Demon of the Snow.

Its actual name has little in common with an actual Demon.

It's classified as a disaster species.

The nickname is ‘ground octopus’ because its appearance closely resembles that of an octopus.

However, despite being labeled as a disaster species or Demon of the Snow, most creatures like it were already dead.

There was only one reason.

They starved to death while sleeping.

Disaster type creatures that favored cold environments would inhabit snowy places.

They stayed asleep except when eating. Stupidly enough, they wouldn't wake up unless someone physically roused them.

In such frigid places, it was rare for any sounds to be significant enough to wake them. Moreover, their habitats were usually in deeply carved areas like cliffs or valleys.

These weren't places people would naturally visit. Even animals instinctively avoided their habitats.

These sleepy creatures mostly starved in that manner.

Yet, there was a reason they were still called disaster species. Their enormous size and insatiable appetite were akin to calamities for humans.

Once awakened by someone after starving for a long time, they would remain awake until they consumed an extraordinary amount of food.

The Demon of the Snow, now awake, would not stop until it demolished cliffs and devoured all nearby villages.

Honestly, the blizzard and the giant tentacles slowly crawling up felt like nonsense. I hadn't even fully entered Phase 1 of the game yet.

But once fully awake, it was only a matter of time before this place would collapse.

"This is the Demon of the Snow!"

"It's strong!"

"There seems to be no end to it!"

"But we can still win!"

"We can destroy the tentacles!"

No, it's merely the prelude.

The Inquisitors were wildly enthusiastic, unleashing holy spells upon the tentacles. They cheered each time the tentacles shattered.

Please, conserve your energy. Seriously. Those things regenerate anyway. This is just the warm-up. The real threat isn't even awake yet.

The blizzard intensified as time went by. Staying put meant getting buried in snow.

Everything so far was as expected. The appearance of the Demon of the Snow and its progression were all anticipated.

The issue was that the intensity of the blizzard was too severe.

What is this?

Normally, it wouldn't push this hard, would it?

Something felt off. Even in hundreds of scenarios, such a strong blizzard hadn't hit.

And those massive tentacles climbing up the Ice Cliff...

They're much thicker than the usual Demon of the Snow's!

"Sir Radatok! We've rediscovered the traces!"

"Ice cave spotted ahead!"

"I sense someone there!"

The Inquisitor Radatok swung his sword fiercely. With one holy spell, half of the tentacles were sliced off.

A heavy sword befitting his large stature. Radatok pointed to an ice cave that wasn't far off.

"Prepare for battle, everyone. Eliminate the heretics and reseal the Demon of the Snow..."

Suddenly.

The Ice Cliff trembled.

A bizarre roar echoed. The ground shook, and the blizzard intensified in an instant.

Snow hitting our faces head-on. Each falling snowball had grown so big, it was almost the same as getting hit with hail.

Wait a minute... this form, could it be…

...Is it already Phase 1 when we haven't even seen the cave?

Massive tentacles began to writhe above the Ice Cliff. With a sound that shook the very earth, these enormous tentacles stood stiffly.

Just moments away from striking down. It's what the disaster, called the Demon of the Snow, does first when they awaken.

They're ready to consume anything to satiate their hunger. And that means...

"What the hell?!"

They intend to devour the entire Ice Cliff.

"Run to that ice cave right now!"

"Brother, what are you saying..."

"No time to explain, just run!"

I led by example and dashed forward, panting heavily.

The ice cave. It's our only chance. Holding out there is essential for dealing with the Demon of the Snow!

"Anyway, damn it! Everyone, ruuun!!"

The once-stiff tentacles all came crashing down at once. Huge shadows engulfed the landscape.

The Demon of the Snow let out a harrowing roar.

The collapse of the Ice Cliff happened in an instant.. .

I raised myself up. The surroundings were filled with groans. Unable to see anything, I lit an ember.

"...Ha."

Somehow, we made it into the ice cave. The Inquisitors also seemed to have entered almost simultaneously. While some appeared to be injured, trapped under the broken ground, their lives didn’t seem to be in immediate danger.

That's a small relief, at least.

Suddenly, the ceiling shook. A loud noise accompanied the massive tremor. The sound of something gnawing.

It was the Demon of the Snow devouring the Ice Cliff. Since it's just tasteless blocks of ice, it must be eating slowly. If my guess is correct, it would take roughly two weeks for that creature to finish consuming the entire Ice Cliff. Maybe even longer.

For now, I dusted myself off and stood up. I took a quick glance around.

It wasn't just the Inquisitors; there were also many unfamiliar faces mixed in.

The Snake Cult.

From the perspective of the Sun God Religion, heretics were scattered everywhere.

Suddenly, someone covered my face. Startled, I turned around to find Radatok there.

"Brother, extinguish the fire."

"If I put it out, I can't see anything."

"It's better not to see. If visible, you become a target."

Radatok seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. Once I extinguished the fire and was enveloped in darkness, Radatok whispered softly.

"There's something outside. Brother, do you know what it is?"

"It's the Demon of the Snow."

"It seems you know something I don't."

"I read about it in books. The legend of the Ice Cliff is famous."

"Could you teach me?"

A person as sturdy as a bear yet serpent-like. That's definitely Radatok. He doesn't mind learning from anyone, no matter how young.

"The Demon of the Snow is a demon with the form of a giant octopus. It's known for its rapid regeneration and insatiable appetite."

"Didn't you mention an ice cave earlier?"

"It looked like the safest option at the time. But now, it seems that's not the case."

The ground shook. I felt my body sink slightly. Radatok let out a sigh.

"I don't know how you feel, brother... but it seems we're being entirely devoured right now."

"That might be true."

"We need to escape before it's too late."

