Trial 02

 

Chapter 3: Adaptation - (3)

Section 01

The apartment reconstruction site was close enough that even an unchanged human body could reach it in about five minutes. At a brisk pace, it might take less than three, but now, in Celberion’s body, I arrived effortlessly in mere seconds.

"..."

Like a ninja, I leaped from rooftop to rooftop, and before I knew it, the construction site came into view. I landed lightly on the sandy ground, striking a stance. The workers had already evacuated; not a single trace of anyone remained.

"Ah."

Above me, a dark shadow loomed, the form of a Dark Wyvern growing sharper and more distinct.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

"Hmm..."

Perhaps because Celberion’s frame was so small, it hadn’t noticed me approaching directly beneath it. It continued roaring toward the heart of Seoul.

If I had a skill like Aura Release, I could have drawn its attention without taking any specific action, but wishing for more skills would be greedy.

"Hmph."

Pushing aside my regrets, I launched a vigorous basic attack at the Dark Wyvern. Just as with the trolls earlier, the Chains of Death and Frost, shaped as a greatsword, shot toward it with ferocious speed.

Swoosh—

The red greatsword sliced through the air with a sharp sound. Even for a Dark Wyvern, dodging at that speed seemed impossible. A direct hit might have one-shotted it or at least dealt critical damage. But unfortunately, my target this time wasn’t its body.

What I aimed for was not the wyvern itself, but the steel beam of the apartment it perched on.

Boom!

The Chains of Death and Frost shattered the steel beam with a deafening crash. Suddenly losing its foothold, the Dark Wyvern panicked and flapped into the sky.

— Kieeeeek?!

Showing signs of confusion despite being a monster, it turned its head toward the source of the Chains of Death and Frost—toward me, standing boldly on the sandy ground.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

How dare someone attack it so brazenly.

The Dark Wyvern roared furiously at me for launching the greatsword. Watching it, I smirked.

"Good..."

I had succeeded in drawing its attention.

What was the point of killing it with a sneak attack? What I wanted was to adapt to Celberion’s body—to engage in a proper battle.

— Kyaaaaaaaaa!!

"..."

The wyvern bared its sharp teeth at me. The stage seemed set. I took a deep breath and seriously imagined engaging in battle in my mind.

Five hologram screens appeared before my eyes.

[Passive: ‘Blessing of the Ice Spirit’ is activated.]
[Passive: ‘Piercing Frost’ is activated.]
[Passive: ‘Snow Veil’ is activated.]
[Passive: ‘Endless Cold’ is activated.]
[Passive: ‘Ashen Snowstorm’ is activated.]

"..."

These were notifications confirming that all passives had activated as the proper battle began. Before I could fully register them, significant changes started unfolding around me.

First, two magic circles expanded on either side of me, and from them emerged two massive ice golems.

— Graaaaaah!!

"Ice spirits..."

Celberion’s first passive, Blessing of the Ice Spirit, automatically summoned two ice spirits. Their forms shifted with each summoning, and this time, they appeared as rugged, towering golems.

Covered entirely in solid ice, they seemed to boast not only immense strength but also formidable defense.

I could feel the struggle of players who had to face not just Celberion but these colossal ice spirits too.

Next, a change occurred above the gliding Dark Wyvern. Small letters materialized over its head, forming a status screen.

[Dark Wyvern]
Level: 1480
Attribute: Dark
Status Ailment: None

"Level 1480..."

With Piercing Frost activated, I could now see the Dark Wyvern’s previously hidden details. In a PvP scenario, this would be invaluable for identifying an enemy’s class or spotting hidden healers—an exceptional passive.

"...Snow Veil."

A thin blue barrier formed in front of me, activating Snow Veil’s effect. Celberion had only a 0.8% chance of being afflicted by status ailments, and even that was periodically healed by Snow Veil, making the effective probability 0%.

Finally, the last passive to manifest was Celberion’s highlight: Ashen Snowstorm. The infamous passive that had brought tears to the eyes of players challenging Celberion.

Rumble.

As if responding to my anticipation, ominous dark clouds gathered above the reconstruction site. Gray particles began fluttering down from within.

