The morning light broke through the mist, revealing the daunting outline of the Alps. Zayzal and Sera sat by the smoldering remains of their campfire with a map spread out before them. Their eyes traced the possible routes, but each path was a gamble against the unpredictable terrain and weather.
"We could try going around, but that'll take weeks, maybe even months, if we can find a car," Zayzal mused, his finger following the winding paths on the map.
Sera nodded, her gaze still fixed on the towering mountains. "Or we find a way through. There might be passes or old tunnels, but it's risky. Who knows how the mountains have changed in the past few weeks."
The decision weighed heavily on them. The Alps were a natural fortress but equally as unforgiving. Yet, time was not on their side. The longer they delayed, the more the world would change and the further their goal would slip away.
This wouldn’t be as much of a problem if they weren’t about to run out of gas as they could just go around the Alps and through Austria, then either head to Hungary or Slovenia to continue the rest of the journey.
However, not only was there a gas shortage, but not everyone was willing to give up their cars. Anders and Ingrid were special cases, but the majority of people just chased them away. Another option was to try and find an abandoned car whose battery hadn’t died and still had gasoline. But, not only did those cars smell like rotting flesh, there were practically none!
More often than not, if people were out of their homes when mana descended, they were inside a vehicle when their bodies started to change. If they adapted, they drove off. If they didn’t, they exploded and their car crashed into something, then the engine ran until it couldn’t.
So, cars and fuel were rare items that nobody wanted to give. By now, more and more people had begun manifesting their abilities, so Zayzal couldn’t ‘scam’ people anymore. And to top it all off, Austrian border security has increased, with the only locations not watched being small cities south of Munich.
As they had come from the Rhine River, they didn’t have that much fuel left. Certainly not enough to make it around the mountains.
‘There were also rumors going around about weird mirages happening in Austria. I don’t know what’s going on there, but it can’t be anything good. Through the mountains literally seems to be the most efficient solution.’ Zayzal contemplated what they should do.
Coincidentally, he took out the Dungeon Compass, or so he called it, and noticed that it was actually pointing at the mountains as well.
‘Haaa… It seems even fate wants us to take the short yet treacherous way.’ He sighed, but what more could he say? When the universe wants you to do something, you do it. ‘But this is also good. We can take a break from all the driving and focus on training, fighting monsters, and getting stronger. It shouldn’t take longer than a few days, and we can skip most of the Austrian nonsense.’
Other than setting them a few days behind schedule, there weren't many downsides. However, they would still have to find a car once they crossed the mountains, but they could save that for later.
Putting on a smile, Zayzal turned to Sera and said, “I guess we’re going through the mountains.”
“Yes!” Sera exclaimed, pumping her fists. She was tired of sitting in that damn car all day! “Finally! Some more action!”
“What? The Rhine River dungeon not enough for you?” Zayzal nudged her with his elbow, only to receive a smack to the back.
“No! It’s too boring sitting around all day. I need to move my body, dammit!”
‘Spoken like a true Viking.’ Zayzal thought, only to receive another smack. “Ouch!”
“I’m not a damn Viking!”
“I didn’t even say anything!”
“No, but you were thinking it!”
‘Fuck! She’s too sharp.’ Zayzal clicked his tongue before he got up to pack their stuff, still feeling the stinging pain in his back. Since they were going the mountain route, they had to prepare everything instead of just throwing all their stuff into the trunk.
As Zayzal and Sera prepared to embark on their treacherous journey through the Alps, they could feel that the mana was denser around the mountains. The weather here was already unpredictable before mana was introduced, now, it was downright random.
After around half an hour, they cleaned up their camp and finished packing.
“I guess it’s time to go,” Zayzal said, tightening his backpack and ensuring that food and water were within reach.
“I guess so,” Sera replied as she finished tying her shield to her backpack, keeping her axe in one hand to use as a walking stick.
“Then, let’s head up!” Zayzal smiled and led the march toward the mountains.
The morning was crisp and clear, but the weather swiftly changed as they ascended the rocky slopes. Dark clouds rolled in, obscuring the sun and bringing an abrupt chill. Snow began to fall, at first light and gentle, but soon it grew into a blinding flurry. Visibility dropped to mere feet, forcing them to rely heavily on their instincts and Zayzal's enhanced senses.
“Tch. Really… Just as we appeared, a blizzard comes.” Zayzal muttered under his breath, but the howling winds and piercing flurry blocked all sound.
Fortunately, they were ready this time. The two were tied to one another by a rope so that they wouldn’t get lost.
As they trudged through the thickening blanket of white, the distant rumble of avalanches forced them to pause as they were quickly reminded that they had just stepped into a natural battlefield. Each thunderous explosion of rocks weighing multiple tons crashing into each other sent a shiver down their spines.
