Chapter 32 – Threshold of Frost

  Outskirts of Novastra – War Rabbit Guild Training Patrol

  The soft morning light spilled over the horizon, resembling frost gently spreading across glass. Icy dew covered the grass like silver threads, crunching softly beneath the boots of the patrol as they moved in an organized formation through the northern highlands.

  The landscape here was tranquil, filled with whispers rather than silence. The crisp air carried a lively pulse—gentle winds danced through bare branches, distant frostbirds called from higher elevations, and the occasional remnants of mana playfully flickered from unseen creatures in the wild.

  At the front, Ripper walked with purposeful strides, his commanding presence highlighted by a heavy cloak that glided over weathered stones and ancient roots. His sharp eyes scanned the ridge ahead, each movement radiating assurance.

  Next to him, Fluffy seemed to radiate energy, buzzing with excitement in her lined scout uniform. Her blonde curls peeked from beneath her hood, and her twin short swords bounced vibrantly with her every skip.

  “Sir!” she chimed, practically bouncing on her toes. “We’ve been walking for a while! Are we going to see something exciting soon? I can do more than just drills, I know it!”

  Her cheerful voice echoed lightly among the trees, a refreshing sound that broke the morning stillness.

  Ripper couldn’t help but chuckle, a gravelly sound that echoed his fondness for the young recruit. “This is part of the adventure, Fluffy! If you want a fight, try punching a tree. Out here, remember, your first mistake is your last lesson.”

  As he reached out to press a gloved hand against a large boulder, a history of deep, weathered claw marks caught his eye. “These marks?” he continued, without turning. “Frost maulers, ten feet tall at the shoulder. Swept through here four winters ago, leaving behind nothing but bones. It didn’t matter how strong, tall, or adorable you were.”

  Fluffy's playful demeanor shifted to thoughtful, her eyes wide. “...Got it!”

  Trailing behind, Hopper walked quietly, trying to mask his fatigue. His gaze occasionally drifted forward to Raven, who was a few paces ahead, standing confidently in her sleek black-and-gray armor, embellished with intricate runic patterns. She didn’t say much at first, but her attention was sharp—her voice sliced through the air when she finally spoke.

  “Keep your eyes on the path, not on my armor,” Raven advised coolly, maintaining her forward focus.

  “Y-yes ma’am!” Hopper stammered, a blush creeping across his cheeks as he quickly redirected his gaze.

  Raven adjusted the strap on her crossbow and addressed the group. “The Guild values survival over glory and bloodlust. We train to endure, not to embellish gravestones. Out here, it’s not a tournament—it’s a field where only the clever survive. The lucky ones get to go quickly.”

  An understanding silence hung amongst them—an acknowledgment of the task at hand.

  Then, a sudden movement interrupted the calm.

  A bush about thirty feet ahead trembled slightly, sending down a shower of snow from its branches.

  Fluffy’s playful spirit instantly sharpened, her hand moving almost instinctively to her hilt.

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  Ripper raised a hand slowly, focused. “Could be the wind,” he murmured. “Or something that doesn’t appreciate the wind. Either way—step one is being aware. Step two is keeping calm.”

  He knelt down, examining the nearby snowpack. A single faint indentation marked the surface—it was too small for a beast, yet too deep for a rabbit.

  Raven bent beside him. “We’re still on the outer edge of Novastra’s sensory grid. Nothing should cross without alerting the barrier.”

  “Unless it has figured out how to evade detection,” Ripper replied, his tone serious but alert.

  “Or if it was already here,” Raven added, a hint of intrigue in her voice.

  Fluffy’s ears perked up as the wind shifted. The rustling ceased.

  The bush remained still.

  “…False alarm?” Hopper whispered, hopeful.

  “No,” Ripper said firmly. “This is a warning.”

  He rose slowly and turned to face the recruits with a reassuring gaze.

  “Remember this: If the woods ever go silent... you’re already being watched.”

  Unknown Northern Region – Seven’s Route

  The world beyond the warehouse lay in an eerie stillness—a calm before the storm.

  With resolve, Seven stepped into the wind like a spirit reborn, his tattered cloak billowing around him as he emerged from the shadows. The frigid air kissed his skin, a reminder of the challenges ahead, but he welcomed it. Each footfall crunched into the pristine snow, breaking the stillness with purpose.

  As he crossed the old concrete threshold, he paused, feeling a pulse from the marking on his neck.