They resembled snowflakes, but they were neither the thrilling first snow of winter nor the romantic snow of Christmas.

They were Celberion’s Ashen Snowstorm—a torment that gnawed at flesh, a nightmare, the most vicious ash that brought all to their knees.

"They’re beautiful."

I murmured, catching the falling ashen snow in my palm. Perhaps only I, Celberion, could call this gray snow romantic.

"Good."

The stage was set.

I had drawn the enemy’s attention, and all passives were active. Now, all that remained was to use my skills and finish off the Dark Wyvern.

"..."

The excitement of wielding Celberion’s skills, the December stage boss, in battle surged within me.

Facing a mid-boss-level monster, I smiled instead of tensing—an absurd situation no ordinary player could fathom.

Against my will, my lips curled, my heart pounded, and adrenaline flooded my body, intoxicating my mind.

"...Not bad."

Smiling at this indescribable feeling, I extended my hand toward the Dark Wyvern and softly chanted my first skill.

"...Ice Blade."

A massive blue magic circle unfurled before me.

Section 02

"Ah."

The moment he was struck in the side by the Cyclops’ club, Kim Dong-wook—nicknamed "Sinsa-dong Masochist"—realized once again that this was no game.

Sensations far more vivid than in virtual reality, a heavy pain spreading through his body, and even a tear welling in his eye.

The fear of actually dying made Dong-wook’s legs tremble.

I should’ve stayed hidden at home. I should’ve waited to see how things played out. Despite his modest level, he regretted the sense of duty and stubbornness that drove him outside. A profound regret surged from deep within.

"Dong-wook!!"

Meanwhile, Yoon Ji-ah, his university classmate and a "Priest" by class, called out worriedly as he was sent flying several meters by the Cyclops’ club.

"Ugh..."

It hurt, but not enough to keep him down. Hearing Ji-ah’s cry, Dong-wook propped himself up with his shield like a staff and regained his stance.

"I-I’m fine..."

He gestured to the anxious Ji-ah that he was okay. It hurt, but as a "Holy Shield Knight"—a tank class with all stats poured into defense—he wouldn’t fall so easily.

— G-Graaaaaah!!

"..."

The Cyclops roared at him as he stood. Dong-wook was exhausted, but the creature seemed weary too. How long had they been fighting this single B-grade monster? Sweat trickled down his chin.

"Damn it..."

Dong-wook’s expression twisted.

The Cyclops, a level 850 B-grade monster, had high HP and resilience, but there was no reason his three-person party, averaging level 800, couldn’t defeat it.

Confident in this, Dong-wook had started the raid, but all expectations of an easy win crumbled, and the battle had dragged on for over 30 minutes.

"Ugh, ugh, m-mom..."

"Damn it, really..."

The main reason for the prolonged fight was Park Sang-hyeok, the party’s sole damage dealer and mage, who had fallen into a severe panic at the raid’s start.

"Ugh, I-I don’t want to..."

"..."

Terrified by the Cyclops’ first roar, Sang-hyeok became unresponsive, rendering him useless. That left only Ji-ah, the healer, and Dong-wook, the tank—neither with offensive skills.

Ji-ah’s "Priest" class had only healing and buffing abilities.

Dong-wook’s "Holy Shield Knight" was the only tank class in Season Off Fantasy with entirely defensive skills.

Without Sang-hyeok, the explosive fire mage, Ji-ah and Dong-wook’s only damage came from pitiful basic attacks.

A five-minute battle stretched past 30 minutes, and their stamina and MP neared their limits.

"Park Sang-hyeok, you troll! Snap out of it!"

"Ugh, ugh..."

Dong-wook gritted his teeth and called out, but Sang-hyeok only curled up tighter, trembling. His fierce in-game demeanor was gone.

"Damn it, really..."

Should they run? But this neighborhood, where Dong-wook, Ji-ah, and Sang-hyeok lived, was a poor area populated by the vulnerable.

It would take ages for soldiers or other players to reach this neglected corner, so until then, they—likely the only players nearby—had to protect it.

— Grrrrrrr...

"Damn it..."

