Chapter 22: Chapter 22

The first night spent in the Demonic Realm passed without much trouble, contrary to expectation.

It was to the extent that their worries of monsters bursting out in the middle of the night felt completely needless.

Seeing Shan and Roden sighing in relief, Zerpo warned them.

“Do not let your guard down too much. This is merely the outermost edge of the Demonic Realm. As we step further inside, far stronger monsters will swarm out.”

Before long, Shan and Roden also came to realize the meaning of those words all too keenly.

“Huh.”

“What is it?”

“The compass broke.”

At Roden’s words, Shan looked down at the compass he was holding.

The black needle, which originally should have pointed north, was spinning around madly.

“Do you know why this is happening, Mage?”

“It is an embarrassing tale for one who studies, but ‘why’ holds little meaning in the Demonic Realm. Just consider this vicinity to be such a zone.”

“Do not worry too much. Even so, a compass disturbance zone is a rather trivial restriction.”

Even as he nodded at Priest Vent’s consolation, Roden felt an underlying anxiety.

A compass was something that could firmly hold direction under any circumstances, so having it rendered useless naturally caused confusion.

Furthermore, in the Demonic Realm where the sky was covered with clouds, one could not even find their way by the constellations, making him all the more anxious.

Moving eastward based on memory for a short while, a dozen or so lesser vampires suddenly popped out from beyond the hill and pounced on them.

Having shriveled skin as if they had starved for a long time, the bastards’ red eyes were half-crazed with appetite.

“Oh dear…”

“Everyone, back to back!”

Since it was a situation where the surrounding enemies pounced unilaterally, Shan also stood at the front of the party to face the largest number of enemies instead of charging ahead like before.

He severed the head of the bastard rushing in at the lead with his longsword, extended his leg to kick away the bastard beside him, and pulled out his blade after plunging it into the third bastard’s chest, causing the dark black blood unique to vampires to spurt out.

In the meantime, the others did their part as well.

Roden held his ground while pushing back three or four vampires with a large shield and mace, while Priest Vent expertly handled his sword and shield, and Zerpo skillfully wielded his long staff to block the enemies’ approach.

As they advanced, such ambushes grew more frequent, so that they sometimes encountered monsters five or six times a day.

Considering that ambushes received while traveling around Pendia were usually considered frequent at once or twice a day, it was a tremendously harsh environment.

Considering that life-threatening combat brought immense fatigue and pressure, an ordinary person would have collapsed from exhaustion early on in such a situation.

Even more so, if one had even lost direction due to being unable to use a compass for whatever reason, falling into panic would not have been strange.

However, the veteran explorers Vent and Zerpo looked composed as if it were a familiar, everyday occurrence.

Rather, they were surprised by the fact that Shan and Roden were taking such a situation smoothly in stride.

In particular, they found it fascinating that Roden demonstrated quite impressive skill as a warrior, even more so than Shan.

Though they had not shown it until now, both of them had suspected that Roden might be a fellow who was impressive only on the outside.

“You are quite capable yourself.”

“Haha, my skill is nothing compared to Shan.”

“Well, that is true, but…”

Even at Zerpo’s direct tone that jabbed openly without beating around the bush at all, Roden simply chuckled and brushed it off.

A human not being able to breathe fire or fly like a dragon did not mean they were wrong or lacking in something, after all.

Repeating fighting, sleeping, and advancing like that for two days, the compass that had been continuously malfunctioning returned to normal.

It meant they had finally arrived at the first destination planned in advance.

Roden brightened up as he looked at the mountain visible far off in the distance.

“Oh, is that place…?”

“That is correct. It is Delepon. Though its nickname, the Mountain City, is better known.”

True to its name as the Mountain City, the city they were gazing at was constructed atop a lofty rocky mountain.

One could not even dare imagine how building materials were transported and structures were built in such a steep location.

It was likely something utilizing the transcendental magical capability of the ancient Altoan Empire.