Navigating through the treacherous terrain, they witnessed the full extent of mana's influence on nature. Streams that should have been frozen were flowing vigorously, their waters charged with a faint luminescent glow. Trees and plants that were twisted and enlarged by mana dotted the landscape.
Even the birds and little critters seemed larger than what Zayzal remembered.
A few hours soon passed, with them making little progress. They made their way through a narrow pass when the ground beneath them suddenly trembled. An avalanche came crashing down the mountainside towards them.
At first, they couldn’t hear it, but Zayzal felt a ping in his mind as if something was warning him of danger. Closing his eyes, he felt the sudden shaking of the snow, causing his eyes to widen in fear.
Reacting swiftly, Zayzal grabbed Sera and, using his newfound strength, leaped towards a protruding rock formation for cover.
A torrent of snow and ice that obliterated everything in its path roared past them as they stood just mere feet away from death. They huddled against the rock, feeling the tremors and the icy gusts of wind that followed the avalanche's wake. When it was over, they emerged, shaken but unscathed from their shelter.
"Mana really has changed everything," Sera muttered, brushing snow off her shoulders.
Zayzal nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the altered landscape. "...Maybe we shouldn’t have come here.”
Sera flicked him on the forehead. “Too late for that now.” Then she grinned while looking out at the icy tundra before them. “Plus, it’s not all bad! How many people get to say they sat right under an avalanche and survived? I can already imagine the look on my parents’ faces when I tell them! Hahaha!”
Zayzal couldn’t help but chuckle at Sera's indomitable spirit. Despite the dangers they faced, her enthusiasm was infectious. With a more optimistic outlook, they pressed on, their journey taking them deeper into the heart of the Alps.
As the day progressed, the climate became increasingly harsh. Rapid snowfalls became a common occurrence, often blanketing the ground in thick layers within minutes. The unpredictability of the weather was a constant challenge, and they found themselves frequently adjusting their route to avoid treacherous areas prone to avalanches.
Their path led them through a landscape that was both breathtaking and deadly. Towering ice formations, sculpted by the relentless winds and mana, loomed over them like silent guardians. The usual sounds of wildlife were absent, replaced by the howling wind and the occasional crack of shifting ice.
It was during this trek that they stumbled upon their first monster up here.
The morning light broke through the mist, revealing the daunting outline of the Alps. Zayzal and Sera sat by the smoldering remains of their campfire with a map spread out before them. Their eyes traced the possible routes, but each path was a gamble against the unpredictable terrain and weather.
"We could try going around, but that'll take weeks, maybe even months, if we can find a car," Zayzal mused, his finger following the winding paths on the map.
Sera nodded, her gaze still fixed on the towering mountains. "Or we find a way through. There might be passes or old tunnels, but it's risky. Who knows how the mountains have changed in the past few weeks."
The decision weighed heavily on them. The Alps were a natural fortress but equally as unforgiving. Yet, time was not on their side. The longer they delayed, the more the world would change and the further their goal would slip away.
This wouldn’t be as much of a problem if they weren’t about to run out of gas as they could just go around the Alps and through Austria, then either head to Hungary or Slovenia to continue the rest of the journey.
However, not only was there a gas shortage, but not everyone was willing to give up their cars. Anders and Ingrid were special cases, but the majority of people just chased them away. Another option was to try and find an abandoned car whose battery hadn’t died and still had gasoline. But, not only did those cars smell like rotting flesh, there were practically none!
More often than not, if people were out of their homes when mana descended, they were inside a vehicle when their bodies started to change. If they adapted, they drove off. If they didn’t, they exploded and their car crashed into something, then the engine ran until it couldn’t.
So, cars and fuel were rare items that nobody wanted to give. By now, more and more people had begun manifesting their abilities, so Zayzal couldn’t ‘scam’ people anymore. And to top it all off, Austrian border security has increased, with the only locations not watched being small cities south of Munich.
As they had come from the Rhine River, they didn’t have that much fuel left. Certainly not enough to make it around the mountains.
‘There were also rumors going around about weird mirages happening in Austria. I don’t know what’s going on there, but it can’t be anything good. Through the mountains literally seems to be the most efficient solution.’ Zayzal contemplated what they should do.
Coincidentally, he took out the Dungeon Compass, or so he called it, and noticed that it was actually pointing at the mountains as well.
‘Haaa… It seems even fate wants us to take the short yet treacherous way.’ He sighed, but what more could he say? When the universe wants you to do something, you do it. ‘But this is also good. We can take a break from all the driving and focus on training, fighting monsters, and getting stronger. It shouldn’t take longer than a few days, and we can skip most of the Austrian nonsense.’
