I dreamed of ice again.

  This time, I stood atop a mountain of frost, surveying an endless landscape transformed by winter. Below me, the world had been remade—trees encased in crystal, buildings half-buried in snow drifts, roads traced only by the faintest indentations in the white expanse. Beautiful. Silent. Dead.

  Walter and Lily appeared beside me, their forms blue-tinged and translucent. They didn't speak, but their expressions radiated a terrible accusation: You did this.

  I tried to deny it, to explain that I hadn't wanted the frost power, hadn't asked for any of this. But when I opened my mouth, only a cloud of freezing mist emerged, crystallizing in the air before me.

  In the distance, I spotted two figures trudging through the snow—Marcus and Sofia, still alive, still searching. I called to them, but the wind swallowed my voice. I started to run down the mountain, but with each step, the frost spread further from my footprints. It raced ahead of me, a wave of deadly cold sweeping toward my friends.

  "No!" I shouted, reaching out as if I could somehow pull the frost back.

  I woke with a gasp, my body drenched in sweat despite the chill emanating from my skin. Frost patterns had formed on the thin blanket covering me, spreading outward from where my hands had clutched the fabric. Another manifestation of my new ability—responding to my emotional state even in sleep.

  The motel room was dark, with only faint pre-dawn light filtering through the boarded window. I sat up, focusing on controlling my breathing, willing the frost to recede. Slowly, the ice crystals stopped spreading, though they didn't melt.

  My status window showed full health and stamina regeneration overnight, but the mental toll of recent events couldn't be quantified in System terms:

  [Character Sheet: Erik Persson] [Level: 5] [Experience: 925/3000] [Health: 140/140] [Mana: 100/100] [Stamina: 75/75]

  Walter and Lily's deaths continued to haunt me. Not just in dreams, but in waking moments too—flashes of memory, fragments of conversations we'd had, the terror in Lily's eyes when she realized her grandfather wouldn't survive. I should have protected them better. Should have been more cautious. Should have...

  I shook my head, trying to dislodge the spiral of regret. Second-guessing wouldn't bring them back. The best I could do was learn from what happened and move forward—reach the sanctuary, find Marcus and Sofia, figure out how to survive in this merged reality.

  A soft knock came at the door.

  "Sunrise in twenty minutes," Serra called. "Food's ready when you are."

  "I'll be right out," I replied, gathering my meager possessions and checking my inventory.

  In the main area of the outpost, Serra and her two companions—Damon and Elise—were already busy with morning preparations. The smell of something resembling oatmeal filled the small space, reminding me of normal life before the Merge.

  "Sleep well?" Serra asked, handing me a bowl.

  "Well enough," I lied, accepting the food. No point mentioning the nightmares or the frost incident.

  Serra nodded toward Damon. "We've been discussing your journey. Damon thinks you should wait until our relief patrol arrives in two days. We could escort you back to the sanctuary together."

  I paused, spoon halfway to my mouth. "The relief patrol—they'd be coming here first, not heading toward the sanctuary, right?"

  "Yes," Serra confirmed. "They'd replace us at the outpost, then we'd return to the sanctuary afterward. Standard rotation."

  I weighed my options carefully. Waiting meant safety in numbers, but also delay. Every day spent waiting was another day Marcus and Sofia might be searching for me, another day they faced this world's dangers alone.

  "I appreciate the offer," I said finally, "but I need to keep moving."

  "The road isn't safe," Damon said, his voice gruff but concerned. "We've had reports of increased monster activity to the northeast, and worse—human bandits operating near the halfway point."

  "All the more reason I should go now," I said firmly. "If I wait, that's two more days my friends are out there somewhere, possibly in danger."

  There was another reason I didn't voice—a selfish one perhaps, but no less real. Walter and Lily's deaths were too fresh, the guilt too raw. I needed solitude to process what had happened without well-meaning strangers watching me, judging my reactions, asking questions I couldn't answer without reliving every moment.

  Serra recognized my determination. "At least let us help you prepare. Elise has been marking the latest patrol reports on your map—known monster nests, dangerous areas to avoid."

  Elise pushed the map across the table. "The main road is generally safest, but there's a section about halfway where it passes through what used to be a small town. We've had reports of a bandit group operating there."

