Chapter 26: Drum Island's Snow and the Doctor's Dream
[SYSTEM MISSION: ASCEND DRUM ROCK. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC MOUNTAINEERING / COLD RESISTANCE (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: REACH DR. KUREHA.]
"Drum Island. A perpetually snowy island, and a massive, treacherous mountain. This is an environmental challenge, and a chance for a survival skill. 'Basic Mountaineering' would be invaluable for navigating difficult terrain, or 'Cold Resistance' for surviving extreme temperatures. I need to get caught in an avalanche, or freeze to death, to truly experience the harshness of this environment. This is about understanding survival in extreme conditions. Time to become an ice cube, and then come back with a new appreciation for warmth, and perhaps a better grip."
After the encounter with Mr. 3, the Straw Hats continued their journey, but Nami suddenly fell ill with a mysterious, high fever. Their next destination became clear: Drum Island, the only place in the Grand Line rumored to have a doctor.
Drum Island was a perpetually snowy and mountainous island, dominated by the colossal, drum-shaped peak of Drum Rock. The journey up the mountain was treacherous, with blizzards and freezing temperatures.
"It's so cold!" Usopp shivered, teeth chattering. "And this mountain is impossible!"
My compass, which had been pointing towards Alabasta, now pulsed with a cold, biting energy, reacting to the harsh environment. A new system prompt, emphasizing environmental survival and physical endurance, appeared in my mind.
[SYSTEM MISSION: ASCEND DRUM ROCK. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC MOUNTAINEERING / COLD RESISTANCE (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: REACH DR. KUREHA.]
"Drum Island. A freezing mountain. This is a chance for a survival skill. 'Basic Mountaineering' would be invaluable for navigating difficult terrain and climbing. Or 'Cold Resistance' for surviving extreme temperatures. I need to get caught in an avalanche, or freeze to death, to truly experience the harshness of this environment and absorb its essence. This is about understanding survival in extreme conditions, and pushing the limits of the human body against nature. Time to become an ice cube, and then come back with a new appreciation for warmth, and perhaps a better grip on slippery surfaces."
"Don't worry, everyone!" I declared, despite the biting wind. "This is just a little 'winter wonderland' adventure! And I'm sure the mountain has a lot to teach us about… chilling out."
As Luffy and Sanji struggled to carry Nami up the treacherous slopes, battling blizzards and icy winds, I deliberately lagged behind, seeking my opportunity. The wind howled, and snow fell in thick, blinding sheets.
My eyes fell upon a particularly unstable snowdrift high above.
"This is it. A death by natural disaster, by overwhelming cold and crushing snow. This will definitely yield 'Mountaineering' or 'Cold Resistance.' I need to get caught in an avalanche, to experience the full, suffocating, freezing power of the mountain."
I subtly dislodged a large chunk of snow, triggering a small but potent avalanche. I deliberately positioned myself in its path, letting the torrent of snow and ice engulf me. The cold was instant and absolute, freezing my lungs, numbing my limbs. The sheer weight of the snow crushed me, burying me deep beneath the surface, cutting off all air and light. I felt my body rapidly losing heat, my vital functions shutting down one by one, succumbing to hypothermia and suffocation. The last sensation was the overwhelming, crushing, freezing embrace of the mountain.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: DEATH RECORDED. KILLER: DRUM ISLAND AVALANCHE/HYPOTHERMIA. ABILITY ACQUIRED: COLD RESISTANCE (MINOR). REVIVAL INITIATING. PLEASE WAIT.]
"Cold Resistance (Minor)! Excellent! This is going to be incredibly useful for future cold environments, and a general boost to my endurance. I can feel it – an intuitive understanding of how to regulate my body temperature, how to resist the effects of freezing. And I got to experience being an ice cube! What a rush. Time to pop back up and show them how to truly brave the cold."
I gasped, sitting upright, perfectly whole and warm, emerging from the snowdrift. My body felt no pain, but I felt a faint, new understanding of how to resist the cold, a subtle warmth radiating from within.
Luffy and Sanji, who had been struggling forward, turned back, their faces etched with worry.
"Adam! You fell!" Luffy cried, rushing back. "Are you okay?!"
"Just taking a quick nap in the snow, Captain!" I said, standing up and brushing off the snow, feeling surprisingly comfortable in the freezing temperatures. "Very refreshing! And I learned a valuable lesson! Turns out, mountains are quite good at teaching about… personal insulation. I think I've got the hang of it now."
I then proceeded to help Luffy and Sanji, my new Cold Resistance making the arduous climb significantly easier for me. I could move through the biting winds and deep snow with surprising comfort, even helping to clear paths.
The Straw Hats eventually reached Dr. Kureha's castle, where Nami received treatment, and they encountered Tony Tony Chopper. My new Cold Resistance would prove invaluable in the harsh environment of Drum Island.
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