Putting a Groundwork
The northern snowfields stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of white that swallowed everything in its icy embrace. The cold was merciless, seeping through even the thickest clothing and gnawing at the bones of the unprepared. A person without proper winter gear would find themselves shivering uncontrollably within minutes, and if left exposed for too long, they would freeze into a lifeless statue, claimed by the relentless frost.
However, for Gilgamesh, the cold was nothing more than an inconvenience. With his newly crafted equipment, his cold resistance had soared to an impressive 90%, shielding him from the biting wind and the treacherous chill.
[Warm Onix Bear Leather Armor]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 414/414 Defense: 259
* Cold resistance will increase by 30%.
An Onix bear leather armor made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his reputation is somewhat lacking.
The wearer will be able to feel warm even in winter. It has enough defense to protect the wearer from sharp weapons. However, it is vulnerable to blunt instruments.
User Restriction: Level 150 or higher. Intermediate Leather Armor Mastery.
Weight: 300
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[Warm Onix Bear Leather Hat]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 96/96 Defense: 30
* Cold resistance will increase by 15%.
An Onix bear leather hat made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his reputation is somewhat lacking.
The wearer will be warm even in the dead of winter. Don't expect a defense effect.
Conditions of Use: Level 150 or more.
Weight: 50
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[Warm Onix Bear Leather Cloak]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 98/98 Defense: 55
* Cold resistance will increase by 10%.
An Onix bear leather cloak made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his reputation is somewhat lacking.
The wearer can feel warmth even in the dead of winter, and it is effective enough to stop a chill from going down the wearer's spine. The leather is thick and stiff.
User Restriction: Level 150 or higher.
Weight: 100
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[Warm and Functional Onix Bear Leather Gloves]
Rating: Rare
Durability: 110/110 Defense: 75
* Cold resistance will increase by 15%.
An Onix bear leather gloves made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his reputation is somewhat lacking.
It has an excellent effect in cold weather, to the extent that the wearer can feel their fingers.
Even though the gloves are made of thick leather, they feel very comfortable when gripping things.
User Restriction: Level 150 or higher.
Weight: 50
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[Onix Bear Boots]
Rating: Epic
Durability: 160/160 Defense: 130 Movement Speed: +5%
* Cold resistance will increase by 20%.
An Onix bear leather boots made by a craftsman with great skills and potential, but his reputation is somewhat lacking.
It has an excellent effect in cold weather, to the extent that the wearer can feel their feet.
Even though the boots are made of thick leather, they feels so comfortable that there is no awkwardness when walking. It doesn't slip easily on ice.
User Restriction: Level 150 or higher.
Weight: 80
Gilgamesh studied his newly crafted gear with a critical eye. Two epic-rated items and three rare-rated ones—an impressive result, yet a small part of him felt the sting of disappointment. No unique items had emerged, despite his high expectations. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. He hadn't forged these for prestige or profit; they were made with a singular purpose—to survive and conquer the unforgiving north.
The only reason he ventured into the snowy north was to hunt Frostlight Orcs. Unlike ordinary orcs, these creatures possessed blue skin instead of the usual green, were 1.5 times larger in size, and boasted a much higher level of intelligence. They were adapted to the harshest cold, nearly immune to its effects—but they had one fatal weakness: fire.
Gilgamesh needed their monster drops to craft his next piece of equipment. The crucial material he sought was Sylphid Scales, a rare resource that was nearly impossible for the human eye to locate unless one was an Elementalist. However, Frostlight Orcs were an exception. Possessing a unique sixth sense, they could detect and hunt Sylphids with ease, often keeping their scales as treasured possessions.
In other words, to obtain Sylphid Scales, Gilgamesh had to hunt the Frostlight Orcs.
Gilgamesh took leisurely steps toward the Frostlight Orcs' village. An ordinary Frostlight Orc was only level 120, weaker than the monsters from Kaesan Canyon. At that time, he had still been without Pagma's Swordsmanship, let alone Paretic Blade.
So what would happen if Gilgamesh of today faced Frostlight Orc?
The result was total slaughter.
"Rrewwkk! (Intruder! Arghh!)"
"Kurukkk! Kuweekkkk! (This bastard! Graanghh!)"
"Kuuweek! (Garngg!)"
"Krgghh! (It hurts!!)"
Gilgamesh danced among the wounded Frostlight Orcs, their thick blue blood spilling onto the snow, staining it in dark hues. Some of them lay flat, paralyzed from the effects of his Paretic Blade, their limbs refusing to obey their panicked minds.
Orcs descended from the watchtower, rushing to aid their fallen brethren. But as they entered the blood-soaked mist, they were met with horror. Their comrades were already fading into the grey light, their bodies reduced to nothing but experience points. And there, standing amidst the carnage, was the human draped in bear leather, his figure bathed in the splattered blue of their kin.
"Ruurek? (How is this possible?)"
Their eyes widened in fear.
"Rekrekpukeoke! (He didn't even get hurt!)"
Fwosshh~
Gilgamesh appeared in front of them, a grin plastered on his face. The frostlight orc hastened to raise their weapon, but it was too late.
KANGG!!
"Kwekk-!"
Their cries were cut short as Gilgamesh swung the Paretic Blade before them, its blade carving through flesh and bone.
[You have dealt 10,789 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 10,430 damage to the target.]
[You have defeated a Frostlight Orc.]
[You have defeated a Frostlight Orc.]
[Frostlight Orc Leather has been acquired.]
[Frostlight Orc Leather has been acquired.]
[Sylphid Scales has been acquired.]
[Crude Hand Axe has been acquired.]
[266,000 experience has been acquired.]
[266,000 experience has been acquired.]
"Ahahahahat~!" Gilgamesh laughed, a sound that echoed through the snowy expanse like a madman's cackle.