  "They're careful," Damon added. "They move their operations frequently, never staying in one place long enough for the sanctuary to mount a proper response."

  "What about these bandits? Any information on their numbers, abilities?" I studied the marked areas on the map.

  "Five to seven members, from what we've gathered," Serra replied. "Led by someone called Reaver—probably a chosen name. Level 6 or 7, based on survivor accounts. Their specialty seems to be ambushing travelers just after the halfway point, where the road passes through a narrow valley."

  "They let single travelers pass undisturbed if they look too poor or weak to be worth the trouble," Elise added. "But they target anyone who seems to have valuable items or abilities."

  My hand unconsciously moved to my chest, where the frost essence had integrated. Would the faint blue tinge of my skin mark me as a target?

  Serra nodded grimly, noticing the gesture. "Your essence absorption... yes, that would definitely interest them. Essence users are rare and valuable."

  "Then I'll need to be especially careful in that area," I said. "Or find a way around it."

  "There's a forest path that bypasses the valley," Elise said, tracing it on the map. "Longer and with its own dangers—higher-level forest creatures—but it avoids the bandits' usual hunting grounds."

  After breakfast, I prepared to leave. Serra provided final advice on landmarks to watch for, along with a crude compass fashioned from magnetized metal. The level of organization impressed me—these outposts functioning as way stations, gathering and sharing information, maintaining connections between scattered survivors.

  "One last thing," Serra said as I shouldered my pack. "When you reach the sanctuary, ask for Council Member Hayes. Tell him Serra from Outpost Three sent you, and explain about your frost absorption. He's been particularly interested in essence users."

  "I will," I promised. "And thank you—all of you—for the help."

  "Safe journey," Damon said gruffly.

  Elise handed me a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Extra rations. The journey takes most people a full day, but it's best to be prepared for delays."

  [Preserved Rations (2) acquired]

  With final goodbyes, I left the outpost as the sun cleared the horizon. The day was clear, the air crisp with early morning chill that felt somehow harmonious with the frost energy flowing through my veins.

  For the first few hours, travel was uneventful. I maintained a steady pace, staying alert for any movement while occasionally practicing with my frost abilities. The control remained frustratingly inconsistent—sometimes creating perfect ice formations, other times producing nothing but cold mist.

  Mid-morning, I encountered my first challenge—a small pack of what appeared to be wolf-like creatures with unusually thick fur that shimmered with a metallic quality. They were gathered around the carcass of a deer-like animal, feasting on the remains.

  [Shimmer Wolf, Level 3] x4

  I considered my options. The wolves hadn't noticed me yet, focused on their meal. I could attempt to bypass them by leaving the road temporarily, circling wide around their position. The safer choice, certainly, but also slower.

  Or I could engage. Four level 3 creatures should be manageable for a level 5 character, especially with my frost abilities. The combat experience would be valuable, and there might be useful drops.

  I decided on a compromise—approach cautiously, ready to fight if they became aggressive, but willing to leave them be if they remained focused on their existing meal.

  Concentrating hard, I tried to form several ice shards in preparation. The frost energy responded sluggishly, forming just two irregular spikes that hovered unsteadily above my palm. They'd have to do. I continued forward, maintaining awareness of the wolves' position.

  I'd nearly drawn even with them when one raised its head, nostrils flaring as it caught my scent. It growled, a sound echoed immediately by its companions as they turned toward me.

  So much for peaceful passage. The wolves abandoned their kill, spreading out as they approached—demonstrating a concerning level of coordinated hunting behavior.

  I sent the ice shards flying toward the lead wolf, but my aim was off. One missed entirely, while the other merely grazed its flank, doing minimal damage. The wolf barely slowed its approach.

  I tried to create more ice projectiles, but the frost energy seemed to slip through my mental grasp. Frustration mounted as the wolves closed in. This wasn't like the battle with the shaman, where frost had responded instinctively to my desperation. Here, I needed precise control I hadn't yet mastered.

  In desperation, I slammed my foot down, willing the frost to spread along the ground. To my surprise, it worked—a sheet of ice formed on the road before me, causing the first wolf to lose its footing as it hit the slick surface. The others learned quickly, slowing their approach and testing the ice's edge with cautious paws.

