-----
"Magnus, are those the spirits of the beasts?" my mother asked.
"I believe so," he replied. "It's incredible. Her Evolution Trait hasn't just awakened—it has evolved the lingering spiritual soul energy within the equipment. That's what allows monster materials to make us stronger when we use them."
"Souls?" my father asked. "Wait, are you saying those birthday gifts are… Soul Treasures?"
"Ah… I… I don't know," my brother said, shaking his head. "But they do share a deep emotional connection with Brunhild, so maybe they're moving toward that goal."
"Huh," I mused. "Well, what can you guys do— Oh, they're gone. So they only last about a minute. And… I can't summon them again. Looks like they have a cooldown too."
"So they're just temporary help," my father said. "I assume they'll aid us in battle. The white stag might even heal us. That would be useful."
"Yeah," I nodded. "Well, with Big Sis's boots and everything else, I think we're done here. Shall we go?"
My family nodded in agreement. I stored the House, resisting the urge to evolve it for now, and walked forward with them. We mounted Fenrir and raced across the dungeon. No monsters appeared in our path, and we soon reached the stairs leading downward.
"Wow, it's deep. How many floors does this place have?" Kara asked, peering down the icy steps.
"Pretty big," I said. "It has five floors total."
"What? Is this really going to be okay? Can we actually conquer this dungeon?" Ulf asked, worry clear in his voice. "The first floor alone was hellish!"
"I know it was hellish, but don't worry—we've got this," I said, winking at my friends. "Sigrid, you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm ready!" she answered. "That bloodline made me feel so much stronger. I want to test its power."
"Okay then," I nodded.
"Let's move!" my father said, taking the reins.
Fenrir charged down the stairs while Huginn followed close behind, watching our backs. As we descended, the temperature dropped even further. I activated my aura, wrapping everyone in comforting warmth.
"Shit, it's even colder in here!" my dad muttered. "Brrr…"
"Here," I said, finally calling upon the power of one of the two items I had brought but hadn't used until now—when it truly felt necessary.
-----
[Sun Herald Cloak]
[Item Type]: Cloak, Clothing
[Item Grade]: A+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: Solaris' Blessing
[Item Parameters]: Physical Defense: 6,000 | Magic Defense: 14,000 | Durability: 10,000
[Item Bonuses]: +60% Agility, Dexterity, Movement Speed, Fire Absorption
[Item Skills]: {Sunflare Protection} {Sunflare Aura} {Sunshine}
[Item Description]: A cloak crafted by Solaris using his flames for his Saintess, further evolved.
-----
-----
[Mother Nature's Divine Spirit Necklace]
[Item Type]: Necklace, Magic Accessory
[Item Grade]: A+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: Tierra's Blessing
[Item Parameters]: Magic Defense: 6,000 | Durability: 6,000
[Item Bonuses]: +60% Mana, Spirit, Resistance, +200% Mana Recovery Speed
[Item Skills]: {Mother Nature's Protection} {Life Share} {Spirit Fusion}
[Item Description]: A necklace crafted by Tierra's wood and leaves for her Saintess, further evolved.
-----
"Sunflare Aura! Sunflare Protection!"
FLUOSH!
A dual aura of sunflare—flames and sunlight intertwined—coated the entire group. Warmth flooded through us, boosting our firepower and granting a fiery blessing to our weapons.
"This should make the fights easier," I said.
"Why didn't you use this before?" my mother asked, clearly shocked.
"I wanted to test how well I could handle things on my own," I admitted. "Sorry. It was my mistake. I underestimated the boss. It won't happen again."
"She's just a girl. Leave her be," my dad said. "Despite her incredible strength, she's still a little barbarian learning the ropes, right? As her parents, we're supposed to protect her, not the other way around, Frigga!"
"Hey, I know that!" my mother complained. "I was just wondering. I'm not going to force her to protect us, let alone get angry about it."
"Don't fight—look ahead already!" I said, turning their faces forward.
Their eyes widened as we took in the Second Floor together. Unlike the first, it was twice as vast and far more labyrinthine. This was where the dungeon truly began to change, transforming into something completely different from a simple frozen swamp.
