The Forsaken Heir's Ascension-Chapter 169: Frost Bear in the Forest

But just as the cold steel neared Alex’s throat—Alex’s eyes snapped open, glowing purple with deadly focus.

Whoosh!

Selene’s ice lances shot forward from behind, howling through the air toward the assassin’s back.

Hati lunged with a feral growl, teeth bared.

Clang!

The assassin’s dagger was deflected at the last second, parried by Alex’s conjured shadow blade.

In an instant, shadow daggers materialized around Alex like a swarm of arrows and launched toward the assassin’s vital points.A barrage of attacks descended all at once.

But the assassin dissolved into black smoke and shot across the cave, materializing again at the far wall.

A muffled groan escaped him.

Blood trickled down his thigh and arm, staining the snow-flecked stone beneath him.He glared, eyes narrowed at the three figures now standing in defiance.

Alex and Selene stood side by side, Hati at Alex’s right flank, snarling.

Above and around them, ice lances and shadow daggers hovered, ready to strike.Then—the assassin’s body twitched.His eyes widened in shock. His muscles spasmed as searing pain wracked his nerves.He stumbled and growled, "Poison...!"

Alex narrowed his eyes. "So... you can talk."

The man’s growl deepened. His composure broke. The pain twisted his expression with rage.He raised the dagger again, spitting venom through his teeth:"You commoner trash! You have no right to live on our land!"

Alex’s brow furrowed.He doesn’t know about my background... then who is really behind this? Who wants me dead badly enough to hire a Saint assassin— and why?Unlike Alex, Selene wasn’t composed. Rage burned in her eyes.She unleashed a barrage of ice lances, raining them down like a storm upon the assassin.

But he moved with fluid precision, dodging most with ease—and those he couldn’t evade were blocked by a dark, swirling shield that pulsed around him like smoke turned solid.

Selene didn’t stop. Her hands moved swiftly, aura surging around her.From the ground, multiple beasts emerged—wolves and tigers made from glittering crystal ice, their forms sharp and elegant.With glowing blue eyes, they pounced toward the man with feral grace.

The assassin chuckled, amused by what he considered childish tricks.With a wave of his hand, a suffocating black aura erupted from him, snaking like living smoke.

Squelch!

Dark spikes pierced the icy creatures, one by one.

Crack!

Shatter!

The beasts exploded into shards, scattering like broken glass across the cave floor. A soft, glittering chime echoed with each fragment that hit the stone.The black smoke retracted slowly, coiling back into the assassin’s form like a living shadow.But his smile faded.He staggered—eyes unfocused, his breaths ragged. The pain from Alex’s earlier attack surged again, digging deeper.His expression twisted in agony as his body trembled, the poison gnawing at his mind like icy fire.He backed away slowly—then, with a final grunt of pain, leapt toward the entrance.The ice spikes cracked beneath his force, and he slipped through the opening—vanishing into the cold night, his body trailing shadows.

Silence returned.Alex and Selene exhaled in unison, their bodies finally relaxing.Alex glanced at Hati, who remained faithfully by his side, fur bristled, teeth bared but unmoving.

Alex gave him a small nod."It was good you didn’t attack recklessly. He’s stronger than we thought."

Selene nodded silently in agreement, her chest still rising with deep breaths.Alex turned to her, voice calm but firm. "We’re weak, Selene. That man—he’s at the peak of Saint level... maybe just one step away from crossing into the Sage Stage itself."

Selene swallowed and nodded again, more slowly this time.

Alex stepped forward. "Let’s move. I’m sure he’ll come back again. Let’s put some distance between us."

Slowly, they descended the mountain, heading toward the dark forest. The forest was blanketed in snow, with towering pine trees standing so close together it seemed as though they formed walls. No light pierced the thick canopy above, and the ground was hidden beneath a thick layer of snow.

The pair, with Hati padding silently behind them, entered the dense woods. A much colder wind brushed against Alex’s face, making him shiver.

Their boots crunched softly on the frozen earth, the only sound in the heavy silence. The air carried a faint scent of decaying leaves, laced with the fresh, sharp aroma of pine.

Shadows completely cloaked the forest. As they advanced, careful to avoid low-hanging branches and the winding, slippery paths, a sudden rustling sound broke the stillness.

Their muscles tensed. Instinctively, their auras flared.

They raised their heads, eyes narrowing—and spotted a white squirrel perched on a branch, its red eyes gleaming and long front teeth jutting out.

Startled by their presence, the squirrel scurried away into the foliage.

Alex let out a long sigh and eased his stance, followed by Selene and Hati, who relaxed slightly.

They kept moving.The entire day had passed without rest.

Weariness tugged at their limbs, but the fear of the unknown assassin lurking in the shadows—and the haunting silence of the forest—clung to them like frost, keeping their nerves taut and senses sharp.

A little farther away, nestled between stone outcroppings and twisted trees bending overhead like a natural roof, a deep growl echoed from within a shadowy cave.

From the darkness, a massive bear emerged—its fur shimmered with icy white luster, and its eyes glowed crimson.

The beast rose upright, towering and imposing.

ROARRR!

The thunderous roar echoed through the dark forest, sending birds scattering into the night sky. The bear sniffed the air, its breath fogging in the cold. A wicked smile spread across its snout, revealing long, jagged fangs.A low, guttural growl rumbled from its chest. "Humans..."

It turned and retreated into the cave, reappearing moments later holding a thick, club-like baton. The rough weapon looked as if it had been torn from a tree, its surface gnarled and splintered—almost as thick as a tree trunk’s base.

The frost bear gave it a few experimental swings, then began marching toward its prey.

Far from the cave, Alex and Selene heard the distant roar.A cold shiver ran down their spines.Their pace quickened, anxiety clear on their faces.

But fate was rarely kind.

Thud.

Thud.

Crunch.

Heavy footsteps thundered from their right. The sound of trees snapping and crashing to the ground followed.

Alex’s eyes met Selene’s."Run," he whispered sharply.

They bolted through the snow-covered forest, their breath sharp and fast, leaving behind the terrifying sounds of the creature giving chase.

Behind them, another bestial roar rang out—and then the crashing sounds multiplied.The frost bear was coming.

The monster’s thunderous steps sent shockwaves through the ground, shaking trees and causing chunks of ice to fall in Alex and Selene’s path, momentarily blocking them. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

The monster was closing in fast.Alex glanced back—and froze for a second.The creature was a humanoid frost bear, towering and terrifying. Its glowing red eyes burned with savage hunger, fangs bared in a twisted grin. In one massive hand, it wielded a tree-sized baton, and icy patterns marked its snout, adding to its ferocity.

Alex swallowed hard, fear gripping his chest. He looked at Hati, already calculating.We have to get out of here—now—or we won’t make it.

Selene’s eyes widened as she caught sight of the frost bear grinning down at them."Damn!" she thought. "Can’t these monsters give us a break? I just wanted a little peaceful time with Alex..."

Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience