V2 Chapter 138
There was an important question about this mountain, which Cian wants to know.
Are there really only four regions just like what they thought?
Nobody has ever fully explored the mountain after all. It is something no human being has ever achieved in the world. It might not just be just a simple, outer, inner, core, and peak layers. Probably this huge mountain itself is a boundless space itself, like another world, enclosed.
Perhaps this is the reason why, despite this Mountain were inhabited by Monsters so terrible they can destroy a kingdom or two if let loose, cannot leave this Mountain. Something is restricting them from going outside—probably, this Mountain is in another space, or dimension than the outside world.
Cian felt terrified just thinking about it.
At the same time…excited.
What is the secret buried in this Winter Mountain?
Not many things in the world could excite Cian. This was his second life after all. However, this mountain actually making his blood boils in utter excitement!
That was some positive emotion he hadn't felt for a long time!
When the group entered this region, the region suddenly burst into chaos as all kinds of beasts ran and flew away in a panic.
Countless animals were running among the colorful plants…
There were actually many D and C rank magical beasts among them.
"This mountain is full of treasures. That is not a lie. However, one could only risk his life to prove it. It is mostly just an attempt, not an exchange, because even if you give up your life in there, you may still not be able to get the materials back."
As they walk, Levelia explained to Cian what she knows about this place.
Cian pretended to be interested in the topic. He didn't go search for medical materials like the others so that as time passed, the two of them were left behind the group.
Levelia was stuck with him and explaining things in this region to Cian. However, it was not always so peaceful. They encountered some dangers. For example, they encountered a bunch of huge bees that suddenly rushed over like blowing wind. Apart from that, they met some poisonous snakes that suddenly appeared in the bushes and rushed over so fast. They also got attacked by some beasts that none of them recognized.
Luckily, the members of the group were all elites of the clan. The beasts that attacked them eventually became beast materials. Those were something good to acquire.
... ...
The characteristics of a Horned Tulips—a carnivorous plant-type monster were slow movement, and its attack power was no greater than that of a C rank Beast. On the other hand, its physical defense was high and it’s extremely good at camouflaging to ambush its prey. If you passed through its territory with a careless caution, you will surely end up as a fertilizer.
And this kind of plant monster was quite large in number in the Inner Area.
The members of the group were extremely vigilant as they passed the area with thick vegetation—fighting and battling monsters that appeared all of a sudden. Though, most were plant-type monsters, like Treants and Carnivorous Plants.
As for Cian, and what was he doing in meanwhile? Of course, he was running around. The monsters are not something that could baffle the Flame Tyrant Clan. Hence, Cian didn’t really care about them.
Instead, the forest was full of interesting items; there were lots of ore, herbs, rough gemstones and etc. Not so precious but not entirely useless either. And then they moved further through the woods, and reach an open bald area which looked like a quarry.
There was some kind of stones which looked like they would be perfect to sit on.
Those were also monsters. They were called Stone Shelled Shrews and Rock Crab. Their defense was high and their movement slow. Cian’s group didn't seem to like them too much since their defenses are hard to penetrate through. If not for his [Imagis Realis], it would surely be hard and arduous for him.
All the while, Cian kept taking detours to collection points within that range; it was a really sweetly spent time. Thanks to {Night’s Eye} he found hidden collection zones and picked up useful items. Although Cian tried to avoid monster zones, they still encountered many monsters and magical beasts. It was very hard to find a safe road, as every monster were scattered, almost everywhere.
Very quickly, they once again came across magical beasts, and it was also a pack of magical beasts.
At Levelia’s painstakingly lowered voice, everyone halted. This group of magical beasts was first discovered by Cian, a group of Shrieking Rats. This kind of magical beast wasn’t large, and its attack power also wasn’t considered very powerful, but their teeth and claws were extremely difficult to deal with, capable of piercing gold and iron. Their speed as well was as fast as lightning, though their defenses are like thin paper.
