Chapter 267 Black Mountain
The journey ahead was perilous and hard. Damian had no idea if he would come back with his life or how things would proceed in the next moments of his life, but there was one thing he knew very well: he wanted to become stronger!
His body and soul still had the feeling of being weak. Nothing in the world would make him forget how useless he was when he stepped foot inside that dungeon's floor and how every creature could end his life with a single crush of their hand.
"Where are we going, exactly?"
Billy, the talking mushroom who had become Damian's friend, could not stop asking about their location. It was starting to piss them off, both Damian and Morgana, who just wished for peaceful travel.
"No idea. Just exploring, I guess? But obviously, we seek the portal leading us to the 11th floor of the dungeon."
The tenth floor was huge, and it had become humanity's new home after what happened to Earth when a massive frozen giant froze everything. They still had no idea how to reverse what the giant did, but Damian knew they would find a way eventually.
Anyway, after all the humans moved to the tenth floor, most of its inhabitants were now people from Earth. Of course, many were still the ones who lived in the dungeon prior to the humans arrival; these were called dungeon native humans, but the majority of the humans living on the tenth floor were from Earth.
For that reason, it was pretty common to see many humans traveling from and to all parts of the tenth floor, exploring it. Not only that, but the power struggles were real, and they happened in all parts of the tenth floor.
"Are you two seeking a carriage? Mine here is the best there is in the surrounding area." A man dressed up in fur clothing said
Damian and Morgana had walked through a minor part of the tenth floor in an area called Hak'lil. It was called like that before the humans from Earth came, and no one felt like changing the name. But one thing did change: the people in charge!
Many human settlements were appearing in the area, which covered a vast part of the tenth floor, having forests and mountains, rivers and waterfalls, plains, and even a desert! In one of the cities inside the Hak'lil territory, a merchant tried to sell his services to Damian and Morgana!
The power struggles happened even among the merchants, as another one appeared to offer his carriage to Damian as well!
"We are heading to the Black Mountain, a dangerous place, but for that, we have many powerful guards to scout us, different from the carriage this man is offering you! That is why it is so cheap; you will die out there! But with me? Ha, you are settled for life, my friend."
Damian stared at the two men and could not help but wonder why they looked so similar. Were they two brothers fighting against each other? If that were the case, it would not surprise Damian at all.
After a quick talk, Damian decided to go with the one who said there would be guards. Not that Damian was scared of traveling there; he was powerful, and his partner, Morgana, was a powerful Lich, so there was nothing to worry about. The thing was that Damian wanted to gather information with the merchants and the guards, especially with the guards, who were certainly veteran adventurers.
With a nod to the merchant offering the safer passage, Damian and Morgana approached the guards standing by the carriage. The guards were a seasoned group, clad in sturdy armor with weapons at their sides, exuding an air of confidence and experience that reassured Damian.
"Good choice, young travelers," one of the guards said with a gruff voice, eyeing Damian and Morgana with a hint of respect. "Black Mountain is no place for the faint of heart. But with us at your side, you've got nothing to fear."
Damian extended his hand in greeting. "I appreciate your assistance. My name is Damian, and this is Morgana. We're on a journey to explore the depths of the dungeon. Any information or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated."
The guards shook his hand firmly. "I'm Roderick, and these are my comrades, Allon and Kara. We've been patrolling these parts for years, know every inch of this territory. The Black Mountain is dangerous, filled with all manner of creatures and traps. But with your magical prowess and the power of our group, we'll make it through just fine."
Morgana, her crimson eyes glinting with curiosity, inquired, "What kind of creatures are we likely to encounter there?"
Roderick scratched his chin, considering the question. "There are the usual suspects: trolls, wyverns, and other monstrous beings. But the real threat lies in the ancient guardians of the mountain. They're powerful, ancient beings with a thirst for protecting the secrets hidden within. We've faced some of them before, but it's always a risky venture."
Damian listened intently, his mind already formulating strategies for any potential encounters. "Any tips on how to best approach these guardians? Any weaknesses they might have?"
Roderick nodded, a hint of a grim smile on his face. "They're tough, but not invulnerable. Silvered weapons and magical attacks tend to be the most effective. But more importantly, it's about understanding their weaknesses and exploiting them. Knowledge is your best weapon in these situations."
With this newfound knowledge, Damian and Morgana boarded the carriage, the sturdy wheels crunching over the gravel as they began their journey toward the infamous Black Mountain. The landscape around them transformed, the forests giving way to rugged cliffs and winding paths that led ever upward.
As they ascended, the air grew thinner, and the temperature dropped. Mist enshrouded the peaks, giving an ominous atmosphere to the journey. Damian and Morgana remained vigilant, occasionally conversing with the guards about the history of the Black Mountain and the secrets it held.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l