The immense cavern of the Earth-Forge, still vibrating with the lingering power of Grak's clash with the Grey Colossus, offered a moment of respite. Grak, the massive Guardian of Earth, stood stoic and powerful, his molten eyes fixed on Alex.
"The Frozen Wastes," Grak rumbled, his voice echoing in the vast space. "A harsh land, even before the Grey. Now... colder. The Guardian there, she is Frost. A warrior forged in ice. Her Nexus is strong, but the Architects send their coldest horrors against her. Be wary. Her fury is legendary."
"I will," Alex promised, adjusting the weight of his backpack, which now contained the Colossus Heart alongside the Annihilator Core. He felt the untainted resonance from Frost, a faint, chilling hum in his mind, drawing him towards the distant North.
"You have the Unbound's touch. The Earth-Forge is stable now. Go," Grak instructed, then offered a surprising gesture. He extended a massive, stone-hewn finger and gently tapped Alex's forehead. A surge of raw, stable earth energy flowed into Alex, not for healing, but for fortification.
[Guardian's Blessing: Earth's Fortitude Granted!]
[Effect: Grants temporary resistance to environmental hazards, particularly cold and gravitational manipulation. Increases Constitution by +1 for 24 hours.]
Alex felt a subtle, solid strength settle into his bones, a resilience against the elements. "Thank you, Grak."
"Hmph. Go," Grak repeated, turning back to his vigil over the ancient fissure.
With a nod, Alex turned, Verwel already eager to move. They left the thrumming warmth of the Earth-Forge, emerging back into the desolate, grey-tinged mountains. The journey was long, perhaps a thousand kilometers this time, through land Grak had only vaguely described.
The mountain passes slowly grew colder, the biting wind carrying flakes of strange, grey snow that didn't melt on his skin. The ground, once rocky basalt, began to show patches of slick, corrupted ice that shimmered with faint, malevolent energy. The untainted resonance from Frost grew steadily, a chilling pull that promised glacial plains and an ancient, icy power.
Alex's Passive Core Resonance detected the new environmental hazard. He activated Basic Analysis on the corrupted ice.
[Object: Corrupted Glacial Ice]
[Description: Ancient ice consumed by Grey Remnant energy. Radiates intense cold that drains HP and Energy. Highly corrosive to conventional materials. Prone to sudden cracks and collapses.]
[Warning: Extreme Cold exposure. Hypothermia risk. Avoid direct contact.]
"Great. Corrosive, draining ice," Alex muttered, pulling his scavenged jacket tighter. He could feel the cold seeping into his bones, a constant, insidious drain on his HP and Energy. He immediately activated Grey Purify on the path ahead, but like the consumed sand, the vastness of the corrupted ice made sustained cleansing impractical.
He tried a new approach. He remembered the Earth's Fortitude blessing. He channeled his Core Resonance, letting the blessing's energy flow through him, pushing back against the encroaching cold. His Constitution felt bolstered, his natural resilience amplifying.
[Environmental Resistance: Extreme Cold - Moderated by Earth's Fortitude.]
[HP/Energy Drain from cold: Reduced by 50%.]
"That helps," Alex breathed, feeling the immediate relief. The cold was still there, but it no longer felt like it was actively trying to consume him. Verwel, too, seemed less bothered by the frigid air, his mutated fur shimmering with a faint, unseen warmth.
They pressed onward, climbing higher into the icy mountains. The air grew thinner, the silence more profound, broken only by the mournful howl of the wind and the crunch of their boots on the corrupted ice. The landscape was a desolate masterpiece of frozen desolation – towering ice spires, vast, frozen canyons, and colossal glaciers that pulsed with faint, grey light.
Suddenly, Verwel let out a low growl, his silver eyes fixed on a shimmering expanse of ice ahead. Alex's Passive Core Resonance flared, sensing multiple, fast-moving signatures beneath the surface.
