Frozen Wonderless Land

  On the road, Billy took a ride from River, in a luxurious Mythical Dungeon Association car. "Nice ride," Billy complimented from the back seat. "Not nice enough for an S-rank such as yourself, sir," River replied, driving the vehicle himself. "True, especially since you're driving slow. It'd be faster to run," Billy jokes, as they hit 100 miles an hour on the highway, going uphill. "Anyways, what happened to my brother's funeral?" Billy asks, looking out the window. "It was kept a low profile. Unfortunately, we weren't able to retrieve his body," River explained, "Would you like to visit the mortuary, sir?" He asks. "Nah, I have no interest in the dead. What I'm interested in is the trash he left behind," Billy explained, popping his knuckles. "Then, where would you like me to take you?" River asks. "Where else? To a dungeon of course... To find those assholes. As pathetic as they are, if they're raiders, they'll be there," Billy replied with a sinister smile on his face. "There are many different dungeons in Klato. How do you plan on locating them?" River asks, sweating a little bit. "Not a problem. This is the 31st century," Billy replied. "E-rank, Winter Greats, looks like he just entered a dungeon," He looked at his phone. "Let me remind you, dungeons have a different set of rules. The laws of society don't apply. I trust you understand what I'm saying," Billy stated sinisterly. "I think you might have to spell it out for me, sir," River replied. "I'm telling you to mind your own business, River. Whether or not I bury that guy inside a dungeon is my choice, got it?" Billy explained. "Yes, sir," River replied.

  Deep within the Collapsing Dungeon, the strike squad of 12 members found themselves in a clearing of a tundra. In a panic, they looked around their surroundings, an expanding forest of pine trees covered in snow. "Where are we?!" One asks, "This doesn't look like a dungeon!" Another added. Murmurs rushed from one person to another, "Where's the way out?!" the first asks, looking back from where they felt they came from. "I don't sense any suspicious movement.," Winter thought, looking out into the trees, his eyes glowing aquamarine. "We must have been transported to another dimension of sorts," he thought, standing in front of Stella. Suddenly, a frozen arrow flew towards her. In that same moment, Winter caught the arrow just an inch from her face. Screams from others filled the air, as another Mythic was struck by another frozen arrow. "What the hell! We're being ambushed!" Chattered one in a panic. "Up in the trees! That's the one attacking us!" Another pointed to a much larger tree. Winter's vision zoomed into them, his eyes turning orange as focused on the elf figure. "Ice elves?!" A third asks in a panic. "An ice elf. I couldn't sense their presence because they were so far away," Winter thought, still holding onto the arrow. To the touch, it was cold, and the ice it gave off began to spread up his hand and arm. "Those who have never encountered these creatures are called Ice elves," Ultima began, "but I call them by another name," It explained. "Unlike the beautiful name, 'Ice elves,' this name means these creatures use brutal methods to hunt down their prey," Ultima continued. The elf who had fired the arrow smirked with an insane look in their eyes. "Hyakki," Ultima explained.

  "The entrance is shut tight. This isn't good. Wasn't this supposed to be a C-rank dungeon?" Beak asked after placing his hand up against the collapsed entrance. "It was, sir," Jonah replied. "Have you tried contacting the association yet?" Erik asks, looking back at Jonah. "I have, but they just keep telling me they were sure this was a C-rank gate," Jonah explained. "Damn pricks," Erik growled. "A Collapsing Dungeon only appears in high-ranking dungeons. There's another world beyond this portal, but it's emitting mana waves that are equivalent to that of a mere c-rank dungeon," Erik thought, staring into the portal. "Something is not adding up. This portal in front of me is at the very least B-rank. If we're unlucky, it could even be an A-rank gate, or perhaps even higher," Erik thought. "Should we try measuring the mana waves using the mana meter again, sir?" Jonah asks. "A dungeon that has already turned red won't emit any more mana waves, so it's impossible to measure. As of now, there's no way of knowing exactly what rank this gate is," Erik explained to Jonah. "How many of our Mythics went inside?" He asks, "A total of 12, sir," Jonah replies. "How many are high ranking?" Erik asks again. "An A-rank, Charles is the leader and seven B-ranks," Jonah explained, "One A-rank and seven B-ranks..." Erik mumbled to himself. "Will our recruits be okay?" Chul asks with deep concern. "This gate is most likely B-rank or A-rank. An S-rank dungeon would put the entire country into a state of emergency but they're rare, so I can rule out that possibility," Erik thought. "If this Collapsing Dungeon is B-rank, they'll need at least 3 more A-rank Mythics. If it's A-rank they'll either need one or more S-rank Mythics," Erik began. "Which means... If the Gate is A-rank, or higher, the Mythics in there are as good as dead. Two to three A-rank or B-rank Mythics might be able to make it outlive if they're lucky," Erik explained with a straight, serious face. "One other person entered the gate," Jonah began. "Who was it?" Erik asks, "He's a Mythic that I've had my eyes on for a while now," Jonah explained. "A Mythics you've had your eye on?" Erik began. "Yes, sir," Jonah nodded. "What is his rank?! A, or B?!" Erik asks. Jonah did nothing but shake his head. "Then are you saying that an E-rank hunter went in with our recruits?" Erik asks. " I don't know," Jonah replied, awkwardly sweating.

