The last three weeks passed in a flash for Lilly and Iain. Under Groob’s rigorous training they soon sank into a routine while staying in the base camp.

Every day they would head out with the team in the morning. Groob brought them to fight different beasts in the Frozen Hell. With the team member’s advice, the siblings could feel their own growth day by day. After battling until total exhaustion, they happily sank into deep sleep.

Naturally their efforts weren’t in vain. Both siblings had already reached level 10 at this point, once more going beyond Groob’s expectations.

The many fights had quickly elevated their combat skills. Iain’s (Ex) Hammer Wielding as well as Lilly’s Basic Swordsmanship rose the fastest as they pushed towards level ten.

Unfortunately, Iain and Lilly hadn’t been able to train their favorite skills as much as they wanted. The young man’s smithing skill was stuck at level 8 while Lilly’s healing magic climbed towards level 9.

Therefore, both siblings took Groob’s advice and suppressed their other skills from reaching level 11, which would subsequently lead them to breakthrough as well.

Having to endure the Frozen Hell’s environment also helped the sibling’s cold resistance to reach level 10.

Under all these conditions the siblings could feel their bodies receiving all around enhancements. Their physical and magical abilities shot up, making it hard for them to adapt to those changes.

Lilly however soon recognized that Iain had a slightly easier time. After some contemplation their parent’s told them how this came about.

It turned out that the training their father taught Iain back on Earth was more sophisticated than one might think. It aided the young man in controlling his body.

After Lilly listened to this explanation she grumbled for a few minutes, but she naturally joined her brother in training from then on.

Thus the siblings didn’t lack excitement as time passed.

This morning however seemed to be different. Groob had already announced yesterday that they would change things up.

Lilly and Iain left their temporary homes well rested. A few of their neighbors were also on their way into the Frozen Hell. They greeted each other politely while their attention was already on the beasts they would hunt today.

Although the other adventurers didn’t disregard the siblings, it was hard to feel any real belonging. At most they would exchange a few fleeting greetings or eat in the same tavern after a hard day. Only Iain managed to find a friend as he met up with Emantarel a few more times. Lilly on the contrary preferred the company of her books.

Unbeknownst to the siblings their behavior actually fell right in line with other adventurers. It was hard to find any close friendships among them as long as they belong to different organizations.

This knowledge probably wouldn’t have made the sibling’s situation right now any less awkward though.

Just like every morning the young Rottals waited on the street for their team members. Normally this only lasted for a few minutes before Groob’s hearty voice reached them from afar.

But today they had already been waiting for a long time. Lilly was growing impatient while Iain looked around in concern.

Finally, after a full hour, the siblings spotted Groob, Voro, Uramant, and Forgoz as they marched on the street.

Lilly was ready to make her displeasure known. She had already prepared a few words over the last few minutes. However, when she scrutinized the approaching adventurers the young woman swallowed back her words.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

A solemn expression appeared on both sibling’s faces. They noticed that EFM team 5 wore a different equipment than usual.

Apparently, they were fully armed. Thick armors and sharp weapons let them emit a dangerous feeling. If they seemed to be on a field trip the last few days, then they appeared to be prepared for war this morning.

The seriousness on the adventurer’s faces soon infected Lilly and Iain. While waiting in silence they mentally prepared for what might await them today.

A few seconds later the team finally met up. They exchanged shallow greetings as Groob mustered the siblings.

“It seems like you have good senses, kids.

Any idea what we are doing today?”

“Of course…”

“We will…”

Some snicker lightened the mood when Lilly and Iain tried to talk at the same time. The siblings communicated with their eyes before Lilly continued:

“We will be hunting some stronger beasts, I assume?”

Groob laughed lightly as he answered:

“You are almost right. But; you two won’t do anything.

Me, Forgoz, and Voro will do the hunting. Uramant will provide support while having an eye on you guys. So don’t leave his side.”

Noticing that he got the sibling’s attention, the bald man stressed:

“This won’t be some fun trip. We will be out for multiple days.

Although we aren’t aiming for a beast which would push our limits, the Frozen Hell is unpredictable. You have adapted well so far, so I trust you will take this seriously!”

Lilly and Iain could feel the tension in those words. They nodded solemnly as they adjusted their minds.

“Ok. If you are ready, we can go.”

Not getting any objections, everyone followed Groob towards the God of Light’s temple. The lighthearted mood the team achieved over the last few days was completely absent this time.

Somehow even other adventurers seemed to be infected by the atmosphere. Only the quiet grinding noise as the escalator advanced accompanied their thoughts.

Once their team reached the Frozen Hell again the familiar coldness engulfed them. This time Groob led them towards an exit behind them.

Lilly and Iain were already used to the blurry pictures delivered by the SMTs. However, they were still surprised as they took in the unique landscape laying behind this exit.

After a small plateau, which might be artificially created, a massive cliff opened up like the maw of a beast.

A shudder ran down the sibling’s backs when they realized that they couldn’t observe its floor within the range of their SMTs. To their horror however they could find multiple sharp rocks protruding from the cliff’s walls. They knew that one wrong step would prove to be deadly.

Suddenly a surprised shout escaped Iain’s mouth. A rough hand had landed on his shoulder.

“Haha, don’t piss your pants kid!”

“Uramant? Was this necessary?!”

“Of course. Everyone is so tense today. This isn’t good for all our mental states. We will be out here for multiple days this time. If you stretch your nerves too tightly, they will easily snap.”

“Our fatty is right.”, admitted Groob from the side.

“Whatever…”, grumbled Iain into his beard.

Voro observed the siblings as he suddenly spoke up.

“You don’t think we will go down the cliff, right?”

“Ehm… we won’t?”, asked Lilly.

“Of course not! I still value my life. They don’t call it wall of no return for nothing. Even the Trailblazers take the safer route.”

Lilly rolled her eyes at the tall lightning magician.

“If I knew there was a safer route, I naturally wouldn’t think about climbing the cliff.”

Some suppressed laughter sounded from Groob.

“But then this moment wouldn’t have been so impressive.”

“Hmph. Idiot.”

As the young redhead cursed, team 5 couldn’t hold themselves back anymore. For a few seconds loud laughter sounded above the wall of no return.

Lilly and Iain frowned slightly. They weren’t happy that someone would make fun on their behalf. Fortunately, the adventure quickly controlled themselves again.

Uramant, as the only one who only showed a small smile instead of full-blown laughter, calmy waved towards the siblings.

“Come on, follow me. You might have already heard of the famous tunnel system in the Frozen Hell. We will use it to avoid the wall of no return.”

Remembering their agreement from earlier the siblings hurried to stay close to the kind ice mage. Groob, Voro, and Forgoz took up the rear afterwards.

No one talked anymore as they group advanced. Cold winds reached their legs from the cliff. Meanwhile the usual beast roars were absent from this place. Right now, they were only on a plateau framing the mountain.

Naturally the army wouldn’t allow any beats to roam so close to the base camp. Their team even passed some patrolling soldiers when they finally came close to the cave entrance after a few minutes.

An endless oppressive feeling radiated from the dark hole. Even with their SMTs the siblings couldn’t make out any distinctive features. They only saw the slanted stone surface which gradually led deeper and deeper into the ground.

Lonely, spread-out vines growing on the cave’s ceiling would accompany their descent. A musky smell reached their noses while the siblings calmly stared into the unknown.