?


    "How many monsters have you killed?"


    The tip of my de, pressed against her neck, its glint of steel reflecting in her emerald eyes.


    I could see her flinching slightly, a flicker of fear crossing her face before sheposed herself, and maintained herposure.


    "Not a lot..."


    She spoke, trying to inch away from my Authority, however, I kept my grip firm, not allowing her to escape.


    "How many points do you have then?"


    I scrutinized her doll-like face, waiting for her answer.


    This time it took Katarina a few more moments to respond, her emerald eyes piercing into my soul.


    "73 Points..."


    Hearing her answer, I could help but let out a smallugh. The bear that she just killed was an E Rank Monster, which was worth 100 Points, and yet she only had 73 Points to her name.


    ''Does she think I''m stupid?''


    Taking a seat before her, I rested my elbows on my knees and looked into her eyes.


    Swish...


    Mana began to flow around me, a soft goldenyer forming around my body,


    "What are you doing?!"


    Katarina eximed as I extended my hand toward her.


    "HEY!"


    She shouted when I ced my hand on her stomach, however, I kept quiet as I focused on engravingplicated runes into her cloth.


    I could feel her body tense up beneath my touch, her frantic thoughts racing through her mind.


    The process took several minutes, Katarina struggling to shake my hands off, but eventually, she gave up, realizing her efforts were futile.


    Swish...


    After engraving two intricate runes, I removed my hand from her stomach, feeling my Mana receding


    "Okay, now I''ve ced a Rune on your body..."


    Sighing I waved my hand, activating one of the runes embedded in her cloth.


    "Lying will now result in immediate pain."


    Katarina''s eyes widened in shock as she processed my words. She bit her lip hard, trying to say something but her fear and the pain of the rune silenced her.


    "So... how many points do you have?"


    Silently, I observed as she squirmed ufortably, her eyes darting around the area.


    I almost felt bad, but I knew that it was necessary to ensure she didn''t lie.


    She was not dumb and knew that if her point count was too high, I would eliminate her on the spot.


    "344..."


    However, in the end, while gritting her teeth, she revealed her true point count, which honestly made me raise an eyebrow in surprise.


    Although I expected the point to be high, never did I think that she would have amassed such a substantial number of points.


    "..."


    I could see Katarina''s body trembling slightly as she awaited my reaction.


    The Combat Exam was a crucial assessment in determining our abilities and readiness for real-lifebat situations and failing it...


    Well, it would have serious consequences for our future prospects.


    However, I didn''t n to mess up everything for my possible futurepanion by throwing her out of thepetition.


    That would be just dumb and I would, of course, gain her hostility.


    Click...


    I essed my Spatial Ring and retrieved a Health potion from it.


    "..."


    Without saying anything, I pressed it against her lips and gently poured the potion into her mouth.


    I could see a myriad of emotions flitting across Katarina''s face as she drank the potion - surprise, curiosity, and a hint of gratitude.


    I could fully understand her. The amount of points she had was quite a lot and eliminating her was the wisest decision, but instead, I didn''t.


    There was also a chance that she would attack as soon as she regained control, but I already had countermeasures in ce to handle any potential threat.


    The second Rune on her body was an Explosive one, which I could trigger remotely in case of any hostile actions.


    It wouldn''t kill her but surely knock her unconscious.


    "Ughhh..."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    After she drank the health potion, I watched as she groaned in pain, her arm bones cracking back in ce and causing her to grimace.


    It took around a few minutes for the effects of the health potion to fully kick in, and as the pain subsided, Katarina''s body started to visibly rx.


    She let out a sigh of relief, her tense muscles gradually loosening.


    "Thank you..."


    She looked at me through her lush eyshes, however, her eyes were still cautious and wary.


    "Mhmm..."


    Nodding my head, I gave her a small smile before rising to my feet.


    "You probably understand that I didn''t eliminate you for a reason."


    cing my hands into my jacket pockets, I casually continued.


