Three more days had passed.
Three days of relentless climbing, endless cold, and battle after battle.
Frosthide Bears, Glacier Maulers, Snowclad Yetis—the deeper they moved into the heart of Frostspire Peak, the more the creatures came.
And yet, they pushed forward.
Each fight left them more worn, but stronger.
Noel could feel it. The flow of mana within him was steadier, sharper with each passing hour.
Now, beneath the pale light of dawn, they rested on a narrow ledge—stone cold beneath them, wind screaming high above.
Noel sat with his back against the rock wall, breath steady, though fatigue weighed on every limb.
He murmured softly:
"Status."
The familiar blue screen appeared.
[Current Core Progress: 08.13% – Mana Core: Adept]
He let out a slow breath.
'Looks like the last three days have been worth it...'
But as his gaze lingered on the numbers, another thought crept in—sharp and cold.
