The Groups Entering the Mountain

At the foot of the mountain, groups of dwarves and cloaked figures moved cautiously. Even though the heavenly tribulation had dispersed, they still dared not approach too closely, as a lingering fear held fast in their hearts. The power of the tribulation exceeded anything they had experienced before, as if signaling the end of the world, leaving them tempted to abandon the mission altogether.

Among them was Vandal, a guardian of the Badin family, clad in middle divine-grade armor. Despite his protective gear, his face was pale with anxiety, still haunted by the experience he had just endured. Now, he had to get even closer to the site of the heavenly tribulation. The fierce wind phenomenon, something he would normally dread, had been all but forgotten amid the overwhelming fear that gripped him.