Extra's Magic-Chapter 169 Combat Exam (10)

Whoosh...

The more we walked the stronger the blizzard got. If previously I could see a few feet before me, now the visibility was reduced to mere inches.

The only thing that kept me going was 'Mana Perception' which allowed me to feel the world around me.

Crunch... Crunch...

There was also another pair of footsteps beside me.

Katarina.

Although I couldn't fully see her face, I could make out her emerald eyes gleaming with determination.

I couldn't sense even a hint of fear in her demeanor, which left me quite baffled.

Wasn't she the one that doubted if we could defeat a D Rank monster?

Observing her with the side of my eye, I couldn't help but shake my head, trying to recall everything about her.

In the game, she wasn't a playable character but rather one of the main supporting characters who had average strength but couldn't compete with the powerhouses in the protagonists' party.

However, the Katarina I walked alongside now seemed different.

Since the time we sparred in a combat class, I've sensed that something was wrong.

Her strength was far beyond what I had anticipated, her fighting seemed fluent and graceful as if she had done this thousands of times before.

Also...

The look in her eyes when she first met wasn't that of usual coldness and indifference.

I could see a flicker of surprise as if I wasn't supposed to be there.

I don't know, maybe it's just my weird imagination playing tricks on me…

'Wake up…'

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focused on the present.

We were slowly approaching the Boss Monster's lair because the storm got even harsher and the wind seemed to howl in anger, as if warning us to turn back.

I could've sworn I heard a roar of a beast howling in the distance, carried by the chilling gusts, however, it was probably just my imagination.

"We are nearby..."

I shouted through the gusting wind, my voice barely reaching Katarina's ears.

She turned her face toward me and tilted her head as if not understanding what I had just said.

'I should've told her everything beforehand...'

Pinching my nose bridge, I extended my hand, grabbing her by the wrist, which made my insides churn.

Yes, I was still uncomfortable with women.

I quickly used my finger to draw letters on her hand, forming the words, "Boss ahead."

Katarina, feeling my finger trace the text on her hand, looked at me quizzically before understanding dawned upon her.

She took my palm and also began tracing letters on my hand.

It took quite a while but I eventually deciphered her message, which read, "What is the monster we are fighting?"

I took a moment to draw the letters of "Frostfire Tiger", before continuing to tell my plan of how to kill the monster.

After a couple of minutes, Katarina was nodding along with my instructions, her eyes focused and determined.

It seems that she would follow my lead and help me defeat the Frostfire Tiger.

Of course, this was for money, and we already decided the sum to be 15,000 Arcons for her help.

Crunch... Crunch...

Walking through the snow, I noticed a faint Mana Signature in the distance.

The closer we got, the bigger and more powerful the Mana Signature became.

'Frostfire Tiger...'

Suddenly, the blizzard around us seemed to disappear, as if we stepped through the veil of the storm into the Frostfire Tiger's lair.

"Look..."

A massive hollow, a mysterious mark on the snowy landscape, caught the eye. The edges of the hollow rose like the fangs of an ancient creature, their rough shapes reaching proudly toward the sky.

Me and Katarina looked at each other and I reached for the dozen of Rune-enchanted rocks placed in my pocket, carefully holding them in my hand.

"Remember, only shoot when it's vulnerable... Reserve your mana. That being... takes quite a lot of firepower to bring down..."

Whispering to Katarina, I could feel her gaze linger on me for a moment before she nodded in agreement and pulled out her Longbow from her Spatial Bracelet.

"..."

Looking as she went to search for the best vantage point, I followed her figure until she disappeared out of my view. 𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗻𝐨𝐯𝗲𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

I didn't trust her one bit. All I know, she could betray me at any moment.

She was basically a stranger and the only leverage I had against her was money. Of course, there was still the explosive rune I'd placed on her clothes, but she didn't know that yet.

Maybe I should've said it because it would ensure she stayed loyal and didn't make any sudden moves.

However, if she indeed stayed loyal and didn't pull any funny business, there would be no need for her to know it.

