*Crackle* *Boom*
" "AaaAaaahH~! That's so unfair! Where did you get that trait! Turning things to dust. I call bullshit! Do you know how much life forms I must consume before I get to conjure storms and moisturize my skin to render our main weakness useless!?" "
Hearing its voice echo everywhere as I leap across its massive body and defying gravity to latch myself to prevent falling over, I'm starting to get sick and tired of her nagging as she doesn't seem bothered by all the damage I've done. I've stop counting after the hundred giant tendril which she easily grows all back and the whole dust clouds is easily wash away by the heavy rain.
" "Also, since you're using Aolia's Children for your body, I understand why you're completely immune to my aura, but then how the hell are you using magic, those are magic are they not!? I call hacks! This is cheating! Hey Pope chick, you're definitely seeing this since I see your light on her! Hacks! Hacks I say! What will Bryada and Garwlia do when they know of this?" "
(Aolia? Pope? Monster can see the light?)
I wish to inquire about what she said but I'm absolutely livid that I'm being completely ignored as I hear her rants, the fact that she points all that out means she doesn't consider revealing all that disadvantageous at all. I can't help but wonder how she's moving all this tendrils yet having the focus to throw away her tantrums. But...
*Bam* *Swoosh* *Crash*
As the intensity of her attacks increase I knew I'm getting close to something important. Landing near a open tower, I look around and finally notice...
"Did I just go further?"
" "Boo hoo~ your face is just priceless! Aaa~ What's the point of wearing a broken mask anyways? Is it style? Why that's mighty brave of ya! This is why practicality is important, and let me tell you size is important when dealing with puny creatures. As your senior, I recommend to increase your size since no matter what the small creature does, their attacks won't mount to anything at all. At worse they're nothing but parasites."
Realizing that she's calling ny effort fruitless, I lower my blade and hear her continue saying:
" "What's this? Are you giving up? Womp, womp~ don't be such a wimp! Come give your senior a better trim, cut the other side so it'll be even you can't just leave after doing a half ass job. Centuries of hibernation really mess with your hair. More like it was the fishes but whatever." "
Fed up by her exessive insults, I take in a deep breathe as I could smell the heavy thick plume of dust flying everywhere. Thanks to it, this place is no longer cold from winter but the storm raging around her. I grip my halberd tighter than ever as I prepare for something I never done before.
" "Oh? Oh? What's this? Are you finally going to reveal your true form? I'm quite curious. As you can see I'm an aquatic lifeform, seeing how you can float around my tendrils like that, I suppose you're a aerial lifeform? Come on! Show me! Show me! So we can then transcend beyond with you being part of me!" "
(Transform huh?)
Remembering all the blackouts I have, and the form I take back when I fought that beast-kin at the promotion test, I start to get a sinking feeling I may not have been myself through it all...
"If..."
(If I want to make my orginal techniques, wouldn't I have to know and accept everything of me? But... How do I transform? Well, it all always happen at one crucial moment).
" "Hm? Sorry there I can't hear you over the storm! Speak louder!" "
*Thump*
" "Oho?" "
As if my heart beat, the whole world I'm standing quakes along with it.
" "Yes! Yes! This is it!" "
I felt a burning sensation wash over all my body it numbs the coldness from the raging storm. I can feel my blood boiling over as I try to recall the sensation I missed this whole time.
(Mary said she left a defense mechanism when she dissapeared, then let me start using it!)
Recalling the feeling of that form I had at the promotion exam, I raise my arm and see my skin peel open while steam pour out my body. My heart have never beat so fast as I then fell on all fours, I felt my muscles twist and my bones transfigure moving under my skin.
*Swoosh*
" "Fool! You think I would actually wait for you to finish transforming!" "
Seeing the endless tendrils coming right at me, my whole body receive goosebumps and I can't help but smile as I feel my cheeks peel open and my tongue roll inside before saying:
"Haanks!"