Cian’s one hand grabbed Aerean's shoulder, who was currently hacking through the thorns in front, while his other hand waved behind him at everyone, indicating no danger. Relying on his instincts, he saw with one glance that this group of twenty or thirty Shrieking Rats was only C rank magical beasts at most, nothing more.
Shrieking Rats had a very sharp sense of smell, and at this kind of distance clearly had already discovered them, but did not show any reaction at all. Clearly, they had no interest in them.
Cian pointed to the side, and Aerean understood tacitly, continuing cutting brambles and thorns towards the side, helping everyone move ahead.
While walking forward, Aerean said in a low voice to Cian, “Why must we make a detour, just now those little rats weren’t powerful, we could just kill them.”
But Cian shook his head and with a slight smile said: “Indeed they are weak. Even if they are more than twenty of them, we can easily kill them. Their speed, fangs, and claws are difficult opponents but without them, they are nothing. With our strength, we can easily defeat them… but that is not the problem. Shrieking Rats has an annoying skill, called {Shrieking Bell}. It not only makes us dizzy and confused but also, calls for help. Before you know it, you will be stranded fighting against countless raging little beasts… they are considered dangerous because of this…!”
“…?!!”
“… And besides, within this kind of place, even if meeting inferior magical beasts one still can’t lower one’s guard, because if a battle occurs with them the scent of blood and noise very possibly will attract powerful monsters. It’s good if we still are a bit careful. They are not our target, don’t forget that…!” Cian grinned at her while walking.
“What Cian said is right. We cannot fight every monster that appeared in front of us. If we can avoid them, we will do it. Our target in this mission is the Basilisk!” Levelia said.
The others immediately nodded their heads in understanding. “…wasting our strength until meeting the Basilisk is wasted effort!”
“You sure know many things… these little beasts, they are always within the Second Region and barely be found within the continent so there is little information about them, especially their skills. They are just known to be, very dangerous monsters due to their numbers. But you are able to know their specific skills…that’s amazing,” Aerean said as she stared at Cian.
“Information is strength, knowledge is power, my dear,” Cian chuckled with a smug look. Though truthfully, he was able to know some things about the beasts because of his right eye, it’s not about reading any books. Not like there is much information regarding Shrieking Rats, anyway~
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Once again, the lead was taken over by Cian. But this time, no one said anything. They only followed silently, while being vigilant. Several monsters appeared, so they have no choice but to fight. However, Cian and the others made sure that they would immediately defeat it and leave the area as soon as possible.
Staying in one place is tantamount to suicide.
Every direction of the Inner Area of the Winter Mountain seemed forever covered by dense vegetation. There were even some precious herbs and plants that were found by the members of the group, causing them to get ecstatic. Even if they failed to hunt the Basilisk, just these precious herbs and fruits were already enough for them to return with a large haul.
If not for the fact that Levelia and the Priest Dave both possess {Storage Pouches} even though they are inferior products to Cian’s {Storage Ring}, they could only throw several precious things aside with bleeding hearts. But because of their existence, they were beyond excited.
As for Cian, he didn’t say anything about the Storage Ring. Levelia seemed to know its existence due to the small interlude in the Adventurer Guild, but she also didn’t say anything about it.
{Storage Ring} is an item far more precious than mere {Storage Pouches} and it can attract unwanted attention—Levelia knows it and didn’t say anything, instead, she offered to store Cian’s findings inside her personal pouch for him to hide the ring’s existence, which Cian happily accepted. He should have bought several Storage Pouches. Cian mused. He was used to having Storage Ring so he didn't really bother, but now...
Cian vowed to buy several of these items next time.
Here, ancient dark and old gem-like rocks littered the land. These stones had experienced the river of endless years as if the landscape of Winter Mountain had never changed for the last several billions of years.
The party had already penetrated over five miles deep into the inner area of the Winter Mountain. Then, something finally occurred!
The slow and steady Cian suddenly jumped up like a dog chasing a rabbit. His speed increased to incredible velocities and even the ground shook beneath him, causing everyone to be startled.
Levelia and Parvyel both reflexively jumped backward. Their right hand grasped their respective weapons tightly and their expressions turned taut and nervous. All this occurred in the blink of an eye. Besides Levelia, the Priest and Mage weren’t any slower.
Their magical energy began to roil within them as they grasped their staffs and weapons, ready to cast their magic spells at any time.
Levelia’s first reaction was that Cian had encountered some sudden danger, hence his quite a violent reaction. However, what surprised Levelia was that even though all of this had occurred, the surroundings were still quiet.
The wind blew at a low speed and the mountain stones remained as bleak and barren as before as if nothing had occurred. As for that particularly strange youth; Levelia’s new lover; Cian, after jumping out several hundred feet he suddenly stopped. His right hand thrust out like an arrow and there was a light slapping sound as if he had struck something.
Then, Cian bent over and picked something up. After that, he walked back, his face flushed red with health and carefree expression. He held a blue-colored grass in his hands. As he turned his palm, this bluegrass was given to Levelia who had weird expression staring at him.
“Haha, lucky, lucky! I’ve actually managed to pick up a Moon Frost Orchid; I can trade it for quite a bit of money or I can even refine it into an elixir. It’s not bad either way. This Moon Frost Orchid, if it sensed danger, it would suddenly turn into ice and crumble. So if you’re not fast enough it will become a waste. Here, Leve store it for me,” Cian casually said. Though his main reason was that, Sibylla like flowers and plants, and that he was planning to give it to her as a present.
But as he spoke, let alone Laran that had been complaining all this time, even Levelia wasn’t feeling all too well.
This fellow, could he really be relied upon!?
It wasn’t a problem for him to pick a medicinal herb. After all, in these sorts of mystic place, whoever discovered the treasure was the one who owned it. But, can he not suddenly act like something dangerous happened?
Their hearts might jump out from their chest, you know!
Did he even realize where they are?!
This is already the Inner Area, where death calls upon you at any given moment!!
But before this, every step Cian took was careful and as slow as a snail. He had even said it was better to be safe than sorry, and going too fast could easily lead to death. But, when he discovered that medicinal herb just now he happily leaped forwards even faster than a rabbit, crossing hundreds of feet in an instant with no problem at all.
What this person is saying is not consistent at all…!
Just for a mere medicinal herb, he took such a drastic move?!
“What are you looking at me like that?! I’ll tell you this, Moon Frost Orchid is really a precious Medicinal Plant that can be found but not sought. Only fortunate people can find something this precious…and most of all is one of the valuable materials to refine High-Grade Might Spellstrike Potion and with added Frost effect.”
High-Grade Might Spellstrike Potion, recovers 40% Magic Power in an instant and increases Magical critical hit chance by double for 30 seconds. And with the added innate effect of the Moon Frost Orchid; it also adds a Freezing effect to all spells aside from Fire Spells.
It was one of the High Ranking Magic Potions that only a 5th rank Alchemist could refine, and was extremely precious it can be sold for an amount enough to buy a City.
Levelia rolled her eyes, but she still felt it was amusing. She took the Moon Frost Orchid from Cian and deposited it into her Storage Pouch. After the small interlude, the group continued to advance forward. Cian was still walking around, seemingly wandering in arcs. However this time, there were far fewer people complaining.
Currently, most of the members were spreading out their sense, thinking to find some of the precious medicinal herbs in the Inner Area. The Moon Frost Orchid that Cian picked up just now was indeed quite valuable. If sold, it would earn some stupendous amount, especially taken out into the auction.
If they managed to pick up some precious materials, then that would still be a good lucky chance even if they didn’t find and successfully hunt the B-rank Basilisk.