"Huh?" my dad said, surprised. "It's like someone actually built this place."
Cold ice bricks formed the floor, walls, and even rooms with broken, worn-down doors. Giant pillars crafted by human hands stretched all the way to the ceiling.
[You have entered the {Frozen Swamp Labyrinth Second Floor: Frozen Temple}]
"This is the Frozen Temple," I said. "And the things roaming inside aren't exactly normal monsters… Ah, something's coming. Look for yourselves."
My family and friends fell silent as a giant figure emerged from the corridor—a titan over five meters tall, shaped like a human, clad in ice armor, with massive hands and a head resembling the sorrowful mask of an ancient king.
[Sorrowful Winter Knight Golem – Tier 3+]
The golem detected us instantly. It took a heavy step forward, its enormous hands rising to crush us where we stood.
"W-Wha…?!" My father's eyes widened, his mouth hanging open.
"A golem?! Seriously?" my mother asked. "The only time I fought one was years ago in some abandoned dungeon!"
"I've never seen such a huge golem before!" my brother exclaimed. "Actually, I've never seen one at all…!"
"And one made entirely of ice!" my sister added. "Shit! Brunhild!"
I gripped Atlas firmly in one hand and manifested my Divine Weapon into a second blazing red axe. Using both, I parried the giant hand descending toward us.
The Sunflare Protection and Sunflare Aura blazed to life. My cloak flared into red and orange sun flames, wrapping my body and surging my firepower higher.
Then I merged my fighting styles.
"Red Fang Axe Style + Burning Dragon Soul Style!"
My bloodline ignited. Red scales spread across my skin as horns, a tail, and raw fiery power erupted. The golem's hand began to melt and evaporate under the intense heat.
The golem recoiled, its damaged hand crumbling. Its unchanging sorrowful face stared down at me as I charged forward and unleashed a single, devastating strike.
"Burning Cleave!"
CRAAASH!
The golem split in half, exploding into frozen shards that melted into vapor and left behind a precious blue core.
"Don't fight them with raw power alone," I warned. "They need fire! My aura will boost everyone, so let's use it to tear through this floor. I can already hear more coming."
My Beast Senses had already alerted me to the danger. My family moved quickly, nodding as we formed a defensive circle. My friends stayed at the center, their arrows blazing with spirit fire and ready to loose.
"They're here!"
RUMBLE!
Five, six, seven… ten! Ten towering figures emerged from the four corridors—enormous, intimidating, and filled with the clear intent to crush us.
They were all the same type of knight, though some now carried weapons: giant swords, heavy shields, or frost scepters.
The warriors charged. Shield-bearers slammed into our formation while swordsmen swung their titanic frozen blades.
But we were a family.
Our auras flared together, forming a massive barrier that caught the attacks. With unified intent, we unleashed a shockwave of Sunflare energy that hurled the golems backward.
"Now—attack!"
We roared as one and charged. I clashed with the nearest golem, swinging both axes in a Searing Cleave followed by Burning Claw. Its sword shattered, its hands melted, and it exploded into vapor before collapsing and tripping another behind it.
My mother seized the opening, using her goblin ring's speed to dart in and shatter a golem with her sword. I rushed the next one and destroyed its torso, crushing the core within.
"GROOHH!"
A third golem charged with a mechanical war cry, smashing its massive shield down on me. I caught it with raw strength, unleashed my Phoenix Tattoo power, and struck back with everything I had.
"Phoenix Ascension!"
A mighty holy phoenix cry echoed as my attack shattered the shield and pierced straight through the golem's chest, burning and evaporating its icy body in a thunderous blast.
BOOOM!
Behind me, arrows from my mother and friends streaked past, striking the rear golems—magicians and archers—punching holes through them in explosions of spirit fire.
They were incredibly tough, so I rushed in to finish them. A potent Searing Cleave cut one apart, followed by a Burning Claw after I used Wild Cat's Leap.
A magician golem, however, unleashed a Frozen Blast at point-blank range. The spell struck me hard and sent me flying across the dungeon, slamming into a wall.
CRASH!
"Nngh…!"
-----