"It's impossible. If we disturb anything, the whole terrain surrounding us might collapse."

"We can't just sit here and let ourselves be devoured."

"Perhaps being devoured is actually the right move."

"...Pardon?"

"Think about it, Inquisitor. If the demon is large enough to swallow the entire terrain, wouldn't it make more sense to stir things up from the inside?"

Getting intentionally swallowed is the key to defeating the Demon of the Snow.

Fighting this massive creature from the outside is practically asking to be killed!

"We'll dive in, stir its insides, and destroy its heart. Then we'll find a way out."

"That's reckless."

"But haven't the circumstances already forced us into recklessness?"

I could sense Radatok glaring into the darkness.

"Brother... did you know things would turn out like this?"

Of course.

That's why I came along! But I didn't expect it to happen so fast!

"Not at all. Would I have followed if I did?"

"...True enough."

The Inquisitors regained their composure. I could feel them starting to gather one by one around Radatok.

Those from the Snake Cult also stood up, whispering in the dark before swiftly moving to the other side.

"State your allegiance."

"Be silent, heretics."

"I knew it would come to this! Still alive, are you? You filthy disciples of the sun!"

"Where do repulsive creatures with scales dare to speak?"

Squawk! Babble!

Amid the erupting shouts, I rubbed my ears. Of course. Meeting like this, wouldn't it be strange not to fight?

But this won’t do. Not now. I slipped out of Radatok's arms. I drew a deep breath into my lungs.

"Sileeeeeence!!!"

The noise stopped.

I flicked the light on. Startled, members of the Snake Cult and Inquisitors stared at me.

Neither side was unscathed. There were bruises everywhere, and some who couldn’t stand sat clutching their drawn swords.

"Listen up! Why are you screaming in a situation like this?"

"Be silent! Words of heretics like—"

"Ah, damn it! Can't you feel it?! We're all going to die!"

Just then, the ground shook. My body sank again. Very good. Nice assist, Demon of the Snow.

"We're being eaten alive right now; do you think fighting among ourselves will help?!"

"But standing on the same ground as heretics..."

"Inquisitor, do you not know what's beneath us? It's the Demon of the Snow. That creature devours ice cliffs like they're nothing!"

"How do we know you're not deceiving us?!"

"Oh, come on. Snake Cult. Yes, you guys. You're in the same boat. Are you going to keep drawing swords when we're about to be eaten together?"

I stomped on the ground.

"What do you think will happen if the Demon of the Snow eats us all up? Do you think it will just go back to sleep? I've read a bit, and this thing has already swallowed several cities before. That's what it does when it wakes up!"

"Brothers… Is that true?"

Of course, it's a bluff.

If it were true, someone would have put up a warning sign.

But who cares!

If nobody knows, then it's not a lie! It's the truth!

"Have you ever seen me lie? This damn Demon of the Snow, after it finishes eating us, it will stir and move toward the nearby cities! Inquisitor, are you just going to let that happen?"

"We... we must protect the helpless and weak..."

"We can't allow the Demon of the Snow to devour innocent citizens..."

"Right? Our great Ra said it herself. Light a fire for those shivering in the cold."

[You never listen to me, but you remember every phrase I've said.]

Of course. I memorized it to use in situations like this.

"Anyway, we can't fight. Heresy is important, but stopping the demon beneath us is the priority."

"...Brother, you're right, but..."

Radatok's eyes gleamed sharply.

"I wonder if those filthy heretics will stay calm."

"They will stay calm. Who is their leader?"

"...It's Isabella, the priest of the Snake Cult."

The priestess stood up in the light.

...Isabella?

Wait a minute. That Isabella?

"Why are you here?"

"Do you know me?"

"Oh, damn!"

Isabella. Commander of the Black Scales Paladins.

The main force of the thriving Snake Cult!

I thrust the torch towards her. With her cascading black hair and striking beauty, and the barcode tattoo under her eye, it matched the appearance of the Isabella I knew all too well.

Why is the core strength of the Snake Cult busy stealing food supplies?!

How is this scenario unfolding?

"...No. Do I know who you are?"

I quickly corrected myself.

It's better this way.

I’d rather deal with someone terrifying, rather than an unknown leader!

"Uh, Isabella. I mean... you have to survive too, don't you? Frankly, I think there's no way we could lose, even if it comes to a fight, right?"

"...Do you really think so?"

Did she really say that?

"If you're curious, why not show it directly?"

Radatok stepped forward decisively. Isabella flinched and took a step back.

"We have the Iron Bear."

"Brother. I am Radatok."

"Well, we have him anyway! Even if you somehow win... won't most of you die? Is that what you want? To be stuck in a cave like this and just die? Huh?"

"...What are you suggesting?"

"Let's put aside all this talk of heresy for now and discuss things outside. Outside."

I casually extended my hand.

"A temporary alliance. How about it? Do you agree, Radatok?"

"......"

Radatok remained silent. After closing his eyes in thought, he gently nodded.

"There's no choice... We can't leave the Demon of the Snow unchecked... In order to prevent the sacrifice of innocent lives, the Sun God Religion will sheathe its sword. I propose a temporary alliance, Isabella."

Isabella grit her teeth.

Glancing at the Snake Cult paladins nearby, she eventually sheathed her sword with a brisk motion.

"If it’s to survive, there’s no other choice. But don’t think I accept any of you. Filthy heretics. I'll cut you down the moment we step outside."

One of the Snake Cult followers muttered, "Isabella, the rising holy figure of the Snake Cult, and... the Iron Bear of the Sun God Religion... Come on, now... Isn’t that quite the dangerous combination..."

"Ugh, give it a break with the nerd talk. Seriously."

Please support the series on NovelUpdates