Frostfire Legacy

The 90th floor of Erebus's Vault, the Abyss of Unwritten Souls, was named as such due to the nature of the prisoners kept there. All of them, without exception, were heinous criminals to whom bestowing death felt more like a blessing than a punishment.

They were trash who didn't even deserve a grave with their names written on it. And Aster was just about to take their lives for the sake of increasing his level.

"Phew..."

Although he had already made up his mind to go through with this, it wasn't like the hesitation would magically fade. His mind raced, his heart beating like drums, as he waited in the middle of the prison floor.

Sweat dripped down his face, not only from the sweltering heat but also from his taut nerves.

"Nervous?"

Magnus, who was a step behind him, asked with a teasing smile.

"Well, as long as you do what you're told, there's nothing to fear. Just bring down your sword, cut off their heads, and we're out of here!"

"Easier said than done..." Aster smiled wryly.

Just as he was trying to prepare his heart for what was to come, a scandalous voice reached his ears.

"L-Let me go! Please, I'm innocent! I'm not a criminal!"

Curious, Aster turned toward the source, only to see a rat woman with white hair, disheveled from the lack of care. Her pale yellow eyes flickered with fear and worry, silently pleading for her innocence.

"Y-You, sir! Please help me! They're trying to hold me here, even though I'm innocent! I was framed!" she shouted, turning to Aster, her gaze locking with his.

"..."

Aster's resolve wavered for a moment. What if this woman was really innocent? Wouldn't that make him a killer who took an innocent life? His hand, reaching for the hilt of his sword, stopped in place, trembling.

"...Aster? What are you doing?" Seeing his hesitation, Magnus stepped forward and placed a hand on his left shoulder. "Go on, take her head. She's just spouting nonsense."

For some reason, the way Magnus worded his attempt at encouragement was easily misunderstood. Aster paused, confused. Should he believe the woman, who seemed kind at a glance, or Magnus, who had a villainous side?

His gaze locked onto the woman, forced to kneel before him, still crying for mercy.

"Ugh...!"

He averted his gaze, grunting. The choice was too heavy right at the start!

*BOOM!*

A spell, a simple flame lance cast without chanting, flew across the space between him and the woman, aiming for his heart!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It happened so quickly, and while he wasn't looking at her directly, his reaction was delayed. Even if he could react, his level was too low to block an attack from a level 500 enemy.

His brief inattention was almost a fatal mistake—if not for Magnus standing right beside him. The vampire's hand moved in a flash, catching the flame lance mid-flight, gripping it tightly until it dissipated. To him, neutralizing a flame lance seemed as simple as putting out a small candle's flame!

"1-1-5, 1-1-6, what are you two doing, letting the prisoner act freely?" Magnus' voice echoed, reprimanding the two guards holding the woman. "If I weren't here, my little stud would've died. I'll be lecturing you two when we return."

The two guards, despite wearing thick black sunglasses, clearly turned pale after hearing his warning. But more than that, the innocent-looking woman they were restraining changed her expression in an instant.

"You bastard old man! Don't interfere!" she growled, her voice carrying not a hint of the innocence she had shown earlier. "If not for you, I could've killed this snotty brat!"

"...!"

Hearing this, Aster quickly realized what was going on—he'd been tricked! And worse, he'd fallen for such a simple ploy that preyed on his pity and sense of justice, hook, line, and sinker!

Magnus saw the rage on Aster's face and smiled.

"I told you, everyone here is a heinous criminal. Imprisoned by mistake? I guarantee there's none. Everyone here has killed at least a hundred people before being captured. Remember that."

Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

Aster took a deep breath, digesting Magnus's reminder.

"Right..." His voice echoed, trembling slightly. "Everyone here isn't human... they're trash."

"Bastard?! Who're you calling trash?! Let go of me, you fatso! I'll teach this kid who's trash!"

A sword flashed, slicing in a straight line. A moment later, a single head rolled across the ground, followed by a spray of blood that stained not only the floor but also Aster's clothes.

"..."

But his cold gaze, fixed on the corpse, held no guilt or pity at all. His hesitation vanished like a lie, replaced by disgust as he looked at her like a piece of trash on the side of the road.

*FLASH!*

And just as he severed her head, his body glowed brightly—a sign he had gained several levels in one go! Checking his card, he saw his level jump from 50 to 77 with just one kill!

Of course, Aster didn't smile. He wasn't in the mood to celebrate killing the "trash" of society. Instead, he simply placed his card back inside his fanny pack and readied his sword once more.

"Next."

Magnus nodded with a faint smile, seeing that Aster had finally shed his earlier hesitation. After waving his hand, two more guards moved, fetching the next death row prisoner to be sentenced.

As for the first two guards, they dragged the rat woman's body to a distant corner, out of sight. A team would be dispatched later to burn the corpse, leaving nothing behind.

The next prisoner was brought in... and this time, he looked no older than a small child. His eyes darted around, his body trembling in fear, but Aster simply gazed at him coldly, not falling for the same tricks.

"That man is over 150 years—"

And just as Magnus was about to explain, Aster moved. His sword flashed faster than before, sending another head rolling across the ground. Blood sprayed like a fountain, a few drops splashing onto his face.

"... So even the worst criminals bleed red, huh?" he whispered, wiping the blood off his cheek with the back of his hand. "Next."

He didn't bother checking his level this time and simply asked for the next sacrifice. At that moment, Aster wasn't an adventurer but a heartless executioner of justice.