The group left the cave and continued on their journey.
Just as Lillian had said, the wind and snow were even heavier than when they had first climbed the mountain. If visibility before had been seven or eight meters, now it was only half that—three or four meters at most.
This was already extremely dangerous.
After all, this was a mountain, and they were walking on mountain paths. Walking on mountain trails was very different from walking on paved roads—one wrong step and you could suddenly reach a cliff, and stepping into empty air meant certain death. They had to be extremely careful and avoid the slightest mistake.
At this moment, Ymir walked in front, Lillian carried Daz in the middle, and Krista walked behind, reaching out with one hand to support Daz's back as they went.
She was also very worried that Lillian might suddenly run out of strength. After all, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy—how much stamina could he really have? In such terrible weather, how far could he carry someone?
Krista didn't know that for Lillian—who possessed one-third of a normal Titan's strength—carrying someone was almost effortless. He could even start running and sprint a few hundred meters. But that would be far too shocking—he didn't want to be seen as a monster or have his secret discovered.
"Shorty, don't push yourself too hard," Ymir suddenly said as she walked ahead. "If you can't carry him anymore, just put him down and drag him."
"That's none of your concern."
"Lillian, are you really still okay?" Krista's worried voice came from behind.
"Mm. Stop talking and keep moving."
They continued forward. Since they had eaten something in the cave and have replenished their energy, all three were in fairly good condition. After walking for about another hour and stopping briefly to rest, they finally reached a path that was clearly man-made.
"Looks like this is the right road," Ymir said, lowering her head to examine the straight route and the stones piled on both sides—it was clearly not shaped by nature.
"Probably a trail opened by hunters," Lillian said.
Krista looked happily down the long road and said excitedly, "If we keep going, we should reach the end soon, right? Then Daz can—"
"Woo… woo…"
"Shh!"
Ymir heard something and turned to Krista, making a shushing gesture. The usual careless expression on her face vanished, replaced by seriousness and alertness.
Krista didn't know what had happened and looked at Lillian in confusion. He frowned deeply and pointed at his ear.
The next second, the sound came again.
"Woo… woo woo woo…"
The low howling was partly drowned out by the roaring north wind, but it still reached their ears.
"Is it wolves?!"
Remembering what Lillian had said earlier, Krista cried out in shock, then belatedly covered her mouth.
Speak of the devil… Lillian could naturally tell it was the low howl of wolves. Without hesitation, he put Daz down on the ground and with a shing pulled the dagger from his waist.
"It's wolves!" Ymir also abandoned her usual attitude, crouched low, and drew her dagger, stepping back to pull Krista to her side and whispering, "Don't be afraid."
"M-mm… okay!"
Krista gripped the dagger handle with both hands, her whole body trembling slightly.
Perhaps seasoned hunters wouldn't be so afraid, but the three of them were different. Even Lillian—who had killed and been killed—was afraid of being torn apart by a pack of wolves.
After all, even with strength, if a wolf bit through his throat, he would still die.
"Be careful. Krista, stand in the middle," Ymir said firmly.
"Mm." Lillian nodded in rare agreement. "Krista, take care of Daz."
"Okay!"
Krista knew her fighting ability was the weakest among them, so she didn't interfere and instead crouched beside Daz. Ymir and Lillian guarded the front and rear, watching their surroundings warily.
"Woo woo woo…"
The low growls became clearer. Listening carefully, Lillian could hear at least three different voices—meaning at least three wolves nearby. But in the raging wind and snow, they couldn't see where the beasts were hiding.
"Awooo—!"
A sudden, piercing howl rang out, like the signal to launch an attack. Immediately afterward came the rapid rustling of something sprinting across the snow. Then a jet-black wolf leapt down from above, lunging straight at Lillian's arm!
"Lillian, watch out!"
Bang!
Lillian's body was no longer that of a thirteen-year-old child. After enduring the hell beyond the Walls, he wouldn't freeze in fear over something as trivial as a single wolf. Facing the wolf charging straight at him, he suddenly raised his leg and kicked with all his strength, striking it square in the head!
With a dull thud, the black wolf let out a pained howl and was sent flying backward, vanishing into the wind and snow.
No one had time to notice this, because on the other side another wolf had already pounced—its target was Ymir, standing at the front.
"Hungry, huh? Yeah… I know that feeling."
Ymir gripped her dagger in reverse and took the initiative before the wolf could reach her. Her movements were savage and precise—she rushed forward and stabbed downward with all her strength! The wolf leapt sideways to dodge, then opened its bloody jaws and lunged at her chest and stomach!
Whoosh—thud!
The dagger Lillian threw sank deep into the wolf's neck, briefly slowing it. That split second gave Ymir time to twist her body and drive her own dagger straight into the wolf's skull, wrenching it violently.
"Awooo!!"
A deafening scream erupted.
At the same time, another wolf launched a surprise attack, using the storm as cover. This one leapt from a rock on the right side of the path—not at the three standing, but at Daz, lying on the ground unconscious with a fever.
"Daz!"
Krista, who had been caring for him, somehow found the courage to charge forward with her dagger raised overhead. But she ran too fast, stumbled over a rock, and fell hard to the ground.
The wolf, spotting an even closer meal, gleamed and snapped its jaws straight toward Krista's face!
Staring at those icy, flashing fangs, Krista tried to raise her dagger to block—but her body wouldn't move. A sudden thought crossed her mind:
If I die here… that wouldn't be so bad.
"Krista!"
Ymir's furious shout rang out.
As Lillian ran, he glanced over and saw Ymir already pressing her dagger against her own palm, about to cut—
"Splurt!!!"
Blood sprayed everywhere. Hot crimson splashed through the air, onto the snow, and across a girl's face, dyeing everything red.
Krista froze.
In front of her, Lillian had thrown himself between her and the wolf, shoving his own arm into its mouth.
Tears burst from her eyes.
"Lillian!!"