Chereads / The Journey of Mana / Chapter 6 - Chapter 5: The mountains

Chapter 6 - Chapter 5: The mountains

The Bierg Mountains is a treacherous terrain that is known to house many dangerous creatures and monsters. Although it shares similarities with the great mori forest, it is not as harsh as the latter due to a lower density of mana in the area. Despite the lower mana density, the Bierg Mountains is still a formidable and dangerous place to venture into. The party has been tasked with a B-Rank Quest to scout the area and find out why the monster activity has increased. We must be cautious as we navigate the steep cliffs and valleys, for the dangers that lurk in the shadows are waiting for an opportunity to strike. It will be a challenging journey, but the rewards of discovering the source of the increased monster activity are worth the risk.

As we arrived and set up camp near the entrance of the Bierg Mountains, the situation at night was tense. The shadows of the towering peaks loomed above us, casting eerie silhouettes across the moonlit ground. The sound of the wind howling through the passes and the rustling of unseen creatures in the bushes made us all feel on edge. Despite being more mild than the Great Mori Forest, the Bierg Mountains still held its dangers and we knew that we had to be on guard at all times. As we settled down for the night, each of us took turns keeping watch, ready for any unexpected threats that may arise. The unknown dangers of the mountains lay ahead, but we were determined to uncover the reason behind the increased monster activity.

As the party settled into the campsite under the entrance of the Bierg Mountains, we began to discuss their surroundings. Sigrid asked, "What do you think about this place? It looks quite different from the Great Mori Forest."

One of the party members replied, "The air here feels different, it's not as thick with mana as the Great Mori Forest. And the monster activity doesn't seem as intense either."

Another party member chimed in, "But we need to be careful nonetheless. This is still a dangerous dominion and the monsters around here are still deadly. We can never let our guard down."

Shela added, "That's true. We must always be aware of our surroundings and keep an eye out for any signs of danger. The Bierg Mountains may not be as harsh as the Great Mori Forest, but we still need to be prepared for any challenges that may come our way."

The group nodded in agreement, knowing the importance of caution in this unknown territory. we continued their discussion, making plans for the days ahead as we prepared for the next stage of their quest.

As we settled down for the night near the entrance of the Bierg Mountains, my party members started to ask me about magic. We were fascinated by my ability to wield it, and wanted to learn more about it. I realized then that I had a unique opportunity to teach them.

I explained to them that magic is not only about the spells and incantations, but it's also about the manipulation of mana within oneself. To be able to cast spells, one must have a strong connection to the mana that surrounds us.

I showed them how to feel the flow of mana and how to control it. Some of my party members were more attuned to magic than others, and I could see the excitement in their eyes as we started to grasp the basics.

I emphasized the importance of mental and emotional stability when using magic, as they can easily affect the flow of mana. And I warned them that too much usage of magic can drain their energy, leading to exhaustion.

My party members listened intently as I spoke and I could see the eagerness in their eyes as they tried to cast their first spells. It was a proud moment for me to see their progress, and I promised to continue teaching them as we journeyed deeper into the Bierg Mountains.

As we huddled around the campfire, I offered my companions some magic cores to eat. They looked at me in confusion, as the cores were known to be poisonous. But I assured them that I was capable of handling the poison and explained that magic cores were actually helpful in circulating mana within the body.

I could see the interest in their eyes as I spoke about the benefits of consuming magic cores. However, I also warned them about the dangers that came with it, and that it was important to control the consumption so as not to get overwhelmed by the mana.

I made sure to serve them the weakest magic cores possible, as the bigger the core, the more severe the side effects. They were hesitant at first, but as we continued on our journey and faced more challenging obstacles, they saw the benefits of consuming magic cores and the increase in their own magic abilities. Despite the dangers and the side effects, I felt it was important to offer this opportunity to my fellow party members as I believe it will make our journey easier and increase our chances of success.

Despite their reservations, my companions ultimately decided to try the magic cores, and I watched as they cautiously nibbled on them. I was pleased to see that they didn't experience any adverse effects and were able to handle the influx of mana.

