The frozen steel reverberated through the air as the icy iron gate was forced open.
Charles slowly opened his eyes, staring directly at the humanoid ice monster standing behind those cold bars. Its gaze was as frigid as the frozen crystals imprisoning him.
The giant creature stepped closer, its massive hand gripping the neck of a shivering Treasure Hoarder.
In the reflection of Charles's eyes, the monster dragged the Treasure Hoarder out. Its right hand, clutching a wispy blue ice spear, thrust with sadistic motion.
The spear's sharp tip tore through the Hoarder's mouth, piercing to the back of his throat. Fresh droplets of blood spattered the steel floor with faint splashing sounds.
Charles closed his eyes, turning his face away.
The humanoid ice monster strode off with the Treasure Hoarder's corpse impaled on its spear, leaving a trail of still-warm blood droplets on the floor.
Charles's gaze shifted to the other Treasure Hoarders. They huddled in the corner, eyes wide with fear, some shedding belated tears of regret.
At that moment, a system screen shimmered before Charles, displaying his personal inventory visible only to him.
There, a glowing question-marked crate pulsed – a reward from completing the quest:
[GRANT ETERNAL PEACE]
Recalling that quest, Charles clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, drawing fresh blood.
Soon after, he exhaled deeply and tapped the crate. A blinding light flashed briefly, and the crate transformed into an Uncommon rarity Crate. Without hesitation, Charles opened it.
Before him lay a golden healing potion, vapor billowing from its mouth.
Charles gazed at the potion for a moment, then manifested it into physical form.
The Treasure Hoarders, initially fearful, now gasped at him in bewilderment.
What was the traitor doing? Their eyes seemed to ask.
Charles glanced at them, then downed the entire healing potion in one gulp.
Instantly, the wounds all over his body healed, leaving a refreshing sensation as if he had just been reborn.
The Treasure Hoarders gasped again, crowding around Charles with pleading expressions, hoping to share the potion's remains.
Charles only stared at them coldly. He reached for the final drop at the bottle's lip with his fingertip and let it dissipate into the air like evaporating mist.
"You've made me suffer..."
The drop vanished, absorbed into nothingness.
"Did you think," he paused, curling his lip, "I would share it with you?"
The Treasure Hoarders froze in place, gazing vacantly as their hope was once again swallowed by the endless blizzard.
They could not speak.
...
The sound of tapping fingers echoed, shattering the silence in the grand hall.
Upon a throne carved from crystal ice sat a girl with regal elegance, her legs folded in a graceful silhouette.
Her beauty was like a painting, pale white hair cascading softly over her shoulders. Her ice-blue eyes, as cold as frozen lakes, emanated a hollow emptiness as she surveyed her surroundings.
Amelia.
Footsteps reverberated across the crystal ice floor. A humanoid ice monster strode in.
Its movements were arrogant yet dignified as it knelt before Amelia. The crystalline ice spear glinted beside it.
"Your Majesty, this makes two hundred and four," rumbled the monster.
Amelia started briefly at that number.
But soon her usual expression returned, her lips curving in a mocking smile. "Oh? Good... Two hundred and five should be enough. Bring me one more. Please."
With a deft flick of her slender fingers, something happened to the Treasure Hoarder's mutilated corpse. The transformation process into a humanoid ice monster was utterly revolting, occurring from head to toe.
Skin and flesh melted, forming a layer of cold crystal ice. The once-closed eyes now snapped open, turned icy blue. Without a word, the creature bowed deeply before Amelia.
"You may go," she murmured.
Without protest, the monsters turned and departed from her presence.
Amelia closed her eyes, the condescending smile vanishing from her lips.
"Now what?" she muttered to herself. "I've lost my purpose... no, I've achieved it. But... what have I gained? Only emptiness and boredom."
Her words hung in the oppressive silence.
...
Charles's gaze pierced the Treasure Hoarders warily as they stared back apprehensively.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips before his attention shifted to the floating screen before him.
With an outstretched finger, Charles pointed to an Epic rarity crate in his inventory.
A blinding flash of light, and in his hand he now gripped a small bluish artifact.
Item Name: Blinkstone Shard
Description: The Blinkstone Shard is a small crystal artifact infused with magical teleportation energy. When used, this shard will emanate a mesmerizing glow and instantly teleport the user to a random, unpredictable location. Once used, the Blinkstone Shard will crumble into fine dust and vanish forever, leaving only a trail of light as evidence of its use.
Hmm... this is a fairly useful item for the current situation. I could use this and instantly escape... he muttered.
But if I do teleport, I should take an acquaintance so it's not a waste. Charlotte could come... besides her, maybe Furina...
The Treasure Hoarders eyed him curiously, ready to snatch the artifact from Charles's grasp at any moment.
Yet, a revolver materialized from nothingness, caught in Charles's empty hand as he aimed it squarely at their heads. A menacing grin spread across his lips.
"Bang!" he exclaimed, causing the Treasure Hoarders to flinch and squeeze their eyes shut in fear.
Charles's smile turned feigned. "I'm kidding."
"But, if any of you make a move, I will pull this trigger," he threatened.
Heh... of course that's just a bluff. The bullets in this revolver are all spent.
Still in the same stance, Charles tapped a Legendary rarity crate. A notification chime rang in his ears.
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE GAINED A SKILL: SNAP EXPLOSION
CHECK THE SKILL IN THE SKILL MENU
[ACTIVE SKILL]
- Chain Bind: Uncommon Rarity
- Throbbing Fiend: Mythic Rarity
- Snap Explosion: Legendary Rarity
The "Snap Explosion" skill allows users to create a powerful explosion with just a snap of the fingers. This explosion has a wide range and can injure multiple enemies at once, making it a very effective weapon in crowded combat situations.
[PASSIVE SKILL]
- Split Personality: Epic Rarity (Permanent)
- Information Imagination: Rare Rarity (Permanent)
This is also a very useful skill... he murmured.
Now, how do I get out of here... Charles surveyed his surroundings, weighing the situation.
Although my body is healed, it's very difficult for me to leave this place. I'll have to fight the humanoid ice monsters. And I don't know how many there are. Last time, it exceeded the number of Treasure Hoarders.
He exhaled a long sigh, his gaze drifting far away.
I'll rest for a bit and think of a plan.