Prologue

On January 1st, 2019, the world changed.

Gates, monsters, system, players.

These new concepts sprang up from nowhere.

Those who protect and those who invade.

These two powers fought all over the world.

1 year, 2 years, 3 years5 years.

On November 4th, 2024, all players received a message from the system.

[The final boss for the area Earth, the Frost Queen, has appeared.]

[Upon her defeat, safe zones will be added.]

The final boss! If we just defeat her, we can go back to our normal lives!

Countless players were filled with newfound determination, and their hope was rekindled.

For a day.

Thats how long it took for hope to become despair.

On the day that the Frost Queen walked out of the gate, the southern Pacific froze over with a flick of her wrist. Everyones determination froze along with it.

There were only five people who werent shaken.

These top players took a plane to Antarctica.

Lets catch that Frost Queen.

All for the sake of what others thought impossible.

***

Final dungeon, Antarctica.

The Queens Nest, 2nd floor.

The five players stood in front of the stairs leading to the next floor. A message popped up.

[Only one person may go up the stairs.]

Are you fucking kidding me? After coming all this way? A muscular man stomped the floor with a loud bang as he swore.

Doesnt that mean that the other four will die here?

From the moment they entered the Nest, theyd been chased by the Frost Queens breath. There was only one way to avoid getting frozen by the poisonous breath: to keep climbing. This meant that only one person would ascend and that the remaining four would freeze to death.

Theres only two minutes left until the breath catches up. Lets choose quickly, the Great Mage Skaya said as she looked to the others.

I think Specter should go. He has the best chance of killing the Frost Queen.

I could kill her too.

And who would win in a fight between you two?

Tsk. Touche. The muscular giant raised his hands in surrender.

The man wearing a cowboy hat, Gilbert Green nodded in agreement. I agree. With the exception of Specter, our odds against the Frost Queen arent too great.

Thats true.

He was right. Rahmadat Kahli had great physical strength, but that wouldnt be a match for the Frost Queen. If she so much as breathed or raised her hand, the entire area around her would freeze.

It was the same for Tenmei Mio, who was treating/protecting Japan. She and Skaya already had their hands full guarding against the Frost Queens approach from the rear guard.

Then its settled.

The four of them turned to look at Specter. He wore a black mask.

Are you sure you wont regret this? A dry voice spoke from behind the mask. Rahmadat shrugged.

We probably will. A whole fucking lot. But what can we do? You have the best chance of succeeding.

Alright. Then, Ill kill her before her breath reaches us.

No way. Thats impossible. Tenmei Mio shook her head. Please dont rush because of us. Lie in wait until youre sure you can kill her.

Mios right. Its impossible to kill her in two minutes. If you rush in like that, youll actually give her the initiative. Rahmadat and Skaya nodded in agreement.

You hear that? Dont be impatient, and kill her properly. Thats what itll take to be the one that goes up.

I dont know about the rest of us, but you can definitely do it.

Specter looked at his faithful teammates. If he was the one that was left behind, could he cheer them on so casually?

He couldnt.

Biting his lip under his mask, he gave a heavy nod.

Ill see you again. I promise.

His teammates laughed and told him that they got it, that he should go.

With that empty promise, Specter ran up the stairs, skipping multiple steps at a time.

He didnt look back. Because he couldnt afford to at the time..

Crash

Not even when the stair crumbled behind him and he couldnt hear their voices anymore. His eyes were fixed on the top of the stairs.

At that moment, he reached the top.

So youve finally come to my grave.

[The final boss for the area Earth, the Frost Queen, has appeared.]

[Upon her defeat, safe zones will be added.]

In the middle of the room, the Frost Queen sat on a frozen throne. Her legs were crossed, her demeanor elegant and aloof.

But Specter wasnt fooled by her alluring appearance. The aura that she radiated threatened to freeze everything around her.

Shing.

The sound of the weapon being drawn seemed to lower the temperature. Specter spoke in a flat voice.

Five years. Thats how long the world had been changed to become like a game. Lets end this.

End this?

The Frost Queen burst out in laughter, covering her lips with her slender fingers. Ahahaha! You really dont know anything about this world.

Im only here to kill you, why would I need to know such things?

Woooong!

Darkness surged around him, and the ice started to fill with black. The best player in the world, Specter Seo Jun-ho, opened his mouth.

All I need to confirm is your death and the end of this game.

Darkness and ice clashed, creating a massive explosion.

***

Haa, haa At the end of a long battle, the Frost Queen let out a violent cough. Her complexion was pale, but a smile teased at the edge of her lips.

I had fun.

I didnt.

With a sullen voice, an exhausted Seon Jun-ho swung his broken sword with as much force as he could muster.

Slice!

