Chapter 4 Preview - How I Became The World's Strongest Warrior Book 2!

The library was closed.

I stared at the heavy wooden doors with their brass fittings, a small sign declaring "Hours: 8 AM-8 PM" hanging mockingly in the window. It was nearly 10 PM now, which meant I'd wasted precious minutes walking here for nothing.

Inefficient.

I turned and headed toward the Adventurer's Guild instead. While the main library might be closed, the Guild maintained a smaller collection of texts and quest information available 24/7 to registered adventurers. It wouldn't have the depth of historical or arcane knowledge I was hoping for, but it would at least provide basic information on the Frost Harbinger.

The Guild Hall stood tall and imposing in the central district, its stone walls illuminated by perpetually burning magical torches. Unlike the quiet library, the Guild bustled with activity even at this late hour. Adventurers of all levels gathered in clusters, comparing equipment, negotiating team compositions, or simply sharing stories over drinks.

I pushed through the heavy doors and made my way to the quest posting area. Large bulletin boards covered the walls, organized by geography, difficulty, and reward tier. I ignored the standard boards and headed for the Rare Spawns section tucked in the corner. If the Frost Harbinger was as significant as Martin suggested, there would be information here.

Sure enough, a large notice had been pinned to the center of the board, the parchment still fresh and uncreased:

[URGENT ALERT]

[World Boss Sighting: FROST HARBINGER]

[Last Confirmed Location: Northern Frost Plains, Glacier Rift]

[Estimated Level: 50-60]

[Threat Assessment: EXTREME]

[Guild Coordination Required]

[Quest Status: ACTIVE]

[Reward: 1,500,000 copper (divided by participating members)]

[WARNING: Complete party wipes reported. Approach with caution!]

Below this main notice, several smaller postings detailed guild assemblies forming to tackle the threat. Three major guilds, The Crimson Vanguard, Starlight Sentinels, and Iron Resolve, were actively recruiting high-level adventurers to supplement their core teams.

I noticed several adventurers gathered around the board, excitedly discussing the potential rewards and glory of taking down a world boss.

"I heard it killed an entire party with one attack!"

"My cousin's friend said it's made of living ice that can't be melted!"

"The Crimson Vanguard is offering a 70/30 split on rewards if you're Level 30 or higher!"

I ignored their chatter and focused on the quest details. The posting included basic information about the Harbinger's known abilities: extreme cold damage, ice-based attacks, and something called "soul frost" that could potentially cause permanent death.

That last bit confirmed what had happened to Dartanion.

"You thinking of joining the hunt?" A Guild representative had noticed my interest in the posting.

"I'm considering it," I replied, scanning the reward information more carefully. Beyond the copper, there was mention of unique drops, including "Harbinger Essence," "Frost Core," and "Pattern Fragments."

Pattern Fragments. That caught my attention immediately.

"What can you tell me about these Pattern Fragments?" I asked the representative.

"Oh, those are super rare," she said, checking her information scroll. "According to historical records, they contain compressed data patterns from entities the Harbinger has... absorbed, I guess you'd say. Potentially useful for high-level crafting or certain specialized rituals."

Entities the Harbinger had absorbed. Like Dartanion.

"I'll take the quest," I said immediately.

The representative looked surprised. "Alone? That's... not recommended. The Harbinger is estimated at Level 50-60 with multiple special abilities. Most adventurers are joining guild parties for safety."

"I'll take the quest," I repeated firmly.

She shrugged. "Your funeral. Or not, as the case may be." She handed me an official quest scroll. "Sign here, acknowledging you've been warned about the extreme danger and possible permanent death scenario."

I signed without hesitation. The scroll glowed briefly before a copy of it vanished into my Adventure Pouch while the original filed itself in the Guild's records.

"You'll want to check with Mario's Teleportation Service," the representative added. "They've set up an express portal to the Northern Outpost for adventurers joining the hunt. Regular fee applies."

