As they journeyed together, the four travelers exchanged information and theories.


    Nahla shared her observations about the local flora. While she had discovered many unfamiliar and seemingly magical plants, she also recognized several species commonly found on Earth—such as mint, as well as plantain and echinacea, which she had previously used to help Eika.


    Elias, on the other hand, had used his watch to measure the length of day and night, confirming that this place followed the same 24-hour cycle as Earth. He and Nahla had both arrived near the coastline and had seen seagulls and other familiar marine birds.


    Combining these findings with Chong Yue’s earlier observation of the constellations, they reached a startling conclusion—this was not another world, but rather an unknown region of Earth.


    But how was that possible? Every landmass on Earth had been mapped by satellites. How could an entire continent remain undiscovered?


    For a moment, silence fell over the group. The contradiction between their understanding of the world and the reality before them left them without a clear answer. Regardless, Giant’s Peak remained their only clue—all they could do was press on and search for more answers.


    After a long and arduous journey, the four finally arrived at the base of Giant’s Peak.


    Towering above them, the mountain pierced the sky, its summit obscured by swirling mist, as if guarding an ancient secret. A cold wind blew through the valley, a forewarning that the ascent would not be easy.


    “Before we start climbing, let’s check our supplies,” Chong Yue suggested.


    They each examined their belongings:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Chong Yue & Eika: Dried rations, water, a dagger, cloaks, a stone spear, and a stone short sword.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Elias: A large backpack containing a flashlight, a phone (no signal), a water flask, a screwdriver, pliers, and various electronic components and scrap materials.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Nahla: A satchel filled with medicinal herbs and fruits, a small multipurpose knife, and strips of cloth.</li>


    </ul>


    Though their supplies were limited, one major issue stood out—the cold.


    The higher they climbed, the colder it would get. Without adequate protection, the freezing mountain winds could become their greatest threat.


    “We need to find a way to stay warm,” Eika noted as she scanned their surroundings.


    “I saw a strange cotton-like plant on the way here,” Nahla recalled.


    She described a tall, brown-stemmed plant with fluffy cotton bolls. While the outer layers resembled normal cotton, the core contained soft golden fibers. Its thick leaves also secreted a waxy substance when crushed.


    “If we gather enough of these cotton bolls, we can make scarves, leg wraps, gloves, and even simple thermal linings,” she proposed.


    The group split up to search the forest for the plant.


    After some effort, they successfully gathered enough cotton bolls and leaves.


    Elias carved simple spinning tools from tree branches, while Chong Yue and Eika cleaned and separated the white cotton from the golden fibers. Meanwhile, Nahla used the wax from the leaves to create a wind-resistant coating and reinforced the scarves and gloves with strips of fabric.


    “This should at least keep the worst of the cold out,” she said with satisfaction.


    As they worked, they exchanged lighthearted banter, discussing climbing techniques and the possible dangers they might face. Though uncertainty lay ahead, they took comfort in each other’s company.


    Night fell, and the sky glittered with stars.


    Sitting around the crackling campfire, wrapped in their newly made warm clothes, the four of them reflected on everything they had experienced since arriving in this strange land.


    “Tomorrow, we start the climb,” Chong Yue said, gazing toward the distant peak, the firelight casting shadows on his face.


    “This might be our toughest challenge yet,” Eika remarked as she tightened her grip on her short sword.


    “But at least we’re prepared,” Nahla said softly, adjusting her scarf with a small smile.


    Elias stretched his arms and leaned against a tree, yawning. “Whatever’s up there, I just hope it’s better than fighting elves or hellhounds.”


    At that, the group chuckled, momentarily easing the tension in their hearts.


    Tomorrow, they would begin their ascent of Giant’s Peak, stepping into the unknown and facing whatever awaited them.


    The next morning, the sky was overcast, with heavy clouds blocking out the sunlight, casting the entire world in shades of gray. After waking from their restless sleep, the group ate a small portion of their rations before gathering their gear and continuing their ascent toward Giant’s Peak.


