Feeling the pressure to make a quick decision so he could attend to the task of moving the bodies, Locci took a moment to calm himself, recognizing the gravity of his choice.

"I wonder what should I choose?" he muttered, weighing the options before him. Each of the three choices held significant implications for his survival.

[Swift Legs] would enhance his agility, making it easier to pursue prey and evade dangerous opponents.

[Frozen Fortitude] would bolster his physical defense, providing an advantage as he engaged in endurance combat.

Yet, amidst these considerations, Locci understood the rarity and potential power of [Frost Paw]. The ability to imbue his basic attacks with elemental properties was a trait seldom seen among low-level Nixes.

With a determined nod, Locci made his decision.

"I probably will encounter an opportunity to raise my agility and defense," he reasoned, "so I choose [Frost Paw]!"

[You have chosen Frost Paw, modifying your ability!]

[Your body modification is taking process!]

As the modification process began, Locci's legs bathed in a radiant blue light. Amidst the transformation, the sound of bones breaking echoed in his ears, yet strangely, he felt no pain—only a peculiar sensation akin to tickling.

As the ethereal lights surrounding his legs faded away, they were replaced by wisps of cold blue smoke emanating from his transformed limbs.

[The modification is successful! Adding Frost Paw ability to the list.]

[Body Part: Leg

Assigned Ability: 2

1. Frost Paws: Infuse your claws with freezing energy, causing normal strikes to slow and weaken your opponents.

2. Frostbite Fury: is the chilling ability of the snow wolf monster, enabling it to unleash a flurry of razor-sharp claws infused with icy cold energy. This attack not only inflicts physical damage but also leaves victims vulnerable to frostbite, slowing their movements and draining their warmth.]

Locci lifted his front leg, observing the constant stream of cold blue smoke emanating from it. While undeniably impressive, he couldn't shake the feeling that this newfound ability was far from normal. Just like the King Midas from a myth, whose golden touch brought both riches and ruin, Locci found himself unable to deactivate his ability.

Similar to the king's tale, there was a lingering concern that his transformed legs could potentially lead to disaster. However, he pushed aside those thoughts for the time being, focusing instead on the immediate need to survive.

'There's probably a way to deactivate this ability, but for now, I need them to survive.'

Setting aside his concerns about his newfound ability, Locci proceeded to consume another corpse, his belly empty once more after the modification process.

Careful not to touch his food with his frosty legs, Locci adapted quickly to his altered eating habits.

However, in the midst of his meal, a sudden shiver ran down Locci's spine. His gaze shifted to the source of the disturbance, only to lock eyes with the imposing figure of Polarnix drawing nearer with its hollow gaze fixed upon him.

Initially considering a confrontation, Locci's resolve wavered as Polarnix approached, his legs trembling involuntarily. Realizing the vast level disparity between himself and the monstrous bear, Locci wasted no time in abandoning his meal, turning on his heels, and sprinting away as fast as his legs could carry him, his heart racing in tandem with his breath.

Once safely within the confines of the pine forest, Locci dared to steal a glance back at the scene he had left behind. A pang of envy surged within him as he watched Polarnix leisurely indulge in its meal, reveling in the privileges afforded to the strong.

"That bear," Locci vowed under his breath, his determination unwavering. "I swear I will eat it in the future!"

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Venturing along the outskirts of the forest, Locci's mind was focused on a singular target. He intended to secure shelter once more, but this time, he was determined to claim it from the Wanderclaws.

Having surmised that cannibalism may offer slightly faster opportunities for stat increases and body modifications—or so he believed—Locci diligently tracked the nest of the Wanderclaws, driven by the prospect of gaining an edge in his survival.

Aware that the Wanderclaws didn't inhabit the depths of the forest, yet hesitant to venture alone into the exposed openness of the field, Locci opted to stick to the perimeter of the woods as he made his way forward.

The terrain gradually sloped upward towards the looming presence of the mountain. With a hunch that the Wanderclaws made their home somewhere in the vicinity of the mountain, Locci continued his cautious trek, keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of their presence.

As Locci ventured forth, he encountered several Nixes along the way. Emboldened by his newfound ability, he faced them with confidence, engaging in combat without hesitation.

[Your stamina has increased!]

[Your endurance has increased!]