I nodded and headed out, my mind already calculating combat scenarios. The Frost Harbinger was significantly higher level than anything I'd faced before, but level differences could be overcome with sufficient skill advantages. My Basic Attack Proficiency alone might compensate for much of the gap.

Without my evolved sword, I'd be at a disadvantage, but the Vampiric Blade's void affinity might actually prove beneficial against an ice-based entity. It wasn't optimal timing, but waiting wasn't an option if Pattern Fragments were the key to potentially restoring Dartanion.

Despite the late hour, lights blazed outside Mario’s teleportation service, and a small line of adventurers waited outside. Most wore guild insignias and carried high-end equipment. They eyed me curiously as I joined the line, probably wondering about my guild affiliation or lack thereof.

When I finally reached the entrance, I was greeted by Lou, the massive assistant teleporter in his characteristic green overalls.

"Hey, it's-a you! The dummy guy!" Lou exclaimed, his voice booming despite the late hour. "Mario! It's-a that crazy guy who hit the dummy for months!"

Mario appeared from behind a glowing portal frame, his red overalls immaculate as always, that distinctive mustache perfectly groomed.

"Ah! XxPussySlayer420xX!" Mario's accent somehow made my ridiculous avatar name sound almost dignified. "What a-brings you to our humble transportation establishment at this hour? Not the desert again, I hope. It’s-a too cold this time of year."

"Northern Frost Plains," I replied. "For the Harbinger hunt."

Mario and Lou exchanged glances.

"The world boss, eh?" Mario tugged at his mustache thoughtfully. "That's-a gonna be a tough one! Many adventurers going, few returning!"

"I'm aware of the risks." I shrugged.

"And you go alone, huh?" Lou asked, looking genuinely concerned. "No party? No backup?"

"I have backup… weapons," I replied, patting the Vampiric Blade and Mana Infused Short Sword at my hips.

Lou burst into laughter. "He's-a funny, Mario! I like this guy!"

“Lou, what are you doing here anyway?” I raised an eyebrow. "Thought you were stationed at the Desert Outpost?"

Lou scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, well... they sent Toad over to the desert. He’s-a… he’s cousin. Poor guy’s never even seen sand before. Thought it was just-a hot snow.”

“Seriously?” I asked. 

He nodded. “Mario’s a-leaving soon. He’s headed back east to prep some new sites. So, figured I’d help out a-here for a while. Y'know... help my brother.”

Mario beamed. “Family, eh?”

“Also, the dental’s better in the city,” Lou muttered.

“Right, anyway,” Mario said. "The transportation fee to Northern Outpost is-a 500 copper," he said seriously. "Return portal activation costs another 500. If you don't survive to use return portal..." He shrugged expressively. "No refunds!"

I paid the 1,000 copper without comment. Mario accepted the payment and gestured toward a swirling green portal in the corner.

"Northern Outpost is-a experiencing heavy snow and a-freezing temperatures," he warned. "Cold-weather gear is-a recommended. Do you need any?"

I shook my head. My Imperial Wingcase Cloak provided excellent environmental protection, including temperature regulation. The Adaptive Spider Silk Armor had similar properties.

"Your funeral!" Lou called cheerfully as I approached the portal. "Or not, as the case may be!"

That was the second time someone had made that exact joke tonight. I was starting to think it was some kind of standard Guild humor regarding the Harbinger.

I stepped into the pipe without further comment, experiencing the familiar disorienting sensation of my body being pulled through space. Colors swirled, sound distorted, and for one brief moment, I felt like I was simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.

Then I was standing in the Northern Outpost, immediately buffeted by howling winds and stinging snow. The temperature shock was severe enough that a notification popped up:

[Extreme Cold Environment Detected]

[Temperature: -35°F]

[Warning: Standard adventurers will suffer 5 damage per minute without proper protection]

[Your current gear provides 95% cold resistance]

[Damage reduced to 0.25 per minute]

The outpost was little more than a collection of sturdy wooden buildings huddled together against the elements. Adventurers hurried between structures, their forms bundled against the cold. A large tent had been erected in the center of the outpost, guild banners flapping violently in the wind.

