Chapter 50: Arctic Den
Upon passing through the towering Iron Gate of Belfort City, Ryu stepped onto the rugged dirt path that stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
A cool morning breeze brushed against his face as he pulled out a folded parchment from his belt pouch.
It was the map he had purchased for 10 silver coins. Though crude and lacking in detail, it displayed the major landmarks and terrain features surrounding Belfort City like rivers, hills, extremely dangerous forests, hunting zones, and most importantly, dungeon locations.
Unfolding it fully, he sat on a nearby stone, letting his eyes sweep across the faded ink markings. He traced the route with his finger, studying each detail carefully.
Among the marked places, one stood out in particular. Encircled by a ring of snowy peaks and located just 7 miles northeast of the city, a dungeon was marked with a small blue symbol.
"Arctic Den..." he whispered.
It was a beginner-level dungeon, known among hunters for its abundance of ice-type magical creatures such as Ice Wolves, Crystal-Spined Wolves, and occasionally, juvenile Ice Serpents.
The temperature inside was rumored to be bitterly cold, but for Ryu, who still carried the legacy of the Variant Frost Dragon in his bloodline, this environment would be nothing short of a natural home.
His breath fogged slightly in the morning air as he rose to his feet.
"Perfect," he said with a grin. "Let’s hunt some prey."
Tucking the map away, he set off in the direction of the Arctic Den, the snow-dusted peaks already visible in the distance under the soft glow of the rising sun.