Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 347: Chapter 346: The Road to the Peak of Ice and Snow (VII)

Chapter 347: Chapter 346: The Road to the Peak of Ice and Snow (VII)

“Damn it, what in the world is happening here!”

As the endless wave of creatures surged before him, Hucks swung his massive sword, chopping the goblins in front of him into a mash while helplessly complaining.

“We’re just here for a trial mission, was there really a need for such an exaggeration?”

“Watch out!”

Before Hucks could finish his sentence, Bolt’s voice suddenly rang in his ear, followed by Hucks feeling a huge shadow looming towards him. He was startled and quickly maneuvered the sub-dragon beneath him to sprint forward. With a loud “boom,” a gigantic rock descended from the sky and smashed into the ground not far behind him, carving a massive crater in the earth. Seeing this, Hucks’s complexion also changed slightly.

“What the hell, even a Frost Giant has appeared?”

Hucks stared at the enormous figure slowly emerging in the distance, his expression growing increasingly ugly.

Their trial team had a relatively smooth journey up until now. Being a part of the United Army from the Kingdom of Flame and the Land of Wealth, the team lacked neither money nor manpower. Besides several candidates being assessed, there were over twenty high-level guards and servants. Therefore, common bandits and thieves wouldn’t dare to trouble them, and those creatures that typically caused them issues hadn’t appeared either, which had initially pleased Hucks. Though following that fat pig was annoying, having no battles and being able to complete the commissioned mission with ease was nothing short of perfect.

But what Hucks hadn’t expected was that they would still encounter trouble. No, to be precise, although he had considered the possibility of trouble, this was just too… troublesome!

“That damned employer, what the hell kind of map did they provide!”

Thinking of this, Hucks couldn’t help but seethe with frustration. The mission they were on was supposed to be relatively simple: they only needed to reach the Peak of Ice and Snow, then place an item entrusted by the employer at a specified location. It was considered an easy task by them; moreover, the employer had provided a detailed map of the Frozen Summit Range, even drawing out a path and telling them that following it would allow them to avoid alarming the elves and dwarves and reach their destination directly.

While Hucks would have liked to meet some of those beautiful elf girls, he knew his companions’ foolish temperament and, with the mission being the priority (and considering he could meet elf girls anytime, but the assessment only happened once a year), he restrained his impulses and followed the alternate mountain path with his companion.

As a result… they hadn’t gone far before they encountered a group of goblins.

For Hucks and others who were qualified to participate in the graduation assessment, the puny goblins were of course no issue, especially with the well-equipped and strong guards. They swiftly dispatched them with little effort.

Unexpectedly, though these goblins weren’t powerful, killing them seemed like poking a hornet’s nest. Various creatures began to charge at them in endless waves. At first, Hucks found this rather exhilarating, being a warrior who didn’t enjoy idle luxury. Only through battle could he prove his strength and worth.

But now… even a Frost Giant had appeared!

Was this some cursed Creature Alliance? How did they even manage to band together for an attack? And how come they’ve become so ferocious?

Hucks and Bolt were experienced warriors who had dealt with these “low-level creatures” before; they knew goblins and gnolls were typically cowards who swarmed the weak but fled from strong opponents. Yet the creatures before them now fought fearlessly, posing a major headache.

This mission was utterly cursed!

Of course, Mr. Fang Zheng and the others had no idea that someone below had drawn aggro for them, but even if they knew, there wasn’t much they could do about it. At this moment, they were quickly advancing towards the summit of the Peak of Ice and Snow.

Although most creatures had been drawn away by the battle at the mountain’s base, there were still a significant number scattered along various trails. However, these creatures were no threat to Fang Zheng and his team. Lady Katie activated a Magic Artifact known as the “Mirror of Illusions,” forming a huge Invisibility Sphere and wrapping everyone inside to prevent prying eyes. Meanwhile, Jane worked with Fang Zheng to snipe any creatures that blocked the path.

After all, in such a place, an elf’s sharpshooting was more suited than the thunderous combat of a Dwarf Warrior.

For the pair, it wasn’t much trouble at all; the fragile goblins and gnolls were left to Jane for direct headshots with her arrows, while the massive Frost Giants were swiftly dispatched by Fang Zheng. The rest stayed within the Invisibility Sphere released by Katie, concealing their forms as they progressed, and it didn’t take long for them to successfully navigate the mountain paths and arrive near a cave at the summit—until then, the group finally stopped.

