Rokuya's eyes lit up, as though he had spotted an oasis in the desert.
"Who cares where this is? I'll ask to stay the night and get a free meal first!"
Having made up his mind, Rokuya straightened the haori the wind and snow had disheveled and strode toward the house halfway up the mountain.
But he had no idea what earth-shattering influence this snowy mountain and the family living on it would have on this world in the days to come.
The fierce wind swept the blizzard along, howling like a specter in the still mountain depths. Snow swirling through the sky obscured almost everything from view, joining heaven and earth in a single expanse of bone-chilling, deathly white.
Takanashi Rokuno trudged through knee-deep snow toward the mountainside, his steps sinking to uneven depths. Killing Lower Rank Four, Koyuki, had not left him with any injuries, but activating "Invincible Might" and running in pursuit all night had utterly drained his stamina. Now, violent cramps in his stomach sent waves of dizziness through him. If he did not eat something to replenish his energy soon, he might become the first cheat-user in history to starve to death.
"Damn it, my sense of direction really is a huge problem," Rokuya cursed under his breath.
Just as he was about to lose patience and chop down a few trees to build a fire and melt some snow to eat, a faint orange light appeared through the blizzard ahead, like the warmest salvation on a freezing night. Following the light, he came upon a simple but welcoming wooden house. Wisps of cooking smoke rose slowly from the chimney on its roof, carrying a faint aroma of charcoal and food.
Rokuya's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, curled his fingers, and