[Name: Locci Snowstar

Species: Snowoo

Level: 3 | Grade: Extra

Innate Ability: 2 | Essence: 0/2

Strength: 12 | Endurance: 9 | Resistance: 13

Speed: 13 | Stamina: 14 | Polish: 10

Mana: 6 | Force: 7 | Wisdom: 5

Soul: 2 | Sense: 10 | Willpower: 5]

"Hm, my stats are not bad," Locci mused as he evaluated his progress. "Each time I level up, each of the stats will increase, except for the soul. If only I could consume soul-type Nixes."

Locci couldn't help but feel disappointed, recognizing the limitations of his current circumstances. In the frigid expanse of this region, ice-type Nixes were plentiful, while other types remained rare and elusive.

"Perhaps humans in this region possess knowledge about Nixes."

As Locci reached a certain height, his keen eyes spotted a platform with a cave nestled against the wall. Several Wanderclaws were scattered about, confirming his suspicion.

'Found their nest!'

Locci blended into the snowy landscape as he retreated behind a nearby pine tree.

Though still wary of facing multiple Wanderclaws at once, Locci felt a surge of confidence in his ability to launch an ambush. He reasoned that the area within a certain radius likely constituted their territory, prompting them to send out scouts periodically to safeguard their domain.

Locci resolved to observe their movements closely before making his move, silently plotting his strategy for the impending hunt.

With silent determination, Locci began his observation, maintaining a safe distance while remaining utterly silent.

Confident in his concealment, Locci harbored no fears about his scent being detected, as the snow around him possessed a unique property that effectively erased odors. He had come to this realization through his own observations, noting how his wolf's sense of smell was limited to a certain radius. As long as he didn't bleed, he had little to fear from the keen noses of the Nixes.

As Locci had predicted, a group of wolves passed by without detecting his presence, affirming the effectiveness of his concealment.

Undeterred, he persisted in his observation, maintaining his silent vigil without rest for two days straight. Fortunately, as his stats had increased, Locci found himself endowed with enough stamina to sustain his efforts without the need for rest.

Through his diligent observation, Locci discerned a pattern in the Wanderclaws' behavior. Every four hours, a group of three wolves was dispatched to scout the surrounding area, maintaining a vigilant watch over their territory.

Occasionally, unwitting Nixes would stray into the Wanderclaws' territory, unaware of the dangers lurking within. These unfortunate souls risked encountering the scouting party and falling victim to their attacks. Additionally, some Nixes, like the mischievous Whimbies, deliberately stirred up trouble, further complicating the situation.

As fate would have it, the Wanderclaws had just brought reinforcements to fend off invading Whimbies. This unexpected turn of events provided Locci with a valuable opportunity to observe the Wanderclaws' fighting style in action.

As Locci observed, the Wanderclaws fought much like ordinary wolves, relying on their sharp claws and teeth to engage their adversaries. However, what caught Locci's attention was their ability to unleash additional powers through their teeth—a valuable piece of information, considering Locci had yet to develop a biting ability of his own.

As the battle raged on, the Whimbies were gradually overpowered, falling one by one until the Wanderclaws emerged victorious. Locci observed the outcome with satisfaction, grateful for the opportunity to gain insights into the Wanderclaws' abilities.

However, just when Locci believed he had uncovered all there was to know about the Wanderclaws, a surprising revelation came to light. Amidst the fray, a few Wanderclaws demonstrated the ability to heal their injured comrades. These healer wolves emitted a soothing healing light from their paws, tending to the wounds of their fellow pack members.

'Wanderclaws can heal? No, the fact that only a few of them can do it means that's not an innate ability. That's an ability from an essence! And there are only two Nixes with healing abilities! No way, they know where to find Iceries?'

In his quest to acquire Icery's healing ability, Locci faced the challenge of locating its source. Unsure of where to find Icery or its essence, he realized that observing the Wanderclaws might offer an opportunity to uncover their location.

'No, waiting for them will likely take too long. The fact that they've built a nest here suggests that Icery's location is nearby. I need to take matters into my own hands and find them myself.'

With determination fueling his resolve, Locci decided to embark on a proactive search for Icery's whereabouts, refusing to rely solely on the uncertain prospect of using the Wanderclaws.