The morning sun rose over the frozen peaks, casting a golden glow across the snow-covered landscape. Seol-Yeong adjusted the straps of his pack, his mind still turning over Elder Myra's words from the night before. The weight of his decision settled heavily on his shoulders — the Azure Flame Tribe… a name that stirred something ancient and fierce within him. A tribe long thought lost to history.
Beside him, Yoon-Hee wrapped her cloak tighter, her breath misting in the cold air. The Ice Tribe… her choice felt inevitable, and the frost that now occasionally clung to her fingertips only confirmed it.
Hyeon was already ahead, his broad shoulders cutting through the snow with ease. His spirit was as fiery as ever — but the Barbarian Tribe he'd chosen suited him perfectly. The sheer strength and battle-hunger that tribe was known for fit him like a second skin.
As they descended from the cave, the world stretched out before them — forests, rivers, and the faint outline of a distant village. But their destination lay further still: the bounty board of Ironroot Outpost.
"We need funds," Seol-Yeong said, breaking the silence. "A home for my family. Food. Medicine. If bounty hunting gets us that, then let's start there."
Yoon-Hee nodded. "It's a good way to train, too. Real combat against dangerous foes."
Hyeon grinned. "And it's a good excuse to crack some skulls. Win-win."
The journey to Ironroot Outpost took two days. They moved swiftly, taking turns keeping watch at night and sparring during the day. Seol-Yeong's control over his flames grew sharper with each clash of their weapons, and Yoon-Hee's icy strikes became quicker, more precise. Hyeon's sheer physicality made him a force of nature — but they all knew they still had far to go.
When they finally arrived, the outpost was bustling with activity. Merchants peddled goods, blacksmiths hammered steel, and warriors gathered around the massive bounty board. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread drifted through the air, making their stomachs rumble.
Hyeon wasted no time. "Let's see what's worth our time."
The bounty board was filled with parchment — wanted posters, monster hunts, protection requests. Some were low-level jobs, but one stood out.
Bounty: Blackfang Bandits
Reward: 500 Gold
Threat Level: High
Description: A vicious bandit group terrorizing the northern villages. Known for their brutality and rumored to be led by a martial artist of great skill.
Seol-Yeong's eyes hardened. "Blackfang…" He remembered the stories of the bandits that destroyed Yoon-Hee's family. The thought of them still out there, causing more suffering, made his blood burn.
Yoon-Hee's hand tightened on her sword hilt. "Let's take it."
Hyeon grinned. "Finally — a real fight."
They registered the bounty and set out immediately, following the trail of destruction the Blackfang had left behind. Burned-out homes, abandoned carts, and the occasional grave told a grim story.
It wasn't long before they found them.
The bandits camped in a rocky gorge — a fortified position with watchmen posted above. Seol-Yeong counted at least twenty, and their leader… his aura was unmistakable. Strong. Dangerous.
"What's the plan?" Yoon-Hee whispered.
"I'll take the high ground," Seol-Yeong said. "Clear the watchmen."
"I'll hit their flank," Hyeon added, cracking his knuckles. "Draw attention."
Yoon-Hee's eyes gleamed with icy resolve. "I'll find their leader."
They moved like shadows. Seol-Yeong's Azure Flame Step let him scale the rocks silently, and his sword flashed as he dispatched the watchmen with precision. The heat of his flames didn't even melt the snow — controlled, silent, deadly.
Hyeon burst from the treeline with a roar, his fists smashing into the first wave of bandits like a hammer against glass. The sheer physicality of the Barbarian Tribe made him unstoppable, and every blow sent bodies flying.
Yoon-Hee was already among them, her blade a blur of frost and steel. Ice spread with every strike, freezing weapons and limbs alike.
The leader finally stepped forward — a towering man with a scarred face and a massive axe. His aura flared, and Seol-Yeong felt the pressure even from above. This was no ordinary bandit.
But they were no ordinary hunters.
Seol-Yeong leapt from the rocks, his sword igniting mid-fall. Flames and frost crashed against steel as the battle truly began.