Mummy Evolution

What is my life's goal?

Zainah pondered on the question.

What do I want?

She did not have an answer. Thinking about it made her head hurt.

She wanted a lot of things, more things than she thought she wanted.

Zainah wanted to be cared for by Sett—as much as he cares now, forever. The moment she had fallen for the bastard, she had also started fearing the day he might leave her. She had a deep desire for such a day to not come.

At the same time, she wanted to see Zarah find happiness. She wanted to see the little girl be happy forever. In fact, she wanted to see the girl grow up, find her own place in the world, and reach her own heights.

And other than those two things, she also had other desires.

She wanted to become a scholar.

It was a dream she had held since childhood—a dream that had never made much sense, even to her. But for as long as she could remember, she had envied those who spent their days in libraries, surrounded by books.

How wonderful would life be if all one had to do was read about things that sparked curiosity?

Reading was a blessing.

As a young, illiterate child, she had envied those who could read. After years of effort, she finally learned. But reading only made her hunger for more.

The knowledge of science, the way doctors healed patients. The brilliance of engineers who designed grand palaces and legendary structures. The artistry of great authors who wrote stories that resonated with the world.

She had always wanted to be a scholar.

But I never really had the chance.

She felt Sett's warmth behind her.

Yet now, I do.

With him at her side, becoming a scholar didn't seem so impossible anymore.

In fact, it almost seemed like an easy side quest.

Yet, Zainah remembered the day she had dared to ask a noblewoman about becoming a scholar.

She had been a child then.

The woman had spat on her.

That memory burned like an open wound—she hadn't even been allowed to dream. She was unworthy, a lowly existence, in comparison to those nobles.

How dare she dream!

But those shackles have been broken.

Now, all she had to do was let herself dream.

Be courageous.

As Sett had once screamed at the world.

There was no better lifeform or worse lifeform. In the face of death, there was no nobility and commoner. Both would become but skeletons hidden under the mud, then why should she feel inferior?

I want to become a scholar. I want to learn. I want to inspire others.

I want to hear stories.

But was becoming a scholar truly her life's goal?

If someone offered her a happy life with Sett as her husband (she blushed)—but at the cost of her dream—she would choose him without hesitation.

Thankfully he can't read my thoughts.

The same was true for Zarah.

If watching the little girl grow meant giving up on being a scholar, Zainah wouldn't regret it. So, if there were things more important to her, could she really call becoming a scholar her life's goal?

Then, do I want anything else?

As she pondered on it, Zainah became more and more aware of her own lack of desires. She didn't want anything else. Those three things were the only reason why she was even alive—or else, in a way, she didn't mind dying.

"Tell Uncle Door. I can't wait anymore!!!" The hand from the Door shoved the Golden Blood towards her. "Tell. Tell! TELL!"

Zainah was suddenly reminded of the conversation she had'd with Sett earlier.

"What if the Door asks a question and I am not sure of the honest answer?" she had asked.

He had thought for a second before answering. "If you are not sure of the true honest answer, answer with something that is neither a lie nor the truth. Keep it as honest as possible, but don't make it easy to refute."

If she said she wanted to be a scholar, the Door could ask: 'Will you hurt the two people around you to become a scholar?'

If it asked that, she would be stumped.

Then, the only answer that remained was clear.

"TELL UNCLE DOOR! NO MORE THINKING WINKING!"

Zainah took a deep breath. "I know my life goal."

Both Sett and her little sister looked at with intrigue.

Pink covered her face.

"I want to build and preserve a life where I am loved and needed." She paused. "I also want to be an important part of their life—support them in achieving their dreams."

Sett was silent.

Zarah just frowned. She didn't clearly understand.

"OH?" The Door Spirit's hand retreated into the door.

Zainah tensed.

Was that the right answer?

"Your answer is not right." A voice came from inside.

Zainah sighed inwardly.

"But the answer is not wrong either. That is, in fact, what you desire to do the most with your life. But, there is one thing you do not understand."

She blinked.

"What you want to do with your life is not just to be loved. Your desire is a bit different from that. Your honest desire, this Uncle Door knows what it is."

She was genuinely surprised, not knowing what the Spirit meant.

Sett, on the other hand, became contemplative.

"Oh, the young man on your side seem to have figured it out."

Zainah looked at Sett.

"Young man," Uncle Door exclaimed. "Should I tell what it is or will you tell?"

Sett looked at the door. He said: "You should tell."

"Oh, what a tremendously ambitious soul you have!" It murmured. "I can't read your mind as easily as the two ladies. Now, now, this is interesting. But let's focus on the girl in front of you first."

Its hand came back out and pointed at Zainah.

"You are right that what you want is to be loved and wanted. That you want to be important and supportive of your loved ones. But there is a little gap in your understanding of yourself. There is another thing you want, and that is—you want to support them, but you also want them to support you."

Zainah's eyes widened.

Sett nodded inwardly.

"You are sacrificing yourself in your own mind, thinking it is either becoming a scholar or being with your loved ones. But genuinely, what you hope for is for your loved ones to support you in your dreams as much as you are willing to support them. Then, your life goal is to build the greatest, truest bonds that can love, support, and help each other mutually!"

Zarah exclaimed. "This old door knows its shit!"

The Door Spirit laughed. "Of course this old door know its shit, its old for a reason!"

Zarah exclaimed again. "It said shit!"

"Yeah! I said shit!!!"

Sett had a weird expression appear on his face. This is the legendary door?

