In a heartbeat, I turn around and sprint toward the bunny I sensed. Or at least, I try to. No matter how hard I push forward, I barely move. Why? Because of the snow. With every step, my legs sink deeper, dragging me down like I’m wading through quicksand. The harder I run, the more the snow pulls me under, swallowing my momentum entirely.

  The rabbit, on the other hand, hops effortlessly across the surface, as if mocking my struggle. I grit my teeth in frustration, feeling the cold creep up my legs as I fight against the unforgiving terrain.

  "What the hell..." I mutter under my breath, realizing brute force won’t get me anywhere.

  Seria speaks, her voice calm but firm. "Third part of the training—movement." She takes a step forward, gliding effortlessly across the snow without sinking an inch. It’s like the snow isn’t even there for her.

  "If you can control your movements perfectly, it’ll feel like you’re stepping on air. And if you master it well enough—" Her figure blurs, and in the blink of an eye, she vanishes. I barely have time to react before I sense her presence above me. My eyes snap upward to see her perched on the highest branch of a nearby tree, her expression as casual as if she hadn’t just broken the laws of physics.

  "—you can do that," she finishes, her voice drifting down like the cold wind.

  I stare at her, mouth slightly open, my body still half-buried in the snow. No sound. No warning. Even with my [Enhanced Sense], she moved faster than I could properly track. I clench my remaining hand into a fist, frustration gnawing at me.

  Without missing a beat, she jumps down from the tree, landing gracefully in front of me. Her movements are light, almost playful, like this is nothing more than a game to her.

  "Come back when you're fully healed," she says, turning her back on me as she begins to walk toward the temple. "Then, and only then, I’ll teach you how to fight properly with one hand." She pauses at the temple entrance, glancing back over her shoulder. Her tone hardens. "Until then—don’t come back."

  And with that, she disappears inside, leaving me alone in the freezing snow.

  I exhale sharply, watching the puff of my breath swirl into the cold air. My left arm still throbs—slowly regenerating—but that’s not the only thing burning now.

  It’s my pride.

  The wind howls through the mountain, cutting against my skin like a thousand tiny blades. I clench my jaw, trying to ignore the cold creeping into my bones. My body aches from the days of chopping wood, the strain of being tied to that damn tree, and now—now I’m stuck here, struggling to even walk through the snow without sinking like a fool.

  "Movement," I mutter under my breath. "Stepping on air. Easy for her to say."

  I take a deep breath and try again, lifting my foot and pushing forward. My boot sinks immediately, snow swallowing me up to my knee. Every step feels like a battle, the snow dragging me down as if the mountain itself wants me to stay in place.

  I pause, frustrated, and glance back toward the temple. It looks farther away now. Seria’s words echo in my head—Don’t come back until you’re healed.

  I huff. "Fine. I’ll figure it out myself."

  I close my eyes and focus, tapping into [Enhanced Sense]. The world sharpens around me—every detail, every sound, every subtle shift in the air. I focus on the snow beneath me, the way it gives under my weight. Seria wasn’t moving through it—she was moving over it. There had to be a way.

  I crouch slightly, feeling the pressure in my legs, and push off again—lighter this time. My boot sinks less. Not perfect, but better.

  Progress.

  For hours, I keep at it. Step by step. I fall. I sink. I push forward again. My breath turns ragged, and the bitter cold claws at my skin. But I don’t stop.

  At one point, Kuma strolls by, watching me with that ever-judging glare. The massive beast huffs, sending a cloud of mist into the air, as if mocking my slow progress.

  "Yeah, yeah. I’m working on it," I grumble, dragging myself out of the snow for what feels like the hundredth time.

  By nightfall, my legs tremble with exhaustion. My stomach aches from hunger. But—I’m moving faster. Lighter. My feet barely sink now. I’m not quite running on air, but I’m closer.

  I collapse against a tree, panting hard. My left arm still throbs in slow regeneration, but it’s healing. I open my UI to check the progress.

  [Regeneration]

  IN USE – TARGET: LEFT ARM (920H)

  A bitter laugh escapes my lips. Still over a month left. Great.

  I close the UI and tilt my head back against the bark, staring up at the star-filled sky. Despite everything—the pain, the cold, the endless training—I can’t help but feel it.

  I’m getting stronger.

  And when I return to that temple, Seria won’t be able to look down on me anymore.

  I continue practicing the movement Seria showed me, focusing on the subtle shifts in my weight and the pressure beneath my feet. Each step is a delicate balance—too heavy, and I sink into the snow; too light, and I lose control. It’s frustrating, but I push through. My breath comes out in short, misty puffs as the cold gnaws at my exposed skin.