They’d have to exclude Sang-hyeok and settle it with just Ji-ah and himself. Exhausted as they were, after 30 minutes of steady damage, the Cyclops had to be nearing its limit too.

Just a little more patience.

"Yoon Ji-ah! Give me an attack buff!"

"Got it! Song of the Blade!"

At his request, Ji-ah cast an attack-boosting buff. A red aura enveloped Dong-wook, and he felt a surge of strength.

— Graaaaaah!!

Thud.

As if sensing the final showdown, the Cyclops slammed its club into the ground and roared mightily.

"Ugh, uwaaaaah!!"

"P-Park Sang-hyeok?! Don’t run, you bastard!!"

The roar snapped Sang-hyeok’s courage completely. He burst into tears and fled down the alley.

"You damn troll!! Don’t gooo!!"

Dong-wook tried to stop him, but Sang-hyeok was already out of sight.

Now, only Dong-wook and Ji-ah remained.

"Damn it..."

Sang-hyeok was useless anyway. Suppressing his anger, Dong-wook turned back to the Cyclops.

"Let’s end this in one go..."

He gritted his teeth and prepared to charge. Without rest, their MP would deplete, leading to defeat. This one attack had to settle it.

"Here I goooo!!"

Dong-wook kicked off the ground and rushed the Cyclops, aiming for its weak point—its single eye—for a high chance of a critical hit.

With the buff, a successful strike could take it down in one blow.

— Graaaaaah!!

"Ugh!!"

The club swung at him, but Dong-wook, trusting his Holy Shield Knight defense, took it head-on, refusing to stop.

— G-Graaah?!

Confused by Dong-wook’s persistence despite the hit, the Cyclops swung again, but the club’s wind-up was slow.

Dong-wook, unrelenting, had ample time to strike.

"Dieeee!!"

Leaping high, he gripped his massive iron shield with both hands and smashed it into the Cyclops’ eye.

— G-Graaaaaaaaah!!

A scream of agony followed. The Cyclops dropped its club, clutched its face, staggered, and collapsed.

Thud.

"Huff, huff..."

Dong-wook stared at the fallen giant, breathing heavily. He dropped his shield and slumped to the ground, catching his breath.

"D-Dong-wook!!"

"Ji-ah..."

Ji-ah rushed to him anxiously. Dong-wook gave her a bittersweet smile and flashed a V-sign.

"...We won."

Truly, including virtual battles, this was the hardest, most draining fight of his life.

The root cause? The troll among trolls, Park Sang-hyeok, who deserted them.

Wherever he’d fled, Dong-wook vowed to beat him up if they met again.

"Good job. Here, drink some water."

"...Thanks."

As the grueling battle ended, Ji-ah smiled brightly and handed him a water bottle from her bag.

"..."

Gulping it down, Dong-wook vividly felt his survival, his proud victory in this unprecedented disaster’s first battle.

"Phew..."

But it wasn’t over. Though fewer monsters roamed here than elsewhere, many bizarre creatures still lurked, preying on civilians.

No time to rest. Even without Sang-hyeok, they could handle C-grade monsters.

If they faced another B-grade...

He didn’t want to think about it.

"...Let’s head that way this time."

"Okay."

Finishing the water, Dong-wook stood and spoke to Ji-ah. She looked tired but didn’t suggest resting. She knew they were this neighborhood’s only protectors.

"Tell me if it’s too much. We can hide inside if needed."

"Yeah, got it."

Ji-ah nodded, and after defeating the Cyclops, they started walking again.

A deafening cry echoed from the sky.

— Kyaaaaaaaaaa!!

"W-What’s that?!!"

"A Dark Wyvern...?"

A massive Dark Wyvern appeared, gliding over the neighborhood. Known for its ferocity, this A+ grade monster froze Dong-wook and Ji-ah in place.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

"..."

Perching on a steel beam at the nearby reconstruction site, it let out another chilling roar.

Its overwhelming presence made their legs quiver. Never having faced this infamous beast below level 1000, it was all the more terrifying.

"W-What do we do?!"

"Damn it..."

Ji-ah asked worriedly at the calamity-level monster’s sudden arrival. Dong-wook sank into thought.

