TSOMFL 04

Chapter 4

Just like I didn’t feel much cold, the boy riding the wolf also didn’t seem affected by the freezing weather.

But that wasn’t the real problem.

*Whoosh!*

The boy raised his spear high.

The wolves running along the mountain path suddenly stopped—

and turned around.

They lowered their bodies, showing their sharp teeth as they growled.

*Grrrr…*

Even from far above, I felt a chill run down my spine.

At the same time—

something terrifying was approaching from below.

*Thud… thud… thud…*

A giant bear-like creature, made of something like black mud, slowly walked forward.

Sticky liquid like tar dripped from its body.

I widened my eyes.

> ‘Ah…’

I realized it immediately.

> ‘That’s a magic beast.’

Memories from the novel came back to me.

Creatures of darkness and destruction.

Monsters filled with evil.

But in the end—

their role was simple.

> ‘They exist to show the heroine’s power.’

The heroine could create pure ice crystals, harder than diamonds.

Those crystals could instantly purify these monsters.

‘Of course… my ice can’t do anything like that.’

In the novel, Jenuiere tries everything to hide that fact.

She becomes jealous of the heroine.

But me?

> ‘I have no reason to hate her.’

In fact—

> ‘I’d rather support her.’

Because her ability was basically cheating.

No matter how strong the beast—

her ice could destroy it instantly.

‘…Though that only appears later in the story.’

Still—

something felt strange.

I stared at the scene below.

The giant bear swung its fist.

*BOOM!*

The wolves dodged and attacked.

*Growl! Bark!*

The battle began.

I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Especially the bear.

> ‘What is that thing…?’

Its movements weren’t natural.

Not like a real animal.

It moved like a machine.

*Click… creak…*

Like something mechanical inside it.

It felt… artificial.

I realized why.

I had seen many machines in the lab.

Engines. Devices.

Experiments.

> ‘Does it actually have machinery inside?’

The novel never explained that much.

But right now—

the fight was going badly.

The bear slammed both fists into the ground.

*BOOM!*

The wolves were thrown into the air.

*Whimper…*

Four out of six wolves were already injured.

Bleeding.

Unable to move.

The boy clenched his spear tightly.

He kept attacking—

but the bear knocked him back again and again.

His body was covered in wounds.

I took a deep breath.

> ‘At this rate… he’ll die.’

I thought quickly.

> ‘Can I help?’

My ice isn’t like the heroine’s—

but maybe I can still do something.

I was above them.

On a cliff.

Then I saw it—

a large icicle hanging below.

> ‘That’s it.’

I could drop it.

> ‘Icicle Skill.’

If I make a huge one—

and drop it on the bear.

Like making a sculpture.

My mind became calm.

My heart started racing.

*Thump. Thump.*

Then—

the bear staggered and leaned near the cliff.

> ‘Now!’

I lay flat and stretched out my hands.

White mist gathered.

The icicle formed—

growing bigger and bigger.

At first small—

then as tall as me.

The crystal engine roared inside me.

Energy burst out.

The moment it was complete—

the bear looked up.

I opened my eyes wide.

> ‘Now!’

I clenched my fists—

and dropped it.

*Whooooosh!*

The icicle fell—

and hit others on the cliff.

Cracks spread—

and many icicles fell together.

The bear roared.

But—

*CRASH!*

They all struck it.

Snow followed—

pouring down like an avalanche.

When it ended—

there was only a mound of snow.

The boy stared in shock.

Then—

he looked up.

At me.

We made eye contact.

The wolves gathered around him.

They looked up at me—

and barked fiercely.

*Bark! Bark!*

> ‘Whoa…’

Their eyes were terrifying.

Like they would climb up and eat me.

> ‘What do I do…?’

I closed my eyes tightly.

> ‘I’m going to die…’

From the wolves?

From the storm?

No.

> ‘…I’m starving.’

Really.

> ‘Forget the cold… I’m starving to death…’

I suddenly realized—

I couldn’t remember my last meal.

And I had used all my strength.

*Grrrroooowl…*

My stomach growled loudly.

And then—

everything went dark.

> ‘Am I… going to die of hunger?’

That would be sad.

So I made a wish.

> ‘If I live again… I’ll always make sure to eat.’

—

*Crackle… crackle…*

‘What is that sound…?’

A fire.

*Drip… drip…*

Water falling.

I slowly opened my eyes.

‘…Mm.’

A cave ceiling.

Then—

a smell hit me.

Meat.

Grilling meat.

> ‘…!’

My whole body reacted.

My heart pounded.

The meat sizzled over the fire.

Juices dripping.

My mouth filled with saliva.

> ‘I want it… I really want it…’

Even my crystal engine seemed to react.

But wait—

> ‘Didn’t I die?’

If I feel this hungry—

> ‘Then… I’m alive.’

I blinked.

I remembered.

The icicle.

The boy.

I looked ahead.

There he was.

Sitting by the fire.

Leaning against the wall.

Eyes closed.

Breathing softly.

> ‘Did he bring me here?’

At that moment—

*Grrrrr…*

My stomach growled loudly again.

I swallowed.

> ‘Can I… eat a little?’

I stood up weakly.

Reached for the meat.

Then—

*GROWL!*

A wolf suddenly rushed at me from the darkness.

—

*(To be continued)*