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As Mya disappeared with Walterfink, her magical orb of light faded along with her.

Santa shifted his gaze around the dark room now lit by the glow of the nearby screens. His attention drawn to the collection of plants. They were undoubtedly deadly in their natural state, but it was as though they had been tampered with. Santa pondered this strange sensation, wondering why he could somehow feel a unique form of magic emanating from each one.

As he approached a leaf on one of the plants, he noticed something catching the low light, glittering in the darkness.

It was the same glowing material that had been inserted into the skulls of the soldiers. But these glittering specs had been crushed into the soil and now shimmered within the plants themselves.

"So, what's the plan?" the mouse on his shoulder asked.

Santa’s attention shifted to the surveillance footage, where he watched the two elves sneaking about in the corners of the high wooden walkways, deftly manipulating nuts and bolts to sabotage the operation. A sense of pride swelled within him as he marvelled at their willingness to follow his orders and their remarkable competence.

Santa then turned his head to the mouse, his tone serious. "I'm going to consume poison."

Archibald squeaked in alarm. "What?"

Santa nervously chuckled and reached for the nearest shrub. Its branches, slender and twisted, reached upwards, sporting serrated, deep-green leaves with a subtle frosty glint.

Nestled among those leaves were berries, a deep crimson verging on rich burgundy, adorned with a delicate frosty coating that shimmered like freshly fallen snow. The bush seemed to emanate an eerie energy, as if it held the essence of winter's chill within its very core.

With a skilled pull, Santa uprooted the plant, exposing a cluster of foreboding berries.

[Santa has looted: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

Archibald, puzzled, asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Santa sighed. "There's no other way," he replied as he plucked the berries from the bush. "Did you see that monstrosity? We need power… I need EXP…”

Santa was overwhelmed with shame as he compelled his elves to transform into mindless zombies. He felt utterly helpless in the face of the soldier’s downstairs, resorting to what he felt was wrong. “I didn’t want to do it.”

[Santa has looted: Frosted Holly Berries]

The mouse shook its tiny head. "That was necessary. But why are you going to eat poison?"

Santa's laughter was devoid of mirth as he spoke, "Magical munch.”

The mouse’s whiskers wriggled in confusion. “Magical what?”

“Munch… It’s okay Archibald. I'm already dead." With that, he placed the berries into his mouth.

The taste was sickening, flooding Santa's mouth with an acrid flavour that seemed like a vile blend of lighter fluid and chemicals. As he chewed, he desperately tried to conjure thoughts of more pleasant meals, envisioning savory roasts shared with Mrs. Claus, delectable Christmas pudding, and warm, freshly baked cookies. But his efforts were in vain.

His eyes welled up, and with great effort, he forced himself to swallow the awful concoction.

[Santa has consumed: Frosted Holly Berries]

Santa fell to one knee as pain shot down his throat. He heaved but nothing came up, his vision blurred as he trembled. The rodent clinging to the ruffles of his shoulder called out but Santa couldn’t hear him. Steam billowed around the workshop once more, but Santa clutched his chest oblivious to his surroundings.

[Santa has been poisoned]

Santa felt the full effects of the poison course through his stomach. He understood he had no other option, yet it didn't prevent him from regretting the impulsive choice. His body shuddered as the toxin began to infiltrate his bloodstream, and he could sense its insidious presence spreading to every part of his limbs and even his brain. Panic set in as he wondered if he had made a terrible mistake.

The sensation of impending doom gripped him with each passing moment. His vision blurred, and he felt his strength wane. Thoughts raced through his mind, berating him for his stupidity.

Just as he thought he was on the brink of death, the system suddenly flickered to life.

[Santa has gained ability: Poison resistance (mild)]

[+ 200 EXP] [+ 220 EXP] [+ 210 EXP] [+ 190 EXP] [+ 230 EXP] [+ 250 EXP] [+ 280 EXP]

At the sight of the alert, his heart skipped a beat.

Relief washed over Santa as he realized that his gamble had paid off. The poison, while initially debilitating, had strengthened him.

"Santa, can you hear me?"