  At the same time, I extend my senses, activating [Enhanced Sense] to scan the area. It’s like stretching an invisible web around me—every sound, every twitch of movement, every pulse of warmth registers in my mind. I search desperately for something—anything—to hunt. My stomach twists painfully in hunger, and the longer I go without food, the weaker I’ll become.

  Killing something with Bloodfang should fix that, I think, clenching my right hand. Its crimson edge shimmers faintly when I summon it, the familiar weight of the dagger grounding me. Bloodfang's ability to absorb life force has saved me before, and right now, it might be my only chance to keep going.

  A faint rustle to my left. I freeze, sharpening my focus.

  A rabbit? No. Too heavy.

  I pivot silently, my steps now smoother as I apply Seria’s technique, barely disturbing the snow beneath me. The movement grows clearer—a creature, low to the ground, stalking. My heart speeds up. This isn’t prey.

  It’s a predator.

  Slowly, I lower myself into a crouch, letting [Enhanced Sense] guide me. The creature is close—about five meters ahead, lurking behind a snow-covered bush. Its heartbeat is steady, controlled. Whatever it is, it knows I’m here.

  Without a sound, I creep closer. My legs ache from the hours of training, but I ignore the pain. This isn’t just about hunger anymore—it’s survival.

  A flash of silver fur catches my eye. It steps into the moonlight—a snowfang wolf. Sleek and muscular, its icy-blue eyes gleam with intelligence. It’s smaller than Kuma, but still dangerous, especially in my current state.

  I can take it, I tell myself. I have to.

  I grip Bloodfang tighter, letting its cold hunger pulse through me. I wait, patient and still, as the wolf begins to circle. It’s testing me. Good. Let it.

  The moment it lunges, I react. [Enhanced Reflexes] kicks in, the world slowing to a crawl. My body moves on instinct—I sidestep the pounce, snow scattering beneath my boots. Bloodfang flashes in the moonlight as I slash across the wolf’s flank.

  A sharp yelp. Blood splatters against the white ground. The beast skids to a stop, baring its fangs.

  I don’t give it a second chance.

  I close the distance, my footwork smoother now—each step barely touching the ground. The wolf tries to twist away, but I’m already there. Bloodfang pierces its throat, and I drive the blade deep.

  Warmth rushes through me as Bloodfang’s magic activates. My hunger eases, the searing pain in my muscles dulling as the wolf’s life force flows into me. My vision sharpens, my strength surging back.

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  [Bloodfang – Life Absorption Activated]

  Minor injuries healed. Physical fatigue reduced.

  I exhale slowly, watching the wolf’s body slump into the snow. For a moment, everything is quiet—just the sound of my heartbeat thudding in my ears.

  One down.

  I clean the blade on the wolf’s fur before standing. My legs feel stronger. My steps lighter. It’s not much, but it’s enough to keep going.

  I glance back toward the distant temple, its silhouette barely visible in the fading light.

  "I’m not coming back weak," I mutter under my breath, turning back toward the dark forest. "Not ever again."

  And with that, I press forward—toward more prey, more strength, and whatever else this mountain throws at me.

  ...

  I sit down, breathing heavily as I survey the aftermath around me. A messy pile of lifeless bodies—mostly snowfang wolves and a few unlucky rabbits—litters the snow. It took over twenty kills to finally ease the gnawing fatigue weighing down my body. My limbs still ache, but the exhaustion that clouded my mind has faded.

  Kuma, without hesitation, begins devouring the carcasses, tearing through flesh and bone like it's nothing. I glance at him—no, it—still unsure whether to call the massive beast a companion or a threat. Either way, it's not my problem as long as I’m not the one on the menu.

  I push myself to my feet, feeling a bit steadier. Each step feels more controlled now, the snow no longer swallowing my movements as deeply as before. It’s subtle—but noticeable.

  A faint chime echoes in my head. The UI flashes before my eyes.

  ...

  [SYSTEM UPDATE]

  New Skill Acquired: [Adaptive Footwork] (Novice)

  Through continuous practice and survival under harsh conditions, you’ve developed an intuitive sense for terrain-based movement.

  [Adaptive Footwork] (Novice)

  — Passively enhances your ability to move efficiently across any terrain, reducing energy consumption and improving balance.

  — At higher mastery levels, movement becomes fluid and nearly effortless, allowing precise control even on hazardous surfaces.

