Frostfire Legacy

Chapter 147: Null Stone

Aster's smile covered the extreme pain he was feeling. After all, unlike injuring his real body, damaging his soul was about five times more painful than an equivalent flesh wound.

"See? This is why I didn't want to let you control your body anymore.?" The cold voice echoed again as if reprimanding Aster's actions. "Self-injury, and using your life as a betting chip? What a farce.?"

Glittery light started to fall over his body, and to his surprise, his mangled arm reverted to its natural shape, as if nothing had happened.

"And I already told you that you can't die in this place. As such, you can't even hold yourself hostage. Too bad.?"

"..."

Aster frowned. He didn't expect that his self-mutilation would be met with indifference! Not only that, he was even healed to full health in a flash!

Just like that, he lost any sort of edge in negotiating. Rather, he couldn't even enter the negotiation table in his current state. He had nothing to offer!

"We've already told you, that we don't plan to let you die. Rather, we're trying to extend your life for as long as possible. As such, just stay here and watch.?"

"Yeah, man~! Just give up and let me control your body! I'm sure I can do better than you, at least!?"

Aster was lost. He was completely out of options! If he continued as is, then, without a doubt, he would lose control over his body, and have to let either of the two spirits control it.

"... Huh?!?"

And just then, a worried, shocked voice echoed.

Aster was confused, and tried to look up again, but noticed that the ceiling was suddenly opening up. No, to be more precise, it was getting destroyed; it cracked open forcefully!

Light flooded in, and started to destroy everything within sight. The altar, the symbol on the ground, the walls, platforms, everything. Even Aster himself was affected, and his body started to disintegrate into particles of light!

"...!"

After he blinked, the scenery suddenly changed. He was no longer in the dark space with the altar, but instead in the middle of the forest. "This is..." he muttered in confusion as he looked around.

Cassy, with tears flowing down her eyes, was right beside him, grabbing hold of his right hand tightly. "A, Aster...?" She asked, as if in doubt.

"... Yes?" Aster answered back, confused.

However, the fact that he replied the way he would was more than enough for Cassy's expression to change. A wide smile replaced her worried expression, and she jumped to hug his neck tight.

"Aster! Star! Finally, you've made it back!"

"..."

Still confused, he tried to look around, and found the relieved Kali, with a tired Mistelle beside her. On Mistelle's hand was a transparent stone releasing a mysterious aura, which caught his gaze.

"I'm glad it worked." Mistelle smiled, sighing lightly in relief. "But still, this is only a temporary measure. I guess you'd need to catch up to your legacy's level quickly."

"Right, I was...!"

Aster suddenly recalled what happened inside his soul space. The conversation with the two spirits, his despair, and then, the sudden destruction of the entire place.

Aster turned to Mistelle, his gaze hitting at gratitude and wonder. "Did you save me? How...?"

"Do you know what a Null Stone is?"

She asked while extending her hand, which was holding a transparent stone in a natural, complex shape. Aster looked at it and wracked his brain, but came up with nothing.

"No, I don't."

"It's fine to not know about it; it's quite rare, after all." Mistelle smiled wryly while lifting the stone, pinching it between her fingers. "The Null Stone has the ability to temporarily return someone's level to the lowest. That includes their stats, of course."

"...! You mean!"

"Yes. I used the Null Stone to temporarily reset your Frostfire Legacy's level." She nodded.

"The seal will last depending on the durability of the Null Stone used, and the one I used is an S-Rank Null Stone. Assuming your seal was around level 30 or something, then it should last a month, at least."

Of course, he didn't know that an S-Rank Null Stone would cost over 1 billion Tels in the market. He was simply thankful for Mistelle, who used such a precious item on him.

"Of course, there's also a catch. The stone needs to be in close contact with the one sealed, or else, it will break. Also, the stone is susceptible to physical impacts, so you'd need to be careful while carrying it."

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The main purpose of a Null Stone was actually to be used to weaken a captured enemy, disabling them from lashing out while in transit. As such, it wouldn't be weird for Mistelle, a police officer, to have one in possession. However, S-Rank Null Stones are scarce, and rarely found.

The one she used was not something that was provided by the government, but one she got in the past and kept with her as a memento of a certain someone.

Aster saw the sadness hidden behind her smile but knew that there was nothing he could do for her. Since a Null Stone is a one-off, it would be destroyed after it had been used up.

Anyway, given all the information he heard, it means he wouldn't be able to use the legacy even if he wanted to for a full month, or until the Null Stone broke completely.

One month.

Within that time, he needed to overtake the legacy's level, and keep his edge over it!

"I ordered you to escape." Just then, Helvetica's exasperated voice reached them. "Well, it looks like you weren't just standing around either. I guess the enemy was just too well prepared this time..."

He looked tired, especially after guarding against Aster's last attack. His mana was already nearing empty!

"We should move before more reinforcements come." He exclaimed with an urgent tone. "Well, I'm not sure if they do have a backup, but better be safe than sorry."

Mistelle stepped forward, smiling lightly. "Then, we should just wait here. I've already called for backup earlier, Captain. They should arrive right about..."

As she turned to look at the sky, something just arrived, blocking the light of the sun.

"... Now."