As they moved further into the forest, the beasts they encountered grew stronger.
Most of their encounters were with wolves, but occasionally, they faced lizard-like monsters with sharp claws and hardened scales.
At this point, Ray took on most of the fighting, as both Cassian and Helda were still too weak to handle the more powerful creatures.
Eventually, they reached the cliff that Cassian had been heading toward. The massive rock formation loomed ahead, and at its base, a dark, foreboding cave awaited them.
Surprisingly, no beasts attacked as they approached the cliff.
When they reached the base of the cliff, Cassian turned to Ray.
"Ray, can you guard outside the cave? We don't want any other beasts coming in while we're inside."
Ray hesitated, his voice filled with concern. "But, young master, I can't leave you unguarded. What if there's something more dangerous inside the cave than out here?"
Cassian took out a small orb and tossed it toward Ray.
Ray caught it effortlessly, and Cassian explained, "I have the other orb with me. If I'm in danger, this one will shine red and also direct you to my location."
Ray sighed, reluctantly but resigned. "Alright, young master. I'll guard the entrance. But please, be cautious."
Cassian nodded. "Thanks, Ray."
With that, Cassian and Helda entered the cave.
The air inside was damp and musty, and the walls seemed to close in as they walked further. Their footsteps echoed as they moved deeper into the cave.
They didn't stop until they reached the dead end at the very back of the cavern.
Helda frowned, looking at the blank wall. "What now, Cassian?"
Cassian glanced around the area. "Look for some kind of hole or opening. It should be here somewhere."
Helda was curious about what Cassian was planning, but she kept her thoughts to herself and started scanning the area for anything unusual.
Cassian, meanwhile, recalled what he knew about this place from the game.
'In the game, when Theon and his group were running for their lives from heretics, they stumbled upon this cave. They ran until they reached the dead end, and just as despair began to set in, Cassian fell through a hidden hole. The rest of the group followed him, and that's how they found this place.'
Cassian started inspecting the edges of the wall, his hands brushing against the rough stone.
When he didn't find anything, he began lightly punching the wall in different spots.
After a few minutes, a hollow sound echoed back from one particular area.
Cassian smiled. "Found it."
He infused mana into his fist and punched the spot with all his strength.
The stone crumbled under the impact, revealing a hole just large enough for a person to fit through.
Helda stared at the newly revealed opening. "Is this the hole you were looking for?"
Cassian nodded. "Yes."
Feeling uneasy, Helda nervously asked, "S-So now that we've found the hole... it's time to go back, right?"
Cassian smirked at her hesitation. "Come after me," he said before jumping into the hole without a moment's hesitation.
The hole turned out to be more like a slide, and though the descent was steep, it wasn't painful. After about two minutes of sliding, Cassian landed at the bottom.
Ten seconds later, Helda slid down and landed beside him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Th-That was... fun," Helda said, still processing the unexpected experience.
Cassian chuckled softly at her reaction, brushing off the dust from his clothes as he began surveying their surroundings.
"But it is kinda dark here. I can't see at all," Helda said as she clung tighter to Cassian.
Cassian agreed, the darkness was kinda suffocating but... also relaxing.
"Cassian, I think we're surrounded," Rea's voice echoed in his mind.
Cassian immediately activated his [Serpent's Vision]. It wasn't because he sensed immediate danger, but it was better to be cautious.
Suddenly, his vision shifted, and he saw the world in a pattern of heat signatures.
Numerous cold-blooded beasts surrounded them, their slithering forms sending shivers down his spine.
Cassian knew instinctively that these creatures were leagues above his current strength.
If he tried to fight, they would kill him before he could even land a blow.
'But there is no need to fight, anyway' Cassian thought without any fear in his eyes.
"Helda," Cassian asked, his voice calm, "do you know any mana technique to light up the room?"
Helda nodded timidly.
"Then why aren't you using it, dumbo, instead of clinging to me?"
Cassian couldn't see her expression clearly through [Serpent's Vision], but he was certain she pouted at his comment.
A moment later, a soft blue orb of mana floated above them.
The room lit up with a gentle glow, revealing intricate carvings on the walls.
The designs depicted serpents... lower snake-like bodies and upper human torsos.... engaged in various battles, their fierce forms frozen in stone.
The carvings told stories of their lives, their wars, and their victories. The detailed artwork stretched down the long hallway.
However, Cassian's focus shifted to the ten massive snakes that blocked their path.
Each one radiated an overwhelming pressure, though they didn't seem aggressive.
"KYAAAAA!"
Helda screamed, burying her face in Cassian's chest.
"There's no need to be afraid," Cassian reassured her, patting her gently on the back.
The snakes suddenly bowed their heads low toward Cassian, their synchronized voices resonating like a hiss-filled chorus:
"Finally, the heir of our queen has arrived. Please, let us lead you to the main room, O Great One."
Helda, still trembling, muffled against Cassian's chest, "Cassian, they're hissing so much at you! Are they going to kill us?"
Rea's frustrated voice echoed in his mind. "Can you shut her blabbering mouth for a second? She's irritating me."
Cassian sighed. He gently lifted Helda's chin, making her meet his eyes.
"Do you trust me, Right?" he asked, his voice steady and calm.
Helda, caught in the mesmerizing glow of his white eyes, felt her cheeks flush pink. She nodded hesitantly. "Mhm."
"Then believe me nothing will happen to you, just follow me" he said with a small smile, releasing her chin.
Turning to the bowing snakes, Cassian commanded in a firm tone, "Lead the way."
The snakes rose and began slithering forward. Cassian and Helda followed, walking down the illuminated hallway.
As they walked, Cassian's gaze returned to the intricate carvings on the walls.
The serpents depicted in the carvings were majestic, their humanoid torsos brandishing weapons as they fought fiercely against a multitude of foes.... humans, elves, demons, and even dragons.
When they reached a section depicting battles against dragons, Cassian noticed something intriguing. The serpents seemed to hold their ground, even overpowering the dragons in some instances.
However, the tide of battle shifted when another unidentified faction intervened, aiding the dragons and leading to the serpents' ultimate defeat.
Cassian frowned. 'They didn't carve who this other party was.'
'But it's not like I believe all this anyway.'
'Could it be mere propaganda to ease their pride? Or Did they even truly fight dragons?'
His thoughts were interrupted by one of the snakes turning to him.
"O Great One, we have reached the main area."