Dawn broke with surprising gentleness, soft light filtering through the gaps in the boarded-up windows. I woke instantly, a habit that had formed quickly in this dangerous new world. Walter was still at his post by the window, his posture stiff from sitting all night.

  "You didn't wake me for my shift," I said, joining him.

  He shrugged slightly. "Couldn't sleep anyway. Figured at least one of us should be well-rested." Dark circles shadowed his eyes, making him look older than his years. "It was quiet. A few goblins passed by around midnight, but they didn't approach the house."

  "You need to rest, Walter," I said. "You can't keep going like this."

  "I've gone without sleep through seventy-two-hour shifts in the ER," he replied, the ghost of a smile crossing his face. "I'll manage." After a pause, he added more softly, "But thank you for your concern."

  Lily came bounding down the stairs a few minutes later, her face bright with excitement despite the dire circumstances. "Morning! Are we going to find the sanctuary today? Will there be other kids there? Does anyone have breakfast? I found a new treasure!" The questions and statements tumbled out in a rush as she held up what looked like a small glass marble with swirling colors inside.

  "Where did you find that?" Walter asked, instantly alert.

  "Under the bed upstairs! It was glowing, so I knew it was special." She rolled the marble between her fingers, fascinated by the way the colors shifted. "Can I keep it?"

  Walter gently took it from her, examining it carefully. "I'm not sure what it is, Lily. It might not be safe." He looked to me questioningly.

  I took the small sphere, turning it in my hand. It was warm to the touch, and the colors inside seemed to respond to movement, swirling in the direction I tilted it. "Maybe some kind of mana stone?" I suggested. "Like in the games Jonas was always talking about."

  "It's mine," Lily insisted, reaching for it. "I found it with my special seeing."

  Walter hesitated, then relented. "Alright, but keep it in your pocket. Don't take it out unless we say it's okay."

  She nodded solemnly, carefully tucking the marble into her jacket pocket. "I promise."

  We prepared a quick breakfast from our supplies, supplemented with canned goods we'd found in the house. As we ate, I outlined the day's plan.

  "Based on how far we traveled yesterday, we should reach the eastern edge of the city by mid-afternoon. From there, we'll need to find signs of this sanctuary." I glanced at Lily. "Your talent might help us spot the right direction once we're out of the city."

  She nodded eagerly. "I can find anything! Even invisible things sometimes."

  "Once we leave the city," Walter added, "we'll be more exposed. Less cover. We need to be extra cautious."

  "I'm not afraid," Lily declared, sitting up straighter. "I'm level four! That's higher than both of you."

  Walter and I exchanged glances. Her confidence was both an asset and a concern. She still viewed everything through the lens of a game, not fully comprehending the permanent consequences of failure in this world.

  "Even high-level players need to be careful," I told her, adopting her gaming terminology. "That's how you get to even higher levels."

  This seemed to satisfy her, and we finished our meal before gathering our supplies. I checked my status one last time before setting out:

  [Character Sheet: Erik Persson] [Level: 3] [Experience: 220/1000] [Health: 110/110] [Mana: 75/75] [Stamina: 65/65]

  I still hadn't allocated my attribute points. Today might provide clarity on what would be most valuable.

  We left the house cautiously, Lily taking the lead with her perception talent, pointing out the safest paths through the debris-strewn streets. Walter followed close behind her, his hand never far from her shoulder, while I took the rear guard position, scanning constantly for threats.

  The city looked different in this area—more industrial, with larger buildings and wider streets. Massive factories and warehouses loomed on either side, their broken windows like empty eye sockets watching our progress. Collapsed metal walkways and twisted pipes created maze-like obstacles we had to navigate carefully.

  "This way," Lily said confidently, pointing toward a narrow passage between two warehouse buildings. "There's a shortcut through here. I can see it."

  Walter hesitated. "Maybe we should stick to the main streets. Better visibility."

  "But there are monsters on the main street," Lily insisted. "I can see them moving. This way is empty."

  I considered both perspectives. "Let's check the passage first. If it looks clear and leads in the right direction, we'll take it."

