The icy cold wind blew fiercely, sharp as a knife, cutting through the skin and causing a piercing pain.
The surroundings were pitch black, with the night sky hanging high above. There was no trace of the moon or the twinkling of stars. Dark clouds covered the heavens, not even allowing a sliver of light to pass through.
The biting cold wind roared like a waterfall, carrying with it large flakes of snow.
As far as the eye could see, everything was blanketed in silver. The heavy snow that had been falling for days had completely covered the earth. The dark soil lay dormant beneath the snowy blanket, as if even the ground was too burdened to rise.
"Huff... huff..."
On the endless snowy plain, a frail figure trudged unsteadily through the heavy snow.
He wore only a white linen robe, with no additional layers to protect against the cold. His thin frame was clearly visible as he took uneven steps through the snow, his arms wrapped around his shoulders, shivering uncontrollably from the bone-chilling wind and snow.
The figure looked so fragile, as if it could fall apart at any moment, making it a wonder how he was still alive.
Behind him stretched an endless expanse of snow.
Ahead of him, there was only the relentless wind and blizzard, with no end in sight.
No one knew why he was here, in the middle of this desolate snowfield, far from any village or shelter, without a single companion or even proper clothing, walking alone through this deadly snowstorm.
Step by step, the boy struggled forward, his movements slow and laboured.
His breathing was heavy, the cold air filling his lungs in large gulps. White puffs of breath escaped his mouth one after another, quickly freezing in the air.
The cycle of hot and cold stimulated his senses, keeping him in a brief and hazy state of awareness.
He could no longer remember how long he had been walking through this snowfield.
All he remembered was that he had not stopped since he entered the snowfield at dusk. Now, it was likely deep into the night, perhaps early morning, and the temperature had dropped to near freezing.
The thin white robe fluttered in the cold wind, clinging to his sickly pale skin.
He rubbed his arms continuously, trying to generate some warmth, but his face had already turned ashen. His body temperature had dropped to a numbing level, to the point where he could barely feel the cold anymore. His eyes were difficult to keep open, and yet a faint warmth seemed to seep from his bones.
If this continued, he would surely die, but there was nothing he could do.
He had been walking through this snowstorm for most of the day, and he had not seen a single village, town, or even another living person. Not even wild animals or birds were in sight.
All he could see were dry branches and the occasional skeletal remains.
It felt as if he were the only person left in the world, and a deep sense of loneliness spread through his heart.
There was no sign of life anywhere.
Realizing this, a profound sense of helplessness welled up within him.
There was no need to struggle anymore. Continuing like this was meaningless. It would be easier to just give up and freeze to death in this icy wilderness.
Humans, when faced with hardship, often prefer the easier choice. In this situation, no one would blame him. Everyone would understand. After all, there was no one around to judge him.
"Huff... huff..."
He walked through the snow, his breathing growing heavier with each step, leaving footprints behind.
Where his feet passed, trails of blood marked the snow.
He had no shoes, not even clothes to wrap his feet. His skin was exposed directly to the cold wind, enduring the sharp, knife-like snowflakes. The skin on his feet had already cracked from the cold, and warm blood seeped out, staining the snow with a haunting, eerie colour.
That he had managed to endure this long in the blizzard was nothing short of a miracle.
At this point, stopping would be the easiest choice.
If he stopped, he would no longer have to endure the torment. He could find relief.
Yet, his steps continued, slow but resolute, leaving their mark on the ground.
Though they grew slower, weaker, and his consciousness more blurred, his feet never stopped moving.
No one knew where he was headed.
Just as no one knew why he was so stubborn.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a powerful vibration shook the air, accompanied by a low, almost illusory growl.
He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening slightly. A subconscious sense of danger brought him a brief moment of clarity.
On the endless snowfield before him, a dark, shadowy figure had appeared.
It was a beast.
No, it was more than just a beast. It had the appearance of a wolf, but its mouth was filled with jagged, zombie-like fangs. Its body was larger than a lion's, with well-defined, muscular contours. Its savage eyes glowed with a menacing red light, filled with a blatant thirst for blood. Its four legs gripped the ground, its slightly crouched posture exuding the aggression of a predator.
This was no ordinary beast—it was something demonic.
Like a monster.
Devoid of reason, driven only by cruelty, bloodlust, and chaos.
A strong sense of danger flooded his mind, and his scattered thoughts momentarily focused. Instinctively, he wanted to prepare for a fight, but his weak, nearly broken body refused to obey.
He clenched his teeth unconsciously.
Was this the end?
When nothing had even begun!
"Roar!!"
The monster, already starving, saw through his desperate struggle. With a roar, it lunged forward, its four legs propelling it toward him at a speed far beyond human capability.
In the blink of an eye, the monster closed the distance, leaving no time to react.
He could even see the gleam of pleasure in the monster's eyes.
He wanted to dodge, but it was too late. All he could do was stare as the ferocious fangs opened before him, coming closer and closer—
Buzz—!
At that moment, a blinding light flashed before his eyes.
It was a domineering light, coming from afar, filling his entire vision, as bright as the long-lost sun.
When the light faded, the menacing fangs were gone. All that remained was half of the monster's body, lying on the ground, dark blood oozing out and seeping into the snow.
"Is it you?"
In his daze, a figure boldly entered his line of sight.
It was a woman, as striking as a rose, with long, blood-red hair that fluttered in the snow. Her commanding gaze fell upon the frail boy, looking down at him with an air of superiority.
The boy could no longer respond.
Having narrowly escaped death, his consciousness finally slipped into complete darkness.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