  These weren't mindless creatures, I realized. They possessed a dangerous animal intelligence.

  I drew my axe as the first wolf regained its footing and lunged. My counterattack caught it mid-leap, the blade biting deep into its shoulder. It dissolved into blue light, leaving behind a small object—a tooth or claw, perhaps.

  [Experience Gained: +70] [Item Acquired: Shimmer Wolf Fang]

  No time to examine the drop. The remaining three wolves attacked simultaneously from different angles. I managed to dodge one but took hits from the others—teeth tearing at my arm, claws raking across my back.

  [Health: 117/140]

  The pain was sharp but manageable. I retaliated with axe strikes, trying to create more ice barriers when possible, though my control remained frustratingly inconsistent.

  When one wolf lunged directly at my throat, pure instinct took over. I thrust my hand forward, and a perfect icicle formed instantly, impaling the creature through its chest. It yelped once, then dissolved into blue light.

  [Experience Gained: +70] [Skill Unlocked: Frost Spear (Level 1) - Create and project a single icicle with significant piercing power. Consumes 15 Mana.]

  The new skill appeared in my status window, offering a clearer framework for channeling my frost energy. With this structure to focus my efforts, I managed to create another frost spear, intentionally this time, eliminating a third wolf as it circled for another attack.

  [Experience Gained: +70]

  The last wolf hesitated, sensing the shift in odds. It turned to flee, but I couldn't afford to leave it behind as a potential threat. Another frost spear formed in my hand, and I launched it with newfound precision, striking the creature as it ran. It collapsed mid-stride, dissolving like its companions.

  [Experience Gained: +70] [Item Acquired: Shimmer Wolf Pelt]

  I examined the drops once I'd caught my breath:

  [Shimmer Wolf Fang: A metallic-looking fang from a Shimmer Wolf. Can be used in crafting or sold to certain vendors. Quality: Good]

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  [Shimmer Wolf Pelt: A section of a Shimmer Wolf's metallic fur. Provides minor protection against cold and electrical damage if crafted into armor. Quality: Good]

  The pelt was particularly interesting—perhaps because of my frost affinity, I could sense its inherent protective properties. Something to keep until I found someone with crafting abilities who could make use of it.

  I consumed one of my preserved rations to restore health before continuing:

  [Health: 132/140]

  The rest of the morning passed without significant incident. I encountered a few isolated monsters—another goblin, a strange bird-like creature with metallic feathers—but these were easily dispatched or avoided.

  By mid-morning, the landscape had changed from open terrain to more varied topography—rolling hills, patches of forest, small streams. According to the map, I was nearing the halfway point of my journey to the sanctuary.

  Which also meant approaching the area where the bandits were known to operate.

  I stopped to rest and study the map again. The main road would soon enter a narrower passage between two elevated areas—a natural chokepoint perfect for an ambush. The alternate forest route would require a significant detour to the north, adding several hours to my journey.

  I weighed my options carefully. The efficient, direct path with a known danger, or the longer, safer route with unknown challenges?

  Efficiency won out. I would take the main road but remain hypervigilant. If I encountered the bandits, I could retreat into the forest as needed. My frost abilities might provide an advantage they wouldn't expect from a lone traveler.

  The road began to climb gradually as it approached the narrower section. The terrain became increasingly rugged, with rock formations and stands of trees providing ample hiding places for observers. I tried to ready my frost ability, focusing on creating ice projectiles as I walked.

  I reached what should have been the most vulnerable point—a curve in the road where visibility ahead was temporarily limited—and found nothing. No ambush, no bandits. Had I been lucky enough to pass through when they were elsewhere? Or did they not consider me worth the effort?

  The passage widened again, opening onto what had once been a small rural town. Buildings lined the road—houses, shops, a gas station, all showing signs of damage from the Merge. The town seemed deserted at first glance, but something felt wrong. The silence was too complete, the stillness too perfect.

  Movement registered in my peripheral vision—figures emerging from buildings on both sides of the road. Five of them, spread out to cut off easy escape in any direction.

