Viers recalled the information he gathered about this place. In the region known as Ciref Valley, there were not one but two famous Rank 4 monsters here, one in each mountain sandwiching the valley. Earth Starfish and Acid Slug. They had been hibernating for years and sometimes woke for a short while.
When one monster awakened, the other would too. The duo then would battle, destroying the area in the process. They would then mate, breed, lay eggs, then go back to sleep. The spawns of the starfish and the slug would then battle each other but unlike their parents, they would eat each other afterwards.
Seriously? They are both hermaphrodites then, Viers was amused.
When Viers read the records, no one knew why the Rank 4 monsters had been repeating that cycle since 200 years ago. However, their existence was actually a boon. Their powerful presence warded off other monsters and made fungi rich with mana grow in the area. The fungi became a local specialty product. Before waking, each would give clear signs, giving time for the villagers to evacuate.
The spawns of the two monsters also served as resources of sorts. Their monster cores provided another income for the locals. Even if the starfish and slug’s progeny were driven to extinction, their parents kept their inaction. The duo Rank 4 monsters’ uncaring attitude about the fate of their spawn made many wonder why they even mate in the first place.
A wonderful and unique ecosystem was made because of two Rank 4 monsters. No wonder the villagers kept coming back even if their villages were destroyed each time the monsters woke. It was like a volcano eruption. After the eruption, the soil becomes rich. Good for farming… and other things, I forget the rest.
Viers found the interesting history of Ciref Valley when he was at Mokash town, preparing his travel route ahead. Now, he had no qualms of using that information to his advantage.
As Viers dashed to one of the mountains, there was a sudden change in the air. A smidgen of killing intent leaked out from Gregory and Viers felt it.
Khhsss! Viers felt a hair-raising sensation like a reaper’s scythe on his neck. Is he coming?
But nothing happened, and the killing intent abated.
So the old man really won't interfere in my and Freya’s battle. This is a fortuitous situation for me but why? Why did he stay his hand? Is this a trial for her of some kind? And he said Interpreter…
Viers didn't have the time or the leisure to contemplate that topic right now. Only one thing occupied his mind, strategic retreat!
Considering his situation, Viers had no doubt that retreat was the wisest course of action. Even if he fought Freya with no holds barred, he had no assurance of victory. By this point, Viers was convinced the master and pupil pair were from the Silver Legion.
The Silver Legion was one of the most famous powerhouse organizations in the whole continent. They were the Estellian Church’s sword for battling monsters and devils. Their influence reached far and wide, renowned for being the first line of defense against dark and malicious beings. Their mandate was to protect the world and spread good no matter where they go. All of their members were very talented and trained by the best of the best.
Viers didn't want to have anything to do with them. Especially when he was still this weak.
There are two crimes in my head at the moment. Osemore’s mass murder and Luxore’s destruction. The Luxore one should be the higher priority. That means they want me in custody for interrogation.
But this is absolutely unacceptable!
Viers had a lot of secrets.
First and foremost, he was a reincarnator, an otherworlder. The knowledge of other world’s existence alone should be something he kept in absolute secrecy.
And then there was the fact that his soul attribute indeed came from the event at Luxore. He reaped the benefits borne out of thousands of deaths after butchering the one really responsible for the town’s destruction. Thanks to that he had the soul affinity of 5. To become a Level 5 Pathseeker, affinity of 5 was one of the prerequisites. As someone aiming to be a Level 5 himself, he couldn't let the opportunity pass.
The mysterious white flower, his healing factor, super senses, transformation, the girls’ existence, the boon he got from the Lamia Queen’s treasury, a demi-god bull’s monster core… All were things that must not be known by other people!
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Viers could soul search someone for information, wouldn't the Silver Legion have someone that can do the same? Viers already confirmed the existence of mind Pathseekers at his killing spree earlier. If he fell in their custody, they might extract his brain juice!
The youth had no intention of being the fodder for someone else’s growth. If all seemed lost, Viers was ready to utterly destroy his own body and soul.
If I can't have it, no one else may have it.
