Frostfire Legacy

Aster stared at the cube, which was roughly 10 centimeters across on each side. The entire object looked as if it were made out of a single piece of solid metal.

But it was actually an assembly of smaller-gauge blocks adhering to each other through a mix of negative pressure pulling the blocks together, and the surface tension of oil and air acting as glue, keeping them joined.
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Each of the smaller gauge blocks acts as a small data storage medium, with a similar concept to Solid State Drives. However, instead of microchips storing the data, it was literally carved into the smaller gauge blocks' non-contact faces.

"But why did they choose this inefficient method of storage?" Aster couldn't help but wonder.

If they used an SSD, then they could store more information than 100,000 cubes could with just one.

Ignoring that for now, Aster started to look around to see if there was a computer with a reader for the cube. But to his surprise... "There's none?!"

This confused him even further. His parents used an unconventional method of storing data, but the device that could be used to read the stored data inside it wasn't even present in the lab! This was too much, even as a simple protective measure against the data getting stolen.

"..."

Having no other choice, Aster placed the cube inside his Spatial Fanny Pack and moved to where the others were. After asking them for their finds, as he expected, none of them found any clues.

Kali was, for some reason, asking to "collect" one of the keyboards. Aster wondered what she would use such a standard keyboard for, but since they wouldn't be coming back here anytime soon anyway, he approved her request. It's just one keyboard, after all.

After they wrapped up their search, the team started on their way back.

One after another, they climbed out of the tenth underground floor and started moving out of the laboratory. They climbed the stairs, arriving at the surface without much trouble.

"DUCK!"

But then, Helvetica's shout shook Aster and the other two. By reflex, they followed his words and dove to the ground. As soon as they did, an invisible wind pressure swept above their heads. It came from their left and continued until it hit a tree to their right. The tree was cut cleanly, and felled in one hit!

"...!"

Aster gasped. He imagined what would've happened if that hit him or the girls instead, giving him goosebumps.

"Shit! It's an ambush! Mistelle!"

"On it!"

The two police officers moved professionally, with Mistelle rushing to Aster, Cassy, and Kali's sides and grabbing them as if they weighed nothing. Helvetica, meanwhile, cast a spell, attacking the spot where the invisible wind pressure came from.

As he did, the scenery suddenly started to warp, like the surface of disturbed water, before it broke like a bubble popping.

"Fuck...!"

As the camouflage was destroyed, it was revealed that there was a large group of people standing there, their eyes glowing red in desire and anger. No, it's a little inaccurate to call them "people," as there were practically no signs of humanity in them.

"Death to all humans!"

"Kill them! Destroy the human!"

"Gah! Arrrrrgh!"

Although some of them could still speak, most of them could only let out low growls. The group that was facing them at the moment, were those of the Anti-Human Movement who were either nearing monsterification or had already undergone the process.

Mistelle glanced back and noticed this, but she didn't stop her feet. After all, rather than subduing the enemy, their priority was to keep Aster safe.

"Ow, ah!"

"Kuh! Hey, careful!"

But the two girls, who were bundled together under her right arm, were feeling pain from her tight hold. It couldn't be helped, however, as that's the only safe way to carry them without the risk of them falling.

"Shut up first, or you'll bite your tongue!" Mistelle warned, her face showing how desperate she was.

The reason for that was that those who underwent monsterization would experience extreme powerups. For reference, if one is at level 100 before monsterization, then after it, they would have power equivalent to level 200. Although it varies, the strength metric would indicate that they would be at least 5 times, up to 10 times, stronger than before!

As someone who has worked in the police force for a long time, Mistelle could estimate one's level of strength at a glance with reliable accuracy. Her instincts tell her that those monster-ified ones were a lot stronger than she was!

It was fortunate that Helvetica was present with them. With his strength, he should be able to hold the enemies back, at least, allowing Aster's safe escape.

*BAM!*

"...!"

But then, an explosion erupted ahead of them, causing Mistelle to stop in place. 'No way!' She thought, staring at the second group of enemies spread ahead of them as if waiting for them from the start.

There were about 50-something Anti-Human Movement personnel standing to block their way, roughly as many and as powerful as the one left behind with Helvetica.

"This is bad..." Mistelle exclaimed as she lowered the three, casting a no-chant healing spell over the three. "We're surrounded, but I'll create an opening. As soon as you see it, run without looking back!"

Aster, however, shook his head and responded. "No."

He wasn't sure if this was all of the enemies; as such, there was the risk that another batch of same-level enemies were waiting for them ahead. Without someone powerful enough by their side, it was straight game over for them if that happened.

He turned to Cassy and smiled. "Cassy, if I lose myself again, I'll be leaving the rest to you."

"...! Star, don't tell me, you...!"

Before Cassy or Kali could stop him, Aster already stepped forward, standing ahead of Mistelle, and spread both arms wide. "Don't stand in front of me, or you'll get caught in it." He warned.

Frost started to circle him, creating a heavy fog that settled on the forest floor immediately. The Magic Carved Seal on his right hand, the Frostfire Legacy, was glowing in a blue light the entire time.

It had been a while since he last used it, but it seemed like his body still remembered it. His casting ended in just a couple of seconds, before he waved both hands forward, along with a powerful shout.

"FREEZE!"

Right then, a wave of frost spread radially around him, covering everything 180 degrees around him in a thick, white layer of ice.

"...!"

But, to Aster's surprise, the enemies remained mostly unaffected. Although they were covered in frost now, nobody among them died from getting frozen alone.

The gap in level was so high that his attack didn't work too well, just like with Vanessa!