    As they climbed higher, the landscape began to change. The dense vegetation thinned, giving way to bare rocks covered in a thin layer of frost. The air grew colder, the wind howled through the jagged cliffs, and soon, snowflakes drifted down from the sky.


    At first, the snowfall was light—delicate ice crystals that settled on their shoulders. But as time passed, the storm intensified, and the wind turned violent, whipping the snow into blinding flurries that made it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.


    Each step became a struggle. The thin air and deep snow sapped their energy, and their goal—the peak—remained as distant as ever, shrouded in white.


    The weather worsened faster than expected.


    What had begun as a gentle snowfall had escalated into a full-blown blizzard. The wind howled like a beast, whipping the snow around them in chaotic swirls. Visibility dropped sharply, and every breath felt like ice slicing through their lungs.


    The cold was unbearable. Snow pelted their faces, stinging like a thousand tiny blades. Every step forward demanded immense effort, and exhaustion quickly took its toll.


    Nahla, the lightest and least physically resilient of the group, was the first to falter.


    Her pace slowed, her face pale, and her lips turned a worrying shade of blue. Her breathing became ragged, and finally, her legs buckled beneath her.


    She collapsed into the snow.


    “Nahla!”


    Eika, who had been walking behind her, rushed forward, catching her by the shoulders. But Nahla was trembling uncontrollably, her body too weak to stand.


    Chong Yue’s heart sank. If they didn’t find shelter soon, she would freeze to death.


    Elias wasn’t faring much better. He had slowed to a crawl, hugging himself for warmth, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Soon, he too sank to his knees, shivering violently.


    “We need shelter!” Eika shouted, her voice barely carrying over the roaring wind.


    Chong Yue scanned their surroundings. They couldn’t continue like this—pushing forward blindly in this storm was a death sentence.


    But where could they go?


    The world was nothing but endless white, the storm swallowing everything in its path.


    Then—


    Through the swirling snow, a faint flicker of light caught Chong Yue’s eye.


    “There’s a light!” he shouted, pointing toward it. Hope surged through him.


    They had no idea what was waiting for them there—but in that moment, it didn’t matter.


    Because if they didn’t move now, they wouldn’t survive the storm.


    With what little strength they had left, they pushed forward toward the light.


    "Move!"


    Chong Yue hoisted Elias up, while Eika supported Nahla. Step by step, they forced their way forward, the blizzard relentlessly hammering against them. The wind screamed like a living beast, snow clawed at their faces, and with every agonizing step, it felt like the storm was trying to swallow them whole.


    But they didn''t stop.


    They had no choice but to keep going.


    The moment they stumbled into the cave, warmth hit them like a crashing wave.


    A fire burned in the center, casting flickering orange light across the walls. The air inside was still cold, but compared to the raging blizzard outside, this was a sanctuary.


    Chong Yue let out a shaky breath, feeling a momentary relief.


    But then—his eyes locked onto the fire.


    The flames flickered brightly, wood crackling softly—this was not an abandoned cave.


    Someone was already here.


    The realization sent a chill that had nothing to do with the cold.


    Eika stiffened beside him, her warrior instincts instantly on high alert.


    “Damn it—”


    Before they could react—


    The sound of a gun cocking rang through the cave.


    Metallic. Sharp. Deadly.


    "Don''t move."


    A low, commanding voice cut through the silence.


    "Turn around. Slowly."


    Chong Yue and Eika exchanged a glance, fully aware that they couldn’t make any rash moves at this moment. Slowly, they raised their hands and turned around as instructed.


    What met their eyes were three unfamiliar individuals—two men and one woman.


    The first to catch their attention was a tall, muscular man dressed in military fatigues, fully equipped for combat. He had black hair and piercing blue eyes, his expression as cold and unyielding as if carved from stone. Holding a rifle aimed directly at them, his entire presence exuded the trained lethality of a soldier.