  Current Mastery: Novice (3%)

  Next Level: Maintain smooth, controlled movement in dynamic or high-speed environments.

  ...

  A new skill. Not bad.

  I roll my shoulders and stretch my aching muscles before turning toward the distant temple. It’s still a ways off, but with this skill, I’ll get there faster—and without sinking into the snow every few steps.

  The wind howls louder as the sun dips toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the frozen landscape. With Kuma trailing behind me, I press forward, my steps lighter and more sure than ever before.

  ...

  I spot Seria sitting cross-legged atop a large, jagged rock. Her eyes are closed, and her breathing is steady—completely lost in meditation. The wind swirls around her, yet she remains perfectly still, as if the cold doesn’t touch her. What catches my attention, though, are the deep slashes covering the surface of the rock. Dozens—no, hundreds—of precise cuts etched into the stone.

  Just how strong is she?

  Without opening her eyes, she speaks. "You're back."

  Her voice is calm, but there’s a weight behind it—like she’s been expecting me.

  "Yeah," I answer, stepping closer. "I’m fully healed now."

  I stretch my right arm for emphasis. The wounds from the endless chopping and dragging of trees are gone, my body feeling stronger than before. Weeks of brutal training in the snow, coupled with my new skills, have sharpened my senses and control. I’m not the same person who stumbled up this mountain.

  Seria opens one eye, scanning me from head to toe. "Took you long enough," she says, though there’s a hint of approval in her tone. "I expected you to break after a week."

  I scoff, resting my hand on my hip. "I’m tougher than I look."

  A faint smirk tugs at her lips as she rises to her feet, stretching casually. "We'll see about that. Now that you're back, it’s time to fix that sloppy form of yours. You may have healed, but if you can’t fight properly with one arm, you’re dead weight."

  Her words are harsh, but I know she’s right. If I want to survive—if I want to win—I can’t afford to fall behind. I clench my fist, ready for whatever insane training she throws at me next.

  "Alright," I say, meeting her gaze. "What’s next?"

  "First, give me Bloodfang back," she says, holding out her hand.

  I nod and pull the axe from my inventory. "Oh, right." I place it carefully in her palm—no point in throwing around a weapon like that.

  Without a word, she opens a small portal beside her. Bloodfang vanishes into the swirling void, and in its place, she pulls out another axe. This one is longer, its blade broader, and it hums faintly with power.

  "An axe again?" I mutter, glancing down at the new weapon. Its weight is familiar but heavier—more suited for wide, powerful swings.

  Seria smirks. "Of course. You’re not ready for a sword yet, and spears are too complicated with one arm. An axe is simple—swing hard, kill fast." She spins on her heel, already walking back toward the temple. "Besides, you’re getting better. Time to push you further."

  I sigh, gripping the handle tightly. "Yeah… lucky me."

  ...

  "Hey… why am I chopping down a tree again?" I ask, raising the axe over my shoulder. My muscles ache from days of relentless work, and the cold isn’t making it any easier.

  Seria, perched lazily on a nearby rock, doesn’t even look up. "It’s the best way to practice your swings," she says, her tone casual. "A sloppy swing won't kill anything worthwhile. If you can cut through a tree cleanly, you’ll have the control needed for combat."

  I pause mid-swing, narrowing my eyes at her. "And once I can do that?"

  She smirks, finally meeting my gaze. "We’ll move on to a sword."

  A sword… That caught my attention. Something faster, more precise. Maybe even easier to manage with one arm. I exhale sharply and tighten my grip.

  "Fine," I mutter, raising the axe again. "But if I split this mountain in half, that's on you."

  Seria chuckles softly. "We’ll see if you last that long."

  Then I swung.

  SNAP

  The tree splintered and crashed to the ground—but it wasn’t a clean cut. Jagged wood jutted out from the stump, rough and uneven. I guess my strength stat is showing again. I couldn’t do this last time since I was too fatigued.

  "Again!" Seria's voice rang out, sharp and demanding.

  I moved to another tree, lifting the axe once more.

  SNAP

  Still not clean. The trunk cracked awkwardly, half-cut and messy.

  "Again!" she shouted, her tone growing more impatient.

  Another tree. Another swing.

  SNAP

  Not clean. My grip tightened around the axe, frustration creeping in. I could split these trees in seconds, but precision? That was a different beast entirely.

  "Again!"

  Her words echoed through the cold air, and I didn’t bother responding. I adjusted my stance and raised the axe higher. If she wanted clean, I’d give her clean.

