“What's with these useless idiots? They're fighting each other for no reason!” grumbled Bonestringer in a dark corner of the Snow owl tavern.

“Three of them were killed, and they still haven't been reborn. Are they really demigods?” asked Tibia.

Both wore dark robes that covered their bodies and hoods that hid their faces in shadows.

“Before coming here to meet you I heard a few of them talking. Something about the three idiots that died are now all the way back on Halrverold!”

“If this keeps up we'll have to either complete our task alone or go back for reinforcements. You need to go and tell them not to get into any more stupid fights.”

“You know they won't listen to anyone. If I say something like that they will just ignore me.”

“*sigh*...we need to finish gathering information today and search for their trail before it is lost in this snow.”

***

Wherever Akira looked there was snow covering everything. Several large icicles had formed on the numerous branches of trees. The snow had started as only a light dusting but the further south they went the more snow there was.

The sunlight was now shining and reflecting off of the icicles and snow, making the surrounding area the werewolves were passing through very bright.

“What's with all the small villages not allowing us to camp outside them? They wouldn't even trade with us,” grumbled Frang.

They had passed several small villages that looked more like small forts. The houses were all built next to each other creating a wall around the village for protection against the monsters and other threats.

“It's winter and we are a large group. What do you expect them to do?” asked Burkin.

“Ah... I'm getting too old for this. I just want to build a house and retire,” said Ardolf as he waded through the nearly knee-deep snow on the side of the small 'Road' where several sleds carried their supplies along with the young and old who could not endure the weather or the laborious walk through the snow.

They were part of the guards protecting the right flank of the long caravan of sleds.

“While I like that it's cooler here... all we really did was go from one extreme weather to another,” said Klyn.

“It's our duty to protect the sleds from any attacks on the sides! With this we will gain recognition by the elders!” said Frang who was still hoping to get a promotion.

Akira looked towards the front of the caravan where Nox was lightly walking on top of the soft snow as if it was solid ground.

Nox was part of the scouting team that was making sure there was nothing blocking the road or waiting to attack the caravan.

At first many of the warriors and civilians were surprised when they had first seen Nox, but after his help in flushing out several monsters that had been hiding as well as helping fight the monsters alongside the warriors, everyone started to warm up to him even more so when they learned he was a special companion of Akira's.

Nox had leveled up like crazy becoming even stronger all thanks to the numerous monsters they encountered.

Stubby was no longer hiding in Akira's armor and cloak since he had slowly taken a liking to the three girls who had continuously bribed him with nuts. Now he was always chattering on either Mileena or Azura's shoulder waiting for them to give him more food.

Ding!

New Dungeon update!

With over 100 demigods appearing every day the dungeons have been upgraded!

There are now multiple new types of dungeons. All new dungeons are permanent and can be cleared an infinite amount of times! Be sure to clear them often!

All monsters inside a dungeon will receive a boost to their health and damage making them harder to fight than those that can be found outside.

Monsters inside dungeons will now drop at least one item either coins, minerals, weapons, or armor as a reward.

Monsters outside now also have a higher chance to drop items or money.

To learn more about this update enter a dungeon!

The system message stopped Akira in his tracks. 'What is this? An update to the dungeons?'

“What is it?” asked Ardolf as he turned to Akira who had come to a complete stop.

Everyone in their small group stopped moving while their hands grasped onto their weapons as they scanned the surroundings for danger.

Before Akira could apologize, movement from his right caught his attention as a pack of blue-white furred [Hungry Snow Wolves] appeared nimbly running on top of the snow right towards them. [Lvl 50 Hungry Snow wolf].

Without needing to issue an order each warrior in their group immediately transformed to receive the attack from the [Hungry Snow Wolves].

“Awooooo!” Akira let out a warning for the rest of the clan letting them know about the monster attack.

Several howls came from all up and down the line of the werewolf caravan sounding the alarm that they were also under attack. This was not an isolated attack, it was a massive ambush by a large pack of [Hungry Snow Wolves].

“Strength buff! Stamina buff!” shouted Klyn hurriedly as he continued to cast several buffs on everyone that was near him.

“[Sword Slash]!” Akira's use of the skill carved through the snow in front of them vaporizing a large portion of it for 30 yards allowing his small group to move easier and fight the approaching [Hungry Snow Wolves] who were nearly upon them.

“Awarara!” hundreds of howls came from the [Hungry Snow Wolves] as they launched themselves at the defending Werewolves.

Akira stormed forward and raised his shield as the [Hungry Snow Wolves] opened their mouths and shot out an ice-cold wind that left a layer of ice wherever it passed.

The ice wind attack slammed into his shield covering it with a layer of ice adding extra weight to his shield.

Akira swung his shield out in front of him using the skill [Shield bash].

Bam!

The shield slammed into the two [Hungry Snow Wolves] that had their mouths wide open wanting to take a large bite out of him.

There was a loud crack as the ice on his shield was broken off as well as several bones of the [Hungry Snow Wolves] braking as they were sent flying backward.

The two [Hungry Snow Wolves] whimpered in pain as they tried to stand back up but could not move.

Akira ignored them and turned his gaze to the several dozen other [Hungry Snow Wolves] that were attacking everyone else.

Activating the skill [Shield Slam] he charged forward into the sides of three [Hungry Snow Wolves] that were attacking Klyn and sent them flying. Two out of the three hit one of the numerous pine trees and were instantly killed by the impact when their bodies were snapped in half.