  I studied them carefully. Five individuals, all armed, all watching me with calculated interest. Their leader stood slightly ahead of the others—a tall man with sharp features and calculating eyes. He carried what looked like a custom-made spear with an unusual crystalline tip.

  The leader stepped forward, his eyes already fixed on the faint blue tinge of my skin.

  "Right on time," he said with a satisfied smile. "Our spotter was correct. An essence-carrier, heading straight down the main road."

  I tensed, immediately understanding. They'd been waiting specifically for me—someone had identified my frost essence and reported my approach.

  I remained silent, weighing my options. Five against one, and their leader looked significantly more powerful than his companions. Direct confrontation would be suicidal.

  "The blue tint is subtle," he continued, circling slightly to get a better look. "Frost essence, I'm guessing? Fully absorbed and integrated. Impressive."

  "Valuable indeed. A successful essence absorption is rare—most people who try it end up dead. The sanctuary council would pay handsomely for the chance to study you... or even better, for your essence itself."

  "I'm just passing through," I said evenly. "I have no quarrel with you."

  The leader laughed. "No one ever does." He gestured to his companions, who had been slowly closing the circle around me. "I'm Reaver. They call me the Harvester for good reason. You have two choices: surrender and come with us peacefully, or resist and make this messier than it needs to be."

  "There's a third option," I countered. "You let me continue on my way, and we all avoid unnecessary conflict."

  "Bold," Reaver acknowledged. "But not realistic. We've worked out an arrangement with certain members of the sanctuary council. We operate freely in this territory, and in exchange, we provide them with... specialized acquisitions. Essences are particularly valuable."

  The revelation took me by surprise. Serra had made no mention of any sanctioned bandits or deals with essence hunters. Either she didn't know, or she'd deliberately withheld the information.

  "The council sanctions this?" I asked, trying to buy time while assessing escape routes. The forest to the north looked densest, offering the most cover.

  "Not all council members," Reaver explained, seemingly pleased by my surprise. "Just those with vision—those who understand that advancement in this System requires certain... compromises. Resource acquisition by specialized teams is more efficient than waiting for random discoveries."

  "Resource acquisition," I repeated flatly. "You mean murder and robbery."

  He shrugged. "The System doesn't distinguish. Kill a monster, kill a human—either way, it's just experience points and potential drops."

  As he spoke, I was focusing on my frost energy—not unleashing it yet, but preparing for rapid deployment. If I could create a momentary advantage, I might break through their encirclement.

  "And someone with a successful essence absorption like you," Reaver continued, "that's rare and valuable."

  "And the council wants these essences?" I asked, still stalling.

  "yes," he replied, his tone relaying it as something obvious.

  He twirled his spear casually, the crystal tip catching sunlight.

  "Of course, you could surrender the essence willingly—it's possible to release it voluntarily, though almost as dangerous as absorbing it in the first place. Not that it matters—we'll get it either way."

  His casual discussion of my murder sent a chill through me that had nothing to do with my frost abilities.

  "That's not going to happen," I said, frost energy beginning to visibly manifest around my hands.

  Reaver's eyebrows rose. "Frost affinity. Even better than I thought." He raised his spear. "Take him alive if possible, but don't risk yourselves unnecessarily. If he dies, we collect the essence either way."

  They moved in unison, clearly practiced in coordinated attacks. Two approached from the front while others circled to flank me. I had seconds to act.

  I summoned frost energy, trying to form projectiles, but my control faltered under pressure. The energy responded erratically, difficult to channel with precision.

  The closest bandit lunged with a shortsword. As he struck, his body shimmered, becoming partially transparent. My counterattack passed through him as if he were made of smoke, while his blade felt solid enough when it grazed my arm.

  [Health: 127/140]

  "Can't touch me when I'm attacking," he grinned, his form solidifying again. He hesitated before each movement, glancing around as if checking for danger, then becoming ghost-like during his strikes.

  Another bandit circled behind me. Her movements were strange—paradoxical. She seemed to be moving in slow motion, each step deliberate and drawn out. Yet somehow she covered ground with alarming speed, the contradiction making it hard to track her position.

  "Got him flanked," she called, her voice unnaturally deep and slow, yet perfectly understandable.

