The Rise of the Winter Wolf - Book 7 - Chapters 68-70

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Don't mind this fluff. It's so that free readers can't read half the chapter.

Book 7 of Winter Wolf is just about complete. Just a few more chapters left.

After this battle is over, book 7 will be wrapping up.

So it'll be complete within the next couple days most likely.

Click the following link if you want to read this chapter on a googledoc with formatting:

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Or just keep scrolling down to find the chapter further down this Patreon post without formatting.

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Table of Contents

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Chapter 68

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Progenitor Aid

Wolf

Time passes as I fly through space in the direction of the stars. Just getting closer and closer to them in the process both in my own sight and on the minimap.

Once in a while though, I enter the room meant for Progenitors where Fenrir trains me in the use of my Domain. Teaching me how to use it more efficiently and as a weapon.

Forming weapons with my Domain and shooting them out of my Domain itself, creating living creatures with my Domain, and even infecting things with my Domain instead of just plain devouring creatures with my Domain. Turning them into lunar winter beasts that way instead of through biting them.

And on top of all that, he also teaches me how to deal with Phoenix.

Her weaknesses. Her strengths.

Her habits.

Everything I might need to know about her, he teaches me.

All so I’ll be ready when the time for our battle finally comes.

Which will probably be sooner than I would normally expect. Considering Phoenix’s impatience.

Most likely the moment I enter the Temple, I’ll be placed in some sort of incredible danger, following which the scepter will be located right in front of me or something. Making it so that I don’t actually have to search for it.

All to get our battle started as soon as possible. Unlike the other Progenitor clones I’ve fought so far.

But before that can happen, I have to continue flying through space towards the stars.

And the closer I get, the larger those stars become. All the way until they’re multiple times the size of Earth.

Each and every one of them.

What’s even worse though is that all of them are made up directly of incredibly pure energy from Phoenix’s Domain. And they’re firing off thousands of laser beams at me. Which proves impossible to dodge as I end up getting sliced and diced by them.

That’s not the main issue though.

The main issue here is that, according to the minimap, the Temple itself is located at the center of one of the stars.

I grit my teeth at the sight of said stars.

This isn’t going to be easy.

I’m not sure how I’m going to get through to the Temple, if I’m being honest with myself.

Before I can spend long thinking about it, a message from the System arrives in my vision. Startling me in the process.

System Message

NOTICE.

THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF THE PROGENITOR OF ILLUSIONS.

DO NOTE THAT THE ABILITY TO SUMMON THE PROGENITOR CLONES CAN BE USED MULTIPLE TIMES ON A SINGLE FLOOR. THE SAME ONE CAN EVEN BE USED BACK TO BACK SO LONG AS THE USER IS ALLOWED BY THE PROGENITOR TO SUMMON THEM MORE THAN ONCE.

NOTICE.

Huh…

That’s… actually helpful advice.

With that in mind, I go ahead and take a deep breath before summoning Loki’s clone. Since I’m allowed to summon her clone three times, unlike Beelzebub who I can only summon once.

And the moment I use the power, a message appears in my vision.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have now summoned the Progenitor of Illusion’s clone to aid you in combat.

The Progenitor of Illusion’s clone will remain with you until you either leave your current floor or her clone dies.

The Progenitor of Illusion’s clone is as powerful as it was when you defeated her clone on the four hundredth floor.

Only one of each Progenitor clone can be summoned at a time. Therefore to summon Loki’s clone again, the first clone must be defeated or you must leave the floor to enter another floor.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I barely even finish reading the message before a certain kitsune suddenly pops up in front of me in a puff of smoke while wearing a circus master’s attire. Albeit with holes in her hat and clothes for her fox ears and nine tails to stick out.

“Wolfie!!! It’s been so long!” Loki exclaims while rushing up to me and grabbing my hands, only to begin dancing back and forth in the air while holding my hands.

I blink in surprise and more than a little discomfort.

Probably because I haven’t really been in physical contact with anyone for years thanks to being stuck in the Beta Dungeon. Especially since Sapphire’s been going around doing her own thing outside of the dungeon.

