Chapter 119: The Legend of the Ice Crystal and the Avalanche’s Roar

Even on Mount Taebaek, where fierce snowstorms raged year-round, there were beastkin who called it home.

One such place was a clan village called Baekyaseong, inhabited by white mountain goat beastkin.

We didn’t know the exact reason, but we had left the city to avoid the two Dragonbloods who had come looking for Taebaek.

With no suitable place to stay, we decided to head to Baekyaseong and spend a few days there for a price.

“Hmm…”

According to the map, we had arrived at the village known as Baekyaseong.

The way it rested atop the snow-covered mountain made it look like a painting.

Just as we approached the wide-open gates of Baekyaseong, faint sounds that had been buried under the howling wind began to grow louder.

The sharp clashing of metal, weapons colliding, and the screams of people scattered through the wind.

Between the pure white snow came the scent of fire and blood.

“This is…”

I didn’t know the reason, but it seemed a battle had broken out inside.

Judging by the lack of significant mana fluctuations, it wasn’t a fight involving mages, but rather beastkin against beastkin.

I leapt off Nightmare’s back and clung to a low wall, cautiously peeking into the village.

“Protect the children!”

“Aaaagh!”

“Find the Ice Crystal!”

Utter chaos. Swords and throwing weapons flew as blood splattered.

Beneath the cold, stiffening corpses, red petals bloomed.

It was a one-sided massacre. The mountain goat beastkin were being slaughtered without even a proper chance to resist.

The attackers looked familiar. Clad in white hoods and winter gear—Wendy furrowed her brows, clearly reminded of the assailants we encountered earlier.

“Those guys…”

“They look like the same ones who attacked you, Wendy.”

“They’re using the same weapons. It’s definitely them.”

“Should we help?”

“Hmm…”

Wendy hesitated at my question. With a reluctant expression, she shook her head.

“I think… we should just leave…”

Just as she trailed off, a faint grey flash shot out from within the village, heading straight for Wendy.

Tang–!

I hastily swung my sword to deflect the incoming grey throwing weapon. Sparks flared where the sword and weapon clashed.

“Looks like we’ll have to fight. Stay back, Wendy.”

“What…?”

The throwing weapon had come from within the village—proof the assailants had noticed us.

Wendy grimaced and began to summon her mana.

The explosive sound from the impact drew everyone’s attention.

The beastkin who had been swinging swords inside the village immediately started charging toward us.

Is negotiation not even an option with them?

Kiing!

As my mana circle began to spin, blue lightning started crackling across my hand.

A spell perfect for dealing with multiple enemies—Chain Lightning.

“Haa!”

I hurled the lightning at the charging enemies. The straight bolt of Chain Lightning triggered a chain reaction, spreading in all directions.

Kwaaaa-boom!

They weren’t strong enough to require my full power. Occasionally, one would jump out from an unexpected angle swinging a blade, but none posed a real threat.

Still… something felt off. A strange, ominous sensation lingered. Like an invisible needle was being aimed at me.

It was a sense akin to precognition—an ability I had gained after my dragonification.

Quietly, I began drawing in mana, letting it envelop my entire body as I released it into my surroundings.

The starlight-infused mana spread across the snow, seizing control of the space around me.

At that moment, a shadow burst out of thin air. As if spatial magic had been used, the shadow came at me with a swift strike.

The blade approached silently and fast—but not so fast I couldn’t react.

I immediately used Blink, teleporting behind the shadow and swinging my sword.

Kwaang!

Just before my sword could land, the figure twisted sharply, blocking my strike.

A massive force surged through our crossed blades. I frowned and drew out even more mana.

Ka-ga-ga-gang!

“Kh…!”

The blurry figure began to clarify. Though masked, their unusually large eyes couldn’t be hidden.

A long, curled tail gave me a clue to their identity.

A chameleon—a multi-colored scaled beastkin.

Even though we were locked in combat, their presence was nearly imperceptible. I could barely hear their heartbeat. It seemed they had mastered some special technique.

“W-What kind of power is this…!”

I pinned their sword down to keep them from escaping. My body began to react to the intense mana output.

The early signs of dragonification—my teeth and claws started to sharpen.

If this dragged on much longer, I would fully transform into a dragonkin.

Using my growing strength, I forcefully knocked aside the chameleon beastkin’s sword.

Tang–!

“Grrk…!”

They left their upper body exposed. I didn’t miss the chance. With my claws now razor-sharp, I swung hard.

Slaaash—!

As crimson blood splattered from the tip of the swung claw, blazing flames erupted from where the claw had passed.

