It's Too Peaceful

More than a week had passed since Cien left his shop.

Noon, Cien and the group decided to take a rest. They were now in the middle part of Mount Lokoya. It would only take about five to six hours for them to reach the peak.

However, Cien couldn't continue to the mountain's peak area, as it was outside the territory of Death Valley, which he couldn't cross.

So, for now, they would search in the middle part of the mountain. If they didn't find anything, Kirana and the others would head to the summit, leaving Cien.

Two days had passed since they reached that part of the mountain, yet they had found nothing.

Mount Lokoya was vast and high, almost comparable to Mount Everest in Cien's previous life. This resulted in the place they were in being covered with snow and ice.

Ian quickly made a campfire to warm themselves and cook, while Kirana created a protective dome-shaped water shield with a radius of twenty meters. It was made to alert Kirana if any monsters were approaching.

Cien opened his bag and took out some cooking equipment. Legia grabbed a pot and filled it with water using water magic, which was then heated over the fire.

There were four of them there, but none could use fire magic.

Only the magic items created by Cien could produce fire, and even those were useless for everyday life due to their excessively strong magical power.

Cien had once tried to use his Fire Glove to start a campfire, but the result was a massive bonfire that burned all the wood he had gathered.

In the end, they had to start the fire, heat the water, and do everything else manually.

After the water was boiling, they finally began to drink the warm water, feeling the heat pass down their throats, chests, and stomachs. Only then did Cien start to cook.

The cooking supplies Cien had brought with him had run out days ago.

Fortunately, they lived in Death Valley, a place where monsters could be found at any time. It wasn't difficult to get food here. As long as you were strong!

The presence of Kirana and Cien with his bow made hunting monsters seem easy. If those two weren't there, Legia and Ian might have been dead on the first day.

Cien took a few pieces of meat from the monster he had hunted the previous afternoon.

Meat from a Mountain Frost Deer. Cien grilled the meat over the fire and added a little seasoning from the spices he had taken from his shop's kitchen.

"Mmm, I don't know why, but Lord Millard's foods always tastes so good!" Ian praised.

"I think it's not a skill, it's just because the meat is of high quality. After all, it's from a Rank 4 monster."

"Death Valley is so profitable. Why are so many people afraid of this place?" Legia asked, eating her food hungrily.

"It seems you forgot your first experience here."

""…""

Legia and Ian fell silent. They recalled the incident where their lives would have been lost if Cien hadn't come to save them.

It was not impossible to explore Death Valley. However, one needed a strong companion, at least as strong as Kirana. Even then, without Cien, Kirana could perish within a few days.

Cien could peacefully reside in Death Valley due to his cheat ability. The formation protection made his territory safe.

Now, they could venture through Death Valley freely, thanks to the item owned by Cien as well.

A black cloak, currently adorning Cien. It was a gift obtained from the mission in Ashur, known as the Cloak of Raven Abyss.

According to Cien's status, the cloak was made from the rare monster crow's feathers, residing deep within the Abyss. The crow was said to have four wings, three eyes, and one leg.

As a gift from the mobile application system, the cloak possessed incredibly useful powers, consisting of three skills.

Firstly, Stealth.

This skill allowed the wearer to vanish from the perception of others. Not only that, but it could also extend the stealth zone to a five-meter radius, concealing the presence of anyone within it.

Secondly, Shadow Merge.

When wearing the cloak, Cien could conceal himself within shadows.

Lastly, Transformation.

The cloak could morph into two pairs of wings, enabling Cien to fly. However, Cien had done it only once and vowed not to do it again unless in dire circumstances.

It seemed a fear of flying had taken root in Cien, perhaps due to the incident when Hela dragged him from Ashur to Death Valley.

The activation of the skills of the Cloak of Raven Abyss required a considerable amount of mana. The duration of each skill depended on the mana that was supplied by Cien.

Cien couldn't perform that feat. Therefore, in the early days after receiving the gift, Cien immediately modified it.

He draws a magical circuit and a Mana Core behind the cloak to make it self-sustaining in terms of mana supply.

Cien's actions were a gamble, but it succeeded. He managed to turn the cloak into a magic item, although it significantly reduced the cloak's durability.

With this cloak, Cien and the three others could traverse Death Valley without encountering many monsters.

It was also this cloak that fueled Cien's desire to seek the Heart of Ice. He knew that exploring Death Valley was no longer a difficult task.