Winding up the narrow path leading under the rocky mountain, the group entered the city before long.

The small city, where roughly a thousand people might have lived, mostly consisted of three-story buildings, every single one worn and faded as if bleached.

It was a ruin full of broken glass windows thick with dust, empty interiors, and heaps of trash left behind by visitors who had stayed and departed.

In that place, Shan imagined the appearance of the Altoans who would have lived there, regarding it as their hometown in the distant past.

“Explorers have frequented this place for hundreds of years already. It would be best not to expect anything from this city.”

Seeing Shan and Roden looking around, Zerpo spoke in a cold tone.

Just as he said, since this was a city that had received visits from countless explorers since the days of the ancient Arman Empire, there was no way any useful objects remained.

Visiting this place was merely to check the surrounding climate changes by taking advantage of its high elevation.

The watchtower in the center of the city, their destination, was easily over a hundred meters in height.

Compared to the Magic Society’s amethyst tower they had seen before, its width was much smaller, but that height, bordering on unrealistic, was enough to overwhelm the surroundings.

Furthermore, that towering watchtower was tilted slightly sideways even when viewed from the side, so Roden gawked open-mouthed before looking back and forth between Vent and Zerpo to ask.

“Is it really alright to climb that? It looks a bit dangerous…”

“It is fine. It has endured nearly a thousand years already, so it will not collapse anew just because we climb it.”

“If it really falls, then the Goddess has turned her back on us. What could we possibly do about it?”

Since those who had already entered and exited the tower multiple times spoke like that, Shan and Roden ultimately accepted it as fine and decided to head up together.

Tying their two horses near the entrance, they stepped inside the broken door.

The interior of the tower had a hollow center, with spiral stairs stretching endlessly to connect to the top floor.

Because the stairs were narrow and steep, Priest Vent, the oldest among them, grumbled that his knees ached.

The panoramic view of the top floor reached shortly after was magnificent beyond measure.

Not only was the entire city visible, but being a high tower atop an already elevated mountain fortress, the surrounding tens of kilometers were clearly exposed.

“Woah…”

“Now then, let us check.”

Zerpo pulled a long cylinder from his chest, chanted a spell, and brought it to one eye.

Turning around and looking at the surroundings, he hummed, nodded, removed it from his eye, and spoke.

“It seems the north is a sandstorm, the east is frost, and the south is a swamp.”

“May I take a look too?”

“Feel free to look.”

Shan received the cylinder from Zerpo and brought it to his eye.

At first, it was blurry as the focus was not aligned, but after waiting a moment, the scene far off in the distance revealed itself fully.

Just as Zerpo had said, a swampy wetland spread out to the south.

Perhaps due to the ash-gray land unique to the Demonic Realm, ash floating atop the stagnant water looked genuinely unhealthy.

Right then, several water specters wandered around while dripping ash-colored water.

Turning his gaze, the east had pure white snow whirling wildly while ice spirits floated above it, and to the north, almost nothing could be seen due to dense dirt dust.

“You mean things like this change on a weekly or monthly basis?”

“Yes. Nobody knows when or into what it will change.”

A parched ash-gray wasteland turning into snowfields, swamps, and the like was something that could only be described as purely magical.

Even worse, from what he had heard, an environment like this was still relatively bearable; deeper inside, environments where fires raged or rains of lightning fell would manifest.

This was also the reason why exploring the Demonic Realm was difficult.

Because if a fire hell unfolded or a lightning rain sprinkled over a place that had merely experienced a sandstorm during the previous expedition, one was forced to change their path.

Since it was an environment where procuring food was difficult, unless provisions were set aside generously, the return route could be blocked, leading to starvation along the way.

This was a natural disaster that Shan could not possibly counter, no matter how skillfully he swung his sword.

Unless one possessed expensive items imbued with the power of fire avoidance or lightning avoidance, breaking through would be utterly impossible.

“Then let us push through the sandstorm zone. We have prepared to some extent for that direction, at least.”

