Three nights and four days later, he finally arrived at the temple where he got the magical herbs from.

?α?dαs ηθνε| The Seven Steps mountain was just behind the temple, he could arrive at the entrance within an hour of walking.

From there it was another three hours hike until reaching the first peak. From there he needed to climb the next seven peaks and make his way across the topmost point where our esteemed forgotten hero lives.

He was alone on the wagon, there was no one else besides the wagon driver to talk.

His name was Larry. He has been with the Zadkiel duchy for more than a few decades. They talked about some more about the politics happening right now around the kingdom as these kinds of people are the first ones to hear if anything happens around.

When he was not talking to Larry, he would masturbate thinking about the various women he had been with.

Their curves, the way their hips moved, and the little details that made them juicy.

He even thought about, Lucy the curator. The way he would have taken her on his raging dragon, the way his hands would feel about grabbing her delicious melons, and more.

But the most scene he climaxed for was the one he even hasn't met with. The one which had sent him to this world. It was none other than the Winter Queen.

He distinctly remembers the description from the book. His baby dragon always gets angry whenever Damien thinks about the Winter Queen.

'One day, she'll also be mine.' But interacting with her can trigger the final war and he doesn't want to risk that now. 'I'll do all the side quests now and will only interact with her once I'm ready.' He clenched his fist in anticipation.

He hopped out of the wagon carrying a piece of cloth between his thumb and index finger like it has some kind of toxic venom on it.

He threw it away on the side of the road with disgust in his face.

'They drink this thing? Nasty!'

The coachman was appalled to see the eighth cloth of the day being disregarded.

'Young master sure has much energy in him.'

Damien stretched his limps, cracking the joints and muscles gently, and walked ahead toward the temple.

Larry followed behind him without complaint. He had a rucksack slung around his back

Inside the temple were a dozen priests and priestesses busy going about their daily routines. As always it was crowded but he didn't care and simply walked through the other side of the temple and exited it by the small back gate door.

"Larry," he said. "Thank you for accompanying me. I can walk from here on."

"As you wish, young master." The coachman replied. "Take care and may Lady Luck accompany you."

"Same goes for you too."

Larry handed him the rucksack which

Both men bowed slightly before parting ways.

Damien took a deep breath. It was just an hour's walk through the forest to reach the base of the mountain.

The forest felt lonesome and quiet compared to the bustle of the city.

There wasn't a single person nearby. Only birds sang along the trees.

In a sense it was peaceful but Damien knew better than that. If something bad happened, no one would notice. But since this was just a little from the temple, nothing was bound to happen. Or he wishes.

He thought about his next moves. He thought about alternatives. What if the hermit doesn't accept him? What if he kills him on the spot?

Though he was sure the hermit wouldn't kill him, the chances of him rejecting him were really high.historical

But he was faithful. He had the things he needed and he was determined to do whatever it takes to make the hermit accept him.

Well, not whatever but you get the gist, right?

He walked all the way to the entrance of the mountains in a one single stretch without taking a break or anything after all, he was going to train vigorously and there were no ifs and buts to that.

The entrance to the mountains are the only way which isn't blocked by trees and boulders.

Even on the initial looks from afar, it was easily determined that the mountain is beautiful.

If there was a helicopter view, we could've seen the seven steps that look like seven large steps across the mountain.

The bottom line is, it is beautiful.

And with beauty comes danger.

The path was easy enough to follow, but the problem was what lurked inside.

It was quiet for now but Damien knew that this forest is known for its dangerous creatures.

Birds, squirrels, bats, and insects were all harmless but there are bigger ones lurking around.

Bigger monsters and beasts that can tear limp by limp in a matter of seconds if you're not careful.

And the level of danger only increases once you go up.

And that was what makes people away from here.

A cold wind blew from within the range of the mountains, making him shiver.

But he know a way and he was going to do whatever it takes to climb the first steep.

But the hermit was on top of the peak. The mightiest beasts are there with him. But they won't do shit to him as he was still the most dangerous one among them.

Well, he slew the Elder Dragon, right? The cruelest and mightiest of beasts out there.

He sat there and made camp. The sun was setting and he doesn't want to be in the open at night. That would be foolishness.

He ate food and drank water but didn't dare to light up a campfire as it will only attract the beasts to him.

He could hear the howls and cries of the beast within the mountain.

When the time came, he made his way to the makeshift tent and crawled into it.

His dreams were, as usual, filled with beautiful women and the thrill of sexual pleasure.

But what he did fail to sense was that there was certain someone watching him from above a tree.

His white eyes, devoid of any pupils, stared at the tent.

He had a small smile on his wrinkly face.