We keep following the orange ray. How long did we spend wandering around? This is definitely more efficient.

Even as we walk there is nothing but snow. Somehow this makes me feel tiny. Even if I can resist this weather, this storm is so much bigger than I am. All I can hear is the roaring of the wind.

That's when a shadow appears brusquely in front of my face! A MONSTER! Oh, never mind. It's not moving at all. Seems to be some kind of rock. As I approach it, I can see intricate symbols on it.

[Can you try to send mana in there? Perhaps it's like the other ones.]

I see her raise her head obviously startled by something.

[What is it? Monster?]

That's when I finally hear it. The sound of something extremely heavy being moved. My companion starts flailing around quickly jumping off me. That's when she bolts away before disappearing in the snowstorm!

[Wait up! Come back! This is dangerous!]

Why?! That's when I see two shadows coming closer. They seem human! These are two men wearing long simple white robes. They don't have anything else to protect them from the cold.

"Hello, traveler. What brings you here?"

[I'm lost! But there is no time for that! My companion ran away! We need to find her. Do you guys know how to navigate this place?!]

Part of me just wants to rush out after her, but I know very well I'll probably instantly lose my way.

"Who are you searching for?"

[She looks like *omitted*]

"You should let her go. You were lucky that you weren't attacked. What you are describing is no woman, but a monster, a Yuki-Onna. They roam around this place and are known for devouring the living."

What?! That's impossible! She never tried to do such a thing! Ah, perhaps she was special in some way?! These guys could be lying or misunderstanding too. But her skin sure was blue...

[So, she'll be fine?]

"Very much so. You should worry about yourself instead."

[Ah, why?!]

"This mountain is a disaster zone. We are used to it, but for travelers…For now, we can offer you temporary shelter."

[Alright! I'll gladly take you up on your offer!]

Thus, I follow the guys in what appears to be a wide entrance in the rock. As we enter, the heavy rock door closes behind us and I'm getting chills for some reason. The inside is extremely straight and barren.

There is no light source at all. Yet for some reason I am able to follow my two guides easily. That's when I realize they are glowing slightly! How?!

[You…what's with the light?!]

Are they both ghosts?! The man simply points at his robe. The embroidery in it is giving a faint glow.

"Damned's Hope. A mineral that has the property to glow when plunged into total darkness. They say it contains the hopes and dreams of the victims that died alone in the dark."

Talk about edgy! This place seems to be the dept of a snow mountain. Iron Hammer would have approved it haha.

They bring me all the way to double doors right before a tunnel that branches, gesturing me to head in.

As I enter, I can see a man on a rock throne. His features seem stern. Straight brows, straight mouth, short simple haircut, and very simple but neat clothing.

[Hello?]

He simply looks at me without saying a word, watching me while harboring an extremely overpowered poker face.

"You…shouldn't exist…"

[Pardon?!]

"Your very existence, it doesn't make sense. You shouldn't be alive."

This is the creepiest greeting of all time! Is he about to jump me?

[No need to get worked up! I can leave if needed.]

"No need. It does not matter. For now, you can rest and explore as you wish. We have nothing to hide. However, make sure not to try and open the door leading to the outside world. This concerns our safety after all."

Then he closes his eyes and ignores me...seriously?! I slowly start roaming all over the place. I gotta say, these days getting lost seems to become my talent.

I arrive at a glowing mushroom farm. Green mushrooms that clearly look radioactive are getting cultivated slowly. A girl is busy burying small blue crystals underneath each soil section. When she sees me, she doesn't even bother turning around. She simply keeps working.

[Hey there, what are they things called?]

Even then she simply ignores me. I start gesturing to her, even waving my hand in front of her face.

"Let me work please."

Toneless, no emotion whatsoever. That's when I realize. Ever since coming not a single one of the four I have seen has shown any. Spooky!

Before long I have figured out the whole system of this place. They eat mushrooms. They mine some Damned's Hope for light with iron for tools. They have some kind of big white worms to get silk for their clothes. They barely have any furniture besides what is absolutely necessary.

There are about 40 members living here. All are similarly boring individuals. At some point, it is time to eat. The scene that happens somehow gives me the chill.

All of them come out of nowhere and sit down at a huge stone table. Just the way they walk is so synchronized that is it eerie. Then they start eating in silence. This whole place seems so artificial!

Eventually, it is nighttime and they all head to a room with holes in the walls. It looks like a necropolis. They all take their places neatly with barely enough room to fit. Then, as if propped by some kind of magic spell their breathing all stops. All at once.

At this point, they are either hypnotized, undead or robots! Clearly not human, however!

The scary part is that I know there is something terribly wrong here but I have no clue what exactly causes it! Is it a problem with the mushrooms? Perhaps it's the Damned's Hope, I mean just hearing the name…

That's why I keep exploring. I find a few new rooms.

One is clearly for bathing. The next day I see some of them enter water that is cold enough to give anyone hypothermia. They don't even flinch! I distrust anyone that has his balls in water that cold without jumping!

One is for forging. I'm almost expecting to see one of them handling incandescent metal with his hands but no. He's properly using protective gear and tools.

One for shiting, but I don't really explore that one.

Hell, they even have a room for mating purposes! Not the steamy kind at all! One where the sole goal is reproduction. Apparently, it's been unused for many years because there hasn't been any death. (They keep their numbers constant)

There is one last room I haven't seen. One blocked by a big door at the lowest level. I feel like the secret to this place is contained there.

But I don't feel like solving this mystery. I'll simply confront their leader…right about now!....