Frostbound

Chapter 251 - Chamber of Pain

It was hard not to feel good looking at the change to my status sheet. It was small, but powerful.

Law Upgraded:

Least Law of Wind(Tier 1) -> Lesser Law of Wind(Tier 2)

Having both of my Laws at Tier 2 was just another thing to check off the list. All that was left before I evolved was Upgrading my Body, which I was about to do, and cap off my Bloodline, which was already close to being maxed.

It was nice to have most of the things I wanted done amplished ahead of time. Seeing how I only had a few more levels to go before 100, it was just in time as well. The few weeks or even months, if that were the case, of waiting if I reached the cap first wouldn't have been too bad, but to be ready for my evolution ahead of time felt good.

~~

Name: Christopher Zalenski

Race: (E) Human*

Class: (E) Hammer of the Jotnar(Legendary): Level 92

Profession: (E) Runesmith(Rare) – Level 86

Affinity: Arctic

Faction: Frostheim (Leader)

Title: Baron

Strength - 1645

Agility - 815

Perception - 492

Fortitude - 1191

Endurance - 975

Vitality - 605

Intelligence - 431

Wisdom - 687

Acumen - 418

Free Points: 20

Laws: Lesser Law of Ice, Lesser Law of Wind

Body Stage: Body of Wood(Northern Wind Body)

Mana Heart: Perfect Ignition (Stars of Primordial Frost)

Spirit Stage: Anchor Formation

~~

I had only gained a few levels since the last time I looked at it, but Iuldn't help but do so again. Only one level in my Class was a blow, but I hadn't done that much other than my daily trip into the Dungeons.

My Profession saw 2 levels, but that was only for some last-minute Runesmithing to make sure everyone we took with us had state-of-the-art weapons.

My free points were left to languish for now. I was most likely going to pour them into Endurance again but I held off for the time being. I hated having my Stamina be a hindrance, but I also didn't want to single-mindedly keep going down the same road.

I'd put nearly every free point into Endurance for a while now.

The fact it would make the Refining process harder was another factor, if only a small one. 20 points on top of an already high Endurance wouldn't do that much, after all.

Additionally, I wanted to see what a Body of Stone would do before I did anything with the points. Body Refining made the body tougher and harder to damage, but it also made the pool of Stamina Iuld pull from deeper.

It didn't increase by anything huge, but enough I wanted to test the difference.

And, with my newest change, I wanted to see what my Mana Heart would do. Pushing my body to Stone would affect that as well.

My office was eerily quiet as I finished up the last of the paperwork I had to do. With my new Assistant, Sophia, there wasn't a lot I had to do. It took a few weeks to get her up to speed, but she was already doing a wonderful job.

It helped that she gained levels like crazy for the first week.

Apparently, being the Assistant to not only a Pylon Owner, but a Baron as well was a game changer. Who'd have thought?

She flew through the last few levels of F-rank like it was nothing. The experience kept rolling in until she was a few levels into E-rank too. She eventually slowed down but she was still rising quickly.

Her evolution was another big step in what sheuld handle. She evolved to be a Noble's Assistant, not just an ordinary Assistant, which was a step up in Rarity.

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The eerie quiet was from her not being here.

She was usually picking over paperwork in my stead or being called on to do something around the Castle but she was out for the day. Working with Abigail and the Farmers to make sure theming Planting went smoothly.

The ground was just beginning to thaw and they needed to get the jump on when it was ready. Our population growth made food a growingncern that they were handling personally.

Plus, I asked for a surplus of grain to be planted so weuld finally make some good beer. Mead was good and all, but a niceld beer went a long way.

With the last of what needed my attention taken care of, and Sophia notified that I would be out ofntact for a week or two, there was nothing left to do. Nothing pressing Iuld use to put off going into the Chamber.

My body shivered just thinking about it. The phantom pain made real for a split snd.

Maybe it scarred me more than I admit.

Still, I pushed the chair away from my desk and made my way out of the Castle.

There wasn't a large audience this time as everyone had things they needed to do. Everyone was either trying to get one last upgrade before we left or making sure we had the supplies necessary for our journey.

Only one person was so nonchalant to stand with a toothy grin at my face of dread.

"Oh, cheer up buttercup. It's not that bad." His voice was chipper and upbeat, the polar opposite of how I felt.

"Says the person who put off doing it for years." I snapped back.

"Hey, there's no need for insults. I eventually did it and that's all that matters." Austin pointed out.

I had built his little glass abomination strictly so heuldn't put it off anymore. Austin wasn't scared of much, but Vincent and my detailed runting of the pain was one of them.

Whether it was his Mother going through the process or if he finally gathered theurage that pushed him over the edge, I wasn't sure, but he did it. He was out for a few days but came back as bubbly as ever.

Which was how I knew it hurt him. He always ovempensated with his... Austin-ness when he felt thentrary.