I made my way to this central tent, pushing through the entrance flap into a space that was marginally warmer than outside. Inside, guild representatives huddled around maps and diagrams, planning their assault on the Harbinger.

"Another solo adventurer?" someone called when I entered. "Put him with the reserves. We don't have time to integrate lone wolves into the main strike teams."

"I'm not joining a guild party," I clarified, approaching what appeared to be the main planning table.

The leaders looked up in surprise. Three individuals stood out from the rest, a woman in ornate armor bearing the Crimson Vanguard insignia, an elf tattooed with glowing runes that represented the Starlight Sentinels, and a dwarf with a mechanical arm who I assumed led the Iron Resolve.

"You're going after the Harbinger alone?" the dwarf asked incredulously.

"Yes." I nodded.

"Why? Got a death wish?" The elf smirked, though there was genuine curiosity in his eyes.

"It has something I need," I replied simply.

"Look, kid," the woman from Crimson Vanguard said, her tone surprisingly gentle. "I admire the spirit, but this isn't just some high-level monster. It's a world boss. It killed seventeen of our members yesterday, and they haven't respawned."

"I'm aware of the permanent death risk," I said. "Someone I know already fell to it."

Understanding flashed across their faces.

"Revenge, then." The dwarf nodded solemnly. "I respect that. But rushing in alone won't honor your friend's memory."

"It's not about revenge," I corrected. "The Harbinger drops Pattern Fragments. I need them."

The guild leaders exchanged glances.

"The fragments are going to be guild-priority loot," the elf warned. "Even if you somehow survived an encounter, you wouldn't get those."

"I don't plan on competing with your guilds for the kill," I said. "I just need information. Current location, observed patterns, weaknesses identified so far."

The woman studied me carefully. "What level are you?"

"Nineteen."

Their reactions ranged from disbelief to outright laughter.

"Nineteen? Against a Level 55+ world boss?" The dwarf shook his head. "Son, that's not brave, that's suicide."

I didn't bother explaining my unique stat distribution or combat approach. Instead, I simply asked again: "Current location?"

The woman sighed, apparently deciding it wasn't worth arguing. "Latest sightings put it near the Glacier Rift, about five miles north of here. Our scouts report it's stationary for now, apparently feeding on some kind of energy source within the ice."

"Observed patterns?"

"It has a 75% damage reduction aura that makes it nearly invulnerable to standard attacks," the elf supplied, apparently deciding to humor me. "Magical damage seems slightly more effective, but not by much. It attacks with ice spikes, freezing mists, and something we're calling 'soul frost' that... well, it doesn't just kill you, it erases you."

"Weaknesses?"

"None confirmed," the dwarf said. "We're experimenting with fire-based attacks and void magic, but results are inconclusive so far."

I nodded, processing this information. Void magic. That aligned with my theory about the Vampiric Blade potentially being effective.

"Our combined assault is planned for dawn," the woman added. "If you insist on this suicide mission, I suggest at least waiting to coordinate with our attack. You might survive long enough to actually see the Harbinger before it kills you."

"I appreciate the information," I said, turning to leave. "Good luck with your assault."

"Hey!" the dwarf called after me. "At least tell us your name, so we know what to put on your memorial!"

"XxPussySlayer420xX," I replied without turning back.

The silence that followed me out of the tent was almost worth the trip alone.

Outside, the blizzard had intensified. Visibility was down to less than twenty feet, and the wind cut like knives even through my enhanced gear. I pulled up my local map, marking the approximate location of the Glacier Rift based on the guild's information.

Five miles north through a blizzard in the middle of the night. Not ideal conditions, but waiting until dawn would mean competing with three major guilds for the kill. My chances of securing Pattern Fragments would decrease significantly in that scenario.