Normally, they’d rush to defeat it, but this Dark Wyvern dwarfed the Cyclops in strength. Without a proper dealer, challenging it was suicide.

Yet leaving it would turn the neighborhood to rubble. He was at a loss.

"F-First, let’s evacuate the people nearby..."

He suggested to Ji-ah that they prioritize evacuation.

In his memory, a rundown orphanage stood next to the site—likely the wyvern’s first target. Even if they couldn’t defeat it, they had to save the children.

"...Okay. Let’s evacuate first."

Ji-ah nodded in agreement. United in purpose, they ran toward the site faster than before.

"Just a bit, a bit faster... ...?!!"

Boom!

As they sprinted, another loud noise came from the construction site.

"The steel beam collapsed...?"

Looking over, it seemed someone had attacked the wyvern—the beam it sat on had shattered.

— Kyaaaaaaaaaa!!

Enraged, dark clouds gathered unnaturally above the wyvern, suggesting artificial magic.

Like a mage casting a skill.

"Is someone fighting it...?"

"Are there other Siofan players here besides us?!"

Dong-wook and Ji-ah muttered, exchanging glances. Only transformed Season Off Fantasy players could destroy the beam and summon such clouds.

That meant someone was tackling the Dark Wyvern. What level were they to fearlessly strike an A+ monster?

A guild? A ranker nearby? Or maybe the broken Park Sang-hyeok...?

"Damn it..."

Dong-wook couldn’t be sure, but one thing was clear.

Whether to evacuate citizens or assist that someone, they had to hurry to the site where the Dark Wyvern raged.

Chapter 4: Adaptation - (4)

Section 01

"..."

A blue magic circle unfurled before me. From that beautiful hexagram, reminiscent of pure snow crystals, three sharp ice blades emerged.

Per the skill description, I could launch up to 100 simultaneously, but for one wyvern, three sufficed.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

"..."

The wyvern roared mockingly as I prepared the blades, exuding confidence that it could dodge anything I threw.

Such arrogance from a mere monster.

Patter.

Dark clouds fully gathered above its head, and gray snowflakes began to fall timidly.

Snow in early summer—an absurd sight—but the Dark Wyvern accepted it without suspicion.

These were no ordinary snowflakes. They were Celberion’s Ashen Snowstorm, the worst passive, dealing constant damage and slowing movement and attack speed on contact.

It took only seconds for the wyvern to regret its complacency.

— K-Kieeeeeeeeek!!

As the snowflakes touched its skin, it screamed as if the world were ending.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

A single flake caused it to writhe in agony, hit by the storm’s fixed damage.

Though a high-grade monster, it was no match for Celberion. Even a passive’s damage felt like a critical blow.

Then, its back—first touched by the ash—began to freeze.

"...Freezing effect."

The Ashen Snowstorm’s chance-based freezing effect kicked in, locking parts of the body and restricting movement briefly.

With the storm’s automatic 20% speed reduction, plus freezing, all actions were effectively barred.

— K-Kieeeeek...

Its wingbeats slowed and stopped. An aerial monster’s fate without flapping was singular.

Crash.

— Kieeeeeeeeek!!

It plummeted toward the sandy ground, crying out desperately to flap again, but the freezing effect permitted no movement.

"Hmm..."

Do you know perspective? Distant objects appear smaller, closer ones larger.

As the Dark Wyvern fell closer, it grew larger in my sight—easier to hit with my Ice Blade.

"...Good."

With a faint smile, I launched the blades. The sharp, iceberg-like projectiles struck true.

— Kyaaaaaaaaaa!!

Two hit its frozen wings, the third grazed its head, shattering its horn.

In an instant, its wings were pierced, and its horn lost. Screaming terribly, it crashed onto the sandy ground with a loud thud.

— Kruk, krurrk...

Twitching in pain, it groaned. But the freezing lingered, and my attack wasn’t done.

The two ice golems from Blessing of the Ice Spirit moved next.

— Graaaaaah!!
— Gwoooooh!!

Splitting to either side, they each seized a wing and tore them off like a dragonfly’s.

— K-Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!

With both wings ripped away, the Dark Wyvern screamed again. I approached the convulsing creature, now more worm than wyvern.

