Chapter 126. A Shared Fight

Nereid stroked his chin, deep in thought. Everything went according to his plan—he’d successfully kidnapped the human to the Frostcloud Forest. The few other humans who tagged along were beside the point.

Yet, Vulcanus, of all beings, had shown up to help the human.

They must’ve forged some kind of bond in his domain. Otherwise, there’s no way that sluggish lizard would drag himself out here. Also, that human has grown so much stronger.

After seeing his spirits, Nereid became sure of it. He felt a stab of jealousy. What could’ve caused that kind of growth? If any great fortune had appeared, it should have been his, not a mere human's. Nereid frowned, then stomped on the ground.

Thump.

Ripples of water shot outward from his feet, coalescing into form. Before long, water knights stood before him, their scale armors shimmering in the blue light.

"Go," Nereid ordered with a tilt of his head.

The knights vanished one by one. With the strength Nereid had observed in the human previously, just two or three would’ve been enough to overwhelm him.

But now, hundreds of them marched, all focused on a single target. As he watched his mighty forces disappear into the mist, Nereid couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

This isn’t enough.

Crossing his arms, Nereid stood deep in thought. If he was going to kill them all—especially the human and Vulcanus—his force needed to be spectacular. After sticking his nose in this, there was no way that lizard would get off easily.

Then, Elsar, lying on the ground and twitching pathetically, caught his eyes.

"Yes, this is just perfect." A sly smile played at Nereid’s lips.

"N-Nereid... My lord... please, spare me," Elsar whimpered.

"Yeah, of course. Come over here," Nereid said in an arrogant voice.

Then, he stretched out his hand toward her. Water flowed down his arm and dripped from his fingertips.

Desperate, Elsar used her only remaining arm to drag herself across the dirt. She crawled to his feet, pressed her lips to his hand, and drank the water—all to survive.

"

Khrrrk!

"

She choked and blood spurted from her lips.

She convulsed, as though tiny insects were gnawing at her from the inside. The pain shot through her like wildfire. The water she’d just swallowed wasn’t healing potion, but poison.

"W-why...?" Elsar gasped.

"Because it’s more fun like this," Nereid replied nonchalantly.

Elsar’s eyes widened in horror. Her lips trembled as she forced herself to speak.

"I-I’m your contractor... If word gets out that you abandoned me—"

Nereid raised an eyebrow and asked, "Wait, are you threatening me?"

His head tilted, as if genuinely curious. In that moment, a deep terror settled into Elsar’s soul. They spoke the same language and had always understood each other, but now, it felt like she was facing someone unknown, beyond her comprehension. Despite knowing how cruel he was, this was the first time she was terrified of him.

"It doesn’t matter," Nereid said casually. "No one’s going to find out. And soon, I’ll be going up anyway. Who cares what the pests down here at the Stem say?"

"What are you sayi—

Keuk!

"

Before Elsar could finish, she coughed up more blood, her words dying in her throat. She could no longer speak and her body was giving out.

The light of betrayal flickered in her eyes. Everything she did was for his sake! She had conquered the forest, invaded the human realm, and even kidnapped dangerous individuals—all because she trusted him!

As she breathed her last, she realized it was all for naught. He’d cast her aside like garbage. Her body fell limp, her eyes frozen wide open in disbelief and rage.

Nereid gazed down at her for a while. His hand hovered near her face, as if he was about to close her accusing eyes.

"This should make a pretty scene," he muttered.

Instead of closing her eyes, he brushed a small flame off her hair, extinguishing it.

***

"

Tsk.

"

Kim Do-Joon clicked his tongue. All of the sudden, he’d lost connection to Elsar’s totem. Nereid must’ve noticed and erased it.

Still, I got everything I needed.

Kim Do-Joon recalled the scenes he had just witnessed. He figured out the location of the elves' hideout within the forest, the layout of their base, the appearance of the water knights sent by Nereid—and finally, Elsar’s death.

He felt no sympathy. Elsar had invaded Earth when the first Stems of the World Tree appeared, causing great destruction. If it hadn’t been for his and Shin Yoo-Sung’s efforts, countless more horrors could have unfolded.

“He’s here,” Vulcanus said in a serious tone.

He had sensed Nereid’s presence.

"What will you do?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

Vulcanus could still choose to flee. Despite the promises made between them, his life certainly took priority. He was also fully aware that Vulcanus wasn’t strong enough to defeat Nereid.

“What do you think? A chance like this might never come again.”

However, Vulcanus merely chuckled, seemingly amused. It was an opportunity to settle an old feud. Moreover, he had Kim Do-Joon as an ally.

Seeing Vulcanus so eager, Kim Do-Joon smiled slightly. There was no hint of fear or hesitation in him. A shared fight against a common enemy—it seemed their alliance would continue a little longer.