  Winter's hand continued to freeze. The arrow's magic spread up his arm. "These guys are pretty clever. They targeted the weakest members of our strike squad first," Winter thought, watching them as he gripped the arrow. The Ice Slayer makes a gesture to Winter, bringing his thumb across his neck, with a sinister smile on his face. "Oh yeah?" Winter asks in thought, angrily crushing the ice arrow. His frustration grew if that Ice Slayer hadn't left after threatening Winter. "I'll kill you with my own two hands, you mother-" He thought in frustration- "I don't think they're happy to see us," Charles began. "Some of you may have noticed by now, but we're in a Collapsing Dungeon. Nobody can enter or leave this dungeon until all of us die, or a dungeon break causes the gate to open," Charles explained. "Mister, do you know what a Collapsing Dungeon is?" Stella asks Winter, staying close. "A special dungeon that connects the dungeon to another dimension. Once you step foot inside a Collapsing Dungeon, you become trapped without any help. There's no escaping unless the boss is defeated, or the dungeon breaks," Winter explained. "In other words, we're stuck here," he added. "Let me introduce myself again. My name is James Charles, and I'm an A-rank. Now that everyone knows we've entered the Collapsing Dungeon, I'll make sure that we make a safe return!" He explained. "But I'm not going to stand here and make promises I cannot keep. We'll have to wait many months for a dungeon break to occur, so there's no guarantee all of us will be able to survive until then," Charles continued. "The minimum difficulty level of a Collapsing Dungeon is B-rank. In a place as dangerous as this, it'll be difficult to manage all of you as a single unit," Charles explained. "This is why I'm going to form a separate team to clear the dungeon with me," he added. "What?!" Winter asks with deep confusion. "If we stay here, we'll either freeze to death or be ambushed by those Hyakkis again. Even if nobody wants to join my team, I'll get out of here by clearing this dungeon by myself," Charles explained. "Now, who's with me?" He asks. Several people began to gather around him. "They have a better chance of survival if they join forces with an A-rank Mythic," Winter thought. "You're out," Charles shoved a guy. "And so are you four," He added, pointing at Winter, and three other guys. "I'm sorry, but Mythics that are C-rank or lower can't come with me. One day inside a Collapsing Dungeon is an hour in real-time. If worse comes to shove, It'll take us months to defeat the boss. We may even have to wait just as long for the dungeon to break open," Charles explained. "Under these circumstances, I can't afford to bring along any dead weight," he continued with a serious face. "Did you just call us dead weight?!" Asks one. "Don't be too upset. If you're still alive when we defeat the boss, you'll be able to make it out of here, too," Charles replied. "Bastard!" Cursed the man that he shoved. "Excuse me," A pretty young woman expressed, with bright green eyes and long black hair. Parklin wields a small yellow staff and wears a white shirt with large poofy sleeves, a golden wing-shaped shoulder pauldron, black pants, and white boots. "Would it be okay if I went with those guys instead?" She asks Charles. "As you please," he replied. "I'm an A-rank, but she wants to go with them instead?" He asked himself in thought. "Does she feel bad for them? What's with this woman?" He asks himself. Charles looked for another Mythic to fill the open spot. Parklin was walking by, she got close to Winter. "Charles didn't even see the arrow that was shot at us," she began, "You're not just a Mage are you?" Parklin asks.