  We approached the narrow alley cautiously. It was dark and cluttered with debris, but appeared to cut directly through to what looked like a more open area beyond. I couldn't see any immediate threats.

  "What do you see, Lily?" I asked.

  She squinted slightly, her head tilting as she engaged her talent. "It's all clear. No monsters. And there's something shiny at the end—something good."

  "Define 'good,'" Walter pressed.

  Lily frowned in concentration. "It's... helpful. Like the marble, but bigger. It glows the same way."

  Walter and I exchanged glances. Potentially valuable resources were worth investigating, especially if they might help us survive the journey ahead.

  "We'll go through," I decided. "But stay close together. I'll lead, then Lily, then Walter."

  We entered the passage in formation. It was tighter than it had appeared from outside, forcing us to move single-file between stacks of fallen debris and twisted metal. The air was staler here, carrying a faint chemical smell I couldn't identify.

  "Are we still going the right way?" Walter asked after several minutes of slow progress.

  I glanced at the sun's position, visible in patches through gaps overhead. "Still eastward. This is actually a good direct route if it continues this way."

  "The shiny thing is getting closer," Lily reported from behind me. "Just a little further."

  The passage eventually opened into what must have once been a loading area between warehouses. Large concrete platforms stood on either side, with rusted loading doors hanging askew. Scattered across the open space were the remains of delivery vehicles, now just twisted frames and broken glass.

  "There!" Lily pointed excitedly toward one of the overturned trucks. "Under it!"

  "Wait," I cautioned, scanning the area carefully. It was too exposed, too quiet. "Let me check first."

  I approached the overturned vehicle slowly, axe ready. It had been crushed on one side, creating a small cavity underneath where something glinted in the shadows. I crouched to look closer, keeping my senses alert for any movement in the area.

  There, partially buried in the dirt, was a crystalline object about the size of my fist. It glowed with a faint blue light, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.

  [Mana Crystal (Medium): A crystallized form of magical energy. Can be used to restore 50 Mana points or crafted into magical items.]

  "It's a mana crystal," I called back to the others. "Something valuable."

  "See? I told you!" Lily's voice rang out with excitement. I turned to see her pulling away from Walter's grip, darting forward to see the discovery.

  "Lily, wait!" Walter called, reaching for her.

  But she was already running across the open space, her small face alight with curiosity and triumph. "I found it! I knew it was something good!"

  Everything happened too quickly after that.

  A low, guttural chanting rose from somewhere above us. I spun, looking up to see a figure on one of the loading platforms—taller than a goblin, with grayish-blue skin and elaborate markings covering its body. It wore a headdress of bones and feathers, and its hands glowed with an unnatural frost-blue light.

  [Goblin Frost Shaman, Level 6]

  "Get back!" I shouted, abandoning the crystal and running toward Lily. "Take cover!"

  Walter was already moving, desperation clear on his face as he lunged for his granddaughter. But Lily had frozen in place, staring up at the shaman with wide, curious eyes.

  "Wow," she breathed. "It's a boss monster!"

  The shaman raised its arms, the chanting reaching a crescendo. The air temperature plummeted instantly. Frost formed on the metal surfaces around us, spreading like living things. With a sharp downward gesture, the shaman released its spell.

  A blast of freezing energy shot toward Lily. Walter reached her just in time, shoving her aside with all his strength. The frost bolt struck him squarely in the chest, encasing him in a shell of ice that spread rapidly across his body.

  "Grandpa!" Lily screamed, the playfulness gone from her voice, replaced by genuine terror as Walter collapsed, frost spreading across his skin.

  I reached them, grabbing Lily's arm and pulling her behind an overturned container as another frost bolt shattered against the metal where we'd been standing. My mind raced. A level six monster—far beyond anything I'd faced so far. And now Walter was down, possibly dying.

  "Stay here," I told her fiercely. "Don't move. Not for anything."

  Her eyes were huge with shock and fear, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks. "But Grandpa—"

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  "I'll help him," I promised. "But you have to stay hidden."

