Chapter 104: The Hill of Fallen Rocks

Chu Yun, who had recovered the magic book, sped along in a carriage, his journey swift and uninterrupted. Paimon had not run with such unrestrained joy in a long while.

His destination today was Fallen Rocks Hill, located to the northeast of Black Stone City and one of the nearest monster gathering sites to the city. According to the intelligence gathered earlier, Fallen Rocks Hill was the territory of a Chimera, inhabited by a single rank-3 lord-level beast. Chimeras were born savage as demons, typically possessing goat hind legs, lion forelimbs, a pair of dragon wings, and three heads—those of lion, goat, and dragon. They fused the worst qualities of each part: the dragon head compelled them to attack, plunder, and hoard treasures; the lion’s instinct instilled fierce territoriality, driving them to hunt relentlessly any creatures within their domain that might pose a threat; the goat head rendered them vicious and unyielding, fighting to the death without mercy. They derived immense pleasure from the hunt, savoring the terror and agony of their prey, tormenting them with playful cruelty before delivering the final blow to prolong their suffering. This cruelty had long deterred human adventurers from venturing into the area, yet Chimeras were not particularly cunning. Their draconic nature made them susceptible to flattery and gifts. Those who presented generous offerings of food and treasure could evade attack, for the hill abounded with rare herbs and exotic monsters that could easily recoup the investment. Yet success hinged entirely on the Chimera’s mood; it had performed the reversal many times, accepting tribute only to turn on the adventurers and slay them. Possessing rank-3 lord-level strength and the ability to fly made it a formidable and elusive quarry. Fortunately, it rarely descended upon Black Stone City to hunt, confining its raids mostly to small towns where it scavenged wealth.

Chu Yun had chosen this target for two reasons: its formidable power and the treasures hidden within its cave. Even if he could not slay the beast, he could exploit the Mirror World to seize the opportunity and steal its lair. These riches, plundered from humans, should rightfully be returned to them. Moreover, beyond the lord-level Chimera, Fallen Rocks Hill harbored numerous other monsters to be hunted. Though only a handful of adventurers ever entered the site, those who did were typically powerful ones. The numbers were small, reducing the risk of discovery when summoning Abyss entities, rendering it an ideal location.

Yet Chu Yun found himself puzzled by the number of adventuring teams he had encountered along the way.

When he arrived at the foot of Fallen Rocks Hill, he even crossed paths with a somewhat familiar group. This was not the Obsidian Adventurers but the Four-Leaf Clover Adventurers, whom he had met previously at an auction. The team was composed entirely of Elf professionals and was affiliated with the owner of Star Tree Coffee House, rumored to maintain a particularly close relationship with the mayor’s wife.

Upon Chu Yun’s approach, the Four-Leaf Clover Adventurers sent someone forward cautiously, their vigilance evident. When they recognized the carriage’s occupant as Chu Yun himself, they were taken aback. Whether it was his exceptional charisma or his advocacy for female candidates during the assessment, these Elf adventurers held him in high regard.

“Mr. Chu Yun, are you adventuring here alone?” Bessrena, captain of the Four-Leaf Clover Adventurers, stepped forward with a smile. “I am delighted to meet you.”

“Mmm, escorting my pet for some fresh air. I’ve heard the scenery here is quite pleasant. Do you adventurers frequent this place often?” Chu Yun patted Paimon’s head, and the latter closed its eyes in blissful contentment.

Chu Yun recalled the intelligence he had received from White Pigeon: this Four-Leaf Clover leader was not only a formidable rank-3 professional but also skilled in crafting magical jewelry. He had been pondering how to enlist her aid when fate brought them together so conveniently.

Bessrena shook her head with a wry smile. “How could anyone regularly adventure in such a perilous place? She only comes here to harvest special herbs from Fallen Rocks Hill. Even as a rank-3 professional, she would not easily provoke that formidable Chimera.”

“So, Mr. Chu Yun, you’re simply out for a stroll then?” She continued, “The Adventurers Guild released a mission last night. Quite a few adventurers have already entered Fallen Rocks Hill since dawn.”

The announcement had been conspicuously displayed at the guild, visible to anyone who passed.

“Hmm? Could it be divine fragments?” Chu Yun’s eyes brightened at the thought.

His hopes were dashed, however, as Bessrena replied, “No, it’s the mayor’s daughter, Keli, who is ill. She requires a certain herb from Fallen Rocks Hill, so the mayor has posted a high bounty.”

“Keli? What ails her? What herb does she need?” Chu Yun frowned. This adorable little loli had been the one he helped contract a monster for during her mage assessment.

“We don’t know the specifics of her illness, only that it requires numerous Glass Lilies that grow deep within Fallen Rocks Hill. The mayor offers one hundred plants, each bounty valued at five hundred gold coins!”

Glass Lilies were extraordinary flora, each emitting a unique aroma that, regardless of origin, proved the most beloved scent of those who inhaled it. Five hundred gold coins amounted to fifty thousand copper coins—sufficient for an ordinary family of three to live comfortably for over a decade, a substantial sum even for professionals. If one Lily could be found, it was likely others grew nearby.

Such generous rewards had enticed many adventurers, rendering Fallen Rocks Hill unusually bustling today.

After hearing the explanation, Chu Yun felt a headache forming. He had not come here to gather Glass Lilies; too many people would complicate matters. The surrounding monsters were relatively concentrated here, but they were otherwise scattered.

“Very well, let’s first use the magic book to collect monster souls. The summoning can wait for a better opportunity later.” Chu Yun made his decision inwardly.

The Four-Leaf Clover Adventurers had no intention of joining him and bid farewell before ascending the mountain. Traveling in the wilderness with strangers was perilous.

Chu Yun unlocked the carriage from Paimon and left it safely secured in place. The rugged mountain path was unsuitable for vehicles, yet Paimon, currently at level 8 and poised to advance to rank 2, posed no issue. Along the route, any abilities he could not absorb could serve to strengthen her. The mountain held only the Chimera as a threat to Chu Yun; he had no concerns for other monsters.

Fallen Rocks Hill stretched endlessly, its slopes densely wooded. Most hills were not particularly tall, save the central Fallen Rocks Mountain, the highest at two thousand meters, where the Chimera dwelled. For reasons unknown, the mountain frequently experienced minor earthquakes, with stones often tumbling down from above—a phenomenon that lent the site its name.