I set out immediately, trudging through snow that sometimes reached mid-thigh. The Imperial Wingcase Cloak billowed around me, its adaptive properties shifting to provide maximum insulation against the cold. My Vampiric Blade hummed strangely at my hip, its void affinity seemingly resonating with something in this desolate landscape.

The journey was arduous. Several times, I encountered frost wolves and snow wraiths, which were minor enemies that would normally pose no threat but became dangerous obstacles in the blinding snowstorm. 

I dispatched them efficiently with the Vampiric Blade, noting with interest how its dark energy seemed to absorb the ambient cold rather than repelling it.

After what felt like hours but was probably closer to forty minutes, the terrain changed dramatically. The relatively flat snowfields gave way to jagged ice formations that thrust upward like massive crystals. The Glacier Rift was close.

I crested a small rise, and suddenly, visibility improved dramatically. The blizzard seemed to circle around a large open area ahead, as if repelled by some force at its center. And there, in that unnatural calm, stood the Frost Harbinger.

The creature was magnificent in its terrible beauty. It towered at least forty feet tall, just as Witch had described, its body composed of translucent ice that shifted and flowed like liquid despite appearing solid. Its form was vaguely humanoid but with elongated limbs that terminated in crystalline claws. Where a face should be, there was only a swirling vortex of freezing mist with two points of intense blue light that I assumed were its eyes.

Most disturbing was the collection of smaller ice formations that orbited its massive form. Each one appeared to contain a frozen figure inside. Former adventurers, perhaps, their final moments of terror preserved perfectly in eternal ice.

I drew the Vampiric Blade and approached cautiously, staying low among the ice formations for cover. As I got closer, a status window appeared:

[Frost Harbinger]

[Ancient World Boss]

[Level 57]

[Health: 25,000/25,000]

[Special Properties:]

 - Glacial Aura: 75% damage reduction

 - Soul Frost: Chance to permanently kill targets

 - Pattern Absorption: Collects data patterns from defeated enemies

 - Winter's Domain: Controls weather and terrain within 1-mile radius

[Warning: This entity has caused permanent player death. Extreme caution advised.]

The level difference was significant. Level 57 versus my Level 19. Under normal circumstances, that would make this encounter nearly impossible. But my circumstances had never been normal.

I calculated my potential damage output with the Vampiric Blade:

Base Damage: 19.7

Proficiency Differential: ~3,390 (My 3,400 vs likely minimal defense proficiency)

Proficiency Damage Bonus: +339

Perfect Strike Multiplier: x9

Level 5 Offensive Enchantment: +25%

Void Affinity vs Ice Element: Potentially advantageous (unknown multiplier)

Estimated Single Strike Damage: (19.7 + 339) x 9 x 1.25 = 4,029

With 75% Damage Reduction: ~1,007 effective damage

Each successful hit would deal roughly 1,000 damage, meaning I'd need approximately 25 perfect strikes to defeat the Harbinger. Challenging but theoretically possible, especially with the void affinity potentially providing additional advantages.

I waited for the Harbinger to turn slightly away from my position, then burst from cover, charging directly toward its massive form. The element of surprise would be my only advantage at the start.

It sensed me immediately, those eerie blue lights swiveling to fix on my approaching figure. A rumbling sound like cracking ice emanated from its core as it raised one crystalline arm toward me.

[Frost Harbinger uses Ice Spear Array]

[Multiple projectiles incoming]

[Evasion recommended]

I dodged to the side as massive spears of ice erupted from the ground, narrowly missing me as I zigzagged between them. The spears shattered after impact, sending razor-sharp shards flying in all directions. Several sliced through my cloak, dealing minor damage despite my resistances.