He managed to nod weakly, wiping the corners of his mouth before straining to pull himself upright.

"That was idiotic," Archibald scolded.

Santa chuckled darkly, his eyes fixed on another bush of berries nearby. He reached out to pick more of them.

[Santa has looted: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

"What? Again? The first batch nearly killed you!"

Santa was about to pluck the berries from the bush when he glanced at the leaves, their sharp, green foliage flecked with shimmering power of the long dead Dragon. He met Archibald's gaze, determination in his eyes. "I told you, little one... I'm already dead."

Santa's eyes fixated on the surveillance footage, observing his elves as they transformed from creators of joy into mischievous troublemakers. He couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as he watched their relentless efforts. "Those naughty little elves," he mused with a hint of amusement in his voice.

But his thoughts couldn't help but stray to the others, tucked away in his sack and many more back home, frozen in the cold embrace of the snow. His mind wandered to his loyal reindeer, gentle and innocent creatures who had never deserved any of this. The weight of responsibility bore down on him, and he wondered what he would be willing to do to set things right, to rescue his family, to safeguard Christmas.

The answer became crystal clear: he would do anything.

Without further hesitation, he grabbed the entire bush and shoved it into his mouth.

[Santa has consumed: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

Chewing like a mad man, he forced the poisonous plant down his throat, the thorny leaves pricking his insides and adding to the cocktail of pain. Archibald's tiny mouse arms shot up in exasperation as Santa convulsed once more. This time, the pain was far more excruciating, the leaves proving to be far more potent than the berries. Santa cried out in agony, clutching his stomach as he endured the same sensations as before.

“Santa!” Archibald called out.

But Santa remained unresponsive. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity. His body felt stiff and unresponsive as he waited, unable to act or even think. All he could do was wait for the system to respond.

[Santa has gained ability: Poison resistance (moderate)]

[+ 5400 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 15]

[Santa has gained the skill: Iron Stomach (Passive)]

Santa gasped, his eyes snapping open as if a bucket of icy water had been thrown in his face. The room around him had stopped spinning, leaving him disoriented, unable to pinpoint when the spinning had begun.

Archibald's concerned voice broke through the haze. "You okay, Santa?"

"How long was I out for?" Santa asked, anticipating that he had been on the floor for hours.

"Only a minute," replied the mouse.

Santa's gaze settled on the mouse as he nodded slowly, trying to come to terms with the fact that time had only played tricks on his mind. Archibald had wisely found a safe vantage point away from his wild thrashing on the floor, perched on a table above him, his expression a mix of confusion and worry.

"I'm okay. It seems to have worked," Santa said quickly, glancing at the surveillance screens. The two elves were displaying wisdom, opting for discretion over full-on attacks. The Evil Elf appeared frustrated yet unaware of their presence.

Santa grinned.

“Now you’ve levelled up your ready to fight right?”

Santas grin turned sour. “The monstrosity down there is level…” he gazed to double check. “Sixty four? And I just hit fifteen.”

Archibald looked over at the room filled with poison. “You don’t mean too...?”

Santa nodded once.

Stolen story; please report.

“My goodness.”

Without another word Santa gripped then next bush.

[Santa has looted: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

[Santa has consumed: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

The same pain shot through him, but this time he was able to stay on his feet.

[+ 5300 EXP]

[Santa has gained ability: Poison resistance (Medium)]

Each time he chewed and ate, his resilience in both his stomach and the control of his faculties increased. He grabbed another, much large bush this time.

“Are you sure?” Archibald said. “Maybe take your time?”

Santa shook his head his large beard twisting with the movement.

[Santa has looted: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

[Santa has consumed: Frosted Holly Berry Bush]

[+ 6450 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 16]

[Ability upgrade: Iron Stomach (Passive) - Steel Stomach (Passive)]

Archibald heaved a sigh of relief, deciding to spare himself the anguish of watching Santa's self-inflicted ordeal. Instead, he turned his attention to the surveillance screens, keeping a close eye on the progress of the two saboteurs.

