The journey into the Northern Mountains took three days. By evening of the third day, our expedition was forced to take shelter from a sudden, fierce blizzard inside the cavernous mouth of the Whispering Valley.
A large camp fire crackled in the center of the dark cavern, casting dancing shadows against the icy walls.
Prince Leo sat near the fire, examining a map of the ancient ruins. "According to local legends, the Frozen Abyss was once a battleground where ancient spatial mages tore the sky apart."
"And those tears left behind unstable mana fissures," Adrian added smoothly from his corner, flipping through his notebook. "Which means the monsters inside this cave aren't made of normal flesh and bone."
Before Leo could reply, a sharp, piercing screech echoed from the deeper tunnels of the cavern!
*SCREECH!*
The ground shook violently as dozens of glowing blue eyes emerged from the darkness—Shadow Ice Stalkers, high-rank monsters capable of blending into cold air and ignoring standard physical defenses!
"To arms! Protect His Highness and Lady Rosel!" the royal knights shouted, drawing their swords as the ice monsters surged forward.
Catherine leapt into the front line, her rapier flashing with lightning mana as she severed the head of the lead stalker. But more monsters poured from the shadows, flanking our position from the left!
"Rosel, stay behind me!" Leo yelled, stepping in front of me with his golden sword drawn, holy fire blazing along its edge.
"I don't need a shield, Leo," I said coldly, extending my hand toward the oncoming horde.
*Ting!*
[System Combat Mode: Activated!]
[Spatial Mana Compression: 40%!]
I snapped my fingers. A invisible wave of spatial distortion rippled out, crushing three ice stalkers into fine crystal powder before they could even reach our line.
"What..." Leo gasped, staring at the shattered remains of the monsters in complete awe.