Kana noticed on their way to the first outpost that there were very few local residents around. All she had seen were other student groups moving through the snow in formation.

  The great gate of the northern fortress was already open, and the world beyond greeted them with a sharp, biting wind. Elevated mounds of thick snow stretched endlessly before them as they trudged forward, boots sinking deep with every step.

  After half an hour of silent marching, led by Wor-en, they finally reached the military outpost assigned to their group. Large tents stood half-buried in frost, their canvas edges frozen stiff. Northern soldiers—some young about over twenty, but most past forty—moved between them with steady, heavy steps. Every one of them was broad-shouldered and tall, their size rivaling even Adam’s.

  Other first-year groups were already there, tending to their gear or warming their hands by small fires. Leo recognized a few from the Gold Class and went over to greet them, exchanging words about their assigned missions and objectives.

  Near the center of camp, a large iron pot of soup still steamed under the pale light. Suri and the others lined up eagerly, while Kana watched the steam rise like ghosts into the cold air. Leo and Yuri arrived late, but luckily there was still enough for everyone.

  When they finished eating, Wor-en stepped in front of the gathered students and raised a small, smooth brown stone between his fingers.

  “This,” he said, “is called a Crying Stone. If you throw it, it lets out a piercing cry—loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. It was developed by one of our fourth-year students—someone who’s been inventing strange things for years. I didn’t think we’d ever find a real use for it until now.”

  He looked over the group, his breath misting in the cold. “You’ll use this only if you’re lost, or in danger. No matter what the situation, if someone uses it, all nearby groups will respond immediately.”

  Wor-en walked between the students, handing each of them two stones, no larger than pebbles.

  Zia rolled one between her fingers, her golden eyes gleaming faintly. “Ah… Clever.” Her tone carried the slow weight of centuries. “Now you bind a cry inside a stone. Humans are really good at creating new things. Very creative.”

  Her words hung in the cold air—half admiration, half quiet melancholy.

  Wor-en glanced at the rising pale sun. “We will march again in half an hour. Be ready.”

  ….

  Kana’s group looked almost comically small compared to the squad assigned to them. A dozen northern soldiers marched in formation around them—half with spears as tall as small trees, the rest carrying broad swords that gleamed even under the dull gray sky.

  She nodded at the sight of the text of god. Except for Wor-en, Zia and the northern soldiers, all of the students' names were on her list, it looks like they unconsciously accepted her party invite last night. It worked as intended because most people were going to choose left.

  “It’s good to see many children at once,” said one of the towering soldiers, his deep voice half-laugh, half-lament. His breath clouded the air like smoke.

  “Why?” Yuri asked, looking up. “There were so many houses behind. I thought—”

  “Ah, most of those are empty now,” another soldier interrupted. “If a child’s born here, they’re fled to the capital… or to other kingdoms. No parent wants their kid buried in snow before they grow old enough to swing a sword.”

  “That’s…” Boris hesitated, “sad.”

  One of the men chuckled softly. “Aye. So seeing young faces again—it’s good. Makes us remember the world’s not all ice and steel.” He winked at them. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you young fellas make it back in one piece.”

  The group pressed onward through the white expanse. The snow was falling harder now—thick flakes that blurred the horizon and muffled the sound of boots. The wind howled across the plain like a living thing.

  Kana leaned closer to Suri and whispered, “Any monsters yet?”

  Suri narrowed her eyes. “I can’t see far ahead. The snow’s too thick—it’s like the world just ends a few steps away.”

  Behind them, Roy was struggling with his oversized pack, the one carrying the remains of the shadow man. “Guys, help—I’m stuck,” he grunted, his boots buried knee-deep in snow.

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  “You’re a lost cause,” Suri said dryly. “Summon your bony friend to dig you out.”

  Adam sighed, grabbed Roy by the collar, and hauled him free while Boris slung the heavy bag over his shoulder.

  “If I do that,” Roy muttered, brushing snow off his cloak, “I’ll die of mana exhaustion before we even begin.”

  Their march continued. The air grew colder. The light dimmed as if the sky itself thickened. Then, ahead of them, one of the soldiers raised a fist—an old northern signal.

  The line halted instantly.

  From beyond the snow curtain came the first sound of movement. A scraping. A guttural growl that didn’t belong to any living man.

  Kana’s hand went to her staff. Suri’s eyes flashed, her illusions flickering faintly to life.

  Their first encounter had begun.

  ….

  Kana suddenly stopped mid-step. Her pulse sharpened, every sense flaring. The world around her seemed to slow—her [High Awareness] screamed a warning across her mind.

  “They’re here!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the howl of the wind. “Frost Wolves— and Ice Lizards!”