*Splurt*
***********************************
Cutting through the grey skies, its sturdy hull cleave the dark clouds apart. The air laden with dust while the starless skies accompanied by the twin moons could barely shine beneath this thick layer of soot. This clump permeate across the deck as they ready to enter this uncharted territory. As for why...
Monsters, trickling, and pouring like a water on a bursting pipe simply stops and retreat back when they are slowly winning. Seeing such unknown phenomenon, Yungmin decided to inspect this himself for more personal accomplishments. But that's not the only reason, he also received reports that both Gangyi and Sova have personally travel to the republic's shore to "help".
"Ptoo!"
The sheer disgust and possibly thick dust in the air makes Yungmin spit out the ship hearing that word.
"Help... Like hell I'll let their scheme pass. They're fucking traitors who abandoned their post."
Yungmin reminiscence about the recent situation so far. He was able to make Gangyi work for him and even prevent her from going rogue and flying there by herself by pressuring her with her recent blunder and the white stripes that scolded her like his Great Uncle. But then some influential schmuck I never heard suddenly appear from nowhere who seem to have not only Great Uncle's Support but other White Stripes as well. The board he spend tirelessly making was smashed by her sudden arrival and render useless as she suddenly took control.
*Crack*
His hand instinctively crush the fence he's holding and break it apart as he recalls their conversation and how she can be so shameless by acting all innocent and meek after she stole his possessions. Recalling it everytime seems to burst a blood vessel each time.
"Fuuuh."
Yungmin tries his best to gain his compoaure and glares at the darkness asking:
"Sense or see anything?"
Thanks to this obstruction, they have to bring the sensor to the deck and scan the place directly, but not only that ever since they've arrive near the clouds some of the weaker sailors starts to fell ill. His impatience clearly showing in his actions, not only does he have to clean up her mistake, she's adding more work by doing whatever she likes.
(I don't know who she's related to but I'm not going to let some nepo baby ruined all I've built!)
The officers beside him who's been accompanying him outside the deck seem to have notice his displeasure and try to not make his mood even worse simply answers:
"Not yet, but our sensors detected something very ominous inside the clouds."
"Explain."
"Yes! It seem there's Monster beyond the Saint Class monsters at the centre of these clouds. Judging by the fluctuations, it seems they're fighting."
"Hmm?"
Finally with something else catching his attention, Yungmin push asides the negative thoughts and focus on this new developments.
"So the reason the monsters retreated is because they're running away from these territory dispute?"
He starts to speculate and theorize about the situation as they voyage deeper inside but the officers glances seem uneasy as they say:
"I doubt that my Lord. The monsters we've been fighting just now were Monster King sprouts. The only reason they would retreat is always because the Highest rank Vessel would be commanding it to do so. But to be able to command that much sprouts would make it at least viscount rank."
"If we follow that logic, is this some mythical duel I heard that High Ranking Vessels do?"
One of the older officer with a beard comes forward saying:
"I believe so My lord. Legend says that the only time a Monster King Vessel calls back their pawns is when they're losing. I suggest we ready all our cannons and ready to fire at what we're about to see."
Yungmin who is more intrigued by this sudden development, clench his fist in exitement by the future prospect he will be having. Not only one, but 2 High Ranking Monster King Vessel have suddenly shown itself at the rear. Such Heaven sent opportunity will never come by unless you directly risk your life by diving into the Monster Island.
"My Lord, this may not be ny authority to say this but I suggest we retreat and actually call for reinforcements."
"Huh...?"
One of the older officers suggest they pull back which they can immediately hear the clear irritation from his voice if not his churning face. Yungmin removing his glasses to clean it amdist the thick smog and ash looks at the older officer asking:
"Sorry, but can you repeat that again, officer Ming?"
"I say that we retreat and call for reinforcements for this is simply too risky."
