Debuff Master

Chapter 505

Siegfried was probably thinking that he had already gotten familiar with Mount Kunlun, but that was far from the truth.

Deus had indeed dragged him around the mountain for one hundred days during his grueling training, but the only places he went to were the foot of the mountain, the middle part where Deus’ hut was located, and a little bit higher from the hut.

In other words, Siegfried had yet to explore two-thirds of the mountain, so the mountain could be considered unfamiliar territory to him.

However, that in itself was already quite an impressive feat, as Mount Kunlun was an unexplored location shrouded in mystery to most people. Most airships would not even be able to reach the middle portion of the mountain, and Siegfried was only able to do so thanks to the Huracan being a Super Airship.

‘What did Master say about that place last time...?’ Siegfried thought, diving into his memories.

“My disciple.”

“Yes, Master?”

“I’m saying this just in case, but don’t even dream about ascending the mountain.”

“Why, Master?”

“Are you asking me why? Do you think you have what it takes to climb this mountain?”

“I believe I will be able to do so once I've grown stronger.”

“Pfft!”

“...?”

“Sure, I’d love to see you try.”

“What do you mean, Master...?”

“This Mount Kunlun is not simply a tall mountain.”

“Is there something else to it?”

“Its climate is merciless, and its terrain is treacherous. Need I say more? But those are not the important things.”

“Then what is it?”

“The higher parts of this mountain are teeming with beings beyond your imagination. You are not even worth a warm-up to them.”

“Oh?”

“So heed my words and don’t even think about climbing. Well, you can go ahead if you want to die horribly. Do you understand?”

“Yes! Master!”

That was the only thing he knew and heard regarding the upper parts of Mount Kunlun.

‘Ah... I should’ve just asked at that time...’ Siegfried grumbled and regretted while walking up the mountain trail. He did not expect he would be climbing the mountain.

Shwiiiish!

The wind grew fiercer, and the temperature dropped lower the higher he went.

“It’s quite chilly here.”

“Kyu! What’s wrong with the weather here, owner punk?! It’s supposed to be summer but why is it so cold here?!”

“Who knows? I’m from the liberal arts[1] side so I have no idea.”

“Kyu?”

“I guess I would know if I chose earth science—no, wait... do they teach this in geography? Ah, it doesn’t matter since I picked neither. I chose law, politics, economy, and what was that again... Ah! social studies and ethics! Anyway, I chose those, so I don’t know anything about the climate or weather,” Siegfried replied while reminiscing about his school days.

“What the hell are you blabbering about...?” Hamchi tilted his head in confusion. Then, he glared at Siegfried and exclaimed, “Just say you don’t know if you don’t know! What’s with the long story? Kyu!”

“...”

“Tsk! This is why you liberal arts people are useless!”

Siegfried screamed in anger while blowing steam from his nose, “Hey! Are you looking down on us?! Do you have any idea how important art is for–”

“Stop lying! I know it’s because you gave up on math! Kyu!”

“W-What?! How did you know about that?!”

“You’re not the first coward to run away to liberal arts because you couldn’t handle math! Kyuu!”

“E-Enough! Your grades don’t dictate your life!” Siegfried covered his ears and screamed in agony.

“Kyuuu! You guys make the same excuses!”

“Argh!”

Just then, Siegfried noticed something strange and looked at the giant hamster.

‘Hold on...?’

“Hey.”

“Kyu?”

“How do you know about that?”

“About what? Kyuu?”

“How do you know how the Korean education system works?”

“Kyu! I heard it from the Korean Adventurers while playing Hardstone with them!”

“...”

“But I guess you really sucked at studying, owner punk. Kyuu!”

“Hey! What do you know?! My grades weren't great, but they were definitely average!”

“Liar!”

“Do you have proof I’m lying?!”

“I have!”

“What’s your proof?! Show me!”

“You said you studied social studies and ethics, but your personality is horrible! You've wasted your education! Kyuu!”

“Why you little! You’re dead!”

“Kyuuu?”

“Come here you little rat!”

In the end, Siegfried could not withstand his anger and ended up exploding.

One would be reminded of a famous saying while watching them, and that saying was, "the truth hurts." The truth was as sharp as a sword that attacked its target mentally, which was sometimes much more painful than physical pain.

***

Siegfried and Hamchi chatted and bickered while climbing Mount Kunlun. The air around them grew even colder the higher they climbed, and Siegfried was forced to take out a coat from his Inventory to withstand the temperature.

Whoosh!

The chilling ferocious gale blew—no, it was no longer a gale. The wind was so fierce it felt as if it was cutting Siegfried’s skin.

‘Crazy! Does this even make sense?!’ Siegfried could not believe what was happening. His physique was no longer that of a normal human, and his pain threshold was so high he would not feel pain from most things. However, it felt as if he was a mere mortal against the treacherous winds of Mount Kunlun.

Whoosh!

The winds were so sharp that an ordinary person would have been diced into pieces by now.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the only hazard that existed on the mountain.

[Alert: Your body temperature is dropping!]

[Alert: Your HP and Stamina decrease slowly to preserve body heat!]

[Alert: Provide your body with the energy to generate heat by consuming food!]

[Alert: Maintain your heartbeat to ensure optimal warmth!]