Fwoooosh!

…

The body of the seven-faced stone lizard beastman crumbled, its face split into five parts.

The sword it had been holding clattered to the ground, and silence descended over the area.

Panting heavily, I looked around. It seemed the rest had been taken care of by Nightmare and Wendy.

Judging by Wendy’s slightly pale face, she had pushed herself too hard.

I was in the middle of gathering the attackers’ bodies and going through their belongings when I sensed faint movement from deeper in the village.

Soon, a group of mountain goat beastmen stepped out.

Survivors of the attack, it seemed. I gave them a small wave.

I hadn’t intended to, but I had ended up saving them.

If I asked to stay for a few days, they wouldn’t refuse.

Passing by the retching Wendy, I approached the mountain goat beastmen.

“Thank you so much for saving us…”

“Would it be alright if we stayed in the village for a few days?”

The mountain goat beastman blinked at my question and looked behind him.

A village full of frozen blood and corpses didn’t exactly look welcoming.

“As much as you want, if that’s what you wish. But… are you sure it’s alright? We don’t have much to offer in return…”

“No need for any reward. I didn’t do it expecting anything…”

I trailed off and shook my head.

The funeral for the villagers was simple.

They dug graves, buried the dead, and poured liquor over the mounds.

The bodies of the attackers were piled together and burned.

“You’ve done us a great kindness. Our White Goat Tribe never forgets a favor. I’ll repay you somehow. Though… material compensation might be difficult right now…”

What compensation could they possibly give when the entire village had been devastated? I shook my head and said,

“Focus on rebuilding the village. Anyway, do you have any idea who those people were?”

The mountain goat beastman shook his head.

“Strangers to us.”

I crossed my arms and sighed. Just like earlier, we hadn’t found a single item on their bodies that could hint at their identities.

“By the way, they mentioned something about the Ice Crystal earlier. That’s not really in this village… right?”

The mountain goat beastman hesitated at my question. He mulled over it for a while before finally speaking.

“There is no Ice Crystal here… Most likely, they came chasing an old tale.”

“Old tale?”

“There’s a legend that the mountain goats of Taebaek Mountain forged Ice Crystals using the breath of a dragon…”

The mountain goat beastman began to speak haltingly, recounting an old story.

Long ago, a dragon that once lived and breathed in this land sought out artisans capable of refining its breath.

That led it to the mountain goats living in Taebaek Mountain.

“Then… did your ancestors really forge the dragon’s breath?”

The mountain goat beastman shook his head and continued.

“Our tribe has lived in these mountains since time immemorial. The village has never moved. But there’s no forge here capable of refining a dragon’s breath, nor any blacksmiths with the skill to do so.”

“Hm…”

“Anyway, please make yourself at home.”

With those words, the mountain goat beastman left the room.

Perhaps it was because she’d fought so fiercely while still poisoned—Wendy was bedridden for three full days.

She finally came to on the morning of the third day in this village called Baekyaseong.

“Feeling better now?”

“Mm-hm! Good as new!”

Wendy had her breezy smile back. She jumped out of bed and zipped around the village, the wind wrapping around her body.

I started getting ready to leave. We’d stayed too long in a village that had just suffered a calamity.

Just as I was finishing packing, a young girl came running up and held something heavy out to me.

Tilting my head, I looked down and saw a severed mountain goat horn in her hands.

“This is…?”

“It’s our family’s treasure!”

“Is it really okay to just give away your treasure like this?”

“Yep! You saved our village!”

The girl beamed and bounced around me cheerfully. I briefly wondered what I could even use a horn for, then nodded.

“Thanks. I’ll put it to good use.”

“Okay!”

Now it was truly time to go. After saying goodbye to the surviving villagers, I mounted Nightmare and set off.

We raced across the vast white snowfields, stretching endlessly ahead.

But partway through our run, Nightmare suddenly came to a stop and looked up toward a collapsed mountaintop.

Ruuuumble—

A sinister roar echoed out. The sound of a giant monster’s wail burst through the air. And then, from the top of the mountain, a wave of pure white came crashing down.

An avalanche.

“N-No way…!”

“H-hurk…!”

The blinding white snow filled the sky and blocked our vision completely.

I yanked hard on Nightmare’s reins in a panic.

But the creature didn’t try to flee the avalanche.

With no time to lose, I scowled and slapped Nightmare’s flank.

“Move it! Go!”

Whiiiiinny!

And in the next instant, as if it had gone mad, Nightmare charged headlong into the cascading snow.

“Hyaaaaah!”

Wendy, riding behind me, let out a terrified scream.