Frostfire Legacy

Chapter 243 Cold-Blooded Executioner

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."

"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.