"Captain Light, why are we being sent to such a tiny village this time? Can't the kingdom's regular soldiers handle ordinary villagers?"

"Who knows what the city lord was thinking? Earlier, I saw those guys slink back covered in dust. Hundreds of them reduced to that state—utterly useless!" Captain Light said, mounted on his unicorn.

"How can those losers compare to us? Besides, this mission comes straight from Lord Black Dragon. We must succeed. Reliable intel says there's a Savior in that village," a warrior in black armor remarked.

The others' expressions shifted subtly. As Rank 1 warriors, they had access to sensitive intel. Some wondered why they needed to capture the Savior instead of simply summoning them.

"Ugh! Whether there's a Savior or not, Lord Black Dragon ordered us to seize all the village girls. There must be a reason. Our job is just to obey," Captain Light replied. In truth, he felt uneasy. Why hunt the Savior? What future awaited them?

Suddenly, the trotting unicorn reared up, shrieking. The dozen warriors jumped in alarm. Sensing danger, the unicorn stamped its hooves wildly, scattering the neat formation.

The warriors quickly restrained it. As Rank 1 fighters, subduing a unicorn was effortless. "Full alert! Longtian, scout the area!" Captain Light ordered a handsome black-haired man.

Longtian nodded, closed his eyes, and green magical energy swirled around him. The elements spread like invisible arms, mapping their surroundings.

Fantasia Land always had its prodigies. Longtian was a rare dual-cultivator—mastering both martial prowess and potent magic. Had he been older, he'd likely have claimed the captain's position.

"Ambush! Someone's charging!" Longtian's eyes snapped open. He drew twin swords and leaped into the air. The other warriors instantly dismounted, weapons ready.

*Boom!* Longtian's blades clashed against a sturdy staff. Off-balance mid-air, he was slammed back to the ground. The warriors swiftly encircled the attacker.

"Who are you? Why ambush us?" Captain Light demanded. The assailant was a stunning beauty—long black hair swept to her left—and she carried an adorable little girl on her back.

The woman said nothing. She spun and fled.

"After her!" Captain Light barked. The squad charged toward Tran.

Stung by the blow, Longtian's pride flared. He sprinted ahead. Spotting a rustling bush, he ignited his swords with fire magic and slashed downward in fury.

*Clang!* No scream or flesh-cutting sound followed—only a jarring vibration numbing his arms.

"Damn! What the—?" Longtian looked up. A drooling, purple face stared back...

"Aaaaaah!!" Longtian bolted. He recognized this quasi S Rank beast. Fighting it meant total party wipe! Why was the forest's apex predator here?

Questions vanished as he sprinted. The others saw the five-meter-tall purple bear and fled without hesitation.

"Run! It's a trap!" one warrior yelled.

"Obviously! But why's it so fast?!" Another glanced back at the bear's relentless charge.

"Split up?" a voice suggested.

"Idiot! Alone, we die. Together, we might survive!"

"Stay calm! Max speed—channel all your aura! Once we reach the unicorns... Wait, where are our unicorns?" Captain Light realized they hadn't gone far, yet the mounts were gone.

"Huh? Why's your cloak tangled in reins?" he asked a comrade.

"What? Must've snagged while running—wait, REINS?!" The man froze.

A male voice chimed in, "My Waner felt sorry for those pretty unicorns. So she set them free!"

"What?!" The warriors turned. Their blood ran cold.

The two girls lounged lazily atop their unicorns, grinning mischievously.

"Brother Supreme Treasure! These uncles run so fast!" the little girl cheered.

"Haha! Train hard like them, Waner, so you stay this cute forever!" the beauty replied.

"But why are they so ugly?" Yue Waner asked.

"Well," Tran sighed dramatically, "they used to be handsome. Then one night, they fell face-first in their sleep. Their roommates sleepwalked, dreaming of... *special massages*... and gave these uncles a very *friendly* same-sex session. That's how they ended up like this."

"What's a 'special massage,' Brother Supreme Treasure?"

"Uh..." Tran hesitated. "It's a beneficial activity best done between opposite sexes..."

Yue Waner's bright eyes widened. "Then I'll give you special massages every day!"

"What a thoughtful kid!" Tran grinned lecherously.

The warriors burned to attack Tran, but the thundering footsteps behind forced them onward.

"Time to go, Waner. Wave goodbye to the uncles," Tran said, glancing at the pursuing bear.

"Bye-bye, uncles!" Yue Waner waved cheerfully. Tran spurred the unicorn away.

"Bastards!" Captain Light raged inwardly—until a scream cut through the air. The slowest warrior was snatched by the bear.

"Captain, save me!"

"Damn it! All hands, fight or die!" Captain Light swung his greatsword. The others hesitated, then charged, remembering their bond as comrades.

...

Tran ignored the chaos behind him. With his new mount, he felt unstoppable. The unicorn resembled an Earth horse but with a spiraling horn and snow-white coat—utterly majestic.

"We'll reach the city soon, Waner. Say goodbye to steamed buns!" Tran checked the map excitedly.

"Brother Supreme Treasure, are we getting special massages today?" Yue Waner still pondered his words.

"Uh, not today. We'll play something else!"

"Oh..." Yue Waner replied, disappointed. Tran wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Minutes later, they arrived at a towering city gate. A massive stone dragon sculpture coiled above the entrance.

Three bold characters adorned the archway: Frost Dragon City.