“Very well. What did you see?” Vulcanus asked.

Kim Do-Joon recounted everything he had witnessed.

“Those would be the Sea God’s knights,” Vulcanus said.

"Do you know of them?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

“Yes, those are among Nereid’s favorite creations,” Vulcanus explained.

Before the World Tree began devouring everything, back when humans still ruled the continent, there had been famous knights. Nereid had extracted these knights’ blood to create his Sea God’s knights.

During the process, they lost most of their original essence, including their blood and brain, but retained traces of their mana and muscle memory. Nereid used these remnants to command them.

“They were all warriors of great renown in life. Though it was ages ago, strength is timeless. You should be cautious,” Vulcanus explained.

“I see,” Kim Do-Joon nodded.

"But still..." Vulcanus’s voice trailed off unnaturally, causing Kim Do-Joon to tilt his head in confusion.

In the next moment, something came rushing at them.

Swoosh—

The fastest of Nereid’s knights, one who had been renowned for his speed even in life, burst out of the forest. It charged straight at Kim Do-Joo in a sudden ambush. Yet, Kim Do-Joon was unfazed. As if on cue, he smoothly drew his spear.

Slash!

Clang—!

With a swift motion, Kim Do-Joon froze the knight using the Ice Crystal’s energy. Then, with a second swing, he shattered the figure to pieces. Though featureless, the knight’s water-formed face seemed to freeze in shock.

“They don’t stand a chance against you as you are now,” Vulcanus remarked casually, showing no surprise at the outcome.

***

Seems like we already lost one.

Nereid could tell that one of his knights, the fastest one, had been taken down. The knight would have lasted longer if he had coordinated with others. His speed had doomed him.

Nevertheless, his focus lay elsewhere. He calmly surveyed an open clearing within the Frostcloud Forest, where the elves would gather for important decisions, like a council meeting spot.

He stood at the center of the clearing, making no attempt to hide his overwhelming presence. The elves had instinctively gathered, without even being called. They stood on the surrounding branches, gulping nervously as they stared at the boyish figure.

He’s our Lord...

It must be him.

For many, it was their first time seeing the Spirit King of Water, Nereid. Yet the raw energy he radiated left no doubt it was him. Besides, he had a similar aura to their leader, Elsar.

But...

Why is the Spirit King alone?

Where’s Lady Elsar?

The elves exchanged glances and looked at Nereid. Why was Elsar, his contractor, not here with him? Such a thing was unheard of, so the confusion spread quickly.

"Finally, you're all here," Nereid said, breaking the murmur.

Instantly, the whispering ceased, and all eyes focused on the boy on the platform. Nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to hear.

"Elsar is dead."

A ripple of shock coursed through the gathered elves. Murmurs grew louder, panic and disbelief clear in their eyes as they looked around for answers. However, Nereid continued with a cold and unwavering voice.

"You’re all aware of the humans who recently invaded the forest, right?"

The elves nodded. Not only did those trespassers harm the sacred roots of the World Tree, they also dared to stomp into their territory with their dirty feet.

In truth, Elsar had instigated the conflict using a hollow root provided by Nereid. But the former was dead, and the latter had no intentions of telling, so the elves remained in the dark.

"Those humans are responsible for her death. Elsar, my contractor, went out to punish them. During the battle, she lost an arm and barely made it back. She died after calling my name...”

Then, Nereid snapped his fingers. The ground beneath one side of the platform rippled like water, and from it, Elsar’s lifeless body rose.

"No!"

"Lady Elsar!"

"How could this be...?"

The elves recoiled in horror. Not only was she missing her left arm, but her body was also riddled with wounds, some still bleeding. She seemed to have coughed up blood, and her face twisted in bitter regret.

Nereid waved over two young elves with a somber look. Hesitatingly, they approached him.

"Take her and bury her beneath the tree. Even in death, her spirit will remain with the forest."

"Y-Yes sir!"

"Understood!"

The two elves hurried away with Elsar's body, leaving the rest in a tense, suffocating silence. It wasn't awkward but heavy, like a volcano on the verge of erupting—an ominous stillness pulsing with restrained fury.

At the center of it all stood a small boy, Nereid, holding the fuse.

"I will punish them," he declared. "Those humans trampled on our land, took our leader from us, and killed my beloved contractor. Will you stand with me?"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

The elves scrambled to show their support, their voices overlapping in fervor. But then, Nereid’s voice shifted, losing its dramatic, performative tone. It became his usual casual, almost mocking voice.

"Really?"

"Those damned humans!"

"We’ll help with anything!"

Nereid’s lips curled into a smirk. "So, you're all in agreement?"

He raised his hand, and just like when he had poisoned Elsar, clear water trickled down his fingers.

"One by one, come up and drink this."

It was his first command to the elves. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, expecting something grand to unfold.