Icy Transformation

The faint cries grew louder as Samson weaved his way through the dense forest. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath him. The air around him seemed to thicken with tension, every shadow feeling like it could hold danger.

Finally, he emerged into a clearing. His breath caught in his throat.

Eva was struggling against the grip of the mysterious man they had captured earlier. Her arms were bound by dark tendrils of shadow, and she was forced to her knees. Beside him stood two more men—one dressed in a luxurious aristocratic suit, his slicked-back hair and smug expression exuding authority, and the other a burly guard with a menacing scowl.

Samson ducked behind a tree, his body tense as he assessed the situation.

---

A Sinister Proposal

The aristocrat stepped forward, his polished shoes crunching softly against the ground. His voice was smooth yet dripping with malice.

"Eva, my dear," he said, crouching slightly to look her in the eye. "You must realize by now that resistance is futile. You're far from any help, and your father has no choice but to honor his debts. But I'm a generous man. I'm offering you a way out."

Eva glared up at him, her defiance burning even through her fear. "What do you mean?"

"Marry me," he declared, a smile spreading across his face. "If you agree, I'll write off your father's loan. Your family will be free of their crushing debt, and I'll ensure your safety. A fair deal, don't you think?"

Eva's lips quivered, but her voice remained firm. "Never."

The aristocrat's smile faded, replaced by a sneer. "Don't be foolish. Your father's greed has brought this upon you. Despite being a major stakeholder in Hexagon City, he borrowed money from my organization to fund his failed ventures. He overestimated his influence and underestimated my reach. His debt is now beyond what he can ever repay."

Eva spat at his feet. "Even if that's true, I will never agree to marry someone like you!"

The aristocrat's eyes darkened. "So be it."

---

Torture and Threats

With a flick of his hand, the aristocrat summoned a torrent of water that surged toward Eva, drenching her as the tendrils tightened their grip. At the same time, an invisible force pressed down on her shoulders, forcing her closer to the ground.

Samson's eyes widened. "Gravity magic… and water magic?" he muttered under his breath. "He's using both simultaneously."

Eva gasped, her body trembling under the dual assault. The water seemed to seep into her very skin, amplifying the crushing pressure from the gravity magic. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to cry out.

The aristocrat leaned in closer, his voice a venomous whisper. "Even if you die here, your family will be next. Your father will beg me for mercy, and I will enjoy watching him grovel. Think about that while you're suffering."

A single tear slipped down Eva's cheek.

---

Samson's Dilemma

Samson clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he watched from the shadows. His instincts screamed at him to intervene, but his training held him back.

In his past life, during his days in the military, he had learned the importance of patience. Charging in without a plan would only make things worse. He needed to wait for the right moment.

But the longer he waited, the more the scene before him tore at his resolve. Eva's strength was waning, and he knew time was running out.

"I need to signal the others," Samson thought, fumbling with his mana relay watch. He pressed the SOS button, sending out a distress signal to his team. But he knew they were too far away to arrive in time.

Desperation clawed at him. He had to do something—anything.

---

A Mysterious Glow

Suddenly, Samson felt a strange sensation from his wrist. The magical watch strapped to his arm began to glow wildly, its icy blue light illuminating the forest around him.

"What…?" Samson murmured, staring at the watch in astonishment. The light pulsed, growing brighter with each passing second.

Unknowingly, his fingers brushed against two opposite buttons on the watch's interface.

There was a sudden burst of icy blue light, blinding him momentarily. The air around him grew colder, frost creeping across the ground.

---

The Transformation

When the light faded, Samson felt… different. His body was no longer his own. His hands and feet had transformed into elegant hooves, encased in a thin layer of shimmering ice. A pair of majestic antlers adorned his head, their crystalline structure catching the faint moonlight. Light armor, made entirely of ice, covered his torso, and his breath came out in visible puffs in the now-frigid air.

He had become the Ice Deer, a spirit beast of unmatched grace and power.

Samson took a cautious step forward, his movements surprisingly fluid despite his new form. The air around him seemed to respond to his presence, a chill spreading outward with every step.

The aristocrat and his men turned, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of the transformed figure emerging from the shadows.

"What in the world…?" the aristocrat muttered, his confidence wavering for the first time. "A spirit beast....?"

Samson lowered his head, his icy antlers glinting menacingly. The cold fury in his gaze was enough to make even the burly guard take a step back.

---

For the first time since entering the clearing, Samson felt truly in control. The power coursing through his new form was exhilarating, but he knew he couldn't let it distract him. Eva needed him.

"Let her go," Samson said, his voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance.

The aristocrat sneered, masking his fear with bravado. "And who are you to make demands of me?"

Samson didn't respond. Instead, he charged forward, his antlers glowing with icy energy. The ground beneath him froze as he moved, the frost spreading rapidly.