Absolute Craft-Chapter 78: Supreme Blizzard (1)

Chapter 78: Supreme Blizzard (1)

Blake’s new gear was striking for several reasons.

Starting from the top, he once again wore a peculiar helmet adorned with a carved demon mask inspired by Japanese folklore. While "Oni" can signify various concepts, Blake honed in on the mask’s demonic qualities. Two elongated fangs curled around his lips—razor-sharp, slender, and tinted a bluish hue reminiscent of netherworld icicles. The mask’s scaled texture heightened its ominous appearance, and the curved cracks near the eye sockets sharpened Blake’s gaze. Centered on the forehead rose a mythical horn, hinting at a transformation few in the newbie lands could match.

He topped the helmet with a ponytail made of lynx fur, secured by steel bands—amateurish work, yet still threatening. Thanks to his Butcher title, he’d harvested the fur easily.

The rest of his armor clung to him like a second skin, reminiscent of his Pride’s Second Coming. This time, however, it hugged his muscles more closely, recalling the snug fit during Superbia’s Fusion. The effect stemmed from the Blizzard Smithy’s unique forging process, which had him hammer Ice Steel onto a statue as a base for the armor. Because he chose not to expand it further, the resulting layer was thin but sturdy. He meticulously chiseled scales across the limbs and torso, unintentionally emulating the 11th Lost King’s style—so much so that they resembled the Stone Troll General’s ice armor. The protruding edges could slice any hand foolish enough to touch them.

A milky-white mantle draped across his back, waiting for the perfect gust to send it billowing.

Finally, a wooden scabbard at his hip stood out—oddly mismatched with the otherwise cohesive "White Oni" look. Even his katana’s handle clashed in color, a result of his inability to craft a new tsuka. Despite these minor inconsistencies, Blake looked more imposing than ever, like a demon meant to rule over ice and snow.

Naturally, he wasn’t alone. Behind him stood Beatrix, outfitted in a similar style—but her demonic mask bore two horns instead of one. She waited, ready for his command. She looked like Blake’s twin or shadow, though her equipment had moved away from its original "shadow" theme. She’d embraced the shift for two reasons. First, her link to the 12th Lost King had weakened noticeably, while her bond with Blake had strengthened; the revised gear meshed better with his abilities than her "shadow" concept would have. Second, it was a necessary leap forward for both of them. Blake had to confront his predecessor and prove himself, while Beatrix needed to forge her own direction. With the freedom Blake gave her, she inched closer to unraveling her uncertainties and her origin.

They’d had a small disagreement during forging, particularly when Blake worked on Beatrix’s chest armor. He insisted on making it extra eye-catching, believing a woman’s chest piece deserved extra flair. He’d become so engrossed in the task that Beatrix conjured a spear and tapped his cheek to snap him out of it. Ultimately, the armor ended up with layered scales arranged in a cascading formation—sufficient to ward off any improper stares, especially Blake’s. He’d likely pay for that lapse later.

Sol’s dragon husk got an upgrade, too. The little one now sported a mask covering only his eyes and forehead, giving the illusion of long brows ending in white suns. Sleek white scales ran down his ridge, and each paw wore sharp little boots for gripping most surfaces—enough to spark envy in any serious climber. The new look resembled an exclusive battle-pass skin, or so Blake joked, thinking pet cosmetics might eventually become profitable once more players acquired companions.

For now, though, his gaze fell upon the Stone Troll General.

The troll smirked at its three unwelcome visitors, lifting its rod crowned by a bright ice shard. Its glow momentarily washed the chamber in a deep blue light that reflected off the troll’s equipment.

Then the blizzard arrived.

That it recognized Blake’s party underscored how this game differed from standard MMOs. The troll wouldn’t respawn; it was a one-time, sentient enemy that, once defeated, would leave its domain open for another force. Until then, it ruled this space and would fight to the bitter end.

As the blizzard engulfed the chamber, spiraling around Blake, Beatrix, and Sol, Blake advanced with calm assurance through the howling winds. His mantle trailed behind him in a deceptively gentle sway. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Grasping his katana’s hilt, he dropped into a rapid-draw stance, knees bent, body leaning slightly forward. His eyes glowed with a fierce, bestial blue light.

"SUPREME—" His wooden scabbard shattered from sheer force. "—BLIZZARD!"

Though now without a scabbard, Blake unleashed his katana in a concentrated wave of icy wind, slicing the swirling snow in half to reveal the Stone Troll General’s astonished face.

Without missing a beat, a white blur darted past Blake, rushing straight for the monster. Beatrix lunged, her bow transformed into a spear, its tip skimming the ground.

Meanwhile, Sol crouched low like a stealthy ninja—he had a crucial mission, and staying unnoticed was his first move. Right now, his job was to be as inconspicuous as an ant in the troll’s eyes.

Beatrix’s spear slammed into the troll’s chest, shearing off large chunks of its ice armor. She’d managed to draw its focus, diverting the troll’s attention from Sol and Blake.

The creature retaliated by swinging its rod overhead, slamming it down. Ready for such brute force, Beatrix braced her spear and absorbed the impact, emerging unscathed.

They locked eyes.

For someone who once struggled to even scratch the troll, Beatrix had become the pivot of their offense.

The troll backed away, spinning its rod to summon another blizzard. Beatrix smirked beneath her mask, and in a resounding clang, her spear reverted to a bow. Five ice arrows formed on her bowstring, and she fired them in one volley.

Since her master wielded a katana imbued with the spirit of the Blizzard, her arrows roared with the same fury, penetrating the troll’s snowy defenses and striking vulnerable areas.

Just as the monster prepared to counterattack, a sharper, more piercing cry rang out near its right ear—the unmistakable sound of the true Blizzard’s name.

"Supreme—" Blake unleashed another rapid-draw slash, this one aimed at the troll’s neck. "—Blizzard!"

BANG!

[-461 HP]