Hours went by, however the blizzard outside only got worse. I couldn't even tell what time of day it was anymore, due to the thick snow ravaging on the mountains path.
It had gotten bad enough, to the point where I was forced to use 'Shadow Manipulation' to seal off my small cracks entrance, just to not let myself get buried under the snow.
It was honestly starting to get irritating - I was supposed to get to the village as fast as possible, but here I am, stuck in a crack on the side of the mountain path, because mother nature decided to be a fucking dick.
I sighed heavily, staring into the campfire I had made and kept alive by gathering every little piece of stick or anything else flammable in the crack.
Bored are you Master?
'What do you think? I've been stuck here for hours now..'
I replied in my thoughts, sinking into my body a bit.
Hmm.... I suppose that would make it boring as all hell.
Well no shit sherlock.
Unless you have anything useful to say, example, how to get through the blizzard, please shut up.
....
I thought as much.
I sighed heavily again.
I genuinely felt like I loved and hated the Ancient One. Ever since my 'Sages' Wisdom' evolved into this Arc Skill, I felt like everyday of my life has turned a bit more annoying.
I mean, I appreciate some company, don't get me wrong, but Jesus Christ— Does this guy love to talk.
As I laid next to fire, coiled up in my own body, a sudden commotion outside began to break through the blizzards loud wind screeches.
I turned my head towards the cracks entrance, making the shadow wall I had set up to block the blizzard a bit thinner, thus more see through to try and see if I could see what was causing the commotion outside.
At first, I didn't see shit. Only the same, raging snow and winds that were there before.
However, then a moment later, I did notice a slight black blur moving rapidly in the blizzard.
'Is there a fight outside..?'
Overworld Detection suggests that there very well may be a fight.
I can detect 3 humanoids and 1 unidentifiable creature all brawling.
Unidentifiable creature? Must be something really exclusive to these parts...
Do I bother to intervene? I genuinely did not want to go out there into the blizzard any more.
May I suggest using the Fire Abilities of Odale to create a thin barrier of fire around you, to completely block the blizzard from touching you?
I can do that?
Huh..... Wait a god damn minute— If I could do that the whole time, why the fuck did you not tell me?!
Do you want me to activate the Thin Fire Barrier?
DON'T DODGE MY QUESTION—
Meanwhile Outside...
Three seemingly adventurers were struggling to hold their ground against what looked a hell of a lot like the Incomplete-Wendigo that Faofa had faced before — Only a lot larger and way more skeletal and shinny.
The Swordsman of the trio charged at the creature, causing his sword to get engulfed by a ring of flames before striking the creature, who blocked the incoming attack with ease.
[Demonoid Swordsman] "Now!"
He announced, before grabbing the monsters arms and locking them down.
The sorcerer of the trio immediately aimed her staff at the creature, before casting a fire spell.
[Human Sorcerer] "Fire Lance Shower!"
She shouted, creating multiple 'lances' of flames before sending them all crashing down onto the monster. The creature shrieked loudly, knocking the Swordsman back while creating three giant Ice Spikes to completely block all the fire lances.
It then gazed down at the beaten Swordsman and the rather exhausted Sorcerer, before beginning to approach slowly, only to be cut off by a small potion vile being thrown and smashed infront of it.
[Goblin Alchemist] "Hey Ugly! Over here!"
The goblin shouted, teasing the monster before grabbing another potion vile and throwing it at the monster, this time hitting its head, causing its body to slightly melt, as that vile had contained powerful acid.
The Goblin then rushed to his comrades, taking out recovery potions before handing them to the Demonoid and Human in a hurry.
[Demonoid Swordsman] "Just barely in time Jev!"
[Jev] "Yeah, yeah - Take this and drink it Fil."
The goblin shed a sweat, as the monster shrieked even louder, growing a bit in size as well as beginning to bend the blizzard to start spinning around its body.
[Human Sorcerer] "Oh what the fuck—"
[Fil] "Come on- Let's not waste time—"
The Demonoid stated, getting up before grabbing his sword and pointing it towards the monster.
However, before they could do anything, the monsters arm suddenly was sliced off from behind, causing it to shriek loudly in pain as well as to turn around instantly and attempt to strike the sneak attacker.
That sneak attacker, of course, was Faofa, who leaped into the air and landed infront of the trio with a graceful yet heroic landing.
I gazed up at the creature with a slight smirk, knowing fully that I had caught it off guard. The monster turned to face me, before shrieking loudly towards me, almost like it was completely livid at me successfully catching it off guard.
[Odale] "Keep you mouth shut, you foul creature!"
Odale shouted from above, causing two small fire orbs to appear beside him, before beginning to rain a barrage of fire arrows down at the monster.
The arrows seemingly were effective, as the monster was tanking heavy damage and was basically forced to create an ice wall to guard itself.
The trio looked at me and Odale with confusion filled stares, as the Fire Prince slowly landed next to me.
[Odale] "What's the next course of action, Bringer of Hope?"
