Joshua was back in his bed, touching his body to see if his lower half was missing. Then moving his hands all over to confirm that nothing of importance had gone missing. Though when he took off his shirt, he could see large scar on his chest. Joshua went over to put on another change of clothes. The Coat of Crimson did not suffer any form of damage or any sort of issues. Though Joshua was thinking of his next step.

He used his phone and looked around for details on fighting on an ice rink. It was roughly 50 meters away, and when Joshua arrived to see nobody there. There was a shop inside, it was clearly aimed at enthusiasts as it had shoes and many things inside.

Frost Pathmaker (Damaged)

Boots that were used to skate on snow, allows user to walk through snow and skate on surfaces made of ice.

These boots were damaged as a result of being left here to rot.

DEF 150 Special Bonuses

Ice Immunity

Ice attacks do not work to the legs and cannot cause freeze

Special Blade

Attacks with skates will damage and inflict freeze on enemies. Scaled by levels.

25% for levels within 1 to 20 levels higher of user.

5% at 21 levels higher than user.

This was convenient but it was damaged, Joshua wondered if there was a way to repair it. He looked at a similar looking ice skating boots and put them side by side. Waiting for something to happen. Well, what was Joshua thinking? There's no way that doing this will even do anything.

Then he heard a slight sound and a blue light that combined the two together.

Frost Pathmaker

Boots that were used to skate on snow, allows user to walk through snow and skate on surfaces made of ice.

DEF 350 Special Bonuses

Ice Immunity

Ice attacks do not work to the limbs and cannot cause freeze

Special Blade

Attacks with skates will damage and inflict freeze on enemies. Scaled by levels.

100% for levels within 1 to 20 levels higher of user.

25% at 21 levels higher than user.

The Garden of Thorns allows for equipment that is damaged to be repaired, however... It will only work within this place. When you leave this place, the method of repairing will be to visit special blacksmiths.

Another menu popped up.

Condition has changed.

Reward : Class + Mask of Thorns + Return Key.

Venerator : 1

Victory Condition : Obtain the items. 1/5.

Defeat Condition : None.

"The Seedling Must Be Cultivated Properly."

So now, Joshua's victory condition is to find the other items. So he put on the Frost Pathmaker boots and went to the ice skating rink. Trying to find his balance was tough as Joshua kept falling with every move he made. Trying to push onwards, he kept falling. Tripping repeatedly. One time landing on his chin. Another one where he fell on his forehead. Joshua kept going refusing to stop.

Frustrated but it did not stop him. The boots did say you can walk and skate on ice but to skate. You need to learn the technique to stand and move. Joshua kept at it until he fell backwards, head first.Then taking a look at his phone, looking for videos on the web to learn about it. Trying to understand things bit by bit. That was going to be helpful.

Trying again, Joshua was able to get it right. Now skating through the ice rink with ease, still trying to get used to the feeling of the wind from moving faster. So next, was to try it out against Bayran's domain. Moments later, Joshua was inside the domain and he started to skate around the area.

"Begone!" Bayran's voice was strong, the wind itself pushed Joshua back a few meters but at least he did not fly off like the other time. He would hear three loud sounds before a roar. So when Joshua hears the loud noises, he immediately takes cover behind a tree. Then watching as large boulders of snow fly into his direction. It was not directly aimed at him, but rather aimed at any sound Joshua makes.

Could this creature be blind? Joshua was getting closer, the trees were getting lesser and lesser. It was reaching a point where the trees had been uprooted. Joshua then could see a creature in the middle, it was a white snowy dragon. It seems there was something stuck to its right leg. A pair of swords, the Cherry Blossoms. This creature was rampaging loudly, stomping and continously roaring. No clear indication of what it wishes to do. Joshua ran straight for the blades then being sent flying back a short distance. It was more likely to be in pain from the blades themselves.

Taking a risky move, Joshua skates through the roars in a circle. Gradually getting closer and closer instead of just running straight at it. This was a slower approach but risky as he cannot predict how the dragon will move.

Cherry Blossom's(0% Awakening. Stage Zero)

A pair of Shashkas that are part of the Thorn's arsenal. It was owned by the first Thorn's sworn friend and comrade in arms.

The blade belonged to one of the Noir Dancers, a blade that was given to the Thorn as something to remember him by.

Attack Power 125 Sharpness Divine

The blade can be awakened should the conditions be met.

The Cherry Blossom Shashkas, they did not have a handguard and were easier to hold compared to the others. Such a blade was light, and it was stronger than Sheena's Love and Todd's Tears.

"Ah... The pain is gone... Oh, so you must be the new Thorn." Joshua heard, a voice then he looked around.

"Ahem." The voice made noise, but Joshua was looking around, unaware of the voice being Bayran itself.

"You seem far clueless, human. I cannot fathom how you can survive this ordeal. Tell me, why are you here?" Bayran spoke to Joshua with a deep voice. Joshua was trying to figure out if Bayran was speaking or whispering to him, considering Bayran's size and stature.

"Yes... I am clueless.. I don't know where am I or what am I doing. I just want to get out, and only way I can do that is if I get all the items." Joshua answered as he sat down on his butt, taking a deep breath of relief.

"I see... I apologize for my words earlier... I have grasped the situation. You are the only human left and the orcs that were present in that fortress they made... They have all died by your hands. You are a young one, Thorn. Only 16... Most of the Thorns awakened at the age of 20 or 21 at the least." Bayran seemed to know more about it, but why was he calling Joshua a Thorn?

"You may be a Seedling, but I understand that you are a Thorn. Yet, I can also tell that you carry a grave burden on your shoulders. You must have had it rough as a child." Bayran's words were enough to make Joshua tear up. Trying to keep his tears from falling and not wanting to make noise in front of this great being.

"Do not hold your tears, Thorn. There is nothing wrong with crying. For perhaps, you've stayed here for far too long. I've watched many others give up before they reach the end... From the beginning of time itself, there have only been few Garden of Thorns. I do hope you reach to the end of this." Bayran added on, as Joshua let all of his emotions pour out. The snow was kind, as snowflakes fell to Joshua's head and to his hands. A gentle winter breeze and the astute look of Bayran who was glancing at Joshua with its red eyes.

"You've gotten the Coat of Crimson and Cherry Blossoms. The next piece of equipment you will need will be from Asim, the Ancient of Autumn. He holds the Garden's Gauntlets. That blade has been stuck for at least 500 years. So having it removed is a blessing of its own. I will ensure that the flowers bloom even in winter, oh Thorn. Do not be worried. Be warned, Asim will face you to the best of his abilities. Do expect to lose to him." Bayran explained as the white dragon raised its claw, pointing to the distance. Joshua turned to see a pillar of yellow light appear. Joshua watched as the thick snow fade away, where the flowers and grass returned to life. They all bloomed beautifully.

"Asim awaits your pressence. Take care young Thorn. Feel free to come here if you wish to sleep without being bothered in the nights. Always remember, no path is set in stone. Your actions will change everything."Bayran explained to Joshua.

"Thank you... For your kindness." Joshua said with a bow, then seeing Bayran show his dragon teeth. Perhaps that was the dragon smiling? Joshua went back to the shopping mall. Stepping back into his room, a quick shower. His chest feels lighter. The kindness that Bayran showed made Joshua wary of the system. It said that Bayran would view anyone that steps into his domain as nuisances but he seemed to be kind.

Or was it just one of those things that is used to scare beginners or to discourage people from going forward? Joshua did not think much of it as he put on his clothes and went to sleep.