When the first monsters died, Aaron turned them into skeleton knights since they would be tougher and stronger. He had planned to hold that skill until a bit later, but after seeing his skeletons being defeated that easily, he didn't have any other choice.
The skeleton knights carried a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, both made of tarnished metal. The helmet on their skull was adorned with sharp spikes and had a dark, foreboding visor. Despite their deathly appearance, the knights seemed to move with skill and grace, as if they were still alive and ready for battle.
When the next skeleton knights showed up and Aaron increased their level to five, the flow of the battle changed. The beasts charged at them with their large bodies but then easily stopped them with their shields and stopped them with their swords slashes on their heads.
In the end, Aaron was only attacked by ten of those creatures, but he left one body intact to check it. He approached and touched it because its fur was a bit weird… it seemed like it was alive. When Aaron touched it, he felt a sting on his finger, and then it began to get numb.
"What is this… it doesn't seem like the effects of magic and some kind of natural mutation," Aaron thought while checking his fingers.
Was that a coincidence? The arrival of such a creature and then the end of that world? Aaron had been in other worlds, and he didn't see that kind of creature appearing in such worlds… if those creatures made the land become like that, then it was definitely a part of the equation since that started the problems of that country.
"... Anyway, I can think about this later," Aaron said while furrowing his eyebrows. "First, I need to find the ruler of this place and have a good talk with them."
Once Aaron left the grove, he made his skeleton knights lead the way. He was tired of morons that didn't know their places trying to attack him and making him waste time. Those creatures will make them think twice before picking a fight with him.
Aaron was attacked by those creatures a few more times during the day. Still, even though the area was cloudy, they always showed when they passed by some groups of trees… he imagined that they disliked sunlight. Still, Aaron also felt that they had other secrets. He didn't want to think too much about it and focus on his real mission Instead, but that was bothering him… also the fact that the dark hounds didn't invade the other country.
"They are strong enough to give trouble to even heavily armored soldiers… if their presence affects the land or something or they need to affect the environment to leave. I suppose they wouldn't need to move, but…" Aaron thought, and then he suddenly stopped when he saw a group of mountains in the distance. "Passing through them on a horse will be difficult…"
Once Aaron reached the base of the mountain, he jumped from the horse and let the animal rest a bit by walking without carrying him. The sun soon was going to set, but he might as well give the poor horse a break.
While they were climbing the mountain and thanks to their numbers, the skeletons made as much noise as a small army, so Aaron didn't think that he could hide them and surprise the people of that country. While the border was a bit further behind, the mountains worked as the borders better than anything… and as lookout points for the people there for enemies. If there are lookouts there, Aaron was discovered a long time ago.
When Aaron reached the top of the first mountain, he took time to stop and look around since the sun was setting, and he had to make good use of the sunlight now. Thanks to it, he found even more mountains blocking his path… but he also found the best path that he could use before going down the mountain.
"I guess this explains why this country was never invaded… not like any invaders would get anything by doing so in these lands," Aaron thought.
When Aaron thought of climbing down the mountain, he suddenly had a weird feeling about the path ahead. On the way down the mountain, the path would become increasingly treacherous. The steep drop-offs on either side made his heart race a bit. Loose rocks and slippery grounds made each step uncertain, and Aaron would have to focus all his attention on where to place his feet.
One false move could spell disaster. The wind howled through the narrow area, and he could feel the chill begin to set in. Aaron knew he needed to be careful, but the path seemed to be getting more dangerous with each passing moment.
"I guess we should camp here…" Aaron said after he saw his horse with his head down due to exhaustion.
Now that Aaron thought about it, he hadn't found any animal in the area so far… maybe he should have hunted one of those weird bear monsters since he also didn't see a single tree that bore fruit as well.
"This place looks more and more a recipe for disaster…" Aaron thought.