[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-58":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828595,2432,"Chapter 58: Blood on the Mountain Trail","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>Blood on the Mountain Trail\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead moved the man, guiding three others near the outer limit of the settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, voices dropped off, one by one, while rooftops stretched wider into open ground. That last dwelling at the edge? Nothing like the rest - set apart by design, out of place on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone formed its walls instead of timber. The weight held firm where grain might twist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy stone cubes set one on top of another, just so. Windows held by iron skeletons. Beyond them, a smooth wood entrance patched with steel strips across its face. Tile covered the roof, unlike older homes with straw tops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single house stood out, its scale dwarfing every nearby structure by a factor of three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint tightness touched Clara’s purple eyes when she saw it. She held still, just watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glance was all it took. She knew exactly where things were headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is exactly who leads the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred didn’t even slow his step. Victor just looked past it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because he wore a badge didn’t mean he stood for fairness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old leader could eat off gold plates for all he cared. So long as no roadblocks came their way - no tricks either - the rest meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stopped before the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the village chief’s residence,\" the man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward Clara. \"I’ll inform him you’ve arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and knocked twice on the heavy wooden door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock. Knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Village chief! Adventurers have arrived!\" he called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No voice responded from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man shifted awkwardly, glancing back at Victor’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited a few seconds more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our village chief tends to reply a little late,\" he said with an uneasy smile. \"Please wait. He will shortly come out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor, Lane, and Clara exchanged a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your village chief is... a little strange,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man forced a chuckle. \"Well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t elaborate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara gave a polite nod. \"Thank you, sir. We can handle it from here. You may go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man seemed relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good luck with the task,\" he said quickly before turning and hurrying back toward the center of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" Clara and Lane answered together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor simply nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tapped his fingers lightly against his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hated waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more seconds, he exhaled sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come on,\" he muttered. \"Why doesn’t this old man open the door already? He’s not dead inside, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s head snapped toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell are you spouting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m starting to get impatient. How about we just break the door and see what he’s doing? Maybe he’s too busy counting coins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually took a step toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara quickly raised a hand and blocked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me knock properly first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed dramatically. \"Fine. But if he doesn’t open it, I’m breaking it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara shot him a look before stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knocked lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her jaw tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she knocked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five firm knocks echoed through the stone house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, an irritated voice came from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m coming! Wait!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara glanced back at Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? No door breaking required.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor simply shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Took long enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door swung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall, skinny, middle-aged man stood in the doorway. His fingers were heavy with rings, and a gold chain rested over his embroidered tunic. His narrow eyes flicked over them dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you people? What do you need?\" he asked, irritation clear in his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stepped forward calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are adventurers from the guild.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked them up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh. So you finally sent someone.\" His lips curled faintly. \"And it’s a bunch of women and children. Is the guild in such a dire state?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s golden eyes cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, no matter,\" the village chief continued dismissively. \"I guess you will do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane’s fingers tightened around her bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara inhaled slowly, keeping her voice even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will do our best. So, village chief—what manner of monster are we facing here? What has it done? And what can it do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man leaned lazily against the doorframe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t know? Then how are you able to tell that there is a monster near the village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It could be a monster. It could be a human. It could be something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor crossed his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All we know,\" the chief continued, \"is that one of our hunters went up the mountain trail and saw blood. A lot of blood. Scattered everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted slightly, though still casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was no body. Just blood. At first, we thought it was a one-time thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured vaguely toward the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But every now and then, when hunters went up again, they found more blood along the trail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane’s expression grew more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That alone wasn’t enough to frighten people,\" the chief continued. \"What truly frightened them was when they finally found a body to match the blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a mountain ogre.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mountain ogre,\" the chief repeated. \"Dead. Something—or someone—is killing the mountain ogres at the top of the mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed off the doorframe and looked at them with open disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why we sent the request. But who knew the guild would send you lot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, that’s all I have to say. Come back once you figure out what kind of being is killing the mountain ogres.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s jaw flexed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village chief slammed the door shut in their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound echoed sharply against the stone walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That man has a real problem,\" Victor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara rolled her shoulders, visibly restraining her irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor glanced at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Clara. What exactly is a mountain ogre? How strong is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara shifted into explanation mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mountain ogre is a B-class monster,\" she said. \"It’s two ranks below the Void Tyrant Hydra you fought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still,\" she continued, \"you need at least two parties of B-ranked adventurers to safely kill one mountain ogre. They’re massive—over three meters tall. Thick skin like hardened bark. Brutal strength. Their swings can crush bone with ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked toward the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If something is killing them consistently... then whatever it is must be near the strength of the Void Tyrant Hydra. Or at least one level below it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s lips curved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what do you think killed those monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No clue at all. That’s why we’re here. It’s our mission to figure that out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Lane’s eyes drifted upward toward the mountainside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perched on a rocky ledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she locked eyes with it, it vanished into shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor,\" Lane said quietly. \"Someone was watching us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor turned calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Up there,\" she pointed. \"It ran away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara followed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s expression remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t think too much about it,\" Clara said after a moment. \"The people here are curious about adventurers. No one has passed these mountain ranges in a long time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s focus on the quest. First, we talk to the hunters. The one who saw the blood. And the one who found the body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane didn’t look fully convinced—but she didn’t argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If whoever was watching wanted something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let them come.\u003C\u002Fp>",1263,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","a0aab78fcd63025f78cd5ca0a3b7c8d7a2dbe6dbdd092f8d2fccd557da481ee2","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-59","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-57",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]