Combination (5)
I was baffled to hear that only those with the Factor River Steel Body could gain cold resistance, but it wasn't time to give up yet. StarlightPrincess had just given me bad news, but there was still good news left. I hoped it would bring me some hope.
"What's the good news?"
"You won't be at risk of pulse-severing syndrome. The ability is permanent, too. And one more thing—you won't freeze to death."
"But won't I get cold resistance?"
"That's a separate matter. When you're in danger of hypothermia or outright freezing, your body will react. You'll probably enter hibernation on your own and revive when it warms up."
"Like how Wonmo is hibernating right now?"
"It's a bit different. For you, Grill, it's more focused on survival. Normally, you'd die from hypothermia, but you'll endure instead. It's good... right?"
"Better than nothing, isn't it? Just be careful—if you collapse in a place like a snowy mountain where the weather or seasons don't change, you'll sleep forever while still alive."
That would be hopeless. Neither alive nor dead. But as StarlightPrincess said, it was undeniably a great survival ability. For someone like me who always plans for the worst, it was perfect. No cold resistance was disappointing, but I was grateful anyway.
"What if I'd eaten that blue mandrake that turned me blue?"
"High chance you'd become an ice human. Your skin would turn pale—actually bluish—and your hair white. Undead-level."
Whoa.
"Good thing I added the elixir."
StarlightPrincess: "I told you how to make it safe."
"Thank you so much for letting me know."
"No problem. I learned a lot too. Ask anytime if you have more questions."
"What does regular mandrake essence do?"
"It has a warming effect from its yang energy. Especially great for boosting regeneration, making it perfect for elixirs."
"Can you brew liquor with blue mandrake?"
"Not impossible, but... the liquor might freeze first. And it's risky."
"Got it."
While we were on the topic, StarlightPrincess gifted me elixirs—two of them. I thanked her profusely and started organizing.
'I've sorted most of it already...'
Time for the remaining tasks. The ice storage was pointless now, so I began designing the shelter. Making it sturdy enough to withstand any natural disaster. Not easy, of course. Disasters worse than avalanches could hit.
'Should I cement the drainage too?'
Now that I knew cement existed, uses popped into mind everywhere. But I'd never done manual labor. Just a bit in the military, and even then, officers handled most of the spreading while I assisted.
'Come to think of it, I did all sorts of random stuff in the army.'
I chuckled and browsed the auction house for cement. It was common in construction, so plenty was listed. Finding it felt oddly hollow—I'd assumed none existed. If I'd searched earlier, the oven and furnace might not have been swept away.
'Need barricades too... So much to do.'
That avalanche had wrecked everything. Sigh-worthy. Barricades were essential, though—the difference between having them and not was huge. They bought me time during the sabertooth tiger attack.
'Gotta ask PassingDwarf. Can't give booze, though.'
StarlightPrincess said it might be dangerous, so I'd hold off. To reinforce the shelter, I finalized designs and geared up. For sand to mix with cement. I remembered some at the river's downstream.
"Ppareumbo, watch Wonmo."
"......"
I left Ppareumbo at the shelter for hibernating Wonmo. It seemed reluctant to move, just staring at the fireplace flames. No one—human or beast—wants to go out in the cold. Perfect chance for me. With Wonmo asleep, other animals were likely hibernating or less active. Fewer threats, including those annoying snakes.
'Shovel, sack. Ground might be frozen, so flint and firewood too.'
Subspace bag made it all easy—no weight issues, space-efficient. I double-checked and headed to the river.
'Haven't gone downstream in ages.'
Gliding down the frozen river, I thought: might as well hit the lake for food. I didn't hate smoked dishes; it was for Ppareumbo's rations.
'Eating inner cores every meal is getting risky.'
Stock was dwindling. Sudden winter hit before I could store Ppareumbo-friendly food. Lucky I had a lot saved, or it'd be gone already.
'No telling when Cheonma will send Wall Valley Pills.'
Gorillas stole some too. Had to tough it out till then.
'Sand... Damn, it's frozen solid.'
Downstream, even sand was iced over. Direct water exposure, unavoidable. I pulled prepped firewood from the bag. Burn till it melts.
Crackle! Pop-pop!