Other than setting them a few days behind schedule, there weren't many downsides. However, they would still have to find a car once they crossed the mountains, but they could save that for later.
Putting on a smile, Zayzal turned to Sera and said, “I guess we’re going through the mountains.”
“Yes!” Sera exclaimed, pumping her fists. She was tired of sitting in that damn car all day! “Finally! Some more action!”
“What? The Rhine River dungeon not enough for you?” Zayzal nudged her with his elbow, only to receive a smack to the back.
“No! It’s too boring sitting around all day. I need to move my body, dammit!”
‘Spoken like a true Viking.’ Zayzal thought, only to receive another smack. “Ouch!”
“I’m not a damn Viking!”
“I didn’t even say anything!”
“No, but you were thinking it!”
‘Fuck! She’s too sharp.’ Zayzal clicked his tongue before he got up to pack their stuff, still feeling the stinging pain in his back. Since they were going the mountain route, they had to prepare everything instead of just throwing all their stuff into the trunk.
As Zayzal and Sera prepared to embark on their treacherous journey through the Alps, they could feel that the mana was denser around the mountains. The weather here was already unpredictable before mana was introduced, now, it was downright random.
After around half an hour, they cleaned up their camp and finished packing.
“I guess it’s time to go,” Zayzal said, tightening his backpack and ensuring that food and water were within reach.
“I guess so,” Sera replied as she finished tying her shield to her backpack, keeping her axe in one hand to use as a walking stick.
“Then, let’s head up!” Zayzal smiled and led the march toward the mountains.
The morning was crisp and clear, but the weather swiftly changed as they ascended the rocky slopes. Dark clouds rolled in, obscuring the sun and bringing an abrupt chill. Snow began to fall, at first light and gentle, but soon it grew into a blinding flurry. Visibility dropped to mere feet, forcing them to rely heavily on their instincts and Zayzal's enhanced senses.
“Tch. Really… Just as we appeared, a blizzard comes.” Zayzal muttered under his breath, but the howling winds and piercing flurry blocked all sound.
Fortunately, they were ready this time. The two were tied to one another by a rope so that they wouldn’t get lost.
As they trudged through the thickening blanket of white, the distant rumble of avalanches forced them to pause as they were quickly reminded that they had just stepped into a natural battlefield. Each thunderous explosion of rocks weighing multiple tons crashing into each other sent a shiver down their spines.
Navigating through the treacherous terrain, they witnessed the full extent of mana's influence on nature. Streams that should have been frozen were flowing vigorously, their waters charged with a faint luminescent glow. Trees and plants that were twisted and enlarged by mana dotted the landscape.
Even the birds and little critters seemed larger than what Zayzal remembered.
A few hours soon passed, with them making little progress. They made their way through a narrow pass when the ground beneath them suddenly trembled. An avalanche came crashing down the mountainside towards them.
At first, they couldn’t hear it, but Zayzal felt a ping in his mind as if something was warning him of danger. Closing his eyes, he felt the sudden shaking of the snow, causing his eyes to widen in fear.
Reacting swiftly, Zayzal grabbed Sera and, using his newfound strength, leaped towards a protruding rock formation for cover.
A torrent of snow and ice that obliterated everything in its path roared past them as they stood just mere feet away from death. They huddled against the rock, feeling the tremors and the icy gusts of wind that followed the avalanche's wake. When it was over, they emerged, shaken but unscathed from their shelter.
"Mana really has changed everything," Sera muttered, brushing snow off her shoulders.
Zayzal nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the altered landscape. "...Maybe we shouldn’t have come here.”
Sera flicked him on the forehead. “Too late for that now.” Then she grinned while looking out at the icy tundra before them. “Plus, it’s not all bad! How many people get to say they sat right under an avalanche and survived? I can already imagine the look on my parents’ faces when I tell them! Hahaha!”
Zayzal couldn’t help but chuckle at Sera's indomitable spirit. Despite the dangers they faced, her enthusiasm was infectious. With a more optimistic outlook, they pressed on, their journey taking them deeper into the heart of the Alps.
As the day progressed, the climate became increasingly harsh. Rapid snowfalls became a common occurrence, often blanketing the ground in thick layers within minutes. The unpredictability of the weather was a constant challenge, and they found themselves frequently adjusting their route to avoid treacherous areas prone to avalanches.
Their path led them through a landscape that was both breathtaking and deadly. Towering ice formations, sculpted by the relentless winds and mana, loomed over them like silent guardians. The usual sounds of wildlife were absent, replaced by the howling wind and the occasional crack of shifting ice.
It was during this trek that they stumbled upon their first monster up here.
