37 Book 3 Chapter 33 (1/2)

Jason's clothes were soaked in sweat as he gasped for breath. Collapsed on the ground next to him were the ones with the worst stamina: Roy, Carly, and Amara. Even with their stats, this was the result after running at full speed for three hours.

Jason couldn't help but curse Kresh in his mind. How was this a short distance? It felt like they crossed the entire floor! Alas, this was a difference in their physiques. Kresh had a much larger stride than humans, so his jogging speed was Jason's sprinting speed, not to mention the stat difference.

Amara cast a spell with the snap of her fingers. A small cloud appeared above their heads, the drizzle cooling their bodies. Jason groaned in satisfaction, ”That's nice.”

The group drank several bottles of water, and under the relaxing rain, they quickly recovered their stamina. Kresh eyed the cloud with curiosity before stating, ”We here.”

Jason followed Kresh's finger and found a small mountain in front of them. Unlike the rest of the death filled floor, the mountain was full of life. Foliage and trees covered the slopes, while a lake rested at the base. There were flat areas on the mountain, on which were various buildings. Stunningly, a mana barrier encompassed the entire mountain.

”Huh? Isn't that…?” Roy looked questioningly at Jason, who shrugged.

Jason was as baffled as the rest. Who were the ascenders here? Not only was there a tribe of neutral monsters, they even had access to ascender exclusive functions.

Kresh was filled with pride as he said, ”Korata Mountain. Home.”

After seeing Kresh enter harmlessly, Roy quickly followed suit, only to collide face-first into the wall. He clasped his nose and exclaimed, ”Is this Schrodinger's wall?!”

Kresh scratched his head in confusion. He racked his brains for an answer, and only after searching every nook and cranny did his eyes light up. ”I make mistake. Wait here.”

Jason watched as Kresh ran further in, calm some minotaurs with bloodthirsty expressions, then sprint up the mountain. Roy gulped as the two unfamiliar minotaurs on the other side eyed them warily. Like Kresh, they boasted incredible health and levels.

Carly hid behind Jason. Her long-lost stutter found its way home as she quivered, ”T-they won't k-k-k-ill us, will they?”

”No.” Olivia thought for a hard minute, then added. ”Maybe.”

Carly's face paled as she imagined herself being eaten alive, or roasted over a campfire, or seasoned in a pot, or countless other scenarios.

Several minutes passed before Kresh returned with a companion. This minotaur was even taller than Kresh, and if you were familiar with minotaur anatomy, you'd realize these two had a similar appearance.

(Mutant) Minotaur Chieftain Dunk - Level 250

Health: 425,000/425,000

This was no skill, but purely the difference in stats.