Igor stared blankly at Guru Mountain before him.
At that moment, his mind was filled with only surprise and shame.
Surprise that Guru Mountain was so peculiar, and shame that he had been so ignorant.
Initially, Igor couldn’t wrap his head around why he needed a guide to climb a mountain. Guru Mountain was right there in front of him; surely, he could simply march up?
Even the largest mountains must have paths. Weren’t all trails formed by people walking?
Yet, now standing at the foot of Guru Mountain, Igor finally realized things were not as simple as he thought. This Guru Mountain far surpassed his imagination.
The aspects of it that defied his expectations left him standing stupefied at the mountain’s base for a long while.
Aside from feeling ashamed of my ignorance, I also can’t help but marvel at my own insignificance.
Guru Mountain, with its undulating ridges and continuous peaks, awed him. Two peaks of comparable height, forming the Twin Peaks, pierced the clouds. Around these Twin Peaks clustered smaller, snow-capped hillocks of varying elevations. Far off, dense clusters of unidentifiable ancient flora clung to the mountainside halfway up. Despite the approaching deep winter, the mountain remained as green as ever.
To say Guru Mountain was majestic wasn’t quite right. It didn’t seem to tower impressively. Compared to Kayne Mountain on the eastern side of the Yowein Continent, it was far less grand. Kayne Mountain boasted stone steps leading directly to its main peak, a feature Guru Mountain lacked. In fact, it was difficult to even identify Guru Mountain’s main peak.
To say Guru Mountain was mysterious might not be accurate either. Apart from the cloud-piercing Twin Peaks, no other summits were shrouded in mist or fog. It bore no comparison in mystery to Tianxue Mountain on the northwestern Yowein Continent.
And to declare the mountain perilous wouldn’t suit it. From afar, the entire mountain range appeared smooth and substantial. It was not dangerously steep or fraught with precipices, a far cry from Alph Mountain on the western side of the Yowein Continent.
Looking at Guru Mountain from every angle, Igor couldn’t pinpoint anything particularly special, nor anything particularly ordinary.
A single glance revealed no clear path to the summit; or rather, it seemed as if countless paths led upward.
That was the mountain’s truly bizarre aspect: many paths seemed to lead forward, yet none was the main route.
Igor scratched his head, utterly at a loss.
Only now did he realize that the so-called Guru Mountain the Treasure Hunters boasted of conquering was merely a low hillock, still some distance from the Twin Peaks.
"That’s not just any hillock, it’s Dawn Peak, you fool! It’s the first peak of Guru Mountain that I—no, I mean, Lord Soron conquered! Hmph, hmph..."
Before the sharp voice could finish, Igor hastily stuffed the Spirit Book, which had partially slipped out of his pack, back inside.
"Er, why do you always blurt things out? What if someone hears you? You’re a Spirit Book, after all—many people covet you."
"MPH MPH... MPH... MPH MPH MPH..."
How could I be so foolish? I have the Spirit Book right here, yet I’m still racking my brains over this. Igor hurriedly took out the talking book from his pack once again.
"MPH... WAH... HA... HA HA..."
"You finally let me out! I was about to suffocate, you numbskull! What are you afraid of? You didn’t steal or rob me; you obtained this great one—no, I mean, Lord Soron’s work—through a legitimate exchange. What’s there to hide? Look at your ignorant expression; you clearly aren’t... Hmph... Hmph..."
Every time he opened the Spirit Book, Igor had to endure a lengthy monologue. This monologue was mostly a complaint; the book seemed to have an endless supply of words, always terrified of being stifled.
"Er, sorry, I accidentally closed you again. Actually, I just wanted to ask about the path up the mountain," Igor said, opening the Spirit Book once more.
"You fools only remember me when you need my help! Know this: the great Lord Soron always cares for his children, blood-related or not. Therefore, I will do my utmost to fulfill any request you make. Speak! You wish to ask the path up which mountain?"
"Er, there’s only Guru Mountain here..."
"Beyond Guru Mountain lies the Wilderness, a land no one has ever reached. I—no, I mean, Lord Soron—only ever made it to Dawn Peak. This is because when the Deep Winter Slumber arrives, all of Guru Mountain, apart from Dawn Peak, falls into a profound sleep."
Deep Winter Slumber...
"Correct. When that time comes, you’ll see nothing but a vast expanse of white. Heavy snow will fall like a giant curtain, obscuring the Twin Peaks. All that will remain is whiteness; nothing else will be visible."
"Er, it’s already late winter, and deep winter will be here soon. It seems Dawn Peak is my only option."
"The path to Dawn Peak is simple because... there is only one way."
"Er, I guess I’m still hopelessly naive. Even though you’re a Spirit Book, you’re ancient... The world has changed, old fellow."
"Are you questioning me—no, I mean, Lord Soron’s life’s work? You should know, I am the greatest Wizard on this continent and a courageous Adventurer! I infused my Spirit Power into this book to conveniently assist the children I care for, whether or not we share a blood link. As long as I can provide help, I also... MPH... MPH..."
Once again, Igor closed the Spirit Book. The Great Witch had given it to him in exchange for the few strange stones he’d offered as a Divination fee. He hadn’t expected this Spirit Book to be so verbose, nothing like the reliable, helpful companion described in legends and records.
"Perhaps I need to slowly get used to it," Igor murmured to himself, "and to my own stupid head too!"
Suddenly, Igor felt more confused than ever.
He’d initially had no idea which way to go; coming to Guru Mountain had been decided by a twig, a decision that now seemed like a complete joke. He thought, I should have attended more of the Politicians’ courses at Yonder Travel Academy. Without a proper plan, I’m no different from that army of mercenaries at the foot of the mountain—just a headless fly, completely aimless.
But now that I’m here at the foot of Guru Mountain, if I want to become a qualified Adventurer, giving up halfway is absolutely out of the question.
Thinking about it now, I really should have listened to the advice those Treasure Hunters in the tavern gave.
Perhaps I should hire them, if my remaining coins are enough.
Igor carefully checked his pack and found he had very few coins left. After deducting expenses for food and lodging, he had only about thirty copper coins to his name.
And among the mercenary groups at the foot of Guru Mountain, the cheapest guides charged ten copper coins.
That pair of guides was named Liko and Pita; it seemed they were staying in the same inn as him.
Maybe they’ll have some good advice! Igor thought.
Meanwhile, Liko and Pita had just finished counting the gold coins they had earned over the past few days and were furtively hiding them in a particular corner of the inn.