Mummy Evolution

A sharp cough broke the air.

Sett stiffened. He turned his head, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

Standing a few paces away, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, was Zainah.

She tapped her foot against the stone floor, the sound loud in the hush.

Sett sighed heavily but didn't move away. His body remained braced against Ismera's, protective, possessive.

Ismera tilted her head back against the wall, looking up at her grandson through half-lidded eyes.

How quickly the boy is growing up.

She did not like the passage of time. She hated it. Especially when that lost time was spend without her family around her. It felt like missed life.

She hated the way that relationships subtly changed due to age. It hurt her.

Every time she met Sett, that was what relieved her the most. He never seemed to really change—but there were changes now.

I missed his growing years again.

His adam's apple is sticking out now. His nose is sharper. His eyes have some pain in them. What happened? Who hurt him?

My boy is more mature.

I missed a lot, haven't I? All due to my stupid adventuring addiction. He became 15. Then became 16 just like that.

With his strength now, he would probably be able to beat A-tier Tombs as long as he has a good team.

The time spend away that changed a person truly felt like losing something precious.

If the years of being in a Tomb hadn't hardened Ismera, she might have teared up that moment.

"Sett, grandma, you two are disgraceful."

Sett looked at Zainah, sighed. "Just let us be, go away for a while."

"NO!" Zainah folded her arms, pushing up her perky assets. "We had plans, if you don't remember."

Ismera pushed Sett's away, grinning. "I am not going anywhere anymore, brat. Go and enjoy your birthday—and yeah, I wouldn't have let you fondle me anyway."

Sett rolled his eyes and gave a final peck on Ismera's lips before moving back. Of course, the hand behind her waist did not go away before squeezing her butt.

Then, hesitating, he straightened.

She looked at him with lingering emotions from their separation.

"Grandma, I've experienced a lot the months you weren't here. I spent days training my abilities like my life depended on it. Next time, there won't be a failure."

Zainah took his hand. She did not say what had happened.

"Looks like we need to go out once again."

Sett nodded. "Don't you dare go away from the capital without me, though! I'll be back after I settle my plans."

"Sure."

Sett became a bit anxious. "You won't leave, right?"

Ismera chuckled, "Go brat."

Sett and Zainah walked out, both bickering.

"His death really affected you, huh?" Zainah whispered after they were far away.

"He was my only true male friend, Zainah. You haven't seen him much. But he died protecting me. I could still feel the warmth of his blood slipping through my hand. It kind of terrifies me."

Assasination attempts, running away, getting kidnapped—fighting alongside his friends, then watching his sole real male friend die.

Zainah still remembered that Sett. The one whose face was full of bitter hatred and wrath. He had calmed down now, but he still had changed—a tiny bit. Nowadays, he is no longer so carefree.

Meanwhile, Ismera looked at a wine bottle in her hand and felt her own chest tighten.

Is adventuring more important, or is time spend with my family more important?

It was clear.

She took a deep breath.

Sett's grown up.

…

In the Present.

The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the dawn-kissed desert. Sett and Zainah emerged from their tent, stretching languidly as the crisp morning air filled their lungs, their breath visible in the cool dawn.

While Zainah went to wake her sister up, Sett looked at his transparent system.

I've already refined all the marked territory.

[Inner Tomb Size: 1756 Kilometers]

[Unrefined but Marked Territory: 0 Km]

Sett clenched his fist.

Strength. Power. Confidence.

[Approximate Strength: 1774 Tons.]

Why did I remember that memory all of a sudden?

That friend. How long had it been?

Now, Sett could not even really picture that friend's face. He was a blur in his memories. But he could still remember the emotions that guy had left behind for him.

I never want to see such a sight happen to my loved ones again.

Now that he was already quite strong, Sett decided to use a Tier 3 Tomb Heart to evolve. It was time to get that 10x Boost.

Sett sat down on a boulder beside yesterday's bonfire and began breathing to calm down.

Faceless was still protecting the area and keeping an eye over the surroundings. He looked over at the sight of Sett's meditation.

After conquering so many C tier Tombs, Sett had gotten a lot of Tomb Hearts. Most of them were Tier 1 with many Tier 2s in the mix. He had never gotten any Tier 3 Tomb Hearts, but he knew where to get one.

Sett took out a necklace from his Inner Tomb.

This was the Dimensional Necklace where the Lightning User was sealed inside.

Time for you to die.

Sett's gaze was indifferent and his heart was ruthless. He simply looked at Faceless, signalling to let the sealed man out.

A limp, powerless figure fell onto the sands.

Of couse, Sett smiled.

Having used the True Form while being sealed, it was only normal that the man ended up exhausting himself. Since he could not even turn his True Form off, he would just end up falling unconscious.

Sett's powerful fist caved the man's skull in with a single punch infused with debuffs.

I can still improve my foundation to get an even better boost upon becoming a Tier 3, but I need this boost to increase my power.

Then I can fuse with the Life Vessel to improve my potential by leaps and bounds.

That was much more important.

[Tomb Walker progress: +4 Tier 3 Tomb Hearts have been absorbed]

["Unholy" Tier 2 Tomb Walker evolution requirements have been met]

[Evolving to Low Tier 3]

Sett roared at the skies.