Mummy Evolution

A makeshift Desert Camp at night.

How long was I out for?

Sett woke to warmth from the soft press of Zainah's thighs beneath his head. Her hand gently traced lazy lines through his hair, her soft voice echoing melodically.

Once again, Sett was reminded of the fact that Zainah had an absolutely wonderful voice. Maybe it was influenced by the fact that she had the Song of Playfulness ability, but he always found her voice very soothing.

"—Ah, but Zarah, melon cakes are too sweet."

"But they are cheap."

"So what? We are playing 'what is tasty and cheap' not 'cheap foods.' Melon cakes are not that good."

"Sis, why are you lying? You've always liked them. You just couldn't afford it before."

Zainah humphed. "Say, monkey, would you like a cake or full dish at the same price?"

The monkey chipped in. "i'd like to eat this melon keek. It sounds tasty!"

Zarah beamed. "What a good monkey!"

"But if I can get more food at the same price, I will get that!" the monkey said emotionally. "Saving money is important. Very important!"

Zainah chuckled.

"So," the monkey asked. "Can I get a melon keek?"

"Keep keeking!" Zarah spat. "You won't even get a banana, you stupid thing."

Sett chuckled softly.

Zainah's hand stilled in his hair.

She leaned close to his ears and whispered: "Awake?"

She smells fresh, did she just bathe?

Sett half-opened his eyes, looking out. The campfire had all but given up its fight against the night. What remained was a low, glowing bed of embers—wood turned gold at the edges, veins of heat pulsing dimly through blackened charcoal. No flames danced now, only the occasional flicker when the wind stirred the ash, sending a faint plume drifting into the dark.

He didn't lift his head, the night air was cold and her lap was too warm to leave. Instead, he wrapped his hand sleepily around her waist. She yelped slightly but then just let him be—she did not even ask him if he was alive anymore.

"Is he awake?" Zarah asked.

Zainah smiled. "He is but he is acting asleep."

He bit her thighs, making her yelp.

"I am asleep," he said groggily. "Just continue what you were doing."

Zarah chuckled. "Big bro, what is your favorite dish?"

"Your sister."

"Sett!"

Zainah clamped a hand over his mouth, face completely red.

He gently bit her hand.

She froze. Then glared at his striking golden eyes.

Shameless!

The monkey scratched its head and looked at Zarah. "Can I really not get melon keek?"

Zarah's face became weird. "Sure bro." Then, she focused back on Sett. "Anyway, big bro, why are you so small now?"

Sett sighed and sat up. Then, he looked at his own palm. Small and tender hands. Something like the hands of a 5 year old kid.

"This happens every time after I use that power, sometimes it makes me look old, sometimes makes me look the same as I was as a kid. it also makes me drunk at times as well," Sett said glumly, his voice childish. "But it only lasts for a short time, at most a day or so before I return to normal."

Hearing his childish voice made Zarah cackle inwardly.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you, big brother. Say that again, please."

"This happens when I use my Deathless Form…"

"Say that again."

"This happens when—"

"Now say it like a baby," Zarah demanded, completely grim-faced. "Dish happenz when I uze mah widdle fowm."

Sett's eye twitched. "Zarah."

"Ow~, say Zharah again!"

Zarah moved to raise Sett into her arms, an evil light in her eyes.

THIS WAS HER CHANCE!

Kekeke.

But just as she moved closer, Sett scoffed. And POOF. His body regrew back into normal size, towering over Zarah.

Her face immediately changed in horror.

Back to full height. Muscles. Aura. Big bro mode.

Oh no brother…!

He smiled sweetly. Took her hands like he was about to dance with her.

Zarah froze mid-step like a busted duckling. "B-big bro… gentle big bro… I just showered, please don't hold me like you are going to thr…"

Then promptly launched her into orbit.

"THROOOW ME YOU!!!!!!"

Her screams echoed like a war horn. A long, dramatic "AHHHHHHHHHHHH—!"

Then, thud.

Direct impact into a distant sand dune.

Silence.

Sett dusted his hands. "Peace and quiet."

Then, Sett looked at his system.

Meanwhile, Zainah dipped her fingers into the sand with disappointment. Sett had been so adorable in that other form… She had wanted to squeeze his cheeks a bit more. Is that how he looked as a kid?