    "I have a use for you."


    With a flick of my wrist, I pointed north, where the blizzard seemed to be even harsher.


    "I found a D Rank monster and I need assistance in taking it down."


    While speaking, I could see Katarina''s eyes shimmering with a mixture of intrigue and uncertainty.


    I could be lying, I could be trying to manipte her, I could be setting a trap...


    However, what would be my reason?


    I already had a chance to eliminate her and didn''t, so my intentions should be clear.


    Scanning me with a scrutinizing gaze, Katarina finally spoke, her voice tinged with skepticism.


    "How are we even supposed to defeat a D Rank monster?"


    She pinched her nose bridge, trying to process the information I had just shared.


    I didn''t me her for the skepticism in her voice though.


    Although I didn''t know her Rank, it was clear that defeating a D Rank monster would be a formidable challenge for someone of her level.


    "I have a n."


    However, I barely weaved my hand, before stretching my back.


    I could see her emerald eyes narrowing slightly as she observed my nonchnt demeanor, however, there was a spark of curiosity in her gaze as well.


    "I''ll also pay you, so let''s go..."


    Myst sentence, though, was a tiebreaker, instantly sparking her interest.


    "My name is Katarina, pleasure doing business with you~"


    Yep.


    I was correct.


    She had a kink for money.


    ***


    Whoosh...


    The blizzard raged with a relentless fury as if the very gods were hurling their anger upon thend. The wind howled and whistled, cutting through the air like a thousand vengeful spirits. Snowkes danced like spectral wraiths, their icy touch stinging any exposed skin.


    The frozenndscape was a realm of white chaos, where visibility was a mere memory and every step forward felt like a battle against nature itself.


    Within this tempest''s hearty a hidden marvel – a colossal crater, an enigmatic scar on the wintry canvas. The crater''s edges jutted upwards like the teeth of some primordial beast, their jagged formations pointing defiantly at the heavens. It was as if the earth itself had trembled before a cosmic force, and in its trembling, had given birth to this eerie spectacle.


    It was not a sight one would see every day.


    Deep within the crater''s frozen embracey a tform, an ind of stillness amid the chaos. The tform defied the wind''s icy grasp as if it was untouched by the blizzard''s rage. It beckoned to any who dared approach, promising an otherworldly confrontation that would dance between life and death.


    And there, upon that stage,y the Frostfire Tiger, a creature of stark contrasts, a symphony of majesty and terror. Its fur was a canvas of glistening white, each hair a frozen testament to its dominion over this frozen wastnd.


    Stripes of icy blue adorned its form, a captivating contrast against the ethereal white backdrop. With every ripple of its muscles, the creature''s strength and prowess were evident, a force of nature in its own right.


    The Frostfire Tiger''s massive paws were a promise of annihtion, each w a glinting de honed by eons of survival.


    Its tail, long and serpentine, flicked restlessly like a coiled spring, itstent power begging to be unleashed. Yet, it was the creature''s head thatmanded attention – a visage of calcted intelligence and predatory instincts. Its eyes, icy blue and as cold as the heart of the blizzard itself, held a gaze that seemed to pierce through the storm, reaching out to something beyond the chaos.


    Whoosh...


    Within the maelstrom of howling wind and swirling snowkes, the Frostfire Tiger''s eyes snapped open with an ethereal glow. It was as if the storm itself yielded to its presence, granting a moment of stillness to this majestic hunter.


    Those icy blue eyes scanned the tumultuous expanse, their luminous intensity searching, seeking, sensing.


    Then, the creature''s head turned, a mere fraction butden with significance. Its attention was drawn, its senses ignited by a distant disturbance amidst the blizzard. A presence had caught its notice, a potential quarry within the frozen abyss. The predator was alert, ready to stalk and strike, to embrace the sh of elements in a ballet of survival.


    Grrr...


    A low growl resonated from the depths of the Frostfire Tiger''s throat as if warning anyone approaching.


    Do not approach itsir...