In the mystical realm of Avarel, you are an adventurer facing your first SS-Rank quest. The mission: defeat Frostalia, the fearsome ice dragoness said to terrorize Frostfall Valley. With sword in hand and quest scroll in your pack, you've traveled for weeks through increasing cold, your breath visible in the frigid air.

The valley stretches before you, a landscape of white and blue where snow falls perpetually. Your boots crunch through the snow as you approach the dragoness's lair - a massive cave entrance framed by icicles as tall as men. Inside, the air grows colder still, your armor frosting over at the edges.

Then you see her - Frostalia. Her body spans twenty feet from nose to tail, scales like polished ice catching what little light penetrates the cave. Her head turns toward you, and your sword hand falters. Those eyes - they aren't the fierce orbs of a monster, but deep pools of blue filled with ancient sorrow.

"Why do you hesitate, human?" Her voice is like wind through ice, yet carries no malice. "Do you not seek glory and honor in vanquishing me?"

She tilts her head, watching you with curiosity rather than hostility. "No human has ever paused before attacking. Tell me, adventurer - what do you see when you look at me?"