Steel boots stepped across the grass as they walk through the thick bushes and vegetation. As expected of the inner area of the Winter Mountain though, the forest produced large amounts of precious medicinal herbs, mines, food, and monsters.
The monsters themselves were between the D to C rank. And due to the fact that the Basilisk was a hot topic at this moment, and so there were quite a few people that were there. Most of them from the other Great Guilds.
As they walk deeper, the number of people that they found also rises up. It seems like they are indeed walking in the right place… now, the only problem is, who will be able to find the Basilisk first and hunt it.
As they walk deeper, there were several wild monsters roaming the thorny forests. Cian stayed in the rear, while Levelia, Paryel, and Bramble went ahead of them and attacked the monsters, and protected their advance.
After a few minutes of walking though, they heard the sounds of battle. And judging from the sound, it was not coming from battles between people against monsters—more like humans killing each other.
Paryel squinted, “Someone’s fighting in the wild?”
Cian frown, but the others remained indifferent. It seems like there was normal for them. Indeed, in this lawless region, it was not uncommon for greedy people to target other people. Just like what people’s says, it’s better to hunt ignorant humans than fight against powerful beasts.
The group stops and immediately concealed their presence. Though, not as good as any other people but each member of the group are considered elites of the elites in the Icegrass City, so obviously they still able to conceal their presence above-average warriors. As for Cian, well, concealing his presence and aura is a walk in the park.
"Humans, for the sake of benefits, will always take a risk. No matter what sort of identity you have, this will always be the case." Levelia smiled bitterly as she senses the violent aura that was disturbing the tranquility of the forest.
As they walk deeper, they saw a group of people that were fighting each other. Levelia and the others immediately recognized the group in one look. One group was from the [Thunderhawk Clan], while the other was from Icegrass City’s [Moonslayer Clan].
The two guilds didn’t have a very good relationship with Levelia’ s [Flame Tyrant Clan], and it was just a conflict between two ten-man teams. Levelia didn’t think much of it and smiled back to Cian, “It’s nothing. Just a small thing. Let’s continue forward.”
Cian could care less about them. However, when they were about to walk out of the area and leave, suddenly Cian stopped Levelia and the others.
“Is something wrong?” Levelia asked worriedly.
“Let’s change course…” Cian muttered and turned around. Grabbing Levelia’s hand, Cian stomped the ground, causing it to hollowed and shot towards the opposite direction in a rush. His expression was dark and solemn; “… due to the idiots, the smell of blood and the noise attracted dozens of monsters towards this place. The strongest, if I’m not mistaken should be at least C-rank and the strongest should be B rank…!”
“What?!”
Hearing Cian’s words, not only Levelia but even the others widened their eyes in shock and disbelief. Although Cian’s words are hard to believe since the area seemed to be as quiet as a church mouse, aside from the noises of battle only the sound of swaying wind could be heard, but they had already learned about Cian’s amazing sense of perception that let them avoid dangerous zones, they immediately followed Cian and Levelia without any hesitation.
Still… is what he said true…?
They can’t help but wonder.
Dozens of monsters with at least C rank power level… what kind of calamity is that?!
One or two C rank could give them difficultly, but they would still survive. But what about more than a dozen?
And besides, even in the Inner Region, there’s barely any B rank Monsters in the outer part of the Inner Region. Most of them should be in the deepest part of the Inner Area of the Winter Mountain.
They look back, and still couldn’t find any trace of the danger that Cian was talking about. However, they didn’t dare to stop as they saw Cian’s grave expression. Even Levelia who was feeling extremely embarrassed by Cian’s sudden intimacy couldn’t burst out and act coy after seeing Cian’s dark and heavy expression.
She even forgot to pull out her hand from Cian’s grasp and look back at the location where the fighting was still unfolding. Aside from the noises caused by that battle, there’s no other thing that could—
But before Levelia could continue her words inside her mind, suddenly her eyes widened in shock.
ROOOOOOOAAAAARRR—!!!