The consumption of magic cores is a dangerous and delicate matter. Despite its benefits of boosting the circulation of mana within the body, the magic cores themselves are highly poisonous. To mitigate this risk, I have learned to use herbs to stabilize the magic cores and reduce their poisonous effects. However, even with the herbs, the process is still a battle of poison with poison, which can be frightening. Nonetheless, I am willing to take this risk for the benefits it provides, with the most common side effect being a stomachache.

As we continued our journey deeper into the Bierg Mountains, I knew that my companions were now better equipped to face the challenges that lay ahead, thanks to the magic cores. I was proud to have been able to help them in this way, and I felt a sense of camaraderie grow between us as we faced the unknown dangers ahead.

The first enemy the party encountered was an amphiptere. I had a lot of experience with this monster, and I knew that their skin was incredibly tough and sturdy. Despite its defense, the amphiptere was still a formidable foe, and the party had to be cautious in their approach. The battle was intense, and everyone had to put in their best effort to take down the monster. In the end, the party emerged victorious, but not without a few bruises and injuries. This was just the beginning of the many challenges that lay ahead in the Bierg Mountains. But, with my experience and the party's determination, we were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

My party members were grateful to have me with them, knowing that without me, they would have had a difficult time defeating the Amphiptere. They were happy to have someone with experience on their side, and I was more than happy to help. Together, we were able to overcome the challenges posed by the monster and move on to the next part of our quest.

As the party continued their journey through the Bierg Mountains, we soon realized that the dangers we would face would only increase with their altitude. With each step we took, the air grew colder and the winds grew stronger, whipping against their faces and making it difficult to see. The rocky terrain was covered with snow and ice, and the footing was treacherous. It was clear that the higher we climbed, the more dangerous their journey would become.

However, the group was determined to reach their destination and uncover the reason behind the increased monster activity in the mountains. Despite the danger, we pressed on, using their skills and experience to navigate the difficult landscape and keep themselves safe. Despite the challenges we faced, we remained focused on their goal and were determined to see it through to the end.

As I climbed higher up the Bierg Mountains with my party, I noticed something strange. The further we climbed, the more I saw a glowing, shining stone that lit up our surroundings. I was taken aback by the sight and couldn't shake off a sense of unease as we approached it. The stone seemed to have an immense energy source, but I couldn't figure out what it was. With caution, I led my party forward, trying to unravel the mystery. As we approached the peak, I could see that the stone was the cause of the heightened monster activity. I decided to investigate it further and find out what was behind it. I knew that this discovery could alter the course of our journey and I was determined to uncover its secrets.

As I reached the mysterious shining stone near the peak of the Bierg Mountains, I noticed that my party members had collapsed. I was worried about their well-being and quickly checked on them. To my surprise, they seemed to be unconscious, but I couldn't figure out the reason. As I stood there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with the stone. It reminded me of a tragedy that occurred in my village. I couldn't shake off the feeling and decided to investigate further. I knew that this stone held the key to understanding what had happened to my party members and why it was affecting them so strongly. I had to find out the truth, no matter what.

As I reached the mysterious shining stone near the peak of the Bierg Mountains, I noticed that my party members had collapsed. I was worried about their well-being and quickly checked on them. To my surprise, they seemed to be unconscious, but I couldn't figure out the reason. As I stood there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with the stone. It reminded me of a tragedy that occurred in my village. I couldn't shake off the feeling and decided to investigate further. I knew that this stone held the key to understanding what had happened to my party members and why it was affecting them so strongly. I had to find out the truth, no matter what.