— K-Kruk...

Its eyes, looking up at me, held only fear. I tilted my head.

"What should I finish it with..."

I could’ve one-shotted it earlier with the blades, but that would’ve used just one skill.

Having found a quality punching bag, I should test at least two skills.

"Hmm, Pouring Snowflakes is too wide-ranging..."

I pondered the finale. I was tempted by Pouring Snowflakes, an unrevealed skill dropping ice meteors, but it might bring an ice age to the neighborhood.

That would be a disaster.

"This is best."

After deliberation, I chose Celberion’s signature skill, Wave of Ice.

Extending my palm downward, I prepared it.

A blue magic circle symbolizing ice appeared beneath my hand, and a bone-chilling cold spread.

— K-Krurrrk...

The trembling wyvern saw my preparation. Sadly, I wasn’t kind enough to spare a monster.

For the defeated, only death awaited.

"...Alright."

Preparations complete, I activated Celberion’s famed skill.

"...Wave of Ice."

A blue aura of immense cold spread in a circular wave, freezing everything—sand, steel beams—into a mini ice age.

— ...

The wyvern froze from head to tail, its screams swallowed by the cold.

"..."

Clenching my fist, I felt a sensation like bursting a water balloon. The frozen wyvern shattered into beautiful ice crystals.

"...Not bad."

I muttered, gazing at its vanished remains. For a first use, the skill’s power compensated for my inexperience.

Especially as a wide-area skill, Wave of Ice would be invaluable against multiple foes.

[Monster Defeated!]
You have defeated A+ grade monster ‘Dark Wyvern (LV:1480)’!
Reward: A+ grade Magic Stone

[Battle Ended.]
[All passives are deactivated.]

"..."

With the battle over, passives deactivated. The defeat notification confirmed an A+ grade magic stone reward.

— Grrruk...
— Grruk...

The dark clouds dissipated, and the ice golems vanished into their magic circles.

All that remained in the ice-covered site were the magic stone and bright sunlight.

"!!"

One of the hundreds of Light Rifts near the neighborhood began to close, like a zipper shutting.

It seemed true: one boss-level monster per rift.

"Hmm..."

With so many rifts, it wasn’t noticeable, but knowing how to close them was a plus.

Yet closing them all would require hundreds, thousands of battles in Seoul alone.

Greater chaos loomed ahead.

— Ji-ah! Over here! The wyvern fell this way!
— Wasn’t someone fighting? Hey!! Anyone there?! Are you okay?!! We’re players too! We’ll help!!

"!!"

Voices of a man and woman came from outside the site.

Identifying as players, they’d likely seen the wyvern and rushed here.

Players...

Other transformed Season Off Fantasy players in this poor neighborhood? Unexpected.

"...I should go."

Meeting them would be a hassle.

In this crisis’s early stages, with monster vigilance peaking, revealing myself as Celberion—one of the most feared—felt premature.

Besides, defeating the wyvern and closing a rift felt like enough for today. Having adapted through two battles, I had no regrets.

I just wanted to go home, check other regions, and investigate new information.

No need to risk unnecessary actions.

Not yet.

"Uh..."

Before leaving, I scratched my chin, eyeing the frozen site. I’d assumed no players were nearby and used Celberion’s skills freely—a hasty judgment.

But Season Off Fantasy had many Ice Mages and Meteorologists with similar skills, so this icy chaos didn’t necessarily point to Celberion.

No need to worry too much.

"...Let’s go."

Adjusting my mask, I quickly left the site.

Section 02

"Hey!! Are you okay?!"

"We’ll help too... Huh...?"

Hearing explosions and screams, convinced someone was fighting the wyvern, Dong-wook and Ji-ah hurried into the reconstruction area.

But they were greeted by a vast expanse of white snow and ice.

"It’s all frozen...?"

"What is this..."

The entire site had become an ice rink. A piercing cold seeped through their insulated armor.

"H-Hey!!"

"Anyone here?!"

Neither the wyvern nor its presumed vanquisher appeared. No matter how loudly they called, no one responded.

Judging by the wyvern’s fall—shot down by ice—and the site’s state, someone had dealt with it and left.

"...Impressive."

Ji-ah murmured, surveying the scene. As she said, turning this vast site into an ice age so quickly meant the victor was exceptional.

"Was it a guild?"

"...No."

To Ji-ah’s question, Dong-wook shook his head firmly, pointing to a single set of small footprints.

"...One set of tracks. They handled the Dark Wyvern alone."

"Alone?! That’s impossible; they’d have to be ranker-level strong."

"I guess so."

Dong-wook nodded at the shocked Ji-ah. He hadn’t imagined a Siofan ranker in this poor neighborhood, but perhaps someone, like them, had come from the provinces and lived cheaply.

"An ice mage... No, more likely a meteorologist."

Dong-wook muttered, investigating.

The ice suggested an ice-attribute mage, but the earlier dark clouds hinted at a rare Meteorologist, capable of summoning blizzards.

In Season Off Fantasy, beyond the 20 standard classes, four rare ones existed.

Meteorologist, with top utility, could plausibly solo a Dark Wyvern.

"A meteorologist? A rare class—how envious..."

"Yeah."

Ji-ah envied the elusive rare class. Dong-wook agreed, continuing to examine the icy landscape.

"Hmm...?"

He noticed gray snowflakes piled on unfrozen sand—ominously beautiful.

"Snowflakes? Or ash...?"

Tilting his head at the ambiguous flakes, he knelt and picked them up without thinking.

That’s when it happened.

"...?!!"

The moment he grasped them, an indescribable pain shot through his fingertips.

Burning or frostbite—he couldn’t tell—an unprecedented agony.

"Aaaaargh!!"

The pain spread, and he rolled on the ice. In-game pain reduction was gone; now, every sensation was vivid.

"Aaaaargh!! Ugh, ughhh!!"

His body froze up, burning in places. A red hologram signaled critical danger.

[Danger! HP Critical!]
Your health has entered the red zone!
○ Status Ailment: Frozen
○ Attack Speed reduced by 20%
○ Movement Speed reduced by 20%
※Movement of certain body parts is restricted while Frozen persists.
※Use of the recovery item ‘Ancient Warmth’ is recommended.
※Retreat to a safe area with allies’ support.

"HP, c-critical...?"

His HP had dropped to the red zone just from holding the snow—an unbelievable notice. His pupils shook.

This can’t be. Just from that snow? Me, a Holy Shield Knight...?

With all stats in defense and HP, Dong-wook rarely dipped below orange. He’d stayed green against the Cyclops.

But this snow—or ash—had slashed his HP to red. Unthinkable.

And more—frozen, with 20% speed reductions. What were these ashen flakes?

"Kya, kyaaaah!! D-Dong-wook!!"

"Ugh, ugh..."

Ji-ah rushed to him, kneeling to prepare a healing skill.

"Good heavens, HP in the red and frozen?! J-Just wait...!!"

Startled by his near-death state, she cast her skill.

"...Blessing of the Goddess."

The highest healing skill Ji-ah, at level 800, could use—restoring half HP and curing ailments, despite its long cooldown.

"Ugh, ugh... Ha, haa..."

The pain eased. His HP rose to orange, and the freeze lifted, though speed debuffs lingered.

"D-Damn it..."

Faced with this mystery, Dong-wook’s face twisted.

Ashen snowflakes that dealt severe damage, froze, and debuffed on touch—he’d never heard of such a thing.

A new object from the transformation event?

"...No, wait."

A memory flashed through his mind.

"Ash-colored snowflakes, freezing, damage, and speed debuffs...?"

Ashen snow inflicting freezing and damage—he’d heard of it.

Not relevant to his level, he hadn’t focused on it, but he’d seen it in Siofan videos.

"The Ashen Snowstorm...?"

It matched perfectly with the passive of Season Off Fantasy’s unclimbable boss.

"Surely not..."

The boss of the End of the World stage, open only in December, notorious for its difficulty.

A princess of ice and snow, beautiful yet infinitely cold and cruel.

"C-Celberion...?"

The Frost of Destruction, the God of Destruction Celberion.

"Ah..."

An inexplicable chill and fear coursed through Dong-wook.