Chapter 1062: Shadow of the Star (8)
Penteract possesses power that operates with the least reliance on Lennok’s abilities, among all the artifacts he holds.
But because of that, the results manifested through Penteract can be easily disposed of without much burden.
An artifact that exists and operates in a way most unrelated to Lennok, and conversely, its aftermath is not difficult to manage.
Lennok chose Penteract first because it was the method the Harvester Spell Master would least expect, and it could be retrieved if necessary. However, he hadn’t expected that an otherworldly monster would use that opportunity to come see Lennok directly.
“Although I called it business, there’s no need for you to feel too burdened.”
Above the altar’s Heptagram appeared the form of a dark crimson hand with seven fingers.
The entity writhed grotesquely like a starfish, yet posed its questions courteously.
“What I pay attention to is your demonic talent itself. There’s no reason to fix the form connected to it to just one.”
Contrary to its grotesque and ugly aura, its polite and courteous voice created a powerful sense of unease.
The entity responsible for the forbidden ritual that corrupted the Headro Warlords into monsters.
Had this otherworldly being, which transformed an army of living humans into monsters, directly contacted Lennok?
“I heard the Headro Warlords were corrupted into monsters through a forbidden ritual.”
Lennok asked.
“Are you then the master of that forbidden ritual?”
“Our contractors becoming such beings was, ultimately, their own wish.”
The starfish chuckled.
“It was merely the most suitable form to bind their finite lives to war. Since it was a result they themselves wished for and accepted, how could they blame anyone?”
“…”
“However, as I mentioned before, this is not what I wish to discuss.”
Crackle…!!
The starfish curled round towards Lennok, beckoning with a finger as if in greeting.
“The skill with which you massacred the Headro Warlords. It was very impressive. A refined technique that even we, beings from beyond, could not easily emulate.”
“…”
“Undoubtedly, you are an individual who has honed their talent by killing countless living beings over a very long time.”
The starfish asked.
“Before your talent rusts with the passage of time, I wish to preserve your genetic aptitude. Will you not join us?”
“Preserve my genetic aptitude?”
A choice of words ill-suited for a monster summoned on a grotesque altar.
As Lennok furrowed his brow at the sudden proposal, the starfish extended a hand towards him.
“The method is simple. You only need to provide some of your bodily cells, in which your genetic traits are recorded.”
Slurp!!
The seven-fingered palm split open, transforming into a maw.
“Then we will acquire your genetic information and preserve that blessed aptitude beyond the end.”
“…”
“If you permit it, I will guide you to the Long-lived Being, as mentioned, and wholeheartedly assist you in all your massacres. What say you?”
For an entity that suddenly appeared and demanded Lennok’s genetic information, the purpose they spoke of was highly unusual.
Calling themselves “beings from beyond,” preserving genetic information, and even speaking of what lies “beyond the end.”
[This is absurd.]
Olivera, who had been listening to the conversation, sneered.
[How heinous must your actions in the Western Front have been for such a creature to hear rumors and seek you out?]
[I suppose your infamy, cultivated in Vulcan, has finally borne fruit from your efforts. How commendable.]
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Lennok pressed his temple and spoke to the starfish.
“I understand what you’re saying, but I have no intention of handing over my biological information to a monster whose identity I don’t know.”
“I believe I’ve introduced myself sufficiently.”
“Nor am I insane enough to join hands with an otherworldly monster and dedicate myself to slaughter.”
Lennok looked at the altar with cold eyes and said.
“Besides, was that something that absolutely required joining hands with you in the first place?”
“Indeed, is that so?”
The starfish said, as if momentarily impressed.
“If your intention is to freely dedicate yourself to killing without borrowing anyone’s hand, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do.”
“…”
Had Lennok’s expression become so set that it wouldn’t change no matter what he said?
Without even needing to check, he could guess how much Olivera was laughing at him from behind.
However, the starfish seemed to be impressed by Lennok’s reply and began to writhe on the altar, changing its form.
“Very well. I must admit that your sincerity regarding murder is something I cannot deny.”
Crackle!!
On the blood-stained altar, the unpleasant form shriveled and transformed into a finger-sized tentacle.
“Ah, it worked. The Shape-Shifting Spellcraft still functions.”
The tentacle, wriggling on the altar, spoke as if satisfied with its new form.
“Please come closer and pick me up. I don’t think I can climb onto your shoulder by myself.”
“…What are you trying to do?”
“Originally, the genetic aptitude an individual possesses is deeply linked to their own preferences and aesthetic sense.”
The tentacle writhed, bowing its head towards Lennok as if in salute.
“The aesthetics of murder you mentioned are also deeply related to your astonishing talent for killing. This is worth researching.”
“…”
“Even if we cannot form a contract today, I believe I can be satisfied by supporting you from afar and observing that aesthetic.”
“That’s… unexpected.”
Lennok, understanding what the tentacle was saying, tilted his head.
“You mean you’ll help me without immediately signing whatever this ‘business’ is?”
