helios300

Jack Frost has always been an outsider—an orphan abandoned at eighteen, struggling to survive in a quiet town where the days bleed together. His only solace is his loyal wolf-dog, Shadow, and the fantasy worlds of web novels and games. But when a strange event transports him into a parallel version of his town, seven days before his original timeline, everything changes.

Gifted with the mysterious ability of Fusion Wielding, Jack can merge objects to create something stronger. A broken baseball bat and a knife become a lethal blade. A rusted chain and a steel pipe fuse into an unbreakable whip. And as he experiments with his newfound powers, he discovers another gift—Spatial Storage, a personal dimension with limitless capacity. But Jack isn’t the only one with abilities, and he soon learns that his town hides dark secrets.

Hunted by a secret organization, caught in a supernatural war, and forced to forge alliances with others like him, Jack must master his abilities before an unseen enemy tightens its grip. From forging legendary weapons to leading an army of rogue transmigrators, his journey will push him beyond human limits—toward a final battle where reality itself is at stake.

In a world where strength is forged, not given, Jack Frost will decide his destiny. Will he remain a mere survivor, or will he become something far greater?

Frostbound: The Fusion Wielder

**Chapter 13: Descent into the Unknown**

Jack took a deep breath as he stepped onto the first stone stair, the darkness below swallowing the light behind him. Shadow followed closely, his paws silent against the smooth rock. The tunnel spiraled downward, the walls humming faintly with the same energy that had guided them through Eldrin's entrance.

Each step felt heavier, as if an unseen force was weighing down on him. The deeper they went, the warmer the air became, carrying with it the scent of aged stone and something metallic, like the remnants of an ancient forge. Jack ran his fingers along the carved walls, feeling the symbols pulse under his touch.

Shadow huffed in agreement, his ears flicking at every distant echo.

The descent seemed endless until finally, the stairway opened into a massive underground hall. The ceiling was lost to the shadows above, while enormous pillars lined the chamber, their surfaces etched with glowing blue runes. In the center of the room stood an altar, and atop it—a floating crystal pulsing with an eerie, shifting light.

Jack approached cautiously, the **Emberfang Crowbar** at the ready. "This looks like the part where things get complicated."

A whisper brushed against his mind, ancient and distant.

**"The Heart of Eldrin beats no more."**

Jack tensed, scanning the chamber for the source of the voice. But he was alone—aside from Shadow and the ominous crystal before him.

The whisper came again, clearer this time. **"You seek answers. But do you seek truth?"**

Jack exhaled sharply. "I don't have time for riddles."

The crystal flickered, and suddenly, the chamber trembled. From the shadows of the pillars, figures began to emerge—spectral shapes, their forms wrapped in ethereal blue mist. Unlike the warriors he had faced before, these figures did not wield weapons. They simply stood, watching.

Jack tightened his grip. "Let me guess—another test?"

One of the figures stepped forward. Its form wavered, indistinct, as though caught between existence and oblivion. **"The path to Eldrin's truth is not for the unworthy."**

Jack frowned. "And what makes someone worthy?"

The figure extended a translucent hand toward the crystal. **"The Heart must be rekindled."**

Jack hesitated. If this was another puzzle, he needed to be careful. He looked at Shadow, who merely watched, waiting for his decision.

Slowly, he reached toward the floating crystal. The moment his fingers brushed its surface, a surge of energy pulsed through him, sending his mind spiraling into darkness.

He saw **Eldrin**, not as ruins but as a thriving city, its spires gleaming under an artificial sky. The people moved through its streets, their cloaks flowing like liquid silver. At the city's core stood the **Heart of Eldrin**, radiating power.

A rift tore through the sky. Shadows poured in, twisting and writhing, consuming everything in their path. The Heart flickered, then dimmed. The city fell to ruin, swallowed by the abyss.

Jack gasped, pulling his hand back as the vision shattered. The chamber returned, but the weight of what he had seen lingered in his chest.

Shadow nudged his leg, grounding him back to reality.

The spectral figure spoke once more. **"Eldrin's fall was not chance. The Veilborn seek its final breath."**

Jack swallowed hard. "Then we stop them."

The figure inclined its head. **"Then prove it."**

The chamber trembled again. The crystal flared with light, and from the darkness, shadows coalesced into monstrous forms—tall, with elongated limbs and eyes like burning voids.

Jack readied himself. **No more running.**

He gripped the **Emberfang Crowbar**, its flames roaring to life, and met the enemy head-on.