"So, what's the plan now, Lord Millard?" asked Legia, who had finished her meal.

Kirana picked up the dirty utensils and cleaned them with water magic.

"Hmm..."

Cien thought for a moment. Exploring blindly would only be a waste of time. He needed another clue besides the area around the peak mentioned by Shiwa.

That area had been explored by Huntara in the last few decades. The chances of it being there were slim.

'No. Two historical records say that it was on the peak. But it changed when the next Heart of Ice appeared.'

Cien then remembered the figure of the guardian who suddenly appeared to fight the expedition team two hundred years ago.

'Fenrir…'

The monster was not killed. So, what if Fenrir had taken the Heart of Ice first from the peak, making the material impossible for the expedition team to find?

'But for what? For what purpose does Fenrir want the Heart of Ice? Is it needed to increase his power? Not to mention, is Fenrir still alive? This is confusing.'

Cien scratched his head. Trying to see things from a different perspective. Remove the figure of Fenrir. Then a question for him arises, from what does the Heart of Ice come?

Every material should have a source why it 'exists'.

There must be something that has a reason that makes it become the Heart of Ice.

"What is the reason or condition?"

Heart of Ice, heart of ice... no, ice core... ice?

'This ice mountain summit? ... or maybe the coldest place, huh?'

Perhaps, this is still just Cien's assumption. But it's better to move with a single goal.

Searching for the coldest place other than the summit is more logical than searching aimlessly.

Cien explained his assumption to the others. Making them think how they know the place. They are not thermometers.

"I can feel it."

At least until Kirana mentioned it. Kirana is a master of Ice Magic. She can naturally feel the temperature around her. As if it had become an instinct in her.

Kirana does not know the exact location, but she can lead the group to a colder place than the place they are currently standing on.

That way, sooner or later, the coldest place mentioned by Cien might be found.

With that, the search continued. All cooking utensils were put back in the coffin. Cien carried the coffin and his hand is now holding a bow and arrow.

"Sigh... let's finish this quickly and get out of this frozen place, [Stealth Zone]."

A veil of mana that was invisible to the naked eye suddenly enveloped the four people. Suppressing their presence.

Kirana canceled her protective magic, and they continued to move. This time, they followed Kirana's instructions.

Time passed, the day was already approaching dusk. The temperature was dropping, making the body shiver. Soon, they arrived at the edge of a small lake.

Cien thought that night would soon come.

Time to set up camp. But, it is better to stay away from the lake, because such a place is a source of water for various monsters.

It would be foolish to sleep in the public facilities of these wild creatures.

Cien ordered the group to stay away from the lake and to start camping. Ending their journey for today.

But Kirana, who had been looking at the lake, suddenly said;

"Father... here. This may be the coldest place."

"Huh?"

Cien was stunned, he looked at the direction of his daughter's gaze, which was towards the depths of the lake.

Although faint, he could see a small light shining in the depths. A ray of light that can penetrate the darkness of the lake.

Is that the Heart of Ice? Though Cien, he felt like denying it because he felt the search was too easy.

However, Ian's next voice reminded Cien of something.

"Fiuuu~ the color of the lake at sunset. Quite beautiful, not to mention the calm surface with a peaceful atmosphere. Do we really have to stay away from this place? I don't think any monsters come here," said Ian.

"…what did you say?"

"Eh, umm... can't we just camp here?"

"Not that," Cien thought for a moment, "Peaceful? ... Why does the water source in the forest look peaceful?"

Cien immediately knew that something was wrong.

"Everyone away now!"

Cien commanded them while immediately pulling Kirana's arm, who was still looking at the lake.

Ian and Legia were a little surprised, and then followed immediately. After getting far enough and hiding in the forest.

Cien looked back at the lake.

"Lord Millard, what's wrong?"

"Father..."

"Heart of Ice is indeed in that lake."

"! Then why did we leave?" Ian asked in surprise.

"Because this place is too peaceful. Remember, this is a fu**ing Death Valley! Only within five to ten minutes, there is always a new monster that we can see. Whether it's weak or strong. But this... too quiet. Even the sound of insects and birds cannot be heard."

Kirana, who heard that, understood the situation in the lake.

"There is a powerful monster who ruled this territory."

"Yeah, the monster who might be the mythical monster that has been famous in Huntara."

Ian, who knew the story of the monster, murmured in a trembling voice.

"Fenrir..."