Loki clearly doesn’t care about my discomfort though as she continues dancing in place with her Domain spreading outwards to join mine in protecting us from the laser beams. And when her Domain joins mine, the two together prove to be strong enough to hold off the attacks.

All while that circus music begins to play throughout space again. Making me briefly wonder if Loki just likes circus music or something.

Or maybe she just likes circuses? She’s often wearing circus master attire after all…

“Let’s deal with these little balls of sparks together little Wolfie!” Loki exclaims with a grin on her face as her fox ear twitches.

Actually, when did she start calling me Wolfie?

My eye twitches slightly at that before I let out a breath and begin sending my Domain outwards to attack the stars. All while explaining to Loki my plans.

“First we need to remove these stars entirely,” I state while pulling my hands away from Loki’s, albeit gently. “Then we’ll rest to restore our energy once they’re no longer able to attack us. And we can enter the Temple after we’re fully recovered.”

Loki gives me a salute with a playful look on her face. Then she turns around and joins me in whittling away at the fire energy making up the stars.

And bit by little bit, we make the stars shrink.

Ever so slowly devouring the energy in them through the pattern of Loki blocking them while my energy devours the fire energy in the stars.

Loki playing defense, me playing offense.

Although this entire thing feels really strange. Since I’m not used to working with others.

Much less other Progenitors.

And eventually, the stars finally fade away entirely. Leaving the space around us in complete darkness other than my lunar ice’s light that illuminates the temple left behind by the stars.

A temple in the form of a grand palace made of glowing red ruby-like materials.

Which is, as expected, beautiful in every sense of the word.

Even if the creator of it is disgusting.

Chapter 69

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Simplicity

Wolf

The two of us proceed to take a long break after clearing away the stars. One in which Loki just won’t shut up as we recover our energy all the way till we’re at maximum capacity.

Although it takes me a lot longer than Loki to recover since my energy capacity is higher than hers. What with her clone being from the four hundredth floor while we’re on the five hundredth floor.

And throughout the entire process, Loki just keeps blabbering on about anything and everything she can.

Whether that’s the results of her prank on everyone, the other pranks she’s been pulling since – which set the chat ablaze – or even just random gossip about the other Progenitors. Apparently making the other Progenitors begin going after Loki’s true form as she laughs her head off.

Regardless, after I finish recovering all of my energy, the two of us spend a little time with me expanding my Domain and her giving me some more tips on using my Domain just like what Fenrir would do, then we finally enter the Temple.

And just as I expected, the Temple itself is incredibly dangerous the moment we appear. With massive amounts of fire energy created directly by Phoenix’s Domain flooding everything around us immediately.

The only reason the two of us are alright is because our Domains are protecting us.

“Yep, the little bird is impatient as always,” Loki says with a grin on her face, making me glance in the direction she’s looking. Only to find a scepter just sitting on a pedestal floating in front of us.

Clearly waiting for me to grab.

Yeah, Loki’s right. She didn’t even bother setting up some elaborate and difficult to navigate temple.

She just straight up dumped the scepter at the entrance to start the fight as soon as possible.

It’s rather sad, to be honest.

I glance around at the immense amounts of fire energy trying to burn us. Then I look at the fire scepter.

The scepter will teleport us somewhere else the moment we touch it. So there’s no point in clearing out all this fire energy and wasting our own energy in the process.

So with that in mind, I immediately reach out to grab the scepter. Following which I find myself appearing alone in the System’s Grand Hall once again.

With the usual Sponsorship Announcement notification appearing in my vision.

Sponsorship Announcement

All three of your sponsorship slots have been purchased by the following individuals:

XXXXXXXXXX: XXXX

XXXXXXXXXX: XXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX: XXXXXXX

Congratulations!

You will now be transported to the System’s Grand Hall to be awarded your items and skills!

Hmm…

I glance around to find Loki currently missing. Which means she’s probably in some limbo area or even in the destination we’re heading after I get my sponsorships.

Either way, it said she’ll stick around until I leave the floor. So wherever she is, she should be fine.

Anyway, I look over towards the items sitting on the counter.

The Sponsorship items for this Centurion Floor.

The one on the left looks like an amulet. With a beautiful ruby-red gem at the center of it.