[Damage Taken: 15]

[Health: 175/190]

I closed the distance rapidly, the Vampiric Blade humming with dark energy as I prepared to strike. The Harbinger swung one massive arm in a sweeping motion, forcing me to slide beneath it on the icy ground. As I came up directly beneath the creature, I struck upward with all my might, executing a perfect strike against what appeared to be its core.

[Perfect Strike Activated!]

[Critical Hit!]

[Base Damage: 19.7]

[Proficiency Damage Bonus: +339]

[Perfect Strike Multiplier: x9]

[Critical Hit Multiplier: x2]

[Offensive Enchantment: +25%]

[Void Affinity vs Ice: +40% (Elemental Advantage)]

[Total Damage: 10,638.9]

[Glacial Aura Reduction: 75%]

[Final Damage: 2,659.7]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 22,340.3/25,000]

The blade sank deep into the creature's icy body, dark energy from the weapon spreading through the ice like cracks in a frozen lake. The Harbinger emitted a sound like a thousand windows shattering simultaneously, its massive form shuddering from the unexpected damage.

I'd hurt it. Significantly more than I'd calculated, thanks to the apparent elemental advantage the void-affiliated blade had against ice.

The Harbinger reacted with surprising speed for its size, its body suddenly erupting with spikes in all directions. I barely managed to wrench my blade free and leap backward, but several ice spikes still caught me, tearing through my armor and cloak.

[Damage Taken: 45]

[Health: 130/190]

[Bleeding Effect Applied: -2 health per 10 seconds]

I rolled to my feet, ignoring the pain and blood now seeping through my armor. The Harbinger was fully focused on me now, those haunting blue lights intensifying as it gathered power for what appeared to be a major attack.

[Frost Harbinger is preparing Soul Frost]

[WARNING: Potentially fatal special attack]

[Recommended action: Retreat beyond 30-yard range]

Instead of retreating, I charged directly toward the creature again. Traditional combat wisdom would indeed suggest getting out of range of such an attack, but that would only prolong the encounter and give the Harbinger more opportunities to land a fatal blow.

The optimal approach was to increase damage output immediately, potentially interrupting the attack.

I unleashed a flurry of strikes against the Harbinger's lower body, each one powered by my Perfect Strike and enhanced by the Vampiric Blade's void affinity.

[Perfect Strike Activated!]

[Base Damage: 19.7]

[Proficiency Damage Bonus: +339]

[Perfect Strike Multiplier: x9]

[Offensive Enchantment: +25%]

[Void Affinity vs Ice: +40%]

[Total Damage: 5,319.45]

[Glacial Aura Reduction: 75%]

[Final Damage: 1,329.86]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 21,010.44/25,000]

[Chain Attack Activated!]

[Consecutive Strike Bonus: +35%]

[Final Damage: 1,795.31]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 19,215.13/25,000]

[Chain Attack Activated!]

[Consecutive Strike Bonus: +70%]

[Final Damage: 2,260.76]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 16,954.37/25,000]

The Vampiric Blade's edges began to glow with absorbed energy as I continued my assault, each strike feeding into the next with increasing power. The Harbinger's Soul Frost attack faltered as it struggled to maintain concentration through the barrage of hits.

Then something unexpected happened. As I delivered another perfect strike, I instinctively followed through with a backhand swing to maintain momentum. My off-hand struck the Harbinger with surprising force, causing additional damage.

[New Skill Discovered: Offhand Strike]

[Damage: 75% of mainhand damage when dual wielding]

[Skill Level: 1.0]

I blinked in surprise. Dual wielding? I wasn't dual wielding.

The Harbinger took advantage of my momentary confusion, bringing both its massive arms together in a thunderous clap that caught me directly in the chest. The impact sent me flying backward, crashing through several ice formations before coming to a stop nearly fifty feet away.

[Critical Hit Taken!]

[Damage: 75]

[Health: 53/190]

[Stunned: 3 seconds]

I lay there momentarily, the wind knocked from my lungs, my vision swimming from the impact. The status message about offhand strikes continued to blink at the edge of my awareness.

