22 Difficulty (2/2)
”Agree... We should remain vigilant.” Ryson also speaks cautiously.
”Umm... let us proceed then.” Melissa, therefore, beckoning the team to move forward.
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The team proceeds with extreme caution.
They already traveled for about one or 2 km deeper into the mountain gap, on foot.
The reason that they are walking, instead of riding the horses is because they need to be always vigilant and must remain in combat stance. They already traveled for about one or 2 km deeper into the mountain gap, on foot.
But because they still need the horses for the rest of the journey as the only means for them to traveling fast, they also brought the horses along with them into the gap and it is quite a hassle. Fortunately, these horses were really trained, so the members didn't have to guide them personally, as they were smart enough to understand a simple order and able to follow the team on their own.
Whether they like it or not, the team had no choice but to bear with this current condition, at least until they had exited the mountain.
As the team continued on. The scenery and the atmosphere surrounding them didn't really change at all. But there is something different, though. The team current location is darker compared to before, resulting in the decreasing of the team visibility.
It might be hard for the rest of the members to analyze their surrounding visual in this situation, except for Zohar, Dina, and Arno.
Zohar is a Dwarf. Currently, he utilized the Dwarfs unique vision that can see through the dark. The Dwarfs race gained this unique power naturally after centuries of dwelling in caves and underground.
Although the Dark Elves did not have a unique vision like the Dwarf, Dina had been a spy for a long time and she's mostly operated in the middle of the night. Thus, her eyes are well adapted enough for this kind of dark situation.
While Arno's 'Godly' eye has many wonderful abilities and seeing through the dark is just one of them.
”I can see a light far ahead...” Zohar suddenly informs the other members about what he saw.
Other people also began looking at the direction that Zohar pointed out. But most of them can't see anything there as it is still too dark.
”Could it be the mountain exit, perhaps?” Sasha asked.
”Definitely not. We haven't reached the center of the mountain yet... So the exit probably still too far from here.” Luccio interjected her while shaking his head.
”Keep your guard up. Prepare to meet what may lay ahead.” Melissa ordered the team to remain vigilant.
The gap is surprisingly linear without any sudden turn, so it is quite easy for the team to traverse the path within it.
While the team continues walking forward, they found more and more corpses and other things belongs to the mountain's unlucky previous visitors. Most of those were still in good and well-preserved condition compared to what the team had found in the gap entrance. But of course, that only applies to other things except for the corpses, which already beyond their rotten state.
”There's so much history in this pile of things laying around. Too bad we can't study them now...” Rionne muttered something to herself while sighing heavily.
Melissa, whose walking beside Rionne heard it. She also thought it was really unfortunate that the team cannot stay in this place for long. If they can, then they definitely would study those artifacts.
She and Rionne are a typical mage that really craving for any kind of knowledge, especially history. Seeing many banners or flags and coats of arms in those corpses clothes or armors which belong to unknown factions, really aroused their curiosity.
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A moment later.
”Well shit... That light really appears to be an exit...” Zohar suddenly spoke again with a hint of surprise on his voice.
”What! Really?” it's Aurel turn now who asked him.
”Yep. Didn't see it clearly before, but now I do.” Zohar replies rather cheerfully.
Aurel and Sasha are elated because of the revelation, they thought the exit ahead of them is truly the mountain exit. They were really uncomfortable by being inside this narrow and dark gap. They just want to get out from this cursed place as quick as possible.
”But we only just walked half an hour from the entrance, you know! There's no way that's the mountain exit, right?” Luccio is completely doubtful about the supposed ”Mountain exit” is really the mountain exit which should be located on the south side.
He feels the mountains length is not that narrow. It's not possible for them to get through to the other side of the mountain by only walking for half an hour.
”It's probably leading to someplace, but definitely not the exit.” Ryson spoke his conjecture seriously.
At the same time, his stance is becoming even more rigid, which also prompt the other members to raise their vigilant level.
They were getting closer and closer to the ”exit”, which was enveloped by intense sunlight that prevented the team member from seeing through to the outside of the gap.
Melissa is also getting restless and uneasy. She was sure that something came from beyond the ”exit” is causing her to feel like that.
”Hahaha. Do all of you feel that?” Victor's sudden laugh brought surprise to almost everyone.
”You right, old man... It's Bloodlust.” Ryson speaks while nodding to him.
”Damn right it is! I don't know who or what awaits us on the other side of that light. But what I know is... They really want to kill us all.” Victor replied vigorously.
An extreme dense of bloodlust was raging from beyond the ”exit” and directed at the team members. Causing immense pressure on them.
Neigh!!!
The horses behind the team are getting restless and almost entering a panic state.
Since most members are veteran combat or at least already had an experience of a death and life type situation before, they were still able to maintain their composure and handling this situation well.
Automatically, the members enter their combat stance and readying their weapons.
Their journey from the border had been without accident thus far. They didn't even encounter a single Demon Beast. But it looks like things can't always go smoothly for them after all.
Arno still stands leisurely while calmly analyzing the situation. His ”Divine Sense” is picking up a massive amount of hostile intent came from the same source as the bloodlust originating from.
The enemy is waiting for them.