  I peered around the edge of the container. Walter lay motionless on the ground, frost covering most of his body. The shaman was moving along the platform's edge, searching for us.

  I needed to draw its attention away from both Lily and Walter. Gripping my axe, I darted from cover, zigzagging toward another piece of wreckage closer to the platform. A frost bolt sizzled past my ear, close enough that I felt the burning cold against my skin.

  [Health: 98/110]

  Just proximity to the magic had damaged me. A direct hit would be devastating.

  I reached the new cover and assessed my options. The shaman was too high to reach with melee attacks. I needed to either find a way up to the platform or bring it down to my level.

  The loading platform had a partially collapsed staircase on one side. If I could reach it, I might be able to climb up. But crossing the open space would leave me vulnerable to those frost bolts.

  Wait—Lily's talent. She could see weaknesses.

  "Lily," I called out. "Can you see any weak spots on the monster? Any place where it's vulnerable?"

  For a moment, I thought she was too frightened to use her talent. Then her small voice came back, shaking but determined: "Its—its chest has a glowing thing inside. That's where the magic comes from. And its left knee is hurt. It can't move fast."

  A glowing thing in its chest—some kind of magical core or essence? If I could damage that, it might weaken its frost powers.

  I spotted a piece of sheet metal leaning against some debris. It might serve as a makeshift shield against the frost magic, at least long enough to reach the stairs.

  "Lily, stay hidden," I called. "I'm going to stop the monster."

  I grabbed the metal sheet with my free hand and broke cover, running low and fast toward the staircase. The shaman spotted me immediately, launching another frost bolt. I raised the metal shield, feeling it instantly turn brittle with cold as the spell hit. But it had blocked the worst of the effect.

  Reaching the staircase, I flung the now-useless sheet aside and began to climb the unstable structure. Metal groaned beneath my weight, threatening to give way. The shaman moved to the edge of the platform, raising its hands for another attack.

  "Grandpa's not moving!" Lily's panicked voice called from her hiding place. "Erik, help him!"

  The distraction was momentary, but costly. A frost bolt caught my shoulder, instantly numbing my left arm.

  [Health: 75/110] [Debuff: Frozen Limb - Left arm functionality reduced by 70% for 120 seconds]

  I gritted my teeth against the pain and continued climbing one-handed, the axe clutched awkwardly in my right. I reached the platform just as another bolt of frost energy shattered the remaining stairs behind me, cutting off any retreat.

  The shaman faced me now, its hollow eyes glowing with the same blue light as its hands. It chanted in a language I couldn't understand, the air around it shimmering with cold energy.

  I charged, hoping to interrupt whatever spell it was preparing. My axe connected with its side, drawing a shriek of pain and rage.

  [Critical Hit!] [Experience Gained: +75]

  The creature was faster than it looked, spinning away despite its injured knee. It raised both hands, a wave of freezing energy radiating outward. I tried to dodge, but my numbed arm threw off my balance. The cold caught my legs, instantly sapping warmth and sensation.

  [Health: 60/110] [Debuff: Frost Slow - Movement speed reduced by 30% for 60 seconds]

  I fought through the effect, forcing my half-frozen legs to move. The shaman prepared another spell, its hands glowing brighter. I needed to disrupt its casting.

  With a desperate lunge, I swung my axe at its chest, where Lily had seen the glowing source of its power. The blade connected, sending a shower of frost energy in all directions. The shaman howled, momentarily stunned by the impact.

  I pressed the advantage, delivering a series of heavy blows that forced the creature backward. It fought with surprising strength, its clawed hands raking across my chest.

  [Health: 48/110]

  Blood welled from the wounds, instantly developing frost crystals in the freezing aura around the shaman. I needed to end this quickly.

  "Erik!" Lily's terrified scream cut through the battle. "More monsters! They're coming!"

  I risked a glance toward the ground level. Three goblin bruisers were entering the loading area, drawn by the commotion of our battle. One immediately spotted Lily's hiding place and moved toward her.

  "Run, Lily!" I shouted. "Hide!"

