The winds of the Frostbound Expanse howled around Aurel, their biting chill barely registering against his skin. He stood atop a ridge, looking out over the endless sea of white that stretched before him, the sun a pale, distant orb in the sky. The carcasses of yetis and ice foxes lay scattered behind him, proof of the battles he had fought over the past few days. His body had grown stronger, leaner, more efficient, but as Aurel stared out over the desolate landscape, a thought gnawed at the back of his mind.
There has to be more.
He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar pulse of mana in his veins, his Adaptability constantly adjusting, evolving to keep up with the dangers around him. But something was missing. For all the power he had gained, all the traits he had unlocked, Aurel knew that he was still only scratching the surface. He had been relying on his natural abilities, on the raw potential of Adaptability, but there was something deeper that he hadn't yet tapped into.
A cultivation technique.
The words echoed in his mind, bringing with them a surge of frustration. He had heard about them countless times in school, read about them in forums, and seen how other cultivators used them to channel their mana in precise, efficient ways. Techniques that enhanced their abilities, allowing them to grow faster, fight harder, and unlock their true potential.
But for Aurel, there had been no such advantage. He had been pushing himself through sheer force of will, relying on the unique traits he had acquired and his ability to adapt in real-time. That was enough to keep him alive in the Frostbound Expanse, but it wouldn't be enough to reach the heights he needed.
The best cultivation techniques were possessed by the wealthy and powerful. Those with the privilege to learn them came from wealthy, influential backgrounds. Families like the Langs, who controlled vast resources and power. For everyone else, the government provided a standard technique, basic and unremarkable. It was functional, but compared to what the elites had access to, it was like comparing a wooden sword to a blade forged from mana-infused steel.
It's not enough just to survive.
Aurel sighed, the weight of his situation settling on him. He knew the truth. He could push his Adaptability as far as it would go, but without a proper cultivation technique to guide and enhance his growth, he was at a disadvantage.
The problem was, techniques like that weren't easy to come by. Unless you were born into a rich family or had powerful connections, you were stuck with the government-issued method. But universities—especially the prestigious ones—offered students the chance to earn higher-tier cultivation techniques through merit. That would be his path. He'd earn it. He had no choice.
For now, though, he had to rely on what he had. Adaptability had carried him this far, and it would carry him further still. He wasn't done hunting. Not yet.
Aurel stepped forward, his boots crunching through the snow as he descended from the ridge. His eyes scanned the horizon, looking for his next target. His goal was simple: he needed to keep fighting until the beasts in this Realm—these yetis, ice foxes, and whatever else lurked in the frozen wasteland—became easy prey. Until he could one-shot them with a single attack. That was the only way he would know he had truly adapted to this place.
As he trudged through the deep snow, his mind raced with thoughts of the future. The university exams were fast approaching, and soon he would be competing against the best of the best. Preawakeners like Yujiro Lang, who had already unlocked multiple genetic locks before receiving the Mana Vaccine, would be there, dominating the rankings. But Aurel wasn't concerned about the exams themselves. What worried him was how far behind he still was. Despite everything he had gained, there were still people out there who were exponentially stronger—people who had access to resources and techniques he could only dream of.
But he wasn't going to let that stop him. He had something they didn't. Adaptability. And as long as he kept pushing himself, kept hunting, kept surviving, he would catch up. It was only a matter of time.
The sound of crunching snow snapped him out of his thoughts. Aurel froze, his senses flaring as he activated Sixth Sense, scanning the area for the source of the noise. He could feel it—a low, pulsing presence nearby, something large and dangerous lurking just out of sight.
A flash of white fur caught his eye, and Aurel's heart raced as he spotted it—a yeti, stalking him from behind a nearby ice formation. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, its breath visible in the cold air as it let out a low growl. Another fight.
Aurel grinned, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the confrontation. He didn't feel the same fear he had felt when he first arrived in the Frostbound Expanse. This wasn't about survival anymore. This was about domination.
The yeti charged, its massive form thundering across the snow as it raised a fist the size of a boulder, aiming to crush Aurel where he stood. But Aurel was ready. His body moved on instinct, his Sixth Sense guiding him as he dodged to the side, the yeti's fist slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the ice beneath it.
Aurel retaliated immediately, his fist glowing with mana as he delivered a powerful punch to the yeti's side, his Armour Penetration trait flaring to life as the attack bypassed the creature's thick hide. The yeti howled in pain, stumbling back as Aurel pressed the attack, his movements fluid and precise.
The fight was brutal, the yeti's strength overwhelming, but Aurel's body was faster, more agile. He dodged its attacks with ease, landing blow after blow, his mana surging with every strike. It didn't take long before the yeti collapsed, its body crumpling into the snow, defeated.
But Aurel didn't stop there. He pushed on, hunting more beasts, each fight a test of his growing strength. For the rest of the day, he battled nonstop—ice foxes, yetis, and even larger, more dangerous creatures that roamed the frozen landscape. His body adapted with every fight, his endurance allowing him to continue without rest, without hesitation.
Each battle pushed him further, sharpening his instincts, refining his techniques. He could feel the progress with every blow, every victory. And with each fight, the beasts became less of a threat and more of a stepping stone. But he wasn't there yet.
His body was growing stronger—faster—but it wasn't enough. He wouldn't be satisfied until the yetis and ice foxes fell to a single blow. Until they were no longer a challenge.
Standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the expanse of the tundra, Aurel clenched his fists and let out a slow, steady breath. He could feel it—his body was adapting. He had already come so far, but he wasn't done yet.
Not by a long shot.
With the snow swirling around him, Aurel turned and set his sights on the horizon. There were more beasts out there. Stronger ones. And he was going to find them.
It was time to hunt.