Chapter 583

Shahin, eyes still wide, finally said, "Ian... Hope?"

It was a name that no one from the slums could fail to know, a legend who had started from the very bottom. Shahin’s gaze turned once more beyond the railing. Of course, only pitch-black waves rolled there now, but in the boy’s eyes, the scene he had just witnessed overlaid itself again with vivid clarity.

It was then that Simon added, "It all makes sense now! The rumors that he had returned alive from beyond the Black Wall were true! Yes..."

A strange fervor had entered his voice.

For this one moment, he seemed to have forgotten he was in the middle of a sea of death. "A long time ago, I heard a story that the Superhuman of the North had kindled a new flame in the Temple of the Brazier."

His gaze swept over the deck, past the fading sacred fire to Lucia’s back as she prayed. "What made that tale spread was the rumor that the Superhuman of the North vanished beyond the Black Wall with that very flame. All the gossip... it was all true. And on top of that—"

A scream tore through the air from the back of the ship. Simon’s eyes widened, and he charged forward, still holding Shahin in his arms. He slid to a stop and whipped around, looking up at the raised aft deck.

Shahin, looking up as well, felt his eyes widen.

The giant sea serpent was collapsing, its severed head falling with it. However, Ian was nowhere to be seen. Below it, only a faint, arcing trail of crimson and violet was visible as it dissipated. Simon’s gaze, however, was fixed not on the giant sea serpent but on the stern railing.

"They also said that the Superhuman of the North created the new elder of the fairy clan." His eyes were locked on the profile of the elder fairy as she looked down, her silver hair whipping in the wind. "Even the rumors that the gossips themselves barely believed... they were true."

From behind them, Moro’s growling roar echoed, but Simon was no longer afraid.

Instead, he smiled faintly. "And when I return, there will be yet another unbelievable tale to add."

He looked back.

Moro, having finished its feast, was walking past the stairs.

"It seems the Superhuman has even tamed a demonic beast from beyond the Wall."

Below the stairs, Sanford cowered, staring up at the creature with a face twisted in terror. Mukapa, who was standing guard by Lucia with his battle hammer held loosely, was also watching Moro.

Taking in Mukapa’s grim expression, Simon added, "High society will be turned upside down. Everyone will want to hear my story. They’ll be divided into believers and non-believers, talking about it everywhere!"

Shahin glanced up at Simon without realizing it, his eyes unable to hide his bewilderment.

Looking down at the boy, Simon smiled wider. "Why such a face? You should rejoice, boy. The Agent of the Saint has blessed you."

Shahin’s eyes widened once more. It was a fact he himself hadn't even realized.

"That’s probably why the Radiant Goddess took notice of you. Once it’s known that the Agent of the Saint blessed you, there won’t be a single noble in the capital who doesn’t know your name. Just like the Guardian of Silence, Sir Philip."

Shahin couldn't even form a reply. He parted his lips only slightly and blinked, unable to fully grasp the weight of those words.

Before he could say anything, a long cry echoed from the side. It was a strange sound, almost like laughter. Both Shahin and Simon’s heads whipped around toward the port side. They saw the roughly churning sea, and beyond it, the large and small crimson shapes that were haphazardly closing in.

Fwoosh—

Just then, a purple streak shot out, cutting through the water as if to block their path. It was the orca sea beast, covered in crack-like purple patterns. The sound they had just heard must have been its cry.

"How in the world... a monster like that..." Simon whispered, watching the sea beast swim alongside their ship.

Shahin’s gaze fixed on its towering dorsal fin. More specifically, the fluttering hem of a cloak that was just visible at its tip, and the red trail of divinity that followed it like an afterimage.

"You there, passengers?" a clear voice came from the aft deck.

The silver-haired elder, Thesaya, was now leaning on the central railing with her chin in her hand, looking down at them.

Catching Shahin and Simon’s eyes, she wiped away the blood trickling from one nostril with a finger and added, "They told you to stay inside, didn’t they? Before you get yourselves hurt for nothing."

