The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed-Chapter 135: Undercover Operation (2)

The northern sky pressed heavily over the endless expanse of snow, making it impossible to see even a step ahead.

The Northguard hunters moved silently across the snow, wrapped in layers of fur and thick leather gear.

Their steps left footprints in the snow, but fresh snowfall quickly erased any trace of their passage.

Without careful measures, they risked losing their way back. The experienced hunters planted flags at regular intervals, securing them firmly into the ground.

These flags, dyed with a special pigment, glowed faintly even through the blizzard. This ensured they wouldn’t lose their bearings in the snowy wasteland. The hunters continued on.

Leading the group was the tribe chief, Jorn.

This role typically belonged to Tarkind, the expedition leader, but Jorn had reluctantly taken over.

Tarkind had gone missing while tracking an orc encampment after defending against an orc horde's attack. Despite multiple attempts, no trace of him—alive or dead—had been found.

Tarkind had been one of Lake Fortress's finest warriors. His absence was a painful loss.

But there was no choice. Those who remained could only do their best.

Thud.

Jorn raised his fist, signaling the group to halt. They stopped in unison.

A herd of reindeer moved in a line along the ridge.

Linbar smirked.

“This is a good start.”

Reindeer meat, with its unique flavor and high fat content, was an excellent source of energy. Missing this chance would be a regretful loss.

Jorn turned back and nodded, prompting Linbar to signal the others. The hunters swiftly moved into position.

Only Ashies stood idly, glancing around awkwardly. She seemed to sense that she should be doing something too.

Linbar gave her a wink and a smile.

“I’ll show you how the Northguard hunts. Just sit back and watch, miss.”

Bwooouuuuuu—

The hunt began with a small signal. A horn sounded in the distance, causing the reindeer to lift their heads.

Lures stationed at predetermined spots began shouting and rushing toward the reindeer.

“Hey! Run away! If you don’t, I’ll eat you!”

Startled, the reindeer kicked up snow as they fled. The hunters herded them into a curved path, funneling the herd toward a bottleneck.

At the end of the path, Linbar and other hunters stood ready with their bows drawn.

The reindeer, realizing too late that they had been herded, surged forward, aiming to break through.

The archers waited, positioned against the wind to remain undetected. Though the wind wasn’t ideal for shooting, it didn’t matter—they were Northguard.

Guardians of the North. Warriors impervious to the harshest cold.

“Hit them right between the eyes!”

At Linbar’s signal, the archers loosed their arrows. The magic-infused projectiles cut through the icy winds.

Thud!

An arrow struck a reindeer squarely between the eyes, causing it to collapse into the snow.

“Alright, good!”

“Nice and clean!”

The scattered hunters regrouped, grinning as they admired their haul.

“Linbar, your aim’s improved again, hasn’t it?”

“I’ve always been this good. Are you saying I used to be worse?”

“Geez, can’t even joke around with you.”

The hunters chuckled, satisfied with the results of their work.

“What should we do now, chief? Head back?”

“Hmm...”

Jorn hesitated. The haul was sufficient to ease immediate concerns about food.

But this was only the first hunt. Though overextending could be risky, there was still time and plenty of energy left. It was natural to feel tempted.

“Send a small group back to the village with the reindeer. The rest will continue hunting.”

Everyone seemed to share the same thought, so there were no objections. A few members loaded the reindeer onto sleds and began the journey back to the village.

“Let’s move on.”

The group resumed their march, with Ashies trailing behind them.

The snowfall grew heavier, making it difficult for an ordinary person to take even a single step forward. Yet Ashies walked effortlessly.

It was a strange sight.

The most fragile-looking member of the group moved with the lightest steps.

It was as though an invisible shield surrounded her, clearing away the snow wherever she went. She appeared utterly unbothered, as if the snow itself embraced her.

“Chief, we’re near the waypoint. There’s a cave just ahead.”

The group spotted one of the flags planted during a previous expedition. Not long after, they reached the cave.

“We’ll take a short break here.”

Inside the cave, they expertly lit a fire, warming their chilled bodies. They pulled out jerky to snack on as they rested.

Without periodic warming, numbness could set in, and death from frostbite or exposure might follow without anyone realizing it.

Meanwhile, Ashies, who emitted cold rather than warmth, wandered alone near the cave’s edge.

Linbar approached her.

“What did you think of our hunting, miss? Pretty impressive, right?”

Ashies nodded.

In truth, she felt nothing, but Karami had advised her to nod in such situations if the other person seemed excited.

Detecting excitement was still a challenge for Ashies, though.

“I knew you were extraordinary, but you’re amazing, walking around Isengar dressed like that.”

“......”

“Actually, they say it didn’t use to be this cold. It’s all because of that wicked dragon, Skadia.”

Linbar suddenly launched into a story reminiscent of a fairy tale.

“Hundreds of years ago, Skadia appeared in the kingdom. That lizard demanded gold, jewels, and maidens from the king, but the kingdom refused.”

“......”

“Enraged by their defiance, Skadia sought to destroy the kingdom. Though the kingdom fought back with all its might, they were no match for the dragon. Ultimately, the kingdom fell, and Skadia cursed them for rebelling.”

“A... curse?”

Linbar nodded.

“She froze the entire kingdom solid, leaving the people conscious but unable to move, trapped in eternal suffering.”