The older officer with a stern look repeats what he said without hesitation which cause Yungmin to wear his glasses back. But maybe it's because of yhe fog but his eyes are hidden behind the glint as he replies with,
"Do you realize the implications we might face if we returned empty handed now? And not just that, but the losses we got facing against those hordes?"
"I believe it's better now we suffer humiliation than to die for nothing! Listen to yourself lil Yungmin, this whole operation is already a bust! You think we can take on a Viscount class Vessel with a light Cruiser? Even if this ship has been retrofit above its class that is still too much! It took your Great Uncle a Super Wei Class Battlehips to take down 1 Earl Vessel in the previous invasion and now we might possibly deal with 2 of them. This is a suicide mission!"
In light of the senior officer's the other officers and sailors listening to this start to whisper and murmur among themselves.
"And let's not forget, this whole ship is filled with nothing but greenhorns looking for acomplishments. I've been sent here as the most senior officer in case for situation like this! I say we pull back! Immediately!"
Yungmin seems to take his advice and contemplate when the senior officer continue saying:
"If achievements is all you want then don't you think facing against not 1 but 2 Earl or Marquis class Vessel is already a astounding achievement? A single Baron class can promote a High Rank to a Special Rank. I believe we have done more than enough."
Yungmin seem to reach w conclusion as he then looks at the thick dark clouds ahead saying:
"Very well, I'll compromise and we'll only travel until our ship picks up the signal. I'm sure that's enough is it not?"
Hearing that the senior officer bows down shouting:
"Thank you for listening!"
*Rumble* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
As in on cue, the sensor that have been silent the whole time ever since they travel suddenly rings loudly. Lightning and thunder drums all around them as they seem to flash behind the thick black cloud. Like looking through a paper door, when the lightning hits they saw a massive silhouette from those darkness, red glows starts to shine brightly across them and,
*Vwooosh*
From the dark clouds, a towering form, a fusion of ethereal power and darkness made manifest into an elongated amalgation of what seems to be arms brush past the tip of their funnel. Everyone who saw just glimpes of it fell to their knees as they all can agree that what they saw can only come out from the darkest pits of hell.
"Activate the boosters and peel back!"
The officers and sailors without hesitation immediately runs back inside the ship abandonning whatever falls off their clothes as they frantically escape.
*Crackle* *Boom*
The skies rumble with a single flash, the sight of what seems to be a severed tendril can be seen with clear bite marks and jagged teeth stuck to its flesh like quills, and as they reverse their ship flesh and parts of the monsters fell, each sinuous curve and jagged edge hints at an ominous power pulsating within.
*Crackle* *Boom*
From the moment flash, they saw a collosal wing cast a shadow that easily covers their whole ship with an unsettling sense of despair. Yungmin was the last to enter the ship and dash into the bridge as he asks:
"What did you capture?"
"It's..."
The officer is sweating buckets as his throat seem to dry and his lips paralized by what he observe while looking back and forth between the radar and the manual.
"Speak!"
"There's no doubt, it's an Archduke Class! 2 of them!"
Hearing such ridiculous mews, everyone is simply stunned. Ever since the original Monster King has been defeated by the legendary World Class Battleship the Owlian's Black Sun during the World Invasion more than 2000 years ago, half of its humongous corpse fell and became the legendary Monster King Island that is still here to this day. And from that corpse small pieces of the Monster King splits off and spread around the world like a plague trying its best to reunite and become the next Monster King.
Those fragments prove their terror soon enough as each of them reminded everyone the horror of the early Monster King and given Titles by their size and notoriety following the Nobility Hierarchy of the Aologi Empire. From the Lowest Page to Kingship, a single Baron is already a National level Crisis capable of calling or even overried Special Ranks and Even Pioneers back from their expeditions, the rank above that of Viscount is an international event that calls for all the surrounding nations to band together despite their differences, and the rank above that of Earl would call upon the World Council and involves the top Super Powers to land aid like the yearly Baratai protocol, and its previous abbreviation that is still standing 1500 years later.