The Frost Queens head was no different from other living organisms. It was cut through cleanly.

At the same time, a message rang in his ears.

[Congratulations! The boss for area Earth, the Frost Queen, has been defeated.]

[You have received the title The One who Opens Spring.]

[Safe zones have been created on area Earth.]

Phew Seon Jun-ho let out a long breath.

Hed done it.

It had been 5 years since the world had become hell. Hed finally exacted revenge on the monsters whod stolen his normal life.

Mother, father.

Thinking of his parents, Seon Jun-ho looked at the digital clock with nervous eyes.

His teeth dug into his lips, bringing a metallic taste to his mouth.

Shit. Im so sorry.

Fight time: 76:48:16.

His comrades had already frozen long ago.

I I couldnt keep my promise. He looked at the ground in shame and exhaustion.

In that moment, a hellhound crawled out from the ground and started chewing at the Frost Queens body.

Crunch, crunch!

After it finished its scrumptious meal, the hellhound spit something out before it disappeared.

A nucleus.

It was a power source some of the monsters used. It was also a new energy source that had recently been in the spotlight.

My friends sacrificed themselves

Roll.

With a horrified expression, Seo Jun-ho reached down to pick it up.

For something like this.

But when he picked it up, a dizzying amount of messages appeared.

[Warning! You have started to absorb the Frost Queens nucleus.]

[Absorption percentage 0.001%]

[Because of the cold it radiates, the Frost Queens nucleus will cause your stats to drop to level one.]

[Strength 217->21]

[Stamina 201->24]

[Speed 225->26]

[Magic 183->18]

What?! Startled, Seon Jun-ho started to drop the nucleus, but it had already started to absorb through his skin.

Frost started to spread on his skin and he felt his blood flow and his heartbeat slow. The horrible chill filled his veins and his body. His joints went cold, and his chin shook uncontrollably, causing his teeth to chatter.

This crazy dungeon

Seon Jun-ho felt his consciousness slip, and froze.

***

Someone asked: Everyone, whats on November 11th?

In the past, they would have answered Pepero Day. But the answer changed in the year 2024.

Huh? Thats the Day of Heroes.

Is that even a question?

The Day of Heroes. After 2024, November 11th became the day that the five heroes saved the world. From the middle of October to the beginning of November, tickets to Korea sold like crazy.

There was a simple reason. On that one day, the frozen statues of the 5 heroes were put on display at the Seoul History Museum.

The result of such a world that was overrun with monsters

Thousands of people sat in their seats, listening to the suit-clad curator on stage. She spoke in Korean, but thanks to the live translation system, there was no one who couldnt understand.

In 2024, a monster that humanity could not quell appeared.

A kindergartener wearing a yellow hat raised their hand and yelled. The Frost Queen! I heard from my teacher!

Thats right. Our young friend is smart, the curator said with a smile. The Frost Queen was a monster that could freeze the southern Pacific with one wave of her hand. While everyone else lost hope, five people had hope in their hearts as they traveled to Antarctica.

The Nest Attack Team?

Right again. These legendary players achieved the most important thing in history.

The lights on the stage flicked off.

The curator swallowed as she looked at the audience. She pulled her hand back. The curtain was pulled aside, and five frozen statues stood behind a reinforced glass wall.

Today, we call them the Five Heroes. Please be respectful.

Cameras flashed all over. The audience was captivated by the statues. Some closed their eyes and said a prayer of thanks.

Thanks to the Five Heroes, the Frost Queen was defeated and numerous safe zones appeared. Additionally As the curator launched into a deep explanation, the kindergartener pointed, eyes wide.

T-the statue moved!

Oho, Im sorry. Thats incorrect. The curator smiled and shook her head. The temperature behind the wall is regulated 24/7 so there wont be

Crack. The curator paused at the peculiar sound and turned around. She cautiously took a step forward to check the statues beyond the wall. The sound had come from the direction of Specters mask-wearing statue. She let her gaze linger for a moment, but the statues had been fine for 25 years.

W-well, as I was saying. There wouldnt be any problems Shed barely gotten the words out of her mouth when one of the statues shattered and a person fell to the ground.

Ugheuh System filled his eyes and ears with messages.

[Absorption percentage 99.9999%]

[Absorption percentage 100%.]

[Congratulations. You have completely absorbed the Frost Queens nucleus.]

[You have received the new skill Frost(EX).]

[Level has been initialized.]

What is fu cold He slowly raised his gaze, meeting the eyes of a shocked audience.

Only

H-hes moving?

Holy shit! (tl/n text originally in english)

Hes alive Specter is alive! Hey! Someone call a doctor, right now!

Hey! This is front-page stuff. Start writing an article right away! I mean, if they let us! This is big news!

In an instant, the audience erupted in noise.