A region where a snowstorm raged was dangerous without saying, and the swamp area was also a hotbed for all kinds of pathogens, meaning one could be rendered incapable of battle due to an unexpected accident.

Everyone expressed agreement with Roden’s decision.

*

Four or five hours of walking north after leaving the city.

Sand dust from who-knew-where gradually began to swirl, so everyone put on face coverings and fitted bits onto the horses as well.

Shan, who was about to ask Roden for some water, grimaced.

“Ugh, sand got into my mouth…”

“Don’t talk too much. More will get in.”

Experiencing a sandstorm for the first time in his life was far more bothersome than expected.

His narrowed eyes stung, and every time he breathed, grains of sand felt as though they were entering his nose and throat.

What was even more bothersome was that monsters suited to such an environment often frequented the area.

From giant scorpions surfacing as they smoothly dug through the accumulated sand, to harpies riding the wind while hunting for prey, to giant-shaped spirits formed by gathered sand.

Fighting in a situation where vision, smell, and hearing were all limited was quite troublesome, but fortunately, a trial of this degree was manageable enough to overcome.

Before long, the bastards were turned into severed tails, wing feathers, and essences, ending up loaded onto horse saddles.

Even while fighting against two enemies (monsters and harsh nature) Roden did not forget to record unusual buildings, terrain, and the locations and shapes of rest stops worth staying at.

Because when coming back here later, if this became an area where a compass could not be used, he would have to rely on such information.

On the third day, when they finally broke completely out of the sandstorm zone, a werewolf leaped at them as if welcoming their exit.

Seeing it, Shan came to realize how absurd a mistake it had been to confuse them with gnolls.

“Wow, the two don’t even look similar.”

Unlike a gnoll, which was a somewhat foolish-looking wolf walking on two legs, the werewolf was a hideously twisted monstrosity right from its appearance.

Its height was slightly smaller than a troll’s, its claws long and sharp like hooks in a shape that could not possibly wield a weapon, and its ears were large and pointed like a bat’s.

After receiving Vent’s blessing, Shan held the silver-plated dagger and single-handed sword he had prepared in both hands to face the charging monster.

[Kaaak!]

The werewolf possessed both a physical form and the properties of a spiritual body, quickly recovering from all physical attacks.

It was similar to a troll’s high-speed regeneration, but far more malicious in that it regenerated without consuming its own flesh; instead, if wounded by silver, that area could not regenerate properly.

Shan sliced off the charging monster’s foreleg with his sword, thrust into its chest before pulling back, and drove the silver-plated dagger precisely into the spot he had just stabbed, gouging out its heart.

Sustaining a wound that could not be regenerated due to silver, the werewolf displayed tenacious vitality and attempted a final struggle, but was struck by the flail Roden swung with all his might, tumbling to the ground.

“…Seriously, I just cannot get used to this no matter how many times I see it.”

“Monsters that several decent explorers would have to join forces and risk their lives to fight are dying left and right, good grief.”

Saying that such an easy exploration was a first, Zerpo and Vent exchanged hollow laughs while looking at each other without knowing who started first.

Though not classified as a large monster, a creature whose threat level was similar to a troll was caught as effortlessly as if it were a gnoll, so they had no choice but to feel baffled.

Skinning the valuable loot of its hide, the subjugation squad looked around a bit more to search for the bastard’s nest.

Because one of a werewolf’s traits was collecting shiny objects, an opinion had arisen that the bastard might have gathered belongings of deceased explorers.

Spending about thirty minutes searching the surrounding area, there were indeed items collected inside the werewolf’s cave.

Yet for some reason, the quantity was far greater than imagined.

“No, what on earth is this?”

“It seems to have wiped out an entire exploration team. And one that had achieved quite a bit of success, at that…”

Inside the cave, starting from rusted weapons, there were backpacks containing several monster byproducts and a few metal objects of peculiar shapes.