Now, the mythical Archduke Class who's last dated record to be seen is around 400 years ago. And throughout known history has only appeared as much as you can count in one hand has now been sighted. And not just 1 but 2 of them.
Silence permiated the whole bridge as the only sound can be heard is but the drumming thunder and,
*ROOOAAAARRR!!!*
A ear piercing cry shaking the entire ship left and right as they finally realize the dire situation they have gotten themselves in. Snapping back into reality, Yungmin cursed his own ambition as all of the officers at the bridge hearing that bellow simply fell on their knees and limp across their seats. As if on cue, countless flying beast swarm the entire scene chasing that massive roar. The whole ship now not only have to deal with 2 mythical creatures but other monsters as well. The light in their eyes vanish until Yungmin grabs the coms shouting:
"Release all the boosters! We're diving down! Crash our ship even if you have to! We're getting out of this alive!"
From his sudden command, Yungmin starts to operate the controls by himself and the whole view outside the bridge slowly starts to tilt down. Crushing through countless monsters like driving through a swarm of bugs, blood and flesh fills the whole view until,
*Crackle* *Boom* *Crash* *Rip*
The loud sounds of mortal combat echo throughout the darkness, a storm suddenly hits the ship.
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
From the alarm, Yungmin knew what it meant, a breach. And that single storm cause this ship to tilt but Yungmin doesn't give up. He grabs the officers by their arm to lift them up saying:
"Get up! Don't forget you're all from the mighty Heaven. Warrior Gods from land where legends are born. Are you going to let some low monsters end your tale?"
*Boom* *Woooo*
That last alarm signals a damage engine but that seem to only instill a more solid conviction on Yungmin.
"You came here along with me to finally etch your legend now here's your chance! Prove your worth for this is NOT over!
The bridge crew hearing this and seeing Yungmin undettered, raise up shouting:
" "We obey!" "
"Quickly asses the damages to the ship!", "Wake up and send in all the reserve from the cocoon.", "Sealing all doors to the opening!", "Take a few officers with me! We're heading down there and instill order to the crews!", "Stabilizing the core and turning on second supplies.", "Activating all working arsenal, performing a sweep." "
The crew finally break from their fear and start getting their act together. As he is about to issue his next order, lightning strikes at the distance to reveal their silhouettes while the rain wash away the blood from the view. Showing bits and pieces of what happened while parts of the monsters fling and fall from above. Soon as they descend, one lightning strike flashes a scene. From that one second, the sight of two gargantuan beast tearing each other apart amidst a swarm of endless flying monsters and thunder will be burn on his mind for as long as he can remember.
***********************************
My mind was an absolute mess, I felt as if my brain is being tear apart in all directions while my heart is squeezed for all it's worth. The only thing I must keep moving is my mouth, tearing and crunching whatever comes across my jaws. I never know what having extra limbs would feel like until now, it is like moving an extra toe at first but soon enough I get to comfortably swing it around. But that dream came to a halt when the tendrils wrap around my wings and starts to inject stuff inside as I feel pins and needles all over. I may not know what form I took, but I am most certain that I must not stop moving and keep tearing it apart until it's dead.
*Crash*
Driving it across the dark clouds lead to it being smash against all my weight as I wonder how big I have become to actually grapple and topple it towards mountains. With each chew I devour, with each crunch I swallow, I felt my body reinvigorate especially after eating all the small monsters flying about. Talking about extra limbs, having extra mouth feels a bit weird as well, it is like moving one eyeball at a time at first but as I eat more it starts to get more easy like moving ones eyelid.
*Crash* *Crunch* *Rip*
I could feel my powers coursing through my whole body as my many eyes gaze on my body, etch to it are black lines upon lines across my body while my joints like the wrist, elbows, knees, and the thing attaching the wing to my shoulders all have this ominous symbols circling around while purple tendrils similar to the blue and red ones I'm eating are sprouting from my neck, palms, feets, and my mouth as it grabs anything it can get.
