Nurturing my injured hand, I stared up at the divine mountain.
"Since we're partners now can you show me around the mountain?"
"We are not partners!"
"Sure sure fluff ball. Now the mountain?"
Snow was clearly still upset about the naming. The name itself didn't seem to bother him but more the fact that I was the one who named it.
However, as much as the tiny ball of lint was angry, it also understood that being unreasonably difficult wasn't going to fix the situation.
"Very well. Follow me human."
"My name's Rey, Snow."
The fox flinched at being called its new name but kept walking.
Before following, I retrieved the orb from the dirt.
"Hurry up and destroy that thing human. Its presence is detestable."
"My name's Rey and I told you I couldn't destroy it."
"Then eat it already."
… Alright then. If the god doesn't think that'd be bad for me then why not.
Throwing my head back I open my mouth as wide as I can and force the orb inside. Swallowing it has to be the most uncomfortable thing I've ever experienced but eventually I managed.
Snow stared at me, jaw slack, as I did.
"WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR!?"
"You said swallow it."
…
[Soul Manifest]
[The universe has identified a corrupt focal point]
[Absorption imminent]
…
Well, that was anti-climactic.
[Soul Manifest]
[Corrupt Resistance]
[Level 2]
[Exp: 0 /100 000]
Staring at Snow I shrugs my shoulders as nothing happened.
The tiny fox could hardly believe it. It knew I was telling the truth about devouring corruption, but it couldn't believe the effectiveness.
That orb held enough power to kill him a hundred times over if he ate it. Yet this mortal human is truly immune to the effects of corruption?
"Follow me… Rey."
Pleased the little bastard finally used my name I trot off behind it.
Snow lead me up the mountain side along its usual walking path. As we walked, I saw the first signs that this mountain belonged to a God.
Sticking in the ground at the edge of the path was a totem. It was only about thirty centimetres tall and hard engravings along its wooden surface.
The engravings looked like some kind of language I'm not familiar with.
If I had to guess this totem belonged to Snow's [Divine Totem] ability.
"Hey snow, what exactly is the function of these totems. They mark your territory, right? But it that all?"
Glancing back to the spot of the totem it sighed, not pleased with the question.
"That is all MY totems are capable of doing right now. As I get stronger, they will be capable of more."
Fair enough. He did say he is quite young.
"How old are you?"
"What does that matter?"
It doesn't matter I guess but no need to be unfriendly I thought.
For about the next two hours Snow and I walked up the side of the mountain until we reached the snow.
For some reason Snow didn't intend to run at all to save time. He wanted to walk casually up the mountain.
Once we reached the snow, I could finally get a close look at the glowing substance. Reaching my hand into the snow I take a clump out to investigate.
It feels like normal snow and looks like normal snow. Well… except for the fact its glowing. From this close up the mountain is actually quite blinding.
"Is this snow imbued with Divinity?" I could feel a weak energy coming from the snow that I'm not familiar with.
"It is. I guess your link with me lets you detect it. All the land within my territory will be imbued with Divinity eventually. But I'm too weak to achieve it yet. The size of a God's territory is like a bragging right to other Gods so expanding my territory is of top priority. Is that understood human… I mean Rey?"
It seems Snow wants my help with his territory.
"Yeah yeah I'll help you compare penis sizes with other Gods if you want but more importantly, how can I harness this, Divinity?"
Contrary to my expectations Snow looked dead serious all of a sudden.
"I'm not sure if you can. But if we are going to work as partners you will have to learn. It would be too disadvantageous for you not to. The mana in this world is weak and you have already far surpassed what should be achievable here. Growing further would be difficult for you. However, the divinity in my territory isn't linked to this world, it's linked to me. So, it will grow more potent as I grow."
"Then I'll need to use your mountain for a time whilst I learn. Does it have a name?"
"The mountain?"
"Yeah."
"No, it doesn't. But you may name it if you wish. Perhaps doing so will link you to my territory as well."
"Don't jump to conclusions yet. Alright, from now on this mountain shall be known as Mount Horoki."