As the stunning effect wore off, I pushed myself to my feet just in time to see the Harbinger completing its Soul Frost attack, a swirling vortex of pale blue energy gathering between its raised hands.

Acting on instinct more than calculation, I drew the Mana Infused Short Sword with my left hand while maintaining my grip on the Vampiric Blade with my right.

[Dual Wielding Activated]

[Offhand Weapon: Mana Infused Short Sword]

[Penalties: -20% accuracy, -25% damage to both weapons]

[Benefit: Two separate attacks per combat round]

[Special: Offhand strikes deal 75% damage]

The Soul Frost attack launched toward me, a beam of freezing energy that seemed to distort the very air it passed through. I dove to the side, feeling the cold so intense it burned even as the attack missed me by inches. Where it struck, the ground didn't just freeze… it seemed to melt from existence, leaving nothing but a perfectly smooth depression.

The Harbinger began generating another attack immediately, clearly determined to eliminate me before I could cause further damage. I needed to end this quickly.

I charged once more, both blades now held at the ready. My body hadn't trained for dual wielding, and the stance felt awkward, the balance unfamiliar, but something about it also felt right. As if I'd been artificially limiting myself all this time.

The first strikes were clumsy, the unfamiliar weight of the second blade throwing off my rhythm. The penalties were immediately apparent:

[Vampiric Blade Strike]

[Dual Wielding Penalty Applied: -25% damage, -20% accuracy]

[Final Damage: 997.4]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 15,956.97/25,000]

[Mana Infused Short Sword Strike]

[Offhand Penalty Applied: 75% damage]

[Dual Wielding Penalty Applied: -25% damage, -20% accuracy]

[Final Damage: 286.2]

[Minor Arcane Bolt Triggered]

[Additional Magic Damage: 3.5]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 15,667.27/25,000]

The damage was less impressive than my previous perfect strikes, but I was landing twice as many hits in the same time frame. More importantly, the rhythm of alternating strikes began to feel more natural with each passing second.

[Dual Wielding Proficiency increasing]

[Current Level: 3.5]

The Harbinger unleashed another sweeping attack, this time with both arms simultaneously. I ducked beneath one while blocking the other with crossed blades, the impact still forcing me to slide backward across the ice.

As soon as I regained my footing, I launched into another flurry of strikes, this time focusing on maintaining the Chain Attack bonus with both weapons. The Vampiric Blade's dark energy and the Mana Infused Short Sword's arcane power began to visibly interact, creating swirling patterns of black and blue energy that seemed to disrupt the Harbinger's icy form more effectively than either alone.

[Chain Attack Activated with Dual Weapons]

[Combined Consecutive Strike Bonus: +105%]

[Vampiric Blade Damage: 2,044.67]

[Mana Infused Short Sword Damage: 586.71]

[Synergy Effect Discovered: Void Arcana]

[Additional Disruption Damage: 250]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 12,785.89/25,000]

The creature's movements became more erratic, its attacks more desperate as its health continued to drop. Ice spears erupted randomly around me, forcing me to constantly shift position while maintaining my assault. One caught me in the shoulder, instantly numbing the entire limb.

[Critical Hit Taken]

[Damage: 30]

[Health: 21/190]

[Left Arm: Partially Frozen (50% effectiveness)]

I was running out of health and time. The Harbinger was still at roughly half health, and I couldn't sustain this pace much longer with my injuries. I needed to end this in one final, concentrated assault.

Focusing all my remaining energy, I activated Chain Attack with both weapons simultaneously, pushing their synergistic effect to its maximum potential. The Vampiric Blade seemed to drink in the arctic energy around us while the Mana Infused Short Sword's arcane properties disrupted the Harbinger's damage reduction aura.

