"It's a human? How... were they also pulled in?" John said, staring at the figure approaching them in disbelief.
The figure wore haggard bear leather clothes, patched and worn from extended use. Thick fur lined the collar and sleeves, offering protection against the brutal cold that was already making Moon's group shiver violently. A spear rested in the figure's arms, its tip stained dark with what could only be blood.
His aura was overwhelming, appearing to be a powerful awakener, stronger than everyone present.
The group immediately moved into defensive positions. They weren't sure about the intentions of whoever was approaching, and in a place like this, trust was a luxury they couldn't afford.
"Stay on guard, he is at least level 10," Derek whispered, his hand moving to his sword hilt.
The figure continued forward, unbothered by the wind and snow. When they were about twenty meters away, close enough to be heard over the howling wind but far enough to avoid immediate threat, the figure stopped.
It was a man, his face weathered and hard, with a thick beard crusted with ice. His eyes were sharp, assessing them with the same caution they showed him.
"You're new arrivals," the man said.
Derek stepped forward slightly, positioning himself as the spokesperson. "What are you?"
The man didn't seem to mind the way the question was phrased. "Name's Gareth. I'm an awakener, same as you. Got pulled into this cursed place months ago through a random rift while hunting. Before you ask, I'm not the only one. There are others, too. We've managed to survive, barely."
"Months? You've been trapped here for months?"
Gareth's expression darkened. "Trapped is right. This hidden realm doesn't let you leave easily. Most of us are still trying to figure out the exit conditions." He gestured vaguely behind him. "I was out hunting for supplies when I spotted you lot. Lucky for you. Most people who get dropped here freeze to death within hours if they don't find shelter."
"Where are the others?" Derek asked, his tone cautious but interested.
"We've got a camp. A cave system about two kilometres northwest, with fire, shelter, and some food stores. It's not much, but it keeps us alive. You can follow me back if you want. Or you can stay here and take your chances with the cold."
Elara stepped forward, her bow still in hand. "Why should we follow you? How do we know this isn't a trap?"
Gareth stared at her for a long moment, then let out a harsh laugh that turned into visible clouds of frost. "A trap? Girl, look around you. This whole place is a trap. I don't need to lure you anywhere to kill you. The mountain will do that just fine."
He turned around, already starting to walk away. "If you have a death wish and want to become frozen ice, then feel free to remain here. I'm going back. Whoever wants to follow me may do so."
He didn't wait for a response, his footsteps crunching through the snow as he began retracing his path.
The group exchanged glances, the wind howling around them, the cold seeping deeper into their bones with every passing second.
Derek was the first to speak. "He's right. We won't last out here exposed. If there's a group of survivors who've created a safe haven, somewhere we can get out of this cold and figure out our next move, that's our best option. We got lucky meeting him this early."
Marcus nodded, already shivering badly. "Better than freezing to death standing here."
Selene looked at Moon, John, and Elara, her eyes asking the silent question.
Moon considered for a moment.
Gareth could be leading them into danger. But Gareth was also right, staying here guaranteed death from exposure.
"We should go, we can figure out what we can do after we gain some information or understand where we are exactly," Moon said quietly.
John and Elara nodded their agreement.
"Alright," Selene said, raising her voice slightly. "We're coming with you!"
Gareth didn't turn around or acknowledge them, just kept walking through the snow with the confidence of someone who knew the terrain.
Derek's group began following immediately, and Moon's group fell in behind them. Separating now would be suicidal. Whatever dangers waited ahead, they'd face them together.
Moon pulled his inadequate armour tighter against the wind and followed Gareth's footsteps through the snow, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, his mind already calculating how many more surprises this hidden realm might have waiting for them.
The cold bit deeper with every step, and the mountain offered no mercy.
Along the way, they encountered a large arctic boar with three horns on its head. Its eyes glinted with malicious intent, and before the team could react, it darted towards them.
[Arctic Boar]
[Level: 12]
[Details: With three powerful horns that could penetrate most defences and a natural affinity to cold weathers. The Arctic Boar is a predator in the region, feared by most.
"Careful! It's really strong." Derek shouted with a grim expression as he got into a stance.
Before the team could move, Gareth had already thrust his spear into the arctic boar's throat. Wet gurgles was all that could be heard, as everyone watched in shock.
At that moment, everyone present realised that Gareth was much stronger than they thought.
♢♢♢♢
They arrived at the cave after following Gareth for about fifteen minutes through the relentless snow. The entrance was partially concealed by an overhang of ice and rock, natural camouflage that would make it nearly impossible to spot unless you knew exactly where to look.
As they approached, Moon felt the question nagging at him. Fifteen minutes in this brutal cold, twenty meters of visibility at best through the blizzard, treacherous footing on the ice. Why would anyone venture so far from shelter?
"By the way," Moon called out, raising his voice to be heard over the wind. "What are the beasts around this area?"
Gareth glanced back briefly, his expression unreadable behind his ice-crusted beard. "Snow bears, mostly. They are territorial, but their meat keeps well in the cold. Good source of food."
He gestured vaguely at the white landscape around them. "Then there are the ice wraiths. They are much harder to kill, and not worth eating when other options exist, but their cores sell for good value if we ever get out of here. And deeper in..."
He paused. "Deeper in there are things we avoid. Frost giants, and worse."
"And you were out here hunting alone?" Moon pressed.
"Someone has to," Gareth replied flatly. "We take turns. Can't survive on stored supplies forever." He stopped at the cave entrance, turning to face the group fully for the first time. "The bears don't usually come within a kilometre of the cave. They're smart enough to avoid areas with too much human activity. So yes, I go out far. We all do."
His tone suggested the conversation was over. He ducked into the cave entrance, disappearing into the darkness beyond.
Moon filed the information away. The explanation made sense, but something about it still felt off. He couldn't place exactly what, just an instinct whispering that not everything added up.
Derek moved toward the entrance, already eager to escape the cold. "Come on. Let's get inside before we lose our fingers to frostbite."
The group followed, one by one, stepping from the brutal wind and snow into the relative shelter of the cave.