After Orion crossed the spatial gate, he noticed the abundance of mana present in the environment, which was several times greater than on Planet Nihari. He found himself in a harsh, icy environment. Tall pine trees covered in snow stretched endlessly, and the cold wind howled between them. Orion carefully surveyed his surroundings, his eyes examining every inch of the area. It wasn't long before he sensed creatures approaching.
Before he could fully comprehend the situation, a huge snow tiger emerged from the trees, followed by dozens of snow deer with branching antlers, giant snow rabbits with glowing red eyes, and a variety of other beasts with thick fur and sharp fangs. They appeared to be an angry scouting party.
Orion didn't hesitate for a moment. He immediately summoned his shadows. Severus, the Shadow Executioner, and Legolas, the Shadow Hunter, appeared, followed by a thousand shadow ghosts of the late-stage Spark rank, the maximum number of ghosts he could summon at once.
Orion: Severus, Legolas, attack! Ghosts, surround them!
Severus dashed at high speed towards the snow tiger, his shadowy claws gleaming with deadly cold, leaving behind trails of darkness that corroded the beast's body. Legolas leaped nimbly onto a tall pine tree and began showering the beasts with a barrage of precise shadowy arrows that easily pierced their thick fur, some even penetrating their shadows, causing them double the pain. The shadow ghosts surged towards the deer and rabbits, forming a wall of bodies, surrounding the beasts, and then began to attack, some tearing at their flesh while others hindered their movement.
The snow tiger roared powerfully and tried to attack Severus, but the Shadow Executioner was agile and deftly evaded the attack, then delivered a powerful blow with his claws, piercing the tiger's shoulder, causing it to retreat, yelping. Meanwhile, Legolas's arrows struck their targets with pinpoint accuracy, felling the snow deer and giant rabbits one after another. The shadow ghosts clung to the smaller beasts, hindering their movement, distracting them, and preying on them, making them easy targets for Legolas's arrows or Severus's strikes.
After a minute of fierce fighting, the snowy ground was covered with the frozen corpses of the beasts. Orion ordered his shadows to hide in the surrounding shadows and move with him. The shadows obeyed his commands instantly, disappearing into the dark shadows beneath the trees.
Suddenly, another shadowy figure emerged from Orion's shadow. It was about 165 centimeters tall, wearing a shadowy cloak and cowl that covered its face, while its eyes glowed with a faint purple light.
Anarak: I told you before that I would only come out in times of danger or if you needed my help. I believe it is time then.
Orion: Yo.
Anarak: Hello. I believe this is the first time we've met formally, isn't it?
Orion: I suppose so.
Orion nodded with a slight smile, then he and the shadowy figure continued their journey. The shadowy figure, whom Orion knew was Anarak, hid in the surrounding shadows, while Orion walked cautiously through the snowy forest.
During his journey, Orion encountered many different herbs that grew in this cold climate. Some glowed faintly, and others were covered with a thin layer of ice. Orion would order one of the shadow ghosts to pluck them carefully, or he would form an arm of shadows and pluck them himself, then store them in his infinite inventory.
On one occasion, Orion saw a plant with glowing red leaves growing among icy rocks.
Orion: You, pluck that red plant. Be careful not to touch the roots.
The shadow ghost transformed into a monkey, nimbly plucked the plant with skill, and avoided touching the roots. Orion placed the plant in his inventory.
During his journey, Orion faced dozens upon dozens of different beasts that lived in this snowy environment. There were huge ice wolves, cave bears with thick white fur, and even flying creatures resembling small dragons with icy fins. Orion used Severus, Legolas, and the shadow ghosts to eliminate them quickly and efficiently, without taking a scratch. He was testing his new combat skills and mastering the control of his shadows better with each battle.
In one encounter, Orion faced a legion of ice wolves that were stationed at the entrance of a cave, numbering nearly one hundred and twenty wolves.
Orion: Legolas, focus on the leader! Severus, attack from the front! Ghosts, surround them!
The shadows obeyed his commands precisely. Legolas fired a series of arrows that struck the leader of the wolves in the eyes, causing it to fall into a frenzy. Severus charged towards the rest of the wolves, his claws easily tearing through fur and flesh, leaving behind trails of darkness that weakened the other wolves. The shadow ghosts surrounded the wolves, killing them, hindering their movement, and making them easy targets. Within minutes, not a single wolf remained standing.
After each fight, Orion continued to collect the herbs he encountered. He was careful to collect as many different types as possible, recognizing their potential value in the future. This new planet was filled with both treasures and dangers, and Orion was determined to take advantage of both.
Then, Orion entered the cave that the wolves were likely guarding. The cave was dark and cold, but Orion had no difficulty seeing thanks to Legolas. After a short distance, he reached a large space inside the cave. In the middle, he saw a small pool of frozen water, and on the edge of the pool, there was a glowing blue plant emitting a strange energy.
Orion (to himself): Looks like this is the prize.
