Chapter 62 Blazing the Trail

The thickness of the snow brought by the avalanche was staggering. Ryo stood at the base of the towering snow mound, its height several times that of his own, his brow furrowed deeply.

It wasn't just a matter of finding the path—it was about survival. The sheer volume of snow made even stepping onto the pile treacherous. Yet, this was the only feasible route.

"This is the shortest way. The mountain pass is barely over 300 meters. Under normal circumstances, we'd cross it in ten minutes," Ryo explained to the group. "But if we try to detour, we'll have to descend the mountain, find another route, and climb back up. That would take at least two days. We don't have the food or supplies for that. We *must* get through here."

The group nodded in reluctant agreement. The idea of a detour was tempting but clearly unrealistic given their circumstances.

"But getting through this will require a volunteer team," Ryo continued. "We need to explore a new path through the avalanche. I won't sugarcoat this—it's dangerous. One wrong step could cost your life. I'm not forcing anyone to join, but I hope some of you will step up. I'll lead the team myself. Who's willing to join me?"

A heavy silence fell over the group. Ryo's words were clear, and everyone understood the risks. Falling into the abyss was a very real possibility. Many weighed the danger against the fact that failing the training was merely an expulsion, not a death sentence.

"I... I'll join!" Sasha suddenly volunteered, her voice breaking the silence.

Ryo looked at her in surprise. Sasha, usually so carefree and focused on food, had stepped forward. He wasn't expecting her to be the first.

"I'll join too," Connie said, stepping up beside her. "If Sasha's in, so am I. With you leading us, Ryo, we'll manage."

Jean and Marco exchanged a glance before also stepping forward. "Count us in," Jean said with a nod.

Ryo smiled faintly. "Alright, with the five of us, we'll manage." His gaze shifted to Ymir, who seemed eager but stayed silent.

"Ymir, I need you to look after Krista," Ryo said firmly. "If anything happens to us, take her and the others to the instructors and end the training."

Ymir nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. Krista's safe with me."

Ryo nodded, then turned to Krista. Her lips parted as if to protest, but Ryo gently shook his head. She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Ryo, you must come back safely," Krista whispered, her voice breaking.

Ryo smiled warmly, pulling her into his arms. "Have a little faith in me," he said softly. "I'll come back. I'm not leaving you behind. Besides, I still need to marry you someday, don't I?"

Her tears spilled over as he kissed her forehead, then stepped back. With a wave, Ryo and the volunteer team moved out.

---

The first challenge was scaling the snow pile. Without proper tools, the group resorted to chopping down trees to use as makeshift steps. The daggers they carried were ill-suited for cutting, making the task painstakingly slow.

Ryo quickly assessed the situation and adjusted their approach. Instead of felling larger trees, he directed the group to focus on smaller ones while he efficiently chopped down several himself. Within moments, they had enough sturdy trunks to construct a basic pathway up the mound.

"Stay to the left!" Ryo instructed as they ascended. "The right side is a cliff. Keep as far left as possible."

Testing the snow's stability with a sturdy branch, Ryo struck it hard against the surface. The snow shifted, forming deep pits in some areas. He frowned, realizing the danger such spots posed.

"This area's unsafe," he said, carving a mark into a branch and driving it into the snow. "Spread the word—any section marked is unstable. Avoid it at all costs."

The team pressed forward, carefully testing each step and marking unsafe zones. Their task was grueling, requiring precision and nerve. Every movement could mean the difference between life and death—not just for them, but for the entire group behind them.

As they climbed higher, Ryo's determination fueled the others. His calm, methodical approach inspired confidence, even in the face of the treacherous path ahead.

Their mission wasn't just about reaching the other side—it was about paving the way for everyone else to follow. And Ryo was determined to see it through.