  "I've been keeping this a secret because I wanted to gain Winter Greats' trust, but I'm pretty sure he has become stronger," Jonah explained. "Are you positive? Are you sure it's not just speculation?" Erik asks. "He never gave me a clear answer on his new or old rank, but it's mostly a guess for now," Jonah explained. "Then the only person we can trust right now is Charles Chul," Erik moved away from Jonah. "Mr. Erik would understand what I'm talking about if he saw Winter's abilities for himself," Jonah thought. "Charles Chul can handle this sir," Began a middle-aged man with sharp cheekbones and visor-like glasses. "He's had an excellent performance record. His fighting abilities are comparable to those of the White Lion Guild's most seasoned strike squad members," he explained. "That's good to hear," Erik responded. "Charles Chul is an A-rank. Even when weighed against other higher-ranking Mythics he's a talent we can't afford to lose," Erik thought, looking back into the red portal. "Hopefully, as the leader of the strike squad, he'll be able to command the B-rank Mythics and clear the dungeon," Erik added in thought.

  "I couldn't help but overhear. You said something about an E-rank Mythic that must have grown stronger, yes?" Asks the man with visor-like glasses. "In my opinion, Charles Chul is miles more qualified than some nameless, inexperienced Mythic," he explained tauntingly. "We'll see," Jonah replied calmly, side-eying the man with visor-like glasses. Moments later, a car pulled up to the dungeon. "What the hell? What's going on here?" Billy asks, getting out of the car. "I'm pretty sure this was supposed to be a C-rank dungeon. Did an A-rank dungeon appear instead, or something?" He asks, beginning to walk up to the portal. "What's a big shot from the White Lion Guild doing here?" Billy asks with a sinister, smug grin plastered on his face. "Billy Bob?!" Erik asks in a growl. "An S-rank Mythic from the Scavenger Guild?!" Jonah asks. "It's been a while, Erik," Billy commented. "What are you doing in Klato?" Erik asks. "Made a quick visit to take care of some business. Never thought I'd run into you here. Small world, huh?" Billy explained. "Answer my question," Erik threatened, his appearance changing drastically. White hair, tiger eyes, and sharper teeth. "What business do you have in Klato? What are you doing on our turf?" Erik asks threateningly. "Tiger Guild's Turf? I'd like to ask you something myself," Billy began. "Did that lame Mythic join the White Lion Guild? What were you thinking, man?" Billy asks, with a sinister grin plastered on his face. "Why did you recruit an E-rank Loser?" Billy asked. "E-rank? What are you talking about?" Erik asks, confused. "I'm talking about Winter Greats, who just entered that dungeon," Billy explained. "Winter Greats? How does Billy Bob know about him too?!" Erik thought, deeply confused. "What's going on over here?" Billy asks, walking up to the deep red portal at the entrance of the dungeon. "Wow... A Collapsing Dungeon," he placed a hand against the collapsed entrance.

  "Then, let me ask you something, too. You guys are all recruits, how are you all so calm right now? Winter asks, snow building up on his head and shoulders. "Because the very first thing we learn is, 'Anything can happen inside the dungeons.' Charles James, in particular, underwent special training, since he's set to join the White Lion Guild's elite strike squad," the young woman explained, her green eyes glowing in the light. "We're going to follow this path," Charles explained. "We'll head into the forest, then," Winter replied. "Good luck," Charles replied as they went their ways. "I think you'll need it more," Winter responded with his back facing away from them. Within a couple of minutes of walking, they were already under a heavy canopy of pine trees, with rays of light shining through the pine leaves. "Hey, you never answered my question," Parklin, the young woman, stepped up to Winter. He was looking up at the pine leaves. "My rank? Who's to say," Winter replied, shrugging. "This guy is at least an A-rank," She thought. "No, he might even be stronger," Parklin thought with a soft smile. With the other group, Charles was leading the way. "Idiots," he scoffed. "Sorry?" Asked one, "Look over there," he pointed to the base of a tree. "Th-that's!" the same man gasped in shock. "Tsh, they should've just stayed put and waited here. The forest is the Ice Bears' territory," Charles explained, shaking his head. "Looks like innocent lives will be lost all because of that one E-rank Mythic," He added. "What do you expect from an E-rank? He probably didn't even receive proper training," the man joked. "You're right. Of course, he didn't," Charles responded, continuing to walk down the path. "Hang on. Most of the members on that team are C-rank. There was even a B-rank among them... So why on earth did I think he was the leader of their group?" He thought, deeply puzzled. "Whatever, he's as good as dead," Charles added. "Let's just stick to our plan," he dropped his shield. He raised his battle axe and stood in a stance. "It's time for battle," he explained in formation with the others.