    Beside him stood another blond man, but unlike the soldier’s icy demeanor, he carried a more relaxed and carefree air. His striking red eyes glowed subtly under the dim light. He wore a leather jacket, jeans, and a headband tied around his forehead, giving him a bold and flamboyant appearance. His right hand rested casually on the grip of a holstered handgun—seemingly nonchalant, yet ready to draw at any moment.


    Lastly, positioned near Nahla and Elias, was a woman with white hair and striking blue eyes. She wore a well-fitted professional uniform and held a sharp dagger in one hand. Her gaze was calm yet piercing, filled with an unreadable sense of mystery.


    They—were undoubtedly people who had also been transported here.


    Yet at this moment, Chong Yue and Eika understood that the situation was overwhelmingly against them. The opposing group was not only well-armed but also had a trained soldier among them. Even if they were all brought here under the same mysterious circumstances, any sudden movement could easily escalate into conflict.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    They had to stay calm and handle this carefully.


    "Who are you?"


    The soldier’s voice was low and filled with an imposing presence. He didn’t lower his gun, clearly maintaining high vigilance toward the four unexpected intruders.


    Chong Yue took a deep breath and tried to keep his tone steady. "We were also transported here by some mysterious force."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the three strangers subtly shifted. Although they concealed it well, that fleeting moment of surprise did not escape Chong Yue’s notice.


    Seizing this brief hesitation, he quickly added, "We were guided by a mysterious voice to head toward Giant’s Peak. We encountered a storm along the way and only sought shelter here."


    The cave fell silent for a few seconds, with only the crackling of the fire filling the space.


    After a brief pause, the man in the leather jacket let out a chuckle, his tone significantly more relaxed than the soldier’s. "They don’t seem to be lying."


    He loosened his grip on the pistol at his waist and seemed much more at ease. Turning toward the soldier, he smiled. "Come on, Leonid, look at them—half-frozen like this, they’re hardly a threat."


    However, the soldier, Leonid, still did not fully lower his guard. Though he slightly lowered his rifle, his grip on the weapon remained firm. "Lowering your guard is what gets you killed, Ryder."


    Although the tense standoff had slightly eased, the atmosphere in the cave remained heavy. Both sides remained wary of each other, neither fully letting their guard down.


    At that moment, the white-haired woman standing to the side finally let out a soft sigh. She crouched down and carefully helped the weakened Nahla and Elias toward the fire, ensuring they were settled in properly.


    Seeing this, Chong Yue immediately stepped forward to assist.


    With the injured now tended to, the two groups sat around the fire—yet they still kept a noticeable distance, the air between them thick with tension.


    Eika remained as composed as ever, but her gaze never left the soldier, watching him with unwavering caution. Meanwhile, Leonid continued to glance toward them from time to time, making it clear that his distrust had not diminished.


    The cave air felt frozen, both sides quietly sizing each other up.


    Sensing the awkwardness, the leather-jacketed man, Ryder, was the first to break the silence. He gave a casual smile and said, "So… since we all got sent here, and since Giant’s Peak seems to be everyone’s destination, maybe we’ll have a chance to work together?"


    Yet, after his words fell, the cave remained silent.


    After a moment of scanning the room, realizing no one was responding, Ryder tried another approach. "How about… introductions first?"


    He cleared his throat and took the lead. "I’m Ryder Blaze."


    Chong Yue saw what Ryder was trying to do. Whether out of politeness or the realization that they might have to work together moving forward, he chose to play along.


    "Chong Yue," he introduced himself.


    Ryder’s grin widened slightly, as if relieved, and he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Chong Yue."


    Although Chong Yue did not immediately return the handshake, the tense atmosphere inside the cave—thanks to Ryder’s persistence—began shifting into an awkward social setting instead.