He sat down beside her and looked at empty air, calculating like he was seeing something she couldn't.

I am not physically stronger. I am still a Tier 2 Tomb Raider.

Sett had killed two Tier 3 or above figures. Namely Egrith and Faceless. But he had not absorbed the Tomb Hearts from neither of them.

Usually, he should have automatically absorbed that. He should have become a Tier 3 Tomb Walker by now!

Sett liked the fact that he was still a Tier 2, after all—if he had levelled up, he would have found it a bit bad. After all, he wanted to use the Tier 2 to Tier 3 10x level up in his best condition and in Sett's own opinion, he was far from that level.

But still…

Why hadn't he?

I have to check up with Faceless later. He should know.

"Sett, we cooked some broth using a bird we caught," Zainah said. "Should I take some for you?"

"I am busy, don't want any."

"It tastes good."

"Does it taste as good as my favorite dish?"

"Here you go again, teasing me like that…" She pouted, shoving his shoulder. "Don't do that. By the way, I awakened another of my Axiom's abilities while you were asleep!"

Sett's eyes lit up. "Which one?"

"Happiness Heals!"

"Oh, that one!"

That ability could heal Zainah using the happiness surrounding herself. The happier she and the people surrounding her were, the healthier she would become.

This ability was something that had once made Zainah an incredibly terrifying fighter.

She was called a perfect Wife for the Deathless Prince in her youth for that reason!

After all, when she was in her home surrounded by happy people—she was nearly impossible to wound. She constantly heals at an immense speed, just like her husband Sett did in his Deathless Form to a weaker extent.

The monkey became curious. "What are the abilities you have?"

Zainah said proudly. "I have the Axiom of Playfulness and I've already awakened four abilities. Song of Playfulness, Game of Benefits, Magnet of Fortune, and Happiness Heals."

Sett gave a soft smack on Zainah's head. She rubbed the spot in pain. "What was that for?"

"Don't just reveal your powers like that. These are things you should keep a secret." He then glared at the monkey with disgust. "Especially not to this monkey. This guy has the habit of telling his own powers to the enemies amidst battles!"

The monkey scratched its head. "It makes me feel bold and strong… though."

Sett's eyes twitched. "Idiots. All of the people around me are idiots!"

Zainah pouted. "I am not an idiot!"

Sett wrapped his hand around her neck. "Yeah, that is the only light in this darkness."

His mind briefly focused on her abilities.

Song of Playfulness let her release a vibe of playfulness around her that could instantly charm most mindless enemies. To creatures like mummies, and even for most of Sett's Tomb Slaves—that power was deadly when not commanded by a general. Though, when someone was sentient or was commanded by orders, the ability became rather useless.

Then she had Game of Benefits. This ability was absolutely one of the most useful skills Sett had ever come across. It could make other people want to help Zainah, make her benefit in some way. And it was effective on most people much stronger than her!

Then, she had Magnet of Fortune. An ability that had a long cooldown period—which could also attract immense fortune towards her. In the past, she had used that ability subconsciously to attract Egrith towards her, bringing Sett immense benefits down the line.

At first, she had brought him a few Tier 1 Tomb Hearts. Then, she had brought him into conflict with Egrith—who went on to become incredibly strong. Gaining Territory, Axiom, and true power. And when Sett killed Egrith, he had gotten almost everything that Egrith used to have.

His Axiom was in Sett's hand in the form of Faceless' Life Vessel core.

Indeed, she had attracted Egrith to him as part of Sett's greatest earnings from the Tomb.

He felt very good.

Magnet of Fortune always was a skill that attracted fortune en mass, it should have always been used inside Tombs to get treasures from Tombs.

In the past life, Zainah had been a noble young lady who never really rode Tombs. Sett hadn't found it too bad, but now seeing the probable power of Magnet of Fortune, he couldn't help but think otherwise.

Who knew how much of his fortunes ended up going to him due to her being the Magnet?

After those three abilities, she now had another ability.

Happiness Heals.

Now, only one more ability awaited awakening for her to complete the first steps of her life as an Axiom Holder.

Sett smiled softly then looked at the system again. Now, he looked at what he really cared about—

[Limitless Evolution Art…]