Siegfried had experienced firsthand just how much burden Mount Kunlun’s climate could put on someone.

“The weather’s no joke here.”

“Kyu! I agree!”

“Ah!” Siegfried exclaimed. He snapped his finger after remembering something.

“Hey, Hamchi.”

“Kyu?”

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Predatory birds tend to hunt rodents just like how falcons or eagles hunt rats?”

“Kyu? Why are you telling me that all of a sudden?”

“Master told me that there are eagles nesting here. He told me to be extra careful around here. Hohoho!”

“Kyak?!” Hamchi shrieked in horror. Then, all of his fur stood up as he cried out, “Are you saying I’m a rodent?! Kyaaak!”

“Why not? You’re a hamster.”

“Kyaaak! Hamchi is not a rat!”

“Come on~”

“Kyaaaak! Hamchi is the Great Spirit of the Forest! I can kill those eagles in a single punch!”

“Really? Master said the eagles here are really big though. He said they were the size of an elephant.”

“Doesn’t matter! Hiss! Tell them to come! Hamchi will teach them a lesson!”

“Haha! No need to get so worked up.”

It was then...

Screeee!

A shrill cry reverberated from a distance not so far away from the duo.

“Hmm?”

“Kyu?”

Siegfried and Hamchi turned around and...

“...!”

“...!”

They were stunned at the same time because.

Swoosh!

An eagle the size of a house was darting toward them from the sky.

“H-Hamchi...?” Siegfried said with his eyes still fixated on the gigantic eagle.

“K-Kyuu?”

“You said you can beat them to a pulp, right? I think now’s your chance to prove it.”

“Kyuuu?! H-Hamchi never said tha—”

Unfortunately, they no longer had the luxury to continue bickering.

Swoosh!

The gigantic eagle was already right in front of them.

“What kind of eagle is this...?” Siegfried grumbled under his breath before swinging his +13 Horse Fly at it.

Claaaaaaang!

“Ack!”

The +13 Horse Fly clashed against the gigantic eagle’s wing, but he was the one who flew away.

“Argh...!” Siegfried groaned and got back to his feet.

“Scree!”

The gigantic eagle let out a cry before directing its gaze at Hamchi.

Whoosh!

Then, it spread out its wings and flew right above the ground toward the giant hamster.

“Kyaaaak! Hamchi’s not scared of you! Bring it on!” Hamchi cried out before growing himself to the size of a grizzly bear.

He raised his gigantic paw and smacked the gigantic eagle, but...

“Kyuuuuuuu!”

The result was not that great. Hamchi was flung back just like Siegfried after clashing against the gigantic eagle’s wing.

“Hamchi! Damn it! Why is this eagle so strong?!” Siegfried grumbled and flashed his Rune of Insight at the gigantic eagle while running toward it.

[Blade Falcon]

[A gigantic falcon inhabiting the upper areas of Mount Kunlun.]

[It obtained its name from surviving the vicious sharp winds of Mount Kunlun, and every single one of its feathers is sharper than most swords.]

[Also, it can reach speeds up to 700 km/h when diving, so caution is advised when one is flying overhead.]

[Type: Neutral Creature]

[Level: 300]

[Note: This is a falcon and not an eagle. Let’s not be stupid and call it an eagle.]

“I-Impossible!” Siegfried exclaimed after seeing that not only did the gigantic eagle turn out to be a falcon but it also had a ridiculous level of 300.

“The higher parts of this mountain are teeming with beings beyond your imagination. You are not even worth a warm-up to them.”

It turned out that Deus was not exaggerating at all!

***

Siegfried could not stay stunned forever.

“Hamchi! Wait for me!” he shouted and ran to help.

It was then.

“Screeee!”

“Scree!”

“Screee!”

Three Blade Falcons appeared and dove toward them.

‘Damn it!’ Siegfried gritted his teeth. He did not expect Mount Kunlun to be this dangerous. He braved the chilling cold and ferocious winds, thinking that the elements were manageable.

However, he didn't imagine that creatures like these Blade Falcons were living here.

“Bring it on,” Siegfried muttered while readying his +13 Horse Fly. Then, he concentrated on matching the timing of his attack to their descent, ‘They’re fast! Three... two... now!’

He swung his +13 Horse Fly with all of his strength, but...

Whoosh~

He missed and ended up on the ground.

Thud!

“W-What the hell?!” Siegfried hurriedly got up to his feet and looked around.

The Blade Falcons had ignored him completely and were flying straight for Hamchi.

Siegfried thought they were coming for him, but it turned out that they had never considered him a target to begin with.

“Scree!”

“Screee!”

“Screeeee!”

They only had a single target and that was none other than Hamchi.

“K-Kyuuu! Kyuu!”

The Blade Falcons focused only on Hamchi and Hamchi alone.

“What’s going on...? Why are they only after Hamchi—Huh?” Siegfried stopped mid-sentence after suddenly remembering what he said just a minute ago.

“Predatory birds tend to hunt rodents just like how falcons or eagles hunt rats?”

“Master told me that there are eagles nesting here. He told me to be extra careful around here. Hohoho!”

The Blade Falcons were still predatory birds, and their instincts were telling them to go after the rodent, Hamchi, rather than the human, Siegfried!

1. Higher education in Korea is divided into two parts, arts and science. ☜

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