Chapter 1354 - The Camp In the Mountains (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ten minutes after their arrival at the Gloom Mountains, the sky dimmed. The clouds above seemingly blocked off all the air and light. Their surroundings were dim. It was an unnatural phenomenon. The Lorissian Wall was not only preventing the energy on the mountains from escaping, but also keeping something from coming up the hills.

“The Lorissian Wall not only trap the creatures on the Gloom Mountains, but the energy field around the mountains also affects the adventurers who come,” Becky said. She was the guide for this trip. “Stronger adventurers and mercenaries will not be affected, but the weaker ones will experience various side effects such as disorientation, memory loss, difficulty in casting a spell, and even injury. The deeper they go, the threat from the energy field becomes stronger. So the hunters and herb collectors in this neighborhood are usually only active at the foothills. Only the professionals will challenge the mountains. But no one has ever been to the highest peak.”

Hao Ren casually said, “But overall, the Lorissian Wall seems to have more effect on living things on the Gloom Mountain.”

“Well, it was supposed to keep things in but not out,” Becky said. “A scholar has speculated that the ancient magic empire has been using the energy barrier to block off the test site and prevent things from getting out. But it was a long time ago, the energy barrier has begun to malfunction and become a threat to outside visitors.”

A gust of wind blew through the forest, the lush Shadow Fir swayed. The faint light shone through the branches and leaves and cast swinging shadows on the ground. Between the trees and the weeds and shrubs, it was steep slope strewn with boulders. Trekking on this rocky terrain was challenging as there was almost no “road.” The hunters at the foothill only enter the mountains via some nature trails. These trails did not extend deep into the forest. With courage and experience, the adventurers mostly found their way in by themselves. Becky brought Hao Ren on the easiest route. It was a beaten path where the Royal Knights had laid marks along the way. It was much better than the rugged mountain slope.

Lily had shapeshifted into a werewolf. She moved with her eyes wide opened and crouched to sniff around from time to time. The golden eyes of her glinted in the dark, and she looked somber. Unlike her usual carefree behavior, Lily seemed to have “installed a mod,” so to speak, becoming extremely vigilant, as if a beast with her natural instinct in her natural habitat.

“There are a smells of other beasts,” Lily said as she sniffled. “The stronger beasts live deep in the mountains. Most of them are orcs. It is truly a testing ground left by the Ancient Magic Empire. Most of the native creatures here have mutated so much that not even their mothers could recognize them.”

“The deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets. There were even dragons living in seclusion on the Gloom Mountains.” Becky clenched the magic sword in her hand. She was eager to draw it. “Hah, without the knights, I have finally found excitement in being a mercenary!”

It was through Ophra that they got permission to explore the Gloom Mountains, but they did not bring the guardian knights. Hao Ren felt that he did not need those followers, which would only become a burden. With Becky as a guide, it was much more efficient. Besides, she was easy to get along with. Of course, Becky had no problems with that. Her only regret was that Marshal Ophra did not come with her. As the highest military commander of the kingdom, the female marshal was one of the busiest people in the kingdom; the occasionally unusual changes on the Gloom Mountains was not worth her time.

After all, such incidents were not unusual and would happen once or twice every decade.

It was a smooth sail all the way so far. The dangerous orcs on the Gloom Mountains may have been a threat to the native people, but not to Hao Ren and the two killers around him. They had not encountered any orc attacks. It was not that Hao Ren did not go through the monster’s territory, but it was because Lily and Vivian’s energy field had scared away the observant orcs.

Survival 101 on the Gloom Mountains was to stay away from danger.

There was a rustling sound in the distance. Hao Ren vaguely saw a large shadow moved under the shades. Lily looked up, bared her fangs, and lunged at the direction where the sound came from. But the rustling stopped before she even got there.

The husky maiden twitched her mouth disdainfully. “It looks scary, but just a coward!”

“We are only at the periphery where the orcs are relatively timid. When you get deeper into the mountains, those guys will not flinch.” Becky shrugged. “By then, you can enjoy a field day fighting them.”

Lily was suddenly wide-eyed, and she hid behind Hao Ren. “Oh, I don’t have the time to entertain them.”

Vivian’s response to the husky girl was quite contemptuous. “Coward! Where are your abilities from drinking salt soda and eating Spicy Stricks?”