  In desperation, I slammed my foot down, letting the frost spread outward instinctively. A circular wave of ice formed on the ground, radiating from my position. The closest bandits lost their footing, giving me a momentary opportunity.

  [Skill Unlocked: Frost Nova (Level 1) - Create a burst of frost energy that radiates outward from your position, potentially slowing nearby enemies. Consumes 20 Mana.] [Mana: 80/100]

  I didn't wait to see more. Using the momentary confusion, I broke through the weakest point in their encirclement and sprinted toward the northern forest.

  "After him!" Reaver shouted. "Don't let him reach the trees!"

  In desperation, I slammed my foot down, letting the frost spread outward instinctively. A circular wave of ice formed on the ground, radiating from my position. The closest bandits lost their footing, giving me a momentary opportunity.

  [Skill Unlocked: Frost Nova (Level 1) - Create a burst of frost energy that radiates outward from your position, potentially slowing nearby enemies. Consumes 20 Mana.] [Mana: 80/100]

  I didn't wait to see more. Using the momentary confusion, I broke through the weakest point in their encirclement and sprinted toward the northern forest.

  "After him!" Reaver shouted. "Don't let him reach the trees!"

  I pushed my body to its limit, racing across the open ground between the road and the forest edge. Behind me, I could hear the pursuit—the pounding of feet, the clatter of weapons, shouted commands as they organized the chase.

  One bandit was faster than the others, closing the gap rapidly. I glanced back and saw a hulking man only meters behind, moving with unnatural speed despite his size. His expression was pained, almost desperate.

  "Can't stop," he gasped as he barreled forward, his massive frame seemingly propelled by an invisible force. "Have to keep—"

  He hurled himself forward with frightening speed, his momentum building with each step. I spun, managing to form a frost spear. This time, the frost energy responded properly, forming a deadly icicle that I projected directly at my pursuer. It struck him in the chest with unexpected force, and he collapsed mid-stride - slowed but not out.

  I, on the other hand, didn't slow. The forest edge was close now, dense trees offering potential safety. A thrown weapon whistled past my ear, missing by centimeters. Another struck my shoulder, the impact more stunning than immediately painful.

  [Health: 122/140]

  I reached the trees, plunging into the undergrowth without slowing. Behind me, Reaver's voice rose above the others.

  "Spread out! Jen, can you track him?"

  "Too many paths," a woman's voice replied, strained with effort. "The forest... it's too complex."

  "Keep moving!" Reaver barked. "He can't have gone far."

  Their voices faded as I pushed deeper into the woods, changing direction frequently. The bandits seemed to have trouble tracking me through the dense vegetation, but I could still hear them crashing through the forest behind me. Their pursuit was relentless.

  I reached the trees, plunging into the undergrowth without slowing. Dense foliage immediately reduced visibility, branches whipping at my face as I ran. Behind me, the bandits crashed through the vegetation with less care, their noise allowing me to track their positions.

  They were spreading out, trying to flank me again—a hunting strategy for cornering prey in the woods. I needed to be unpredictable. Changing direction sharply, I veered east, then south, then north again, using trees for cover as I moved. My breathing was ragged, stamina dropping rapidly with the sustained sprint.

  [Stamina: 32/75]

  A clearing appeared ahead—potentially exposing me to view, but also an opportunity to change tactics. Instead of avoiding it, I raced across the open space, then abruptly doubled back, hiding behind a massive fallen tree trunk at the clearing's edge.

  The gambit worked. Two bandits emerged from the trees opposite, scanning the clearing for signs of my passage. They hadn't seen me double back.

  "Where did he go?" one hissed. "He can't have crossed already."

  "Spread out," the other replied. "He has to be here somewhere."

  They separated, moving cautiously into the clearing. I remained motionless, controlling my breathing despite the burning in my lungs. When one passed within meters of my position, I made my decision.

  I couldn't outrun all of them forever. I needed to reduce their numbers.

  As the bandit passed my hiding spot, I erupted from concealment, channeling frost energy into my axe blade. The energy responded, coating the weapon with a thin layer of ice. The surprise was total—the bandit barely had time to register my presence before the axe struck.