"Well, simple. Take that thing down a notch!"
I replied, creating a halberd made of my venom control skill, before beginning to charge towards the creature, using my 'Abyss Magic' skill to set up a small invisible wall infront of me, to block any potentially incoming ranged attacks.
Odale seemingly understood my way of thought, as he flew into the sky and created a large orb of flames above himself, before sending it towards the giant ice wall protecting the monster.
Upon contact, the ice wall melted instantly, allowing me to leap in towards the creature, catch it off guard and in a clean cut movement, kill it instantly by slashing it into two.
The creature fell to the ground - more specifically, it's two sides fell to the ground, allowing me to grab my 'Devourer' bonus easily.
Experience threshold has been reached.
You have risen to level 94.
Rare Skill [Cold Temperature Resistance] acquired.
Cool, a skill AND two levels from one monster. Not bad. Odale slowly descended towards me, bowing slightly infront of me.
Incase you were wondering, my Magical Energy reserves, combined with the efficient way of Ancient Ones thinking had allowed me to summon Odale and basically eat up no Magical Energy while allowing him to remain summoned for a full 5 or so minutes.
It was minor, compared to what I was planning on doing - which is trying to get Odale permanently separated from me as a skill so he may be his own individual in the world.
[Odale] "I shall return to your soul now."
"Hm? Oh okay then.."
I replied, as the Fire Prince turned into ashes and entered my body again.
After that I made my Venom Halberd disappear, before looking at the dead monster.
Master, I suggest moving forward. Those three we just saved a coming.
Yeah, I don't wanna explain shit.
Turning around, I quickly sunk into my own shadow and began to quickly make my way up the mountain path.
The trio ran up to the monster, before searching for their supposed saviour.
[Human Sorcerer] "Damnit! He left.."
Fil kneeled down and examined the slashed in two monster.
[Fil] 'Unbelievable... He took it down with ease..'
He thought, clenching his face and looking up towards the mountain path, which curved around the mountain as it kept going up.
...
Eventually and finally I may say, I reached the town, hopping out of the shadows right before it's entrance. The blizzard itself had also seemingly completely vanished, and the weather went back to a very calm and slow snow fall.
As I approached the villages front arch, two guards approached me.
[Village Guard 2] "I'm sorry, do you have any identification?"
"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm an adventurer here to investigate the recent villager disappearences."
I replied, taking out my Adventurer or guild plate. The guards examined my plate, which had my name, adventurer status and rank.
After that, they allowed me to pass through.
[Village Guard 1] "If you're here to investigate the disappearences, then I suggest you head to the current investigator - the alchemist of the village. He lives to the far side of the village, in a giant organic house."
"I see, well, thank you."
I thanked them, before entering the village and beginning to walk towards the location the Guards had directed me to.
The Village Alchemist? So alchemists also exist in this world huh.... I wonder how they are in this world.
From what I recall, alchemists in my world often than not, were simply people who wanted to turn things into gold or even develop a Elixir of Youth - aka Immortality potions.
However, seeing as up until now many of the things I knew about some fantasy or so aspects were quite different to the definition I was used to, I was quite intrigued to meet and learn about this alchemist.
Those Guards seemed nervous about something on the inside.
'Yeah.. I noticed it as well. Whatever is going on here, it seems to have gotten all the villagers shooken up..'
And honestly, I can't blame them.
Apparently a dozen villagers had gone missing in the last few days, so I wouldn't be shocked if that had shaken up the villagers and made them afraid for their own and their loved ones safety.
As I marched through the village, I could constantly catch the villagers give me these strange gazes, almost like they were afraid of me.
If it was due to my strange markings and rather muscular build, then I guess I couldn't blame them?
It's almost the same as seeing a thug motorcyclist gang member back in my old world - they look very intimidating and scary, however are quite kind on the inside.
I eventually managed to find the house of the supposed alchemist - located in the fair corner of the village, quite literally hugging the wall of the mountain which peaked up high above into the clouds.
I whistled to myself.
'Mama mia- Talk about a fancy location for a home.'
I thought, approaching the house.
The.... 'frontyard' of the house was certainly unique. It had a line of somehow still blooming bushes on both sides of the path that led up to the front door of the house.
I could only assume that these blooming bushes, were the work of this alchemist.
Upon reaching the door of the house, I looked at it with slight hesitation.
The door was made from what looked like stone and wood, and was coloured in a deep red. A rather intimidating look if you ask me.
However, after a moment, I gathered my courage and simply knocked on the door, not quite sure what to expect and who'd answer the door.
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Hello Dear Readers.
Odale here - as I was asked by the Lord of Abyss to do this ending bit again.
I have to say, helping the Bringer of Hope to fight off that wretched monster was definitely a surreal experience - I truly am no match to that display of power.
Now, I just wonder, what other dangers could be lurking in these mountains?
Who knows....
But I'm sure the Bringer of Hope is going to be fine.
Next Chapter:
72. -
"So... THIS is an Alchemist..?"