Novels2Search

25: Call of the Winter

The necklace had previously scanned his brainwaves, likely resulting in the display of the search engine in English. This served as yet another testament to the necklace's usefulness.

Given his current airborne state, Locci relied on his voice to navigate the search engine. Despite speaking in the manner of a typical wolf, the necklace seamlessly interpreted his intent and relayed it to the search engine.

Locci scoured the internet for information on the islands within Winterhold. Nearly all of them had already been named and documented. The only exceptions were either perilous or uninhabited.

Spotting an uncharted territory on the Nuggle Map, Locci marked the location of a small, uninhabited island and set his course towards it.

He had deliberately chosen such a secluded spot precisely because it remained unrecorded. Speculating on the reasons behind its omission, Locci considered the possibilities: either the island was too minuscule and desolate to warrant attention, or it harbored lurking dangers, perhaps in the form of venomous Nixes or other hazardous creatures.

Regardless of the rationale, Locci deemed it worthwhile to investigate further.

Locci touched down soundlessly on the snowy shores of the island. The surroundings mirrored those of Wolfland, with its snow-covered terrain stretching as far as the eye could see. Yet, there was a notable absence of human presence amidst the tranquil landscape.

Locci opted to explore the island's depths. Initially, he activated [Juxtapose], rendering himself invisible before venturing into the dense pine forest.

Within the forest's confines, Locci encountered only feeble Nixes such as Batsunixes, Vrosts, and Fluffinixes. Disinterested in these lesser creatures, he pondered the island's lack of formidable adversaries.

It occurred to him that perhaps only weak Nixes inhabited this territory, offering little challenge to his current abilities. Such adversaries would hardly contribute to his growth.

Undeterred, Locci resolved to press on in hopes of encountering stronger opponents.

As Locci delved deeper into the island, he encountered no signs of peril or challenging terrain. From the outer periphery to the island's core, the areas remained relatively devoid of danger.

"I suppose this trip was fruitless," Locci muttered in disappointment.

Glancing at the screen displaying the time, he noted the lateness of the hour. With evening already upon him, Locci resolved to spend the night on the island before departing.

True to his routine, Locci excavated a burrow for shelter and settled in for the night. Despite the initial disappointment of his journey, he found solace in the peacefulness of the night, reassured by the knowledge of his unmatched strength in the vicinity.

In the dead of night, Locci's slumber was abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Opening his eyes, he cautiously peered out from his burrow.

Before him stood four men, three brandishing melee weapons while the fourth aimed a bow in his direction. Their weapons were ordinary.

Locci surmised that these individuals were employing a tactic reminiscent of gamers, using themselves as bait to distract opponents while their Nixes engaged in battle. It was a strategy commonly seen among Earthlings who ventured into the Nix world.

Observing their approach, Locci noted the presence of Nixes standing by their sides, ready to spring into action at their masters' command. This confirmed his suspicion that they were indeed Earthlings, as indigenous Nix Masters would typically rely on Nix artifacts to equip their Nixes and protective tools to shield themselves in battle.

Observing their lack of trepidation in facing him, Locci deduced that they possessed some degree of experience in Nix hunting. However, their tools and Nixes indicated they posed no immediate threat to him.

Silently, Locci replaced himself with a clone and cloaked himself in invisibility. Stealthily, he crept towards the unsuspecting group, prepared to confront them.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Despite their Earthly origins, Locci understood the importance of maintaining his resolve. If they dared to brandish their weapons, he would not hesitate to retaliate.

Just as Locci prepared to strike at the bow-wielding man, the individual suddenly made an observation upon sighting Locci's clone. "Hold on, everyone. Cease your actions. This is not a stray Nix. See? It bears an artifact."

"You're onto something there. It must have an owner. I wonder if they're nearby," remarked the spear-wielding man.

Stepping back cautiously, one of them addressed the unseen owner, "We mean no harm, sir. We recognize your presence on this island, which belongs to our Fun Gaming group. We hail from another world and extend a warm welcome to you as our guest."

Amused by the group's moniker, Locci found himself entertained enough to spare them. Seizing the opportunity while their guard was lowered, Locci commanded his clone to depart. Utilizing the passive ability [Winter Clouds], the clone took to the sky unnoticed.