[Threat Detected: Ice Lurkers (Corrupted Aquatic/Subterranean)]
[Level: 7]
[Danger: High (Ambush Specialists)]
"Lurkers," Alex whispered, gripping his frying pan. "But ice ones." He activated Energetic Tracing, focusing on the movement beneath the ice. He could see their faint trails, like ghostly shadows moving through the frozen depths. They were fast, weaving unpredictably.
Before he could react, the corrupted ice shattered beneath his feet. Three Ice Lurkers burst forth, their forms vaguely reptilian, made of razor-sharp ice shards and glowing with an eerie, phosphorescent grey light. Their claws were like frozen blades, and their heads were elongated, ending in snapping jaws filled with rows of icy fangs. They were ambush predators, adapted to their frozen domain.
"Verwel, watch my back!" Alex yelled, rolling clear of a snapping jaw. He slammed his frying pan into the nearest Lurker, activating Enhanced Strike. The untainted energy clashed with the corrupted ice, sending shards flying.
[Damage Dealt: 35 (Critical Hit!)]
[Experience Gained: 70 XP]
[Energy: 7/10]
The Lurker shrieked, its icy form cracking, but it didn't dissolve. Its wounds immediately began to reform, knitting back together with chilling speed.
"They regenerate!" Alex cursed. These weren't like other Grey entities. They were drawing on the pervasive ice.
He needed a different approach. He remembered Disintegration Protocol. Could it work on them? He aimed at the regenerating Lurker, channeling his Energy into his hand, focusing on the corrupted ice structure.
[Energy: 4/10]
He slammed his palm onto the Lurker's regenerating form. The ice monster shuddered, its regeneration halting, then reversing. Its form began to unravel, melting into foul-smelling grey water and dissipating mist.
[Ice Lurker Neutralized. Energy -3 (Reduced cost from Disintegration Protocol!)]
[Experience Gained: 100 XP]
"Yes!" Alex shouted, a surge of adrenaline pushing him forward. Disintegration Protocol was the key. He had to hit them precisely, to break their core structure before they could heal.
The other two Lurkers launched a synchronized attack. Verwel, a blur of silver, intercepted one, tearing at its icy form with his Shadow Claws, momentarily distracting it. Alex dodged the second, then pivoted, slamming his hand onto its side, channeling Disintegration Protocol. The Lurker dissolved, leaving behind a small Grey Shard (Minor).
[Ice Lurker Neutralized. Energy -3 (Reduced cost from Disintegration Protocol!)]
[Experience Gained: 100 XP]
Verwel finished off the last one, ripping its head from its shoulders with a final, furious lunge. The cavern was silent once more, save for the biting wind.
[Threat Neutralized: Ice Lurkers (Corrupted Aquatic/Subterranean) x 3]
[Experience Gained: 270 XP (Total)]
[Item Dropped: Grey Shard (Minor) x 2]
Alex checked his stats, a grim satisfaction settling in.
[Alex Mercer]
[Level: 8 (750/800 XP)]
[Class: Unbound Survivor (Initial) - No further Class progressions available at this level.]
[Strength: 13]
[Dexterity: 14]
[Constitution: 15]
[Intelligence: 10]
[Wisdom: 9]
[Charisma: 4]
[Skills: Basic Analysis (Passive), Energy Push (Active - Refined), Enhanced Strike (Active - Refined), Energy Channel (Active - Refined), Grey Purify (Active - Refined), Sweeping Strike (Active)]
[Abilities: Core Resonance (Passive/Active - Energetic Tracing Enabled!), Mental Fortitude (Passive)]
[Energy: 4/10]
[HP: 10/10]
He was very close to Level 9. He quickly consumed the two Grey Shard (Minor) to replenish his Energy.
They continued their arduous climb, the encounters with Ice Lurkers becoming more frequent. Alex honed his Disintegration Protocol, becoming faster, more precise, conserving his Energy. He felt himself adapting to the frigid environment, his System growing in response to the unique challenges. The untainted resonance from Frost was now a powerful, almost deafening roar in his mind, pulsating with a fierce, ancient cold. He knew he was nearing his destination. The warrior of ice and fury awaited.