Northern Highlands
In the 29th year of the Xinshi Era, in the Northern Countries, in the Naharishide Region.
The group headed north, gradually moving away from the area affected by the volcano.
The temperature in the air plummeted, plunging us from the height of summer into the depths of winter.
Frieren, Fern, Stark each donned thick winter clothes and wrapped scarves around their necks, then slowly walked to the outpost on the Northern Plateau, revealing their identities Level One Mages.
The soldiers guarding the watchtower accepted the stack of certificates handed to them by Frieren, and stood at attention with utmost respect.
"So it's Lady Frieren, Level One Mage. Lady Dugu Qing, Lady Fern, the Demons on the Northern Highlands are much stronger now. Be careful on the road."
Frieren took back the certificate, feeling quite pleased with herself for being respected! She proudly placed the certificate into her briefcase.
"What?! Why don't the soldiers have Level 1 certificates?!"
Three out of the four were Level One Mages, while he remained unknown, making Stark feel extremely embarrassed and humiliated.
The soldier opened the gate, saluted respectfully, and invited the four people to pass.
Dugu Qing, Frieren, and Fern walked out of the watchtower and strode forward amidst the soldiers' awe-inspiring gazes.
The forests on the Northern Plateau are even taller, stretching endlessly as far as the eye can see.
For miles around, there wasn't a single person in sight, nor a single village to be found.
At this moment, Dugu Qing was extremely grateful that he had bought some toys in the city beforehand, which could help him pass the time when he was bored.
The group walked slowly forward.
Frieren's expression suddenly turned serious. She put down her suitcase and reminded everyone...
"We're surrounded by monsters. Prepare for battle."
Fern Stark were surprised that the monsters appeared so quickly; they used to go for days without encountering a single one. Puzzled, they summoned their weapons.
Seven three-meter-tall dinosaur-like monsters, with horns on their heads and sharp teeth, charged forward at an astonishing speed, brandishing their front claws.
"This is just the beginning! There's much more to come."
Frieren entered battle mode, sparing with words, reminding everyone of the unique characteristics of the Northern Highlands.
Dugu Qing looked at the demon with eager anticipation, as if she had found a new toy. A hint of joy welled up in her eyes, and she summoned her Battle Sword with her delicate hand.
With a single, effortless strike, the demon was cleaved into dust.
Not to be outdone, Stark charged into the dinosaur horde, hacking and slashing left and right, slaying two monsters.
Frieren's wand erupted with purple light, and a powerful Mana Bullet was launched, piercing through the monster's body.
With a light and agile movement, Fern flew to the top of the monster's head and skillfully launched a normal attack.
The group quickly and efficiently defeated the monster.
But, as Frieren said, the battle has only just begun.
As the group ventured deeper into the Northern Highlands, all sorts of monsters began to appear one after another.
Some emerge from the lowlands, tall and majestic, with a powerful physique; a single punch from one of them can blast a hole in the earth.
Some are incredibly fast, extremely poisonous, and impossible to defend against.
Some are evil and cunning, deliberately launching sneak attacks when people are off guard.
For three consecutive days, the adventure team encountered countless monsters; they were either fighting or on their way to fight.
I didn't eat well, I didn't sleep well, and I'm in very poor condition.
As evening fell, the four walked along the forest path, their eyes half-closed and listless, a stark contrast to the tranquil elegance they had displayed upon entering the plateau; they seemed like completely different people.
Suddenly, a light came from deep within the jungle, and a wooden house came into view.
As Frieren walked ahead, Dugu Qing's eyes lit up. He quickly stepped forward, knocked on the door, and asked to stay the night.
The homeowner looked at the travel-worn adventure team: the lovely Frieren, the gentle Fern, the aloof Dugu Qing, and the dazed Stark.
Feeling much more at ease, he proposed an exchange.
The adventure team was tasked with eliminating a powerful monster in the forest ahead—a monster so formidable that even the local knightly order, responsible for maintaining order, was helpless against it.
Frieren readily agreed.
Stark was very curious. If there were so many monsters on the Northern Highlands, why would the homeowner still live here?
The homeowner looked at his two children with deep affection in his eyes.
Fern did not see the homeowner's wife. Resting his chin on his hand, he guessed that she might have died in the wave of monster invasion, and that was why she preferred to live in fear rather than leave her homeland.
Everyone rested in the cabin for the night and slept exceptionally well.
The next day, early morning.
The roar of a monster echoed through the forest, and everyone awoke, bid farewell to the host, and ventured into the forest ahead.
A frightened red horse galloped from afar, with the handlebars of a carriage still attached to its body.
Frieren, Dugu Qing, cautiously moved forward.
A tall, monstrous creature sat on the ground, its back to the crowd, making chilling chewing sounds as it coldly devoured something.
Although Dugu Qing hadn't seen the details, he had a rough idea. He felt utterly disgusted, his face was icy, and his eyes flashed with cold light.
He immediately drew his longsword from his waist, his figure flashed, and he appeared above the demon's head, unleashing a powerful slash.
A flicker of surprise crossed the gray-skinned giant's eyes. He hastily dodged, thrusting out his broadsword with his right hand.
Dugu Qing paused slightly in mid-air, then spun around and changed his trajectory, gracefully circling behind the giant.
A flash of sword light pierced the giant's chest.
The gray-skinned giant's strong, powerful arms gradually drooped down.
Still not satisfied, Dugu Qing leaped high into the air and cleaved the gray-skinned giant in two with a single sword strike.
Blood rained down from the sky, Dugu Qing his finger into a sword, from which a great red flame shot out, burning the Demons to ashes.
"Wow, that's amazing! I wish I could be that strong someday."
Stark stared blankly at Dugu Qing, his eyes filled with envy.
Ever since he joined the adventure team, it seems that all the limelight has been stolen by Dugu Qing...
He felt very uncomfortable when he thought about these things.
"Well done."
Fern took out a handkerchief, quickly stepped forward, and tenderly wiped the demonic blood from Dugu Qing's face.
"Damn it! It's one thing to act cool, but to get all that pampering from Fern is infuriating. I'm so jealous."
After days of fighting, Stark was in a bad mood, his patience and intelligence had decreased, and he became jealous of Dugu Qing.
"Hey, next time there's a powerful monster, you have to hand it over to me, understand?"
Dugu Qing didn't seem to mind and nodded gracefully.
From the depths of the jungle, a sharp whistling sound rang out, and yet another gray-skinned giant appeared.
He wore armor on his shoulders, wielded a massive heavy sword, was burly, had a fierce gaze, and stared intently at Dugu Qing.
"Great opportunity! Don't try to take it from me."
Overjoyed, Stark raised his giant axe high, his fighting spirit soaring, and charged straight forward.
"Boom~"
The axe blade and the greatsword collided violently. Stark felt as if he had hit a volcano. He was instantly thrown backward, crashing through several large trees before landing in the mud.
Unconscious, passed out.
Dugu Qing shrugged helplessly.
Fern and Frieren took to the sky, simultaneously unleashing Destructive Lightning.
The giant roared deafeningly, then charged out, its fierce eyes fixed on Dugu Qing.
Dugu Qing unleashed his Overlord Divine Power, his tall figure streaking like a meteor, tearing through the void and unleashing several sword energies that shattered the giant.