Infinite Armory: Modern Weapon and Demonic Interface – [Nation-Building LITRPG]

[Items & Logistics Department Interface] [Search: N2 Container For Human Storage] [Open Sell Menu] [EP: 7,660,000]

N2 Human Storage Tank + Content = 10,000 EP.

Bell pressed the button, and the tank materialized right next to the bed. The tank was enormous, a massive horizontal cylinder designed specifically for preserving a deceased body, preventing any degradation. He understood that this was their best shot at saving the Ice Spirit. If this affordable solution proved effective, it could be a game-changer for them. After all, supplying a fire spirit with a crimson flame would provide her with an ecstasy-like sensation instead of burning her alive.

Eldrin, still grappling with his emotions, observed skeptically. "And this... will it really save her?"

"It's worth a shot," Lisa replied, her voice a mix of determination and anxiety. "This tank can lower temperatures to levels much colder than we can achieve here. It might just stabilize her condition."

Together, they delicately transferred the Ice Spirit into the tank, taking care not to worsen her injuries. As they sealed the tank, a deep, resonant hum filled the chamber, and the temperature within remained steady at the liquid nitrogen level, which was five times colder than the surrounding environment. This drastic drop in temperature could significantly improve the Ice Spirit's chances of reconstructing her body.

With the Ice Spirit now safely encased in the N2 Human Preservation Tank, the group observed attentively as the tank's temperature stabilized at the frigid level of liquid nitrogen. This extreme cold, surpassing the icy cavern's ambient temperatures, provided the ideal conditions for the Ice Spirit's unique physiology.

Bell closely monitored the tank's readouts, taking note of the stark contrast between the frigid interior and the surrounding environment. "If our theory holds true," he remarked, "this intense cold should aid in her regeneration, especially considering she's an entity of ice."

Eldrin, gradually letting go of his skepticism in favor of cautious optimism, remained fixated on the tank. "In our legends, Ice Spirits could heal from almost any wound in their own icy realms. Perhaps, just perhaps, this environment is akin to her natural habitat."

Lisa, still grappling with the surreal nature of their situation, chimed in, "If she lacks internal organs like us, her recovery hinges entirely on the ice itself reforming and healing. This could be the perfect solution."

As hours passed, with occasional glances, a subtle transformation started to take place within the tank. The once jagged and torn wound on her torso began to exhibit signs of reconstitution. The large, gaping wound gradually began to close, with the ice around it crystallizing and knitting together.

Lisa couldn't help but smile, as the makeshift solution appeared to be working as intended. The trio watched in awe as the Ice Spirit's form slowly regained its original, unblemished shape. It was a gradual process, but the progress was undeniable. The regeneration, fueled by the extreme cold, seemed to be making a difference.

Eldrin, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke, his voice a mix of relief and lingering concern. "She's healing... but will she awaken? Will she be the same?"

"That's something we'll have to wait and see," Lisa replied. "Her physical form is one thing, but her consciousness, her spirit... that's another matter."

As the night wore on, the tank's humming became a constant background to their vigil. They took turns resting, always ensuring that one of them was monitoring both the Ice Spirit's condition and the tank's status, checking for an adequate supply of liquid nitrogen. Remarkably, the temperature held steady, showing no signs of dropping.

Finally, as the clock struck midnight, when Lisa glanced at the tank, a noticeable change occurred. The Ice Spirit's fully restored body began to emit a soft, blue glow. Then, slowly, her eyes fluttered open, revealing the deep sapphire gaze that had been dormant for so long.

"You two, wake up! I'm witnessing a miracle here!" Lisa exclaimed.

Bell immediately snapped awake from the floor where he had been sleeping, and Eldrin had already stirred upon hearing Lisa's shout. They both peered through the opening on that container and saw the Ice Spirit slowly regaining consciousness. Bell smiled, marveling at the progress. He had believed it would work, but he hadn't anticipated such remarkable results.

Initially confused, the Ice Spirit looked around, her gaze eventually settling on Eldrin. A faint smile graced her lips as recognition dawned. "Eldrin..." Her voice was feeble but clear.

Tears welled up in Eldrin's eyes as he rushed to the tank. "Yes, it's me. You're safe now." Eldrin's reunion with his wife, the Ice Spirit, was a poignant and emotional moment, filled with profound relief.

Bell and Lisa then clapped their hands together in celebration, marking the success of their mission. This act was intended to gain Eldrin's trust. With the Ice Spirit now in perfect health, their relationship with the elven village was poised to improve rapidly. However, amid the jubilation, they were acutely aware that numerous questions remained unanswered. Who was responsible for the attack? What motivated it? Was it a mere accident, or was there truly a demon working as a bounty hunter with the intent to kill the Ice Spirit?

