Invincible
patreon
#175
🕑 Added 2024-12-28 20:02:20 +0000 UTCThe Monster Villain (1)
By now, the Spirit Gate should have been destroyed. I remember that despite all the enemies we killed, about one-third of them were supposed to remain. There were many variables, but we were forcing ourselves to follow the flow. Now, the remaining task is to defeat Ecok before he becomes the Tyrant. On the path to the broken Arcane Chamber, there should be positioned spirits, and perhaps even high-level ones. But I could be at ease.
I touched the "Elixir of Dreams" that I had kept close to my chest. Strangely, no enemies were visible where I thought they’d be stationed, even after searching carefully.
Noticing something amiss, Limberton spoke as he kept scanning the surroundings.
"Something feels strange."
"Indeed," I replied.
I gazed at the massive whale that emerged after shattering the Arcane Chamber. Suddenly, I was so startled that I shuddered. The once-giant whale’s body was gradually shrinking, leaving my mind blank.
"This… this is unbelievable."
The whale’s cry was a warning, indicating one hour remained. With about fifty minutes left, Ecok had obtained Dordone's flesh. I didn’t know how it happened, nor was it the time to ponder. The important thing was that if this were a game, this would be the game-over screen.
"Limberton, Aslay. Return to the fortress immediately."
No sooner had I finished speaking than Limberton's mouth dropped open.
"Hersel, over there..."
A wave surged out from the Arcane Chamber. It was seawater expelled by Ecok, now transformed into a whale. I quickly dashed toward the fortress to avoid being swept away.
"Don’t look back! Run if you don’t want to drown!!"
The only thought in my mind was of a single woman who was probably sleeping in the fortress by now.
…Dorosian.
There was no one else I could rely on, no one but her—Dorosian, who could fully unleash her true power without being restrained by the demon-suppressing gear.
***
After destroying the Spirit Gate, the troops returned. Amid the faces stained with fatigue, Bellman scanned the training grounds. His gaze focused on the back of a student in the most vibrant-colored robe.
"As expected, the colors I see have become a bit more vivid."
Even after blinking several times, it remained the same. Out of curiosity, he removed his glasses, wondering if his eyesight had somehow improved.
"Hmm, without the glasses, everything still looks blurry. So, my vision hasn’t improved."
He had a vague hunch but wasn’t certain. As he pondered deeply, Professor Gomon approached to offer some jerky.
"You all went through a lot."
Glancing around, Professor Gomon whispered in a low voice, "After work, I’ll sneak you some drinks."
Erucel and Silla’s faces brightened. More than the drinks, Bellman blurted out what had been on his mind.
"Professor, I have a question."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Things have been looking a bit different lately. It’s as if the colors appear more intense. Could it be… that?"
Professor Gomon’s lips formed a surprised O.
"Oh, you’ve awakened a second sense. You’ve unlocked sight. But you must have been close to death, huh?"
Bellman immediately understood what Professor Gomon implied. He’d heard that sometimes senses are activated in life-or-death situations. It must have been the experience of facing death with the queen right in front of him that triggered it.
"As I thought..."
"Wow, still... something like that usually only happens when you're fully prepared. I only managed it near the end of my first year, but you awakened already, not long after the second semester began? Guess the ones who awaken to the sense of smell first are different."
Hearing this, Bellman felt a sense of fulfillment. The second sense that takes the longest to awaken is sight. The other senses would come much quicker. He couldn’t help but smile at the realization that he’d taken a step forward, despite always feeling left behind.
"Congratulations, Bellman. I don’t really get it, but it seems like something good happened."
Erucel’s congratulations prompted others to offer lighthearted words.
"Hey, does awakening sight mean better vision? Do you still need those lame glasses?"
"Don’t get tempted to use visualization magic to make gold, Bellman. That’s illegal."
These remarks came from his squadmates, Silla and Leana, and also from Riamon and Edina.
"What? You want me to praise you or something? I won’t. Besides, you shouldn’t get too excited. You might later find out it was premature."
"D-Don’t say that, Riamon. Ahem. Congrats, Bellman, I was planning to awaken first, but you beat me to it? Must be nice, huh?"
Although Edina’s words sounded like congratulations, there was an edge to her tone. In the end, Erucel was the only one who sincerely congratulated him.
'These guys sometimes seem to lack camaraderie,' Bellman thought, biting into his jerky and taking a gulp of water.
As they relaxed for a moment, he noticed Mircel and Ricks approaching from afar.
"Ah, you’re here. Have some," Bellman offered them two pieces of jerky.
"But where’s the big guy?" Mircel asked, prompting Erucel to scratch his head.
"Not sure. I looked around, but he’s nowhere to be seen."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Meanwhile, Ricks came over and sat down. Bellman noticed the heaviness in his expression and asked,
"What’s up with Mircel?"
"Oh, Mircel? He's an impressive kid. But that in itself is a problem."
Bellman vaguely sensed his troubles.
"Must be hard to lead him."
"Exactly. There’s something he insisted on achieving, so I allowed it, but I wondered if it was really okay at the time. In the end, Mircel’s judgment turned out to be right, though."
Being skilled is good, but only to a certain level. It’s not easy to keep up with the thoughts of someone who knows so much and is capable of so much.
‘I wonder how many people in that situation would realize the presence of the queen. Above all, seeing strength far beyond a student’s level might have even stirred doubts.’