“Yes. I will guide you to the Domain of the Long-lived Being I know.”
The tentacle nodded its head as it spoke.
“I have changed my form into an optimized one for that purpose, so please lend me your shoulder for a moment.”
“…”
Come to think of it, the tentacle’s shape resembled an antenna.
Had it changed its form specifically to help Lennok find his way?
An entity that called itself a “being from beyond” and demanded to preserve Lennok’s genetic aptitude.
A monster that twistedly interpreted all of Lennok’s answers, yet was even more pleased by those very interpretations.
But how could such a grotesque tentacle have a connection strong enough to know a Long-lived Being from Outer Tribulation City?
[To get this result even after pulling the Headro Warlords’ backer. I don’t know if your luck is good or bad.]
“…”
[At any rate, I suppose you’ve extracted a price for using that strange artifact. What do you plan to do?]
“Things have taken a strange turn, but… there’s no reason to refuse.”
Lennok said, extending his hand towards the tentacle on the altar.
Forcibly ignoring the squirming sensation of the tentacle crawling up his finger, Lennok averted his gaze.
“Besides, this situation now is something the Harvester Spell Master couldn’t have predicted, so it has meaning.”
[…]
“While seeking out this Long-lived Being the tentacle speaks of, I’ll observe the Harvester Spell Master’s reaction. Then I should be able to ascertain the Spell Master’s true intentions.”
No matter how meticulously the Harvester Spell Master had planned, they couldn’t have imagined that the backer who corrupted the Headro Warlords would appear now.
Therefore, it’s highly likely that the method proposed by this tentacle is also an unexpected outcome for the Harvester Spell Master.
Observing how the Spell Master, who is monitoring Lennok under the Alliance Leader’s command, reacts to this unforeseen situation holds significance.
Thinking so, Lennok placed the tentacle on his shoulder, deactivated his Nyx Badge, and turned to leave.
At that moment, the tentacle immediately lifted its head towards something.
“Aha, you had blocked out the surrounding senses with an artifact. Now I can feel some energy.”
“Let’s go to the Long-lived Being you know.”
Lennok asked, with the tentacle on his shoulder, as he withdrew his magic.
“However, the space in this vicinity is being reconstructed in real-time, changing its coordinates. Can you find the way?”
“You don’t need to worry about that aspect.”
The tentacle said, squirming its body.
“Because the other side of Kundara’s Veil, where it hides, is a special space, it isn’t bound by direction.”
“What do you mean?”
“As it is the ‘other side’ created using the Shadow of the Star as a medium, this place is not, in the first place, a spacetime with normal positional coordinates.”
The tentacle explained.
“To be precise, it’s a concept similar to an Imaginary Dimension, so among Kundara’s Long-lived Beings, those who can actively function outside the city are limited.”
“You mean…”
“Transcendent beings who can construct their own Domains and possess independent spacetime.”
The tentacle on Lennok’s shoulder simultaneously began to lean sharply to the left.
“The way to find a path on the other side of the Veil is not through coordinates, but by using the aura of a Domain as a compass.”
“…”
“This way. It’s not far, as it happens.”
The tentacle tapped Lennok’s shoulder as if to urge him on.
Lennok met Olivera’s gaze, put Penteract into his pocket, and moved forward.
Hiss…!!
He walked aimlessly through the thick, seemingly endless fog.
Only the presence of the tentacle, pointing the way like an antenna on his shoulder, and Olivera’s aura could be felt.
“Can you sense the Harvester Spell Master’s gaze?”
[…Not yet.]
Olivera replied slowly.
[Rather, I’m sensing the aura of the ‘Domain’ that this tentacle speaks of first.]
“…”
Lennok also kept silent, as he was experiencing a similar sensation.
Because with every step he took in the direction the tentacle guided, a very heavy and mighty presence began to emanate from beyond the thick fog.
Hoo, hoo…
It felt as if something incredibly vast was slowly exhaling, emitting a briny breath.
A faint briny smell mixed with the wind blowing through the fog, simultaneously sharpening his senses.
The Long-lived Being the tentacle knew. A Level 8 Transcendent who had even constructed their own Domain.
An eerie sensation made him realize with his entire being that he was stepping into its lair.
“Here we are.”
At that moment, the tentacle clinging to Lennok’s shoulder spoke.
“Normally, finding its aura wouldn’t be difficult, but it was further than I expected.”
“…”
Despite the tentacle’s explanation, Lennok fell silent, looking at the scene before him.
Because, at some point, an endless, vast ocean had spread out within the thick fog.
Splash, splash…!!
There was no land whatsoever, only an expansive surface of boundless seawater stretching out.
Aimlessly crashing waves collided with each other, creating a shattering sound.
The edge of the horizon, where the seawater ceaselessly pressed on, drenching everything.
“The guardian deity protecting Kundara’s waters.”
The tentacle said.
“This is the Deep Sea Domain where Alohan, the Water Minister, resides.”
Whoosh!!
The incoming waves parted on both sides.
As if defying the laws of physics, waves tens of meters high split apart, revealing the deep ocean floor.