I didn't want to burn bridges with a possible future coworker.

"I should prepare as well.."

Weighting a few pebbles, lying in my palm, I slowly approached the edge of the hollow, where the Frostfire Tiger's lair awaited.

Nestled inside the icy hug of the crater rested a platform, a serene oasis in the midst of turmoil. The platform resisted the icy clutches of the wind, as though the blizzard's fury couldn't touch its tranquility.

Upon the platform rested the Frostfire Tiger, a being of stark contradictions, a blend of awe-inspiring beauty and fearsome might. Its fur resembled a blanket of shimmering white, each strand a frozen testament to its rule over this icy expanse.

Icy blue stripes adorned its body, a captivating contrast against the pristine white backdrop. With each flex of its muscles, the creature's strength and skill were evident, a true force of nature.

The tiger's colossal paws promised devastation, each claw a glinting blade honed by endless years of survival.

Its long, sinuous tail twitched like a coiled spring, brimming with potential power.

'It's even more beautiful than I remember...'

Observing the majestic creature from the edge of the hollow to examine its sleek movements and commanding presence, I couldn't help but feel slightly amazed by the creature.

If only it was a cub...

I could've taken it as a pet.

"..."

Admiring the monster for a few minutes, I suddenly felt the presence of a projectile approaching me.

Thud...

With a dull sound a Mana arrow that had been fired at me hit the ground near my feet.

It soon dissipated in green smoke and I smirked, knowing that Katarina was ready.

"Let's start..."

Stretching my back, I summoned my Authority and took a few steps back from the edge, stretching my legs in the process.

"I'm really crazy!"

A small smile spread across my face and I began to channel Mana into my feet.

Swish...

With a swift motion, I bolted towards the edge, propelled by the surge of Mana coursing through me.

The wind rushed through my hair as I leaped gracefully across the icy expanse, my heart filled with excitement and craziness.

"I'm so fucking dumb!"

***

[ 5 Minutes ago ]

Crunch... Crunch...

Step by step Katarina was making her way through the snow-covered terrain, her golden hair glinting in the sunlight.

"..."

Her lips were tightly pressed together and her emerald eyes distant as if she was lost in her thoughts.

"Who is he..."

Strange murmurs filled the air as she kept walking, her mind consumed with business seemingly more important than the D Rank monster 'Aiden' had just discovered.

"Aiden isn't supposed to be that strong... He was just a..."

Her voice momentarily cut off and she closed her eyes, recalling something that couldn't be discussed or comprehended.

It was hers or rather someone's memories. The memory was vivid, playing out like a scene from a forgotten past.

No matter how many times she reviewed the memories, not in a single one of them did she find the answer she was looking for.

"Is he here to stop me?"

Glancing at the sky, Katarina, squinted her green eyes as if searching for a sign or a clue from a god,

"..."

She clenched the Longbow in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.

Everything was still fine, it didn't seem that Aiden was an enemy. He still thought that she was money hungry and would do anything for a proper reward.

However, this couldn't be further from the truth.

"It seems that the fifth attempt will be interesting..."

Brushing a strand of her golden hair behind her ear, she let out a small sigh, ascending the snow dune that was a perfect vantage point for shooting the surrounding area.

As soon as she reached the top, she could see a Frostfire Tiger's massive body lying in the massive crater that seemed to be left by a powerful explosion.

The monster's majestic body made Katarina take in a deep breath as she marveled at its size and power.

It was her third time seeing this creature but it never ceased to amaze her...

Zwing...

She raised her bow and took aim, releasing an arrow and watching as it landed just before a black figure in the distance.

Aiden or whatever his real identity was, should now proceed with his plan.

"..."

Katarina watched as the figure, suddenly, took a couple of steps back, her eyebrow arched in curiosity.

This was not according to the plan...

He said that he'd throw the monster into confusion and disarray, but was he now retreating?

For a second she considered the possibility that he had lied to her, but the next moment her eyes became wide open.

"What the hell is that bastard thinking?"