According to Zerpo’s appraisal, they were certainly relics excavated from some Altoan ruin.

“They are not particularly grand items, but combined, they would be worth several hundred gold coins. Permanently functioning magic items possess fixed value, after all.”

“Wow…”

This was precisely why explorers flocked to this perilous Demonic Realm.

Though a significant portion among them would die to monsters and turn into dust upon the ash-gray land, salvaging a few rare monster materials or relics like these could make someone astonishingly rich by commoner standards.

After collecting the items from the werewolf’s lair, the suggestion to head back gradually arose.

Not only had they prepared little food with the mindset of stepping out lightly for their first journey, but their luggage had also grown heavy due to unexpected gains.

Pushing further from here would surely mean they could not even harvest byproducts even if they hunted monsters encountered on the return path.

*

For the return trip, they decided to forge a new path by heading straight west before heading down south, rather than taking the exact route they had come by.

It was to get a more detailed grasp of the surrounding geography, given that it was their first time.

After all, the more varied the travel routes were, the better.

According to what they checked atop the hill, the northwest of the sandstorm zone was a strong gale zone.

Sand was not mixed in, but far stronger winds blew, and wind spirits in the shape of weasels occasionally appeared to slice at their necks, making it quite threatening.

Using the ambiguous territory between the two regions as a passage, the party walked for a day and a half to arrive at the outskirts of the Demonic Realm, approaching with delight upon coming across an old building.

A structure presumed to be from the ancient Altoan era, likely used as a large barn or village hall back then.

There were early guests in that place.

“Huh?”

“Oh dear.”

The number of explorers already staying inside the building totaled eight people.

Unlike ‘Green Eyes’, whether because they had engaged in fierce battles in succession, their armors were ragged without exception.

Every single member of their group was an Altoan.

From someone with bizarre skin color perhaps because their blood was not red, to those with long and pointed elf-like ears or cat ears atop their heads, their unusual appearances drew attention in many ways.

‘Ah, these people are those…’

He had overheard stories briefly at the Explorers’ Guild.

That a few exclusive exploration teams accepting only Altoans as members existed.

These people seemed to be of that sort.

Another surprising point was that two among them were women.

The fact that they were relatively lightly armed meant they were likely mages or scouts, but even that was surprising in Shan’s eyes.

Because there was clearly a large difference in physical capabilities between men and women.

Like seasoned explorers, a few among them recognized Vent and Zerpo, as if they were acquaintances.

“It is the priest, isn’t it? And that unlucky mage bastard…”

“It would be best to refrain from slander simply because I informed you of what you did not know.”

Though Zerpo grumbled back, judging by his expression, their relationship did not seem particularly bad.

Chatting amicably for a few words, a few of them soon showed interest in Shan.

Even though it was a place where the sun was obscured by clouds, day and night existed, so now that evening was not far off, his green eyes glowed softly.

“Who is that kid? I know the faces of pretty much all Altoans living in Shedil.”

“He came from the west recently, but he is our exploration team’s greatest battle power. A truly remarkable fellow.”

At Vent’s words, the Altoan exploration team wore dumbfounded laughs.

Since they were in the middle of rummaging through the Demonic Realm when Shan made a name for himself in Shedil City, it naturally sounded absurd to them.

“Haha, I see.”

“More importantly, everyone looks to be in bad shape. Did something happen?”

Shabby clothes were understandable since they were on their way back from an expedition, but for some reason, everyone’s complexions were dark beyond measure.

At Roden’s question, the one who appeared to be the captain answered while exhaling a sigh heavy with deep sorrow.

“Indeed. I thought we had reaped a really good harvest this time, but we ran into the Ajun bastards and lost everything. As you can see, we barely escaped with our lives.”

Hearing those words, their attire was certainly far too meager for an exploration team in the middle of returning.

Even granting that the food they brought was mostly consumed, if they had stayed for a long time, there should have been monster byproducts and the like to show for it.

“Ajun bastards?”

“Yes.”