  My distraction cost me again. The shaman's hands connected with my chest, frost energy pouring directly into me. I gasped as cold penetrated deep into my lungs, my vision whitening with pain.

  [Health: 32/110] [Critical Debuff: Frost Heart - Taking 3 damage per second for 30 seconds]

  Desperation gave me strength. With my rapidly failing body, I summoned everything I had and drove my axe directly into the center of the shaman's chest.

  The blade sank deep, striking something solid within. There was a moment of resistance, then a brittle cracking sound. The shaman's eyes widened in shock as frost energy erupted from the wound—not directed outward this time, but consuming the creature itself.

  Ice spread rapidly across the shaman's body from the inside out. It clawed frantically at its chest, trying to contain the unstable magic, but it was too late. With a final, unearthly howl, it shattered into thousands of crystalline fragments that dissolved into blue light.

  [You have defeated Goblin Frost Shaman (Level 6)] [Experience Gained: +320] [Level Up! 3 → 4] [Item Acquired: Frost Essence] [Area Clear Bonus: +100 Experience] [Achievement Unlocked: First Boss Defeated]

  I collapsed to my knees, every breath sending shards of pain through my frost-damaged lungs. My vision wavered, darkening at the edges. Through the haze, I could see the goblin bruisers closing in on Lily's hiding place.

  "Lily," I tried to shout, but it came out as a hoarse whisper. "Run!"

  She darted from cover, trying to reach Walter's motionless form. One of the bruisers lunged for her, its massive hand closing around her small arm. She screamed, kicking and struggling.

  I had to get down there. Had to help her. But the stairs were gone, and my body was failing from the frost damage. With no other option, I threw myself off the platform, hoping to at least distract the goblins from Lily.

  I landed hard, my legs buckling beneath me. Pain exploded through my already damaged body.

  [Health: 17/120] [Critical Status: Multiple Fractures]

  But the desperate gambit worked. The goblins turned toward the new threat, momentarily releasing Lily. She scrambled away, running toward her grandfather.

  "Lily," I gasped, forcing myself to stand despite the agony coursing through me. "Get away... find somewhere to hide..."

  She reached Walter, shaking his frost-covered form. "Grandpa, wake up! Wake up!"

  Walter's status was visible to me now, a grim confirmation of what I could already see:

  [Walter Miller, Level 3] [Health: 2/95] [Critical Status: Severe Frost Damage] [Dying: a few seconds]

  There was no time. The goblins were advancing, weapons raised. I staggered forward, placing myself between them and Lily, raising my axe with trembling arms.

  "Run, Lily," I ordered, my voice stronger now with desperation. "Now!"

  She looked up, tears streaming down her face. "I can't leave Grandpa!"

  One of the goblin bruisers charged. I met it with a wild swing, somehow connecting despite my injuries. The creature staggered but didn't fall. The other two circled around, trying to flank me.

  [Goblin Brute, Level 4] [Goblin Brute, Level 4] [Goblin Brute, Level 5]

  Behind me, Walter's body began to shimmer with blue light—not the frost this time, but the same dissolution effect I'd seen when creatures died.

  "Grandpa!" Lily screamed, rushing back to him as his form started breaking apart into motes of light. "No, no, no!"

  [Walter Miller has died.]

  Lily's anguished scream distracted the goblins momentarily. I used the opening to strike at the nearest one, my axe biting deep into its neck. It dissolved instantly into light.

  [Experience Gained: +110]

  But the other two were already moving—one toward me, the other toward Lily. I couldn't reach them both in time.

  "Lily, run!" I shouted again, desperately engaging the closer goblin.

  She looked up, her small face transformed by grief and terror. For a moment, I thought she would finally flee. Then her eyes widened, focusing on something behind me.

  "Erik, watch out!"

  I spun, too late. A fourth goblin—this one wearing crude armor—had emerged from another entrance to the loading area. It held a jagged spear that now thrust directly toward my back.

  I twisted, avoiding a fatal blow, but the spear tip still tore through my side.

