Frostfire Legacy

Chapter 177: Pharaoh's Prize

Cassy and Liz were with Aster until yesterday. Lory who had been with them until the previous night. Kali and Tina, who should have been in the hospital. All five girls were gathered together, present!

"S-Star!" Cassy stepped forward, similarly surprised. "That should be our line. Weren't you under house arrest?!"

"Right. I heard you made a mess at the Auction house." Liz added with a wry smile. "I guess if not for the mayor favoring you, you'd be in deep trouble."

Aster quickly shook his head. "No, my house arrest ended an hour earlier... rather, why are you all here? It's dangerous!"

"Hmph!" Kali harrumphed, bringing attention to herself. "What else? It's the same reason why you're here, weakling."

"Weakling? Who, me?" Aster, hearing the nostalgic nickname, couldn't help but brag. "I'm currently level 41. Maybe I'm really weak..."

"F-For—!" Cassy gasped. "Amazing! How did you level up that fast?! Me and Liz barely managed to block the monsters on the floor we were sent to, so we didn't even gain any experience!"

"... Forget killing or blocking the monsters, I ran for my life," Kali whispered with a faint blush on her cheeks. "Alright, I guess you've graduated from being called a weakling, boss."

Aster smiled, nodding his head in appreciation.

"As long as you understand." He exclaimed. "But we should catch up later. This aura, I can no longer ignore it."

Turning to the "correct" path, a powerful presence could be felt. It was enough to give Aster goosebumps, even after gaining over 30 levels more since their last encounter. Rather, now that his level was higher, he could understand the gap between their strength better.

"That... is something we can't defeat."

Aster was amazed at his past self, facing such a monster head-on, and even managing to injure it.

"Let's go." He steeled his resolve and took a step forward. "Remember, don't provoke it. No matter what happens. We're not here to fight, but to talk."

Feeling the gravity of the situation, the girls nodded their heads quietly, following behind Aster in formation. Argus also walked with them, staying at the rear, as if to protect everyone in case of emergency.

After walking down the familiar passage, they entered the same dome-shaped space from before. However, unlike before, the eight sarcophagi in the middle of the room were nowhere to be seen. Instead, only a single figure was present, standing proudly in the middle, with her eyes closed as if asleep.

[You're back.]

"...!"

Before they could even approach, the pharaoh's unforgettable, familiar voice echoed inside their heads. Aster could endure it better, now that his WIS stat was higher, but the girls all frowned hard, assaulted by an extreme headache. "... Minor Regeneration!"

Thankfully, Cassy was prepared. She cast a continuous healing spell, covering everyone at once. With that, the headache faded, allowing them to breathe sighs of relief.

[Seeing that your party is still complete, it looks like the dungeon favors you a little.] She added with a hint of amusement.

"Pharaoh!" Aster shouted, before correcting himself. "No, Nefra Eigen Solstice! We have survived that unreasonable trial you bestowed on us. Will you keep your word, or break your promise?!"

[Hmm... The matter of granting wishes? Of course, I won't go back on my words. Then, speak in order, and I shall grant one wish for each of you.]

"T-Then I'll go first!" As if waiting for this moment, Cassy bravely stepped forward, standing beside Aster. "I want a Panacea!"

"...!" Experience more tales on mvl

Aster, hearing Cassy's wish, stared at her in shock. He was planning to ask the same thing, and didn't think Cassy would waste her wish for him!

[Panacea...? Sorry, but that's not possible. It's beyond my capabilities to provide. However, if you're asking for something to increase your lifespan, I have something better.]

The Pharaoh, Nefra, waved her gigantic hand, forming a golden ball of light on the tip of her index finger. She then gently sent it forward, letting it float right in front of Cassy.

[This is a skill called Life Plunder. It's a special passive skill that converts a part of Mana you collect into lifeforce, strengthening one's body and extending their lifespan.]

Aster expected a more sinister-sounding skill, but the one she provided was decent! He wasn't sure how much the conversion rate was, but it would be a pretty useful skill, for sure!

"Star, please take this!" Cassy smiled as she pulled Aster's hand. "With this, you should at least stop fearing your approaching end!"

Before he could even answer, Cassy pulled his hand and let it touch the golden ball of light. As soon as he did, the light dissolved into particles, and swarmed toward his chest, disappearing inside him in a flash.

At the same time, the skill, Life Plunder's information, flooded his mind. How it activates, its conversion rate, and how to upgrade it. Everything.

"This... is amazing. Cassy, thank you." Aster bowed. "I'll repay this favor in the future. Look forward to it," He added while showing a genuine smile, making the girls' faces blush.

"I-It's fine, don't mind it, really! We still have a long way to reach the 1000th floor, after all!" Cassy waved her hand, fanning her suddenly hot face.

"Well, that's true," Aster shrugged, before turning to the rest. "Then, who's next?"

Cassy was done with her wish, which she ended up passing over to Aster. Seeing how Nefra didn't say anything, that means whatever they used their wish for was of no concern to her.

"Then, I'll go next."

The grumpy-looking silver cat, Kali, stepped forward next. She looked up at the pharaoh's face, before speaking in a loud and clear voice. "I want a weapon! A pair of daggers that grows stronger with time!"

[Hmm... That's too specific, but fortunately, I have something similar.]

The Pharaoh snapped her fingers, and along with it, a ball of light appeared before Kali. From it appeared a pair of weapons, longer than a dagger but shorter than a shortsword, mixing elegance and functionality in its silvery, sleek blade curved like a question mark.

[This is the Bloodshear, a short Khopesh blade that was once used by my ancestors. It grows stronger by consuming the blood of its enemies. Take it.]

Kali extended a hand forward, grabbing the hilt of the two daggers. Although they were still sheathed, she could tell how beautiful the blades were from their balance and the feel of holding them.

"This is good enough. Thanks." Kali bowed, stepping back after showing a little bit of gratitude.

[Bloodshear is bound to its user's soul after its first taste of blood, so that means its strength will reset if the current user dies.]

Nefra added as if in an afterthought.

[Alright, who's next?]