Orion approached cautiously, but suddenly, the ice on the pool moved, and a huge creature resembling a frozen lizard, with glowing blue eyes, emerged, then screamed loudly. The lizard was at the beginner level of the Flame rank.
Orion (to himself): Hmm, this will be my first battle with a Flame rank beast. I wonder how strong it will be.
Orion didn't hesitate. He gestured to his shadows.
Orion, Severus, and Anarak rushed to face the huge lizard, while Legolas, the Shadow Hunter, fired his arrows from the rear, and the shadow ghosts surrounded the lizard.
Another battle began, this time against a much stronger beast. Severus charged towards the creature, while Legolas fired precise arrows at its eyes, some carrying a mild paralyzing effect. The shadow ghosts tried to hinder the huge creature's movement, some climbing its massive body. Meanwhile, Anarak formed a spear of shadows and attacked the lizard's legs, trying to immobilize it, while Orion jumped onto the lizard's body, forming an axe of shadow energy, making it stronger than usual, then began cutting the lizard's body from above, targeting its weak points. The lizard began to scream, it didn't even have a chance to use its skills, as its attention was being diverted by the ghosts, Legolas's attacks, and Anarak's attacks. Severus managed to deliver a powerful blow that broke the creature's ice armor, and Legolas managed to hit its eyes, allowing Orion to approach and stand on its head, then using his strength, he brought the axe down on its skull, ending its life.
After killing the lizard, Orion immediately stored the herb along with the lizard's corpse, which might be useful later. Orion and his shadows retreated outside, during Orion's fight with the lizard, some shadow ghosts were destroyed, but he didn't care, he could get more, leaving the cave empty.
He knew that this planet would be full of challenges, but he was ready for them. The treasures were worth the risk, in addition to the power he would gain through these challenges.
Chapter Eighteen: Ascent to the Peak of Ice
After exiting the cave with the precious herb and the lizard's corpse, Orion continued to explore the icy environment. The abundance of mana in the air gave him a feeling of weight, making him more confident in breaking through several times during the years he would spend on this planet. He advanced steadily, accompanied by his shadows who surrounded him like personal guards, while Anarak moved stealthily in the adjacent shadows.
During his journey, Orion encountered many other beasts that inhabited this cold region. He fought massive cave bears with thick white fur, evaded attacks from flying creatures resembling giant snowy owls with sharp claws, and even faced a herd of ice rams with sharp horns that were defending their territory. In each battle, Orion tested his combat abilities, refined his strategy in using his shadows, and stored the corpses of the beasts. He noticed that Severus and Legolas gained experience with each fight, and their efficiency increased noticeably.
On one occasion, while gathering some frozen herbs growing on the side of a glacial river, a giant worm with a mouth full of sharp teeth suddenly emerged from under the ice. The worm tried to swallow Orion whole, but thanks to his quick reaction, he jumped back and ordered Severus and Legolas to attack it. It was a difficult fight due to the beast's slippery nature and its ability to hide under the ice, but in the end, Severus managed to cut the worm in half, while Legolas fired explosive arrows of shadow at its head.
After hours of walking and fighting, Orion spotted a towering icy mountain in the distance, appearing to pierce the sky. The mountain was completely covered in snow and ice, and looked like a rugged and challenging place. Orion felt an instinctual pull towards this mountain, as if something precious awaited him there, and the whispers of the shadows echoed the same sentiment.
Orion (to himself): This mountain looks interesting. Perhaps there are treasures or rare herbs growing at those heights.
Orion decided to climb the mountain. The beginning of the climb was relatively easy, but the higher he ascended, the more rugged and steep the path became. The ice was slippery, and the wind intensified, making progress difficult. Orion used shadow energy to anchor himself to the icy rocks, and Severus, Legolas, and Anarak helped secure his path.
During the ascent, Orion began to encounter new types of creatures. He saw huge birds of prey building nests on the cliffs, and faced yeti-like creatures with thick white fur and immense physical strength. But the most intriguing thing was when he started noticing footprints different from those of the beasts he had encountered so far. Some were human-shaped, but much larger, and others were not.
At one of the turns, Orion found a small cave hidden behind a curtain of hanging ice. He decided to explore it in search of shelter or anything of value. Inside the cave, he found some strange engravings on the walls, as well as some bones. But the real surprise came when he heard voices coming from within the cave.
The sounds were hums and strange languages that Orion had never heard before, but thanks to his smart chip, the conversations were translated into his native language. Cautiously, Orion advanced into the cave and found a group of people of different races sitting around a small fire. The group noticed Orion, and their gazes turned hostile. They all began to draw their weapons and rush towards Orion, but Severus, Legolas, and Anarak appeared behind them and slaughtered them. After killing them, Orion considered replacing some of his current shadow ghosts with these, as they would be better at retrieving herbs and treasures.
Orion immediately implemented his plan, then took out a bed from his inventory, placed it in the cave, and began to sleep, surrounded by an army of shadows watching over him.