By now, the sun had fully dipped below the western horizon, and darkness had settled thickly over the mountain range.
It was a strange night.
At least, that’s how Kushan felt. An odd sensation kept creeping over his entire body—not just the fatigue from his waning physical strength, nor the sudden disappearance of the user he had been chasing. No, it was something else entirely. The pounding of footsteps on the ground, the ragged breaths filling his lungs, the occasional swallow—all of it felt off, unsettling.
It wasn’t until he heard the eerie cry of the monstrous birds just ahead on the plains that Kushan finally understood what that strange feeling was.
—Kiiirurururururuk!
“Huh? What’s that sound?”
At first, Kushan couldn’t make sense of it. He had assumed only humans and his own kind would be on the plains. The idea that monstrous birds might be there hadn’t even crossed his mind.
Flap, flap, flap, flap!
But then he spotted the flock of monstrous birds soaring high above. And when he saw one of his own kin limp, caught in their talons, Kushan was forced to face reality.
“Ah…?”
No words came out. Only a deep sense of unreality. Kushan stared blankly at the sky. Twice, thrice he looked, but it was unmistakable—his kin were being carried off by those monstrous birds.
Thud!
Eventually, the flock released their grip, and the giant fell helplessly, crashing to the ground. The moment Kushan saw the birds swooping down again with deadly speed, his frozen legs sprang into motion. No other thought crossed his mind—only the urgent need to help his kin.
It was just as Kushan stepped onto the plains.
“…”
Finally, Kushan beheld the scene before him—or rather, the horror.
Bodies with ice frozen in their hair, others brutally mutilated, some with shattered legs, others scorched from head to toe.
Yes. The entire area was a sea of corpses. Not just any corpses, but those of Kushan’s own kind—the giants.
For a long while, Kushan stood rooted like a statue, his mind slowly piecing together a single thought.
What.
On earth.
Had happened?
Only then did the full scope of the battle on the plains come into focus.
Fierce fighting still raged in pockets across the grassland. Humans were systematically pushing the giants from the front, while the monstrous birds swarmed in from behind. And the giants fought back with all their might.
But to Kushan’s eyes, there were only three things: humans attacking giants, monstrous birds attacking giants, and his kin falling one by one under these relentless assaults.
Half a day ago, there had been around 800 of his kind. Now, not even half remained. Not even a quarter.
Kushan had no idea what had transpired. But by now, he could guess. For example…
Tap…
Suddenly, the precious talisman he had been clutching slipped from his hand.
“Ughhh!”
Without realizing it, Kushan began running toward the center of the plains.
As he ran, a cacophony of sounds assaulted his ears—the screams of his kin, thunderous explosions, the flapping of monstrous wings. It was chaos. Kushan covered his ears, wishing he could shut his eyes too. Because…
‘Kushan, run!’
What if—
‘We’re friends, right?’
What if he saw something he never wanted to see?
“Nooo!”
The sight of a friend fighting against his own kin.
When Kushan finally reached the center of the plains, he saw dozens of giants gathered in a circle. They were fiercely resisting a swarm of hundreds of monstrous birds, as if protecting someone.
“Kuchal! Elder Kuchal!”
Kushan shouted at the top of his lungs. Some of the giants in the circle turned their heads, hearing his voice.
“Young master! What on earth…!”
“Young master! It’s dangerous…!”
Amid the many voices, Kushan only heard one thing: Kuchal was here. Without hesitation, he turned toward him.
But before he could reach the circle, Kushan sensed something was wrong. Kuchal was the tallest among their tribe. He should have been visible by now. The fact that he wasn’t meant he couldn’t stand.
Pushing into the circle, Kushan finally saw Kuchal lying on the ground in a pitiful state. More than half his body was torn open, organs exposed. Blood pooled beneath him. Pierced by sharp spears, no part from his neck down to his abdomen was unscathed.
“Kuchal! Kuchal!”
Amazingly, despite it all, Kuchal was still alive. When Kushan collapsed beside him, shaking his body, Kuchal weakly opened his eyes. He even forced a smile upon seeing Kushan.
“Kushan… is that you…?”
“Elder Kuchal! Are you okay? You’re not dead yet, right? You won’t die, will you?”
“Look… humans… can’t be trusted…”
“Y-yeah. Elder Kuchal’s right. I won’t cause any more trouble. I won’t say anything strange again. So, you’re going to be okay, right?”