Warming the sand made for a cozy bonfire. I zoned out staring at it, then realized:
'Wait. Couldn't I just pickaxe it frozen and melt later?'
Smarter. No need to melt beforehand for cement mix—hot water would do. Humans often get smart too late. Classic me.
'Sigh. Lesson learned.'
Grumbling inwardly, I checked: still solid. Quick lake trip till it melts. Stayed vigilant—who knows what lurks.
'Nothing in sight.'
No giant crabs; regulars frozen solid. Edible? "Natural freezer," I'd say. Bagged a few, scanned the lake: fully iced over like a road.
'Could scout if needed, but no rush.'
Collected crabs, back to downstream. Immediately spotted something odd.
"Purruk."
"......"
A deer. Resting by my bonfire. The one that one-shot the bull shark with a kick? I watched quietly, moved slowly. That kick could target me—better safe.
'Not a thug, really.'
Never imagined it'd claim my fire while I was gone. It radiated bully vibes; messing with it seemed unwise. But I needed sand. Moved non-threateningly.
It stayed put even close, no aggression. I dug sand with shovel—still chill. Bonfire warmth or sensed no threat?
'Aura of the strong?'
Herbivores here were beasts: sloth, gorillas, deer. Predators hunted; these bullied.
'Got enough sand...'
How long would it linger? Staring holes through me—uncomfortable. But no attack, mission accomplished.
Clink! Crackle!
Added firewood before leaving—a sign: no beef with you. Fire flared; maybe it got the message. Finally looked away.
'Good enough.'
Tossed rest in, headed home. Deer stuck by fire to the end. Minor hiccup, but success.
'Sand in sack, crabs in icebox.'
Icebox: insulated box with ice. Handy name.
Stepping inside, something felt off. Ppareumbo fire-gazing, Wonmo hibernating. So who was next to Ppareumbo?
'What? Barricades and tent were up.'
No removal traces—another entry. But Ppareumbo unalert: not hostile. Still, cautious. Approached slowly.
"Kkeeng......"
"......"
Close up: familiar. The raccoon from before, by the yard fire. The one that stuck hand in flames, then ate the fire off it.
'Why's it here?'
Stared. Noticed wounds on legs and back. Fleeing predator? No entry marks.
"Hey. Where'd you come from?"
"Kkeeng...?"
Hard to figure; approached quietly. It looked puzzled briefly, then stood slowly.
Fight? Nope—unexpected.
"Kkeeng...... kkeng......"
Apologetic face, paws clasped neatly. Pure "sorry" pose. Cute looks plus gesture melted me. Way politer than gorilla kids.
"Kkeng...... kkeeng......"
Pointed at fireplace, aggrieved expression. Got it: chimney drop-in. Scratched up but no burns—miracle.
'Kinda unfair.'
Apologized already—can't kill it. If tanuki-rude, maybe. Ppareumbo chill too. Stroked its head reassuringly.
It relaxed, comfy expression.
"Hold on."
"Kkeeng?"
Injured—animal elixir time. Applied; wounds healed instantly. It freaked, patting itself. Cute differently from Wonmo.
"Better?"
"Kkeeng! Kkeng-kkeng!"
Paws clasped, thanking nonstop. Forest animals all smart—wild.
I smiled warmly; it scanned, headed to fire. Then weirdness.
Swoosh—stuck both paws in blazing fire, clasped.
What the—?
"Kkeeng!"
"......What?"
Extended clasped paws to me. Flames roaring—no heat. Stunned, it dropped the fire-ball low.
Whoosh!
Fire poured like water, fizzled quick. Focused: fire flowed like liquid. Bottle it? Grabbed empty one.
It gathered fire again, dropped into bottle.
Fwoosh! Whoosh!
Flames stayed lit in bottle—even corked, oxygen cut. Observed: spherical core fueling it.
'What is this?'
Fire sans fuel/oxygen—science-breaker. Stared at raccoon.
It got it, dipped paws again.
"Ham."
Stuck flaming paws in mouth.
"Fwoooo!"
FWOOSH!!!
Massive flames lit cave bright. Jaw-dropping.
'Ninjas in this forest now?'
Smack!
"Kkeng!"
Ppareumbo smacked its back—like "no fire play," stern.