V2 Chapter 137

“The mystery of the Winter Mountain has always been a piece of pie for many people, but no one had ever unfolded it yet.” Laran chipped in.

“Well, the mystery would probably hide within the core of the Mountain. But no one had ever ventured there, at least not a single person had passed through the inner area to reach that mystical place…not since a thousand years, I presume,”

As they talk and walked through the woods, they looked up at the same time, observing the ravine closely. They looked at the rocks pushing each other. They wanted to find traces that proved the mysteries hidden within, and perhaps able to catch up with some interesting things as well. As they spent more time looking at it, they realized what Cian said was exactly what had happened in the old time. They felt somewhat terrified.

If one looks closely, scrutinize things, there were several traces that can be found—traces of battles and horrifying marks. The others were astonished. Levelia was surprised. This mountain perhaps may be an ancient battlefield, or there was something within that made this mountain a battlefield long ago. Such as treasures… which, everyone was desperately fighting for.

Cian was actually the only one who was calm. Not that he thought he was able to do such a great thing. However, Cian was certain that this related to the secrets of the Gods, which a mere mortal like him is not yet worthy to know. At least not for the time being. Trying to know things far beyond his reach will only make things even more difficult for him. He was not that ambitious, trying to eat more than he can chew. Everything will unravel themselves as he walks further in the path laid out in front of him, perhaps one day in the future.

The Gods…

The Winter Mountain…

The Forbidden Areas…

Pandora’s Box…

…and Cian’s Mother’s; the Demon Empress Sitana’s very own secret…

Slowly and surely, Cian would find what he was looking for as long as his power becomes even stronger.

He would break the veil of mystery that blurred his sight…one day…!

For sure…!

… …

Monsters, terrible monsters appeared one after another, as they walked further in the strange forest.

C-rank and even occasional B rank monster started appearing. The group even started to have some difficulties, and injuries started to appear. However, what makes others felt strange is that the lead was actually stolen by Cian before everyone noticed it.

Even Aerean started to depend on Cian with a strange look. Does he know this place? She wondered. Even Levelia frowned but she didn’t say anything. She loves Cian, so of course, she wanted to rely on him and didn’t like doubting him. At least, there is a desire within her that wanted to believe in him.

As the group continued forwards, Cian seemed to intentionally go against the Dark Elf’s direction. Not only did he not increase his pace but he even slowed down.

In the previous five hours they had nearly crossed dozens miles. But in the following six to ten hours, even though Cian led them all the way through dawn, they only managed to cross twenty to thirty miles. This was a pace even slower than other adventurer parties that had ventured through the woods to enter the inner area of the Winter Mountain!

Moreover, he would often lead the group around in large curving arcs. These arcs would often take over double the time of walking in a straight line.

To an adventurer, this distance would only take the blink of an eye, but underneath the leadership of Cian, everyone sluggishly moved over the path like snails. This caused many members to feel morose.

“Cian, why do you lead us in so many circles? If we continue like this we won’t be able to reach the boundary of the inner area even in the next year!”

Laran who complained before became increasingly impatient. This slow speed was simply far too outrageous, and he always felt that this strange youth was messing around with them. Although there clearly weren’t any dangers, he would still walk in a circle around random areas.

Who knew whether or not these circular paths were necessary?

It was as if Cian wanted to demonstrate his own special sense of the existing area and deliberately led them through long circling detours.

Not only Laran, even Paryel and Dave began to suspect that Cian that he was lost in the woods—well, it was not uncommon occurrence. As for the Bear Beastman Bramble, he could careless whichever way it is. He just wants to fight that’s all and go in an adventure. His intelligence is full of muscles and all the members know it, hence, they just treated him as air in times like this.

“I lead you in circles to avoid some possible danger zones. Although it can’t be said that there are definitely dangers, the chances of dangers in those places are far higher than normal. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Going a bit slower is far superior to losing your life.” Cian patiently explained. He didn’t say anything about his {Night’s Eye} not like they would believe him anyway, or that he finds it unnecessary to talk about his abilities.

However, Laran didn’t believe this at all. “You’re the only one saying there are dangers. How do we know whether these danger zones are really danger zones? And how do you even know that this danger zones existed in the Winter Mountain? Dangers are everywhere here. It’s normal. Have you even entered this deep before?!”

