“I’m sorry, brother.”
The enemy forces charged across the waterlogged plains with a ferocity that resembled a sudden, unstoppable torrent. Their numbers, around 15,000 strong, shook the very ground beneath them, making it feel as if the earth itself was trembling with each powerful stride. The deafening roar of their advance was enough to leave one’s ears ringing.
Leading this formidable army was the giant king, Kushan Thor. With a massive club in his right hand, he strode forward, each step closing the distance between us with alarming speed. His towering height of ten meters meant that with every stride, the gap between us shrank significantly, leaving his own troops trailing far behind. It seemed their strategy was to unleash this summoned giant to wreak havoc before the eastern forces could even react.
As we closed in on each other, the distance between me and Kushan Thor dwindled to mere meters.
The moment of confrontation came swiftly.
The giant finally seemed to notice me. With a thunderous roar, he raised his colossal club high above his head.
“Kiyaaah!”
I gripped my sword, Caligo Abraxas, with both hands, feeling its power surge through me. With all my might, I launched myself forward, charging directly at the giant.
In that fleeting moment when we entered each other’s range, time seemed to slow.
Thud!
For an instant, the giant’s movement halted, his right foot sinking deep into the muddy ground. A fierce wind whipped around me, and as I looked up, I saw the massive club descending, ready to split the earth.
“It’s coming.”
There was no time for thought. I responded instinctively, raising my sword to meet the descending club with all the strength I could muster. A dark, shadowy arc traced the path of my blade as it rose to intercept the attack.
Flash!
With a blinding explosion of light, Caligo Abraxas clashed with the giant’s club.
Boom!
The impact was deafening, a sound so powerful it seemed to strike my very core. My vision went white for a moment, and as it cleared, I felt a surge of adrenaline, a primal scream escaping my lips.
Silence fell over the battlefield. The thunderous footsteps and bloodthirsty cries of the enemy ceased as if they had never been.
When the trembling in my wrists subsided, I could finally see the outcome.
The sword and club remained locked in their clash, but the upper part of the club bore a gaping hole. Caligo Abraxas had sliced through, leaving a clean, circular cut.
A guttural sound escaped the giant’s throat. The club fell from his grasp, and he staggered back, eyes wide with shock.
Thud!
He dropped to one knee, the ground shaking with the impact.
I had returned the force of his attack, amplified by my own strength, magic, and the power of Caligo Abraxas. Though I couldn’t return all of it, the shock I absorbed was significantly reduced, leaving me able to withstand it.
The giant seemed momentarily dazed, his mind reeling from the unexpected blow.
“This is my chance!”
Seeing the giant’s eyes roll back, I charged forward without hesitation. But he wasn’t about to go down easily. He quickly raised his club and swung it horizontally in a wide arc.
However, with the Oros Boots enhancing my agility and jumping power, I was more than capable of evading. I leaped high into the air, feeling the sharp wind of the club’s passage beneath me.
Reflecting on it, the third eye had told me that Kushan Thor was a former king. Whatever his past, I was now certain he wasn’t a demi-god. There was no trace of divine power or complete magic resistance, traits unique to demi-gods.
If my assessment was correct, Kushan Thor was merely a powerful monster, ranking below even Mavolo de Ailight.
As I soared through the air, the giant’s golden body began to glow, and a sudden discharge of magical energy struck me. The tendrils of power crackled loudly but failed to penetrate my magical defenses.
Zap! Crackle!
Kushan Thor seemed to have believed this was his trump card, watching in disbelief as his magic dissipated harmlessly. As his gaze met mine, I swung Caligo Abraxas down from mid-air.
Slash!
The sensation of cutting through thick hide was unmistakable. I didn’t stop there; I channeled another surge of explosive magic through the embedded sword.
Boom! Boom!
The giant’s belly heaved with the force of the attack, and he let out a pained scream. He staggered, swinging his club wildly, but the precision of his first strike was gone. I used a displacement technique to slip into his blind spot, ready to deliver another blow.
Swish! Swish!
Suddenly, the sound of arrows slicing through the air reached my ears. I turned to see dozens of arrows aimed at me. In my eagerness to strike, I had exposed myself to the enemy’s line of sight.
“Damn!”
I somersaulted through the air, narrowly avoiding the barrage. But I had to abandon my attack, landing on the ground and quickly retreating. The arrows signaled that the enemy forces were on the move again.
Time was running out. As I looked up, I saw a deep blue barrier forming around the giant’s body, concentrating on his wounds. It shimmered like water, healing his injuries. His gaze returned to me, filled with renewed ferocity.
I considered using my fire magic but quickly dismissed the idea. If it triggered another uncontrollable awakening like last time, the consequences would be dire. While I would use it if absolutely necessary, I was confident I could defeat Kushan Thor without it.
Still, missing this opportunity was frustrating. Despite the risks, I decided to seize the moment. Just as I was about to charge again, a rumble of thunder stopped me in my tracks.