The surveillance screens showed the elves in action. They were busy loosening the screws of the supports that held the giant Nutcracker in place, acting as its support beams to prevent any accidental falls. It became evident that the colossal figure wasn't stable; it seemed almost suspended like a puppet by unseen strings.

[Santa has looted: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[Santa has consumed: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[+ 8450 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 17]

[Ability upgrade: Magical Much (Passive) - Magical Gorge (Passive)]

🪽 Magical Gorge (Passive)

Description:

A distinctive upgrade to Magical Munch that enables the player to absorb and convert a higher rate magical energy into experience points. This advanced ability grants the player the capacity to not only absorb magical power but also acquire properties from the source, enhancing Santa's strength and capabilities.

Experience Gain:

Converts and absorbs magic into experience points, at a much higher rate.

On the screen, Mya, was constantly throwing glances towards the evil elf’s black sack. It was obvious she was planning to snatch the hem at any cost.

“Santa, you okay?” squeaked Archibald “you’re starting to look strange?”

“I do? In what way?” Santa asked, his eyes never leaving the mounds of poison before him.

“Your skin. It seems paler. Are you sure you’re going to be, okay?”

Santa shifted his gaze as he held out a hand towards another vial. “That doesn’t matter, I need to save them”.

[Santa has looted: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[Santa has consumed: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[+ 8250 EXP]

Archibald winced as he watched Santa down yet another poison.

[Santa has looted: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[Santa has consumed: Tinsel Pine Sap]

[+ 8050 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 18]

[Ability upgrade: Reindeer Resilience (Passive) - Dragonscale Resilience (Passive)]

[Santa has gained ability: Poison resistance (Major)]

Santa paused, intrigued by the notification. "Dragon scale?" he mumbled to himself and quickly opened the ability.

🪽 Dragonscale Resilience

Santa is granted resilience from a long-forgotten legend, boosting his stamina (10) and endurance to remarkable levels. This newfound strength allows him to endure even the longest battles and recover rapidly from both fatigue and minor injuries.

Confusion swirled through his mind as he pondered whether, as a class harnessing the power of death, he could absorb the strength of those who had passed away. It occurred to him that the enhanced poisons might be infused with the essence of something deceased.

All he could do was press on, hoping that continuing would eventually yield some answers. With each dose of poison, it became noticeably more manageable. The initial excruciating pain gradually faded, reduced to little more than an upset stomach. However, the persistent burning sensation in his mouth endured, akin to sipping the most potent brandy he had ever encountered.

[+ 9050 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 19]

[Ability upgrade: Jingle Bell Agility (Passive) – Sky Terror Agility (Passive)]

🪽Sky Terror Agility (Skill)

A distant memory from a bygone era awakens, enhancing Santa's agility (7) and speed to a level reminiscent of a skyborne predator. This newfound grace enables him to move swiftly and effortlessly evade attacks.

With every upgrade and level gained, he could sense newfound strength coursing through his veins, as if the river of poison that now saturated his blood was gradually bolstering his abilities.

[+ 10050 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 20]

[Santa has gained the ability: Festive Dragon Fire (Rank 1)]

🪽 Festive Dragon Fire: Rank 1

Description:

Echo the fallen and unleash the festive fury of a heart of a Dragon with Dragon fire! This spell conjures a radiant, burst of fiery energy that once breathed life into the heart of a Dragon. When launched, the fire burns its target with the fury and precision of an ancient Dragon, exploding on impact.

Effect:

Deals low to moderate magical damage depending on the caster's level and magical power.

Has a chance to stun the target for a brief period.

Leaves a trail of glittering light, embodying the spirit of Christmas.

Damage: 35 – 137

Spell incantation: “Dragon Fire!”

Cooldown: None

Requirement: Inner Fire

[Santa has gained ability: Poison Immunity]

🎅 NOTIFICATION 🎅

Reached Level 20

To unlock more skills: Seek class trainer

Santa gasped, his body undergoing a sudden transformation as the burning sensation that had filled his veins abruptly ceased. The shift was so profound that it felt as if he had been whisked from the frozen tundra into a warm, inviting bath. However, he knew that this newfound power was far from comforting.