  [Health: 8/120] [Critical Status: Puncture Wound]

  I fell to one knee, blood spreading across my jacket. Through a haze of pain, I saw Lily backing away from the approaching goblin, her eyes darting frantically for an escape route.

  "Lily," I gasped. "The passage we came through..."

  She turned to run, but the goblin was faster. It grabbed her by the back of her jacket, lifting her off the ground. She screamed, kicking wildly.

  With the last of my strength, I hurled my axe. It spun through the air, striking the goblin in the shoulder. Not a killing blow, but enough to make it drop Lily.

  "Run!" I shouted as the remaining goblins closed in on me.

  Lily scrambled to her feet, hesitating for just a moment, her tear-streaked face looking back at me. Then she turned and ran toward the passage.

  The goblin with the spear raised its weapon for a finishing blow. I braced myself, searching desperately for any weapon within reach. My hands closed around a piece of broken metal. Not much, but better than nothing.

  The spear descended. I rolled, the blade scraping along my ribs instead of piercing my heart. I lashed out with the metal shard, driving it into the goblin's leg.

  It howled in pain, staggering back. I used the moment to struggle to my feet, my vision swimming with the effort. Blood loss and frost damage were taking their toll. I wouldn't last much longer.

  A child's scream echoed from the passage—Lily's scream.

  My heart froze. She must have encountered more goblins in the passage. I took a stumbling step toward the sound, but my legs gave way beneath me.

  [Health: 3/120] [Critical Status: Severe Blood Loss]

  The three remaining goblins approached, weapons ready. In my periphery, I saw movement from the passage entrance. A smaller goblin emerged, dragging something behind it. Something that no longer struggled.

  Lily's small form lay limp in its grasp, her neck at an unnatural angle, her eyes staring sightlessly at the sky.

  [Lily Miller, Level 4] [Health: 0/90] [Status: Dead]

  A roar of grief and rage tore from my throat. With strength I didn't know I possessed, I lunged for my fallen axe, grasping it and swinging in a wide arc that caught two of the surprised goblins. They dissolved into light, but I barely registered the experience notifications.

  [Experience Gained: +210]

  The goblin with the spear thrust again. This time, I made no effort to dodge. Instead, I used the impetus of its attack to drive myself forward along the spear shaft, bringing my axe down on its head even as the spear penetrated my chest.

  [Health: 1/120] [Critical Status: Fatal Wound] [Experience Gained: +115] [Level Up! 4 → 5]

  I collapsed as the last goblin dissolved, my vision tunneling to pinpoints. So this was it. I'd failed. Failed to protect Walter and Lily. Failed to find Marcus and Sofia. Failed at the most basic level—survival.

  As consciousness faded, I became aware of the Frost Essence clasped in my failing hand—the crystallized power of the shaman I'd defeated. It pulsed with cold energy against my skin.

  [Frost Essence: The crystallized magical essence of a frost-attuned being. Can be used for crafting frost-based weapons or items, or consumed for temporary frost resistance.]

  Consumed? With nothing left to lose, I pressed the crystal against my chest, willing whatever power it contained to enter me. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the essence began to dissolve, sinking into my skin in streams of blue-white energy.

  Cold. Unimaginable cold spread through my dying body. My vision whited out completely as frost energy coursed through my veins, freezing the blood that had been pouring from my wounds.

  [Frost Essence absorbed] [Unique Skill Acquired: Frost Affinity Level 1] [Health stabilized at 1/120] [Critical Status: Suspended Animation]

  The last thing I registered before darkness claimed me was the strange sensation of ice forming within my wounds, sealing them, preserving what little life remained in my broken body. Not healing—freezing. Suspending me between life and death in a cocoon of magical frost.

  As consciousness slipped away, a single thought remained—I had survived, but at what cost? Walter and Lily were gone, their bodies dissolved into nothingness, leaving not even remains to bury. Two more names added to the roster of those I'd failed to protect.

  If I somehow lived through this, I would find Marcus and Sofia. I would understand this world that had taken so much from me. And I would never again fail those under my protection.

  The frost spread, encasing me completely, and the world faded to silent, merciful darkness.