"Yeah, but Stone will be worse. I just know it." I said. It wasn't something I knew from books or from hearing about it, it was something I felt. The first upgrade had to tear down my body to build it back up better. The snd upgrade had to do the same, but now there was a lot more to tear down.

It would take a lot more effort and a lot more pain, which I wasn't looking forward to.

Austin followed after me as I neared the building and made jokes along the way trying to cheer me up, which wasn't helping.

"You look like you're heading for the gallows." he snarked, "Think of the positives. Once youme out, you'll be even more monstrously strong. Not that you need it."

The last part was muttered, but I still heard it.

"And..." he drew out dramatically, "I'll have a gift waiting for you when you get out, so don't take too long."

I didn't get long to think about the... gift, if it truly was a gift and not a prank, Austin mentioned as the building came into sight not long after and I had to fight my feet to keep walking toward it. Sam and Ashley, along with a few other select Healers, stood at the ready. The extras were chosen for their unique skills.

Either in long-range vital monitoring or other specialized abilities.

There was nothing I, or any other,uld make that would survive the... atmosphere I would be in. No wristband or tag would hold up so theyuld monitor me from afar.

The team of Healers noticed our approach and turned my way. Sam, at their head, said, "We're ready when you are."

Great, can't evenunt on her to delay.

Gathering myself as best Iuld for what was tome, I took a deep breath and moved toward the door.

"One last thing, amigo." Austin's voice stopped me. "Do you mind if I borrow Sarah for a teeny favor?" He held his fingers close together to accentuate how small a favor it would be.

I stopped, "Not if she says no, but if she agrees, I don't mind."

Sarah had grown up a lot since we first met her in the woods. It was sad that she had had to, but she wasn't the little girl we euntered anymore. Jonathan had taken her in and shown her the ropes well.

"Perfect!" He said excitedly, "Have fun in the Chamber of Pain!" He twirled and ran off faster than Iuld keep up with.

Austin

His feet touched down on the rough stone of the Inner Wall and turned back to watch.

Chris had dragged his feet, but it was hard to blame him. Austin had put off going through it much longer than Chris had.

Austin watched as his friend took one last deep breath, steeled himself, and entered the building. It wasn't long after that lights inside the building began to flare and the build-up of poweruld be felt.

Even from as far away as he was, heuld feel the mana the Formations were swirling.

He was intimately familiar with what happened next and didn't have the heart to stay and watch.

Instead, he went off in search of a little girl. Well, when put like that, it didn't sound very good. Plus, she wasn't a little girl any longer. She'd be near driving age if the world hadn't ended.

The main reason he mentioned anything ahead of time, and ruined the surprise for what he was about to do, was to give Chris something to think about. If it helped Chris deal with the pain to wonder about what Austin was up to and what surprise awaited him, it was worth it.

The surprise wasn't that large. At least Austin didn't think so. He'd had the idea for a while now and it was only recently he had the chance to go through with it.

Chris would be out for a while and Abigail was tied up with the Farmers. Both the 'ruling parties' were busy, which was the perfect time for some mischief.

Not that what he was doinguld be called mischief. At most, it was a rather... unexpected gift. One that required Sarah.

Finding her was rather easy, as she frequented only a few places. The kennel being one of them.

The wolves were far from being small any longer and it was funny to watch the small woman fight through the small pack of them.

Austin, being the caring and nice person he was, waited until she came out of the kennel before getting her attention. Not because it smelled horrible in there and he didn't want to getvered in dog hair and saliva.

"Sarah, young Snow White, do you have a snd." He called out.

She bristled at the nickname but walked over nonetheless.

"Austin, what do you want." She was rather pointed, but it was warranted.

He didn't know her that well after all.

"Do you have a moment to go on an adventure with me?" he asked mysteriously.

"No, I don't have the time. I still have to prep the horses, Jonathan has something planned for later, and my slot in the Dungeon isming up." She huffed and wiped a stray hair out of her face.

It was... disappointing to hear but not enough to make him give up. "It'll be funnn." He taunted to no avail based on her unchanged face. "Come on, don't you want to go beyond the Walls and explore?"

That got her attention. "Beyond the Walls? How far?"

Hook

"Oh, I don't know. A few hours travel away, not that far." He said.

"That's further than I'm allowed." She said.

Austin's smile grew, "Oh, and who sets these boundaries? Are you not allowed to go where you want?" It was a thin line between mocking and insulting to get the job done.

Her face turned defiant and Austin knew he had her.

Line

"I can go wherever I want to go!" She said firmly.

"Oh, perfect. So you'll go with me." He asked.

Sinker

"Fine." She said, "How long will it take?"

Austin's excitement grew, "Well, that depends on you, your highness."

Oh, this is perfect.

She had to stop by the Castle to grab a few things but so did Austin for that matter. He wasn't exactly sure how long this was going to take but it was longer than a few hours.

A white lie or two never hurt anybody. Austin had to do the lying for two people now that Chris didn't anymore.

I can't wait to see his face when Ime back with it.