Frostfire Legacy

The EM Van, their new ride, soared through the air at blistering speeds, easily surpassing the speed of sound. For the group, it was a marvel—especially compared to Aster's previous method of hauling their modified EM Cart while sprinting. The stark difference in efficiency wasn't lost on anyone.

The interior of the van provided an unparalleled level of comfort. Despite the vehicle's extreme velocity, the passengers were shielded from the roaring winds and vibrations that would have otherwise made the ride unbearable. Instead, they sat on soft, cushioned seats, barely feeling any turbulence. It was luxury in motion, designed for long hauls without the fatigue of rough terrain or constant jolts.

A few minutes later, Aster began to slow the van, pulling it into a wide arc as they descended smoothly toward the ground. His voice, when he spoke, was tinged with disbelief.

"… We're here," he announced, his gaze fixed on the ground below.

"Already?" Cassy asked, her tone full of confusion as she fumbled with her seatbelt. "It hasn't even been an hour!"

"No need to doubt, you stupid rabbit," Kali said dryly, helping Cassy with the clasp. "If you're so unsure, you can check it for yourself."

As Aster guided the van to a flat area just outside the boss zone, he made sure to park far from the active battle area. Allowing a vehicle worth

10 trillion Tels

to be caught in the chaos of combat was unthinkable. The thought alone made his chest tighten.

Once everyone disembarked, Tina stepped forward to remind Aster how to store the EM Van using the specialized bracelet. The bracelet acted as more than just a storage unit; it also worked as a charger, gradually replenishing the vehicle's mana reserves—its primary fuel source—while not in use.

Aster reflected on the van's mana efficiency. If the initial activation required a mana input equivalent to casting ten Fire Lances, the consumption for traveling an entire floor only reduced the reserves to about 20%. Considering the van's immense size and speed, this performance was nothing short of astonishing.

"I guess the price tag is justified after all,"

Aster thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he secured the van in the bracelet.

Their group pressed onward on foot. Before long, they reached the perimeter of the boss's summoning range. As expected, a dazzling ball of light began to form in the air, signaling the arrival of their next foe.

"Argus," Aster said with a nod.

The small puppy didn't wait for the summoning process to complete. In a blur of motion, Argus launched forward, leaving a bright flash in his wake. Thunder roared, and red lightning cascaded through the air, filling their vision with searing light. By the time the group's eyes adjusted, the summoned boss had already been reduced to ashes.

Not even a trace of its form remained.

Aster folded his arms, nodding in satisfaction. "As I expected, Argus's power has increased alongside mine. That was leagues above his previous attacks!"

The girls barely had time to process what had happened before their bodies briefly glowed, signaling a level-up. It was a small but tangible sign of progress.

"Good!" Aster grinned. "On to the next floor!"

Their journey continued at a brisk pace. On average, they cleared a floor within an hour or two, pausing only for short breaks to recover. By the time midnight rolled around, the group had breached the 30th floor—a significant milestone in their ascent.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Upon reaching the new floor, they unanimously decided it was time to set up camp.

"Then, I'll go set up the tents—"

"No need, darling~!" Tina interrupted, her voice full of excitement.

Before Aster could even blink, Liz had already sprung into action. She retrieved a small, unassuming cube from her Spatial Ring and carefully placed it on a flat area some distance away. Pressing a shallow indentation on its surface, she quickly darted back, moving with the urgency of someone who had just lit a firework.

Aster raised an eyebrow, confused by her behavior—until the cube began to transform.

In mere seconds, the small object expanded into a towering structure, its silhouette standing at least 30 meters tall and 50 meters wide.

"What the…" Aster muttered, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"It's our new love nest~!" Tina declared playfully, clinging to Aster's arm.

"It's the portable home we bought to replace the tents," Liz added, her voice filled with pride.

Aster took a moment to process what he was seeing. From a mere cube, a massive structure had materialized before his eyes. It wasn't just impressive; it was surreal.

Liz beamed, clearly eager to show off the portable home's features. She grabbed Aster by the arm, practically dragging him toward the entrance. "Come on! Let me give you the grand tour!"

The door alone was remarkable—2.5 meters tall and 3 meters wide, built to accommodate adventurers of varying sizes. But what awaited inside was even more astonishing.

"Spatial expansion?!" Aster exclaimed.

From the outside, the structure had seemed large, but inside, it was enormous. The walls stretched far wider than expected, with at least 100 meters of space between them. The first floor alone was a marvel, serving as a recreation area complete with exercise equipment, a pool table, massage chairs, and even a communal bath and sauna.

The second and third floors housed the sleeping quarters, designed to comfortably accommodate up to 50 people. In emergencies, the space could hold double that number without becoming unbearably cramped.

Liz continued her enthusiastic explanation.

"This portable home is also equipped with the latest Mana Defense System! It automatically fires offensive spells—like Ice Lances and Wind Cutters—against any approaching monsters. And if the intruders are human, it uses non-lethal spells to neutralize them instead!"

The group was thoroughly impressed. The technology behind the portable home was cutting-edge, earning it the nickname "pseudo-dungeon maker" among adventurers. At its core was a large mana stone engraved with intricate carvings that functioned as the building's "brain."

"This is amazing, no exaggeration intended!" Aster said while looking left and right in awe.

Liz blushed slightly but maintained her composure.

After the tour, Tina seized the opportunity to push Aster toward the communal bath. "Darling, you've been driving all day—you must be exhausted! Go ahead and enjoy the bath first. We'll go in after you~!"

There was something about Tina's tone that made Aster pause, a flicker of suspicion crossing his mind. Was it just his imagination, or had he seen her drooling a little?

Still, a warm bath sounded like the perfect way to unwind after a long day.