Ethan rested opposite the dead ghoul, both of them kneeling on the ground but only he was still alive, his breathing was heavy and restless, a cloud of frigid air escaping his blue lips with each breath, but the smile on his face grew by the second. He felt the cold move through his body, reaching every part of him, strengthening him in a way he couldn’t understand properly. His mana felt different, like it was more solid and not slipping through his fingers as easily, it was more…part of him. He hadn’t checked his notification in forever and decided to do that while his body changed.
*Update* Processing…
*Update* Processing…..
*Update* Processing……
Damn he hadn’t checked it for quite some time. Ethan managed to sit down properly, some skin chipping off while he moved, he didn’t even feel it.
[You killed multiple Beaver[Zombie]of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 8 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 6 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 9 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 7 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 7 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 6 | You gained experience!]
[You killed ghoul knight - Level 10 | You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple [Skeletons] of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed [Ghoul Lord] Level 11- You gained experience!]
*Update* Hidden quest unlocked - The Age of Winter
*Update* Ethan Delaney, as a variant Human(?) that gained the [Ice] Affinity you took your first steps on a long journey. This is a unique scenario only possible during a new integration.
The system welcomes the progenitor of the winter elves. May you thrive and conquer the [Heart of Winter]
*Update* Quest - The Heart of Winter
0/1 Find the Heart of Winter
0/1 Claim the Heart of Winter
0/1 Embrace the Heart of Winter
*Update* Race change: Human[Ice] -> Half-Winter Elf
*Update* Skill acquired - [Perfect Ice Manipulation]
*Update* Skill acquired - [Frozen Blood]
*Update* Processing…skills folded into [Perfect Ice Manipulation]
You lost:
[Ice Bolt(Advanced)]
[Ice Caltrop(Basic)]
[Perfect Ice Manipulation - Winter Elves have a instinctual understanding of the ice element and can control it freely, while their control is perfect and absolute, creatures of higher level can still control the ice element even in the presence of a winter elf]
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
[Frozen Blood - Your blood is a vessel, for your life, for your magic, for your power but it is also the life blood of your race. As the progenitor your can offer your blood to other humans, giving them the blessing of Ice and the chance to evolve into Winter Elves during an evolution]
*Update* You reached Level 15! Stat points allocated! Free points received!
*Update* Plague Mage has reached Level 6! Stat points allocated!
Once he read it all he checked again and again and again but he couldn’t believe it. He expected everything, the kills, the experience but he never thought that a hidden quest would show itself. The system didn’t have quests like a game right? But there it was, clear as day and without a doubt.
The second revelation was that he, Ethan Delaney, was no longer a human. His whole race was currently changing and making him into something new but also old, the progenitor of a whole species, the patriarch, the forefather. He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. He was breathing faster and felt like he was going to faint when suddenly a voice filled his head, washing all his fears and worries away.
Congratulations hatchling, you exceed my expectations once again. I only say this, you aren’t alone on this path so relax… the voice of his patron, Ouroboros vanished again but Ethan felt better all of sudden, did his patron do something to him?
Suddenly relaxed, Ethan stood up with a groan, his whole body hurt and he heard the sound of ice breaking apart all over his skin. But the pain from before was gone, he started to stretch, taking it slow at first but he soon noticed how good his body felt.
Curious, his hand touched his ears, and noticed the change right away. He felt his pointed ears, it was subtle but his best guess was that it would only continue to change. His skin was white and he could see blue veins below his skin that seemed to glow a bit in the darkness of the dungeon.
Then he tested the most important part, his new skill. Forming tiny ice cubes that hovered over his palm. He could feel the energy move in his body, the channels that carried his mana now attuned to his element. Besides the speed and stability he discovered that the amount of mana he needed was reduced by around half.
A stupid grin on his face covered the room in all the things he had in mind, a wall made of ice that he could move around with some effort, Ice spikes as long and wide as he was, tiny needles that dripped with his frost poison, which also felt stronger now.
Last he checked his plagues, trying to recreate his former illnesses, it worked but something was different, like the aspects of winter worked itself into his creations. The feeling of dormancy and sorrow, the feeling of a heaviness in the air that pushed everything towards a season of depression and a silence that invited the end of a life like a casual welcome. Ethan shudders at the realization he had, winter wasn’t friendly, it’s hard and unforgiving, it can destroy if necessary. But it also is the end before something new starts to bloom.
He stopped his plaque creation and shook his head. There was no time to be lost in thought, the dungeon was still active and he would finish it, one way or another. Looking down to his broken staff and the frozen ghoul he turned around and stepped into the next corridor, excited but also careful. This was the real start of his journey.