Such was his determination.
But Viers didn't let go of hope that easily.
Above all else, he would survive.
That’s why I must have power! Why I must become strong! To live!
After some time, Viers had climbed the mountain. The place where a rumored Rank 4 monster slumbered.
Euryale Sight! …There.
Viers picked up the presence of a gigantic monster with his super eyes and went into its lair.
I must hurry. I don't know how but Freya is gaining on me. She must be a core disciple level in xianxia stories. Core disciple of the Silver Legion, groomed to lead the legion in the future. I bet my second heart she has powerful life-saving items. All the more reasons not to fight her.
Viers had accurately deduced Freya’s true identity, the granddaughter of Silver Legion’s Supreme Commander, by his mere sensitivity to xianxia cliché development.
As expected, the mountain was bereft of human activity. It was a wilderness untouched by unnatural meddling. The flora was rich but he didn't find any fauna in the mountain, no insects, no birds, nothing. The Rank 4’s presence must have driven them away. Viers stood in front of a 15 meters cave, peering into the darkness with his viridescent snake eyes.
What incredible mana, Viers gulped nervously.
He heard heartbeats from the big beast, vibrating the very air to the extent that Viers could feel it on his skin.
Either the starfish or the slug. Why is there a starfish this far inland anyway?
Viers steeled himself and went in. Without a doubt, this would also be a dangerous endeavor for him but he didn't have a choice. Freya and her master would hound him no matter where he went. Viers didn't have the ability to outrun a flying Level 5.
So he must muddy the waters. Create an opportunity.
Viers could see in the dark thanks to Euryale Sight; he navigated the cave and finally laid his eyes on the slumbering monster.
It was a yellow slug, curling, immobile. Its height should be about 15 meters, a veritable titan. Its skin was smooth with transparent sticky slime covering it.
So I get the slug. Acid Slug, was it?
“Stop!” A girl’s voice came from behind. Agitated but hushed.
“Why should I?” Viers asked.
“There are about 1000 people living below the two mountains. If the monster wakes, it would be a disaster for them!”
“That’s the plan,” Viers said as naturally as it could be. “The old man and you would be busy evacuating and saving them while I run away.”
“...You would use innocent people as hostages!?” Freya looked vexed.
“I very much prefer not to, but I will if I must,” Viers made a square with his thumbs and index fingers on both hands.
“Last warning, go away and leave me be. Kill some demons in the western reaches or slay the undead at the Dreadnorth. There is no lack of opportunities to do good or justice or whatever, just stay away from my business.”
“And let you go? So you can murder and pillage and whatever else despicable act you might do unchecked?”
“It is not in my nature to do senseless acts of destruction and barbarity but I suppose you won’t believe me. It doesn’t matter. What matters is, are you ready to have the blood of innocents on your hands?”
“…My hands?” Freya wasn’t sure she heard correctly.
“Right. If some poor villagers died because of the slug’s awakening, then you’ll also bear the responsibility. Because you MADE me do this.”
“Rubbish! You choose to do this yourself!” Freya didn’t accept Viers’ reasoning.
“Certainly, but everything has a cause and effect. You wanted to arrest me so I planned to wake the monster to escape. If any villagers died then they died because of the monster, me, and you. I am ready to bear the sins of causing their deaths… are you?”
Freya was silenced. Words of rebuttal stuck in her throat. Although she loathed to admit it, his words had a certain truth in them. She was mute for five seconds.
“Horror!” Viers suddenly attacked the sleeping slug without waiting for Freya’s answer. Like a photographer’s strobe, a flash of light illuminated the dark lair.
The yellow slug jolted and roared as it awakened. Its massive body was hitting the cavern’s walls, making the very mountain itself shake.
“Kahahah,” Viers laughed as he saw Freya looking at the active monster with a surprised face. “You think I’ll let you stall for time? You underestimated me far too much!” Viers returned her own words back at her.
Freya’s scream of anger was drowned by the slug’s roar. The last thing she saw was Viers’ triumphant smirk as the mountain came crashing down on all of them.