“......”

“They say that frozen kingdom still exists somewhere in Isengar.”

The tale had been passed down among the northern people, often told to children to keep them obedient. Parents would warn that Skadia would come to freeze them if they misbehaved.

“No one’s actually seen it, though. But old Granny Darka insists it’s real. Then again, given her state... legends are just legends, right?”

Linbar shrugged, dismissing the story casually.

But Ashies felt a strange sensation. She placed a hand on her chest, where a faint pain pricked like sharp icicles.

Though she didn’t know the cause.

As their one-sided conversation continued, the group prepared to move again. They extinguished the fire and packed their gear.

“Enough chatting. Let’s get moving.”

“Found it. Tracks.”

Jorn, leading the group, stopped abruptly midway up the snow-covered mountain.

He pointed at a massive footprint faintly visible in the snow. The impression was so deep that even the blizzard hadn’t been able to fully cover it.

The footprint was enormous, far larger than that of any ordinary beast. The distinct marks of its toes made it clear that it wasn’t an animal—it was a monster.

“Looks like a Yeti, Chief.”

A Yeti, a creature found only in snowy wildernesses. Its meat was foul-smelling and unappetizing, but its materials—particularly its fur—were invaluable.

Durable, warm, and resilient, Yeti fur could be used for armor or made into luxurious coats. Nobles and wealthy merchants were willing to pay a premium for it. Selling the materials to traders could also provide supplies and food for the tribe.

Of course, hunting a Yeti was extremely dangerous and challenging, but the risk was worth the reward.

“We’re hunting it, right?”

“Yes. It’s not far.”

Judging by the amount of snow filling the tracks, the creature had passed through recently. The hunters heightened their vigilance and pressed on.

As expected, they didn’t have to go far before spotting the Yeti. Though its white fur blended seamlessly into the surroundings, the sharp eyes of the warriors detected it.

The creature resembled a gorilla but was three times larger.

Its pure white fur seemed to merge with the environment, but its frosty breath and massive silhouette betrayed its presence.

Jorn unsheathed his dual axes.

“I’ll draw it out.”

Trying to hunt a Yeti as if it were an ordinary beast was a recipe for disaster. A weak or hasty encirclement would be easily broken. The standard tactic was for one person to engage the Yeti directly and exhaust it before delivering the killing blow.

“Be ready. Don’t let your guard down.”

“Yes, Chief.”

The hunters took their positions, lying in wait. Jorn carefully approached the Yeti, suppressing his presence.

His plan was a stealth attack.

He moved cautiously, closing the distance without alerting the creature. When he was within range, he crossed his twin tomahawks and lunged forward.

Whack!

Like a sled gliding smoothly over snow, Jorn’s form slashed forward effortlessly. In an instant, he was at the Yeti’s side.

Grrr?!

The Yeti reacted instinctively, swinging a massive arm.

Whoosh!

Jorn slid beneath the swing, narrowly avoiding the blow.

As he passed by the creature, he swung his tomahawk at its leg.

Thunk!

An unpleasant sensation—a cut that felt like hacking into thick rubber. Only a few drops of blood spilled.

The Yeti’s hide was so tough and durable that even his magically enhanced weapons barely made a dent.

Roar!

Realizing what was happening, the Yeti raised both fists into the air.

It slammed them down in a powerful attack, but Jorn had already leapt back to avoid the blow.

Boom!

The impact sent snow flying like an exploding landmine. Jorn landed lightly on his feet, unharmed.

The Yeti growled, its face flushed with rage. Having been attacked so suddenly, it was now furious. Its thigh muscles bulged as it kicked off the ground.

Thoom!

With a single leap, the Yeti’s massive body closed the distance to Jorn, swinging its enormous arms in a relentless assault. Each blow, with its log-like arms, carried devastating force.

A single hit would be fatal, but the Yeti lacked the finesse of a trained fighter. Its movements, though powerful, were large and predictable, allowing Jorn to evade them calmly.

Slash! Slash!

Jorn dodged the attacks while taking opportunistic swings at the Yeti with his axes. Small cuts began to accumulate on the creature’s body.

Hissss...

However, steam rose from the wounds as the Yeti’s exceptional regenerative abilities healed the cuts almost instantly.

Without a critical strike, the fight was bound to turn into a war of attrition. It was shaping up to be a long battle.

“......”

From a distance, Ashies quietly watched. She recalled Karami’s instructions to assist the Northguard hunters.

To her, now seemed like the right moment.

Ashies extended her hand.

“Huh? Miss...”

Whoosh!

An icy spear shot out from her hand, flying at breakneck speed. The spear struck the Yeti’s head squarely.

Crack!

Grrr?

“......?”

But it didn’t kill the Yeti. While the Yeti’s physical defenses were formidable, its resistance to ice was even greater.

Ashies couldn’t have known. Her magic, which had pierced even the scales of a wyvern, shattered like slush against the Yeti.

The creature’s face contorted in anger. Interrupted mid-battle, it shifted its focus. Ignoring Jorn, it turned its attention to the group of observers.

“What are you doing, miss?! Ice doesn’t work on a Yeti!”

“...Oh.”

“‘Oh’ is not an answer!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

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The Yeti charged forward recklessly. Its massive steps shook the snowy mountain, triggering an avalanche.

“This is insane! Everyone, run!”