“You must have traveled quite far north.”

“Don’t even mention it. We probably went out the furthest since forming our exploration team! While saving our lives is fortunate, thinking about what we lost makes it so I can’t sleep…”

The snow-covered country located north of the Arman Alliance, the Ajun Kingdom was a representative Old Faith nation that despised Altoans and magic.

Yet the reason they hovered around the Demonic Realm was to wage a holy war to find the ancient Altoan Empire’s capital and close the gate through which monsters crossed over.

An exploration team composed of Altoans would be a group of devil spawns deserving to be slaughtered in their eyes.

Just as he said, surviving with their lives was a relief.

While badmouthing the Ajun Kingdom at length like that, a peculiar sight caught Shan’s eyes.

Some of the Altoan exploration team members signaled with their eyes toward the baggage loaded on their horses and were slowly attempting to surround this side.

Before the encirclement could tighten further, Shan gave a subtle nod and threw out an overt question.

“By the way, why are you blocking the entrance?”

Silence instantaneously enveloped the inside of the building that had been boisterous until moments ago.

Looking around, Zerpo realized that they were stealthily being surrounded and spoke with a fed-up expression.

“You guys, don’t tell me…?”

Unsheathe… along with the sound of drawing swords, various weapons were aimed at them.

The Altoan who appeared to be the captain spoke with a heavy expression.

“We are finished if we return like this. I will not offer an apology.”

“Stop it. This is something the Goddess will not forgive!”

“In any case, that great Goddess of yours would never care about filthy Altoans like us!”

The voice of the Altoan captain, who was growling back at Vent’s answer, snapped abruptly.

Naturally, it was because a person whose head had been sent flying could not speak.

“Huh?”

In an incomprehensible situation, one of the Altoan exploration team members let out a dazed sound.

Why on earth had the head of a person speaking perfectly fine suddenly gone flying?

Only after seeing the green light flashing across their eyes did those wondering obtain the answer.

An Altoan boy with glowing green eyes and a naive appearance…

He had launched a surprise attack a step ahead!

“Get him!”

As Shan swung his blade alongside a shout close to a scream, the second Altoan collapsed while spurting blood from his chest.

His agility, accelerating from a standstill to top speed in an instant, was to the point where one might wonder if he were a human-shaped monster.

Even though every single one of them was skilled enough to manage a defensive fight against large monsters, they could not endure more than a single clash against that green-eyed demon.

On the other hand, frustratingly, their attacks did not work at all.

Thrusting spears were sliced away with his blade, flying swords parried as he struck their flat sides with his empty hand, and at the same time, he knocked down the hand holding a mace with a kick.

Some attacks that were particularly tricky to dodge were skillfully shed using his chainmail.

“Aaaagh!”

“Crazy, what is that!?”

“Dela! Subdue him! Quickly!”

“[Glaciotrapresa-]”

At the urgent shout, the woman called Dela chanted a spell, consuming her very last remaining catalyst to invoke magic.

However, panic and frustration washed over her face as she pointed her finger at Shan.

What repulsive force this was, as if punching a massive metal wall with one’s fist.

Even against a troll, it was a spell that had succeeded in halting its steps for a moment!

“It doesn’t work!”

“What!?”

Without giving them time to panic, Shan, having slashed six warriors in an instant, closed the distance in a few steps and approached the treacherous spellcaster.

Then, raising his empty left hand beside his temple, he snatched an incoming arrow without even looking.

Hiding in a dark corner, the archer who shot the arrow gasped upon seeing that scene.

“P-Please spare…”

The eyes of the spellcaster who was begging for her life in terror rolled back, and her perked cat ears drooped limply.

It was because Shan had driven the arrow he caught earlier straight into her temple.

Turning his gaze to the archer who had fired the arrow, she was already trembling violently with a sword embedded in her chest.

Finishing her off, Vent murmured softly.

“Haa, you foolish friends…”

A deep sigh filled the inside of the quieted building.