[You have acquired Ice Missiles!]

[Name: Ice Missiles

Description: Ice Missiles is an ability that allows the user to conjure and launch projectiles made of ice.]

After mastering his new ability, Locci wasted no time in putting it to the test on his freshly created clone. Initially, he took to the skies, effortlessly gliding through the air, then observed as his clone mimicked his movements below. With a thought, he summoned an icy missile and launched it towards his clone, watching as it zipped through the air and struck its target.

Descending back to the ground, Locci examined the injury inflicted upon his clone, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the effectiveness of the ice missile. He couldn't help but appreciate the newfound utility of this ability, recognizing its value as a long-range option while airborne.

After putting the ability through its paces, Locci consumed the ability upgrader. Instantly, a menu of upgrade options unfurled before him, displaying a comprehensive list of his abilities. However, he noticed that two particular abilities were conspicuously absent from the list, having already undergone enhancement.

Locci mulled over his options for upgrading his abilities, considering two in particular. Firstly, there was his trusty [Cold Wave], a skill he deemed worthy of enhancement after experiencing defeat in a clash against Bracyrosaur's formidable wave. Secondly, there was his recently acquired long-range ability, [Ice Missiles], which he saw as a promising candidate for improvement.

After careful consideration, Locci settled on upgrading [Ice Missiles]. His decision to bypass [Cold Wave] stemmed from its primarily utilitarian role in inflicting enemies with frostbite and disrupting their movements, rather than dealing significant damage. On the other hand, he saw [Ice Missiles] as a crucial offensive tool, relying on its attack potency, and thus, the stronger it could become, the more advantageous it would be for him.

[You have upgraded your Ice Missiles!]

Your Ice Missiles have become Homing Ice Missiles!]

[Name: Homing Ice Missiles

Description: Homing Ice Missiles is an advanced variation of the Ice Missiles ability, enhanced with magical properties to seek out and track targets.]

After upgrading the ability, Locci's final task was to consume the pieces of meat that facilitated his level up. With a swift motion, he popped the meats into his mouth, savoring the explosion of flavors as they melted in his mouth, the succulent fat enhancing the richness of the meat as it slid effortlessly down his throat.

"Delicious!" exclaimed Locci, his smile widening at the exquisite taste of the meat, undoubtedly the most flavorful he had ever experienced. Despite his satisfaction, a pang of regret crept in. "I should have savored it more slowly," he lamented, wishing there were more to enjoy.

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have unlocked an ability slot!]

[Name: Locci Snowstar

Species: Winterwoo

Level: 17 | Grade: Extra

Innate Ability: 6 | Essence: 4/5

Strength: 55 | Endurance: 50 | Resistance: 53

Speed: 54 | Stamina: 56 | Polish: 48

Mana: 46 | Force: 49 | Wisdom: 31

Soul: 29 | Sense: 39 | Willpower: 42]

As Locci made his way toward the exit, he glanced at his stats and realized he had an open slot for another essence. This presented an opportune moment to bolster his defensive capabilities. However, he understood the importance of finding the right defensive ability to fill that slot effectively.

Locci's eyes fell upon the exit, and without hesitation, he activated [Juxtapose], seamlessly swapping positions with his clone and vanishing from sight.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Remaining on his feet, Locci allowed his clone to stride confidently towards the dungeon's guards, purposefully revealing its presence. This calculated move hinted at Locci's deeper strategic machinations, suggesting that he was plotting something of significant consequence.

As the guards caught sight of the clone, they wasted no time in summoning their Nixes, recognizable by their bat-like appearance, known as Chillbats.

Before the guards could issue commands to their Nixes, Locci interjected, his voice echoing through the dungeon, "If you order your Nixes to attack, then I will do the same."

A shiver ran down the guards' spines as they heard the unexpected voice emanating from within the dungeon. One of them peered towards the dark entrance and demanded, "Who goes there? How did you breach our defenses?"

"The manner of my entry is inconsequential," Locci responded coolly. "However, you are familiar with me. I am the expert your scouts encountered. I could have departed without a trace, but I chose to linger, for I came bearing a proposition."

"What proposition?" the guard inquired cautiously.

"Summon your leader first," Locci replied firmly.