Klyn's arm was covered in a light layer of frost from one of the ice wind attacks that he was unable to dodge. Akira gave it a light tap to help break the ice off of his arm.

“Thanks!” said Klyn before returning to his chants.

Akira continued leaping around helping block the skill attacks from the [Hungry Snow Wolves] allowing for the others to keep fighting unhindered. Anything that got near them was mercilessly killed.

“Awarara!” a howl from one of the [Hungry Snow Wolf] leaders signaled the command for the remaining [Hungry Snow Wolves] to retreat.

The werewolf warriors were unable to catch all of the nimble [Hungry Snow Wolves] as they scampered away with their tails between their legs.

Akira walked over to the several wounded and whimpering [Hungry Snow Wolves] and put them out of their misery.

Ding!

You have leveled up! You are now Level 70!

Foradverold was not called the land of monsters for anything. Along their journey, they had been attacked so many times that Akira had lost track. With so much fighting his level which had been stagnant for several months continued to skyrocket.

He quickly added his bonus points into his main stats.

“Damn those mutts! When will they stop attacking us!” grumbled Ardolf.

“They aren't that hard to fight. That is if you forget about their ice wind attacks,” said Akira.

“For you maybe, but for the majority of the warriors they are a hard challenge.”

“The main problem is that it is so hard to smell them since they smell almost just like the surrounding snow,” said Dolph.

“I wonder how so many monsters have learned to use such skills. Not only those wolves but the other monsters that have attacked us as well!” said Klyn who was very interested in learning all the secrets of the new land.

“Stop chatting and help me out here,” grumbled Burkin.

Akira looked over to see Burkin was having a hard time moving as he had received several hits from the ice wind attacks. His beard also had several icicles hanging from it.

Akira walked over and helped Burkin remove the ice from his body.

“You werewolves know how to fight... but you lot are like a huge magnet attracting any and all monsters. I have never seen or had to fight so many skirmishes with monsters in all my travels,” grumbled Burkin.

“Wait, I thought this was normal. Are you saying that you can normally go from one place to another without getting attacked?” asked Ardolf.

“You will always get a few random hungry monsters but nothing like this,” said Burkin.

“How much longer until we get to the trading outpost?” asked Frang.

“Shouldn't be too long maybe a few days or more depending on how many stops we have to make.”

“Are there more villages to the south of here?” Asked Akira.

“Some, there are dozens of villages scattered all over the place with their own leaders laying claim to the surrounding land.

Although their number is far less than the ones we have already passed, many of them rely on the passing adventurers and the rare merchant so that they can trade for supplies they need. They are far more hospitable to travelers.”

“Why is it different from the northern villages?” asked Akira.

“The northern villages can easily farm in the warm months and hunt in the winter as well as go to either the human city or the trading post for whatever they need as well as trade with passing merchants.

When you go beyond the trading post the farther south you go the towns will become hard to find. The winter and land is harsh and very cold down there. Only the most rugged of demon races and monsters can live there.”

***

It took another three days until they arrived at the outskirts of the snow-covered trading post that had large and thick stone walls covering the entire small city inside.

There were already several different varieties of small tent cities set up all around the trading post outer walls.

Akira and Burkin were now at the front of the long caravan along with the four grand elders who were resting in the sleds right behind them.

Several soldiers from the trading post exited the city gates on what looked like deer mounts that easily leaped through the deep snow.

The guards stopped several yards in front of Akira, Burkin, and the other werewolf warriors protecting the caravan.

“Who are you? What is your business here?” asked one of the guards.

“Lark it's me! I am just leading these fine people south where they can find some land to settle down and call their own,” said Burkin as he waddled a few feet forward in the deep snow.

“Oh, it's you Burkin. Kurzlin is looking for you. She said she wanted to have a chat with you when you return,” said one of the guards with a large smile on his face.

“Ah...yeah... well...” stuttered Burkin his face turning as white as the snow at the thought of having to talk to Kurzlin.

“Settlers you say?” asked another guard, “Who is the representative of this caravan?”

Akira turned and pointed to where Wulfric was. Wulfric was already getting out from underneath the blankets that were piled on top of the sled and standing up.

“That would be me. I am Grand Elder Wulfric of the Earth tribe,” said Wulfric.

“Ehhh? A werewolf? What are you guys doing all the way out here? Don't you have your own cities on the east and west coasts?”

“We are not from one of their clans, we have come from a long ways away due to certain unavoidable circumstances.”

“Still having wars over there?” asked a guard curious about the rest of the world.

“We could handle it if it was just something like that. The demigods have returned and will cause nothing but ruin.”

“Oh! I've heard of those guys before the stories say that they are immortal. Is it true?”

“Why don't you ask them yourselves. A few of them already arrived on this continent a short time after us. They were even killing each other outside of the city walls of Froit when we escaped,” said Wulfric.

“This is indeed some troubling news! I am sure the Governor will want to talk to you while you are here. We have all the items you need for exploring the south. If you are interested I am sure the governor would be happy to start a trade relationship with your new settlement if it ever gets big enough,” said the guard.

“Your people can set up your tents over there,” said one of the guards pointing to a wide-open patch of land to the right of the trading post covered in snow.

“Grand elder Wulfric if you would like, I will bring you to the governor so you both can talk and do business,” said the captain of the guards.

“Is it alright if I bring along a few other people?”

“No more than 5 people at a time are allowed to see the governor. I'm sorry but that is the law,” said the captain.

“Akira, come with us,” said Wulfric as he and the three other Grand elders followed the guards back to the city.