As the clone soared away, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Are you certain that Nix is ownerless?" queried the axe-wielding man.

"Who cares? That Nix is formidable. We're fortunate it chose to depart. Otherwise, we'd be in serious trouble," remarked the bow-wielding man.

"It must be a powerful Nix indeed. I've scoured all the catalogues and never come across it," added the hammer-wielding man.

"Perhaps it's a mutant," suggested the spear-wielding man. "Regardless, let's return. We must report this encounter to our leader."

Locci couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at his evolution. Had he remained in his Snowoo form, these individuals would have easily recognized him. As Winterwoo, a newly evolved Pokesol, he could move incognito without fear of detection.

Following the men into their fortified base, Locci observed wooden spikes encircling the perimeter and numerous traps strategically placed near the entrance. Thanks to his stealthy pursuit, he managed to navigate past the traps without incident.

Inside the compound, several buildings clustered around a central fireplace. Various workstations, including weapon crafting tables, medicinal facilities, and agricultural plots, hinted at the group's self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.

It was evident that they had established a thriving community on the island, poised to advance their technologies further in due time.

Despite his curiosity to witness the bustling activities within the base, Locci realized that it was nighttime, and the Nixes were peacefully slumbering on their beds near the buildings.

As the men halted in front of one of the buildings, a voice from within instructed, "Come in."

They proceeded inside, oblivious to Locci's stealthy entry, slipping in unnoticed behind them.

The men greeted a rugged, sun-kissed individual with a chiseled physique and striking features. Addressing him as Thomas, they relayed their encounter.

"Thomas, we've stumbled upon a formidable Nix," explained the bow-wielding man.

Thomas raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Here on this island? That's unexpected. We've scoured this island and only found weak Nixes."

"I suspect it's from another island. It seemed to have an owner as well. We extended an invitation, but the owner didn't reveal themselves, and the Nix departed. Do you think they harbor ill intentions?" speculated the bow-wielding man.

"I doubt it," replied Thomas, taking a sip of ale. "We settled on this island precisely because it lacked any notable attractions. It's likely that Nix Master simply sought a place to rest. We'd best steer clear of any entanglements with them. However, inform all the scouts to return and bolster our defenses, just as a precaution."

"Thomas, do you reckon that Nix Master might be eyeing the dungeon on this island?" queried the bow-wielding man.

"Indeed," Thomas affirmed. "That's precisely why we must fortify our defenses. The dungeon lies within our base. If they aim to access it, they'll require our consent. Given our current capabilities, conquering the dungeon is beyond our reach. If someone is willing to take on the challenge, they're welcome to do so. They just have to share the spoils with us."

Listening in on their discussion, Locci felt a surge of anticipation. He had been seeking a worthy challenge to test his newfound strength, and the opportunity had presented itself.

Once the conversation concluded, the group mobilized to bolster their defenses. Seizing the moment, Locci discreetly trailed two guards assigned to protect the dungeon entrance. Sneaking past them unnoticed, he ventured into the depths of the cave where the dungeon awaited.

Thankfully, these individuals lacked the detection abilities like Andre, allowing Locci to execute his plan without detection.

The cave was illuminated by the soft glow of shining mushrooms and luminescent ores, casting an otherworldly light throughout its depths.

However, Locci paid little heed to these resources. His focus lay solely on confronting Nixes and claiming their meat as his prize.

Fortuitously, his adversaries awaited him in the chamber ahead. A pack of orange monkeys with fiery fists stood poised for battle. These formidable Nixes, known as Fireboxers, presented the challenge Locci sought.

With eagerness pulsing through him, Locci eschewed his usual stealth approach in favor of testing a newfound ability.

As he activated the power, his invisibility dissipated. Emitting a resounding howl, a brilliant blue beam descended from above, enveloping not only the Fireboxers but also the surrounding area in a freezing chill.

In a swift and decisive manner, Locci dispatched his adversaries, their frozen forms crumbling beneath the might of his newfound ability. Even he couldn't help but marvel at the potency of this remarkable power.