STM 159

Everyone wants a miracle in moments of despair. Only one hope remained for those who were fighting the monsters emerging from the bottom of the Crystal Lake: a miracle.

Tubain had a being that could make that miracle happen.

Long ago, when monsters tried to destroy the world, a legendary divine beast appeared and shared its power with humans. The people of Tubain had revered the divine beast since childhood and believed they’d be saved eventually.

Bito, one of Kun’s soldiers, felt the same way. He knew well that Tairok, their leader, couldn’t use his power because Kun’s divine beast was missing. He still couldn’t completely let go of this hope. But there were just too many monsters.

Crash! Thud!

Bito flew through the air and hit the ground right after he swung his sword. A burning pain spread through his abdomen. He moved his hand and realized his belly was bleeding. The cut wasn’t deep, so he should’ve stood up right away, but he had no strength.

Bito had fought so many monsters under Tairok’s command that he’d grown sick of it, yet he felt this time was really the last. The monster that just attacked him raised its saw-like leg to strike.

Ah, it’s over now.

His remaining hope scattered into the air. Suddenly, something flew through the sky and struck the monster.

Splat!

The source of the wet impact sound was a stream of water. It wasn’t just water. A fierce vertical stream pierced the monster’s hard shell like it was steel. The sound of the monster’s insides crushing rang out. The monster staggered and fell from the sudden attack.

Bito didn’t know the reason, but he didn’t miss the chance and scrambled back. He didn’t need to run anymore. The monster body twitched and then went limp.

Where did this water come from? Why was it so powerful?

Tairok appeared before him as if he dropped from the sky before Bito could even turn his head. He checked Bito’s injury with a quick glance and gave an order.

“Handle the monster’s core.”

He jumped toward another monstze, and a transparent substance emanated from his fingertips. It turned sharp like arrows and flew toward the monsters. Each water arrow seemed to have its own will; they curved around people and pierced the monsters accurately. Dozens of monsters shrieked and died in an instant.

That was only the beginning. Tairok used a fallen monster as a stepping stone and jumped into the air, and then water arrows rained from the sky. A miracle appeared before their eyes.

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Awe for divine beasts was etched into the people of Tubain. They couldn’t mock me, even though they usually laughed at me. Silence was the first reaction when I mentioned the divine beast. Surprisingly, Kilu was the first one to counter. He belonged to a divine beast’s family and should’ve respected them the most.

“Ah, a divine beast grants you power? Divine beasts never show themselves to any human, so why would one appear before someone as stupid and frivolous as you? I’d like to say I’m truly disappointed in the divine beast’s taste.”

The frozen atmosphere turned into ridicule. I didn’t care if Kilu talked trash; I only looked at Hoiga. He was the only one I had to focus on. He froze when I mentioned the divine beast, but he regained his courage with Kilu’s help and joined the conversation.

“Yes, I’m curious too. What did the divine beast see in you to help you?”

“Maybe it’s because I don’t lie like you.”

“So your prophecy is true? Can you take responsibility for those words?”

The reaction I waited for finally came.

“Do you want to bet?”

I took a step forward and provoked him, but no one tried to stop me this time. My words must’ve piqued their curiosity. They all turned their gaze towards Hoiga for an answer.

“Lu, are you really going to bet on Grand Duke Kun’s life?”

“You’re the one who talked nonsense about Grand Duke Kun’s life first.”

“…It’s not nonsense.”

He gritted his teeth and glared at me.

“Fine, let’s bet. That’s the only way you’ll accept reality. If you’re wrong, you’ll be whipped in the public square and apologize.”

“Is a whipping enough? You should cut off my head at least.”

Hoiga’s eyes shook for a moment when I put my life on the line. He’s scared of just this. I couldn’t kill this coward yet. Hoiga had to live a long time in pain.

“If I win, you just have to give me one thing. Give me Sarne’s ancient document that contains the clue to break the Kun family’s curse.”

Hoiga pursed his lips. He didn’t answer, so it was obvious he kept a copy. But I couldn’t get a confirmation from him. His spokesperson stepped forward again.

“Why do you suddenly ask Salvation for Sarne’s ancient document? Adeye Lu, I can’t stand your outburst anymore.”

Kilu signaled the guards nearby so I wouldn’t have a chance to speak, and several of them approached me. I had an escort too. Haas sensed the danger and teleported to my side just like last time. The guards flinched and stopped; perhaps Haas was famous for his skills.

Then Kilu stepped forward himself. An opaque magic circle hovered over his hand like a threat. He raised his hand toward Haas as if he wanted to deal with him personally and shouted an order to the guards.

“What are you doing?! Get rid of that trash already!”

The party I interrupted felt like it would turn into a battlefield soon. But Kilu couldn’t cast his spell, and the guards couldn’t move to catch me either.

I reached for my necklace to pull out my club. Suddenly, the Borhumi divine beast on my wrist grew big enough to reach the ceiling in an instant. It uncoiled, raised its head, and opened its mouth wide as if it were about to attack its prey. Its white venomous fangs gleamed, and its forked red tongue flickered in the air.

Hiss!

The silent roar of the snake seemed to vibrate through the air. But something was scarier than the sharp teeth or the silent threat. Its blue eyes. Those eyes, which were once only wondrous, now shone with cruelty. I was stunned because I’d never seen the divine beast’s aggressive side before.

That didn’t last long, though; I soon noticed everyone else looked strange.

“Ugh, huff…”

“Ah.”

Groans echoed from all sides, and people fell to the floor. They all trembled in fear and couldn’t even look up. Some weak people fainted and lay on the ground with their eyes closed. It was sudden chaos, but even the servants and guards who should’ve helped them were in the same state.

I was the only one who was fine. Even Haas knelt and barely held himself up with his hands on the floor, but he was shaking like a leaf. I placed my hand on Haas’s shoulder in surprise and looked up at Borhumi divine beasr. Those cruel blue eyes looked down at me. I felt a chill, but I didn’t pass out, so I saw the giant divine beast’s tail move.

[I did well, right?]

…What?

I was speechless. However, madness glimmered like an aurora in the blue eyes. It was a divine beast, after all, therefore its mind was quite twisted. I quickly gave it a thumbs up. The divine beast looked satisfied and shrank instantly, then wrapped itself around my wrist again. It raised its head proudly and wagged its fish fins-like five tails. It looked very happy.

I was grateful for the help, but I wished it had spared my allies too. I grabbed Haas’s arm and pulled him up.

“Can you open a portal?”

“Ugh, what? Yes?”

“Let’s just walk.”

I couldn’t overwork my precious means of transportation. I supported Haas as we left the devastated party hall, and then I heard a strained voice from behind.

“You… what kind of dirty trick did you… haaa.”

Kilu said a predictable line. I ignored him and hurried out.

The sudden mass panic didn’t last long, but the shock was non negligible. The fear they felt at that moment wasn’t evil. It was like the primal fear one feels when they face nature alone. The strange part was that Adeye Lu was the only one unaffected. Why?

“Adeye Lu must use black magic.”

Some people agreed with Kilu’s angry words, however, the majority simply hid their confusion and maintained rigid facial expressions. They’d never heard of such black magic. Soon, the hall became busy as everyone tried to leave without a word of protest. Kilu looked around at the restless crowd and eventually leaned down to help Hoiga. The latter sat blankly on the floor, unable to recover from the shock.

“Hoiga, are you alright?”

“…It was.”

“Pardon?”

Hoiga grabbed Kilu’s clothes and whispered. He sounded terrified.

“I saw the divine beast’s light.”