His gaze drifted down to his arms, and he peeled back his red coat and warm thermals to reveal the skin beneath. What he saw left him astounded. His once rosy complexion had turned almost pearlescent white, devoid of its former vitality. As he flexed his hand, delicate traceries of veins popped up, and muscles that he had never seen before rippled beneath his skin. The flabby, lovable form of his forearms had been replaced with corded muscles, and a flicker of green coursed beneath the surface. His veins, once carriers of red blood, now pulsed with something darker, acrid, and filled with toxins.

"You, okay?"

Santa looked up at the mouse, momentarily puzzled by the question. In truth, he had never felt better.

"Your eyes!" Archibald exclaimed.

Santa's hands shot up to his face, his fingers tracing his own features. "What's wrong?" he asked, genuinely alarmed.

"They're glowing!"

"Glowing?" Santa reacted swiftly, making his way to the nearest table covered with perfectly polished beakers. He picked one up and studied his reflection in its glass surface. The mouse's words rang true; his eyes were undeniably glowing. "It appears I'm now immune to poison."

"Immune?" Archibald echoed.

Santa nodded and then turned his attention to the untouched cauldrons and bushes nearby. Time was of the essence, and he had many levels to climb in a short amount of time. His heart sank as he glanced at the surveillance screens. His elves had been spotted, desperately attempting to flee from a massive winging arm.

"Snow drift!" Santa muttered under his breath. He hurried to the cauldrons, knowing he had no time to waste.

Without hesitation, he used his newfound strength to heft the first iron pot. Its contents sloshed inside as he lifted it to his mouth.

[Santa has looted: Christmas Death Poison]

With a quick assessment of the mouse, he quipped, "Cheers!"

[Santa has consumed: Christmas Death Poison]

Santa downed the Christmas Death Poison, the liquid surprisingly smooth on his tongue but as hot as the spiciest chili pepper. Immediately after swallowing, he began to shake uncontrollably. It felt as if raw power was surging through him, far more experience and strength than he had anticipated.

[+ 134050 EXP]

[Level Up! You are now Level 21]

As Santa continued to consume the mysterious concoctions from the cauldrons, the raw energy surged through him, sending shivers down his spine. He could feel his strength growing, his magical abilities expanding, and his very essence changing with each gulp. It was as if the dark magic from the plants and potions were melding with his being, transforming him into something more powerful and yet, something primal.

[Level Up! You are now Level 25]

The veins on his arms pulsed with an eerie green glow, casting an otherworldly light in the dimly lit room. His once-pudgy form now bore the marks of newfound strength and agility. Santa's eyes, once warm and twinkling with mirth, were now pools of emerald fire, their glow reflecting the potent magic coursing within him.

[Level Up! You are now Level 30]

Archibald, the tiny mouse perched on the table, watched in awe and concern as his friend underwent this radical transformation. "Santa, are you alright? What's happening to you?"

[Level Up! You are now Level 35]

Santa's voice, now tinged with an unsettling edge, rumbled through the chamber. "I'm leveling up. Who knew all those years of hitting back the brandy would come in handy?"

With each cauldron emptied, Santa's newfound strength grew, and the pain he felt from the toxic plants diminished. His mind was clearer, his senses sharper, and his resolve unyielding. He knew that he had to save Christmas, no matter the cost.

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[Level Up! You are now Level 40]

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Santa looked around the room, every plant, berry and cauldron gone, His belly full and his skin that was at first pearlescent seemed to shimmer with the same glowing power of the dragon scales. He glanced down at his character sheet, knowing he had only moments to check before helping his friends below.

🎅Santa: Yuletide Revenant - level 40

STM: 46 (10)

INT: 46

WIS: 48

STR: 45

AGI: 40 (8)

CHR: 10

Frost Resist (25)

Poison Resist (100)

RA: 4/30

Spells:

Yuletide Resurgence

Festive Dragon Fire (Rank 1)

Ghoulish Command

Skills:

Roar of the Northern Winds

Gift Giver's Guile

Candy Cane Leap

Passives: 12

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