Within the Frostfire Region, a Yellow-Grade Region, nestled amidst the snow-covered landscape, stood Moon Frost City, the home of the snow elves.
Within the opulent City Hall, the atmosphere was tense, and the air seemed to grow colder as the generals and high-ranking officials of the city gathered for a crucial meeting.
Their topic of discussion was the troubling disappearance of the Second Battalion of the Moon Frost City's army.
"Where is the Second Battalion?" one general demanded, his voice laced with urgency. "We dispatched them to conquer the Icemoor Region, and yet there's been no word from them."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as various officials exchanged anxious glances. The missing battalion was a troubling mystery that needed to be solved urgently. The Icemoor Region was deemed an easy target, a mere stepping stone towards their goal of expanding Moon Frost City's territory. They believed it would be a swift and simple conquest.
"We underestimated the Icemoor Region," another general chimed in, his tone grim. "We assumed it was infested with nothing more than bandits and minor lords from other planes. We sent the Second Battalion without much thought, thinking they could handle it easily."
A high-ranking official leaned forward, his face etched with worry. "The loss of the Second Battalion is a significant blow to our forces. We were planning to conquer ten regions to meet the requirements for upgrading our territory to a Province. Losing a battalion sets us back greatly."
The officials and generals exchanged concerned glances, their expressions revealing the weight of their situation. The room fell into a contemplative silence as they grappled with the ramifications of their losses.
One of the generals cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We must not act hastily. The other battalions are still in the process of conquering their respective regions. It would be wise to gather information about our enemy's capabilities before deciding which countermeasures to take."
A thoughtful murmur spread through the room, acknowledging the merit of the general's words. As they pondered their next move, another voice spoke up, drawing their attention.
"I have some information," a general said, his voice measured and composed. "We captured a group of bandits who claim to have witnessed the events in Icemoor Region. According to them, there was a man wielding a trident who single-handedly fought off hundreds of our soldiers. Moreover, as he gained the upper hand, the snow elves were suddenly ambushed by a group of bandits. They must have a cunning strategist to accomplish this feat."
"Such power is not to be taken lightly," one general finally spoke. "If a single man could challenge our Second Battalion, it means our enemy possesses considerable strength. We should not underestimate them."
"Indeed," another official agreed. "It is possible that this enemy is one of the new lords from other planes that have transmigrated to the Main Plane. Their strength could be formidable, and they may pose a threat to us if left unchecked."
The lord of Moon Frost City, adorned in resplendent robes, raised a hand to silence the room. His gaze held a mix of concern and determination. "We cannot afford to underestimate this opponent. We must eliminate them swiftly. Let us gather our forces and prepare for an all-out assault on the Icemoor Region in the next seven day. By then, all new lords will have their [10-Days Shield Protection] deactivated. We must strike before they become more powerful."
Nods of agreement followed the lord's words as the officials and generals acknowledged the gravity of their situation.
...
Meanwhile, in Icemoor Region.
As Arthur entered the Region Dungeon, a notification appeared.
[Frozen Abyss: Descent into the Icemoor Dungeon]
[Difficulty: Hell]
[Description: The Icemoor Dungeon, a place of chilling mysteries and formidable challenges, has been uncovered in the heart of the frozen landscape. Embark on a journey of courage and cunning as you enter this perilous realm.]
[Rating: 0%]
[Reward: 100,000 Region EXP]
[Bonus Reward: (Based on Rating accumulation)]
[Caution: This dungeon is rated as "Hell" difficulty. Proceed with caution]
As Arthur stepped into the chilling depths of the instance dungeon, a frigid gust of wind greeted him, carrying with it the ominous scent of danger. The surroundings were a stark contrast to the outside world, the air thick with tension. Glistening ice-covered cavern walls stretched out before him, reflecting the eerie blue light that emanated from the icy formations.
His heart quickened as the sound of shifting ice echoed through the cavern, followed by a low growl that seemed to reverberate through the very walls.
Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing a horde of monsters emerging from the shadows. These were no ordinary monsters - they were the formidable Frozen Abyss creatures, each one exuding an aura of power that sent a shiver down his spine.
[Frozen Abyss-Frostclaw Scavenger]
[Strength: White-High Tier]
They prowled the icy terrain with an unsettling grace. Their white fur bristled against the cold, and their eyes gleamed with a predatory intelligence. The frost-covered claws at the end of their paws were sharp and deadly.
