The air remained bitterly cold, with lingering patches of ice still clinging to people’s bodies despite the hunters’ efforts to counter the magical frost.

The portal’s entrance, encased in a thick layer of ice, had posed a significant challenge. But after hours of coordinated effort—using fire magic, specialized tools, and skilled techniques—they’d finally cleared enough space to enter.

Ardena, who had been overseeing the process from the sidelines, sat atop a metal crate with her arms crossed.

Her sharp gaze scanned the area meticulously, ensuring no hunter stepped out of line.

Though her expression was calm, her impatience betrayed itself in the rhythmic tapping of her fingers against her arm.

‘Damn, these hunters just keep coming…’ Ardena thought irritably.

Finally, one of the hunters from her guild approached. He was a man of average height, bundled in a thick jacket to ward off the residual cold. He bowed his head slightly in respect before speaking.

“Leader, we did it. The portal’s entrance is clear.”

Ardena glanced up, nodded, and rose fluidly to her feet.

“Good. I’m going in.”

The hunter frowned, concern etched on his face.

“Are you sure? The recon team hasn’t arrived yet.”

Ardena tilted her neck slightly, as if the idea of waiting were absurd.

“I’m not waiting,” she declared firmly. “We managed to push back the government agents, but they’ll return soon. If we delay, entering the portal without complications will be impossible.”

The man hesitated, but before he could protest further, Ardena had already turned away.

A few meters away, Ravel stood among a small group of female hunters, laughing carelessly as he traded jokes with a pair of women who seemed charmed by his antics.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ardena narrowed her eyes at his laid-back demeanor, as though their mission weren’t time-sensitive.

With a snort, she planted her hands on her hips and raised her voice.

“Ravel!”

The fire hunter didn’t even turn, too busy grinning as one of the women playfully slapped his shoulder.

“Ravel!” she repeated, sharper this time.

Ravel finally glanced over, meeting his leader’s piercing stare. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and raised a hand dismissively.

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you. What’s up?”

“Get ready. We’re entering the portal.”

Ravel blinked at her, as if processing her words. Then he chuckled mockingly.

“Wait, hold on—you’re serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Ardena retorted, arching an eyebrow.

Ravel sighed dramatically and ran a hand through his messy hair.

“Tch. You lost your mind? The recon team’s not here yet. We could be walking straight into a trap.”

Ardena’s frown deepened.

“This isn’t a suggestion. It’s an order.”

Ravel raised his hands in mock surrender, though his sly grin suggested he’d expected this.

“There she goes, bossy again. What a shocker.”

“I’m the leader. It’s my job to be bossy.”

The fire hunter barked a laugh but didn’t argue further.

“Fine. At least tell me there’s a fat bonus in it this time.”

Ardena crossed her arms, sizing him up.

“If you deliver results, I’ll approve it.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

As Ravel stretched lazily, hunters from other guilds approached, having overheard the exchange.

A tall man in light armor and cropped hair raised a hand to get their attention.

“Excuse me, but… are you two going in alone?”

Another hunter, a woman in a dark cloak, stepped forward.

“That sounds reckless. You should at least take a support team.”

Ardena studied them coolly. They weren’t from her guild, and while their concern might be genuine, she couldn’t risk outsiders meddling in her plans.

“We appreciate the concern,” she said professionally, “but it’s unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary?” the armored hunter echoed incredulously. “With all due respect, a portal frozen like this means whatever’s inside isn’t normal.”

‘Ah, they don’t realize this was caused by that hunter…’ Ardena mused. Most weren’t aware of the ice-wielding hunter who’d entered the portal hours earlier, leaving chaos in his wake.

“Precisely why we’ll conduct a quick recon,” she replied. “We’ll assess the situation and return so the rest of you can explore safely.”

The hunters exchanged uneasy glances.

“Still seems like a bad idea to go in without backup…”

“It’s my decision,” Ardena stated flatly. “I won’t repeat myself.”

The tension lingered until the hunters finally relented with resigned sighs.

“Fine. But if you’re not back soon, we’re coming after you.”

Ardena nodded impassively.

“That won’t be necessary.”

With that, she and Ravel approached the portal, its reality-warping vortex now visible. Ardena stared into the distortion and steadied her breath.

‘No matter what happens, I’ll face the hunter who caused this head-on.’

Without hesitation, Ardena stepped through the portal alongside Ravel, vanishing into the unknown.