Red Mountain, also known as Blood Mountain, earned its name from the brutal massacre that took place during The Eclipse War.
Decades ago, countless warriors and monstrous beasts perished in a fierce battle, and their blood stained the rocks a deep crimson. Even now, a lingering murderous aura surrounded the area, threatening to overwhelm those with weak minds.
Without strong mental fortitude, one could lose themselves in bloodlust and become nothing more than a mindless killer.
But Ren had no choice. He had come for the elixirs, and there was no turning back now.
One of these elixirs was well known—a crucial plot item that would be discovered when Elara, his dearest cousin, was ambushed by the spies of the Dark Organization.
The other, however, was never mentioned in the novel itself. It was a secret revealed by the author, a hidden piece of great power—one too dangerous to exist.
If Ren left it here, someone else might eventually stumble upon it.
That was something he couldn't allow.
With determination in his eyes, Ren began his ascent up the mountain.
Starting from the foot of the mountain, Ren climbed steadily. The oppressive aura in the air made every step feel heavier, pressing down on his mind like a suffocating weight.
Halfway up, he suddenly changed course, veering left toward a more obscure path. He moved carefully, avoiding unstable rocks and loose gravel, before arriving at a cave nestled between jagged boulders.
The entrance was shrouded in darkness, but Ren didn't hesitate. He retrieved a headband flashlight from his spatial ring and stepped inside.
Immediately, the temperature dropped, and the damp scent of earth and decay filled his nose. The walls of the cave were uneven, jagged, and lined with stalactites that hung like monstrous fangs from the ceiling.
With each step, his light revealed eerie remnants of the past—scattered skeletons of fallen warriors and beasts.
Some bones were ancient, bleached white with age. Others were more recent, suggesting that even now, this place remained a hunting ground for something—or someone.
Ren ignored the remains for now. There would be time to loot them later. His goal lay deeper within.
After venturing further inside, he finally reached the end of the cave.
There, resting against the cold stone wall, was a single skeleton. Unlike the others, this one radiated a lingering pressure, a faint echo of its former power.
Ren instantly recognized it.
"This man… was an SS-Rank warrior when he was alive," he murmured.
Bowing his head slightly in respect, Ren approached the corpse.
Ren began searching for valuables, carefully shifting through the remains.
After a few minutes, he found what he was looking for—an exquisite space ring, its craftsmanship far beyond anything ordinary.
[Space Rings & Their Tiers]
Low-tier → Small storage (1×1×1 meter)
Mid-tier → Storage equal to a large room
High-tier → Storage equal to an entire house
Supreme-tier → ??? (Only rumored to exist)
The one Ren found was high-tier, meaning its previous owner had been no ordinary warrior.
He quickly scanned its contents.
Inside, there were various weapons, ancient documents, and military records. Most of them were outdated or useless to him, but among them lay two items of great significance.
According to legend, this elixir had been acquired by a powerful general after slaying the leader of an alien race.
It was meant for those below D-rank, capable of reshaping their foundations and boosting their potential.
This was the elixir that would later be mentioned in the novel—the one Elara was supposed to acquire after barely surviving an ambush.
This was the hidden piece, never found in the novel.
It was an elixir that should not exist. One so dangerous that even the author had confirmed it was missed by the protagonist for a reason.
Ren narrowed his eyes, carefully holding the second elixir up to his flashlight's beam.
The liquid inside was pitch black, swirling unnaturally as if alive.
"What kind of power does this contain…?" he muttered.
He didn't know its effects, but if the author had deemed it too dangerous, it was definitely worth taking.
Whatever this elixir could do, it was better in his hands than in someone else's.
Before leaving, Ren took the time to bury the fallen warriors' remains. He crafted a simple grave and bowed his head in respect.
With one last glance, he used his abilities to shift a large boulder, sealing the entrance to the cave.
The oppressive aura in the air seemed to lighten slightly, as if the spirits of the dead had finally found peace.
Taking a deep breath, Ren retrieved the Foundation Building Elixir from his spatial ring.
Sitting down against a rock, he uncorked the bottle and tilted it back, drinking it all in one gulp.
Instantly, a rotten, sour taste filled his mouth, like spoiled milk mixed with acid.
"Gah—!" Ren nearly gagged, his whole body shuddering.
He had expected something unpleasant, but this was beyond disgusting.
Still, he forced himself to swallow it all, knowing that the effects would be worth it.
As the last drop slid down his throat, a powerful warmth spread through his body—like fire surging through his veins.
His entire being trembled as the elixir took effect.
Ren clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.
His journey had just begun, and with these newfound treasures in his possession…
He was ready to carve his own path.