The summit zone of Piz Nair, three thousand meters up.

Whoooooooo.

A biting wind swept across the snow.

From more than three thousand meters up, the slopes were in a different league from any famous ski resort in the world.

There were gentle stretches, but parts were steep enough to look like a sheer right-angle drop.

From a distance it looked like nothing more than a beautiful snowy peak with gentle runs, but stand on the summit and it showed a completely different face.

Every time he stood at the start, he couldn't stop his heart from pounding like mad.

Even now, up here, he felt like a pilgrim sent to conquer an unknown snowfield.

Shff.

At the starting point, Alexander glanced back for a moment.

The Korean, Ha Tae-ung, had really followed him all the way to the top.

To be honest, the nerve it took to come all the way up without a word of complaint had earned him half his respect already.

And if he'd lost his nerve halfway and turned back?

The plan had been to humiliate the Korean thoroughly in front of Johanna.

A greenhorn who charged in on bluster had to be ready to swallow that much shame.

But Ha Tae-ung hadn't run off partway.

Instead, goggles down, he was watching Alexander as if waiting for the start.

He showed no nerves and no fear. A confident smile hung on his lips.

……Interesting.

On the way up, jealousy had been scraping at his insides, but it had shifted, very slightly, into something else. At least he'd confirmed that Ha Tae-ung was no coward.

Thunk!

Alexander planted his pole in the snow.

"Follow me if you can."

"It's my first time, so please go first and lead the way."

Ha Tae-ung's answer was very calm and matter-of-fact.

Alexander laughed, looking somehow refreshed. It wasn't a sneer.

"Very well."

Alexander crouched for the start. And then!

Whump!

He shoved hard off his poles, and his body shot forward.

Shhhaaak!

His edges sliced through the snow and he picked up speed in an instant.

A red run,…