no … Iryu.." , she pulled it off and threw it aside.

“Hey! Don’t throw it!” Iryoku scolded. “Go get it back.”

With a reluctant pout, Deborah shuffled over, picked up the skirt, and slipped it back on.

Satisfied, Iryoku stepped closer, placed a soft kiss on her lips, and said, “Good girl. Now, let’s go.”

Since they already knew the way, they ran at a fast, steady pace—far faster than any human from Earth could ever run.

After some time, they arrived at the spot where Iryoku had found his missing dagger. He slowed his steps, calming his breath.

About an hour... he thought. We easily covered the distance that took us two weeks of exploring before.

From that point on, they moved cautiously, on guard for danger. It wasn’t long before they encountered their first monster—an old, towering mantis creature.

“Hey, I know you,” Iryoku said with a smug smile, pointing his dagger at the familiar beast.

The monster screeched and lunged at him with razor-sharp scythes. But Iryoku was faster. With a swift dash, he passed by the creature.

A sickening slice cut through the air—then silence.

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The mantis collapsed, its body in three clean pieces.

Iryoku slid his daggers back into his belt. “Alright. Let’s keep going,” he said, already walking ahead.

Deborah paused, her eyes lingering on the dead mantis. A questioning look crossed her face for a brief moment.

Then, without a word, she followed behind Iryoku once more.

Were they really this weak? Iryoku muttered to himself as he effortlessly dispatched two oversized lizard monsters.

“Ahh, I really wanted to see a big dinosaur,” he sighed aloud, wondering if he would ever get the chance. “A T. rex would’ve been fun... I’d love to ride one someday.”

But as the thought lingered, a shiver ran down his spine, and his playful grin faltered. Then again... that damn dragon is probably the closest thing to a dinosaur around here, he mused, the memory of the monstrous creature sending a chill through him.

Iryoku stroked his chin thoughtfully, lost in contemplation. Come to think of it, I have ridden two giant bulls, a giant worm, a big rhino... and a giant woman.

His lips curled into a mischievous grin as his eyes flicked toward Deborah. “Though, with the last one... she was the one who rode me,” he added cheekily, glancing at her face with a teasing sparkle in his eyes...

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Deborah watched him with what Iryoku thought was a proud expression, admiring his achievements.

After swiftly dispatching another insectoid monster, Iryoku bowed to an imaginary audience and said, “Thank you, thank you for watching the amazing Iryoku!”

Deborah, sitting on the ground, clapped her hands happily, clearly entertained by her mate’s playful antics. She didn’t feel the need to transform; instead, she enjoyed watching Iryoku’s performance.

After some time spent grinding through waves of monsters, they finally reached the expected split in the tunnels.

This time, Iryoku turned to Deborah with his usual grin. “Pick the one you like the least,” he said.

Deborah thought for a moment, then pointed to the middle tunnel. “Grauhh,” she growled softly.

“Good choice,” Iryoku replied, nodding in approval as they proceeded forward, walking side by side.

They continued their journey for a couple of hours until Iryoku’s playful grin faded into a worried expression.

“We’re almost there,” he whispered, eyes narrowing.

In front of them were two massive gaps carved diagonally into the rock, extending from the top and descending downward.

“The dragon’s vaporizing beam...” Iryoku declared, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead as he contemplated their next move.

He examined the steep, smooth incline of the tunnel left behind by the death ray. “If we climb up, we can reach the edge faster,” he concluded.

Turning to Deborah, who was staring at the large holes with curiosity, he gently took her hands in his.

“Listen, Deborah,” he said softly. She looked at him attentively, sensing the seriousness in his tone.

“Please, don’t transform. We need to move quietly. We can’t afford to alert the dragon,” he explained.

Deborah didn’t fully understand, but she knew it was important. She nodded and replied, “Growh... kei...”

With that, both of them began to climb the steep, cylindrical tunnel. As they ascended, they noticed how unnaturally perfect the tunnel’s cylindrical shape was—a chilling reminder of the dragon’s immense power.

After a few minutes of climbing and passing through many floors, they finally reached the edge.

Iryoku took in the familiar sight—the edge that cut the entire mountain in half, an impossible and surreal scene. On the other side stood a mirror image of the mountain, with countless cave openings resembling a giant beehive.

A vast void, filled with frozen, biting air, separated the two halves of what anyone would call the edge of the world.

Deborah stepped to the very edge, peering down into the empty abyss with a curious, wondering expression.

Iryoku, sweat dripping down his forehead, quickly moved beside her and grabbed her hand, afraid she might do something reckless.

A new problem weighed on them now—how would they cross without freezing to death?

Deborah could probably cross by herself with ease, Iryoku mused as he glanced at her. With her strength and power, I doubt the cold would affect her much. As for me... since I’ve already crossed once, I think I should be able to resist... some of it.

He sighed deeply. I’m the one holding her back, he thought bitterly.

His gaze shifted to his harpoon and rope. The materials used in his makeshift weapon were durable and had even withstood fire.

“Maybe it can resist the cold too,” he whispered to himself.

Unwinding a few meters of rope from his arm, he decided to test it. Carefully, he threw the harpoon across the gap and quickly pulled it back, making sure not to let it hit anything that might create noise.

Once retrieved, he inspected the weapon. The rope was barely cold, and though a thin layer of frost had begun forming on the harpoon’s blade, it was nothing compared to the disastrous freezing effect his old harpoon had suffered.

“Well... so far, so good,” he muttered, though his trembling hands betrayed his nerves.

Deborah noticed his anxious body language and moved close to him, wrapping him in a tight, loving embrace.

As always, his face ended up pressed against her bosom. Her comforting scent helped calm his shaky breath, though she still hadn’t mastered controlling her immense strength.

“Thanks, honey... I needed that,” he whispered.

Then, an idea sparked in his mind. Thinking aloud, he said, “Maybe you could hold me, run at full speed, and jump to the other side. Hopefully, we’ll be okay... and then we just run like crazy to freedom before that stupid lizard even notices we’re here.”

He looked at Deborah with a hopeful grin. “What do you say?” he asked optimistically.

“Grawwh... grawh bak...” Deborah responded.

Iryoku chuckled softly and replied, “You’re right. We should head back and rest... maybe ask the bed for advice first.”