    Not wanting to be the only one engaging, Ryder turned to Elias, silently urging him with a look.


    Elias sighed and rubbed his forehead before reluctantly answering, "Elias Lüftner."


    Ryder nodded approvingly, then shifted his attention toward the soldier. "Alright, your turn, buddy."


    However, the soldier refused to answer. He merely scoffed, turned on his heels, and walked toward the cave entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the snowy landscape outside—clearly unwilling to engage further.


    Ryder shrugged, flashing a helpless smile. "Well, uh… he’s a bit shy. That’s Leonid Holodov, a Russian soldier."


    The tension in the air finally started to loosen a little.


    Nahla nodded slightly and softly said, "I’m Nahla Al-Riyah… And thank you, miss, for helping me earlier."


    The white-haired woman smiled gently. "No need to thank me. My name is Yenneferéa Lunaviel. You can call me Luna."


    Finally, Ryder turned to Eika with a gentlemanly smile. "And what about you, beautiful lady? May I know your name?"


    Eika’s expression remained indifferent as she simply replied, "Tsukimi Eika."


    With that, the introductions were finally complete.


    Ryder clapped his hands and said with a smile, “Alright, now that we all know each other, let’s get back to the previous topic—cooperation.”


    Chong Yue took a deep breath and slowly nodded. “I’ve been thinking the same. The road ahead will only get tougher. The more people we have, the stronger we’ll be.”


    The firelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on the rocky walls. The cave still held a lingering chill, but the atmosphere had eased significantly compared to earlier.


    Ryder’s relaxed demeanor served as a lubricant for the negotiation. Leaning casually against the rock wall, he maintained his confident and approachable smile.


    “So, since we’re agreeing to cooperate, it’s best if we figure out what each of us is good at,” he said, looking around with a casual shrug. “Otherwise, when trouble comes, we won’t even know who’s supposed to do what.”


    Nahla lifted her head, her voice slightly hoarse but still earnest. “At the very least, we need to understand each other’s skills and resources. That way, when danger arises, we can all play our part.”


    Eika remained composed, leaning against the rock wall in silence. Though she didn’t voice any objections, her slightly guarded expression made it clear she was still observing and evaluating these new teammates.


    “Alright, I’ll go first.” Ryder lightly patted his knee before beginning his introduction.


    Sitting lazily, he tapped his fingers against his leg, his face carrying a faint smirk. “I’m Ryder Blaze. My profession? Well… I guess you could say I’m a farmer now.”


    “I’m from Texas. My family runs a farm. Graduated from Rice University with a degree in Diplomacy, but in the end, I went back home to do farm work.” He spoke casually, even with a touch of humor.


    “Of course, aside from farming, I also have some experience in firearms and close-quarters combat. You know, it’s America—kids growing up handling guns isn’t that unusual.” He casually tilted his head toward the handgun on his waist. “I don’t have much gear right now, but for most situations, it should be enough.”


    He paused before adding, “And as you’ve probably noticed, I have outstanding social skills. Don’t be too surprised—after all, I did study diplomacy.”


    He threw in a joke, attempting to lighten the mood, but what he got in return were the group''s subtle yet complex expressions.


    "And this guy—" Ryder gestured with his thumb toward the man standing vigil at the cave entrance. "Leonid Kholodov, a Russian soldier. I don’t know much about his background, but I do know he’s been on the battlefield."


    Hearing his name, Leonid briefly shifted his gaze from the blizzard outside to glance at the group but remained silent.


    Ryder shrugged and chuckled. "He’s not much of a talker and prefers to operate alone. But if any of you are worried about whether he’s reliable—rest assured. He may be hard to get along with, but he’s definitely a soldier you can trust."


    At that moment, Yenneféa, who had been silent, finally spoke.


    "I''m not exactly a combatant," she said in a cool and composed voice, exuding a noble grace. "But I did place second in the French Fencing Championship."


