Ch.48Ansila Mountains

# 48. Ansila Mountains

“Even I didn’t memorize the inside of mountains in the game. I can’t gauge how far we need to go before a quest appears.”

“This is ridiculouuuuus!”

“Stop trying to escape reality and let’s just climb.”

Saex’s wail was quickly suppressed by Yebeobnojeong. Despite Saex likely having overwhelmingly better physical abilities, she immediately quieted down when Yebeobnojeong spoke calmly and deliberately.

That’s not to say that Keutjukyeora or I felt any better about the situation.

Someone watching might think this is comedy because of Saex, or that she’s just being dramatic.

But having to blindly climb somewhere in a majestic, treacherous mountain range without knowing our destination was enough to drive anyone crazy, not just Saex.

Oh Saex, getting angry and wailing on our behalf. Thanks to you, my mental state and dignity are preserved for another day.

We gathered our resolve and set foot into the Ansila Mountains.

Wow. The first humans to enter the Ansila Mountains! Wow…

“The visibility is better than in the forest, but why does it feel so eerie?”

“Either there’s actually that kind of energy here, or we’ve forcibly entered an area beyond our appropriate level.”

“Unni, we’re just at the entrance though?”

“It’s just speculation. Maybe it’s all in our heads.”

The Ansila Mountains were divided into four main areas (according to the game).

Ansila Mountains Entrance

Ansila Mountains Middle

Ansila Mountains Depths

Ansila Mountains Summit

Anyone with gaming experience would instinctively know which areas had higher level requirements just by their names.

We were obviously at the entrance now, but the mountain range was so vast that it was impossible to gauge how far the “entrance” extended.

“I hope we can just pass through like we did on floors 1-2.”

“That would be nice, but Kairend Plains was just a field, while this is both a field and a dungeon. Isn’t that wishful thinking?”

“Ugh.”

It’s not like I don’t know how to be optimistic. MMORPG gamers live and die by patches. I’ve built enough hopeful scenarios to fill a truck.

But I couldn’t do that here. I wanted to block out false hope completely because expectations only lead to disappointment, and that would negatively impact our mental state.

‘Sorry for being a raid leader who can’t give empty reassurances!’

Saex seemed to understand my feelings, offering only light teasing before silently continuing to walk.

“It’s harder just climbing without talking. Let’s chat about something.”

“What should we talk about?”

“Something fun.”

The silence didn’t last long. As Keutjukyeora said, the atmosphere was already bleak, and walking without conversation only made it more depressing.

I thought we should maintain vigilance while talking to shake off the eeriness.

“This is something I used to—”

“Raid leader. Tell us about your love life.”

“What? What are you saying? Didn’t I tell you I’ve never dated?”

“Did you? Anyway, you must have an ideal type. Tell us about that.”

I was about to share some wild company stories that fresh college students would never have experienced, but instead she asked about my ideal type.

“Ideal type. Ideal type, huh.”

My ideal type had always changed. Sometimes it changed based on the webtoons, dramas, or movies I was watching at the time, and sometimes it changed for no reason at all.

Like how childhood dreams change frequently.

“Don’t tell me you don’t have an ideal type either. That would be so boring, Raid Leader oppa.”

“Hey, I’m human too, of course I have one. It’s just that it’s never been fixed on one specific type, so it’s awkward to explain.”

“So that means you have a current ideal type right now?”

Saex’s offensive power showed no mercy. She seemed determined to relieve her hiking stress by persistently digging into this topic.

‘She’s basically asking me to choose from among the three of them! This mischievous girl.’

It was like Albrant’s seduction incident version 2, except we were all fully clothed. Not only Saex who asked the question, but Keutjukyeora and Yebeobnojeong were also clearly waiting for my answer!

The eerie atmosphere had dissipated somewhat, but my back was sweating as I pondered what answer would let me navigate this situation most smoothly.

“A woman who can understand me.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve had many fantasies, but working at a company made me realize that meeting such a woman is truly a fantasy itself. This isn’t limited to women—it applies to people in general.”

It was a good answer. And as I spoke, I realized it was true.

“I’ve met too many women who impose their standards, feelings, or moods on others, prioritizing only themselves when things don’t go their way. Ah, I don’t mean all women, just the ones I’ve met.”

“I know. Go on.”

“Yeah, well. I never forced anything on those women, but they kept expecting things from me and trying to force things on me. Some were pretty, rich, or from good backgrounds, but I just didn’t want to deal with them.”

It’s not that I never had opportunities for blind dates. I worked at a decent company and, thanks to my parents, I wasn’t bad-looking and had decent height. But I rejected them all or got rejected. I was so sick of it that I regretted missing raids for those dates.