As Laran spoke, Cian’s complexion darkened. His voice was icy cold as he responded, “You know how dangerous this Mountain is. And how you cannot be careless in here. Death comes in every direction. And once the dangers of Winter Mountain appear, they will often take your life. If you want to curse yourself to death then that is fine, but don’t bring your bad luck to my door. I still have yet enough with my life.”

Cian’s words contained faint killing intent. Clearly, he was extremely annoyed. This prince has already been helping you, big time, and you are still doubting me like this?! I'm already treating you better than normal, and yet you act like this... you think I can't kill you?

Laran frowned but didn’t speak further. The others also felt somewhat disgruntled over this newly recruited member, however, they also felt that Cian might probably on to something. After all, since Cian took the lead, they were able to encounter monsters that are still within their abilities, unlike before.

From what they know, Monsters of C rank and above are littered everywhere that even the most veteran parties are annihilated when they walk this part. They had already prepared themselves for some death or fatal injuries, but up until now, they are barely able to bear anything…without fatal casualties.

Was it just pure luck…?

Or it was truly Cian’s own contribution…?

“…If you don’t believe me then you don’t need to follow me at all. You can walk your own path.” Cian coldly tossed out these words before grabbing Levelia’s hand and continuing forwards. His pace remained as slow as before and he would continue walking in circles occasionally.

Levelia too has the same doubt as the others. However, unlike them, she was not really worrying about them that deeply. She trusted and believed in Cian…although she has some suspicions, she suppressed them all and choose to believe in him. I guess this is why they say, that women in love turned fools and idiots, and it was true.

Why does the IQ of women in love always become zero? That is because they become dependent and habitually put all the matters aside to men, as well as they habitually visualized that everything was fine. Thus sometimes, they lose the ability to judge regarding some matters.

For example, in her case, she was the leader of the party and of the clan, but at this moment, even without her noticing, she had begun depending on Cian. She thought that everything would be fine if Cian was the one who led them. Truly strange and somewhat unreasonable, but Levelia didn’t doubt it.

When Cian grabbed her hand, her face flushed and she turned towards the others, feeling bashful but she didn’t say anything. Sooner or later, they would know, and she has no particular reason or thoughts about hiding her relationship with Cian. She was a decisive person, and she didn’t like hiding anything. Why? Why would she hide it? It’s not like it’s embarrassing or shameful.

The others saw Levelia’s expression and Cian’s hand grasping hers, and all of them let out strange expressions.

Really…?

However, this is not the time to care about such matters. With complicated thoughts, they followed Cian. Dave, the Advanced Class Priest, who was more intelligent and wise than most people in the group followed behind, rubbing his chin. He also had the thought that Cian might have been working together with the other Clans, trying to stall them down, but just from sensing the aura from Cian, he could feel this person wasn’t simple at all.

And now, there seems to be some ambiguous relationship between him and the Clan Master…

So, regarding that relationship, trying to hurt the Clan Master…would be somewhat…unlikely, isn’t it?

In short, Dave preferred to believe in Cian’s credibility. Even if Cian was swindling them, he should still have a certain understanding of the Winter Mountain; otherwise, he would have died in this godforsaken place long before he could trick people several times.

Stalling them aside, if Cian indeed was randomly walking around the forest, if they truly meet a monster they couldn’t defeat, would he also be implicated…and perhaps, worst die with them?

That is something a person would never dare to do…

Cian’s life is also depending on them…

As for Laran, he couldn’t help but grimaced, his expression changing several times. In the end, he didn’t go off on his own and continued following Cian in his slow pace.

The Winter Mountain was far too fierce and far too dangerous. Even if this strange guy was a mysterious con artist treating them all as fools, at least they had all still been safe until now.

… …

Arriving before the inner boundary of the forest, the air became even more relaxing, seemingly like the temperature rose up a bit.

The fresh and cool feeling continuously bringing a moist earth fragrance to stimulate everyone’s sense of smell. The snow as well had become thinner the more they went further deep into the woods.

Using {Night’s Eye} to focus in the far distance, what Cian saw, was a green and white ocean, vibrant green dyed with beautiful white snow, as far as the eye could see ahead, that kind of comforting clear but chilling air came from there.

