Reincarnated as a Snow Leopard with a System

The Moonlit Hollow was gripped by an unnatural stillness, the faint hum of the artifact thrumming through the frozen ground like a heartbeat. The jagged ice formations surrounding it seemed to lean inward, as if bowing to its power—or bracing against it.

Aria crouched low near the hollow's edge, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the horizon. The Frost Mink clung to her back, trembling slightly as it let out soft, anxious chirps.

"I know," she muttered, her tail flicking sharply. "It's not over yet."

The ground beneath her paws trembled faintly, a ripple of energy passing through the snow. Aria's claws dug into the frozen earth as her instincts flared.

"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "What's happening now?"

"Artifact resonance destabilizing. Probability of hostile attraction: 50%. Estimated time frame: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Classification: Extreme."

Her fur bristled. "What's causing the destabilization?"

"Cause unidentified. Monitoring advised."

---

Xuan Hao was seated near the artifact, his blade balanced across his knees as he examined the faint crimson barrier surrounding it. The glowing threads of energy flickered erratically, pulsing in uneven rhythms.

"It's acting up again," he said, glancing at Aria.

She growled softly, her claws scraping against the ground. "No kidding."

He smirked faintly, tilting his head. "You're not going to blame me for it, are you?"

Her sharp blue eyes blazed. "If you don't shut up, I might."

Xuan Hao chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax. Whatever's coming, we'll handle it."

---

The Frost Mink scurried down from Aria's back, bounding toward the stream where its companions had gathered. Their tiny chirps echoed softly as they huddled together, their movements restless.

Aria watched them for a moment, her sharp blue eyes softening briefly.

"They know something's coming," she thought, her tail swishing sharply. "Even they can feel it."

The smallest mink glanced back at her, chirping nervously as it pressed against the others.

Aria sighed, turning her gaze back to the horizon. "Stay close, little ones. This is going to get ugly."

---

The hollow grew colder as the moments passed, the biting wind cutting through the stillness like a blade. The artifact's glow flickered more erratically, its hum deepening into a low, vibrating growl.

"System," Aria thought, her claws flexing. "How many this time?"

"Hostiles detected: Frostscale Lizard (2), Abyssal Wolf Pack (3), and Frostmaw Basilisk (1). Threat levels: Severe to Extreme."

Her fur bristled. "A Frostmaw Basilisk? Are you serious?"

"Confirmed. Frostmaw Basilisk identified. Caution strongly advised."

---

Xuan Hao stood, his blade glowing faintly in the artifact's light. His dark eyes narrowed as he glanced at Aria. "That name doesn't sound promising."

She growled softly, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "It's not. That thing's a nightmare."

"Then we'll just have to make sure it's their nightmare," he said, his smirk faint but confident.

Aria huffed, her claws scraping against the ground. "If you die, I'm not dragging your body out of here."

Xuan Hao chuckled, his tone light. "Noted."

---

The first hostile appeared as a shadow moving through the jagged ice formations, its sleek black body blending into the darkness. An Abyssal Wolf stepped forward, its glowing red eyes locked onto the artifact.

Behind it, the rest of the pack emerged, their low growls rumbling through the hollow.

"I'll take the wolves," Xuan Hao said, his blade gleaming as he stepped forward.

"Just don't get in my way," Aria growled, her sharp blue eyes flicking to the horizon.

---

The Frostscale Lizards slithered into view next, their icy blue scales shimmering as they approached the artifact. Each step left a trail of frost behind them, the air around them growing colder.

Aria darted toward them, her claws glowing faintly as she activated Spirit Step.

"Spirit Step Mastery: Increased stamina efficiency and enhanced agility."

She phased through the first lizard's icy tail, reappearing behind it to deliver a precise strike to its vulnerable hind leg. The creature hissed, its movements faltering as it turned to face her.

The second lizard lunged, its frost-coated claws swiping at her with deadly precision. Aria twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack before countering with a powerful strike to its underbelly.

"System," she thought, her sharp blue eyes blazing. "How resilient are these things?"

"Frostscale Lizards possess moderate durability. Focused strikes recommended to neutralize frost aura."

Her claws raked through the first lizard's flank, its icy body shattering under the force of her attack.

---

Xuan Hao moved with practiced ease as the Abyssal Wolves lunged at him. His blade flashed crimson as he parried their strikes, each movement precise and deadly.

The first wolf lunged for his throat, but he sidestepped smoothly, delivering a devastating slash that left the creature crumpling to the ground.

The second and third wolves attacked in unison, their claws tearing through the snow as they coordinated their movements.

Xuan Hao's dark eyes glinted as he activated a burst of crimson energy, his blade cutting through the air with a sharp whistle. The wolves howled as his strikes found their marks, leaving them staggering back in defeat.

"Not bad," he muttered, his smirk widening as he turned to face the final wolf. "Let's finish this."

---

The Frostmaw Basilisk emerged from the shadows, its massive form dwarfing the other hostiles. Its white, armored scales glinted in the faint light, and its glowing blue eyes burned with predatory intent. Frost coated its jaws, and with each breath, the air around it seemed to crystallize.

Aria crouched low, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. "System, weak points?"

"Frostmaw Basilisk weak points identified: Lower jaw and tail base. Caution: High durability and frost aura detected."

The basilisk let out a deafening roar, its massive tail lashing out and shattering an ice formation in its path.

Aria darted forward, activating Lunar Veil to disappear into the shadows.

"Lunar Veil II: Enhanced stealth duration and reduced energy cost detected."

She reappeared beneath the basilisk, her claws glowing as she struck its tail base with a powerful blow. The creature roared in pain, its massive body twisting as it turned to face her.

Frost began to gather around its mouth, and with another thunderous roar, it unleashed a wave of icy energy that froze the ground in jagged shards.

Aria leaped onto its back, her claws digging into its armored scales as she climbed toward its vulnerable jaw.

"Xuan Hao!" she barked, her sharp blue eyes flicking toward him. "I need an opening!"

He nodded, his blade glowing crimson as he charged forward. With a precise strike, he targeted the basilisk's hind leg, forcing the creature to stumble.

Aria seized the opportunity, driving her claws into the basilisk's lower jaw with all her strength. The creature let out one final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive form shaking the ground as it fell.

---

The hollow fell silent, save for the faint hum of the artifact.

Aria slumped onto the snow, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Xuan Hao stood nearby, his blade dripping with blood as he surveyed the battlefield.

"Still alive?" he asked, his tone light.

She growled softly, her tail flicking. "Barely. You?"

He smirked faintly. "Still standing."

The Frost Mink scurried over, chirping softly as it nuzzled against Aria's side.

"For now," she thought, her sharp blue eyes drifting shut, "we've survived. But the next wave will be worse."