CH 55

(Ryo POV for the whole chapter)

“It is freezing here.”

The temperature where we are feeling right now prompts me to involuntarily mutter something like that.

“It’s cold…”

“So cold…”

“How cold…”

It seems that Houki, Chirito, and Aria also concur with my words.

Now, regarding our present situation, we are now erecting a kamakura (a kind of a hut) in the snow and camping out in the open air.

Yes, that’s right. It is a kamakura. By nature, it should be quite warm inside. But…

“Why is it so chilly?”

“No matter how I look at it, I suspect it’s because of that thing, Miss.”

Houki then gestures to one side of the outside of the Kamakura. Beyond that is a dungeon. It is the “Silver Snow Forest,” reigned over by the “Frozen Silver Snow Sage”.

The “Silver Snow Forest” is a forest dungeon where snow is perpetually falling, and the walls are comprised of hedges and snow walls. Moreover, since intense winds blow outside the dungeon, the environment around the “Silver Snow Forest” is subject to extreme frigid temperatures at all times.

And the primary monsters in the “Silver Snow Forest” consist of Snowdogs, Ice Spirits, and other ice-attributed monsters that we have encountered numerous times before arriving here.

Furthermore, if I had to say so myself, it seems that many of the monsters have elevated physical defenses yet low magical defenses. Even with the scaled dagger created out of Cuélebre, the Snow Doll monster we met along the way was utterly unsurmountable, but with ≪Mist Slap≫, I was able to eliminate it with ease.

Now, let’s return to the main subject.

“Ha. Although I would like to do something about it, we can’t prevail over the ‘Frozen Silver Snow Sage’ with our abilities, nor is there any way we can deal with him.”

While sighing, I gaze at the “Silver Snow Forest”.

“If we are going to contend with the Demon King, we would need at least four or five level 10 humans. Even if we combat him with the benefit of our in-dungeon compensation, we’ll need to be at least level 6 or 7,” Houki also murmurs as she stares off into the distance.

“And that is only barely adequate. If it were me, I absolutely wouldn’t want to tackle it at that level.”

While taking a break, Chirito joins in the conversation as well.

“In any case, our objective this time is not to conquer the dungeon but to advance our level. There is no necessity to force our way into the dungeon.”

Aria sums up the situation.

“That’s also true. Then for the sake of the people who are hidden in the Honshu and the vicinity of the dungeon, let’s defeat the demons outside the dungeon one after another. Even if we are outside the dungeon, we should be able to raise our level as long as the numbers are high.”

“Yes.” “I understand.” “Understood.”

And then, having finished our rest, we set out from the kamakura to search for the foes.

“Two bears?”

After beginning to seek out the enemies, two bears emerge before us. One of them is a bear-type monster with white fur and ice claws while the other is a brown bear-type monster clad in ≪Frozen Silver Armor≫ in vital parts of its body.

According to Chirito’s ≪Personal Analyze≫, the bear with white fur and ice claws is called a Snow Bear, and the bear with ≪Frozen Silver Armor≫ is called a Snow Brown Bear.

…Right, they are two different species. The literal translation of “snow bear” should be “snow bear”.

“Lady Ryo. Why are they different species?”

While keeping a wary eye on Snow Bear, Houki poses me a question.

“Perhaps Snow Bear is a demon created by Snow Sage through ≪Monster Creation≫. And as for the Snow Brown Bear, they’re probably a living brown bear that was transformed into a kin through ≪Monster Creation≫.”

Aria answers Houki’s question as she readies her skills.

“In other words, the Kirijin, according to what we refer to, are the Snow Brown Bears, and Aria and the other Mystics are the Snow Bears? Though there is a distinction between a human-type and a bear-type,” Chirito replies while checking the Snow Bears with his movement.

“As I recall, the ‘Frozen Silver Snow Sage’ has been hunting wildlife surrounding the dungeon for quite some time, and this is presumably the outcome of that.”

“Yes, that’s right. And since all of the large wild creatures are greater than human beings with the exception of intelligence, it’s worth making them into a kin if they can be employed in crucial points where they can be controlled.”

“That means that, even if they aren’t optimal for autonomous operation, they are superior to human kin when utilized in this way.”

“In addition, even if they are subject to out-of-dungeon compensation, their high initial status renders them a threat.”

Each of the four of us is in agreement with what we’re saying.

And while we are discussing this, the two of them are gradually closing the distance between us.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll use that thing.”

“Do you have a secret measure?”

“It’s more of a skill than a secret. The duration of its effect is short, so please don’t be at a loss when it activates and attacks immediately.”

“I understand.” “Alright.” “Understood.”

I prepare to use the skill.

“GURUAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

And as I poise my skill, the two bears start to pounce upon us.

“! I’m coming! ≪Mantle of Fog≫!”

I swiftly invoke the skill ≪Mantle of Fog≫. As I do so, a large volume of fog is generated in the surrounding area. And at the same time…

“GAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

“Ku.. eh?” “Ah… what?”

The out-of-dungeon status compensation for all of us comes out of play, and our statuses rise tremendously.

Consequently, Chirito is able to intercept Snow Brown Bear’s rush equipped with ≪Frozen Silver Armor≫, and Houki is able to defend against Snow Bear’s formidable claw attack.

They both seem to be astonished that they are able to obstruct an attack that they should not have been able to defend against.

“I see, this is wonderful. ≪Mist Plosion≫!”

“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”

Even though Aria is taken by surprise, she strikes with ≪Mist Plosion≫. And that blow obliterates the Snow Brown Bear in a single hit.

“However, the effect lasts less than a minute and it consumes a lot of mp, which means it can only be used in the most critical moments. ≪Mist Slap≫!”

“GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAA!!”

Utilizing my heightened status to the utmost, I unleash ≪Mist Slap≫ in the form of a palm heel strike at the Snow Bear, knocking him down.

Then, when Snow Bear has been defeated, the effect of ≪Mantle of Fog≫ wears off.

“Phew. Even so, that is exhausting.”

“Yeah, Lady Ryo. Shall we retreat temporarily?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Thus, we strip whatever we can and leave the place.