“What is…?”
Before I could finish the thought, lightning bolts descended from the sky, striking the giant’s chest.
It happened in an instant. The bolts hit precisely where I had wounded him, tearing open the healing flesh.
The water that had been mending his wounds now acted as a conductor, amplifying the lightning’s effect. Though invisible, the internal damage must have been catastrophic. Dark brown liquid and unidentifiable debris spilled from the gaping wound.
I couldn’t think. Instead of pondering the source of the lightning, my body moved on instinct. The opportunity I had struggled to create was now a perfect chance, right before me.
Roar!
Even as I charged, Kushan Thor swung his club, blood pouring from his wounds, his body teetering forward. Despite everything, he clung to his weapon, a testament to his tenacity.
A shadow fell over the ground as he collapsed, trying one last desperate attack. But Kushan Thor was now just a wounded beast.
I deliberately moved into the path of the descending club, tracking its trajectory. Once in position, I gripped my sword with both hands, channeling all my magical energy into it. Caligo Abraxas responded to my power with an even louder roar. Then, like a batter aiming for a home run, I swung with all my might at the falling club.
Crack!
A massive impact reverberated through my hands, but I let the momentum carry me, spinning around to strike again.
Slice.
I felt the distinct sensation of something being severed. The club, half shattered and half cleanly cut, flew through the air. Now, “Kushan Thor” was completely defenseless.
I glanced up at the sky. The giant, having lost its weapon, was now tilting slightly to the right, revealing a patch of blue sky.
Quickly, I calculated the distance. The range for my teleportation ability wasn’t as long as I’d like. I waited for the giant to get closer, and when it was about two meters away, I launched myself off the ground and activated my power.
In an instant, the scenery around me shifted as if I’d teleported. Glancing down at the earth-shaking noise, I saw the giant sprawled on the ground. What could it possibly be thinking now?
“It’s over.”
I landed on its head and drove my sword deep into the back of its skull. The added force from my fall made it sink in effortlessly. Without hesitation, I unleashed a burst of magical energy. A tremendous explosion followed, and I felt the giant’s body convulse beneath me.
As the golden light that had enveloped “Kushan Thor” faded, I leaped backward with all my strength. Though the battle had only lasted a few short minutes, it was time for the enemy reinforcements to arrive. With the giant down, I was now fully exposed to their view.
I continued to retreat, gauging my direction with a quick turn in mid-air before landing on the ground.
“Suhyeon.”
Suddenly.
“Suhyeon!”
A warm hand grasped my shoulders, accompanied by my brother’s voice.
Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised. I’d expected him to be here ever since I saw the lightning strike the giant’s chest.
Turning my head calmly, I saw my brother, drenched from head to toe. His wet hair clung to his face, but his eyes were steady and focused.
He seemed to have something to say, opening his mouth softly.
“Suhyeon… what on earth are you…?”
Bubbling! Bubbling!
But suddenly, an ominous energy began to emanate from our surroundings. My brother immediately closed his mouth and scanned the area with sharp eyes.
The source of the unsettling energy was water. I felt a chill brush past my skin. Looking down, I witnessed an unexpected sight. The water that had soaked us was being rapidly drawn away, as if sucked by a vacuum. It wasn’t just us; the water pooled on the plain was also vanishing.
The water didn’t travel far. No, to be precise, it was converging here. The gathered water was merging, growing in volume.
Whoosh!
Soon, on the once-empty field, dozens… no, perhaps hundreds of liquid blue forms began to rise and ripple. The sight of a massive wave undulating was both majestic and beautiful.
La la la la la…
La la la la la…
La la la la la…
“This is… no, never mind. We should get out of here first.”
As the radiant song of “The Legion Of Purification” reached our ears, my brother urgently grabbed my arm.
I wholeheartedly agreed. But the spirits, nearing the end of their summoning, had already surrounded us. Meanwhile, the shouts of approaching enemies grew ever closer.
I bit my lip.
“Not yet…”
It was then.
Just as I resolved to do something, anything.
A slow, unsettling movement of air began to swallow everything from afar. And then, a familiar wailing sound faintly reached my ears.
In stark contrast to the spirits’ brilliant voices, it was a dark, ominous melody.
Yes. This sound was unmistakably…
Screech…
Screech…
Screech…
From deep within the bowels of the earth.
Screeeeech!
It was the dark wail of the abyssal beasts.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
The Wednesday midnight update is complete. :)
Studying feels good. Last week, I was inexplicably anxious, but starting my studies has strangely put my mind at ease. Haha.
Still, not posting my daily updates leaves me feeling oddly empty. It’s only been a day, but I already miss my readers. ㅜ.ㅠ
Is it just me? :D
Haha, anyway, thank you all for your kind words!
I’ll study hard and bring back good results!
See you at midnight on Friday!
PS. I’ll be putting comments on hold until my exams are over. Thank you for your understanding!