Bellman himself felt that the moment Mircel plunged his sword into the queen’s belly. 'Maybe Ricks is even considering giving up his captain’s position.'
He wanted to say something encouraging, but worried it might weigh down the mood, so he kept silent. They all munched on jerky, their weary shoulders sagging.
Then, a sudden high-pitched voice startled Bellman.
"And what about me?"
He couldn’t immediately remember her name, so he tried mumbling something quietly to cover it up.
"Gravel, uh… here…"
However, she seemed to have keen hearing.
"You forgot my name, didn’t you? It’s Klabe! Klabe."
It was strange. He could remember almost everything, but for some reason, this woman’s name was the only one that didn’t come to mind easily.
'Is there some kind of mystery about her?'
There wasn’t anything else to be suspicious of. Maybe she had some kind of mystique that erased her presence.
'Ricks, this guy... he must be dealing with a lot.'
Bellman handed Ricks another piece of jerky.
***
Rockfeller prodded the head of Jurette, who was locked up in an iron cage, with his staff. He had tried to extract information through a memory-reading spell, but it had been interrupted by the effects of gravity magic. The only things he’d learned were her name and a few basic details about the Spirit Realm.
“It’s only a matter of time, Jurette. Wouldn’t it be easier for both of us if you just answered my questions?”
Jurette kept her mouth firmly shut, and Rockfeller continued talking regardless.
“The Spirit Realm I saw through your memory is quite fascinating. I never imagined that time would flow differently from this world.”
Summoned spirits never speak about the Spirit Realm. While they may not be able to speak, it’s not like there were no ways to communicate with them. Writing could be taught to allow them to express themselves. But they kept silent because of the forbidden clauses in the summoning rituals.
'As days pass here... on the other side...'
The time in the Spirit Realm, as seen in the memory, moved much faster compared to this world. A long and fierce civil war had erupted there, which might have passed in the blink of an eye here.
The conflict was between those who took up the will of Dordone and the forces trying to stop them. However, for some unknown reason, the current Spirit King was absent, and as a result, Dordone’s loyalists, who were imprisoned, managed to escape.
'Seeing as there’s no sign of movement, is the Spirit King still absent?'
Perhaps there was another reason preventing involvement, or maybe it was intentional neglect. More pressing now was finding information about Dordone and uncovering the weaknesses of the high-ranking spirit in a plague doctor’s mask who stayed by Ecok’s side.
“If you’re going to dig through my memories again, do it after you kill me,” Jurette said.
Rockfeller sneered. “No, I intend to keep you alive. Spirits who’ve lived through countless ages are rare. Perhaps you hold the knowledge of erased histories? I’d want that brain preserved, and for as long as possible.”
“…Even with all the time that has passed, your endless malice remains untouched.”
Rockfeller replied coldly, “Humans are creatures made that way. If there’s something we want, we take it. Sometimes, our nature is to obtain it even if it means bending morals.”
Of course, there were good people in the world. But there were far more who weren’t—if not an even split. And Rockfeller was among those who weren’t.
“I’m one of those who live without any regard for morality.”
As their brief conversation ended and Rockfeller waited for his mana to recover, Jurette started to shake her shoulders, letting out a mocking laugh.
“Heh heh heh.”
“What’s so funny?” Rockfeller asked.
“Oh, it’s because something good has happened.”
Confused, Rockfeller narrowed his eyes. He was about to prod her again with his staff when Jurette asked, “Can you smell the scent of the sea?”
“…The sea?”
“Why don’t you take a look outside?”
With a reluctant expression, Rockfeller approached the window. His office was high enough to provide a clear view beyond the barrier.
Upon seeing the scene outside, Rockfeller’s eyes widened. A massive wave was surging towards the land.
***
The wave struck us. However, thanks to Aslay, who had grabbed Limberton and me, we managed to survive by clinging to a deep-rooted tree.
That was possible because Frost Heart was situated on high ground.
Even a massive wave was merely a river flowing beneath the mountains.
"Cough, cough." Limberton fell to his knees on the ground, spitting out seawater.
“Phew, I almost suffocated to death.”
“I feel the same.”
If we hadn’t taken a deep breath before the water surged to the top of the tree, we might not have survived.
"Let’s get changed first.”
I dragged my soaking wet body and began walking toward the fortress. Despite everything, my mind was in chaos. There had been too many unexpected variables this time.
The arrival of a high-ranking spirit, the warning cry of the whale, which should have been heard two days later, and the missing hour that was supposed to be our final push. Ecok had acquired Dordone's body far too quickly. It’s pointless to dwell on it now. What matters is what we do from here.
Upon reaching the barrier, the eyes of the guard widened in surprise.
“Hersel?”
“Go tell Rockfeller to open the barrier for a moment.”
“Oh, alright.”
Thanks to the wave, even the spirits were swept away. Although they likely didn’t drown, many would have been carried down the mountain. The barrier was soon opened, and I entered the fortress, took a shower, and quickly changed.
Upstairs, Dorosian was likely asleep. Given the circumstances, I headed toward her room. However, as if she anticipated my arrival, Dorosian was seated on a chair in the lobby and called my name.
“Did you wash up?”
“How did you know I came in?”
“I saw you coming from outside.”
She closed her book and patted the seat next to her.
“Sit down.”
Steadying my mind, I approached and sat beside her. The task ahead was with Dorosian, and it was...
