Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 143: The Beginning of Battle

Episode 143: The Beginning of Battle

A shockwave erupted as the two [Dominions] collided. According to the gods, this phenomenon is known as the Territorial Conflict. The strength of the shockwave is directly proportional to the power of the [Dominions] involved. Therefore, this was undeniable proof of the “Polar King’s” overwhelming [Dominion] power.

“(It’s… deep.)”

Looking down from the sky, I saw a vast crevasse cutting across the icy plains. This fissure was created by the shockwave from the territorial conflict. The ice here in the Arctic is imbued with so much |Mana| that it’s stronger than magical minerals, yet the sheer destruction it displayed highlighted the formidable strength of the “Polar King’s” [Dominion].

“(Its control is beyond anything the Calamity Beasts could manage.)”

Even at the very outer edge of this [Dominion], I could barely expand my [Glittering Factory] by about fifty meters. The closer I got to the core, the more my own control would shrink.

“(Would it be better to keep my ‘Convergence’ active? No… they might use the ice crystals for something. I should still maintain my spread.)”

As I pondered this, I began to move toward the center of the [Dominion]. The diamond-dust-like particles that had been blown away by the shockwave slowly returned, but none of them formed around me. Clearly, they were being generated by the [Dominion].

Just as I reached that conclusion, ten Sovereign Beasts suddenly emerged from behind a nearby glacier.

“(A flock of the same species… or perhaps they are familiars.)”

These Sovereign Beasts  all had bird-like forms. At this level, the differences between individuals tend to be vast. But given how similar these creatures looked, they clearly weren’t naturally occurring.

“(Not that it matters. At this point, a few Sovereign Beasts won’t even slow me down.)”

They began firing beams of ice, but I increased the output of my long-range flying artifact. I sped forward, deflecting the ice with my |Toughness|. After gaining enough speed, I dispelled my artifact’s effect, opting for my natural agility instead.

“([Thunderstorm Rich Harvest – Minori no Jingi], Ten-Fold!)”

I zigzagged through the flock of bird-like beasts, leaving a trail of lightning as I briefly touched each one. In that fleeting contact, I sent lightning surging into their bodies before moving on to the next. By the time I broke through the flock, they were already plummeting to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. Every strike had been a clean kill.

I could feel their 〔Soul Arche〕 dissolving into me like crumbling sandcastles.

My proficiency with the [Unique Skill] had grown to the point where I could instantly kill even full-health Sovereign Beasts with ease.

“(Looks like it noticed.)”

There’s an invisible link between familiars and their master, allowing them to sense each other’s status and communicate to some degree. The “Polar King” likely sensed the deaths of its familiars through this connection.

I felt a massive surge of |Mana| stirring behind the glacier.

As I braced myself for what was coming, the glacier exploded.

“(──Huh?)”

The shattered glacier morphed into an enormous number of cross-shaped swords, which hung suspended in the air. Every blade was pointed at me, making me feel like I was staring down the barrels of countless guns.

Through the now-clear view, a massive creature, easily twice my size, appeared. It looked like an upside-down space shuttle.

It had two short antennae on its head, a pair of flat, wing-like arms, and its translucent skin revealed its internal organs. Its face had no eyes, ears, or nose—just a smooth, blank surface.

The best way to describe this Beast King was…

“(A sea angel.)”

Yes, calling it a giant sea angel would be the closest comparison. Though it had some differences, like glowing blue lines running across its body and a halo of ice floating above its head, the “Polar King” resembled nothing so much as an enormous, floating sea angel.

(Note:

Sea Angel)

“(Its familiars were bird-like beasts, but… I guess it’s like how I created a rabbit beast in one of my experiments. It happens.)”

I took the brief moment, while the ice swords refrained from attacking, to calm my mind and analyze the enemy. The sheer scale of this Beast King, which controlled an entire glacier, filled me with both awe and excitement. 

Both emotions had the potential to cloud my judgment.

I needed to maintain the right balance: not letting my fighting spirit shrink, but also keeping a cool head to avoid recklessness. With my mind clear, I knew what I had to do.

“(Let’s do this, ‘Polar King’!)”

―――Non-Notification Information Recording Zone―――――――――――――

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>> The Far-Off Radiance of the Luminous Sapphire Ring (?), Fuwa Katsu’s has activated [Folly].

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As [Folly] activated, my body felt lighter, and at that exact moment, the first strike came.

One of the countless ice swords scattered like stars in the sky shot toward me. Its speed was godlike—fast enough that even with my |Speed| now exceeding three thousand, I nearly lost sight of it.

I could have dodged it, but I chose to face it head-on instead. 

The sword grazed me and embedded itself in the ice at my feet, leaving me unscathed. Even a strike from the Beast King wasn’t enough to bypass my |Toughness|.

“…Ururuu?”

The Sea Angel appeared somewhat puzzled. Its clear, wind chime-like voice carried a weakening debuff effect. But I resisted it with my |Resist| and quickly shifted to attack.

“([Shoot], [Sparkle Pluto]!)”

I launched magic projectiles empowered by [Weapon Skills] towards the “Polar King”. But before they could reach it, every shot was intercepted. A barrage of ice swords rained down, striking both me and the magic bullets alike. The explosion swept away the surrounding ice crystals, though they soon began to reform, one by one.

“Rururururaa♪”

A cheerful, innocent voice filled the air, brimming with an almost playful malice. It was a voice devoid of hatred or caution, a voice that held no expectation of being harmed. It sent a chill down my spine, not because of fear, but because I realized that the “Polar King’s” perception of me had shifted—from ‘a weakling to be crushed quickly’ to ‘a toy that can offer some amusement.’

“(Go ahead, underestimate me… I’ll make you take me seriously soon enough!)”

Thus began my battle against the ruler of the frozen north, the apex predator of this otherworld. The fight had begun with The One Who Commands the Eternally Unmelting Frozen Sea—Lynerean.