Eldrin attempted to lift the Ice Spirit from the tank, but she declined, choosing to remain in the tank a while longer to regain her strength. Eldrin respected her wishes. Meanwhile, Lisa and Bell directed their attention to the room's most peculiar clue: the lifeless body of a demon lying there. Bell contemplated whether this might have been a crime of passion, a frightened, low-ranked soldier stumbling upon a cave and inadvertently killing the Ice Spirit.

Still, he harbored doubts about Eldrin accepting a simple explanation like, "The soldier accidentally killed your wife." Yet, at present, it was the unvarnished truth. Bell sensed that delving deeper into the investigation would consume too much time when the solution to their immediate problem lay before them. Nevertheless, with his wife now safe and sound, he hoped that things would soon return to normal.

As Eldrin remained vigilant beside the Ice Spirit, affording her the necessary time to recover within the N2 Human Preservation Tank, Bell and Lisa grappled with the enigma of the deceased demon in the room. Bell, a seasoned strategist, wrestled with the dilemma of whether to accept the situation as a tragic accident or continue probing for hidden truths.

Lisa, with her sharp eye for detail, meticulously examined the demon's body. "This doesn't appear to be the result of a chance encounter," she remarked. "The way he's dressed and the weapon he's carrying... it all seems too deliberate. The bullet even seems to have an incendiary property. It's as if this demon had a specific purpose here. Is there any way to trace this back to the empire's involvement?"

Bell nodded, his thoughts racing through various scenarios. "You're absolutely right. This could be a case of mistaken identity, or worse, a deliberate attempt to eliminate the Ice Spirit. Regardless, I want to get to the bottom of it, but at the moment, our resources are severely limited. Let's consider this case closed for now, arrange for an honorable burial for the deceased, and then proceed with the autopsy."

"Agreed. An autopsy might provide us with valuable insights after all we've been through," Lisa added.

"Exactly," Bell concurred.

With the decision made to conduct an autopsy on the deceased demon in order to gather more information, Bell and Lisa prepared to move forward with their investigation. Bell acquired a body bag and carefully wrapped the body in plastic while calling for the Blackhawk to rendezvous with their location. Meanwhile, Eldrin remained by the tank, his unwavering attention fixed on the Ice Spirit, Aurora, as she continued to regain her strength.

After a while, the Ice Spirit signaled that she was ready to exit the tank. Eldrin, a mix of eagerness and concern in his expression, provided her with assistance. The tank's lid opened, and a cold mist billowed out as the Ice Spirit gracefully emerged. Her movements were fluid and ethereal, as graceful as Bell would have expected from a high-ranking spirit. With the ornate throne and furniture in the chamber, she exuded an air of regal elegance, almost like an ice queen.

The Ice Spirit stood before them, her presence almost otherworldly. She embodied the purity and elegance of ice, her aura exuding a sense of calm and serenity. "Thank you," she said, her voice harmonious and soothing. "My name is Aurora. You have saved me from the brink of dissolution."

Bell, always mindful of protocol and courtesy, particularly when dealing with beings of significant power and stature like Aurora, addressed her with the utmost respect. "Aurora, it is an honor to meet you. We are grateful to have been able to assist in your recovery," he replied, his voice carrying a sincere tone of respect, even though, in truth, they were equals.

Aurora, sensing their genuine respect, responded cordially to their gestures of goodwill. "I am deeply thankful for your kindness and respect. It's reassuring to know that I have allies like you during these trying times," she expressed. She then surprised everyone by kissing Eldrin on the cheek. However, the kiss unexpectedly escalated into a passionate French kiss, catching Lisa and Bell off guard.

"Eldrin, if you need us, we'll be waiting outside," Bell said as he carried the body bag with one hand, and Lisa the other end of the bag.

"There's a room on the left," Aurora added before the air in the cave began to warm.

As Bell and Lisa exited the main chamber, an icy door suddenly formed in the wall where they had entered. The ice was cloudy, obscuring any view of what was happening on the other side. However, there was a path leading to the left at the T-junction. Yet, the priority was to transport the body to the base for examination, to determine who this demon was and whether Tomas had any knowledge of him.

Outside, Bell called for the Blackhawk to rendezvous with their location. Meanwhile, Lisa settled into the room Aurora had provided, asking Bell if he wanted to furnish it, which he gladly agreed to. Bell waited outside for about an hour, during which he realized it wasn't as cold as Aurora's inner sanctum. Eventually, the Blackhawk arrived, and Bell handed over the body for autopsy before they departed.

Now, it was time for some well-deserved rest.