    She paused, her gaze sweeping across the group before continuing. "I graduated from the école Normale Supérieure in Paris, majoring in law. Just started my career—technically still an intern lawyer."


    "I''m skilled in logical analysis, deduction, and intelligence gathering. If necessary, I can also engage in close combat."


    Her tone remained calm and rational, but her composed demeanor naturally instilled confidence in her abilities.


    Hearing her introduction, Chong Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, finding the mix of people in this group rather intriguing—an American farmer, a French lawyer, and a Russian soldier… quite an unusual combination.


    Once Ryder finished introducing his group, he turned to Chong Yue. "So, what about you guys?"


    After a brief moment of thought, Chong Yue began. "I specialize in economics and management, but being thrown into this world made me realize I have a knack for strategy and planning."


    He gave a concise summary of both his and Eika’s backgrounds, as well as their experiences in this world.


    "But over time, we learned how to survive." He glanced at Eika. "We’ve faced goblin attacks and fought against hellhounds. We had no choice but to adapt quickly."


    Eika coolly added, "I have a background in combat and swordplay. I can handle close-quarters fights." Her response was direct and without any unnecessary words.


    "Elias is an inventor. He’s skilled in mechanical repairs and can create makeshift tools and equipment."


    "Nahla has knowledge of herbal medicine and can treat injuries and poisoning."


    With the introductions complete, both groups had a rough understanding of each other''s abilities.


    "Sounds like our skills complement each other well," Yenneféa observed. "If we''re serious about reaching the peak of Mount Titan, this cooperation will be necessary."


    Leonid gave a slight nod, signaling his acceptance of the decision.


    "In that case, we should devise a travel plan," Chong Yue suggested. "The weather will only worsen the higher we go. The biggest threats will be the blizzards and freezing winds."


    Ryder clapped his hands lightly. "Alright then, let’s talk strategy—after all, the dangers on this mountain are just beginning."


    The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows over the group’s serious expressions. Their discussion continued, but before they could finalize their plan, a deep, guttural growl echoed from the cave entrance.


    It was as if something inhuman lurked within the storm outside.


    Inside the cave, the fire flickered, casting shadows over the group''s tense expressions. Their discussion continued, but suddenly, a deep growl echoed from the entrance—like something inhuman lurking within the storm.


    Everyone instantly went on high alert. Leonid was the first to rise, raising his rifle slightly, his sharp gaze locked onto the cave entrance.


    "What was that?" Elias asked in a hushed tone, his voice tinged with tension.


    "Stay quiet," Leonid replied coldly, his entire posture still and focused like a hunting falcon.


    However, in the next second—


    A towering creature, nearly four meters tall, burst through the snowstorm. Its body was covered in thick white fur, muscles knotted beneath its hide, and its crimson eyes gleamed with an unnatural glow. Hot white breath billowed from its nostrils. It lacked sharp claws or fangs but had massive fists and powerful arms, radiating raw, primal strength.


    A yeti!


    The fire flickered violently as the howling wind rushed into the cave, and the air instantly became suffocating.


    “Damn it! A yeti!” Ryder cursed, drawing his handgun and firing immediately. The bullet struck the yeti’s shoulder, embedding itself in its flesh—but the creature barely reacted.


    “Its skin is too thick!” Elias cried out, scrambling backward.


    “Spread out! Don’t engage it head-on!” Leonid barked, adjusting his rifle and aiming for the yeti’s eyes before pulling the trigger.


    Bang!


    The bullet grazed the yeti’s cheek, drawing a thin streak of blood, but failing to strike a vital point. With a deafening roar, the yeti lunged forward, raising its massive arm and swinging it down toward Nahla!


    "Look out!"


    In a split second, Leonid shoved Nahla aside, using his own body to take the blow.


    Boom—!


    A dull impact rang through the cave as the yeti’s massive fist crashed into Leonid’s right leg, sending him hurtling backward. A sickening crack echoed as he smashed against the rocky wall, his face turning pale as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.