*UWWOOOO*
With more than 8 arms, I spread open the beast infront of me as I plunge my mouth to its centre and hear its painful cries as it tries to fight back by wrapping all of its tendrils around my body and pull me back. I barely know what I'm doing but I seem completely unbothered by the relentless barrage it is giving me, even as it rips apart the fingers and membranes forming the wings alongside parts of my new limbs, it simply grows back just like the stomach I'm trying to rip open. Stuck in a never ending cycle of eating each other, my mind suddenly imagines a star.
And from that star, a single bright light appear at my back and soon another, and another, and another until it forms 2 circles larger than my wingspan above. As I pull my head back and seeing the beast struggling and wriggling, breaking apart the gentacles my arms are grappling, I instinctively realize that I am at my limits and decided to end it with seeing a falling star.
"[Impact]."
*Cling* *Cling*
The stars behind me glitters brightly until,
*BING* *BOOOOOOOOOOM*
***********************************
When I finally came to be, I felt like I have just travelled across dreams and limbos. The actions I've taken so far, the things I had done, I... I suddenly feel sick. My weary eyes open to darkness, and the source of light I could see is but the bright stars accompanying the twin moons...
(Oh? When did the stars come?)
I wonder as I reach my hand out and felt as if my flesh is being tear open.
"Ouch! Oh?"
After so long, I claw my way out, gripping pieces of flesh and emerging out of what seem like a open wound.
*Splish* *Psssh*
Emerging from the depths, steam belows and whistle around as I feel like entering an active geyser field. I start to feel happy I get to feel pain once again. Searing and burning that my pearl white skin turns red with spots, I slowly regain my sense and see the world around me.
Steam, flesh, ash, and blood, water mix and strewn all around like a massive shipwreck. I am now barely wearing anything as my long blonde hair has been cut short to my shoulders and the tips burnt.
*Slump* *Bloop*
I look back at what's making that noise and found a writing blob of tentacles dragging itself from the bubbling and boiling crater.
"[Hah, hahaha!]"
Wriggling and shaking as it laughs, it stands? With its myriad of feet, wobbling around and balancing itself.
"[Maybe I should've devoured more biomass to reactivate the inactive traits. Fighting a monster my class is not a great idea after just waking up of a long hibernation]."
*Slump*
It fall again one last time and continue saying:
"[Plus unlike you with a cheat build I actually played fair! What's with that bullshit rng? All I got from eating you is that stupid Aolia Genes which I already have, and those whiplash wings that doesn't actually fly while you get to absorb not only my endless tendrils but also the moisturizer I've been making for my whole life!]"
*Limp*
Dragging its endless body like a snail closer it continue saying:
"[That magic you used doesn't seem hereditary which is bullshit! No wonder I didn't get nothing... Who am I kidding? No matter how many excuses I made, I'm now in this miserable state]."
I summon my halberd again and felt for once how heavy my halberd has become as it drags me down and make me fell to my knees. It seems my condition is not much different than the monster before me.
"[If you think this is the end. Then you're wrong. If you're going to devour my essence then I'm going to make sure you pay very dearly for it!]"
I let go of my halberd and summon the much smaller sword instead. Just like the halberd, it is simple in design but intricate and beautiful on its patterns. With the same insignia on its guard, I slowly lift it above my shoulder and muster my strength to stand with my shaky legs.
"[Ready for round four?]"
Hearing it talk more and more, I can't help but be reminded of how similar it speaks like Mary. Facing against it, my eyes begins to blur and lose focus, my legs feels like it's chained to boulders, my arms feels so stiff I might mistake it for a rock, the sword doesn't help either as if the weight of a mountain have been place on my shoudlers, my head rings and stings as if it is being split open, and my throught parches and burns that I see those boiling and bubbling sludge puddles as osasis but...
*Clink*
I gesture at the foe before me saying:
"More than ever."