Absolute Craft-Chapter 79: Supreme Blizzard (2)

Chapter 79: Supreme Blizzard (2)

<Supreme Blizzard (Legendary)(Active)(55 MP)(10 CD)—a slash that conjures a true Blizzard, usable in three ways depending on the stance.>

<First Stance—unleash a sharp blizzard in a straight line, shredding enemies (Damage: 100% of Oni’s Avalanche max damage) (Range: 20m) (Damage increases by 5% per opponent, up to 40%).>

<Second Stance—release a sharp blizzard in a circle (120% of Oni’s Avalanche damage), slowing enemies and reducing their cold resistance by 30%.>

<Third Stance—deliver a single-handed slash (165% of Oni’s Avalanche max damage). Each successful strike converts your damage into a shield, stacking up to five times. At full stacks, this shield can become a 5% damage buff that enhances the Third Stance.>

<If Supreme Blizzard is unleashed from the Winter Scabbard, damage is increased by 50% and the skill’s cooldown is reset.>

<The Winter Scabbard (Epic) is currently incompatible with Oni’s Avalanche (Legendary).>

After cleaving through the Stone Troll General’s neck armor, Blake landed and skidded back. Beatrix immediately stepped in, thrusting her White Hound (Epic Spear) at the monster’s armor.

Blake didn’t lag behind. If Beatrix could cover his openings, he could cover hers. Side by side, they swung their weapons with howling force, leaving glittering clouds of cold mist behind. This spectacle arose from another of Blake’s Oni’s Avalanche skills, which Beatrix could also access thanks to their equipment link.

Clearly, it was inspired by Crescent’s Pride.

<Blizzard’s Pride (Legendary)(Active)(10 MP)(0 CD)—when you land a successful strike that triggers Oni’s Avalanche’s max damage, you leave behind a slice of cold mist that lowers both the cold resistance and attack speed of the enemy you’ve hit.>

Because they wielded their weapons with such precision, the Stone Troll General’s feet were soon engulfed by the cold mist. Moreover, Beatrix’s new ability let her reshape those slashes into a weapon of her choosing.

She waited for the perfect chance—when the monster slammed its rod into the ground, knocking them both away. Keeping her distance, Beatrix aimed her spear at the troll’s face and activated her new skill: Crescent Arrows (Rare).

All the mist slashes stretched into arrows, shooting straight at the troll’s face. Despite the swirling blizzard, none of them wavered, and every arrow hit its mark. Cracks began spreading across the troll’s distinct helmet and face.

Though the arrows evaporated on impact, each successful strike doubled the effects of Blake’s Blizzard’s Pride.

Annoyed, the Stone Troll General thrust its rod forward and spun it, forming a flawless ring of ice. From that circle, countless shards erupted, streaking toward Blake and Beatrix.

Yet the pair merely smirked, revealing no fear. Wordlessly, they competed to see who could destroy the most shards. Beatrix even morphed her spear into a bow for an advantage over Blake, launching volley after volley to counter the troll’s barrage.

Once the troll’s blizzard had died down, it became more manageable. Even so, Beatrix’s progress was crucial; she hadn’t relied on her Supreme Archer title but instead followed Blake’s plan to start in melee range.

Their new gear allowed them to withstand the cold and fight at full power. The troll was still formidable, but by covering each other’s weaknesses, Blake and Beatrix gained the upper hand.

Soon, the troll’s ice barrage wound down.

Blake immediately used his new skill, swinging his katana upward from below. Though he stood a fair distance from the monster, he deliberately slashed through empty air.

Once the motion ended, a shimmering ice platform extended toward the troll, arcing upward like a ski jump. Beatrix leapt onto it at once, her movement speed tripling as she rocketed toward the enemy.

She unleashed two volleys, then charged with her spear readied, colliding with the troll like a massive iceberg. Meanwhile, Blake conjured more platforms, gradually forming spirals and loops—revealing a playful side reminiscent of a toy racetrack.

<Ice’s Path (Legendary)(Active)(70 MP)(5 CD)—swing your katana to create an ice lane. You and your allies gain enhanced movement speed while sliding on this lane and can stop instantly at will. You can also freely adjust your speed on the platform.>

This movement skill brought numerous advantages. Blake could better control the battlefield, using the platforms to strike from angles his current abilities wouldn’t normally allow. Even if the ice lanes telegraphed his approach, he could spawn new platforms midair or around himself to block attacks. Because of their gear connection, Beatrix could appear anywhere on those platforms using her own movement skill.

Trapped on the ice track, the confused monster smashed part of one platform’s edge, shattering it with its rod, but too many remained to destroy them all. Ignoring them would be suicidal.

Taking advantage of this new terrain, Blake and Beatrix rushed the troll, exchanging hits. They lost some health but refused to back down.

Meanwhile, one mustn’t forget the little ninja hiding below the ice.

Finally, the Stone Troll General’s health dropped to around one thousand. It let out a guttural roar and breathed a frigid blast that froze everything before it—Blake and Beatrix included.

Neither could move despite their cold resistance, underscoring that this breath was the monster’s ace in the hole. The troll stepped forward, crushing a section of Blake’s ice track under its weight, then advanced like a grim reaper.

In most cases, players had to struggle relentlessly to defeat such powerful foes—particularly a unique monster like the Stone Troll General—but for the troll, a single decisive move could end its enemies.

Although everyone believed the entire chamber and its occupants were immobilized, Sol crept from his hiding spot and looked at Blake. His task was to leave his cockpit and strike the troll—enough to crack its armor so Blake and Beatrix could finish the fight.

But Blake and Bubu were still frozen, their lives in danger.

Without a second thought, Sol rose and flew toward his family. He abandoned his cockpit and landed on Blake, triggering a chain reaction that freed him.

Straining to maintain control of that reaction, Sol zipped over to Beatrix and freed her, too...

Then, the relentless magic in the chamber tore him away from them.

Nevertheless, Sol heard Blake’s words loud and clear:

"You’re our hero, Sol."

The tiny sun flared brighter than ever before.