Because what lay ahead was no longer a place they could casually breach.

“I never thought there would be so many.”

Hiding behind a rock, Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes, observing what was in front of him. On the platform outside the cave not far ahead, nearly a hundred creatures had formed a semi-circle, standing outside the vast cavern atop the summit. Gnolls, goblins, and other creatures separated into their individual species, with several tall Frost Giants standing behind them, seemingly observing something.

At the entrance of the cave stood a goblin clutching a staff, a gnoll shrouded in a cloak, and what appeared to be an elderly Goblin. Judging by their attire, these three seemed to be the prestigious leaders of their respective species. At that moment, they knelt in front of the cavern, chattering and muttering something.

“They… what are they doing?”

Hailien and the young Astrologer also gathered around at this moment, curiously looking at the scene before them and began to ask. Fang Zheng, however, just shrugged his shoulders, staring intently at the cave.

“They’re performing a sacrifice.”

“…Are you sure?”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, the girls’ expressions became somewhat peculiar, not for any other reason, but because the items set before the three monster leaders were far different from what they had imagined. Before the Goblin, there was a pile of old glass marbles, before the Goblin, blood-stained swords and armor, and before the Gnoll, a deer carcass that had clearly been gnawed on.

Offering these to a dragon… Aren’t they afraid of being swallowed whole by the dragon?

“The nature of the sacrifice itself isn’t what’s important, but the attitude is.”

Fang Zheng obviously knew that these items didn’t look like anything a dragon would accept, but he also knew that the offerings laid out by these races were actually indicative of their respective tendencies, what they’re showcasing is actually what the tribe is best at. Now, the dragon had to choose one of them to become its subordinate, and the other two races would have to leave the Frozen Summit Range.

“So, let me confirm once again, we’ll proceed according to the plan we laid out. As soon as the dragon comes out, I’ll try to lure it away, while you are responsible for taking care of the creatures here… That really won’t be a problem?”

“Please rest assured, Mr. Fang Zheng, the creatures here are numerous, but we are confident!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Fina gripped her Meteor Hammer tightly and nodded vigorously.

“But, Mr. Fang Zheng… facing a dragon alone, are you really okay?”

Fina’s concerns were obviously more practical than Fang Zheng’s. While her group had both old and young members, none were to be trifled with—each with talent that broke the heavens. The hundreds of monsters were a bit troublesome for them, but they didn’t pose too great a danger.

“Nymph, you and the little one stay here to assist them. If anything goes wrong, switch with Black Katie.”

“Okay, Master.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s command, Nymph nodded, and the Little Fire Dragon in her arms also stuck its head out and called out “Ya ya” twice. It was at this moment that Fang Zheng once again turned his head toward the entrance of the cave.

“Alright, our target will be arriving soon.”

“Boom… Boom…”

Following Fang Zheng’s words, a deep sound of footsteps arose, causing the ground beneath Fang Zheng and the others to tremble slightly with each step. A strong oppressive force slowly emerged from the air, rushing towards the people like a flood.

“Everyone, hide behind me.”

Feeling the forceful pressure, Fang Zheng frowned and spoke in a low voice. Although the dragon’s oppressive aura was very strong, he was certain that the creature would not fully unleash its Dragon Might; otherwise, with these low intelligence races’ direct encounter, they would have fainted immediately and been of no use as underlings.

But it was essential to seize the opportunity—if the dragon realized something was amiss, it would definitely unleash its Dragon Might in full force right away. At that point, everyone on his side, except himself and Nymph, would likely lose all combat effectiveness…

“Huff…”

Just at this moment, the footsteps halted, and the three monster elders seemed to grow more excited. They started to screech and squabble, waving their hands and displaying their power and eagerness to the formidable being in their own way. Soon after, Fang Zheng caught sight of two lantern-sized points of light emerging from the shadows of the great cavern.

Then, a massive shadow slowly stuck its head out from within the cave.

Now is the time!

The very instant the Chief Dragon’s head emerged, Fang Zheng abruptly waved his sword.

Sealing! fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm