The slowly expanding poison fog mushroom cloud looks unchanged, and the entirely black Forbidden Melt Peak Mountain Range stretches across like a city wall.
After saying goodbye to the Undead Warrior, the Hero continues to walk between these two.
The lifeless scorching land, the sulfur smell piercing into the lungs, the sky so dim it seems perpetually covered by thick smoke, and the occasional drift of poison fog make breathing even heavier.
No matter where one looks—up, down, left, or right—there is nothing but a desolate, apocalyptic landscape.
The Hero relies on the Finger Claw to continuously replenish Magic Power, maintaining the Snake Maiden's Transformation Status, and even reactivating the Water Light Battle Skirt; they can withstand this harsh environment. However, the Gleaming Scale Serpent crawling on the ground isn't having as easy a time.
Its Scale Armor is covered with volcanic ash, and its body slightly overheats due to prolonged crawling on the hot surface; fortunately, as a cold-blooded Magic Creature, it can still bear the conditions.
However, trekking tirelessly through this unchanging scenery for so long is certainly not a comfortable affair.
Time seems to have lost its meaning, and the Hero is somewhat dazed at this moment.
However, as they advance in distance and as the sunset on the highland arrives, the temperature also drops.
The air suddenly turns icy cold, and a fresh breeze from afar revitalizes the spirit of the Hero and the Gleaming Scale Serpent, now accustomed to breathing the foul air.
Though this means the magic power replenished by the Finger Claw is also weakened, it also signals the nearing of their destination.
However, after leaving the volcanic area, there will no longer be enough heat to replenish Magic Power.
Realizing this, the Hero decisively cancels the Transformation. Finding a sheltered spot, they use the backpack as a pillow and curl up to sleep together with the tired Gleaming Scale Serpent, accompanied by the descending chill and the silent night, they rest in peace for half a day.
[The Hero activates Skill: Vitality, all Magic Power (including Equipment storage) is fully restored]
Moonset at sunrise, the morning light spreads, and the girl's emerald green eyes slowly open.
The Hero stands up, stretches lazily, breathes the air cleansed by the chill, feeling refreshed in stark contrast to the volcanic area. The Gleaming Scale Serpent also stretches out from its coil, its scales reflecting a vibrant dark hue, looking up at the Queen with rejuvenated spirit.
The hair dye provided by the Cruising Bishop still works excellently, dyeing her hair to blend seamlessly with the wind and snow, also ensuring her sleep was undisturbed and free from the Nightmares that might still be searching for her,
Her white hair flutters in the cold wind, and the Hero, feeling refreshed, looks back at the black mushroom cloud, feeling it has grown bigger than yesterday.
Then, she no longer hesitates and strides into the snow-white world.
[Are there any Goblins?]
[Check the Status of Snow Woman]
D100+10=d100(49)+10=59
[Check the Distance to Snow Woman]
A blindingly white and silent world; walking within it invites illusions, as if the endless white blanket on the ground is perpetually spreading, swallowing the entire world.
The Hero shakes her head, trying to rid herself of the slight dizziness from the snow, moves her slightly sore eyes away from the endless white, and looks up at the sky.
However, the cloud layer, also dropping silver snow, is all white, showing no hint of blue, thick clouds covering the sky like another layer of pristine blanket over the land.
Despite being just separated by a range from the blazing volcanic area, the Forbidden Melt Peak Mountain Range seems an insurmountable boundary, isolating the realms of ice and fire, carving out two utterly different worlds.
After cancelling the Beast Spirit Transformation, the Hero has been walking in this snow domain for quite some time.
Here, it is silent, without the oppressing sense of the Fog Stone Forest where one can't see even a few feet ahead, although the thick snow makes walking slightly inconvenient, it's not really an obstacle for the Hero.
However, the excessive scattering of light on the snow makes her slightly uncomfortable.
Compared to the stone forest isolated by thick fog, this boundless white is even more dazzling.
"Could Snow Woman be nearby?"
The Hero whispers softly, scanning the surroundings, trying to spot a familiar figure in the endless silver white.
[Hero's Perception (100+ trigger Extrasensory Sensation, 150+ successful)]
D100+41=d100(9)+41=50
Yet, the only vision before her is the tranquil snow, burying all traces.
She murmurs the name of Snow Woman, not because she saw any clues, but in this boundless snowfield, it's natural to think of Snow Woman.
It's worth noting that Snow Woman didn't leave much earlier than the Hero, and without Sister White Snake's Crystal Token, it's not impossible for the Hero, starting later, to catch up with her.
But unlike the novice Hero, Snow Woman, as the Church's Elite, is experienced and skilled.
Moreover, she's a Demon, with a presence completely different from humans,
Just like the symbiosis between Sand Lizardfolk and Earth Devouring Snail, in the realm of Magic Creatures, though Snow Woman isn't completely at ease, the risk is much lower for her than for ordinary humans.
In other words, areas the Hero can traverse, for Snow Woman, are naturally not a problem.
On the other hand, the fate of Sister White Snake, who is facing a disaster more terrifying than the entire highland, is indeed more worrying.
"Let's find Sister White Snake first."
The Hero exhales a breath of white air, as if expunging all random thoughts from her mind, and starts moving in the direction indicated by the Crystal Token.