Chapter 59: Prelude to Abyss
"Awawauuu...it's so cold..." expressed Asia, moving closer to Vahn as they stood near the exit of the Frozen Abyss's Starting Zone. The area near the stairs was warm, but as they moved further down the passage leading to the Floor proper, the temperature rapidly plummeted to below freezing.
As if responding to Asia's words, a large blue window appeared between the corridor's threshold and the seemingly endless expanse of tundra that awaited them outside, visible to both her and Vahn.
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[First Trial: Fimbulwinter]
The Frozen Abyss is a cold and unforgiving place. Only those with great willpower or steadfast allies can traverse it, but great power and rewards await those who can endure its Nine Trials and myriad Tribulations.
[////Warning!////]
Those who venture beyond this point will suffer the Queen of the Frozen Abyss's Curse: [Fimbulwinter's Encroachment]. Every six seconds or every 2.5 meters moved will inflict one person within a grid space with a single stack of [Fimbulwinter's Encroachment], reducing mobility and increasing the damage sustained from all sources by 1% and 5%. At 100 stacks, the victim will be afflicted with the Unique Status: [Prey], making them a target of the Queen of the Frozen Abyss and her pack. To remove stacks of Fimbulwinter's Encroachment, seek shelter, defeat monsters, or remain within three grid spaces of [Vahn Mason].
[////Warning!////]
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"Fimbulwinter..." muttered Vahn, prompting Sis to explain (It refers to a legendary catastrophic winter from Norse Mythology, said to herald the coming of Ragnarok. It would seem that Mrs. Grayfia's speculation about the Frozen Abyss having something to do with the Norse Pantheon wasn't without merit.)
"P-P-Pardon me, V-Vahn-sama. But d-d-d-do you have anything warmer I can w-w-wear...?" asked Asia, adhering as close to Vahn as their physical forms allowed.