  Examine: Weak Cast Detected…

  > Status:

  ? Conditions:

  – Minor Frostbite (Fingers, Left Hand)

  – Cauterized Wound (Right Shoulder) – Stable

  – Mana Drain (Residual)

  – Fatigue (Severe)

  Clenching his jaw, Seven pushed the scan aside. “Alright, it’s not ideal. The stamina keeps draining with every step. I really need to find some proper shelter—I must be out of my mind wandering this desolate expanse!”

  His body was still adjusting to the absence of his right arm, and even the phantom sensations reminded him of painful reality.

  He adjusted the strap over his shoulder, allowing the rifle to rest securely on his back, its mana chamber untouched—too precious to lose. His duffel bag felt alarmingly light, holding just two protein rations, a cracked canteen, and a single mana cell that was only half spent but warming against his palms.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” he whispered through chapped lips. “This isn’t shelter; it’s a path to oblivion.”

  Ahead, the terrain sloped into a narrow ridge pass, marked by jagged rock formations. Beyond lay uncharted territory—a stunning yet intimidating expanse of snow-covered plateaus and the alluring yet treacherous wilderness of the north.

  Then, the sound pierced through the tranquility.

  A low, haunting howl—raw and distorted, echoing like a cry for survival.

  Not a wolf. Something far more formidable lurked in the distance.

  Instinct kicked in, and Seven dove low, slipping behind a rugged outcrop, his heart racing with adrenaline.

  Another howl echoed from the west—closer, sharper, menacing.

  Then came the footsteps.

  Measured and deliberate, something immense prowled through the snow, each step crunching in a rhythm that sent chills down Seven’s spine.

  He held his breath, remaining perfectly still.

  Now was not the time for mistakes.

  War Rabbit Guild – Eastern Patrol Line

  As the group climbed a gentle rise, the lush treeline opened up to reveal vast, golden plains bathed in the morning light. The cool mist of their breath danced in the air, adding a touch of magic to the scene. Although the wind picked up, there was something unusual lurking beneath its familiar whistle—an unsettling absence that left the seasoned veterans on edge.

  Raven squinted, her senses heightened. “Sir,” she murmured to Ripper, “I think the wind just changed.”

  Ripper halted, instinctively reaching for his axe's hilt.

  “I felt it too,” he replied thoughtfully. “The air pressure’s dropped. There’s definitely something nearby—not directly observing us, but moving stealthily.”

  Fluffy, ever alert, perked up. “You think it’s another beast? Maybe a W.M.B.?”

  Ripper nodded slowly. “Possibly, but the mana signature feels strange—distorted. If it’s a W.M.B., it’s not one we’ve recorded yet.”

  Raven’s voice sharpened with concern. “You don’t think it’s… Aku?”

  Fluffy glanced between the two. “Wait a second, the Aku are out here?”

  “They’ve been extending their reach,” Raven explained. “Not overtly, not yet. But since their scouts started exploring the ruins near Frostline Ridge, the local wildlife has been acting strangely—on edge, almost as if it's been pushed out of its territory.”

  “They’re more interested in territory than ruins,” Ripper added, a hint of reassurance in his tone. “If they aimed to eliminate us, we wouldn’t even see it coming. This doesn’t feel like an attack.”

  Still, he held onto his weapon a bit longer than usual, aware of the tension in the air.

  “Stay sharp, everyone. We’ll set up camp in the southern clearing,” he instructed, confident yet cautious. “We’re still protected by Novastra’s outer barrier grid, but just barely.”

  Seven – Near Ridge Pass

  Pressing his back against the cool stone, he felt the world around him freeze as the noise dissipated.

  He listened intently.

  The wind stilled, enveloping him in an almost eerie silence—a moment suspended in time.

  His muscles tensed with anticipation. Every instinct urged him to flee, but escape seemed impossible; there was no clear path, no guiding light, no backup in sight.

  His only companion was the rifle—the last remnant of his resolve.

  “I refuse to let today be my end,” he whispered fiercely, gripping the weapon tightly.

  “But I have no idea how I’m going to escape this situation.”

  Beyond the ridge, just a few miles south, shadowy figures moved stealthily—too distant for clarity, yet too close for comfort.

  Meanwhile, the War Rabbit Guild continued its vigilant patrol, blissfully unaware that the first human they would soon encounter—the anomaly—was already observing the same horizon with intent.