…
We both waited to see if anything would happen but nothing obvious was clear to us.
"Very well. Let's continue."
Following Snow again we headed towards the peak.
"Hey Snow, why are we walking?"
"Because this is the first time you've come here. I am integrating your presence with my territory so that it doesn't attack you when you come and go. But it takes time."
"Attack me?"
"Of course. You didn't think the territory of a God would be defenceless, did you? See how there are no corrupt creatures here?"
I was wondering about that…
Reaching the peak, we came to a small shabby hut just big enough to shelter Snow. The area around the peak was flat and clear of all plants or rocks. It's like the mountain peak was designed to highlight the majesty of the shabby hut.
"Nice temple jackass."
"It is, admittedly, rather quaint. I'm working on it."
I'd hope so. What a weak God.
"The mountain will not attack you now so you can come and go as you please. But before you go, I would like to have a strategy meeting."
Snow sat down in front of his hut, inviting me to join him.
Taking a seat opposite him, the strategy meeting began with Snow.
"We both intend to destroy the corruption that plagues this world. And now that we are partners, we can work together towards that goal. Mount… Horoki will serve as our base from here on. Agreeable?"
"Yes."
Nodding his head Snow agreed, "Now, the link we have has allowed me to somewhat understand your capabilities, but it isn't entirely clear. I'm assuming the same has happened to you. Shall we start by discussing our abilities."
"Sounds good."
For the next few hours, we discussed the various nuances of our powers and what we each were striving to achieve. Throughout the process we both pitched in our own thoughts on how to improve the various abilities.
We also discussed the possibility of my harnessing Divinity and contributing to the mountain territories strength. Apparently, the mountain provides Snow with feedback power which improves his strength so expanding his territory and making it stronger isn't just about comparing junk sizes.
After hours of discussing our various capabilities, we moved on to planning our next actions.
"Whilst growing stronger is paramount, it will have to be done as we work on other matters, otherwise we will never defeat the corruption."
Nodding along Snow continued, "Finding survivors of your race could prove useful but if left too long any survivors may perish. If we brought individuals to the base of the mountain and built a town, their presence would strengthen me and the security of my territory."
"So, the first order of business is to expand the map of my [Soul Archive]. You're accessing it through our link would be a major boon if you can manage it."
"Yes, it would. Whilst you continue to explore the lands I will work on accessing its power. Apart from these things there is little point to planning further ahead as it depends on our success or failure in these regards."
"Mmm. I guess that's the end of our strategy meeting then. Not much strategy to be made yet… It is getting late so I will stay here for tonight and leave Horoki tomorrow."
"Very well."
Snow retreated to his hut as I set myself up by heating an area in the snow until it melted and the water evaporated. Underneath the snow was a solid layer of rock which doesn't make a great bed but there is nothing I can do about it now. The hut is only big enough for Snow.
I'll have to bring some supplies back when I return to make a more comfortable place for myself.
In the morning, I left Mount Horoki without speaking to Snow firs, as he doesn't seem to be a morning person.
Not that it matters anyway. Through the link we now share, we discovered that we can communicate telepathically with one another now.
It isn't easy to do as it requires the use of mana at varying frequencies and wavelengths to communicate specific details. The telepathic message doesn't come through as a voice in my head, it comes as a series of mana pulses that the link helps to translate.
It's complicated, and we only discovered it accidentally. Neither of us know how to use it properly but suffice it to say we have a way to communicate.
For now, we have organised that one mana pulse means progress has been made. Two means we need to speak. And short repeated pulses mean there is an emergency.
For now, that is the extent of what we can manage.
Jumping over treetops and lakes I continue my search for undiscovered landmarks to map the continent with. The following few weeks were rather uneventful as I ate, slept, and explored whilst repeatedly training myself.
It wasn't until about a month later that I found the first thing that I could call interesting.
From on top of tall tree I could see something unusual and probably terrifying in the distance.
A few kilometres away, in the middle of a valley, was a foot print the size of a football stadium…