Old man in disguise

Ten minutes later, Roy and Arlo, followed by several others, arrived at the foot of Ashen Mountain.

It was named as such not because it was devoid of life, but because it was once a part of the Forbidden Ruins, better known as the Ashen Land.

The Ashen Mountain became famous as a hunting ground among the locals after it was separated from the Ashen Land by a holy barrier.

It was divided into two boundaries, namely, inner and outer areas.

The inner area of the ashen mountain was inhabited by horned rabbits and boars.

The former traveled in packs of three to five, while the latter was an animal that disdained to be a part of a pack and hence walked in search of forage by itself or with its partner.

Horned rabbits weren't poisonous and were slightly stronger than snakes, but horned boars were as strong as lions.

The unique thing about them was that their sharp horns could easily pierce open holes in thick bamboo trees.

As long as their horns were avoided, they were easy prey.