Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Storm Splitter

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Riley didn’t hesitate. She pulled out that enhancement scroll and used it on the axes in her hands.

A shimmering green light wrapped around both blades. Dark golden patterns, like twisting vines, etched themselves into the steel. The handles shifted, molded to her grip now, like they’d been made for her hands.

“Obtained: Storm Splitter Dual Axes (Uncommon/Green)

“Attribute 1: Strength +3 (Two axes, twice the hurt)

“Attribute 2: Dual–Wielder’s Frenzy (Attack speed increased by 15% while dual–wielding, stamina drain reduced by 20%)

“Description: Not just for lumber anymore. These’ll split heads just fine. You’re a one–woman wrecking

crew now.

Riley tightened her grip. Power surged from her palms through her arms, down into her core.

She pulled up her stats.

“Current Strength: 17 (Base + Title) + 3 (Weapon) = 20 points”

Twenty points.

What did that mean?

Peak adult male topped out around ten. Trained fighters, maybe twelve or thirteen. Twenty? That was past human limits. Superhuman.

“Crack.”

She squeezed the handle. Just testing.

“This… feels good.”

Then she walked toward the gate.

“Clang.”

Latch up. Door open.

Ghouls packed outside lunged the second it swung wide.

Riley’s eyes went cold. Didn’t even dodge.

Right axe swept sideways. Left axe came down vertical.

“Thud. Thud.”

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Chapter 22 Storm Splitter

Two hits. Almost the same sound.

Both Ghouls flew back.

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One’s head caved like a smashed pumpkin. Other lost half its shoulder. Black blood sprayed across the

snow.

Their bodies faded as they hit the ground. Like they were never there.

“Killed Low–Tier Ghoul, +1 EXP

“Killed Low–Tier Ghoul, +1 EXP”

System pinged in her ear. She ignored it.

She was already moving past the fence.

Something clicked inside her. She became death in the snowstorm.

Those axes turned into silver cyclones.

Twenty Strength plus the attack speed bonus? Slow shambling Ghouls went down like she was clearing brush.

One tried to jump her from the side. She didn’t even turn. Just swung back blind. Caught it square in the chest.

“Crack!”

Ribs shattered. It flew back, took out three more behind it.

Maybe adrenaline. Maybe something else. But facing this for the first time? She wasn’t scared. Felt good, actually.

She carved a path through the Ghoul ring around her fence.

But there were too many.

More kept coming. The noise drew them in from everywhere.

“Roar!”

Out by the trees, more shadows staggered out of the dark. Joined the swarm.

Riley dropped the last one in front of her. Glanced toward the woods.

Sylvie, still up in that tree, saw the ring thinning. Shifted to cougar. Tried making a break for the trees. Got a few strides, then stopped. Saw something in there. Turned back.

“Grr-!”

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Chapter 22 Storm Splitter

Scared cry. Running straight for Riley.

Cougar hit her side in seconds. Pressed its head against her leg. Message clear–save her.

Riley almost laughed. Hacked a Ghoul reaching for the cougar’s tail.

Woods were out now. Better bring her back to camp.

Riley covered the retreat. Protected the cougar, fought as they moved.

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She was dropping them fast. Weapon effect kept stamina from draining too quick. But one person couldn’t hold off a whole horde forever. If she got tired, got surrounded–that was it.

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