"Who was it that said so?" Simon asked, blinking.

Thesaya, smiling faintly through her fatigue, tilted her head to the left. "Who else?"

Just then, a roar erupted from the front of the ship. Shahin and Simon’s heads snapped in that direction. A giant, long-necked, lizard-like sea beast was shooting up from the water with a great spray, poised to crash down and crush the ship. At almost the same instant, the charging orca sea beast kicked off the water.

Swoosh—

Through the rising spray, Simon and Shahin’s gazes followed the crimson streak as it shot up from the orca’s back. It was Ian, his Light Sword raised high above his head.

Crack—

The bright yellow arc cut through the darkness, slicing cleanly through the beast’s thick, long neck.

Crunch!

The orca sea beast slammed into the lizard beast’s massive body a moment later, its jaws wide open as it tore a chunk of flesh from its side. The two entangled beasts plummeted below the surface, and Ian, clutching the rope in his left hand, disappeared into the rising spray.

The severed head of the screaming, lizard-like sea beast was the last to fall. It landed in an arc right next to the ship, so close that Shahin could clearly see its crimson eyes fading and the gaping maw filled with razor teeth.

Fwoosh— Splash—

The resulting spray of water rained down on the deck.

While Shahin and Simon turned their heads helplessly beneath the downpour, Thesaya leisurely said, "Even more terrifying up close. Moro, you heard that right? Take good care of these two."

Moro had come up beside them without their noticing, snorting gruffly. Though it too was drenched in seawater, the stench of blood clung thickly to it.

"

Ha, haha

.... We’ll,

uh

, be going now." Simon, meeting Moro’s gaze, quickly turned away.

Just as he did, Shahin, still in his arms, asked, "Could you maybe let me down now, young master?"

"For the sake of my peace of mind, couldn’t I hold you just a little longer?"

"It’s just... I’d rather not get eaten along."

Though Simon let out a sigh, he didn’t put Shahin down.

Looking at the pair as though they were endearing, Thesaya added, "Just hold on a little longer, even if you’re scared. We’re almost there."

Shahin peeked over Simon’s shoulder and looked toward the bow. Beyond the crashing waves rose a towering sea cliff, and above it flickered the blaze of a lighthouse, though Moro’s menacing face soon obscured the light.

"Everything okay below, Captain?" Thesaya, who had been watching Moro head inside, finally shouted across the deck.

Sanford, who had come back up, immediately replied, "Yes! A sea beast got inside, but the Sir Knight and the crew worked together to defeat it! We’re still sailing fine!"

Fwoosh.

With a splash, Yog the orca burst from the starboard waters right after, leaping toward the stern as though circling the ship. Its path even skimmed diagonally over the aft deck.

"What the hell?"

As Sanford cried out in alarm, Thesaya spun around and looked up at Yog. "You heard that, Ian? Not much left! I’ll handle this, so I’m counting on you!"

I told you to rest for a bit...

Ian pushed magic into the sword in his right hand. The Mantra circuit’s magic was running low. It was inefficient, but he had no choice if he wanted to keep the Platinum Claw active.

—Now, it’s really just us.

Ian finally looked out over the churning waves. There was nothing but endless purple light, with not a single ship left in sight.

So, in the end, they were wiped out.

That was the extent of Ian’s thoughts on the matter. What struck him as more tragic was that countless sea beasts remained.

The only reason this isolated marine ecosystem had not only survived but thrived was its connection to the Black Wall. It had likely also fueled Bukikia’s madness and made it crave freedom even more.

So it would be great if you would just find that freedom and leave.

That was as far as his thought went. Lowering his stance, Ian gripped the hook in his left hand even tighter. Yog was descending, and a school of sea beasts, leaping from the surface, was closing in. Yog clearly intended to dive right into the middle of them.

—Well then, let’s have some fun again.

Only you would call this fun.

Even as he thought it, Ian raised his Light Sword at an angle. A moment later, Yog crashed down on the school of sea beasts.

Crunch, swoosh!