At that moment, Kuchal coughed violently, blood spurting like a fountain from his mouth. Kushan’s face twisted in pain. His mouth smiled as he asked if Kuchal was alright, but his eyes were tightly shut in anguish. He didn’t even realize his voice was trembling.
In truth, Kushan already knew. He knew Kuchal was about to die. He just couldn’t accept it.
“Huff… huff…”
Suddenly, Kuchal’s eyes flared with a fierce light. Slowly, he raised his hand, and Kushan quickly grasped it. Kuchal guided Kushan’s hand toward something.
Moments later, Kushan’s fingers touched an object. Kuchal summoned all his remaining strength into that one hand, urging Kushan to hold it.
“Kuchal…?”
Feeling his hand tremble, Kushan instinctively looked down. There lay Mjolnir, perfectly placed on the ground. Kushan’s eyes widened as big as lanterns, and without thinking, he gripped the hammer. Only then did Kuchal’s face relax.
“Now… the true master… Kushan Thor…”
Kuchal’s body and voice trembled faintly. The fierce light in his eyes began to fade.
“I always wanted… to stand by your side…”
“Elder Kuchal! Stay with us! Please!”
“To see you… lead us…”
“Ku, ku…”
Hearing Kuchal’s heartfelt words, Kushan felt something surge up inside him—a feeling he’d never experienced before. He wanted to speak, but his throat tightened, choking off his words.
“Huff, huff…”
With a final trembling breath, Kuchal’s shaking ceased. His bloodied lips moved weakly.
“Sorry… I couldn’t… see it through…”
And with that, the light in his eyes went out completely.
Kuchal bowed his head, unable to finish his sentence.
His hand, which had barely guided Mjolnir to Kushan, fell limply to the ground.
“Kuchal…?”
He had been like a brother, an uncle, a father—always watching over him, advising him.
“Kuchal…!”
But now, no matter how much Kushan called, there was no answer.
“Kuchal…”
The moment Kushan truly realized Kuchal was gone, a single tear slipped quietly from his eye. Not a clear tear, but one stained deep red—like tears of blood.
And so.
At this very moment, it began.
‘Giants, mourn. Try mourning. Feel the deep, aching sorrow.’
A giant who feels sorrow.
‘Not only will they reclaim their grief, but the curse binding their power will be broken, and their former glory will naturally return.’
They will begin to reclaim everything.
‘Bravery remains, but strategy will be taken away.’
Strategic thinking will awaken.
‘Love remains, but peace will be lost.’
Peace will be forged anew.
‘Intelligence remains, but the wisdom to evolve will be withheld.’
The wisdom to pioneer the future will be granted.
‘Nature remains, but strange divine power will be stripped away.’
Innate divine power will return.
‘Their homeland remains, but the monsters’ reverence will be withdrawn.’
Monsters will once again bow before them.
‘Uncontrollable madness will be bestowed.’
The madness that once overwhelmed them will vanish.
‘They will be true to their own hearts.’
At last, they will reclaim freedom of spirit.
Suddenly, a heavy silence fell over the entire plains.
A stillness so suffocating it felt like the air itself had stopped.
It was strange. Just moments ago, the plains had been filled with endless explosions. Now, not even the wind stirred. An eerie, unnatural quiet had taken hold.
Everyone—users, monstrous birds alike—felt it.
The overwhelming energy that had suddenly risen from the center of the plains, sending shivers through every living thing.
The wild, untamed force that was spreading beyond the plains, flooding the entire mountain range.
Because of that, my legs suddenly gave out, and I couldn’t move a muscle.
Some time passed.
A cold wind swept across the grasslands.
Flash!
In that instant, several eyes pierced through the darkness at the center of the plain.
But these eyes no longer glowed with the mad, blood-red light of frenzy. Instead, they burned with a fierce, pure white blaze.
Before long, the number of those blazing white eyes in the pitch-black darkness began to grow. Slowly, they started to rise.
A moment later.
At the very instant the last pair of tear-streaked eyes lifted themselves up—
Kuuooooooooh!
A tremendous roar filled with hatred and sorrow erupted with terrifying force, shaking the entire mountain range to its core.
It was Thor’s battle cry, commanding the awe of every monster on earth.
From the distant age of myth—
The legend of the giants who once ruled the world and led the colossal wars was reborn on the steel mountain grasslands.
And then—
“Everyone, prepare for battle.”
At one edge of the plain,
Hwaruk, hwaruk!
The ancient flames, fierce enough to burn even the roar of a demigod, quietly revealed themselves.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I will be taking a break on Friday, July 25th. Thank you all for your understanding. :)