  I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the axe in my hand. My muscles burned from the repetition, but I couldn’t stop now. If I couldn’t even cut down a tree properly, how would I handle real combat?

  I swung again.

  SNAP

  The tree fell, but the cut was still jagged—better than before, but not enough.

  Seria crossed her arms, standing a few feet away. "You’re relying too much on your strength. Power’s useless if you can’t control it," she said, her voice cold. "Stop trying to break the tree—slice it."

  I grit my teeth, lifting the axe again. Control it. Easier said than done when your stats make you feel like you could tear the mountain apart. But maybe… maybe that was the problem. I was overdoing it.

  This time, I slowed down. Focused. I let my senses stretch out, feeling the subtle shifts in the air, the faint vibration of the axe’s edge as I adjusted my grip. I exhaled and swung.

  THWACK

  The blade sank in smoother this time, leaving a cleaner edge—but not perfect.

  "Better," Seria said, though she didn’t sound impressed. "Again."

  And so I did.

  For hours, I kept chopping. Tree after tree. My hands blistered, my arms ached, but I refused to stop. Each swing became sharper, more refined. I adjusted to the weight of the axe, the motion of the cut—feeling out where the force needed to go without splintering the trunk.

  By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, I swung once more.

  SHNK

  The tree fell with a smooth, clean slice. No splinters. No cracks. Just one, perfect cut.

  I lowered the axe, panting. "There."

  Seria finally smiled. "Good." She tossed me a small waterskin. "Now you’re getting somewhere."

  I caught it and took a long drink, the icy water soothing my dry throat. "So… do I graduate from tree chopping now?" I asked, half-joking.

  She tilted her head. "Not yet. Tomorrow, we sharpen your footwork. You’ve got the strength—but if you can’t move properly, you’ll die."

  I let out a breath, shaking my head. "Of course there’s more…"

  Seria turned, heading back toward the temple. "Get some rest. You’ll need it."

  I watched her leave, my body aching but my mind sharper than ever. This was only the beginning—but for the first time since I lost my arm, I felt like I was moving forward.

  And I wasn’t about to stop.

  So, I kept chopping down trees until sunrise.

  Each swing grew more precise, more deliberate. The weight of the axe felt lighter as I adjusted to its balance. My muscles burned with exhaustion, but I didn’t stop. Every fallen tree wasn’t just training—it was proof I was getting stronger.

  By the time the first light of dawn pierced through the snowy canopy, I had lost track of how many trees I had cut down. My breath came in heavy gasps, sweat clinging to my skin despite the biting cold. But beneath the fatigue, something stirred—an undeniable sense of power. The axe no longer felt like a tool; it felt like an extension of me.

  [SYSTEM]

  New Title Unlocked: "Lumberjack"

  — When wielding an axe, this title enhances physical strength by 15% and improves cutting efficiency.

  I tightened my grip on the axe as a familiar surge of strength coursed through me. I couldn’t help but smirk—if Seria wanted me to chop faster, she was about to get her wish.

  A slow clap echoed through the clearing. I turned to see Seria leaning against the entrance of the temple, watching me with her usual half-smirk.

  "Not bad," she said. "You finally stopped swinging like a lost child."

  "Gee, thanks," I muttered, rolling my shoulder. The fatigue still clung to my limbs, but the axe felt lighter now—easier to swing. "So, what now? More trees?"

  She pushed off the wall, her sharp eyes sweeping over the piles of felled logs. "Now that you’re not embarrassing yourself, we’re moving on to speed. Power’s useless if you can’t hit your target before they cut you down." She tilted her head. "And right now? You’re still slow."

  I exhaled through my nose. "Let me guess—'Start again?'"

  "Bingo." Her smirk deepened. "Cut them again—but this time, faster. If you can’t drop a tree in one clean strike, you’re too slow to survive. You want to live, don’t you?"

  Of course, more training. Why was I even surprised?

  I lifted the axe again, my fingers curling around the handle. The title's boost hummed beneath my skin, making the weapon feel like it belonged in my hand. My muscles still ached—but this time, I felt like I could break through that limit.

  "Fine," I said, rolling my neck. "But don’t blame me if I clear the whole mountain."

  Seria chuckled, stepping back toward the temple. "Big talk. Let’s see if you can back it up."

  I exhaled slowly and swung. This time, the axe cut through the trunk like paper. The added strength and speed surged through me with every strike. Each tree fell cleaner, faster—almost effortless.

  I wasn’t just cutting down trees anymore.

  I was cutting down my limits.