Ignite the campfire.
Gauss was in charge of preparing the ingredients, while Aaliyah boiled some hot water.
Today’s lunch was soup.
In the freezing cold, nothing comforts like a pot of steaming hot soup.
Though Gauss wanted to add some frost snake meat, he refrained for Aaliyah’s sake, opting for a simple carrot and lean meat soup instead.
"Mmm—"
Aaliyah held the hot soup, the warm food dispelling the last trace of cold.
"Finally, some time to rest."
She couldn’t help but stretch, the fatigue from constant travel washing over her.
Yet... perhaps this is that bittersweet feeling?
Considering how many ordinary people live hard lives without the rich rewards adventurers like them receive.
One must be grateful.
With this thought, she rubbed her cheeks, using her fingers to lift the corners of her mouth into a smile.
"What will happen to these wild monsters after we leave?" Gauss wondered.
"Maybe they’ll hibernate, or migrate to warmer southern areas. Stronger tribes always find a way," Aaliyah pondered, propping her chin on her hand. "I’ve heard that the snow rarely reaches deep into the Jade Forest."
"As if there’s an invisible barrier in the heart of the Jade Forest blocking the cold?"
"Then why do those ogres choose to wage war on humans for winter food resources rather than migrate?"
"Perhaps... it’s the Green Dragon Queen’s command?" This question reached the edge of Aaliyah’s knowledge, forcing her to guess.
Yet, her guess held some truth, since much of the Jade Forest’s affairs fell under the shadow of the true forest ruler—the Green Dragon Queen.
The strongest individual demon in the Jade Forest, she established the Monster Kingdom, which was also the strongest monster settlement in the area.
It’s said that a hundred years ago, towns like Gray Rock Town were established to fend off the green dragon in the forest.
A century of relative peace passed, with residents and adventurers in Gray Rock Town changing over time, yet the adult green dragon remained the deepest threat looming over the town.
A hundred years is not long for a giant dragon.
Giant dragons, these winged reptiles with ancient bloodlines and immense power, are mainly divided into metallic dragons and chromatic dragons.
In most human records, chromatic dragons, the five-colored ones, appear as greedy marauders, while metallic dragons show some relatively positive traits.
But regardless of the type, all giant dragons possess powers and abilities far beyond the ordinary, recognized as one of the world’s most formidable beings.
As natural magic creatures, their long lives allow them to become stronger with the passage of time.
Even those with diluted dragon blood like dragon-blooded Jackal Wolfmen or wyvern types exhibit greater strength and longevity, showcasing the superiority of dragon lineage.
The adult green dragon in the Jade Forest is reportedly nearing six hundred years old.
An incredible age from a human perspective.
After being well-fed and resting a while.
The two began to make their way back to the camp.
Footprints stretched across the snowy ground.
Gray Wolf Ulfen seemed to know it was time to go home, leaping excitedly around them in the snow.
The Crowman outpost was at the forest’s edge, not far from the camp.
Soon, the outline of the temporary camp at the Jade Forest’s edge came into view.
However, before they fully approached, Gauss noticed something odd.
The camp was shrouded in a peculiar fog, an acrid smell hit them, tightening their throats uncomfortably.
"Cough, cough—"
He quickly retrieved two gas masks from his storage pouch, handing one to Aaliyah. Wearing the masks brought some comfort.
An ominous premonition rose in their hearts, and they hurried into the camp.
They were stunned by the scene they saw upon entering the camp.
What was a well-ordered winter hunting camp that morning had now transformed beyond recognition.
The ground, wagons, and protective fences were corroded into pits and depressions.
The two simple tents they had were melted into a pool of charred viscous substance.
In the open space at the camp center lay people unconscious in disarray.
Priests and other professionals with healing spells or techniques were urgently administering aid.
Most striking were the numerous incomplete corpses, half-corroded by strong acid, clearly beyond any chance of survival.
What happened?
Scanning the camp, Gauss spotted members of the Templars team he met days earlier.
They should have gone out that morning too, returning before Gauss, possibly knowing what happened at the camp?
Gauss and Aaliyah approached the Templars team.
"Captain Quik, do you know what happened here?" Gauss asked directly.
The druid team member was absent, likely sent to aid with healing, while the others appeared unscathed.
"Gauss, it’s you two, luckily you were out this morning..." Quik’s expression was grave.
"It was a venomous wyvern that attacked the camp, suddenly descending and spraying venom."
"It happened too suddenly, many adventurers and personnel resting back in the camp had no time to react. Adventurers caught directly in the venom died on the spot... more than twenty of them, and the lingering toxic fog caused many in the company to fall into a coma. Fortunately, the fog has now largely been dispersed by spells."
"President Abelhard is currently battling that venomous wyvern, and they’ve fought deep into the forest."
Gauss and Aaliyah listened, exchanging a glance, shock and fear evident in each other’s eyes.
Unexpectedly, their diligent outing had spared them from disaster.
Especially Gauss, recalling his earlier thought of suggesting Aaliyah remain at the camp, then considering the melted black water from their tent, a strong sense of relief and fear welled up.
Thank goodness he hadn’t voiced that thought, for if anything had happened, he would have been consumed by guilt.
Looking around at the desolate, ravished camp, Gauss felt a tingling on his scalp.
Peace and tragedy, separated by mere hours.
"Captain Quik, has anything like this happened in past winter hunts?"
"No, at least not in the ones I’ve participated in." Quik gravely shook his head.
Such powerful creatures typically don’t leave the Jade Forest’s center casually.
For that environment suits their existence, and its departure indicates something significant.
For ordinary people, it suggests nothing too optimistic.
"From now on, in the next few years... the Jade Forest is likely to see turmoil again."