Rumble!!!!
A massive water wall, formed of seawater, surged upwards, and beneath it, the form of a grand palace began to appear.
The majestic form of a palace situated in the deepest part of the sea, at the edge of the horizon, on a foggy coast.
Thump!!!
On both sides of the seemingly endless audience hall corridor, mermen with gills knelt and bowed their heads.
At the end of the vast Dragon Palace, a middle-aged man with a ferocious, beast-like countenance leaned back on a throne.
Kwooooh…!!!
A dignity that could not be concealed, even as he was buried lazily in his chair. Yet, the will-thought emanating from him was utterly savage.
A magic infinitely primitive and full of wildness, closer to a beast or monster than a human.
A precarious and ferocious killing intent, as if about to explode at any moment, filled the underwater space.
The guardian deity protecting Kundara’s waters.
One of the Eight Dragon Kings protecting Outer Tribulation City.
Alohan, the Water Minister.
Alohan, the Water Minister, the master of the Deep Sea Domain whom Karnis had warned Lennok about, stared down at him with a fierce gaze.
“No one has shown their face in my Deep Sea Domain for the past ten years.”
Reptilian pupils, glittering in an icy blue, scattered chilling killing intent within the man’s eyes.
The man, observing Lennok who had descended below the throne, asked in a languid tone.
“Today, for some reason, an assortment of insects has gathered.”
[Wrong. This is not someone we can reason with.]
Lennok, meeting his gaze, remained silent, and even Olivera clicked her tongue, trailing off her words.
[I had hoped there might be a chance since he’s a Long-lived Being who transcended hierarchy, but the will-thought emanating from him is truly closer to a beast.]
“What business do insects, living lives like mayflies, have coming to my Domain?”
“Regarding that, I wish to explain directly, Alohan.”
The tentacle, perched on Lennok’s shoulder, shot up and hovered before Alohan’s eyes.
The tentacle, elongated like an antenna, wriggled before Alohan’s eyes, projecting a crimson Heptagram.
Kiiing!!
“…”
Only then did Alohan turn his fierce gaze towards the tentacle.
Alohan, looking unpleasantly at the Heptagram’s radiance with his blue pupils, asked.
“What are you doing here?”
“This wizard. He’s a truly remarkable ‘candidate’ I’ve taken notice of.”
But the tentacle, despite Alohan’s reaction, wriggled leisurely as it replied.
“I believe he possesses a genetic aptitude worth preserving, so I’m assisting him temporarily.”
“A candidate?”
Instantly, a subtle sneer mixed with Alohan’s gaze towards Lennok.
“You’ve been bitten by something troublesome. You must possess quite unusual talents.”
“Alohan. If you utilize your Deep Sea Domain, you could reach Kundara immediately.”
The tentacle asked.
“I apologize for the sudden request, but would you be willing to move your Deep Sea Domain towards Kundara?”
“…”
“You once owed me a debt for the matter of preserving your genetic information for future generations.”
The tentacle spoke, ignoring the silent Alohan.
“I will consider this request as repayment for that debt. What do you say?”
A being from beyond. The recording of genetic aptitude.
The tentacle had been concerned about Lennok’s genetic information earlier; perhaps its inherent ability was biased towards that very aspect from the start.
If its ability was strong enough to cooperate with Kundara’s Long-lived Beings, then he could understand why the tentacle made such a proposal to Lennok.
While it was difficult to understand why the tentacle showed Lennok favor, gaining the cooperation of the Eight Great Dragon Kings through it would be significant.
Just as Lennok thought this, glancing at the countless mermen surrounding them.
“No.”
Alohan shook his head.
“That won’t do.”
“Excuse me?”
Perhaps not expecting an immediate refusal, the tentacle stiffened.
“Kundara is currently on the cusp of a very significant undertaking that will determine the city’s fate.”
Ignoring the tentacle’s reaction, the Dragon King, leaning on his throne, spoke in a languid tone.
“The entire city is extremely sensitive to outside interference, and all means of approaching Kundara are currently blocked.”
“…”
“If you had chosen the right time to enter in the first place, you wouldn’t have needed to pass through my Domain normally.”
The Dragon King, Alohan, twitched his thick white eyebrows and stroked his beard as he spoke.
“With all paths to Kundara now blocked, you must have used some illicit method.”
Rumble…!!!
The moment Alohan rose from his throne, the Dragon Palace beneath the sea began to tremble violently.
Simultaneously, the waves that had parted around the Dragon Palace rapidly closed in from above, beginning to fill the surroundings with seawater.
Roooooar!!!!
Within the seawater rushing into the palace, Alohan’s body explosively swelled and rotated.
Before Lennok’s eyes, a colossal, blue-scaled entity moved at a subsonic speed, instantly dominating the surroundings.
A massive Water Dragon, large enough to fill the entire audience hall, flashed icy blue eyes before Lennok.
[Mortal. Were you the impurity that ‘severed’ the Veil, disturbing the spacetime of the other side?]