More and more Frostlight Orcs charged forward, but they soon met their demise.
"Kuwek! Kuweeek!! Kirarurarak! (This guy! This evil bastard! He is destroying our village!)"
"Kuruek! Kuweeeek! (I will resent him even after death!)"
"You talk too much!" Gilgamesh shouted back, dodging a clumsy swing from an orc wielding a massive axe. He sidestepped, and the orc stumbled forward, losing its balance and crashing face-first into the snow.
"Hep, Ho," Gilgamesh mocked as his greatsword pierced the frostlight orc's hearth.
[You have defeated a Frostlight Orc.]
___
"Here comes the big guy!" Gilgamesh shouted, his voice ringing with excitement as he spotted the Frostlight Orc's Chief, a level 180 boss monster, finally making his entrance.
"Kuooooh!" The orc chief bellowed, his massive frame looming over the battlefield, eyes blazing with fury. The reason for his appearance was simple: revenge. He had come to avenge his fallen brethren.
With a roar that shook the very ground, the orc chief swung his enormous axe, the sheer force of the blow generating a gust of wind that tore through the snow, revealing the frozen earth beneath. The ground of the Frostlight Orc village was gradually exposed, a stark contrast to the pristine white that had covered it moments before.
With a roar that shook the very ground, the orc chief swung his enormous axe, the sheer force of the blow generating a gust of wind that tore through the snow, revealing the frozen earth beneath. The ground of the Frostlight Orc village was gradually exposed, a stark contrast to the pristine white that had covered it moments before.
"Kuwooooh!" The orc chief's frustration grew with each missed strike, his face contorting in rage. He began to attack quicker and sharper, his swings becoming a flurry of deadly intent.
Gilgamesh seized the opportunity. Out of nowhere, he brought his greatsword upward, cleaving into the chief's chest with a powerful strike. The orc chief screamed in pain, staggering back from the blow, his eyes wide with shock. As the chief landed heavily on the ground, Gilgamesh didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, stabbing at the left Achilles tendon, causing the chief to stumble and struggle to rise. The orc let out a pained roar, his massive body swaying as he fought to regain his balance.
Gilgamesh pressed the attack, his blade a whirlwind of steel as he unleashed a series of strikes. Each blow landed with precision, and the chief's health gauge plummeted to around 25% of its maximum. The blue skin of the orc chief gradually turned a deep crimson. Then, as if summoned by the chaos of battle, dark clouds began to gather in the sky, casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield. The atmosphere crackled with tension, and Gilgamesh could feel the energy shifting.
"Oho, phase two~!"
"Kuoooooh!" The orc chief roared, his body now glowing with a fierce red hue, a sign of his newfound power.
Kwarururung!
A bolt of red lightning struck down from the heavens, connecting with the orc chief's axe, electrifying it with a crackling energy. The chief, now empowered, aimed the lightning-covered axe down toward Gilgamesh, a look of vengeance in his eyes.
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood for electric play~" Gilgamesh quipped, nimbly dodging the arcs of lightning that fell around him. The ground sizzled where they struck, sending up plumes of steam and melting the snow in their wake.
"Kuwaaah!"
"Kuwaaah!" The orc chief charged at him, the ground trembling beneath his feet. But Gilgamesh could see the weariness in his movements. The chief was definitely hurt from all the wounds he had accumulated, and his attacks were slower, more desperate.
"Come on, big guy! Is that all you've got?" Gilgamesh taunted, his confidence soaring as he danced around the chief's attacks.
With a final, powerful swing of his greatsword, Gilgamesh aimed for the chief's neck, but the orc chief managed to raise his axe just in time, blocking the blow. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, and Gilgamesh felt the impact reverberate through his arms.
"Not bad!" he shouted, grinning at the chief. "But you're still going down!"
With a quick feint to the left, Gilgamesh caught the chief off guard, delivering a brutal upward slash that sent the orc staggering back. The chief's health gauge flickered dangerously low, and Gilgamesh could sense victory within his grasp. His blade then connected with the orc chief's shoulder, cleaving through muscle and bone. The chief let out a final, anguished cry as he fell to his knees, the red glow surrounding him flickering and fading.
[You have defeated the Frostlight Orc chief.]
[750 gold has been acquired.]
[Blessed Weapon Enhancement Stones (2) has been acquired.]
[Blessed Armor Enhancement Stones (3) has been acquired.]
[Frostlight Orc Chief's Helmet has been acquired.]
[Red Lightning Summoning Bead has been acquired.]
[Sylphid scales (7) have been acquired.]
[3,554,000 experiences have been acquired.]
(A/N: I have changed the experience reward for boss Onix Bear in the last chapter. I realized that if 180 Frostlight Orc chief gave this much experience, level 280 boss Onix Bear should given much more.)
"Fiushh~ Is that all?" Gilgamesh asked to particularly no one. His sharp eyes scanned what was remaining of the Frostlight Orc's village.
Two days—this was what Gilgamesh needed to exterminate all Frostlight Orcs in this settlement. He could clear it much faster if he didn't take a break and used Pagma's Swordsmanship to the fullest. But he took this chance to train his Total Concentration Breathing in combat.
Gilgamesh then opened his inventory. His inventory was filled with 328 frostlight orc leather, 453 old jewels, bunch crude hand axes and bows, Frostlight Orc Chief's Helmet, blessed enchantment stone, a red bead, and most importantly... twenty-nine sylphid scales.
He only needed twenty for his next creation, but he would never say no to a bonus. "More materials is better."
'Now I just need to wait for when the canon starts,' Gilgamesh mused as his gaze turned to the horizon. The sun was beginning to dip below the jagged peaks of the northern mountains, casting a warm golden hue across the snow-covered landscape.
It was a beautiful sight, one that reminded him of the calm before the storm.