ALL NOVEL Chapter 47: Chapter 44 Snow March
Ryo's heart skipped a beat when he heard about the snowy mountain march.
He vividly recalled this event from his prior knowledge. It was during this march that Ymir had first transformed into a Titan in front of Krista. However, due to Krista being buried in the snow at the time, she hadn't witnessed the transformation. That night had been pivotal in Krista's life, as Ymir uncovered a deeply buried secret of hers. Although Ymir didn't fully grasp Krista's true identity, her presence had saved Krista's life. Without Ymir's companionship, Krista might not have survived that snowy night.
Though Krista seemed cheerful and carefree around Ryo now, she harbored many secrets. At present, she had no intention of revealing them to Ryo—perhaps she never would. As long as her past didn't come to find her, she intended to live a peaceful life, just as she was now.
Krista had once thought the world was devoid of warmth and had nearly lost her will to live. But Ryo's unexpected presence in her life had reignited a spark within her, giving her a reason to keep moving forward.
Ryo had never pressed Krista about her past, and she had never brought it up. Watching her smile grow more genuine each day filled him with a quiet satisfaction. Perhaps, now that he was here, the devastating events of the snowy mountain march might never come to pass.
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"Snowy mountain march? Are you talking about the mountain north of the camp?" Ryo asked, masking his unease.
As autumn gave way to winter, temperatures had begun to plummet, particularly in the northern regions. The large, snow-covered mountain nearby was a well-known training site used by the cadet corps to test their recruits' willpower.
This wasn't just physical training—it was a trial designed to push recruits to their limits, testing their mental fortitude against the cold and fatigue. The ability to endure such hardships was crucial for soldiers destined to face Titans. Witnessing friends devoured by Titans was a traumatic experience, and only those with the strongest resolve could endure it.
The snow-covered terrain was treacherous, and losing contact with the main group during the march could prove fatal. Without food or shelter, anyone stranded would quickly succumb to the elements.
"Yes, that should be the place," Krista replied hesitantly. The announcement had been vague, but the snowy mountain was the only logical location.
A heavy silence fell over the group as the weight of the situation settled in.
Ryo, lost in thought, mentally checked in with the system. If this training was as dangerous as he remembered, shouldn't there be some kind of mission or reward for achieving first place?
"System," Ryo began, his frustration evident, "this is a critical field training exercise, and it's ridiculously difficult. Shouldn't there be some kind of reward for getting first place? I'm already level six, yet I'm still wearing basic equipment. Does this seem fair to you?"
The system responded coolly.
"The host's current strength far exceeds that of others in this period. Achieving first place is a foregone conclusion and does not merit a reward. No mission will be issued."
Ryo's eye twitched at the blunt explanation. While he didn't want to admit it, the system was right. Compared to the other trainees, his strength was leagues ahead. Competing against them was akin to an adult participating in a children's race—it wasn't fair.
Perhaps it was time to move on. If this training held no challenge, maybe he should consider joining the Survey Corps early. There, he could face Titans head-on and gain experience through combat. After all, every Titan killed would grant him 100 experience points, a much faster route to leveling up.
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True to Krista's earlier speculation, the instructors soon announced the snowy mountain field training exercise.
The march was scheduled for late November, a time when the temperatures in the northern mountains would be at their harshest. The cadets were informed that the training camps in the area would be open to prepare them for this grueling test of endurance.
The announcement sent a ripple of unease through the cadets. The prospect of marching through the snow under such extreme conditions weighed heavily on their minds. Yet, for Ryo, it was another chance to ensure Krista's safety and to rewrite the events that lay ahead.