The echoing growls of the Frostclaw Scavengers reverberated through the frozen corridors, signaling their approach. Gripping the hilt of his sword that he picked from the village, Arthur steadied himself, his mind focused on the task at hand.
~Khieekk
~Clank
Arthur's sword cleaved through with precision as he parried the razor-sharp claws of a Frostclaw Scavenger and swiftly countered with a thrust to its side, Arthur's mind worked in tandem with his body.
[You've killed a Frostclaw Scavenger.]
[You've gained EXP+80, 1 White-Tier Spirit Crystal.]
`Ahh, how nostalgic, it's been eons since I last entered a dungeon like this.` Arthur inwardly thought with a hint of nostalgia since he had loved doing this in the past.
Compared to the experience he gained from his subjects, if he raided the dungeon with his subjects, the experience his subjects gained would allow Arthur to receive a quarter of the experience they received. However, if he were to raid the dungeon alone, all of that experience would be his. So, this was a way for Arthur not only to farm Spirit Crystals but also to farm a lot of experience for him.
~Khieekkk Khieekk
~Swoshh
With a swift step, Arthur lunged forward, his blade arcing through the frosty air. He opted for a fluid and controlled technique, drawing on his mastery of intermediate swordplay.
The horde of monsters consists of hundreds of Frostclaw Scavengers closed in, their claws swiping with ferocity. Arthur deflected their strikes with precise parries and well-timed blocks, conserving his energy and focusing on exploiting their openings.
~Clank Clank
Amidst the battle, Arthur's blade gleamed like a beacon of defiance. The horde of Frostclaw Scavengers descended upon him, their eyes glinting with hunger.
~Swoossh
With a deep breath, he activated the Advance Technique he had learned in his previous life – the "Glacial Whirlwind Stance." This Advance Technique was designed to be versatile, offering a balanced blend of offense and defense that his current strength and stamina could sustain for an extended duration. As he moved, his footwork was precise, and his strikes were deliberate, showcasing the fluidity of his movements.
~Slash, Slash, Slash
~Khieeek, Khiekk
~Thrust
The Glacial Whirlwind Stance allowed Arthur to channel his energy into his strikes with remarkable efficiency. He relied on a series of sweeping slashes and thrusts, never overexerting himself. Each swing of his blade carved a path through the oncoming Frostclaw Scavengers, sending icy shards flying.
What set this technique apart was its seamless transition between offense and defense. With a twist of his body, Arthur redirected a Scavenger's clawed attack, sending it off balance before delivering a counterstrike. The technique emphasized conserving stamina by relying on his opponent's momentum, using their force against them.
As Arthur moved, he considered the limitations of his current state. Although there were higher-level Techniques that he had learned, he refrained himself from using those Techniques due to the stringent requirements his body hadn't yet fulfilled. The strains of such techniques on his stamina and muscles would be immense, potentially leading to debilitating exhaustion. He understood the importance of pacing himself, especially in protracted battles.
If there was anything he could take advantage of from regressing, then one of them would be the countless techniques he had comprehended in his previous life. While for others it would take months or even years to comprehend it, he could easily use it as long as his body fulfilled the requirements to use such a technique.
[You've killed a Frostclaw Scavenger.]
[You've gained EXP+80, 1 White-Tier Spirit Crystal.]
[You've killed a Frostclaw Scavenger.]
[You've gained EXP+80, 1 White-Tier Spirit Crystal.]
[You've killed a Frostclaw Scavenger.]
[You've gained EXP+80, 1 White-Tier Spirit Crystal.]
With each Frostclaw Scavenger that fell under his blade, Arthur's confidence grew. The technique allowed him to focus on the ebb and flow of the battle, capitalizing on openings while conserving his energy. The hordes of enemies now seemed to move in harmony with his rhythm, their attacks becoming predictable as he adapted to their patterns.
Minutes turned into a relentless ballet of combat, Arthur holding steady against the icy onslaught. His technique's versatility allowed him to transition between offense and defense seamlessly, each movement carefully calibrated to make the most of his strength without straining his limits.
As the last of the Frostclaw Scavengers crumbled in defeat, Arthur's breath was steady, and his body remained poised. However, Arthur's gaze shifted, and his breath caught in his throat as he saw a new horde of monsters consists of hundreds of monsters approaching again, and there were an even more imposing figures among the horde.
~Stomp, Stomp, Stomp
[Elite - Frozen Abyss-Glacial Golem]
[Strength: Blue-Low Tier]
Elite Monsters!
"Alright, second round." Arthur bit his lip as he said it.