As soon as the demon appeared, memories of my sister and the tragedy in my village flooded back to me. The demon was the same one who killed my sister and destroyed my village, and I couldn't help but feel rage boil within me. I didn't understand why the demon had been summoned, but I knew one thing for sure - I needed to defeat it. My party was awaken soon after the demon summoned. My blood was boiling and I was ready to take on the demon, no matter the cost

The demon that was summoned by the mysterious stone was unlike any other creature I had encountered before. It was ferocious, with an intense and deadly energy that seemed to radiate from its very being. When the demon saw me, it attacked me first, striking with incredible speed and power. This was the strongest opponent I had ever faced, and I knew that I was going to have to be at the top of my game if I was going to be able to defeat it. Despite my fear and the overwhelming power of the demon, I felt my blood boil with a fierce determination to protect what was left of my village and avenge my sister's death. I was ready to face this challenge head-on, and I wouldn't back down until the demon was defeated.

The battle with the demon was intense and lasted for what felt like an eternity. As soon as the demon appeared, it attacked with a barrage of dark magic. I had to use all my skills and training to dodge and block the incoming spells. My party members were caught off guard by the sudden attack and were struggling to keep up. I knew I had to act fast, so I summoned all the mana I had within me and unleashed a powerful spell. The demon was caught off guard and stumbled back, giving me a chance to get closer and attack with my sword.

The demon was surprisingly fast and agile, making it difficult for me to land a solid hit. I had to be strategic and wait for the right moment to strike. My party members were trying their best to support me, but the demon was relentless and seemed to shrug off their attacks. I could feel the demon's power growing as the battle raged on, and I knew I had to end it soon.

I channeled all my energy into my next spell, creating a massive blast of pure mana that engulfed the demon. The demon roared in pain, but it wasn't enough to take it down. I had to switch to hand-to-hand combat, and I was caught off guard when the demon suddenly transformed into a giant beast. The beast was massive and had razor-sharp claws that could easily rip me apart. I had to be quick and dodge its attacks while trying to find an opening to strike.

The battle was intense, and both of us were starting to tire. I could feel my energy waning, and the demon's attacks were getting stronger. I knew that this was my last chance to end the battle, so I summoned all the mana I had left and created a massive wall of fire that surrounded the demon. The demon roared in anger and tried to break through the wall, but it was too powerful. The demon was trapped, and I could feel its energy slowly fading away.

The demon let out one final roar, and then it was gone. The air was filled with the smell of smoke and the echoes of the battle still ringing in my ears. I collapsed on the ground, exhausted but victorious. My party members rushed over to check on me, and I could see the look of relief in their eyes. The battle was over, and we had emerged victorious.

As I lay there, catching my breath, I couldn't help but think about the tragedy that had brought me here. The demon had been the source of so much pain and suffering, and now it was gone. I was filled with a sense of peace and closure, knowing that the demon that had taken so much from me was finally defeated. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges, but I knew that I was ready for anything that came my way.

After the fierce battle with the demon, the party was left breathless and exhausted. We all looked at the shining crystal that had brought the demon forth, only to find that it was no longer shining. The energy source that had been so powerful moments before was now gone, and the crystal looked just like any other ordinary stone. The group was confused and wondered what had happened. We approached the stone cautiously, unsure of what to expect. As we got closer, we realized that the crystal was still radiating a strange energy, but it was much weaker now. We all looked at each other, unsure of what this meant. Some were relieved that the demon was gone, while others were more cautious, knowing that the situation was far from over. The party spent the next few hours trying to understand what had just happened, and why the crystal had stopped shining. We all agreed that we needed to find out more about this mysterious stone and what it was capable of. We knew that their journey in the Bierg Mountains was far from over, and that we needed to be prepared for what lay ahead.

After defeating the demon that appeared from the shining crystal, I was filled with a sense of relief but also sadness as memories of my sister's death came flooding back. I knew I couldn't rest until I found the demon that killed her and put an end to its evil ways once and for all. As I stood there, I noticed that the crystal no longer shone, but I could feel a strange aura surrounding it. Suddenly, it hit me- the demon had a distinct mana length that I could now sense. I felt a fire ignite within me as I realized that I could use this newfound knowledge to track down the demon that took my sister's life.

