Salvation

The Sia Kalt Mountains at dawn were quiet under a sky that was still not fully dark.

Even with temperatures plummeting below minus twenty degrees, the people could survive here thanks to the heating facilities powered by mana stones.

“Huu… huu…!”

Eric, on guard duty at the northern watchtower, exhaled white breath.

In the distance, massive silhouettes emerged under the twilight.

“That’s… a monster! A troll!”

Eric rang the alarm bell fiercely.

“Dong!” “Dong!” “Dong!”

The bell’s sound pierced the evening peace, echoing across the village.

“Craaah!”

“Kreek… kiek…!”

The roars of ice trolls and the chatter of ice goblins drowned out the bell’s toll.

Frost formed wherever the goblins passed, and the ground froze instantly under the trolls’ footsteps.

The cold emanating from the trolls was so intense that the air around them visibly frosted.

“Why now…”

Eric gritted his teeth.

That morning, an A-rank adventurer party had left on an urgent request, and the village was left undefended.

Normally, they would have protected the village, but now, even the B-rank parties were away on guard duty at the city festival below the mountains.

The village quickly descended into chaos.

Horses neighed wildly, cows broke through fences and fled, and crops froze solid under the trolls’ breath.

“Young ones, take up arms!”

The blacksmith’s shout rallied the village youths, armed with shovels, hoes, sickles, and axes.

But their faces were pale with fear, their hands trembling.

“Help! Someone!”

A young man working in the warehouse ran out screaming, pursued by an ice goblin.

“This way, quickly!”

The blacksmith opened the door wide and ushered him in.

The young man’s face was ashen, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

“Mom, I’m scared…”

A girl buried her face in her mother’s skirt.

Huddled in the village hall basement, the villagers were paralyzed with fear, the trolls’ roars echoing above.

“Shh, stay quiet…”

The mother held her daughter close, though her own hands trembled.

The villagers clung to each other, barely daring to breathe.

“Brian! Cover the rear!”

The C-rank adventurer party, led by Brian, fought desperately in a triangular formation.

These were foes they wouldn’t normally confront, but retreat was not an option.

“Michel hasoseo, grant your servant strength!”

Marianne’s silver holy tablet glowed faintly around her neck.

Her wooden staff also radiated holy energy.

The light from Marianne’s staff improved Kevin’s pale complexion, allowing him to regain his mana.

“Blaze Barrier!”

With his color returned, Kevin cast a flame barrier, blocking the goblins’ advance.

His fire magic was effective against the ice monsters, but their numbers were overwhelming.

“Haa… haa…”

Brian barely deflected a troll’s attack.

Without Marianne’s healing and buffs, he would have fallen already.

“Uooh!”

Again, Brian’s sword clashed with the troll’s club.

The impact drove his feet into the ground, but he stood firm.

“Now, Brian, duck!”

Kevin’s flames struck the troll’s face, and Brian slashed at its leg.

But three goblins attacked from behind.

“Flame Rain!”

Kevin’s flames halted the goblins, who recoiled from the heat.

“Glacial Spear!”

He switched tactics, hurling ice spears.

The ice goblins dodged, but it was a trap.

“Brian!”

“Got it!”

The goblins slipped on the ice and met Brian’s sword.

“Haa… haa… This won’t do…”

Kevin wiped sweat, his mana nearly depleted.

If this continued, they couldn’t even take down one troll.

The trolls’ regenerative powers and the goblins’ relentless assault were overwhelming.

Just as despair set in, a sweet, lethal fragrance wafted through the air.

Like a heavenly flower field, it was a scent impossible in this frozen land.

The moon turned red as the fragrance spread.

Marianne first sensed its meaning.

“This… is divine mercy…”

She quickly checked the villagers, some already lured outside by the scent.

“Awaken!”

Her holy tablet glowed, clearing the villagers’ minds.

“Everyone, get inside! Now!”

Under the red moonlight, the goblins and trolls paused, entranced by the fragrance.

Their eyes, bloodshot with frenzy, fixed on its source.

“Grrr… grrr…”

“Krr… kiek…”

The monsters moved toward the scent like automatons.

The sweet fragrance under the crimson moon saved the village.

…

By dawn, the village was battered.

The northern warehouse lay in ruins, crops frozen by troll breath.

Street lamps were shattered, walls cracked, and fences broken.

But miraculously, there were no casualties.

Bruises and scratches were common, but Marianne’s healing prevented serious injuries.

The villagers gathered at the Michel Temple.

The small rural temple was packed with survivors.

“Could last night’s fragrance have been Michel’s blessing?” an old woman asked Marianne.

Marianne hesitated, then shook her head.

“I’m not certain, but one thing is clear: whether it was Michel’s blessing or not, it was surely a sign of divine will.”

From that day, the village believed that when the moon turned red, a sweet fragrance called “Michel’s Scent” would appear, a divine protection.

***

Pink petals swirled across the snowy Sia Kalt Mountains.

Pollen from the reddish stamens shimmered like auroras under the moonlight.

Pink particles sparkled in the silver glow, spreading far and wide.

‘Wait, the monsters will come soon… What if they escape…?’

Having spread the pollen, Belez now worried about the future.

‘No! Don’t flee! Fight!’

『 「Nectar-Will LV1」 skill acquired. 』

『 「Nectar-Will」

  – The nectar is imbued with will. 』

‘No!’

A new skill arrived.

Perhaps the insects could sense his will through the nectar.

‘Guys! Eat the nectar! Try again!’

Producing more nectar, nearby Belez began to consume it.

‘Slaughter! Feast! Experience!’

He hoped his will was conveyed as he shouted.

The Belez that ate the nectar had changed.

Their eyes gleamed with unwavering loyalty, like elite guards or a secret society’s determination.

‘Oh!’

His will was clearly transmitted.

Perhaps even exaggeratedly so.

Finally, relief from this unbearable thirst!

Though only a few could eat, the Belez network spread the effect, and the trembling ceased.

‘Good! Prepare for battle!’

『 ☆☆ Wolf LV44 』 『 ☆☆ Wolf LV38 』 『 ☆☆☆ Wolf LV41 』 『 ☆ Wolf LV42 』 『 ☆☆ Wolf LV37 』 ……

The first prey, a wolf, appeared, drawn by the pollen.

Its gray fur frosted, baring sharp fangs, it was menacing, but the Belez were ready.

Blizzard Hornets moved first, forming a triangle above the wolf.

Their transparent wings fluttered as they positioned themselves.

Ice needles glistened in the moonlight.

The wolf growled, sensing danger, baring its teeth.

White breath misted in the cold air.

But Hyperborean Ants approached silently, burrowing under its paws.

‘Oooh…!’

The white ants moved like a flowing wave.

Their antennae aligned in unison, a remarkable sight.

Crystal Beetles shimmered, their carapaces reflecting rainbow hues from the moonlight.

The wolf’s red eyes darted nervously, seeking escape.

Frost Moss spread wings, creating a storm of white particles.

The wolf’s vision obscured, Blizzard Hornets struck.

Sharp ice needles pierced its body.

The wolf’s pain-filled howl echoed across the snowy mountain.

Hyperborean Ants seized the moment, swarming its legs.

White snow turned red with the wolf’s blood.

‘They’re fighting so well!!!’

Noticing a group hadn’t joined the battle, he spotted Isis Flies fluttering nearby.

‘What are you doing…? Cheering…?’