    “Leonid!” Nahla gasped, eyes wide with shock.


    But Leonid didn’t go down so easily. Clenching his teeth against the pain, he raised his rifle and fired again.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Finally, one of his bullets struck the yeti’s left eye!


    The beast let out an agonized screech, stumbling backward.


    “Eika!” Ryder suddenly shouted, taking aim at the yeti’s remaining eye and firing.


    Bang!


    The yeti''s head jerked to the side, but it still didn’t fall.


    "Now!"


    With a sharp breath, Eika grabbed a stone sword, spun her body in a full turn, and hurled it with all her strength.


    Whoosh—!


    The stone blade tore through the air and pierced straight into the yeti’s throat!


    The monster let out a guttural gurgle, its body convulsing violently before finally collapsing, blood staining the ground.


    But the danger was far from over.


    “There’s more than one!” Yenneféa suddenly turned toward the cave entrance, her blue eyes reflecting two massive figures approaching.


    "Damn it, there are two more!"


    The wind howled as the two yetis stepped inside, their crimson eyes gleaming murderously in the firelight.


    The group’s hearts sank. One had already been a struggle—now there were two?


    "Chong Yue, command!" Eika swiftly sidestepped, putting distance between herself and the incoming yetis while keeping them in her sights.


    Chong Yue took a deep breath, his mind racing. He quickly made a decision.


    “We retreat! Leonid is injured—we can’t afford a direct fight!”


    “Elias, Luna, get Leonid and Nahla further inside the cave! Move!”


    Elias immediately rushed forward, grabbing Leonid’s arm, while Yenneféa supported him from the other side.


    “Eika, Ryder, cover our retreat!”


    Ryder muttered a curse but nodded. “Got it!”


    The yetis roared as they lunged forward. Ryder fired his pistol, but the creatures were too fast. The bullets only grazed their fur, failing to bring them down.


    “Shit!”


    Chong Yue’s eyes flicked to the grenades strapped to Leonid’s tactical vest. Without hesitation, he ripped one off.


    Then he shouted, "Eika, Ryder, fall back now!"


    Everyone retreated deeper into the cave as the yetis barreled after them.


    Chong Yue yanked the pin and, with precise aim, hurled the grenade at the yetis.


    Boom—!


    The explosion rocked the cave, sending a tremor through the ground. Rocks and debris collapsed from the ceiling, sealing the entrance shut!


    The blizzard’s howls were instantly cut off. Darkness swallowed the cave, and the group collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.


    The yetis’ roars were muffled by the thick stone barrier, slowly fading into the distance.


    “How’s Leonid?” Chong Yue immediately turned to Nahla, his voice urgent.


    Elias fumbled with his backpack, pulling out a flashlight. The dim light illuminated the cave’s interior.


    Leonid’s right leg was bent at an unnatural angle—fractured.


    “It’s bad,” Nahla murmured, her brows furrowed as she quickly assessed the injury. “Luna, cut open his pant leg.”


    Yenneféa nodded, pulling out a small knife and slicing the fabric away to reveal Leonid’s swollen, darkened leg.


    “We need to stabilize it,” Nahla said calmly. “Without a proper splint, we’ll have to improvise with sticks and cloth.”


    Chong Yue immediately dismantled his stone spear, breaking it into four segments.


    “If it hurts, bite on this,” Yenneféa offered Leonid a piece of cloth, her voice as composed as ever.


    Leonid let out a low grunt but didn’t refuse.


    “Chong Yue, my satchel has powdered Drynaria fortunei—could you mix it with honey for me.” Nahla instructed as she continued tending to the wound.


    Elias held the flashlight steady, its beam casting a soft glow over the group as they worked.


    Meanwhile, Ryder and Eika exchanged glances, their eyes drifting toward the cave’s dark depths.


    They all knew—there was only one way forward now.