Dungeon of Niflheim

While the bath forewoman was getting everything ready personally Frost and Khione were guided downstairs. And since it was Frost's first time experiencing the ice baths the twin attendants explained the rules and how the whole concept worked.

"In the ice baths it is forbidden to splash, roughhouse, recklessly swim, jump in and wear anything other than the provided attire." The male attendant started off the rules.

"Not a pool or a place for fun and games got it." Frost felt a little like he was being treated like a child but kept the smile on his lips as they walked.

"Yes the ice baths are for relaxation and or training and because of that we also ask that you don't yell, scream or shout. If you wish to talk to your companion please talk in a normal fashion so as to not disturb the other guests." The male attendant didn't seem to care about the dignity of the two guests, telling them each and every restriction as though he had a checklist to complete and brokered no exception.

His female companion silently shook her head but didn't stop him, guests were required to be properly informed of the rules and restrictions after all, his approach however was a bit robotic and stern, taking out the joy of the experience. She therefore eventually interceded with a bubbly tone.

"Though we do have a lot of rules and restrictions they're there for not just your safety but also to ensure you have the most pleasant and or effective experience. Our ice baths are of the highest quality allowing even those at the late stages of S-rank to enjoy a frightening chill that pierces the bone while also comfortably accommodating those with strength as low as late stage C-rank. The Azure star inn aims to satisfy every and all manner of clientele." The female attendant was full of pride as she spoke of her place of work. The Azure star inn was known through the entire realm and even within the empires dominating the core regions of the Glacial mountains. Even the Niflheim royal family preferred their service above their competitors.

"Impressive, you must be fully booked throughout the year then." Frost was quite impressed; it was rare for those in the top echelon of a market to cater to every class. The Azure star inn likely started off serving weaker customers before improving their facilities so as to accommodate those with peak strength yet after achieving such success that even Shivali and his family would choose to visit them they didn't forget where they began.

Such thinking warmed Frost's heart as he reminisced about the early days of his Dungeon. The days when newbie adventures risked their lives to explore just the most upper floors. When the Artic Warband, his first visitors were forced to desperately flee from a pack of frost wolves and winter boars or when his goblins and other G-rank monsters ambushed and made short work of the Red Hawk bandits chasing after Leo and Luna.

'I wonder what happened to the Artic Warband?' The last he heard about the little group who first stumbled upon his Dungeon was that following Bastion's recommendation they started to train as though their lives depended on it, completing a set of stringent tasks across the continent, only to return when they all become at the very least C-rank adventurers.

Remembering the faces of the four young men Frost looked forward to seeing how they'd turn out in the future. Perhaps they'd become regular customers down the line, poster boys for what one could become if they visited his Dungeon.

"We certainly are, though this specific inn is destined for our more high end clientele we have several sister inns dotted along the other mountains and even spread throughout both the realm of Niflheim and the core regions of the Glacial mountains." By this point the female attendant's eyes were sparkling, even her male counterpart couldn't help but feel proud.

"Under the lead of matriarch Neive and her daughters the Azure star inn has achieved continental perhaps even global renown. Kings, Queens, Emperors, clan chieftains and even the vaunted Gods have heard of us and eagerly pay homage to our ice baths."

"Hoh now I'm really looking forward to it." At first it was just an opportunity to both train his ice resistance and gawk at the 3 metre musclebound beauty that was his chaperone but now he eagerly looked forward to the experience, the young female attendants enthusiasm had inspired him.

"We promise you won't be disappointed by it sir." Both attendants thumped their chests as they made the bold pledge with complete confidence.

"They're not just tooting their own horns; the ice baths of the Azure star inn are some of the best in the business even the ones in the palace fall short in comparison." To the side Khione nodded her head in agreement, there was a reason the royal family chose the Azure star inn over her competitors.

Frost and Khione were gradually guided through the lower floors of the inn before finally reaching their destination.

"This way please." Frost was led to the left by the male attendant while Khione was led to the right by the female one.

"Since this is your first time entering our ice baths and given your strength you'll need to wear the complete set of protective gear." The male attendant had brought Frost into the male changing room where several sets of specialty silk robes, swimwear, socks and even cloth wrappings were laid out for guests.

Knowing full well when he should and should not be arrogant Frost gracefully acquiesced to the attendant's instructions.

He first removed his suit and then all his undergarments revealing his highly toned body without the slightest modicum of shame.

The male attendant who was used to serving high ranking clientele like the Princes of the royal palace was unphased by the tantalising display as he first handed over the speciality ice silk swim shorts that would protect Frost's more sensitive areas from the frigid cold.

'Oh that's quite nice.' When the shorts made contact with his mighty dragon and spherical jewels he felt a comfortable chill and an unmatched softness. While the edges wrapped tightly around his thighs and waist the centre was quite roomy, fitting even better than the set he normally wore.

"Do you perhaps sell these in undergarment form." So moved by the texture and pleasant chill Frost couldn't help but ask.

"We do sir, but the price isn't exactly cheap." The attendant had heard this question many times during his career and every time he'd answer in the same way. Few would still retain the same amount of eagerness when they eventually heard the price of such products. These ice silk garments were the pride and joy of the Azure star inn, created and designed personally by Matriarch Nieve and her family using only the highest quality ingredients. 5 star or even 6 star armour would in fact be a cheaper purchase.

Sensing some schadenfreude in the man's voice Frost felt a shiver run down his spine.

'Ahhh being so poor really is a crime.' He lamented his lack of worldly assets, jealous of the golden spoon Khione was born with.

Since he likely couldn't purchase a set for himself he decided to just enjoy the sensation in the meantime, noting down another future goal in his heart.

After the shorts he had to put on tight fitting socks that extended several inches past the ankle, silk wrappings around his elbows and knees since there was less flesh to bone ratio in the those areas before putting on a set of gloves and even a small mask that would help mitigate the amount of cold air entering through his mouth.

Finally after all that was the semi-transparent robe that would form the initial first line of defence….a hell of a lot of work just to enter a mere bath but seeing the serious look in the attendant's eyes as he inspected key areas on his body Frost didn't complain nor did he treat this upcoming experience as a form of relaxation but rather a challenge, an opportunity to train.

He'd worked on his ice resistance in the past, using the high earth rank cold flame but under the violent and destructive flame he could barely last more than a few minutes at a time before having to take a break, losing out due to the poor efficiency.

However according to the attendants the ice baths would allow a person to safely remain in the liquid -as long as it was appropriately set- for up to 40 minutes or even an hour before problems could occur. This was thanks to the silk robes, cloth, swimwear as well as the special ice crystals and liquid used in contingent with the cold flames.

The ice crystals and specialty liquid would mitigate some of the destructive and violent essence of the cold flames while at the same time enhancing the purity of the element while the prepared attire would limit the amount of chill entering the body at one time, helping the user gradually get used to the growing strength while also ensuring an even spread across the entire body, preventing the build up of weak points.

A truly revolutionary and expensive system that Frost was only able to experience because he was with Khione, the much loved youngest Princess of the Niflheim royal family. Without her just a visit to one of the lower ranking ice baths would send him into serious debt.

Frost when compared to even the commoners in the realm of Niflheim was very much a pauper in the truest sense of the word.