I Was a Small Fish When I Reincarnated, but It Seems That I Can Become a Dragon, so I Will Do My Best - Extra Chapter 153
5-36. Freezing and Static Electricity
The moment ice appeared in our view, the surrounding temperature seemed to plummet. Both of us shivered simultaneously, pulling thicker coats from our magic bags. However, even these extra layers didn’t alleviate the cold; the icy air seeped through our sleeves and collars, making us tense with surprise.
“So c-c-cold! What is this!?”
“It’s p-p-probably because of that Lize person…! Why do they have to change the environment like this…?”
“Could it be… because of magic…?”
“Most likely, yes.”
It was freezing! The presence of ice indicated low temperatures, but this was too much.
No matter how many layers we wore, the biting cold pierced through, chilling us to the bone. But we couldn’t afford to stop now. Carefully watching our step, we proceeded, occasionally slipping on the uneven ice. The deeper we went, the colder it got, and ice started to coat the walls.
It felt like walking into a freezer. In such an environment, there wouldn’t be any monsters or even insects. Indeed, neither Amariaz’s ‘Spatial Awareness’ nor my own sense of presence detected anything.
However, in the deepest part of the cave, we sensed something significant. Though still far away, it made no effort to conceal its presence and was lying dormant. That must be the creature called Lize.
“Ouch!”
“What?”
“Static electricity…”
The thick clothing we wore generated static electricity, and I could hear crackling sounds from Amariaz. Though I felt it too, it wasn’t particularly bothersome.
As we moved deeper, the static grew more frequent, culminating in a loud snap.
“Ouch, that hurt!”
“Are you okay, Amariaz?”
“Sorry, could you cast ‘Substitute’ on me?”
“Sure.”
I cast ‘Substitute’ on him, which absorbed several static discharges without issue, and Amariaz sighed in relief.
The previous shock must have been quite painful, as he kept rubbing his arm. At least now we could proceed without worrying about the static.
“Whoa!”
“Watch your step.”
“Ugh…”
Slipping on ice couldn’t be avoided with skills; it was a constant nuisance. And Lize had drastically altered the cave! We needed to unseal Lize quickly and leave.
After stumbling a few more times, we finally reached a slightly open space. Ice crystals stood everywhere, sharp and pointed. Blue-white static electricity crackled through the ice, snapping loudly when it hit us. With only the lantern for light, we couldn’t see the entire area, but we knew Lize was at the center.
Amariaz and I exchanged glances and moved forward cautiously. Soon, we saw a semi-transparent red barrier. Peering inside, we spotted a blue-white tiger.
It was about four meters long, possibly more with its tail. It lay curled up, making its exact size hard to determine. Its fur was a beautiful mix of blue and white, long for a tiger.
Its claws and teeth were sharp, with slight serrations. Even while sleeping, it exuded an aura of regality. The thought of it waking was intimidating.
Amariaz nudged me with his elbow, signaling to stay focused. He took out a lantern designed to dispel toxins from his magic bag and set it down. When he switched it on, a faint hum indicated it was working.
Amariaz removed his mask, sniffing the air before giving a thumbs-up.
“Seems to be working fine.”
“Good. So even if Lize wakes up, we won’t be poisoned.”
“Exactly. Now, it’s up to you.”
I retrieved a magical device from my pocket. The magic power accumulation device showed red lines, indicating the vast amount of magic stored within. Gripping it lightly, I placed my other hand towards the barrier.
“‘Barrier Break.’”
The red lines on the device turned yellow, and the semi-transparent red barrier melted away.
“…”
“…”
The white tiger before us slowly opened its eyes.