[Fatigue sustained]
[Fatigue: 29%]
I sighed as we climbed the last stair. This was way higher than I imagined. Simply ascending to the height caused my fatigue to increase and I had to drink a potion to nullify the effects.
[Fatigue: 05%]
'That looks better.' I whispered to myself as I looked at Shika. We were now standing at the entrance of the Shrine belonging to the Nora Clan.
Unlike the Mavi Clan's, this was way much better. The long and wide path—reminiscent of a way leading to a garden, was cemented which was covered with snow every now and then. It led straight to the main Shrine that was located slightly inwards from the entrance and a few small shrine-like structures could be seen on both sides of the path.
Each structure was also layered with heavy snow as well.
[Zanthrix's party has entered the Nora Clan Shrine]
As the system interface conveyed the message, we saw Iceborns—appearing just as humans, coming out with their hands carrying spears—made of ice too.
They didn't do anything but stand along the wide path—as if army soldiers were opening a path for their leader. However, we weren't their leader. Neither were they opened the path in our honor. They were the guards of this shrine and each of them was NPC.
As we walked, passing them one after another, we could see the resentment in their eyes, grunting like wild beasts. Shika didn't flinch this time. Her unwavering confidence was as rigid as a boulder surviving the earth's calamity over millions of years—unbroken and unyielding.
I smiled softly.
When we almost reached the main shrine—though it was called a shrine, it was more like a temple— a giant figure blocked our way. He looked human too, but wasn't one. He was dressed in a Kimono—the one similar to a shrine guardian—while the guards wore warrior-like outfits.
"Greetings, Successor of the Mavi Clan." He muttered solemnly as if he had been waiting for this for a long time. He ignored me entirely, though.
"Funny! Do you still recognize our clan? I thought you wouldn't bother remembering the one you have once betrayed." Shika replied fiercely. Despite being an Iceborn, her eyes blazed like a scorching flame.
"That's not true. We didn't betray anyone. We evolved with the rest of the clans while you chose to stay behind."
"Chose to stay behind? Don't give me that. You were the ones who forced misery upon us." She almost yelled, yet a mocking smile lingered on her lips, "Well, that doesn't matter anymore. We're here to get what is rightfully ours."
She stomped on the ground, surging her magic through it, and ice began to emerge from the ground till it almost hit the person standing in our way.
[Indestructible NPC]
[The attack has no effect]
I didn't forget that we were still within the safe zone. It was no wonder that the NPCs were protected by that.
Shika was taken aback. I put my hand on her shoulder gently and said…
"Don't worry Shika. Momentarily, we'll get the opportunity."
Since my quest was within the safe zone, I knew a sub-quest was bound to appear—the one where we'd get the opportunity to fight them. It happened to me before.
Back on the fifth floor—Heaven Syvantis, a person had asked me to a PvP battle that took place within the safe zone. It was through the sub-quest I defeated him. He thought I was just an ordinary newbie.
Of course, I was a newbie, but had enough EXP to defeat him anyway.
This time too, I knew it'd occur. I was waiting for that.
"Don't get carried away, Successor of Mavi Clan." The leader of the Nora Clan continued, "I know what you're here for. However, you won't get the fragment that easily—not until I stand in the way."
"Then I'll remove you from the way for her," I interjected, chuckling with a confident grin. "We will get the fragment back from you."
He stared at me vigilantly. He wasn't surprised by my intervention. He just looked curious to see me by her side.
"Hmm… Interesting! So you've brought a warrior with you. Oh, how rude of me to ignore you. I beg pardon." He bowed slightly as he continued, "I should've introduced myself sooner. Not that it matters, but anyway. I am Yuukimura. The leader of the Nora Clan of Iceborns and Guardian of the Nora Shrine."
"I am Zanthrix. An ordinary adventurer." I replied.
It didn't feel necessary to do so—not when he had the arrogant smirk on his face. Yet, I gave him my name anyway. After all, I didn't want to be rude, so, yeah, that was why I did it.
"Let's play a game." Yuukimura then suggested, gesturing in a way that we could understand what he tried to mean. "A one on one battle. Your warrior against my warrior. The winner will take the fragment and will decide the fate of the loser."
The details sounded like he had been conspiring something beneath his smirk. Of course, it was the case. If he would win—not that I'd let him anyway, he'd get to decide Shika's fate.
Shika was about to deny it, but then a strange event took place.
[Sub-Quest has arrived]
[Defeat the warrior of the Nora Clan of Iceborn in a PvP battle]
[Time limit: None; Reward: Fragment of the Frost Daiken, the fate of the Nora Clan; Failure: Depends upon the NPC Yuukimura]
Strange!
Even the quest system seemed to agree with him.
Although it wasn't what Shika and I had planned, it seemed practically fair—considering it was my quest to begin with.
She looked indecisive again. She hesitated, hearing them—and probably was thinking if it was fair for me or not.
"Don't worry Shika." I mumbled, giving her an assuring smile, "Everything will be fine. I won't lose."
Seeing me confident, she smiled gently, nodded, and replied…
"If that's okay with you, I'm fine too."
As I stepped forward, the ground trembled and began sliding on both sides, creating a small arena where the battle would be held. The snow cleared away too.
"If your warrior has entered, it's only fair that I summon mine too."
He stretched his hands upwards and for the first time, the fragment of the Frost Daiken appeared. It was stunning. The rays that dispersed from it were majestic and soon there was another quake.
From beneath the arena, emerged an Iceborn—not like any human, but a pure and genuine one. Its body was structured with ice. While most of his skin appeared to be like Shika's, the ice formed a barbarian-like armor on its chest and shoulder, and on its four wrists.
Yes, it had four arms, each constructed of rigid icy muscle and with nothing but pure strength.
Its strength was unimaginably far superior to mine.
So, could I have accepted my defeat?
Of course, not. The strength of the enemy was alarming—that was what I considered. But that wasn't sufficient to scare me.
[Mutated Iceborn has been encountered]
As I had the 'bring it on' expression all over my face, followed by the confident grin, I selected my weapons based on my current class, sticking to the initial plan we had agreed to.