[Maximum Chain Attack Activated]

[Consecutive Strike Bonus: +225%]

[Vampiric Blade Damage: 3,241.55]

[Mana Infused Short Sword Damage: 930.15]

[Void Arcana Synergy Maximized]

[Glacial Aura Temporarily Disrupted: Damage Reduction 75% → 25%]

[Adjusted Damages: 9,724.65 + 2,790.45]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 270.79/25,000]

The creature shuddered violently, massive cracks appearing throughout its icy body as the combined assault tore through its defenses. With one final push, I drove both blades directly into what appeared to be its core, crossing them to maximize the disruptive effect of their combined energies.

[Critical Hit with Dual Weapons]

[Final Combined Damage: 541.58]

[Frost Harbinger Health: 0/25,000]

[Frost Harbinger has been defeated]

[Experience Gained: 5,000]

[Level Up!]

[Level 19 → Level 20]

[New Skill Acquired: Dual Wielding Proficiency (15.7)]

The Harbinger froze in place, those eerie blue lights flickering erratically as its massive form began to collapse in on itself. A sound like distant glass bells filled the air as the creature that had permanently killed Dartanion and countless others finally met its end.

The orbiting ice formations containing frozen adventurers crashed to the ground, shattering on impact and releasing their prisoners, though whether they would return to life or simply cease to exist entirely remained to be seen.

As the Harbinger's form completely disintegrated, the unnatural calm that had surrounded the area disappeared. The blizzard rushed in immediately, snow and wind once again reducing visibility to mere feet.

I dropped to one knee, both blades buried in the ice to support my weight. My health bar flashed red, and my stamina was nearly depleted. But I'd defeated a world boss 38 levels higher than myself, alone.

[Status: XxPussySlayer420xX]

[Level: 20]

[Health: 11/200]

[Stamina: 12/220]

[New Abilities Unlocked at Level 20]

[Attribute Point Available: 1]

[Skill Improvement Available: 1]

Before I could even process these notifications, another appeared:

[Loot Acquired from Frost Harbinger]

[Pattern Fragments x37]

[Frost Essence x225]

[Ancient Spellbook of Winter x1]

[Soul Ice Core x1]

[Currency: 150,000 copper]

I staggered forward through the intensifying blizzard, my vision beginning to blur from exhaustion and blood loss. The Pattern Fragments were the most important since they might contain pieces of Dartanion's data structure, potentially enough to attempt restoration.

As I reached the spot where the Harbinger had fallen, I noticed a single object lying atop the otherwise smooth ice. It was a book bound in pale blue leather that seemed to shimmer with its own inner light. Frost patterns formed and reformed across its cover in endless variations, never repeating exactly the same design twice.

The Ancient Spellbook of Winter. An unexpected bonus.

Just as I bent to retrieve it, shouts carried through the howling wind. The guild parties had arrived, late to the battle but perfectly timed to witness my victory. Their torch lights bobbed through the snow like fireflies as they approached the battlefield.

I picked up the spellbook, feeling its strange cold energy pulse against my fingers, and slipped it into my Adventure Pouch alongside the Pattern Fragments and other loot. The guild members would be here in moments, likely confused and possibly angry that their carefully planned assault had been rendered unnecessary.

I'd explain later. Right now, I needed to get these fragments back to Witch. Dartanion's potential restoration took priority over everything else.

I sheathed both blades, noting with interest how natural the dual wielding stance now felt. An unexpected development but one with significant optimization potential.

The Level 20 milestone brought new possibilities as well. The attribute point and skill improvement would need careful consideration to maximize their impact on my progression.

But all that could wait. The important thing was that I'd secured the Pattern Fragments. The first step toward potentially bringing Dartanion back was complete.

The guild members were close now, their voices raised in excitement and confusion as they surveyed the battlefield with its clear signs of the Harbinger's defeat.

I turned and limped toward them, the Ancient Spellbook of Winter secured safely in my Adventure Pouch, my mind already calculating the next steps in what had unexpectedly become the most important grind of my afterlife.