Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill Chapter 497:We Found It

Randall’s grip on his weapon intensified as the tremors subsided, yet the disquiet in his heart lingered. His fingers clenched the hilt, his gaze fixed forward, meticulously surveying the expanse of white.

He turned his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed Wales.

"Stay close," Randall commanded in a low, serious tone, his voice unwavering.

Wales offered a quiet nod, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a focused calm. The small, furry creatures perched on his shoulders stirred restlessly, their minute bodies sensing an unknown disturbance.

The party resumed their advance, and as they ventured deeper into Frostvele, peculiar occurrences began to manifest.

Initially, the biting cold intensified, but soon, the very silence of the place felt unnerving.

Then, a colossal ice wolf materialized before them, its body rigid and quivering. Its predatory eyes were wide, reflecting a fear uncharacteristic of a hunter.

It did not attack.

Instead, it turned and fled.

Randall paused, watching the wolf's large form vanish into the snow with startling swiftness.

"…That’s not normal," he muttered, his brow furrowed.

From behind him, a Blank knight adjusted his grasp on his spear and voiced a cautious observation.

"Monsters are… retreating?"

Wales moved forward deliberately, his boots creating soft crunching sounds on the frosted ground. He knelt beside a tiny beast concealed behind fractured rock. The creature vibrated uncontrollably, its small frame attempting to disappear.

Wales extended his hand slowly and gently.

"Easy…" he whispered, his voice hushed and his movements unhurried, ensuring he would not startle the small animal further.

Initially hesitant, the beast’s tiny claws scraped faintly against the ice as it shifted uncertainly. After a moment, however, it began to approach, emitting soft, rhythmic chirps tinged with nervousness.

Wales’ expression softened as he focused on the creature, and as an invisible connection formed, his beast-taming abilities subtly activated.

The surrounding sounds transformed.

They were no longer mere noises; each chirp and rustle now conveyed fragments of emotion and intent, weaving together into a tapestry of understanding.

Fear, deep and primal.

Heat, oppressive and inescapable.

And something far more formidable lurking beneath it all.

Wales’ expression shifted subtly as the realization dawned. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice low and laced with tension.

"…They aren't fleeing from us," he stated, his gaze fixed ahead.

Randall frowned, stepping closer, his brows drawn together as unease flickered across his features.

"Then what are they running from?" he inquired, his tone sharpening.

Wales slowly raised his head, peering into the vast, white expanse before them. Though his expression remained composed, a subtle weight was present in his eyes.

"…Something terrifying resides there," he replied.

A silence fell over the group as his words registered, their exchanged glances conveying a mixture of doubt and apprehension.

After a moment, Randall gave a decisive nod.

"We must move," he declared firmly.

They advanced with heightened vigilance, their formation tightening as they pressed deeper into the frozen wilderness. The landscape grew increasingly treacherous, its shape and atmosphere shifting dramatically.

Smooth plains gave way to jagged ice formations, and deep fissures snaked across the ground like wounds, forcing them into narrow single-file lines as frigid winds shrieked through the ravines, battering their armor.

Monsters continued to appear, yet something felt distinctly amiss.

A colossal frost bear once blocked their path, its immense form exhaling plumes of mist as its gaze locked onto their group. Nearby, a cluster of ice serpents coiled upon a ledge while a winged creature circled overhead, observing silently.

Yet, none of them attacked.

They merely watched, then departed.

Some turned and fled instantly, driven by an overwhelming instinct, while others lingered momentarily before retreating. Although a few approached too closely, compelling the Blank knights to engage, these encounters were brief and strangely lacking in conviction.

Steel met claw in the frozen air, brief skirmishes echoing through the silence, but the creatures displayed no genuine aggression or clear intent, their focus seemingly elsewhere.

They were not hunting.

They were escaping.

Wales continued to lead the party, his pace measured, pausing periodically to commune with nearby creatures and glean fragmented understanding. With each connection, a more defined path emerged in his mind.

"This way," he said again, indicating a deep valley ahead.

Randall followed without a second thought, and the others moved with him, commencing their descent. It proved to be both steep and perilous, as frost coated their armor and the cold intensified with every step. Their breaths condensed into visible clouds, and the very air seemed to press down on them as they ventured deeper.

But then, a change occurred.

Initially, it was subtle, almost imperceptible—a faint warmth brushing against their skin like a distant whisper. Yet, with each forward stride, this warmth grew more potent and distinct.

The biting wind began to wane.

The ground beneath their boots started to fracture.

Thin tendrils of steam ascended from the depths below, coiling upwards as if the earth itself were exhaling.

Randall's focus sharpened, and he slowed his pace slightly, his attention fixed on the unfolding environmental shift.

"…Heat?" he questioned aloud.

Wales nodded slowly, his gaze remaining steady.

"Yes," he confirmed.

The group instinctively quickened their steps. As they advanced, the frost underfoot began to melt, the air became thicker and more substantial, and the chilling cold that had enveloped them for so long gradually receded, replaced by something far more formidable.

And then…

They arrived.

A colossal cavern was revealed before them, concealed beneath layers of ice and rock. As they drew nearer, the spectacle within caused even the most composed individuals to halt their advance.

Inside, an immense pool of lava stretched out, radiating an intense, molten glow that illuminated the entire chamber. The air above it shimmered and distorted from the extreme heat. The cavern walls were blackened and fractured, serving as conduits for rivers of magma that snaked through them like fiery veins, casting dancing shadows across the expanse.

Randall stopped at the threshold, his breath catching momentarily as he absorbed the scene.

"…What in the world is this place…" he whispered.

Wales offered no reply, his attention already captivated by something of far greater significance.

At the very heart of the lava pool, movement stirred.

A gigantic figure lay partially submerged in the molten surface, its immense form barely discernible beneath the incandescent liquid. Faintly illuminated scales pulsed with light in slow, rhythmic waves. Each exhalation from the creature sent ripples across the lava, these ripples carrying a silent, terrifying cadence.

The oppressive heat.

The immense pressure.

Its sheer, overwhelming presence…

All evidence converged on a single, undeniable conclusion.

Randall's grip tightened on his weapon, his entire body tensing. His voice dropped to a low, controlled timbre.

"…A dragon."

The creature was of colossal magnitude, exceeding any scale they had anticipated. Even in its dormant state, it emanated a power so overwhelming it caused the very air to vibrate.

Wales swallowed, his gaze fixed upon the magnificent beast. His voice emerged as a mere whisper, yet it was laden with unquestionable certainty.

"…We found it."