Albeit one that is letting out a bright red light.

I look at its description before raising a brow.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Item | Chaotic Charm v2 | Tier 10

This item grants the wearer the following three effects:

The first effect granted by this item is a twenty percent immunity to all fire.

The second effect granted by this item is a 25% increase in the wearer’s energy capacity.

The final effect grants the wearer the ability to completely restore their energy once.

System Favor: This item is safe to wear and was carefully made by the Progenitor of Chaos and Dragons herself. Furthermore, the item has a note from the Progenitor of Chaos and Dragons for the user:

Don’t let your guard down just because of Phoenix’s lacking intelligence.

You may get burned if you do.

Also, you may not stack this charm with the last one.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Was that a joke, or was she being serious with that pun?

Either way, it’s practically a copy of the last charm she gave me. Except for fire instead of charm magic.

Anyway, this charm seems to stack with the Supreme Fire Orb when I swap it out with the other charm. Raising my immunity to fire from sixty percent to eighty percent.

The mere fact that Phoenix’s fire energy from those stars was enough to cut straight through my Domain despite me having a sixty percent fire immunity at the time is terrifying. So the more fire immunity I have the better.

On another note, Eris seems to really be interested in me. Considering that this is the second incredibly useful item she’s given me.

I purse my lips at that thought before moving on to the second item.

Which is a potion.

A red and blue potion.

I look at its description.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Item | Potion of the Wolf’s Ice | Tier 10

This item grants the drinker a temporary increase in defense against any and all fire. Additionally, it grants the wearer a temporary high resistance towards any effects towards fire. As well as a minor permanent increase in the user’s resistance towards any and all fire.

The only effects that can break through this item’s defense are those originating from Progenitor level creatures.

The main effects of this potion will last for two months’ time.

System Favor: This item is safe to drink and was carefully made by the Progenitor of Ice and Wolves himself.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

There’s Fenrir’s usual Sponsorship again. And it’s another potion. Just like the last one he gave me.

So that’s nice.

Without hesitation, I down the thing before turning my focus on the third and last item of the three as a message plays out in my vision.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You are now under the effect of the Wolf’s Ice.

This effect is not of the Void System and therefore you are completely locked out of any System related activities including accessing your status until this effect ends.

This potion grants the drinker a temporary increase in defense against any and all fire. Additionally, it grants the wearer a temporary high resistance towards any effects towards fire. As well as a minor permanent increase in the user’s resistance towards any and all fire.

The only effects that can break through this potion’s defense are those originating from Progenitor level creatures.

The main effects of this potion will last for two months’ time.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

But I ignore the message to focus on the item.

A pocket watch.

I blink in surprise at the sight of it. But I feel even more surprise when I see who sent it to me.

Because I thought he was dead.

Chapter 70

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The battle of the Progenitors

Wolf

The item’s effects are actually incredibly simple.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Item | Midnight Reset | Tier 10

This item can only be used at midnight.

When it is used, it will completely reset the user to their peak condition, healing any and all wounds and restoring their energy in the process.

System Favor: This item is safe to use and was carefully made by the Progenitor of Time and Origin himself. Furthermore, the item has a note from the Progenitor of Time and Origin for the user:

Do not tell anyone about my survival. Take this and use it.

Your aid will be required in the future for the sake of the multiverse itself.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Hmm…

The God of Time and Origin.

Chronos.

A Progenitor who is thought to be dead by all the other Progenitors.

So what’s with this?

This doesn’t look dead to me.

Also, the fact that he’s telling me not to tell anyone about my survival is interesting as well.

That said, the part about my aid being required in the future for the sake of the multiverse? I don’t think I like that.

But that doesn’t matter right now.

I go ahead and put away the pocket watch in my pocket before taking a deep breath and leaving the System’s Grand Hall. At which point I surprisingly find myself floating high in the sky again.

And the moment I enter the area, I hear what sounds like an argument.

I blink before looking around, only to find Phoenix and Loki arguing with each other.

“If you had any thoughts in that brainless head of yours besides messing with others, would you really be here helping a mutt like him?!” Phoenix shouts in her phoenix form.

