The seventh night after leaving Waterfall City.

The expedition team stopped at the intersection of snow and wasteland, an ideal location for camping and water supply during their journey.

It was also here, as everyone was preparing dinner for the day.

Giovanni approached the Hunter guide Yavik, who was attending to the large-horned deer:

"Yavik, our agreement ends here, doesn't it?"

"I've looked into the situation around here before, and this is roughly the limit for ordinary people's activities."

"That's right." Yavik, who was tending to the large-horned deer, nodded first. He gently rubbed the face of one of the deer with his palm and then turned to face Giovanni, "Word spreads among us that crossing this area and moving forward, even the best hunters find it hard to locate prey in such places."

Upon hearing Yavik's response, Giovanni nodded.

Then he naturally took a small cloth bag from his jacket pocket:

"Alright, according to our discussion..."

"The deposit has already been paid in Waterfall City, so the remaining commission..."

Giovanni didn't finish his sentence.

Yavik suddenly interrupted his action of preparing to pay the remaining commission.

"Mr. Giovanni, actually, I think—payment for the remaining commission can be postponed for a while."

Giovanni didn't immediately catch on.

But his expression quickly became clear, realizing the meaning behind the guide's words:

"Postponed... Wait! Yavik, are you saying the upcoming journey...?"

At this moment, Yavik turned and stroked the head of the deer behind him:

"Going further north, even these fellows, as healthy as they are, still need professional care."

"I think I can continue to be of some use."

"Of course, you certainly have..." Giovanni instinctively began to follow Yavik's answer but quickly shook his head, "No, that's not what I mean. I mean... the upcoming journey might be incredibly dangerous. Our team can't guarantee safety as we did during the previous trip."

"Yavik, do you really want to continue on with us?"

Seeing Giovanni's cautious manner, the guide laughed out loud:

"Hahaha—"

"A hunter's life is inherently filled with danger. What's more, I'm not familiar with those winter lake hunting jobs. Getting an extra job with good income during the rest period each year, I'm quite happy about it."

Facing the guide's attitude, Giovanni's expression turned a bit emotional:

"I, am really grateful!"

"..."

Giovanni and Yavik's discussion wasn't loud.

But Ronald's sharp hearing allowed him to catch their conversation from a distance.

Aside from the substance of their conversation.

Ronald thought for a few seconds and then became interested in Costate.

With a few swift actions on his tasks, he turned to the maid beside him:

"Costate, did you hear Giovanni and Yavik's conversation?"

The maid immediately nodded slightly:

"Yes, sir."

"Then I have a question." Confirming this, Ronald spoke up, "Why do you think Yavik is willing to continue with Giovanni on their contract, what is the real reason?"

"..."

Costate blinked blankly.

Since it was Ronald asking, Costate thought seriously for four or five seconds and finally answered conservatively:

"I think there might be two reasons—"

"First, as Yavik said, winter jobs for hunters are indeed scarce, so he must be quite willing to earn extra income."

"The second point... I'm not really sure about this."

"But is there a possibility that it was Giovanni's generous speech last night that ignited some adventurous passion within Yavik?"

Ronald almost applauded the young woman in front of him!

"Well done, Costate!"

"Realizing that suggests you're continually improving!"

"From my perspective, income considerations should occupy a minor position in Yavik's mind. After all, a hunter like him isn't entirely swayed by financial matters."

"So... was he more influenced by Giovanni's speech last night?"

Costate thought for two seconds and then nodded as if she had come to an understanding:

"Sir, I think I understand a bit."

"..."

Under the night sky.

The seven members of the expedition were discussing their individual concerns.

The mountains that seemed far away last night.

Today, they were closer, watching over them with the stars above, allowing them to peacefully fall asleep.

This marks the end of the first week of their journey.

As of now, everything has been peaceful.

...

But in the second week of travel.

It was just past the afternoon of this day.

The real challenge facing the team appeared—climbing.

The towering mountain range they could only see in the previous days finally emerged before the expedition team.

They didn't need to climb over them directly.

But traversing from the outside wasn't a simple task either.

Except for Ronald and Costate, who wouldn't mind such actions.

For the rest of the team.

The physical exertion of climbing the slope, the cold air making it hard to breathe, and the mental pressure of the harsh environment...

These three points combined.

Quickly become a heavy burden ready to crush someone.

If the team's members hadn't been carefully selected beforehand, Ronald estimated that in the first hour after starting the climb, someone might have already chosen to back out.

"Mr. Ronald, how do you feel?"

In this challenging environment, Giovanni, the leader of the expedition team, showed concern for the newly joined Ronald and Costate.

The man wasn't aware of Ronald and Costate's identity as Casters.

Thus, without understanding their physical condition, Giovanni focused the most on them within the team.

So, Ronald smiled and waved to Giovanni.

In the other's surprised gaze, he uncovered his scarf to reveal his skin unchanged by the cold:

"In this weather, Costate and I can manage, just make sure to watch your own safety."

"I envy bodies like yours..."

Giovanni seemed to think it was some unique physical trait.

So, while exclaiming, he shook his head and continued concentrating on climbing the slope. After all, despite having spare energy to be concerned about his teammates, climbing the slope itself was a tough task.

— Especially in this northern territory.

— The climate is extremely harsh.

Later, around four to five in the afternoon.

The Hunter guide walking at the forefront of the team suddenly stopped.

"Something's wrong!" Yavik's strong observational skills as a Hunter allowed him to detect a slight anomaly in this environment, "I see movement over there, looks like someone!"

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