Vortex Hill (2)

Gregory, having received Walter's permission, headed toward Vortex Hill. The group consisted of their fellow candidates: Ernest, Gregory, Alessandro, Adrian, Elisabeth, and Brea—clustering tightly together.

As they chatted and made their way forward, the desert soon stretched out before their eyes.

However, the road to Vortex Hill was both long and arduous.

The endless barrenness unique to the desert unfolded before them, and every time the wind blew, sharp grains of sand scraped at their skin.

Fortunately, they had rented donkeys and traveled by cart, allowing them to avoid the scorching sun in the shade. They set out for the entire day, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

In the daytime, the burning heat quickly sapped the group's strength, only to be replaced by bone-chilling cold at night.

"Ugh... it's freezing. Are we going to freeze to death like this?"

Alessandro, face scrunched up, pulled his collar close and complained. Gregory glanced at him and spoke with a calm expression.

"That's why I told you to pack extra clothes in advance, didn't I?"

"I know, but I didn't expect it to be this cold!"

Though Gregory had warned them to prepare spare clothes and fabric garments suitable for blocking the sandstorm, perhaps his warning had been too mild, as Alessandro had only packed half-heartedly.

Ernest tried to intervene, forcing an awkward smile, stopping the bickering between Gregory and Alessandro.

"Haha... alright, you two, that's enough. Anyway, it looks like this is as far as we go today, right...?"

With night fallen, they could go no further, so they set up camp in the area and tried to rest.

The members of the Dawn Knight Order built a campfire with firewood they had brought, and Gregory pulled thick blankets from his bag and tossed them to the others.

"Cover yourself with these and sleep. We never know when danger will come, so get as much rest as you can now."

Gregory volunteered for the first watch and purposefully did not wake the others. He was weary too, but willingly took the tough role for his companions. He believed he couldn't let his guard down for even a moment, since monsters could strike at any time.

The desert night had its own beauty.

Although their vision was limited to the faint moonlight and the dancing reflections of the campfire, the sky was dotted with countless stars.

The distant sound of wind sweeping sand broke the silence. Yet, despite the desert night's mysterious allure, this was by no means a safe place.

Gregory gazed at the scene, deep in thought.

'Is there really a legendary sword hidden in this vast desert...?'

At that moment, Adrian asked in a low voice, rolling over to look at Gregory.

"Gregory, why don't you try to get some sleep too? We were supposed to take turns for watch, you know. It's long past the time to change shifts."

Grateful for Adrian's concern, Gregory smiled.

"It's alright. I just can't sleep."

Adrian sighed and sat up.

"Don't push yourself too hard. We've still got a long way to go."

He wrapped himself back in his blanket, curling up. But Gregory remained seated, clutching Durandal in his hands and staring at the fire.

His mind was full of memories from his past life. What would happen when they reached Vortex Hill? Would something even more dangerous than in his previous life await them?

Then, it happened.

From far away, he heard something burrowing through the sand and approaching.

Gregory immediately got to his feet. The others didn't seem to have noticed anything yet.

'Is it a monster?'

He quietly drew his sword.

In the desert, monsters often moved when the wind picked up. Especially near Vortex Hill, it was rumored that even stronger monsters resided, so he was extremely vigilant.

The sound grew steadily closer.

Ssshhh—

Any sound in the desert besides the wind was almost never a good sign.

Gregory quickly scanned the surroundings. He saw something—a shadow drifting along the sand as if swimming.

Its true identity was a basilisk, a snake that had become a monster. Its body was thick and long, covered in black scales, and with swift movements, it headed toward the Dawn Knight Order.

This monster, at night, would approach its prey while hidden beneath the sand, striking with its venomous tail to paralyze its victim before devouring them alive—a truly fearsome creature.

And there weren't just one, but five. Gregory shouted to rouse his companions.

"Everyone, wake up!"

At Gregory's sudden shout, everyone sprang up, and sensing the threat, drew their swords.

Alessandro, still groggy, kicked off his blanket and stood.

"Wh-what's going on?"

Brea, seeing the basilisks, was so shocked she couldn't say a word.

Gregory wore a meaningful expression. They hadn't even reached Vortex Hill yet, and already a major crisis had struck.

A basilisk was a monster that even a five-star knight could barely hope to defeat. The fact that there were five made it an overwhelming challenge for the Dawn Knight Order.

"Everyone, stay sharp. Even if it doesn't look like much, if you get caught, you'll be crushed in an instant."

Issuing his warning, Gregory rushed forward. Yet, after the side effects he'd suffered at the Laderios estate, he couldn't recklessly draw upon red mana.

Sssshhh—

With a slicing sound, a swift tail whipped toward Gregory.

He rolled aside, dodging quickly. Without a moment's hesitation, he slashed his sword at the opening in the basilisk's defenses—

But the basilisk, sensing the disturbance, didn't allow an easy hit.

'So it's you.'

Then Gregory sensed another presence.

He instantly realized that the basilisk who had attacked first was the leader of the group. It was the largest among them and acted independently, making it all the more suspicious.

Conversely, as they say, a master recognizes another master—the basilisk instantly assessed Gregory as well.

'Alright, I'll play with you... Come at me...'

Even without using red mana, the difference in ability between Gregory and the basilisk was overwhelming in Gregory's favor.

But that wasn't the issue. As soon as one of the monsters moved, the other four turned their attention to Gregory.

If all of them attacked at once, Gregory wouldn't be able to hold them off—he needed his companions, so he called out again.

"Are you ready yet?"

His companions, now wide awake, quickly sprang into action. Each gripped their weapons tightly and joined him.

Alessandro, breathing heavily, aimed his sword at the basilisks, while the others quickly formed ranks.

"We're here too!"

Brea stared at the basilisks with a look of disdain.

"And you're telling us to fight those things?"

Ernest, used to Brea's complaining, replied,

"You want to die instead?"

Perhaps intimidated in turn, the basilisks flicked their tongues and hesitated. In that moment, Gregory leapt high and charged.

Since basilisks had no ears, if they lost track of the enemy's movements, it was hard for them to sense—the very weakness Gregory exploited with his strategic play.

Gregory's sword struck a basilisk directly in one of its eyes.

Wearing a wry smile, he feigned confidence in victory, all the while ready to assist his companions if they fell into danger.

"Everyone, attack! I'll take this one!"

His companions nodded and focused on the battle. Under Ernest's direction, they had to divide up; Ernest and Adrian would tie up three basilisks while the rest took out the fourth quickly.

Elisabeth, swinging the end of her spear with determination, declared,

"Alright, let's go. No point in wasting time."

She wielded a spear at Gregory's suggestion; Alessandro had chosen a claymore, Adrian had been advised to use twin blades, and Brea, thanks to her agility, had taken up daggers.

Everyone charged at the basilisks in perfect coordination. Gregory calmly watched them for a moment before toying with the basilisk he was facing.

'Snakes can't move backward, structurally. Instead, they twist or move sideways to change direction.'

With that knowledge, Gregory leapt up each time the basilisk attacked, evading and getting behind it.

As a result, the basilisk had to exert a great deal of effort just to turn around. During that time, Gregory kept a close eye on his companions' movements.

Since any misstep could be fatal, he remained ready to cut down the basilisk and assist if things took a dangerous turn.

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