I turned to my party and told them about my plan to find the demon. They were supportive of my mission and agreed to accompany me on my quest. I felt grateful for their support and knew that together, we could achieve anything. We set off on our journey, our eyes peeled for any signs of the demon's presence. We had to be alert and ready for anything as we made our way through the dangerous Bierg Mountains. We encountered many challenges along the way, but I never lost sight of my goal to avenge my sister and bring peace to my village. The thought of finally facing the demon kept me motivated, and I was determined to be the one to defeat it.

As the party rested at the peak of the Bierg Mountains, we were surprised to find that there were no monsters nearby. The area was surprisingly peaceful and quiet, which was unusual for a place that was known to be infested with dangerous creatures. The party members couldn't help but wonder if the absence of monsters was related to the recent appearance of the demon we had just battled.

As We sat around the campfire, we discussed the possibility of the demon having a significant impact on the surrounding environment. The members were aware that demons were known to have powerful magic and the ability to control the creatures of the land. We couldn't help but speculate that the demon's presence may have driven away the other monsters, or even caused them to go into hiding.

Despite the lack of danger, the party members remained alert and cautious. We knew that the demon could reappear at any moment and that we needed to be prepared for another battle. As we rested and recovered, we also discussed their plans for the next steps of their journey. We knew that their mission was far from over and that we would face many more challenges along the way.

Overall, the party was grateful for the moment of peace and rest, but we were also aware that it was only temporary. We were determined to find the source of the demon's power and defeat it once and for all, so that we could protect their loved ones and bring peace to their village.

After defeating the demon at the peak of the Bierg Mountains, I wrapped up the shining crystal and the demon's anatomy as evidence to bring back to the empire. I hoped that the higher-ups would know more about this strange situation and what was causing it. The crystal seemed to have a powerful energy source and the demon was unlike any monster I had ever encountered before. I was determined to get to the bottom of what was happening and find answers.

I wanted to find out if there was any connection between the crystal and the tragedy in my village that took my sister's life. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a greater force at play, something beyond our understanding. As I looked out over the mountains, I took a deep breath and promised myself that I would find out what was really going on, no matter what it took.

The journey back to the empire would not be easy, but I was prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. I had my evidence, my skills, and my determination to get to the bottom of this mystery.

As I looked at the wrapped crystal and the anatomy of the lesser demon I had just defeated, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and awe. The demon I had faced was already ferocious, and I had a hard time battling it. But I knew that there must be an even stronger demon out there, the one responsible for killing my sister and destroying my village. The thought of facing this demon filled me with a mixture of dread and determination. I knew that I needed to grow stronger if I wanted to have any chance of defeating this monster. I couldn't rest on my laurels and had to continue to train and hone my skills. I made a vow to myself to become powerful enough to take on this demon, no matter what it takes. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, but I was ready for the challenge.

As I continued my journey, I realized the importance of being prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. I couldn't afford to be naive, as the demons we encountered were more fearsome than we had expected. The lesser demon we fought was already incredibly powerful, and I could only imagine how much more dangerous the original demon was.

I took the lead on this quest, and I felt a sense of responsibility to make sure that my party was ready for anything. Siegrid may be the leader, but I wanted to make sure that everyone was strong and capable enough to face the obstacles that we would encounter.

That's why I decided that we needed to continue practicing our magic and improving our skills. I didn't want any of us to be caught off guard, and I wanted to make sure that we were all ready to face whatever lay ahead. Whether it was through sparring matches, casting spells, or finding new ways to harness our magic, I was determined to make sure that we were all at our best.

As the night fell and the group set up camp, Sigrid opened up about his past. It was a story that weighed heavily on him, and he shared it with his current party members. He told them about his previous journey and how his party was annihilated by an unknown being. He had barely escaped with his life and was the only survivor. Since then, he had been searching for answers and trying to understand what had happened to his friends. It was a dark chapter in his life and one that still haunted him to this day.

But after learning about the recent events and the appearance of the demon we encountered on their journey, Sigrid was starting to believe that the unknown being from his past might have been a demon as well. He was filled with a mixture of fear and determination as he shared his story with his companions. We listened with empathy and understanding, knowing that Sigrid needed their support in order to find closure and peace.

