Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Max narrowed his eyes and looked at the two corpses. Though they had put up a fight, they were only at the peak of Champion Rank—not even worth harvesting cores from, as such cores would hardly help in advancing his strength at this stage.

Just as he was about to move on, a sudden gust of wind swept down from the hill above. "Swish!" Two young men leapt into view, descending gracefully with white robes fluttering behind them. Their clothing was immaculate, snow-white with jade belts around their waists, and their boots—marked by lightning symbols—crackled faintly with residual energy.

They looked like noble warriors descending from the clouds.

Max's gaze sharpened the instant he caught sight of the emblem on their chests—a cloud surrounded by swirling bolts of lightning. His expression hardened. "Thunder Monarch Hall," he muttered under his breath, the weight of the name hanging heavily in the air. Both of them were at the 2nd level of Legend Rank.

The two men landed, poised and alert, their gazes sweeping across the snow until they locked eyes with Max. Their faces shifted from surprise to recognition, then to thinly veiled hostility. "Max?" one of them muttered, a spark of killing intent flashing through his pupils.

But then their eyes flicked toward the two bloodied corpses of the giant ice snakes lying at Max's feet. Realization dawned in their eyes, quickly followed by unease. One of them gave a subtle nod, and the other hissed, "Retreat!"

They turned without hesitation, clearly deciding that confronting Max here would be unwise after what he had just done to the serpents.

"Hmph. Think you can run?" Max sneered coldly, his figure blurring as he shot forward like a black bolt of lightning. He had seen the intent in their eyes—murderous and cold.

They knew him, they had plans to kill him, but had changed their minds only because of his show of strength. But Max knew that if they escaped now, his location would be exposed. Others from the Thunder Monarch Hall—perhaps stronger, more cunning enemies—would descend upon him, making the situation far more complicated.

He couldn't allow that.

There was only one solution—eliminate them before they could speak.

Max's sword gleamed with terrifying brilliance as the combined might of his Level 2 Severing Sword Concept and Level 2 Flame Concept burst forth like a tidal wave of destruction. His aura raged like a storm, his black flames crackling violently as he raised the Blue Dragon Sword above his head and murmured with cold intensity, "Crimson Burial Sword Art."

As the sword fell, a sweeping arc of crimson-black energy howled through the air, setting the snow and wind ablaze in an instant.

One of the Thunder Monarch Hall men didn't even have time to scream—his body was cleaved in two from shoulder to hip, sliced cleanly by the devastating sword light. Blood erupted in the air, splashing across the snow like a storm of red petals, dyeing the white mountainside in gore.

The second man watched in horror, his face turning as pale as the snow beneath his feet. His entire body trembled, knees weakening as he took a faltering step back and stammered, "Don't kill me… please, I beg you."

Max didn't flinch. His eyes were calm, even cold, as he took a step forward, his sword resting lazily against his shoulder. "If I don't kill you now," he said in a low, emotionless voice, "you'll return with others to try and kill me later. Isn't that right?"

"No, no! I wouldn't! Please, I swear—" the man pleaded, voice cracking, eyes wide with desperation.

Max smiled faintly. "I believe you…" he said, then leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into a whisper. "But I believe in the dead more."

Panic overtook the man's features and, with a final roar, he summoned all of his strength and lunged toward Max, sword in hand, spirit essence surging around him in a frantic bid for survival. But it was too late. Max's blade flickered with heat and destruction. In a blur of movement, the sword lashed out once more.

"Puff!"

The man's charge was cut short—his body split apart mid-stride, viscera and shredded flesh raining across the icy ground. Max waved his hand, and a gust of black flames surged from his body, devouring the corpses and turning the blood and flesh into ash. Yet no surge of power followed. No breakthrough. He sighed faintly, disappointment flickering in his eyes.

"Last time, when I devoured June's corpse, she was at the fifth level of Legend Rank… That's probably the threshold," Max muttered, staring at the smoldering ash. "Looks like I'll need someone stronger than that if I want to level up again."

He turned and looked toward the vast mountain range ahead. Azure Wolf Mountain stretched across the landscape like a sleeping beast, enormous and majestic, its silver ridges winding from east to west for thousands of feet. It was shaped like a great snow wolf, lying with its head lifted toward the heavens, mouth open in a silent, eternal howl.

Half a day passed as Max navigated the ancient terrain, using the map's markings and his Three Dimensional Body to scan hidden corners and treacherous valleys.

Eventually, he reached a massive canyon deep within the heart of the mountain, its mouth yawning open like the jaws of a beast. Snow gathered thick along the cliffs, and fierce winds howled between the rock walls.

Just before entering, a thunderous roar shook the ground.

"Ahhhh—!"

It wasn't just the wind—there was something else. The deep, resonating growl of a powerful beast echoed through the valley.

Max narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, peering into the white mist. From where he stood, he could see brief flashes of multicolored light reflecting off the snow—rainbow-like spiritual energy. Warriors were already inside, engaged in a battle.

"The snow bear…" Max whispered to himself, his hand tightening on his sword hilt. "Looks like I'm not the only one searching for treasure."