The guards' hesitation grated on Locci's nerves, pushing him to raise his voice in frustration. "Go fetch your leader! Do you truly believe your feeble Nixes stand a chance against mine?" His words spurred the guards into action, prompting them to scramble off in haste.

After a tense moment, they returned with their leader, a formidable-looking man named Thomas.

"Who are you, sir? And why have you trespassed upon our land?" Thomas demanded, his commanding presence matched by the summoning of his formidable Nix, Morrock, a giant moray eel sculpted from rock.

Locci sensed that Morrock stood on equal footing with him, but this came as no surprise. He harbored confidence in his ability to prevail, having previously vanquished a final boss Nix several levels above his own.

"If I had intentions of invading your island, your scouts wouldn't have been spared," Locci countered coolly.

"Then, what proposition do you bring?" Thomas inquired, his tone edged with curiosity.

"I have cleared the dungeon, yet my spoils are modest. Many treasures remain untouched, including those dropped by the final boss. I came seeking worthy adversaries. All within the dungeon is yours, if you can furnish me with intelligence on neighboring islands housing stronger Nixes," Locci proposed.

Thomas nodded in agreement. "Understood. I legally own this island and have conducted surveys of the surrounding areas. I can provide you with the data via email. What's your email, sir?"

Locci's smile faltered slightly at the mention of email, realizing the potential risks involved. "Let's explore alternative methods."

Without hesitation, Thomas keyed something into his smartphone, conjuring a holographic qr code. With a sweeping motion, he projected the qr code towards the cave entrance. "You can scan this code to download the file."

As Locci contemplated how to proceed, his necklace unexpectedly emitted a scanning light, prompting panic. "Oh no."

As the qr code was scanned by the necklace, Locci's invisibility dissolved, revealing his presence to the others.

"A Nix?" Thomas muttered, eyeing Locci and his clone with confusion before a realization dawned. "Ah, I see now."

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Locci activated [Juxtapose], swapping places with his clone before taking to the skies, leaving the two clones to flee on foot.

"Boss, should we pursue those Nixes?" a guard inquired.

"Let them be. They're impostors. The real culprit has fled," Thomas decided.

"What were those Nixes?" someone questioned.

"Just one Nix. The real culprit wears a Nix Artifact. The replicas lacked the same luster," Thomas explained. "Regardless, let's put this incident behind us. If that Nix managed to clear the dungeon alone, it likely didn't plunder much."

With a dismissive wave of his thoughts, Locci relegated those individuals to the recesses of his mind, confident that their paths would not intersect again. Determined to forge ahead at an accelerated pace, he resolved to outpace them all, leaving them trailing in his wake.

Still, he acknowledged the danger of his recent encounter, emphasizing the need for caution. "Necklace, please give me a heads-up before taking any action. Got it?"

"Understood, master. I'll signal you in advance next time," the necklace assured.

"Great. Just a simple vibration will do," Locci specified.

"Understood," the necklace confirmed.

"I'm glad you understand. Now, can you display the downloaded file for me?" Locci requested.

The necklace projected a blue screen in front of him, revealing a map of the surrounding islands, each marked with various notes.

"Now, could you organize the notes by island?" Locci asked.

The necklace swiftly sorted the islands into categories of safety ratings: safe, medium, and dangerous. Notably, the island Locci had visited and many others fell under the safe rating, while several were categorized similarly to Wolfland in terms of risk, which was medium rating.

Thomas had flagged three islands as perilous. The first was Ice Venom Land, aptly named for its icy terrain and venomous Nix inhabitants. The second, Thundraland, harbored lightning and ice Nixes. However, it was the third island, Dragonland, that posed the greatest threat. Home to the formidable dragon-type Nixes, it was deemed the most hazardous of all.

Eager to test his mettle against more formidable Nixes, Locci hesitated to embark on a journey that would likely lead to his demise. Dragonland, in particular, was deemed too perilous, with rumors of legendary-grade Nix sightings. Aware of his current limitations, Locci opted to forego such reckless endeavors and instead focus on challenging the other two dangerous rated islands.

As Locci pondered his next move, a gentle breeze brushed against him, ruffling his fur and carrying with it a soft whisper.

"Locci, if you seek the truth of earthlings' summoning, come visit me in Dragonland," a soothing, feminine voice beckoned.