Rustle... Rustle...

‘Footsteps?’ Adrian abruptly stopped by some prints on the ground amidst a clump of grass, studying them carefully. He had been journeying north since morning and had now stumbled upon signs of human presence, though no actual people were in sight yet. Recognizing these signs meant he had a chance to escape this place. Thus, he followed the footprints and other traces, forging ahead until he finally encountered living beings.

Having spotted those traces earlier, Adrian had already disposed of the peculiar creature's corpse he'd been carrying on his back. While the Hellblade remained sheathed, the Divine Frost Slayer Blade had been drawn. Concealed behind a bush, Adrian silently awaited the approaching footsteps.

‘The owner of the footprints weighs less than forty-five kilos, and the steps are light. Could it be a woman?’ Adrian pondered with furrowed brows.

‘Could a woman survive in such a harsh environment?’ It wasn't that Adrian doubted women's abilities, but