In the depths of the forest, the tranquility was interrupted as the distant sound of fast-moving footsteps reached Dasu's ears. Suddenly, two small wolves came crashing into him, whimpering in fear. Concerned, Dasu noticed their injured legs and bleeding wounds.
"Don't worry, little ones. Let me help you," Dasu reassured the frightened wolves as he focused his energy, summoning his ice powers to heal their injuries. Tenderly, he tended to their wounds, mending their injuries with ice's soothing touch.
However, the peaceful moment was short-lived as heavy footsteps approached from behind. A massive brown bear charged at Dasu with ferocious intent. Reacting quickly, Dasu created an ice floor beneath the bear, causing it to slip and break through the ice, momentarily stunned.
Seizing the opportunity, Dasu retaliated, sending shards of ice flying towards the bear's face. But the enraged creature managed to catch his axe mid-air and hurled him into a nearby tree.
Shaken but undeterred, Dasu regained his footing and noticed the wolves he had healed bravely attacking the bear from behind. Drawing strength from their resilience, Dasu forged a spear of ice, swiftly stabbing the bear's leg and partially freezing it, creating an opening for his escape.
The bear, driven by rage, lunged at Dasu, who defensively erected a wall of ice spikes. Although the wall softened the impact, Dasu still suffered injuries as he was hurled through a tree. Unfazed, the bear charged at the wolves to eliminate them, but Dasu intervened, conjuring a protective ice wall to shield his newfound companions.
With determination in his eyes, Dasu fashioned two swords from ice and maneuvered behind the bear. Tenaciously, he latched onto the creature's back, channeling his ice abilities to freeze it from within. The bear thrashed violently, trying to crush Dasu, but the relentless onslaught of ice and freezing temperatures eventually immobilized the beast, turning it into a near-lifeless sculpture.
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Relieved that the bear was no longer a threat, Dasu tended to his own wounds and those of the brave wolves he had saved. "Hey, are you two okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
The wolves exchanged a look, and though hesitant, they eventually followed Dasu as he left to continue his journey. Over the next few hours, Dasu worked tirelessly to earn the trust of his newfound companions, slowly but surely forging a bond of mutual understanding and loyalty.
Having dragged the frozen bear's body back to town, Dasu sought to sell its various parts. At the butcher's shop, they haggled over the price of the bear's fur, flesh, and bones. Determined to get the best deal, Dasu skillfully negotiated, eventually settling on an offer of 3,000 gold and a custom-made coat.
Returning home with the gold in hand, Dasu found Auntie absent. He took the opportunity to practice his ice manipulation, honing his skills for hours. To his surprise, Auntie appeared, catching him off guard.
"Yo, Dasu, what were you up to while I was gone?" she inquired.
"Just practicing," Dasu replied, slightly embarrassed by the unexpected scrutiny.
Auntie offered her guidance, revealing the secret to strengthening his ice abilities. "Infuse your ice into your skin, young one. It'll make you stronger, faster, and grant you a thin armor of ice. From your ice-covered body, you can conjure weapons and even create an ice mist that can sense the presence of others within it. And yes, you can harden the mist to make it solid, but such mastery comes with time and practice."
Grateful for the wisdom imparted, Dasu dedicated himself to training over the next eight months, tirelessly improving his ice manipulation, physical prowess, and bonding with his wolves.
One day, during a walk through the forest, Dasu heard clashing and explosions in the distance. Intrigued, he followed the sounds, spotting a man with fiery red hair whose body bore signs of a fierce battle.
Without hesitation, Dasu, accompanied by his loyal wolves, decided to lend a hand. "Looks like he needs help. I've got nothing better to do," he said with determination in his eyes.