9. The Harmony of Light and Dark
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[The Hero acquired a Special Skill, Tuning Balance]
Upon activation, it entered the Tuning State, lasting (LV50=5) rounds; every other round (i.e., 1, 3, 5), a 3D6 is rolled, and the corresponding attribute is halved while the other attribute doubles.
All things possess balance. Temper all else, enhance what is needed, then it is the way of enduring truth.
[The Hero acquired a Reversed Skill, Carnival Horn]
After "Tuning Balance" activated, it reversed to this skill. Upon activation, it entered the Frenzied State, with all attributes *2. After two rounds, Magic Power capacity hit zero, entering the Exhausted State.
Ha! To hell with balance! Dance, revel! Release all within, embrace the climax before the void!
The Hero just quietly observed Mirror Lake, reflecting the starry river.
Until the moon was sparse with stars, the Pure White Moon gradually replaced the Ashen Moon. The clean and gentle moonlight encompassed the starlight, causing the myriad stars to retreat from the night.
Unknowingly, the Hero's hair color had turned pitch-black as ink, as if absorbing the pure white moonlight, a black that erased all colors yet encompassed all colors.
The Hero's body gradually became transparent; the elemental water form had no color to speak of, neither as blue as the sea nor as green as rivers and lakes. But at this moment, that elemental body's hue deepened as if a tumultuous undercurrent was surging within, fiercely flowing as though it would devour everything.
A frigid wind blew across the lake's surface, disrupting the mirror-like calm and causing ripples across the Hero's exterior.
A cold wind slipped through the Hero's already loose collar. Though a Legendary transformation should be immune to cold and heat, at this moment, she was incredibly sensitive. The icy feeling went straight to her heart, causing her to shiver and sneeze, which she hadn't done in ages.
She paused for a moment, sniffed, and tightened her clothes.
Why did it suddenly become so cold?
Before the Hero could figure out what was happening, an anxious shout came from behind.
In a flash, the Gleaming Scale Serpent's crystal core appeared, transforming into a refined middle-aged man, urgently and vigilantly scanning all around.
"What happened? Is it an enemy? A curse!?"
The Gleaming Scale Serpent, having never seen the Hero sick or with a cold, treated this like a major enemy.
"No, I just suddenly felt a bit cold."
Hearing the Hero's honest reply, the Gleaming Scale Serpent was momentarily stunned.
But seeing that the Hero seemed to really have no other issues, just merely feeling cold, despite his doubts, he quickly took action.
After all, this was the dwelling place of the Snow Woman and Lord White Snake. Aside from the simple low temperature, there was also the Magic Power of frost. It was no surprise the Queen felt cold.
For the White Snake, who had transformed him profoundly, though also the Hero's Familiar, the Gleaming Scale Serpent held profound respect.
As he moved blankets from the Bird Carriage that he thought would never be used, he urged the Hero.
"Your Majesty, you should go inside and rest. I'll tend the bonfire to make it warmer soon."
Seeing the late hour, the Hero did not refuse the Gleaming Scale Serpent's suggestion and obediently crawled into the ice house.
As an Elf of the Ice Element, the Gleaming Scale Serpent could not only create frost, but also control the Ice Element to dispel the chill in the area.
The bonfire's warmth penetrated the small ice house, transforming it into a spring-like warmth.
Covered by a soft blanket, the Hero lay on a snow bed equally soft, closed her eyes, and quickly drifted into a deep sleep amid a serene darkness.
[Dream (5- Sound sleep, 10- Corrupted Phoenix, 30- Observer, 60- White Snake, 90- Ancient Hero♛, 90+ Dreamlands)]