Sigrid's story served as a reminder of the dangers he faced on their journey, and of the importance of growing stronger both physically and mentally. It also reinforced the need for them to stick together and support one another, no matter what challenges lay ahead. He continued to share their experiences and reflect on the journey, determined to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

After spending a few days exploring the Bierg Mountains and recovering from their battle with the lesser demon, the party decided to head back down the mountain towards civilization. As we made their descent, we noticed how peaceful and quiet everything was. The hustle and bustle of the city seemed far away and we were surrounded by the sounds of nature. The peacefulness was a welcome change after the intense battles we had experienced on the mountain. The group walked down the mountain together, enjoying the tranquility and the beauty of the landscape around them. Despite the unknown dangers that could still lurk around the corner, we felt a sense of comfort knowing that we were together and that we had each other's backs. We continued their journey, taking in the peace and quiet of the moment and using it to recharge their batteries for whatever lay ahead.

Upon arriving at the adventure guild branch, the party gathered to report the demon incident that we had encountered during their journey. We told the guild members about the ferocious demon that we had fought, and showed them the evidence we had gathered, including the shining crystal and the anatomy of the lesser demon.

The guild members were surprised to hear about the appearance of the demon, as it was not a common occurrence. They listened intently to the group's story, taking notes and asking questions. Despite their best efforts, the branch guild members were unable to fully explain why the demon had appeared or what had caused it. They realized that this was a complex matter that needed further investigation and that the head branch of the adventure guild at the capital city would be better equipped to handle it. The group agreed to proceed to the head branch, where they would share their findings and see what the higher-ups had to say about the situation.

The guild members listened attentively to their story, taking notes and asking questions to get a better understanding of what had happened. They seemed impressed by the bravery and determination of the party, and promised to pass on their findings to the higher-ups in the empire. With their report submitted, the party felt a sense of relief, knowing that they had done their best to inform others of the dangers they had faced. They hoped that the information they had provided would help to prevent others from encountering similar dangers in the future.

Suddenly, the party received a new quest from the guild. The guild presented them with a letter, they told us the evidence needed to be assessed in the capital. The party was tasked with traveling to the capital to present the evidence and continue the investigation. This was an unexpected turn of events, but the party was determined to complete their quest and uncover the truth behind the demon's appearance.

After completing the B-Rank Quest to investigate the demon incident in the Bierg Mountains, the party was rewarded with 10 gold coins by the Adventure Guild branch. Shela brought up the topic of reward distribution. She pointed out that I had been the one to work hard during the incident and therefore, she believed I deserved a larger share of the reward. However, the I disagreed and argued that the reward should be distributed equally among all members of the party. We emphasized that everyone had played an important role and contributed to the success of the mission. Shela listened to the my perspective, but she was still not fully convinced. The group continued their discussion, trying to come to a resolution that would be fair to everyone. In the end we decided to divide the reward fairly among themselves, taking into account the contributions of each member during the quest. The gold coins were a welcome reward, and the party was grateful for the opportunity to earn some extra income while also making a difference in the world. We were ready for their next adventure, eager to face any challenges that lay ahead. The members of the party were bonded by their shared experiences and the sense of accomplishment we felt after completing a difficult quest. We were ready to face whatever lay ahead, together as a team.

After completing the quest, I, Ellia, and Shela were all promoted to B-Rank members in the Adventurer's Guild. Our hard work and determination in the face of danger had earned us this recognition and elevated our standing in the guild. We were proud of our achievements and looked forward to taking on new and more challenging adventures as B-Rank members.

The journey climbing the Bierg Mountain was a turning point for the party. They encountered a strange shining stone and a demon that had never been seen before. The experience was intense and dangerous, but it made them stronger and more determined. The discovery of the demon was reported to the Adventurer's Guild, and the evidence was taken to the capital for further investigation. The party was awarded 10 gold pieces and they were all promoted to B-Rank members. As they journeyed down the mountain, they all felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. This experience would stay with them forever and shape the course of their future adventures. The journey up the Bierg Mountain was just the beginning of a long and exciting journey for these brave adventurers.