There were two main materials Ats was targeting on this isnd: Chameleonite Ore and Soulthread Weave. Both were essential for crafting the Soulbinding Armor, a powerful piece of equipment Baldric could fe to signifitly boost defensive capabilities.

  Ats’s vision was to colleough materials to craft this armor for everyone on his team, ensuring they were better protected for future battles.

  Chameleonite Ore was a rare mineral that could only be found on Dynamiviro Isnds like this ohis was why the isnd held such immense value for Ats—it was one of the few pces where this mineral could be mined.

  The seaterial, Soulthread Weave, roduced by spirit beasts resembling spiders or simir creatures. These beasts were retively on in isnds with harsh and uable climates like this one, making it an ideal location to hunt for the weave.

  Although the goal of gathering these materials was ambitious, Ats k would take great effort and perseverao achieve. But to him, the reward—a fully armored and resilient team—was worth every challehey faced.

  In addition to the Chameleonite Ore and Soulthread Weave, there was another valuable material that could be found in a frost enviro like this: the Frost Core.

  The Frost Core was a crucial crafting material used to create armor and equipment that enhanced resistao extreme cold temperatures. It was a highly sought-after resource for survival in brutal climates like the ohey were currently enduring.

  Moreover, the Frost Core could also be used as an additional material in the crafting of the Soulbinding Armranting it a simir effect by boosting cold resistance alongside its already formidable defensive properties.

  Given the uing cold of this isnd, obtaining Frost Cores would be incredibly beneficial for Ats and his team, potentially turning their struggle against the enviro into a manageable challenge.

  Shortly after Kurogasa reported his discovery, he described finding a cave system—its entrance leading deep underground into a sprawling chamber filled with twisting pathways and open spaces.

  Inside, he entered a y of creatures known as Arayte Specters.

  The Arayte Specters were known for their versatile adaptability. They lived in rge, cooperative ies, meaning any attempt to fight them would likely attract dozens, if not hundreds of them at once.

  Despite the daunting numbers, the rewards for fag these creatures were undeniable. The Soulthread Weave, a rare material essential for crafting Soulbinding Armor, was harvested directly from the webbing they produced. Additionally, defeating them often yielded Frost Cores, making them a high-value target for Ats and his team.

  If they wao make the most of their oimeframe—to gather resources and train themselves to fight in such a brutal envirohey would have to take on this challenge.

  There was no other way to prepare for the greater battles that y ahead.

  The day was quickly fading, and night roag. From Edrik’s experience, as well as the knowledge shared by others, it was clear that the storm would grow even fiercer after sundown. The blizzard, already brutal, would bee an almost unbearable force during the night.

  The cave Kurogasa had scouted was still some distance away, and attempting to travel in such extreme ditions would be too risky. Therefore, Ats and his team decided to stay in the camp ht a out at first light.

  This night would mark their first real battle—fighting against the extreme cold, testing their enduran ditions that seemed desigo break their resolve.

  Ats couldn’t help but wonder about the other Lords. Even if they were Rank-2, could they ehis harsh enviro? Or were they far better prepared, with supplies and equipment specifically designed for ditions like this?

  He dismissed the thought. What mattered now was his team’s survival and preparation.

  Meanwhile, Kurogasa remained in the field, tinuing his scouting mission. The Ninja Rat’s adaptability and sheer resilience were astonishing, even for Ats. He was someone who could operate alone in unfiving enviros, moving through the frost-covered terrain like a shadow.

  Not surprising. Not at all.

  They knew Kurogasa wasn’t just anyone. His past battles, honed skills, and discipline made him a master of survival, especially in brutal ditions. While the team recovered at the camp, Kurogasa worked tirelessly, mapping the terrain and gathering crucial intel.

  By this point, he had already: Mapped nearly all the key zones in the area. Estimated the number of Lords and alliances fighting on the isnd. And gathered information on potential enemy alliances, providing critical insight into the battlefield.

  This level of preparation was invaluable. Knowing their enemies' positions, alliances, and objectives gave Ats and his team a strategic edge they couldn’t afford to lose.

  For now, their task was simple: Adjust to the enviro, steel their minds, and prepare for the challenges ahead.

  They would need unshakable resolve to see their pns through to the end.

  Night fell. Dark. Utterly dark.

  The temperature plummeted drastically, far worse than during the day.

  The system dispyed the current temperature: -58°C (-72.4°F).

  It was unfivingly cold, the kind of temperature that could freeze exposed skin in seds.

  The normal tents were no longer suffit to withstand such extreme ditions. The team had to retreat into the two Ethereal Tents that had bee up earlier. Although the tents were pact, their magifused materials provided mueeded insution, allowing the troops to ehe night.

  However, fort was out of the question. The space was too cramped, f them to either squeeze together tightly or sit upright to make room for everyone.

  Inside, voices murmured in the dark as the troops tried to keep their spirits up. Those who were skilled at lifting morale enced others to stay strong. They spoke of hope, words of support to fight off the creeping despair brought on by the bitter cold.

  Meanwhile, Ats, Manna, Edrik, and Baldric stayed outside the tents.

  Ats sat close to Baldric, who radiated intense heat from his perpetually burning beard and hair. The fmes flickered in the darkness, their warmth providing temporary relief from the frost that g to Ats’s body.

  Every so often, Baldric would sp Ats on the back, and the tact would ignite a brief wave of fire, melting the frost and iing on his armor and clothes.

  "Better, Ats? Ha! Ha! Ha!" Baldric roared, his ughter eg through the frozen air.

  "Thanks," Ats replied, his voice steady, though his body visibly rexed from the warmth.

  As for Manna? She sat calmly nearby, eating. She had beeing non-stop sihe night began, pletely ued by the biting cold or the tension in the air.

  Suddenly, she broke the silence. "I wonder… would ice cream still taste good iher like this?" she mused, as if this were a casual camping trip and not a battle for survival.

  Ats turo her, his tone unusually sharp. "No! Hell no! Terrible idea!"

  Manna sighed. "B," she muttered, resuming her meal without further ent.

  The night dragged on, the storm howlilessly, but the small exges of warmth—both literal and figurative—kept them moving forward, one frigid hour at a time.

  In truth, sittio Baldric was far more f than Ats wao admit. The heat radiating from the dwarf gradually melted the frost ging to his armor and clothes. Each time Baldric ughed, his booming voice seemed to shake off the cold even further, the warmth spreading with his rumbling amusement.

  Even so, no one around him respoo his stant chatter.

  Edrik, seated nearby, only offered the occasional ft reply, his tone devoid of enthusiasm as the dwarf bcksmith tio make light-hearted remarks.

  Baldrifazed, kept ughing.

  Eventually, Ats, weary from the day’s journey and the relentless cold, gave in. He leaned over, resting his head against Baldric’s broad, muscur arm, and drifted off to sleep.