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 147: The One Who Commands the Eternally Unmelting Frozen Sea 4

Episode 147: The One Who Commands the Eternally Unmelting Frozen Sea 4

“[Update]!”

I began altering the Mana Crystals that made up my body. Since my body has a limited volume, I couldn’t fully replicate that artifact. I only recreated the necessary functions within myself.

“(Shield!)”

Of course, the Sea Angel’s attacks continued during the process. Along with the heat beams and black ice spheres, freezing light bullets were also being fired from the ice crystals surrounding the Sea Angel. Dodging all of that while working on my [Update] was tough.

To break their aim, I shot straight up into the sky. I then immediately dived down, flying just above the icy ground. Sensing the ice preparing to snap shut like a bear trap, I soared upwards again. By incorporating vertical movements, I managed to avoid most of the attacks with minimal damage.

“Rarariri…”

“(Phew, finally out of ammo!)”

At last, the moment arrived. The black ice spheres had run out of stored freezing light bullets. The Sea Angel still had plenty of |Mana| left, so it would likely replenish the spheres soon. But for now, I had a slight reprieve.

“(Time to finish this while I have the chance!)”

I completed my creation: a dazzling yellow gem at the core of my being, compressed from my own form. This artifact was well-known in the underground city and commonly called a Sunstone.

“(Activating the Solar Crystal!)”

The Sunstone. Official name: Guardian Solar Crystal, a city-core type multi-purpose artifact. This artifact was crafted from the core parts of the Mecha Gods who perished in battle against the Earth Dragon a thousand years ago. In other words, it’s an incredibly high-grade Mana Crystal.

Its functions aren’t limited to just providing light. It can conceal a city’s |Mana|, support |Mana| lines, perform automatic maintenance, and even serve as a means of attack. But for now, I only needed its illumination ability.

“Larara…?”

Seeing the sudden change in me, the Sea Angel reacted with suspicion. But I ignored that and got moving.

“([Instant Shift]! Shield!)”

I channeled |Mana| throughout my body, weaving through the net of light bullets and heat beams as I closed in. Splitting my |Mana| between the Sunstone and my shield slightly reduced my acceleration. But thanks to the various [Skills] and experience, I managed to get close.

“(This should be enough… Time to gamble! [Super Jump]!)”

I feinted just before entering the freezing zone, throwing off the aim of the heat rays and light bullets. In the split second of space created, I launched myself forward with Super Leap.

──FREEZE──

Fuwa Katsu was frozen.

Not in movement, but in time itself. His very existence had been frozen in time.

Such a reality-defying skill was possible for the “Polar King” who had reached the Sixth Grade of the hierarchy ability. However, this [Skill] could not stop vectors. For example, if a falling clock was frozen, its hands would stop. But the falling motion itself would continue.

As a result, he, frozen in time, was still hurtling toward the “Polar King”.

Previously, the “Polar King” would have swatted him away like a mere ball. But now, enraged by earlier wounds, there would be no such mercy. First, the black ice spheres reverted to mere blocks of ice. Katsu was caught between them, stopped in his tracks. The “Polar King” prepared to unleash a concentrated barrage of light bullets and heat beams.

Knowing from experience that Katsu would break free from the freeze in a few seconds, the “Polar King” moved swiftly and precisely. Even if a single light bullet or heat beam was weak on its own, sustained hits over several seconds could inflict considerable damage.

But if there was a miscalculation on the “Polar King’s” part, it was—

──THAWING──

Whoa, the Sea Angel’s right in front of me!

Despite my shock, my body reacted automatically, pulling the trigger.

“([Compact Shoot]! [Sparkle Pluto]!)”

The attack had been prepared the moment I used [Super Jump], so my magic bullets fired at the same time as the Sea Angel’s attack. The shots collided, and both hit their targets. My bullets were weakened by the aurora-like barrier around Sea Angel, so they didn’t inflict any serious damage. But just hitting it served its purpose.

“Rura?!”

“([Super Jump]! [Explosive Charge]! [Charge Thrust]!)”

The barrage from all directions had already shattered the ice restraints, and I closed in on the now bewildered Sea Angel, delivering a direct thrust. I didn’t bother forming a weapon, but the previous barrage had built up enough stack of the [Storm Strike] to penetrate the tough hide of the Beast King.

“([Lightning Str—whoa!)”

Just as I was about to follow up with another strike, I found myself embedded in the ground. I’d been frozen again.

But this time, I regained awareness much faster than before. Previously, I had regained consciousness only after hitting the ground. But this time, I recognized the moment of impact.

“(It’s working!)”

I focused my attention on the artificial sun that continued to radiate heat at my core.

The artifact I recreated is simply one that emits an incredibly strong light. The reason my body turned black was due to the effects of [Mimicry]. 

However, it seems I was right about using this to counter the “Freeze” ability. If Sea Angel’s time-stopping power is mediated by the element of ice, then perhaps the effectiveness—or the duration before the freeze thaws—is influenced by temperature. That was the assumption behind my actions.

I recreated the Sunstone with a focus on maximizing light output, turning my body black to fully absorb the radiant heat. Once my body temperature was high enough, I dove into the “Freeze” zone. Ideally, I would’ve liked to completely neutralize the effect. But just reducing the threat of the freeze was already a significant success.

“(That’s the first hurdle cleared. Now, I’m taking you down!)”

With renewed determination, I leaped up from the ice beneath me, which had begun to melt from my heat.