I can say with certainty that the three women before me were the closest to my ideal type among all the women I’d met. Beyond looks, age, figure, or personality.

We’d spent weeks together without a single unpleasant incident?

That was a miracle.

“Satisfied?”

“Tch. I have to give it to you—your tongue works well in crisis situations.”

“Haha.”

She seemed to have more to say but was holding back for now. If Saex had pressed more persistently, I was going to say this isn’t an inn and we should stop here, but she knew where to draw the line.

“It wouldn’t be strange if monsters jumped out from anywhere at any time now.”

“What monsters appeared here again?”

“At the entrance, probably goblins, orcs, and occasionally trolls.”

The Ansila Mountains weren’t just tall—they were also filled with monsters. In the game, trying to cut through here to save time was considered suicidal, making this area as dangerous as a demon realm.

Since we’d climbed at least 200 meters (with no messages or portals appearing yet), it wouldn’t be strange if our peaceful time ended at any moment.

And my prediction was spot on.

“GRUOOOOOAARGH!!!”

“Damn it, orcs!”

It seemed absurd that such burly orcs could survive in these treacherous mountains, but there they were—reality.

“Seyeon! Yuri!”

Keutjukyeora and Saex took positions at the front before I could even give orders. Keutjukyeora was clearly in a protective stance, while Saex positioned herself to protect us but ready to dash out and strike the enemies’ flanks if necessary.

“Subin!”

“Maximum output ready.”

“Good.”

Yebeobnojeong didn’t look like someone facing her first real battle at all. Despite only having discussed strategies beforehand, she was taking exactly the actions I wanted without any hesitation.

‘Maybe it’s easier for her since she doesn’t have to engage in direct melee combat?’

Either way, it was a good thing. Seeing the fireballs glowing several times more powerfully than on the first day boosted my confidence.

The orcs were beyond reasoning.

Sometimes you encounter orcs that can communicate or don’t attack first, but these ones charging with war cries were clearly not making peaceful gestures.

‘Kill or be killed. Same as always since coming to the Tower.’

Let’s show these barbarians who don’t know how to talk what real firepower is.

I gave the order I’d been mentally wishing for since the Albrant undead quest.

“Blast them away.”

“Confirmed.”

As soon as she heard my order, Yebeobnojeong launched fireballs from her fingertips toward the orcs. Like a game of chicken, both sides approached rapidly and collided without either backing down.

“GRAAAAAAARGH!!!”

“Great!”

“Nice!”

Two incapacitated, two severely injured, two lightly injured.

An excellent first strike. But it wasn’t enough. The orcs’ numbers hadn’t even been reduced by half. And these creatures would charge desperately whether severely or lightly injured, as long as they could move.

We needed a follow-up attack.

“Subin!”

“Recasting, 7 seconds.”

Yebeobnojeong was concentrating on casting another spell right after launching the first fireball. She who hadn’t shed a single drop of sweat during our climb was now drenched in sweat in this short time.

We absolutely couldn’t break her concentration.

“Seyeon! Yuri! Defend your positions!”

“Yes!”

“Okay!”

Our position wasn’t good for advancing to meet them head-on. With our physical disadvantage, charging uphill wasn’t a good choice.

‘But letting those creatures build up momentum in their charge isn’t good either.’

We could barely time it for a second fireball. If we couldn’t reduce their charging power by then, we might get seriously injured.

“Subin, just listen. When you finish casting, shout ‘one’ and prepare to fire in the direction I point.”

The distance was really closing now. I hoped Yebeobnojeong’s casting would finish in one second, or even half a second.

The orcs’ charge was truly terrifying in person.

But we had a rapidly evolving fire-attribute cannon on our side.

“One.”

“Fire! Then recast immediately!”

“Confirmed.”

The second fireball that Yebeobnojeong fired without delay collided once again with the vanguard of the charging orcs. The orcs who had somehow maintained their fierce momentum through the first hit now had their formation completely shattered as they emitted the smell of burning meat.

Yes, that’s it! This is why we need a mage!

Both Keutjukyeora and Saex had done well from the start, but… Yebeobnojeong was truly a genius.

“Yuri! Go wild! Seyeon, support Yuri!”

[Combat Command: Charge is activated.]

Orcs who’ve lost their charging momentum and suffered burns?

Now it was showtime for the Barbarian Warlord enhanced with the Battle Commander’s buff.

“COME-AT-ME-YOU-PIG-BASTARDS!”

Saex howled in a different sense.