Being a Cryo user, fighting Mages is a painful experience.
However, if you freeze them fast enough, a Hydro Mage isn't a problem at all.
In the game, there are skill limitations, but when using elemental power for real, those restrictions don't exist. I just need to continuously release cold energy to freeze the opponent's Hydro element.
I gathered a large amount of cold energy in my palm, then quickly closed in on the Hydro Abyss Mage, slapping my hand onto its elemental shield. Frost spread rapidly, instantly freezing the entire shield and the Abyss Mage solid. I didn't stop releasing Cryo energy until blue ice crept across the ground, forming massive crystals, and I could no longer sense any movement from the enemy. Only then did I dare swing my weapon to shatter the frozen, rock-hard corpse.
The frost I created is genuine Permafrost, difficult to dispel by anyone but me.
It's so strong it almost feels absurd.
I can even channel large amounts of this elemental energy into my weapon. A single strike can still unleash sharp, massive ice blossoms, tearing monsters to shreds.
Even scalding blood freezes instantly upon contact.
［Constellation Level 1 — Absolute Zero Unlocked］
［Level 25 Achieved. 5 Allocation Points Awarded］
Every living thing in the Hilichurl camp had been wiped out. Some ice sculptures I hadn't shattered in time were frozen in lifelike poses, though they certainly wouldn't preserve for centuries. I tapped the mask of a perfectly preserved Hilichurl—sending these guys to their doom instantly.
The original mission didn't mention an Abyss Mage hiding here. I was caught off guard, nearly trapped in a Hydro bubble and sent back to my save point.
"Allocate all points to Attack."
The campfire nearby hadn't gone out yet.
It struggled stubbornly for a moment.
I walked over, crouched down, and reached out. Cryo energy quickly enveloped the small flame—this elemental power could even freeze fire rapidly.
I noticed the camp's fence was hung with a Black Sun flag, tattered and stained with dried dark red that could be blood or mineral pigment. Messy drawings surrounded a simple black sun in the center.
I tore it down and stored it in my inventory.
Kettle barked in the distance.
Wearing the thin paw covers I made for her, she darted through the mountains and forests, quickly killing a wild boar that had escaped from the Hilichurl camp by tearing its throat out.
"Good dog. Well done."
Kettle wagged her tail happily. I examined her tightly curled tail, then suddenly picked up an old sword from the ground and tossed it to her.
Kettle's fur bristled. She leaped toward the sword, hitting it with her hind legs. Her tail unfurled and curled again but caught nothing. She stared disbelievingly at the sword on the ground, emitting ashamed whimpers.
The kettle's boiling.
I stayed silent, walked over, picked it up, and held it near Kettle's tail.
She tried curling around it several times but failed each time.
"Alright, Kettle." I smashed the sword with my club and kicked it aside. "This worthless sword dared not let our adorable Kettle pick it up. It deserves to die."
［You sound like doting grandparents now］ the System remarked sarcastically.
"You sound like an unreasonable piece of trash spouting nonsense," I retorted.
I think I know why Kettle didn't become a ninja hound.
But for now, I needed to find a river to wash the boar blood off her mouth.
——
After insisting on working for three days straight, Gong finally protested.
"Really, Miya, what's wrong with you! You promised to take a break! Why are you back to high-intensity work again!"
Could I tell him it was because I got scared after glancing at a doujinshi about the Kamisato clan head?
No.
Absolutely not!
Gong looked annoyed at the task list. "Miss Miya, your task preferences have turned you into a cleaner—always killing and killing. That's why I said to take a break. Even a workhorse wouldn't be driven this hard."
After spending time with me, Gong had started spouting nonsense too.
I rubbed my nose.
Actually, all the killing wasn't so bad. Maybe I could take on some freelance mercenary work—that should pay well too, but I had no connections.
［If you want those kinds of connections, they unlock after Level 30］
I nodded.
Gong put away the task list, forbidding me from taking more work. I had no choice but to take Kettle home. On the way, I passed a food stall and packed some ingredients and dishes. My inventory still had the wild boar Kettle hunted.
"I'm the type who can't stop once I start working. If I stop, I don't want to work anymore."
［What about working in cycles?］
"First, determination; second, decline; third, exhaustion."
［The ancients would cry if they knew you used their wisdom like this］
Although I didn't take the commission to deal with the machines in Yashiori Island, I could still accept commissions for Hilichurls, Treasure Hoarders, or Kairagi. After earning 500,000 Mora, I made another 200,000 from odd jobs. Daily expenses didn't cost much, and I had the 600,000 Mora ready for the house.
But Mr. Yamada always looked at me like a cat seeing a mouse.
It was troubling.
Should I ask Thoma for help? But bothering him with something as small as payment—he's super busy too—
I spotted Tamura Kaito.
"Ah, it's him."
The kid stood by the street, covered in visible bruises and cuts. The collar he'd cut last time was patched with another fabric, the stitches sloppy and rough. I quietly slipped into a nearby alley, watching from a distance.
The boy was highly alert. He didn't stand there long before turning and heading out of the city via a small path. I followed lightly until we reached an open area outside the city.
Expressionless, I patted Kettle's head and pointed forward.
"Good Kettle, catch him."
The black dog shot out like an arrow.
The boy's scream hurt my ears.
Kettle pounced on the boy, biting his calf, her canine teeth firmly tearing his clothes. Maybe sending Kettle was too rough, but this kid ran really fast last time.
Seeing a large dog had bitten him, Tamura Kaito pulled out the same sharp knife from before, aiming for the dog's eye. His hand was intercepted halfway by another hand—pale and exerting immense force. In his panic, the boy looked up—meeting those familiar green eyes—
"I didn't say anything last time you stole from me."
"If you actually hurt Kettle," the girl's gaze was full of malice.
"—I'll tear your face apart."
——
The boy turned pale with fear.
Just then, I suddenly heard the System's prompt—
［Important character detected: Arataki Itto］
［Favorability decreased］
［Arataki Itto Favorability: 13］
At the same time, heavy footsteps sounded behind me. A shadow fell over us. I turned and met those crimson oni eyes. The newcomer wore flamboyant, unique clothing, with bold red patterns tattooed across his exposed, sturdy chest and abdomen.
"Hey! This kid is with the Arataki Gang!"
Arataki Itto stared down at me.
"—What do you think you're doing?"