Landlord World - Start with SSS talent-Chapter 234: Noan and Monica (2)

"Speak more clearly," Noan said, frowning.

Monica nodded, then said, "At first, we searched around, but within fifty miles of this city, there was nothing but snow."

"That's why everyone—including myself—believes the secret must lie within these walls. Even though the System's mission is no longer in effect, we continue searching for that secret."

"Everyone thinks that if we uncover and resolve that secret, we will be able to leave this 'Challenge Realm.'"

Noan nodded and pressed on, "So have you found any clues yet?"

Monica sighed and shook her head. "Not yet, because none of us has been able to enter that castle."

"Why not?" Noan asked, brow furrowing.

"Because its gate is frozen and sealed with magic," Monica explained. "Every path leading inside has been shut off by the seal—no one can get through." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Hearing this, Noan was not surprised. If they had entered the castle, they would have discovered its secret and taken control.

But when Noan arrived, the castle truly remained encased in ice, which meant no one had breached it.

He glanced at Monica, then pulled out a pill and tossed it to her. "Take this, and bring me to where the others have gathered."

"Ah!" Monica caught the pill, her eyes full of bewilderment as she looked at Noan.

He offered no further explanation—whether she took it would not affect him.

All he cared about was that she bring him to the survivors' gathering place; beyond that, he didn't care if she lived or died.

For her part, the pill he gave Monica was a healing elixir. Isabell had given him two doses earlier, but he only let Vylyss use one. He did not need the potion himself because he possessed the 'Immortal' talent.

Now, he gave this vial to Monica because she still had value to him.

He needed as much information as possible in a world of unending snow.

Noan thought that he would be trapped here with everyone else if he failed to complete this mission within twenty-four hours.

But he realized that even if he did fail, he could still leave this place.

Indeed, the 'Anchor Point' continued functioning normally; he would simply expend more resources.

Monica stared at the pill in her hand, then looked back at Noan—and finally decided to swallow it.

After all, Noan was far more powerful than she was—if he wanted to kill her, she wouldn't stand a chance.

That's why he needn't bother with complications like poisoning her.

Monica swallowed the pill, which dissolved instantly, sending a surge of energy coursing through her body.

Her wounds began to heal at an astonishing rate.

In just ten minutes, Monica was fully restored to peak condition.

A single thought sprang to her mind: run.

Fully recovered, she could use magic to escape.

But when she saw Noan lounging by the window, gazing outside, she immediately abandoned the idea.

Noan's strength surpassed the limits of her perception—and he also wielded spatial powers.

Trying to flee in plain sight of someone with space magic would be futile.

So Monica obediently sat still, her desire to run banished as quickly as it had arisen.

Noan glanced at her and smiled. "Smart. If you'd tried to run just now, I would have cut off your head."

Monica shivered, as though she'd strolled through the gates of hell.

She believed Noan could easily do it—after all, his earlier actions had nearly killed her.

"Let's go. Take me to where the others have gathered." Noan said with a grin.

Monica shook her head, exhaling slowly. "That place is quite far. We must wait for the snowstorm to let up before moving."

"In weather this thick, we're liable to lose our way," Noan scoffed. "Where is your refuge?"

Monica pointed off into the distance; Noan followed her finger and could vaguely discern the location of their hideout.

"Let's go." Noan stood and declared.

"Heh?! Didn't you hear what I just said? We—" Monica began, but Noan seized her shoulders.

In an instant, she felt reality warp around her.

Within a heartbeat, she saw that they stood right beside the refuge.

Monica's mouth fell open in disbelief, her eyes fixed on Noan.

In that moment, her gaze held not just fear but awe.

_'Spatial power… this young man truly possesses spatial magic. His rank cannot be low,'_ Monica thought to herself.

"Although he is a Level-5 Landlord and wields the Spatial talent, he still cannot instantly teleport to a location more than ten miles away."

Monica shuddered—not only from the cold but also from Noan's terrifying power.

In the blink of an eye, he could have teleported them to a spot over ten miles from where they stood.

This meant the young man was immensely strong—so powerful that she felt hopeless.

Noan waved his hand, and a protective barrier sprang from his Spatial talent, warding off the cold and snow outside.

"Where is that place?" he asked.

Monica looked around, striving to orient herself, then pointed into the distance. "There—there's a stone that serves as a landmark. As soon as you teleport there, you'll find a cavern behind it."

"Uhm!" Noan nodded.

The next moment, Monica realized they were already inside a familiar cavern.

Her mouth fell open, but she shook her head, refusing to dwell on it further.

"Follow me." Monica extended her hand; a pale glow emanated from her fingertip, illuminating the dark cave.

Monica led the way, Noan followed behind, and they ventured deeper into the cavern together.

He trusted that his power rivaled any Landlord here, and with the special effect of the "Extreme Challenge Medal," he feared nothing in this world.

Still, he used his Spatial talent to sense his surroundings, ready to react to danger at any moment, ensuring no surprises could catch him off guard.

After more than two miles, the cave widened so dramatically that even he felt a pang of surprise.

They stood in a vast chamber—over ten meters tall and spanning three hundred square meters.

But this was not yet the survivors' gathering place.

Noan watched as Monica approached a vine-covered section of wall. She placed her hand upon the vines, and they recoiled, revealing a stone door.

The door slowly swung open, and Noan saw a tunnel leading deeper.

The tunnel's walls were lined with sturdy bricks, and energy crystals glowed softly along them.

"Where did you get these Energy Crystals?" Noan asked, frowning.

Monica answered frankly, "From the Landlords who perished. Thanks to their resources, we have survived until now."

"Every so often, new Landlords appear. We usually pillage resources from them, so we've managed to survive."

"Ah!" Noan nodded, finally understanding why Monica had attacked him.

The girl intended to kill him and steal his resources.

Monica realized that her admission had clarified her motive to Noan, and she grew anxious.

Would he kill her right here and now?

With fear and trepidation, Monica led Noan into a vast chamber.

It resembled an arena—energy crystals glowed everywhere.

The floor was perfectly tiled, and simple houses had been erected around the perimeter.

"So this is where you hide? Quite cozy," Noan observed.

Indeed, outside, the temperature was likely around –40 °C, but here it felt only between –10 °C and 0 °C.

"Exactly. This place was carved out by a Landlord using Earth-element Golem power so that he could expand the cavern as a refuge for everyone."

Noan inclined his head at Monica's explanation. "Where do you all gather?"

"Right now, most are warming themselves in the Central House. I'll take you there." Monica said, pointing to the most prominent building at the cave's center.

Together, they approached the Central House's entrance—only to be stopped by someone standing guard.

"Who are you?" the sentinel demanded.