A hunter

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The wind howled through the dead trees.

Inan gripped her lantern tighter. That small light felt like the only life still clinging to her.

The path that appeared after the illusion hut collapsed looked much thinner and narrower now, barely wide enough for one foot.

One wrong step could send her falling into the snowy abyss.

She began to walk slowly. Her breathing was still heavy. The snow was getting thicker, almost reaching her thighs, and now, the tips of her toes were starting to go numb. It felt like she was walking on icy nails piercing from below.

The wind swept away the fog for a moment, and in the distance, Inan saw it.

A ravine.

It yawned wide before her, stretching like a torn sheet across the snowy land. It was nearly ten meters wide. The bottom couldn't be seen. Just complete darkness.

She stopped. Her legs trembled.

"I can't possibly jump over that…"

But right by the edge, through the snowy fog, she saw a thin ice bridge. It looked like it had frozen from vapor that suddenly solidified.

No ropes. No rails.

Fine cracks spread across its surface like delicate veins, waiting for the perfect moment to break.

"This is insane…" she whispered.

But she couldn't go back.

She looked behind her. The snow was already starting to cover her tracks.

That path would disappear.

If she waited too long, she'd be stuck here forever.

She closed her eyes. Took a deep breath and stepped onto the ice bridge.

Crack.

The first step made a faint cracking sound.

The second step was lighter.

The third…

KRAK.

A small part of the bridge behind her broke off, shattered into ice shards, and vanished into the darkness.

Inan was trapped in the middle.

Her legs froze in place. The wind spun violently. Her hair slapped her cheeks. Her lantern flickered, almost going out, trembling like a soul caught in a storm.

Then…

"So what if you fall?"

"Why bother crossing? No one's waiting for you…"

The voices returned. But now they were louder. Closer. Like whispers coming from inside her own mind.

Inan bit her tongue. She tried to hold back tears. But they still fell, freezing on her cheeks.

She took another step.

One step.

Then another.

Until finally, her foot touched solid ground.

She made it across.

But soon after, the sky changed again.

The clouds turned pitch black. Snow poured down like white sand from the sky. The wind struck from every direction like a whip.

Inan stumbled and fell to the ground.

She tried to get up, but she couldn't.

Her legs cramped.

Her body shivered violently.

Her fingers were frozen.

"I… can't do this anymore…"

She wanted to cry. But her eyes had already frozen.

Then, through the storm, a tall figure appeared.

Not a bear.

Not a creature.

A man.

His hair was messy. His face was hidden beneath a hood made of animal skin. His shoulders were broad like an ancient snow hunter. He carried a large spear on his back. And in his hand…

A cloth bag filled with fruit and smoked meat.

"Huh. You're the dumbest human to ever wander into my cabin's territory."

"But at least… you're not dead yet."

His steps were heavy but steady, creating a soft dragging sound as he walked through the snow.

Inan could only sit, half-upright, her body shaking violently. Her eyes were a little blurry, but sharp enough to notice something unsettling about the man.

His hair was long and messy. His shoulders were slim but sturdy. He didn't look old. In fact, he seemed too young and strong to be called "grandpa."

But that wasn't what made Inan bite her tongue.

It wasn't the spear on his back.

It wasn't his wolf-like eyes.

It was…

A white bear's head hanging from his belt.

Still bleeding.

Its ears were torn.

Its eyes empty, staring at the ground.

Its neck tied with frozen roots.

Blood still dripped slowly, leaving thick red stains on the white snow.

Inan held her breath. Her body froze. But this time, it wasn't because of the cold.

It was fear.

"…That…" she whispered.

The man slowly followed her gaze, then lifted the bear's head slightly. A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

"Oh. This one?"

"A trophy. I enjoy hunting wild things that stand in my way."

"That golden bear… was too arrogant. Acting all wise."

Inan froze.

Her blood rushed to her head.

Not from anger.

But fear.

That golden bear… could have been a sacred creature. A guardian of the trial.

And this man… wasn't part of Serynthia.

He sat down on a snow-covered rock near Inan. He opened his bag, pulled out a piece of dried meat, and tossed it near her.

"Eat. You need strength to walk. My cabin's only a few minutes from here."

Inan just stared. She didn't touch anything.

"…Why are you helping me?" she asked quietly.

The man licked blood from his fingers, then replied softly, his voice sharp.

"I like keeping the weak alive… until they're useful."

"Or… soft enough to skin."

Inan instantly knew.

This was not a savior. This was not part of the trial.

This was a hunter.

And he was real.

The snow kept falling. The cold kept growing.

But for the first time, fear warmed her body, sparking a wave of adrenaline that helped her move.

She slowly shifted her right hand toward the lantern and noticed that its light was flickering unevenly, like it was trying to say something.

Run.

Or maybe

Turn back.

But where? The snow had erased everything.

And the man was standing up now.

He brought the spear to the front. His steps slow. His sharp eyes locked on her, as if measuring whether her meat was fresh enough to eat.

He stepped closer.

The spear hung from his right hand like it weighed nothing.

His golden eyes gleamed.

His nose glowed red from the cold.

But his stare… was that of a hungry wolf.

"Why so quiet?" he murmured.

"Want me to carry you?"

His hand reached out toward her.

Instinctively, Inan scooted back, scraping the snow, still gripping her lantern tight.

She glanced to her right. The hunter's bag lay open.

Inside were

A bundle of dried meat

Frozen black bread

Two small bottles, maybe wine or water

And… a small knife

As his hand got closer, Inan turned her eyes away and said, with a shaky but clear voice,

"…I'm… thirsty."

The man grinned. "Finally."

He turned briefly, loosening the strap on his bag.

That was her chance.

One second.

Two.

Three.

SSRRRTT

Quickly, Inan grabbed the small knife, swiped two pieces of food and a small bottle, and slipped them into her inner coat.

The man turned quickly but hadn't noticed yet.

"Drink this." He offered her the other bottle.

Inan didn't take it.

Her hand, hidden behind her knee, now gripped the knife tightly, blade turned inward. Her face remained pale. But her eyes had started to glow.

As the man crouched in front of her

"For the bear."

"And for every man who thinks he holds all the power."

ARGHHH

BRRAAKKK

Inan didn't use the knife.

She grabbed a spare spear hanging from the side of his bag, yanked it, and stabbed it into the man's leg.

Right below the left knee.

Blood burst out

The man screamed. His body collapsed to the side.

Inan stood with the last of her strength. She stumbled, but didn't run.

She stepped back. Her eyes stared straight ahead. She held her stolen food close. Her lantern glowed brighter.

"I'm not prey. I'm not a puppet of your fate.

I—I'm Inandira Alaska."

"A-and… I will survive."

While the man twisted on the ground, cursing, trying to pull out the spear, Inan dragged her feet toward the path that had briefly appeared earlier.

The lantern's light now revealed a glowing trail weaving through the trees.

And without looking back, Inan walked.

Each step was heavy.

But her eyes were no longer empty.

Little by little… her heart grew colder.

Not from the snow.

But because she was growing stronger.

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To be continue :)