A great spray of water shot up around it, and the sea beasts caught in the blast were sent flying in all directions. Ian, who was practically sitting down, thrust his Light Sword forward.

Swoosh— Slice!

The arc of the Light Sword, having left his hand, cut down several sea beasts in a row before being pulled back by the Willful Grasp, severing another one in the process.

As Ian gripped the hilt, Yog thrashed its fins violently and shot forward, its path cutting the school of sea beasts in half. Each beast was the size of a shark, yet those that collided with Yog scattered like toys. The fate of those that leaped onto it was no different.

Slice— Crack!

They were met by a bright yellow arc that cut through everything and a hexagonal golden shield. Ian, standing precariously on Yog’s back, cut and smashed the sea beasts without a second thought.

At times, his blade scraped against Yog’s back, but he paid it no mind. The creature likely felt the same.

The assault was more than enough to break up the school of what were essentially carnivorous sardines. As Yog cut through them, the creatures lost their focal point and scattered in all directions.

Crunch.

Next, a giant hammerhead shark lunging from the side collapsed as Ian’s Light Sword tore a long gash through its flank. Yog’s rising tail swatted aside another, shaped like a massive pufferfish.

—I could live in this body forever.

Yog whispered as it plunged back into the water, still crunching down on the sea beast it had caught earlier.

Even if you don’t want to, it might turn out that way.

Pulling on the rope, he landed hard on Yog’s sturdy back with a slash of his Platinum Barrier. He paused just after he had pushed the rope wrapped around the dorsal fin up with his Willful Grasp.

"I guess you have no intention of just letting us go."

The bead of chaos essence had resonated sharply for an instant. Yog’s chuckle followed. The creature had clearly also felt the presence that was growing stronger behind them. However, it rode the waves nonchalantly.

—Shall we pretend not to notice and hit them once, my friend?

"No," Ian replied immediately, dismissing his Platinum Barrier.

He looked back at the ship, where an ice barrier was spreading across the port side from Thesaya. "The ship won’t hold."

The passengers couldn’t see it properly, but the Black Wave was in terrible shape. Not only was there a gaping hole in its side from a sea beast, but planks were missing or dangling all over the hull.

The auxiliary mast at the bow was also tilted, and the number of oars sticking out from the sides was noticeably fewer. It was mostly the aftermath of the tsunami-like wave Bukikia had created. And the sacred fire had also shrunk considerably.

Gripping the handle of the hook secured to the dorsal fin, Ian added, "So we have to make sure something like that doesn't happen again."

Not that I like the idea.

Yog kicked off the waves and surged upward.

—You mean we launch a surprise attack first? Sounds fun.

I just meant that resisting would be enough.

Ian didn't bother to argue and instead, he tightened his grip on the hook in his left hand. Yog traced a violet arc through the air.

—Take a deep breath, my friend.

Thwump!

Yog plunged diagonally into the water. Ian, kneeling on one knee, lowered his head and braced himself against the crushing pressure. The pressure didn’t ease as quickly as before. On the contrary, it grew stronger, for Yog thrashed its fins and increased its speed. It dove deeper into the water, even shifting its course.

You’ve got no damn sense of consideration!

On the creature’s back, Ian couldn’t even straighten up, let alone open his eyes. Yog’s whisper reached his mind only seconds later.

—You’d better get ready. We’re almost there.

It clearly paid no attention to Ian’s condition. Of course, he couldn't blame it. Pushing against the pressure, Ian forced his body upright. He raised his Grip of Will before his face and opened his eyes.

Crash—

By then, the waves of crimson sea beasts were far above them. They seemed to blanket the sky, but Ian spared them no glance.

Bukikia.

For beyond the shadowed front, a vast form loomed, rising at a slant with crimson tendrils writhing, becoming clearer with every moment.

—Hold on tight, Friend. If we hesitate, it will notice us for sure.

With that whisper, Yog shot toward the creature like an arrow. This time, Ian didn't stop it.

A strategy like this would have never existed in the game,

he thought, gripping the hilt of his Light Sword as if to crush it.