  "I can't believe I ran into a Collapsing Dungeon after coming all this way," Billy mumbled, with deep frustration. "You're a hard man to track down, Winter Greats," he gritted his teeth. "Why is everyone so fixated on Winter Greats?!" Erik thought, confused about everyone's obsession. Deep within the dungeon, Charles braced for an attack from an Ice bear. It is no regular bear or polar bear. It was stronger, and much larger. Its claws punched into Charles's shield and broke the bear's paw. It roared in pain before being knocked out by Charles's battle axe. The bears lay lifeless on the frozen earth, blood beginning to freeze. The others began to praise Charles for the battle they had won. "I guess I'm strong enough to go up against a couple of Ice Bears on my own," he thought. "Let's gut out their intestines and slice up the meat. We need to stock up on food," one explained. "This should be enough to last us a couple of days," another added. "Looks like we're off to a good start," the first added. "What are you talking about?! We can't let our guard down until we've made it out of the forest!" Charles sighed with relief, "I'm the only one strong enough to go up against these beasts, The guys on the other team have already become lunch by now," he thought. "Y-yes sir!" They followed, half questioning his logic.

  "Stop!" Yelled the young woman, grabbing onto Winter's arm. "We can't go any further than this!" Parklin explained, "Why's that?" Winter asks, looking back at her, his hands in his pockets. "You see those marks on the trees over there? This place is plastered with territorial markings!" She replied. "This entire forest is an ice bear habitat! We have to turn back right now before the magic beast starts gathering here!" Parklin continued with a very serious face. Winter chuckled a little bit, his breath could be seen in the air. "So this place is full of ice bears, right?" He asks. "D-did I say something wrong?" She thought. "Yes. S-so, we should head back as soon as-" Parklin repeated, not getting as far as last time. "That's precisely why we should go further into the forest," Winter stepped ahead of the group. "What? Didn't you just hear what I said?!" She asks in frustration. "Do you want to get killed?" Parklin added. "If this is the ice bear territory, that means as long as we're in this forest, the only enemies we'll have to worry about are bears. They're much easier to handle than those clever Hyakkis," Winter explained. "Oh!" She thought in surprise. "The fact that there are a lot of bears implies that there are no other magic beasts that prey on them. Which means we won't have to worry about going up against stronger beasts!" Parklin thought. "Why did I think of that?" She asks herself. Awkwardly, Winter stood there silently. He noticed her outfit, and asked, "By the way, aren't you cold wearing just that out here?" He looked to his left, and commanded "Inventory," Winter then pulled out some clothes for the cold. "Everyone put these on," he held out a fur coat in one hand, and another in his inventory. "I can't have you all freezing to death before we even get to fight magic beasts," Winter explained jokingly. Handing everyone a fur coat.

~>System<{" [Item: Warm Fur Coat]. [Rank: None]. [Type: Survival Gear]. [Warning]! This item Will Make You Very Warm,"}>it displayed to Winter<~< p>

  "Spatial magic?!" Parklin was in awe, taking the fur coat. "I thought it was only possible to summon two to three low-ranking items using spatial magic," Yon began. "How was he able to summon so many?" He asks. "Who the hell is this guy?" Gon asks, partially frightened. "Mister, what's your deal? Who are you?" Stella asks, holding the fur coat. "I dragged you into this, so I'm going to do as I promised to Mr. Jonah," Winter began, pulling her cap down over her face. "In exchange, don't ask me any questions," He explained as she pulled her cap back on her head. "The same goes for the rest of you. Don't ask me anything, and don't expect anything from me," Winter explained with a finger over his lips. From a distance, Winter heard the crunching of snow. His body responded by puffing up his chest and straightening his back. "Ice bear," he growled to himself. Just a yard away, a bear came out from the tree line, sniffing the ground from the direction they once were. "Where did that come from?!" They ask in fear. "You said that all we had to worry about was ice bears, but they're high-ranking beasts!" Yon held his sword and shield prepared for battle. It growled and roared. "I knew it, we shouldn't have ventured into the forest!" Parklin stepped in front of the group. The bear Stood up on its hind legs, reaching quite far into the branches of the trees. "I'll distract it! You guys try and find an open-" She began, but never got to finish. The bear attempted to stomp on the annoying, young woman. Just in time, Winter pulled her back before she got hurt. "What are you doing?!" Parklin asks, annoyed by his intervention. "I'll only say this once. I'm going to defeat all the magic beasts by myself," Winter explained, letting go of her fur coat. "No matter how strong you are, they are still high-ranking monsters!" Parklin warned. Winter ignored her and walked forward, stretching. "I can't pass up an opportunity to gain experience points," Winter thought to himself. "Swap Title: Way of the Hunter," he commanded.

