Outside the Level 1 Camp, a chilling howl tore through the frozen darkness. The snow at the edge of their vision rippled and heaved, as if something massive was burrowing just beneath the surface.
Ye Tian's fingers twitched over his invisible console, sweat beading on his forehead despite the freezing air.
[Warning: Frostfang Beast approaching — Estimated time: 00:00:30]
Beside him, Liu Yulan struggled to channel her ice powers. Shards of frost gathered weakly around her fingers, her lips pale and trembling.
"Don't panic," Ye Tian said firmly. "We'll handle this together."
Suddenly, his system interface flickered violently, glitch-like symbols cascading across it. Before he could react, a new notification slammed into his view.
[System Glitch Detected!]
[Emergency Compensation in progress…]
[Congratulations! You have acquired Passive Skill: Commander's Blessing (Lv.1)]
[Commander's Blessing (Lv.1)]
[Effect: All allies within 100 meters receive 5x Attack, 2x Defense, and HP Regeneration +0.2/sec.]
[Note: This skill can be upgraded through combat achievements and resource sacrifices.]
Ye Tian's eyes widened. "A passive... buff skill?! And so broken at that?!"
He barely had time to celebrate as another idea sparked in his mind. He typed furiously.
> /reveal system_info.local
[Cost: 10 CP]
A ripple spread across the air like a holographic shockwave. Liu Yulan yelped as her own status screen popped up before her eyes — and she could see Ye Tian's, too.
[Name: Liu Yulan]
[Class: Ice Enchantress (S-Rank)]
[HP: 150/150]
[Attack Power: 22]
[Defense: 15]
[Species: Human]
[Name: Ye Tian]
[Class: ChatBot User (SSS-Rank)]
[HP: 300/300]
[Attack Power: 35]
[Defense: 25]
[Species: Human]
Liu Yulan's eyes flickered between the numbers, her jaw hanging. "Your stats... they're ridiculous! And wait — I feel... stronger?"
Her fingers glowed blue. The frost shards thickened and solidified instantly, becoming sharper and more controllable. A faint blue aura rose around her body like a thin, icy mist.
Ye Tian checked his console again.
[CP Remaining: 30]
Alright… enough for an emergency command if needed. I'll have to rely on her and the new buff now.
Outside, the snow exploded. A towering creature leaped forward — over three meters tall, covered in thick, jagged white fur. Its tusks gleamed under the moonlight, icy mist billowing from its gaping maw.
[Name: Frostfang Beast]
[HP: 1200/1200]
[Attack Power: 85]
[Defense: 50]
[Species: Frost Beast]
Liu Yulan gulped, stepping back. "We're... supposed to fight that?!"
Ye Tian slammed his foot down. "Focus! You have 5x Attack now — you can pierce it. Trust me!"
The Frostfang roared, its eyes glowing a cruel blue. It charged straight toward the camp, claws digging deep gouges in the ice.
Liu Yulan screamed and thrust her hands forward. An enormous spear of ice shot out, far more stable than before. It struck the Frostfang's shoulder, sending a spray of frozen blood into the night.
The beast howled in fury, skidding to the side, but turned its glare toward her. It lunged again, jaws wide.
Ye Tian dashed forward, scooping up a thick wooden stake he'd prepared earlier. The Frostfang swiped at him, but with his boosted agility, he ducked and slammed the stake into its foreleg.
[Critical Damage inflicted: 175!]
[Triggered 20 Damage/Second!]
.
.
.
The creature staggered, eyes flaring with hatred. Liu Yulan took a deep breath, her aura flaring brighter. Another ice spear formed, this time twice as large.
'Ok. Good, we also triggered a constant damage effect'
"Now! While it's open!" Ye Tian shouted.
She thrust forward. The giant ice spear pierced the Frostfang's throat, erupting out its nape with a violent burst of frost and blood.
[Critical Hit x5 Triggered]
[Direct Drop 500 HP!]
[Direct Drop 200 HP!]
.
.
.
The creature spasmed violently, letting out one final roar that echoed across the frozen plains, before its massive body crashed into the snow with a thunderous boom.
[Frostfang Beast defeated!]
Liu Yulan collapsed to her knees, gasping for air, trembling. Ye Tian rushed over and helped her up, his hand gripping her icy fingers firmly.
She looked at him, tears and frost mixing on her cheeks. "We… we did it…"
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Title: First Kill: Frostfang Beast.]
[Effect: When equipped, nearby Frostfang tribe creatures instinctively fear you, lowering their attack power and aggression.]
[Reward: CP +50]
Ye Tian's eyes widened. "A title… and CP bonus too!"
Liu Yulan's screen flashed as well.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Title: First Kill: Frostfang Beast.]
She laughed, a delirious sound echoing through the small camp. "I can't believe it… We're the first…!"
---
Elsewhere, in other regions…
[Region 5432B99]
A young man watched his friend freeze to death beside a half-burnt pile of twigs. His face contorted in despair, but then a global announcement appeared before him.
[Notification: The first Frostfang Beast has been defeated by Ye Tian & Liu Yulan.]
"Someone actually did it… they killed one of those monsters?!"
His hollow eyes suddenly lit up with a flicker of hope.
---
[Region 1083F72]
A vicious gang leader smashed another survivor's head with a rock. He stopped mid-swing, panting, when he saw the same announcement.
"Ye Tian... Liu Yulan? Heh... so there is someone strong out there," he sneered. "Guess we have a new target."
---
[Region 9174G00]
A woman huddled with her child under a makeshift tarp, her eyes wide with shock as she read the message.
"Maybe… we can survive this hell after all…"
---
Back at Ye Tian's camp...
Liu Yulan shivered, half from exhaustion, half from adrenaline. She clutched her new title screen, her lips trembling in disbelief.
Ye Tian felt her lean against him. "You alright?" he asked softly.
She nodded, too tired to speak. In her eyes, a strange light flickered — admiration, relief, and something deeper.
Ye Tian exhaled, checking his console again.
[CP Remaining: 80]
He clenched his fists.
With the title reward, I can survive the next few days at least... But this new skill — Commander's Blessing — it's far more powerful than I realized. If upgraded, it could turn me into an entire army's anchor.
He glanced at Liu Yulan, who was now breathing steadily, a faint smile on her lips even in sleep.
---
A sudden tremor rolled underfoot. Ye Tian's system flashed violently once more.
[Warning: Nearby Frostfang scouts detected. They have sensed the death of their kin.]
[Estimated arrival: 01:00:00]
Ye Tian's expression hardened, his mind spinning with possible commands and strategies.
We just survived one... now a whole pack might come. But with this buff, and if I can help Yulan master her ice fully...
He felt something stir inside him — a fierce determination, a defiance against the frozen despair that covered this world.
[New Mission Unlocked: Defend the Camp from the Frostfang Retaliation.]
[Reward: Unknown ???]
Ye Tian smirked, his eyes shining with a dangerous glint.
"Come, then," he whispered into the snow-choked night. "Let's see who freezes first."