The dawn came too soon. The Outbounds stirred from their tent, the cold air biting their skin as they strapped on gear and readied weapons.

Rael stretched with a grin, rolling his shoulders.

"Finally," he said, fire in his voice. "Been waiting for this since yesterday."

Nyra tied her hair back, calm as always. "Don't waste all your energy on the stretching. You'll need it for the hunt today."

Zephyra's tail scraped softly against the ground as she padded forward. "Hunt comes."

Arden gave a small nod. "And we'll be ready."

Together, they made their way to the large tent at the center of camp, where the envoys usually gathered.

But when they stepped inside, the Crimson Fang were already there. Four figures turned toward them, each carrying the sharp pride of nobles who knew their worth.

Kaelen's eyes narrowed first, his hand resting lazily on the hilt of the greatsword strapped across his back. "So the strays finally show." His voice was loud enough to fill the tent, thick with mockery.

Selira leaned back on her chair, sparks flickering faintly along her fingers. "I expected at least a little presence. They don't even look like they belong here."

Doran's gaze darted over Arden's group, sharp and cutting. He let out a low chuckle. "One good strike and they'd fold."

Lysandra stood with her bow across her shoulders, lips curved in a smirk. "Let them talk. The trial will sort the strong from the weak. We won't need to dirty our hands."

Rael's jaw tightened, but before he could answer, Arden stepped past him. His face was calm, voice even. "If you need to talk this much before stepping outside, maybe you're not as confident as you pretend to be."

That single line cut through the room. The Crimson Fang shifted, their pride stung, but Arden had already moved on, walking to the other side of the tent as if they weren't worth another thought.

The tension climbed like drawn steel. Kaelen's aura flared, a faint hum rattling the wooden table. He took one step forward, ready to provoke, when the tent flap rustled.

An envoy entered, his voice firm enough to slice the air. "Good. Both groups are here. I see you're in good spirit." His eyes lingered on the Crimson Fang before sweeping over to Arden. "But save it for the field."

The envoy continued, tone steady. "Today, the trial begins. You will investigate, hunt, and report. Stay alive, above all. Do not throw your lives away for pride." His gaze turned specifically to Arden's group. "Learn from the Crimson Fang. They know the terrain. They have maps, knowledge of the beasts, and the routes. Use it."

Arden smirked faintly, his eyes steady on the envoy. "We'll manage. Information is useful, but it isn't everything."

The words weren't boastful, just quiet confidence that carried more weight than shouting. Zephyra gave a low rumble of agreement, smoke curling from her maw.

The Crimson Fang stiffened at the dismissal. Doran muttered under his breath, "Arrogant brat…"

As the Outbounds turned to leave, Kaelen's voice followed, sharp as steel. "We'll see how long that arrogance lasts when the beasts tear you apart."

Rael didn't even turn back. "We'll see who tears who apart."

The Outbounds stepped out into the cold morning air, leaving the Crimson Fang glowering behind them. The envoy lingered, shaking his head. "Competition, eh? This will be interesting."

Arden's group didn't look back. They left the camp behind, choosing a path deeper into the south where the snow clung thicker and the trees seemed twisted with frost. Arden's life sense stretched outward as they walked, threads of energy brushing against the wild. He wasn't rushing. They weren't in a race. Every beast here was both a threat and an opportunity.

Minutes stretched, silence broken only by crunching snow under boots and Zephyra's low growls when the wind shifted.

Soon Arden's breath caught slightly. Something brushed against his life sense, sharp and cold. The air around them dipped, frost curling across branches.

A faint notification blinked before his eyes.

[Detected Threat: Frostmaw Stalkers.

Rank: B+

Affinity: Ice

Condition: Berserk

Traits:

Chillhide: Body radiates cold, numbing foes on contact.

Predatory Focus: Locks onto a chosen target, pursues until death.

Frozen Resilience: Wounds slowed from worsening by frost coursing through veins.

Abilities:

Glacier Fang: Fangs infused with condensed ice, biting with freezing force.

Frostbound Lunge: Swift leap, claws leaving trails of frost.

Shiver Howl: Chilling roar disrupts focus, lowers reaction speed.]

Arden let the words sink, then spoke calmly, his voice carrying steady authority. "We've got company. Frostmaw Stalkers. Pack hunters. Ice affinity. Expect them to numb the air and slow movement."

Rael's fists tightened, gauntlets gleaming faintly. "Finally. Something to warm me up."

Nyra's staff shimmered with faint wind essence as she spun it once. "Careful. They'll go for the weakest link." Obviously mocking Rael who didn't bother to reply.

Zephyra's fur bristled, frost already gathering in the air. "Cold prey. Easy prey."

While Arden drew his blades with a faint metallic scrape, eyes sharp but calm. "Good. Let's treat this as our first hunt of the trial."

Snow crunched deeper ahead, shadows shifting between the trees.

Yellow eyes blinked in the frost, one, then two, then more. The first challenge had come.

Meanwhile, The Crimson Fang camp wasn't too faraway.

Their laughter carried through the early cold like smoke curling off wet wood.

"Those fools didn't even ask for the map," Selira snorted, sparks crackling faintly from her braids. "Walking blind into Frostmaw territory."

Doran leaned against a post, voice flat but sharp. "They won't last the day."

Lysandra strung her bow lazily, chin tilted. "Less mouths competing for merit."

Kaelen finally cut in, brushing his red hair back, his tone cold. "Forget them. We'll press ahead. By the time they crawl out, if they crawl out, we'll already be leading."

Their agreement came with smug smirks as they pushed out from camp, choosing the safer bend of the valley, leaving Arden's group unbothered.

A/N:

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