Eventually, they came before the edge of the inner area of the Winter Mountain.

Tall trees exceeding at least twenty meters, and this was still only the outermost parts of the Inner Area. The dense forest was basically without paths, shadowed heavily by trees, unable to see the true scene within.

Even though the forest dyed by green and white, giving off beautiful scenery of a forest dyed by snow, Cian could still feel the deathly aura and the stench of blood that emanated from everywhere. The surrounding of the entrance of the boundary separating the inner and outer area was actually filled with ferocious and malevolent plants.

This place was many times more dangerous than the forest Cian and Sibylla had passed through until here. And this is just the outer boundary of the Inner Area of the Winter Mountain. No wonder the people within the Green Star Continent would say that it was a forbidden land.

“We’re finally here…!” Bramble laughed cheerfully.

With all those twist and turns, they finally able to reach their destination!

Laran and the others who arrived in the entranced of the inner area of the Winter Mountain couldn’t help but stare at Cian in awe, confusion, surprise, and many indescribable emotions. Although they didn’t know what’s right or real, although they took a very long time to reach this place, there was no indeed danger at all, like they had expected they would encounter in this expedition. Although there were monsters, around D to C rank, there was no life-threatening danger at all. Just depending on this fact, they can only place this fortune on Cian’s shoulders.

But how did he do it?

Did he come here before?

However, even if he did, just like them, no one should be able to accurately pinpoint danger zones and monster lairs in this Mountain. And yet he could… how?

They really wanted to ask this question. However, they are certain that Cian wouldn’t answer. Everyone has a secret, and most of all, no one would reveal their skills to any strangers at all. Skills are like trump cards, they are most valuable and most precious life-saving means that cannot easily be revealed to others, even the closest kins.

… …

The inner region of this Mountain is ahead.

This was Cian’s first time to come to this part of this mountain. He felt something lighting up in his sight. The snow was disappearing.

It was still foggy, but a huge garden seemed to show up in his sight. Every piece of the boundless green and white and all the splendid colors filled his sight. The inner region of the mountain was actually just like a huge valley. Standing in this place, he felt like he was no longer standing on a mountain.

How is this possible…?!

His face looked calm, but he was stunned inside his heart.

This is definitely not just a mountain… There must be something behind the scenes.

“Surprise right?” Levelia’s voice rang out as she appeared beside him.

Looking around, Levelia’s sparkled in marvel. “This is one of the unexplored mysteries of the Winter Mountain. There was a person who says that, the deeper you go into the Mountain, the mysterious it becomes. It’s as if the entire mountain was not a mountain at all—but an entire another world.”

“…another world, huh…”

“Do you know why people divided the Winter Mountain into several regions? Outer Region, Inner Region, Core region…and lastly, the Peak…even though no one had reached the Core Region of this Mountain, why does someone know that there are such regions? It’s because of this particular mystery. Every region seemed to have its own boundaries that signify the end and beginning of every region. And each region is different from the others. And this is the starting point of the Inner Region; we call it; The Beast Valley… many strong monsters resided in this mountain range.”

Cian listened to Levelia’s words and felt it absurd as well as his curiosity risen.

Another world… it’s not far-fetched.

Does this mountain create its own world inside as the myth says?

If this is true, the relic left behind by the Gods, then, this might not be a self-created world, it must at least be a self-created space!

But for what purpose was it created…?

The outer region had a mountainous area—seemingly an ordinary mountain, however, judging from Cian’s visual analysis, it was much smaller than the inner region.

The Inner Region was at least twice bigger than the Outer Area!

That was against nature's rule…

Everyone knows that a mountain is shaped like a pyramid. Normally, the lower layer should be broader than the upper ones. However, from what Cian could see, this mountain was in the opposite situation. It couldn’t be seen outside of the Mountain, but once inside, you will be shocked by the truth that against all logic.

What he saw were all true. No matter how experienced Cian was, this place was too strange for him. This cannot be another world since there is particularly no clear separation of both areas. Like two worlds connecting to one—it’s just one huge Mountain, in the end, there’s no detached feeling. However, this is indeed illogical.

So the only explanation he could think of was a self-created space!

However… If this was true…

How broad should the Core Regions be?

Twice bigger than the Inner Region?

What about the Peak?

Even bigger?

That was unbelievably huge!