It took me two days to reach the northern region, but the eggs still haven't hatched. Lumeria was wrong about them hatching today—I'm beginning to think it will take another week or so. The rest depends on luck.
As I trekked through the snow-covered landscape, my gaze repeatedly fell to the pouch containing the eggs. Each one lay dormant, showing no signs of life. Their fragile appearance contrasted sharply with the biting cold that gnawed at my skin. I had crafted the pouch using my weaving skill because wasting mana by storing them in my storage skill wasn't an option.
I still hadn't decided which creature to hunt. The cold was already sapping my strength, and I needed to act quickly.
"Hey, Lumeria, do you know of any creatures I can hunt?" I asked, my voice muffled by the howling wind.
"You could try hunting a Frostfang Leopard," Lumeria suggested, her tone calm and direct in my mind.
"Does it have anything special about it?"
"Yes, it has a high-level ice affinity," she replied.
"Alright then, it's decided," I said, steeling myself to push through the freezing winds.
It had only been fifteen minutes since I entered the northern region, and already the cold was unbearable. Each breath felt like shards of ice stabbing my lungs. On top of the weather, now I had to find this Frostfang Leopard. I needed to locate it quickly and devour its essence to endure the freezing temperature.
"Hey, Lumeria, which direction should I go?"
"I thought you were going to find it yourself," she said, a teasing edge to her voice.
I blinked in surprise. It was the first time she had shown any emotion, even if it was just a little teasing.
"Next time, I will," I replied sharply. "But don't you need me alive to find your pieces?"
Lumeria sighed, her tone softening slightly. "Alright, give me a minute."
I stood in the snow, waiting impatiently as the wind whipped around me. Exactly one minute later, she responded, "Okay, head north from here. You should be able to find it."
"Got it. Thanks," I said, setting off.
The farther north I traveled, the colder it became. Frost clung to every surface, and the air seemed to crystallize around me. Soon, I found tracks in the snow—paw prints larger than I expected, with deep indentations where claws had dug into the ice.
Crouching down, I examined the tracks. They were fresh and led into a dense thicket of frost-covered trees. The creature wasn't far. I readied myself, gripping the crude weapon I had fashioned—a jagged blade infused with the faintest trace of mana.
As I entered the thicket, a low growl echoed, reverberating through the frozen forest. My breath caught as a pair of glowing, ice-blue eyes emerged from the shadows. The Frostfang Leopard stepped into view, its sleek white fur blending almost seamlessly with the snow. Razor-sharp fangs jutted from its maw, and its claws glistened like frozen blades.
The beast snarled, its breath forming clouds of frost in the frigid air. It circled me, its movements predatory and calculated. I couldn't afford to waste time.
I lunged forward, aiming for its flank, but the leopard was faster. It leapt aside, claws slashing toward me. I barely dodged, the icy wind of its strike grazing my cheek.
The Frostfang Leopard's agility was unmatched. It darted around me, attacking with quick, precise movements. Each time I blocked or dodged, the cold seemed to seep deeper into my bones. My breaths grew ragged, and my movements slowed.
This wasn't working. I needed to use the environment to my advantage.
Feigning a stumble, I dropped to one knee and scooped up a handful of snow. The leopard, sensing weakness, pounced. As it soared toward me, I threw the snow into its eyes, temporarily blinding it. Seizing the opportunity, I rolled to the side and slashed at its leg.
The blade bit deep, and the leopard roared in pain. It stumbled, its movements erratic. I pressed the advantage, landing strike after strike, but the beast wasn't finished. With a powerful swipe, it knocked me off my feet.
I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from my lungs. The leopard loomed over me, icy fangs bared. Desperation surged through me, and I channeled the last of my strength into a final attack.
With a guttural shout, I thrust the blade upward, piercing the leopard's chest. Its roar of pain echoed through the forest as it collapsed into the snow.
Wasting no time, I devoured its essence.
Immediately, I sat down to meditate, focusing on absorbing the bloodline. A surge of power coursed through me. The unbearable cold began to fade as my body adapted, strengthened by the creature's ice affinity.
"Lumeria, did I gain any additional affinities?"
"No, Adam, just ice affinity," she replied flatly.
"And the skills?"
The book opened in front of me, its pages revealing the new abilities I had gained:
1. Frost Aura (Weakened Version)
The ability to emit a faint aura of cold, lowering the temperature around me. Though not as strong as the Frostfang Leopard's, it slows weaker enemies and provides minor resistance to heat-based environments or attacks.
2. Ice Claw Manifestation
I can condense ice energy into my hands or weapons, mimicking the leopard's claws. A successful strike can cause frostbite or temporarily immobilize a target.
3. Frost Leap
Enhanced agility allows me to propel myself forward in short, powerful bursts, leaving a trail of ice behind. Upon landing, I can create a minor frost shockwave to disorient enemies.
4. Glacial Roar (Weakened Version)
A controlled roar infused with frost mana that creates a small shockwave, freezing nearby surfaces and slowing enemies.
5. Icefang Bite (Adapted Version)
The ability to channel ice energy into my teeth (or weapon), delivering a concentrated burst of freezing energy on impact.
6. Cold Resistance
I inherited the leopard's natural resistance to cold, significantly reducing the effects of ice-based attacks and allowing me to survive extreme cold environments.
7. Predator's Instinct
My senses are heightened, granting improved tracking and reaction times. I can sense enemies within a certain range, even in harsh conditions like blizzards or darkness.
8. Adaptive Camouflage (Partial Skill)
Though not as advanced as the leopard's snow camouflage, I can partially blend into icy or snowy environments, making detection more difficult in such conditions.
Satisfied with the new skills, I rose to my feet, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
It took me half a day to return—or so I thought. The path had seemed familiar at first, but as I continued onward, the landscape changed drastically. When I saw the towering volcanoes ahead of me, spewing smoke into the sky, I realized I had taken a wrong turn. Now, I found myself in unfamiliar territory, far from my intended destination.
I stood there, uncertain, my mind racing as I considered whether to retrace my steps. The heat radiating from the volcanic terrain was oppressive, a stark contrast to the icy region I had left behind. Just as I was about to turn back, Lumeria's voice echoed in my mind.
"Adam, you should stay here," she said, her tone calm yet firm. "In locations like this, a drake can often be found."
"A drake?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite the situation.
"A drake is a subspecies of dragons," she replied without hesitation. "If you manage to absorb its essence, your fire affinity will increase significantly."
Her words gave me pause. The chance to gain a fire affinity was tempting, especially given the challenges I would face in future battles. But the thought of encountering a drake—a creature undoubtedly formidable—sent a chill of apprehension down my spine, even in the oppressive heat.