Chapter 160: A Little More Progress I

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: A Little More Progress I

After a short rest, Damon led the group forward again.

As expected, they continued to encounter beasts throughout Tempest Hollow. Some were species he had fought during his previous visit, while others were completely unfamiliar. The mutation had clearly affected the entire zone, and the growing number of beasts made their journey increasingly dangerous.

Fortunately, they weren’t moving blindly.

Sylphie flew ahead, using her keen senses to scout the surroundings. Whenever she detected a large group of beasts or an area with particularly unstable Aether, she would alert Damon, allowing them to adjust their route and avoid unnecessary battles.

Their goal wasn’t to explore Tempest Hollow. They needed to reach the outside as quickly as possible, so Damon chose the shortest route he could safely take.

Of course, avoiding every battle wasn’t possible.

A few groups of beasts were positioned directly along their path, while others roamed too close for them to pass unnoticed. Whenever that happened, Damon made sure the group was ready before engaging.

He also joined the fights from time to time, especially when they encountered unfamiliar beasts or stronger opponents. However, he left most of the work to the others.

Every battle was an opportunity to improve.

The first group they encountered after moving out consisted of seven B-rank Gale Shadow Panthers. They were hunting near a narrow passage between two rocky ridges, and their keen senses picked up the group almost immediately.

Damon recognized them and gestured for everyone to stop.

"Seven B-rank beasts. Let’s get through them quickly."

Caelia glanced at the panthers, then at Shiro and Snow.

"We’ll handle them."

"Good. Just don’t let them surround you."

The panthers attacked before she could say anything else.

Their bodies blurred as they moved through the narrow passage, and sharp blades of wind shot toward the group from several directions.

Shiro immediately activated Frostbound Sanctuary, spreading ice across the ground and raising several pillars to disrupt their approach. The panthers leaped over the formations, but Snow was already moving to intercept them.

She darted toward the nearest beast, her claws coated in Ice Elemental Aether. The panther twisted away, releasing a curved blade of wind that sliced through the air.

Snow lowered her body and narrowly avoided the attack before striking its hind leg.

The beast stumbled, giving Shiro enough time to send out Frost Chains. They wrapped around its legs and dragged it onto the frozen ground.

Caelia followed with a spear of ice, finishing it before it could break free.

The remaining panthers tried to take advantage of the brief opening, but Caelia had already adjusted her position. She raised an ice wall to block two of them while Snow pressured another from the side.

Shiro continued controlling the battlefield, using his Frostbound Sanctuary to slow the beasts and restrict their movements.

The fight ended quickly.

Damon watched them finish off the last panther before nodding in approval.

"Not bad. You’re getting used to their speed."

Snow lifted her head proudly, while Shiro calmly shook the frost from his body.

They continued without wasting time.

A little farther ahead, Sylphie warned them about a group of twelve C-rank Thunderfang Wolves. The beasts were gathered around a rocky slope, where unstable Lightning Elemental Aether flickered across the ground.

Damon considered the area for a moment.

"They’re not worth fighting. We’ll go around."

Sylphie had already found a narrow route along the ridge, allowing them to bypass the wolves without attracting their attention.

It was a small detour, but much safer than fighting a pack that could use the surrounding lightning to strengthen its attacks.

Not long after, however, they encountered a group they couldn’t avoid.

Five B-rank Stormclaw Boars were charging through the forested area ahead, their thick bodies covered in dark plates. Lightning crackled around their tusks as they tore through the trees, sending broken branches flying in every direction.

They were moving too quickly to let the group pass unnoticed.

"Shiro, Snow, take the front," Damon ordered. "Caelia, support them. I’ll handle the ones that break through."

The boars charged.

Shiro immediately spread Frostbound Sanctuary across their path. Ice formations rose from the ground, forcing the beasts to slow down and adjust their direction.

The first boar smashed through a pillar with its reinforced tusks, sending ice fragments scattering into the air.

Snow took advantage of the opening and lunged toward its exposed side. Her claws struck the beast’s armored body, leaving deep frost-covered wounds.

However, the boar released a burst of lightning that spread across the ground.

Snow quickly leaped away, but the current followed her movement, forcing her to twist in midair.

Caelia raised a barrier of ice beneath her, allowing Snow to land safely.

"Watch the ground!" Caelia called. "Their lightning spreads through anything they’re touching!"

Snow nodded and changed her approach.

Instead of staying close to the ground, she began using the ice formations as stepping points, leaping between them to avoid the electrical currents.

Shiro followed her lead, raising several thick ice walls to separate the boars and prevent them from charging together.

Damon stepped in when two of the beasts broke through the formation.

Silver lightning flashed around his arm as he released a concentrated strike. The first boar was hit in the head and thrown sideways, while the second was forced to halt as Freya appeared beside him.

Freya flicked her tails.

A wave of silver lightning crashed into the beast, leaving it stunned long enough for Damon to finish it with another strike.

"Keep going," he said calmly. "Don’t let them regroup."

The others responded immediately.

Caelia controlled the battlefield with her Ice Arts, while Shiro and Snow took advantage of the openings she created. The remaining boars fell one after another, and the group soon cleared the path.

Damon looked toward Snow.

"You’re adjusting faster now. You didn’t try to overpower their lightning directly."

Snow gave a pleased cry.

"Keep that up. The more elements you encounter, the more ways you’ll find to deal with them."