  Suri blinked, eyes darting through the storm. “I can’t see any of them!”

  But the soldiers reacted immediately. Boots slammed into snow as they drew into a half-circle formation. Spears lowered, shields raised. The students followed their lead, gripping weapons with trembling hands. Behind them, Zia and Wor-en stood silently—neither surprised nor relaxed, eyes tracking every shadow in the white haze.

  “Damn luck,” one of the northern soldiers muttered, spitting into the snow. “They shouldn’t be this close to the fortress.”

  “They’re hiding,” the scar-faced squad captain said. His breath came out in bursts of frost. “Patience. Once they realize we’ve spotted them, they’ll strike first. Be ready.”

  The wind screamed across the frozen plain. For a few moments, nothing moved. Only the sound of armor creaking and snow shifting beneath boots.

  Then—movement.

  A massive shape broke from the white curtain ahead. At first, it looked like part of the snow itself until it roared, shaking flakes from its body. Pale scales glittered under the faint sun—an Ice Lizard, its body as long as two horses, crawling forward on claws that cut through frost like blades.

  Then came the frost wolves—sleek shapes bursting through the drifts, their fur pure white, eyes gleaming with cold blue light.

  “They’re riding them?!” Adam gasped, his voice cracking with disbelief. Warriors—Ice lizardmen—sat on the wolves’ backs, their bodies wrapped in thin sheets of frost armor.

  “It’s one of the reasons we’re struggling,” the captain growled, drawing his blade. “The dungeon overflow’s made them… cooperate somehow. Different monsters working together.”

  A Frost Wolf lunged first, fast as lightning.

  “Brace!” the captain roared.

  Spears struck forward; the beast slammed into their formation with a crash that shook the snow. Ice shards flew like knives.

  Another lizard screeched and hurled an icicle spear toward the students—Suri’s illusion shimmered to life, bending the air and scattering the projectile into mist.

  Leo and Andel covered her flanks while Roy’s summoned bone hound materialized beside him, snapping at a wolf’s leg.

  “Keep the line!” Wor-en shouted, his voice booming through the chaos.

  The soldiers roared back, their spears rising and falling in rhythm like the heartbeat of the north.

  And as the first frost wolf fell, Kana realized something chilling—

  There were more presences closing in.

  …..

  Roy slammed the wooden box to the ground, hands trembling as he pressed both palms over it.

  “[Raise Undead]” he shouted.

  The air thickened, mana pulsing through the snow like veins of light. The shadow man’s bones began to stir—rattling, twisting, pulling themselves together piece by piece until the full figure rose, cloaked in spectral mist. Even weakened, its presence was undeniable.

  Without hesitation, it dashed forward, daggers flashing. Every motion was fluid—silent death. It cut through an Ice Lizard’s neck, leapt, and drove both blades into the rider’s chest. The Frost Wolf howled as its mount fell, giving the northern soldiers a precious opening to thrust their spears deep into its flank.

  Kana didn’t wait for commands. She drew her bow, marble energy rippling down the shaft of each arrow.

  “Front line’s holding,” she muttered, narrowing her eyes, “I’ll handle the ones circling.”

  Her arrows whistled through the clash. One struck a wolf clean between the eyes; another hit the rider’s throat before it could shout a warning. Each kill sent the enemy formation into brief chaos.

  “They’re fast,” Kana whispered, nocking another arrow.

  Every shot was accurate—arrows arced through snow and wind, hitting only the Frost Wolves. The moment a wolf stumbled, its rider toppled, easy prey for the soldiers’ spears.

  Rin stood slightly back, one hand on her mace, the other resting against her shield. Her eyes never left the field. She could unleash her skill at any time—but Suri and Kana’s earlier warning echoed in her mind.

  Save it. One of our trump cards if unexpected happens.

  Yuri raised her staff. “[Enhance Speed]”

  A pale light spread across the front line. The northern soldiers moved faster, their strikes sharper and more precise. The dull clang of steel against scales turned into a relentless rhythm.

  Zia, standing a few paces behind, watched the battle unfold with calm, ancient golden eyes. Frost gathered in her hood, unmoving despite the chaos.

  Her voice came low, smooth as the wind before a storm.

  “So that child learned the ancient breath... and wields it amidst the strife. I had not thought of all the students, that child will be the first to learn it.”

  Wor-en glanced sideways, recognizing the tone—half praise, half remembrance of an older world.

  Ahead, the battle raged. The snow was no longer white but streaked with the blue blood of fallen beasts that quickly vanished after a few seconds. Kana drew another arrow, her gaze steady. The presences in the snow were thinning—

  Another wave was coming.

  Kana grinned. The trip could be a blessing in disguise. She just realized the amount of exp that she would get. A bonus event?