It sure did not act like that.

Uncle Door cleared its throat. "Well, since you answered honestly with what you know. You have passed my second test!"

The Golden Goblet appeared again in the spirit's hand. But now, it was no longer gold but purple. This was the highest grade of mortal blood—rare and quite precious. Just staring at it made Zainah feel invigorated.

Even Zarah, who had a blood connection to Zainah, felt a bit warm at the sight of the blood.

Sett stared at it in contemplation.

Uncle Door continued: "If you answer my third question, you will not only get this purple blood, I will also tell you something that will help you live better!"

Sett's heart rate quickened.

"Ask, old door!" Zarah nudged from the side.

The Door Spirit chuckled. "The question is simple. Tell me, oh Zainah. Not you, oh not you—I meant your true self. SHOW YOURSELF!"

Its voice suddenly became much, much more eerie.

Zarah immediately felt frightened and hid behind her big brother.

Meanwhile, Zainah, nestled against Sett's chest, suddenly froze.

Her body stiffened. Her breath hitched.

Then, her pupils rolled back.

Sett's eyes darkened as he prepared to intervene, but before he could move, her hand caught his wrist.

Gentle. Yet firm.

His heartbeat quickened.

Slowly, Zainah's eyes fluttered open again.

But they weren't the same.

Gone was the quiet, uncertain woman who had spent her days longing for a place to belong.

In her place was someone else—someone who knew where she belonged.

Zainah tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over the clouded doorway.

A smirk tugged at her lips. "That was quite the rude wake-up."

The Door Spirit chuckled.

Sett exhaled slowly, watching her every move.

Then, she turned to him—green eyes locking onto his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

Warmth flickered in them, softening for just a moment.

She looked at Zarah next. A smile graced her lips.

The little girl stared—her confusion obvious.

This Zainah felt... different.

Not in a way that frightened her, but in a way that felt more motherly. More laidback.

Lazy and at peace.

Sett sighed, his lips quirking into a small smirk.

"You can't stay, can you?"

Zainah rose onto her toes and brushed a kiss against his jaw.

"Sorry, babe. I can't." Her voice was softer now. "My memories just returned… but they're already fading again."

Sett pressed his lips to her jaw in return.

"I'll bring you back," he murmured. "You just need to strengthen your Axiom. Expand your Mental Space, and your memories will stop slipping away."

A chuckle left her lips. "You always were a fast learner."

But she didn't linger. Instead, she stepped forward, hands clasped behind her back as she faced the Door.

"Ask your final question."

The spirit obliged.

"What is it that you desire?"

Zainah didn't even hesitate.

"World domination. With my husband."

The air stilled.

Then came the real question.

"Why?"

Zainah's smirk deepened.

"Because that's what he wants." Her voice was smooth, unwavering. "And it seems interesting enough."

She tilted her head slightly, her green eyes gleaming.

"In the process, I'll get a good story to tell."

Sett inhaled sharply.

His pulse thundered in his ears.

Zainah...

Zainah!

The Door Spirit erupted into booming laughter.

"WHAT A BOLD WOMAN!"

Sett clenched his jaw, unable to stop the wild grin stretching across his face.

"She knows I won't get angry even if she acted bold and cocky," the Door Spirit marveled. "She assessed me, read me, and chose to answer in a way that would please her husband while still being her true self.

"She gauged the situation, measured her words, and used this moment to solidify her place at his side. While also boldly looking down on everything else. Including me!

"WHAT A MAGNIFICENTLY SHAMELESS WOMAN!"

Zainah accepted the compliment with a lazy shrug.

The Purple Goblet was handed over.

Sett smiled even wider.

Then, Zainah's complexion began to settle back down, making her frown. "My mental space was expanded forcefully by the Door Spirit," she said. "But it is shrinking back to Tier 1 level again and my memories are vanishing."

Sett hugged her. She leaned against him.

"How long can you last?"

Zainah frowned deeper. "Two seconds."

He nodded.

"Did you find any information about our daughter?" she asked.

He shook his head.

She closed her eyes. "Find her quick. You owe her too much."

Then, she opened her eyes.

Now, she appeared different. But there was confusion in her eyes, as if she had lost something incredibly important to her.

She looked at Zarah.

Zarah looked weirdly back at her sister.

All were silent.

Sett looked at the purple liquiq. His system stirred.

[Mortal Transcendence Blood]

[This Blood can purify a physical body and elevate its quality till it matches the best of its species]

Humans could elevate their body's till it met human top talent standard.

But that was the limit.

Drinking this blood would make Zainah's body equivalent to the most talented human Tomb Raiders.

But she wouldn't be able to match a monster like T.rex or an anaconda—not to mention those, she wouldn't be able to match Sett himself. He was a Tomb Walker.

But that was still alright, she would have much more strength than an average human Tomb Raider. He didn't exactly know how strong she would be, but Sett had his guesses.

Subconsciously, Zainah drowned the purple liquid in her hand.

Meanwhile, Sett looked at the door.

Zainah still had another reward waiting for her, after all!

"Are you also going to throw something in, young man?" Uncle Door asked. "Will you be throwing in your blood as well?"

Sett remained silent for a spell. "Let's give her what she deserves first. You said you will tell her something that will help her live better."

Zainah, who had just drunk the purple liquid, just stared at the empty goblet in her hand.

She felt something stirring throughout her body.

Sett, smirking, handed her a Tier 1 Tomb Heart.

She immediately ate it.