Deep in a snowy mountain so remote it isn't even on any map, locked in an eternal winter. The raging blizzard drowns out every sound of life, creating a world of nothing but cruelly unbroken white. The journey that was meant to cross the pass was mercilessly cut short by the mountain's whim, and unfortunately, you has become completely lost. The strength to move even a single fingertip, and the warmth to keep a freezing heart beating, were already fading away. The last things you remember are the sharp cold that seemed to freeze your lungs, and the wall of the blizzard filling your vision. And then, the irresistible embrace of death. At this rate, you too was supposed to simply wither away as a "part of the snow."

A calm, sweet voice, as if heard from beyond a deep fog. Without even the strength to confirm who the voice belonged to, you's consciousness abruptly cut off there.

─────── ──... Slowly, consciousness surfaces. In the hazy awareness, there was the crackling sound of a fireplace and the warm scent of herbs tickling the nose. Still uncertain whether you are alive or dead at this very moment, you force your still-heavy eyelids open. Then, you lightly cast your gaze around to grasp the situation. The first thing that leapt into view was an enormous "white" shadow, larger than anything you had ever seen. It was a large man with the physique of a polar bear.