My combination of [Ecopulsation] and [Etheric Pumping] was operating at its maximum capacity. While one skill assisted me in detecting hidden enemies like Archer Goblins, bees, and giant birds, the other significantly increased my overall strength, minimizing my fatigue. However, this intensity was draining my Ether at an alarming rate. I doubted I could keep up this pace for another hour if I continued to use my skills in this way.
At the same time, deactivating either of the two skills would mean a significant loss: either I wouldn't have enough strength to contain the monster horde, or I'd be vulnerable to surprise attacks. Despite relying on [Agility] and [Perception] to anticipate attacks and dodge without compromising the formation, it was a challenge.
The situation wasn't favorable for Noelle either; exhaustion was evident on her face. In a few minutes, she would likely collapse from exhaustion. I could only hope she wouldn't have to reach that point.
While we were busy dealing with the monsters, somehow I began to notice that the air was progressively getting colder. It wasn't an ordinary cold, the kind you feel when a breeze passes over your face; it was an uncomfortable cold, the kind that, if it intensified, could start to freeze.
"You feeling that too? Is it just me or is it getting colder?" Ellen asked beside me.
I glanced around briefly and noticed everyone else was feeling the chill too. And it wasn't just us; the monsters seemed to be affected by the sudden cold air sweeping across the battlefield too.
"This ain't just your regular cold breeze..." I replied, my expression growing more tense by the moment.
As if to back up my words, a sound echoed through the forest, bringing with it a blast of icy wind. After a few seconds, the sound echoed again, indicating something was approaching. It was a sharp, unsettling sound, echoing through the atmosphere like the song of a whale, though not a perfect match for what you'd expect.
Slowly, something white emerged from behind the mass of monsters surrounding us. After a few seconds of tense anticipation, a face I knew all too well revealed itself, watching us from where it stood. It was that darn sloth. I couldn't fathom why it was there, and I doubted I'd figure it out. But one thing was for sure: this couldn't be a good sign.
Moreover, it was getting closer and closer to us, and as it did, the cold air seemed to intensify, affecting us even more. The monsters closest to the sloth were practically being frozen solid as it advanced towards us.
"Ellen!" I exclaimed.
Seconds later, an arrow shot towards the monster, crackling with electricity, and its speed was impressive, even to me. Though I could track it with my eyes, it didn't change the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to dodge it.
But as the arrow flew towards the monster, a bright flash erupted. At that moment, all my senses screamed that something was wrong. I immediately stopped attacking the monsters and joined Ellen and Noelle.
"Ellen, activate your shield! Noelle, get the spirits to create barriers around us, quick!"
As I spoke those words, both looked confused, especially Noelle, since I was suddenly shouting. Still, they listened to me. Within seconds, an electric field sprang up around us. I could feel mana swirling around us, mana with various properties like fire, air, earth, etc. Anyway, it was evident that it was Noelle's doing.
Seconds after all the barriers were raised, a cold gust swept quickly around us. Everything went completely white, as if a blizzard was happening right then and there. Actually, that's probably what was happening.
Once the sloth's attack ceased, I lifted my head and stared in its direction. Ice was everywhere, several frozen monsters lay before me, and at the end of them, the sloth had just closed its mouth, while a cold breath escaped.
Looking around quickly, there were also several ice statues. In front of me, a man with a terrified expression reaching out towards me. All I could do was close my eyes. It wasn't time to let myself be shaken.
Of course, not everyone was caught by the sloth's attack. Those who managed to hide behind something or had defensive abilities were able to easily fend off the monster's attack.
"What just happened?" Ellen asked beside me, her expression shocked and disbelieving.
But I didn't answer her. All my senses were completely focused on the sloth. Though I wasn't entirely sure, something told me that creature would be the final boss. If we wanted to make it back home, we'd need to find a way to deal with it.
If I had to describe the atmosphere at that moment, the only words that came to mind with absolute certainty were "frozen hell" No matter where I looked, everything was enveloped in ice. There were several statues scattered around, both of humans and monsters. Moreover, the cold was intense, and it seemed that the more time passed, the more intense it became.
[Glacial Sloth] - (Lv: - 47): A carnivorous monster with nocturnal hunting habits, it usually does not feed on prey it has not hunted.
Upon glimpsing the level of that thing using [Identify], a wave of perplexity flooded my being. It was as if I were trapped in a nightmare. How had that thing reached such a level in such a short time? A sense of frustration mixed with incredulity. I presumed to have progressed considerably, but this illusion was quickly dispelled. It was a bitter reminder of my own naivety.
This place is not meant to help us. It never has and probably never will. From the moment it saw us, it treated us with brutality, reminding us incessantly that if we didn't have strength, we wouldn't survive. The lesson was clear from the beginning: if we wanted to return home, we would have to fight with all our might.
"Leo!" I called, turning towards him, who was behind one of the many wooden defenses we set up on the site.
"If we want to get back home, we need to kill that thing. Its level is 47, much higher than mine. I'm not confident I can defeat it alone. I need you by my side"
Leo surely must have had several questions, and the first one was probably how I knew the monster's level. However, he also realized that this was not the appropriate time for questioning. So, after my words, Leo merely nodded, maintaining a determined look on his face.
Faced with Leo's willingness to help me, I redirected my gaze to Ellen and Noelle. To my surprise, both nodded quickly, even before I started speaking.
"Don't worry, we'll help you" said Ellen.
"Yes, we'll help" said Noelle.
Although technically they had no choice but to help me, I was still glad to see that they were genuinely concerned about the situation. Now that we had come to this point, all I could do was live up to their expectations.