~>System<{" [Title: Way of The Hunter] Has Replaced One Who Overcame All] A Title given to a hunter proficient in slaying beasts. All Abilities Are Buffed by +40% When Fighting Against Beast-Type Monsters Lvl 1,"}>it rang<~< p>

  The bear swung its right paw at Winter. Like the others, its claws were long and scarp. It landed a blow on the ground, kicking up more snow that lay on the ground. Winter was twisting his body in the air to align himself with the Bear's head. It looked up to see him in the air. "At my current level, adding on the title's effects. I should be able to insta-kill!" He thought on his way down, his eyes glowing an aquamarine. Winter held a hand out, to keep himself balanced parallel to the ground. He brought his right hand down with the force of gravity. Winter slammed his fist into the bear's head. With a powerful blow, it quickly caves in on itself. Its skull was deformed from the powerful force that had come down on its head. A shock wave erupted from his fist's impact, forcing the bear onto the ground. Winter swung his right fist to the left, changing the direction of the velocity. With the explosion, his little group was taken aback by how strong he was. In shock, they watched the bear die with one hit. "He struck down an Ice Bear with a single blow?!" Parklin thought to herself. "Hm... So killing all of these beasts is going to be worth it," Winter smiled, watching his exp bar go up. "W-who are you?" Parklin asks, deeply baffled by Winter's show of strength.

~>System<{" The [Player] Has [Leveled up]!"}>It rang<~< p>

  Erik and his subordinates stood by the portal, with Billy. The outside of the Collapsing Dungeon wasn't any better. "You came all the way here for Winter Greats? What business do you have with him?" Beak asks, wanting answers to his questions. "None of your concern," Billy replied. "I'm just trying to have some fun," he lied. "Whatever you're looking to do, our hands are tied. There's nothing we can do about a Collapsing Dungeon," Erik began. "What lies beyond isn't a normal dungeon. They might find themselves in a scorching desert, a jungle with poisonous snakes and insects, or a snow field where their toes become covered in frostbite," Erik explained. "There's a greater chance that they're dead than alive," he added. "I'd like to go in and take a look at it myself," Billy replied, grinning. "I never thought I'd see something so rare at this pitstop," he added. "But seriously. I'll have to figure something out. I can't just sit around and wait for a dungeon break," Billy explained. "Consider yourself lucky, Winter Greats. Even Billy Bob won't be able to do anything about this Collapsing Dungeon," River thought to himself. "No. Consider yourself lucky if you make it out alive," River added.

  Back within the dungeon, it had gotten dark. Winter's little strike squad was sitting around a fire, bundled up in fur coats. They were serving bear meat over the blazing fire. "Bear meat is a bit chewy, but it tastes pretty good," Yon bit into his cooked bear meat. "Would you like some more, Yon?" Parklin asks, offering a stick of cooked bear meat to Yon. "Sure would, thanks!" He reached over to grab it. "This brings me back! I used to have a tribe, and we sat around the fire often," Ultima remembered his past. "Ahh, so you had a family once?" Winter asks Ultima, "Depends on how far I look. But, you could say that I did," it replied. "Do you know if they're still alive, or if their children's children are out there?" Winter asks, "It's hard to say, kid," Ultima responds. "Parklin, doesn't it feel like the Ice Bear attacks are happening less often now?" Yon asks, turning to face her. "Well, that's because our leader wiped them out," she explained. "Oh right! He defeated all those high-ranking Ice Bears with his bare hands," Yon commented. Winter stood himself up, stretching and tiredly yawning. "Where are you going?" Parklin asks. "Off to work out. I'll be around if you need me," he explained walking off. "You're going to exercise?" She asks, confused. "Uhh, yeah. Why shouldn't I?" Winter asks, his head to face them. "He's such a weirdo," Parklin sighed as he left. Far from the campsite, he performed sit-ups while hanging from a tree branch, sighing with much of it done. "What a hassle. It's not like I can just leave the strike squad behind and go into the penalty zone," he hung upside down from a tree. "Well, now that I'm done stretching, I should resume the hunt," he dropped from the tree and landed on his feet. After some walking, Winter found a clearing that led to a cave. A growl came from deep within. Several bears Stepped out, roaring and growling to intimidate Winter. "Looks like our numbers will be about the same," he smirked, from across the clearing. "Come forth," he commanded. From his shadow, an army of knights formed behind him. "This is our first battle... How about you show me what you got," Winter smiled sinisterly, with his eyes glowing aquamarine. "Go," he commanded.