  "Wait—" he gasped, raising his hands. Golden sparks flew from his fingertips, forming in the air before fading. "I surrender—"

  [Critical Hit!] [Experience Gained: +120]

  He collapsed, his body beginning to dissolve into blue light particles. I felt a momentary shock—this was the first human I'd killed. Not a monster, not a goblin or wolf, but a person. Someone who had survived the Merge just as I had, who had faced the same impossible new reality.

  The difference between us was in the choices made afterward.

  No time for moral reflection. The other bandit had spotted me and was already shouting for her companions. I retrieved my axe and ran again, changing direction once more, heading deeper into the forest.

  [Stamina: 17/75]

  I needed a place to hide and recover. The terrain began sloping downward, becoming increasingly rocky. I followed what appeared to be a natural drainage path, hoping it might lead to a feature I could use to throw off pursuit.

  The slope grew steeper, the path narrower. Tree roots created natural steps in places, slick with moisture. I moved carefully but quickly, trying to maintain balance while conserving what little stamina remained.

  Ahead, the path seemed to end abruptly at a rock face. Had I trapped myself? As I drew closer, I realized it wasn't a dead end—the path continued into what appeared to be a cave entrance, dark and foreboding.

  I hesitated. Caves could offer shelter, but they could also be monster nests or lead to dead ends where I'd be cornered. The voices behind me were growing closer again. The bandits had reorganized their pursuit.

  As I stood weighing my options, a strange blue light flickered from within the cave—not natural phosphorescence, but a pulsing, structured glow that reminded me of System notifications.

  I approached the entrance, peering into the darkness. The blue light came from what appeared to be a doorway or portal embedded in the rock wall about ten meters inside—a perfectly rectangular frame of glowing blue energy, with strange symbols scrolling along its edges.

  [Dungeon Entrance Discovered: Frozen Fissure (Level Range 10-14)]

  A dungeon?

  This really is like a game.

  Voices and crashing vegetation from behind made my decision urgent. The bandits were close now, perhaps two minutes away at most. I had three choices: continue fleeing through the forest with nearly depleted stamina, try to hide and hope they weren't thorough in their search, or enter this "dungeon" despite being significantly underleveled.

  The sound of a hunting horn echoed through the trees—a signal from one group of bandits to another.

  "He went this way!" a voice called, much closer than I'd expected.

  Reaver's voice responded: "The path leads down to the rock face. He's trapped."

  No time left. I entered the cave, moving quickly toward the glowing portal. As I drew closer, I could feel a strange energy emanating from it—cold yet somehow inviting, resonating with the frost essence I'd absorbed. The sounds of pursuit grew louder behind me—the bandits had nearly reached the cave.

  With no other option for survival, I lunged forward into the portal just as shouts echoed from the cave entrance. The blue energy enveloped me, tingling against my skin as reality began to shift.

  Through the fading connection to the cave, I heard Reaver's voice, distorted as if coming from underwater.

  "He's heading into the dungeon! Hold position!"

  His tone had changed from confident to concerned.

  "Should we follow him?" another voice asked.

  "Don't be a fool," Reaver replied. "Only one party can enter a dungeon, and no one has survived a dungeon so far anyways."

  So they were abandoning the chase, believing the dungeon would kill me. That alone made it seem like my best option, however dangerous.

  As the portal's energy surrounded me completely, I caught glimpses of the scrolling symbols around its edges. Some seemed vaguely familiar, reminiscent of Norse runes I'd seen in museums, though distorted and combined with completely alien characters.

  The cold energy pulsing from the doorway intensified as I transitioned through, responding to my frost affinity. Was that significant? Did it mean I might have some advantage in this "Frozen Fissure" that others had lacked?

  Outside, I could hear the bandits retreating, apparently content to let the dungeon finish what they'd started. I had escaped immediate danger, but potentially traded it for something far worse.

  directions, each tunnel mouth marked with different runic symbols glowing with the same blue energy as the portal.

  [Frozen Fissure - Level 1] [Objective: Find the core and defeat the guardian to complete the dungeon]

  The portal behind me had vanished, leaving only a solid ice wall. There would be no retreat, only forward progress.

  I was committed now. Whatever waited in the depths of this frozen labyrinth, I had no choice but to face it—and survive what no one else apparently had.