Meanwhile Loki retorts back, “Of course I would be. But remember, we’re currently talking about your birdbrain. So don’t try to change the subject, kay?”

Phoenix’s eyes begin blazing with flames even more than they were before as she shouts back, “You miserable little welp! I don’t give a shit if you were born before I was, I will hunt you down to the ends of the stars when I’m done with the mutt!”

“Oh? I thought your real body was the one being hunted right now?” Loki says while tapping her lips and mockingly barely trying to hide a smile behind her two fingers. “Or am I wrong about that?”

The two of them continue arguing back and forth with Loki clearly winning every last bout. Meanwhile I sit here wondering if either of them have even noticed my arrival.

Probably not.

At least, not until a System Message plays out in the area, making both of them pause in their little catfight – which is the only word that comes to mind for their argument.

System Message

NOTICE.

THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE SYSTEM TO ALL BEINGS ON THE FIVE HUNDREDTH FLOOR.

THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

THE CENTURION BOSS MAY NOW ATTACK THE USER AND HIS AIDES.

NOTICE.

Oh. So the System had some sort of restriction to make sure Loki and Phoenix didn’t start battling while I was getting sponsorship items.

Which probably led to their arguing like children instead.

Well, that and Loki probably antagonized Phoenix to make fun of her.

Anyway, both Loki and Phoenix turn towards me after seeing the notification. With Phoenix’s eyes blazing with anger for some reason. Even more anger than what she was directing at Loki.

I still don’t know why she’s so angry with me.

It’s not like I ever did anything to her.

Other than steal her harbingers. But that was her own fault for throwing them at me.

Is she really so petty that she’d hate me this much for no other reason than my element being ice adjacent?

It’s stupid, really.

Phoenix suddenly lets out a loud cry that echoes throughout the area, making pillars of flames and lava suddenly blast out from beneath us. Following which her Domain rushes outwards from her body.

But Loki and I also spread out our Domains at the same time. Meanwhile I freeze the pillars of fire and lava shooting out from below.

Then Phoenix and I rush straight at each other as I open the System Store and purchase the Supercharge effect in it. Doubling my total energy in the process and making it easier on me when I clash with Phoenix in my hunter form.

Sending out a powerful shockwave of glowing blue ice and hot red flames in every direction.

Despite my energy being doubled though, along with my eighty percent immunity to fire, Phoenix’s attack still pushes me back. Winning overall in the clash itself.

But Loki attacks Phoenix from behind, balancing out the clash as both Phoenix and I end up losing the same amount of energy.

I grit my teeth at the sight of that.

Yeah, this isn’t gonna go well with just the two of us.

Not when I still have far less energy than Phoenix has even after it’s doubled.

So without hesitation, I use my other clone summon to summon Beelzebub’s clone here.

And the moment I do, a wave of powerful curse energy floods the area around us before the Progenitor of Curses and Insects’ clone appears. Clearly irritating Phoenix in the process considering her narrowing eyes.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have now summoned the Progenitor of Curse’s clone to aid you in combat.

The Progenitor of Curse’s clone will remain with you until you either leave your current floor or her clone dies.

The Progenitor of Curse’s clone is as powerful as it was when you defeated his clone on the three hundredth floor.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Beelzebub’s clone doesn’t even take a moment to figure out where he is. He just immediately goes on the offensive, sending his Domain out to clash with Phoenix’s.

But his Domain has even less energy than Loki does, so while he will be quite useful since he’s still a Progenitor, he won’t be as useful as I would hope.

My thoughts come to a halt when Phoenix suddenly backs away and lets out another loud cry. Following which butterflies and birds made out of flames born from her Domain begin breaking away and charging at us in the form of an army.

A massive one made up of billions of the creatures.

Then Beelzebub and Loki begin making their own armies to counter it. Sending out armies of cursed insects and illusionary creatures that clash with the butterflies and birds of flame.

And I join in as well, using what Loki taught me to make swarms of massive ice wolf-shaped lunar winter beasts that I send out to clash as well.

All before Phoenix comes rushing at me and I rush to meet her as well.

Marking the true beginning to the Centurion Boss battle of the five hundredth floor of the Beta Administrator Dungeon.