"Ugh~"
The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world.
They stretch from east to west, from south to north, with a total length of about 2,450 kilometers and a width between 200 and 300 kilometers.
The main peak is Mount Everest, with an altitude of 8,848 meters.
Through the centuries, this highest mountain has always been considered a forbidden area for humans, until modern society turned it into a mecca for countless mountaineering enthusiasts, representing the ultimate challenge.
A successful climb to the top of Mount Everest means endless glory!
The same was true for Alaric.
In order to reach the summit this time, he had already tried several times before.
This time, he believed, was the greatest opportunity.
"We'll be there soon! The weather's nice now, but later it'll get windy!"
The expedition leader smiled as he walked ahead, leading ten team members forward quietly.
All the team members were experienced climbers, with a wealth of climbing experience, and many had previously climbed Mount Everest.
However, except for the leader, all had to turn back in previous attempts.
This time, they were closer to the summit than ever before.
Alaric looked up at the sky, his heart full of excitement.
"I'm finally fulfilling my dream!"
Half an hour later, Alaric planted the victory flag on the highest peak in the world.
"We did it!!"
"Phenomenal!!"
"We're the best!!"
Besides the leader, the team members, including Alaric, hugged and shouted with joy, overwhelmed with emotion.
After months of preparation and fighting against harsh conditions, they had achieved their goal.
"Alright, let's head down quickly. We've stayed too long."
The leader calmed the cheerful atmosphere with a determined voice.
"Are we going down already? Can't we stay a bit longer?"
"Yeah, we haven't enjoyed the view yet!"
"Come on, at least let's take a picture!"
Hearing the leader's words, everyone reacted reluctantly.
They had just tasted the sweetness of victory, and now they already had to head back.
"Three minutes at most!"
The leader looked at his watch and spoke in a serious tone.
"Understood! We're moving right away!"
The leader's role wasn't just to guide the path, but also to predict weather conditions and ensure everyone's safety.
Therefore, although a little disappointed, the team members respected the arrangement.
Success is valuable, but life is even more precious.
After three minutes, they began their descent.
But halfway down the mountain, about a hundred meters from the safety zone, a sudden strong wind arose.
"This isn't good! The wind's picking up!!"
The leader immediately realized the danger.
"Everyone, speed up!!"
Everyone knew how dangerous wind on snowy mountains could be.
That's why ascents were always planned during periods when the wind was weakest.
But this time, they had clearly stayed too long at the summit.
Alaric, equally frightened, gathered the last of his strength and pushed forward through the snow.
The wind was getting stronger, and snowflakes covered the entire mountain.
"Hurry! To the safety line! There are rocks there to shield us!"
In that part of the mountain, the terrain was flatter, less steep, with solid rocks that could serve as shelter. If there was no avalanche, the chances of survival would be high.
Alaric didn't hesitate, but he was still falling behind.
And exactly what he feared happened.
He slipped and fell to the ground.
The cold wind was raging, and in front of him stretched an endless white abyss. His body began sliding down the slope.
"Alaric!!"
Everyone connected by rope felt the sudden pull and turned around.
They began desperately pulling on the rope, trying to pull him up.
But the wind and snow were getting stronger.
If this continued, they could all be in danger.
Alaric, who had already achieved his dream, made a heavy decision. He pulled out a knife, cut the rope, and fell into the abyss.
He didn't want his friends to die because of him.
"Alaric!!"
"NO!!"
The sudden release of the rope's tension made everyone realize his choice.
They knew it was his sacrifice.
"Hurry! What are you waiting for?! Will you waste Alaric's sacrifice?!"
The leader, tears in his eyes, clenched his teeth and led the group onward toward safety.
...
"I'm going to die..."
As he lost consciousness, in the moment when he thought he would disappear, he saw a golden flash.
"A climber?"
An unfamiliar woman stepped out of a light portal and saw Alaric lying in the snow, on the brink of death.
She was confused; as far as she knew, no one was supposed to be climbing the mountain today.
Seeing that he was still breathing, she raised her hands, summoned magic, wrapped him in golden light, then opened a new portal and disappeared into it with him.