Chapter 62: Freedom!!! 2 |
[Dice Roll Result: 21]
[Effect Triggered: Grant life and self-awareness to an item within 30 meters of you, until it finds its new master]
The moment the system notification popped up, the three wavy lines on Allen's left wrist flared up intensely.
Silver light surged and danced, then an invisible ripple spread outward from him, sweeping through the corridor, passing through the cabins, and vanishing into the torrential rain.
The phenomenon came quickly and faded just as fast.
Stella and Morgan exchanged bewildered glances, completely clueless about what had just happened.
Only Allen was frantically looking around, his eyes darting wildly in every direction—
What? What the hell just got brought to life?!
"Th-Th-Th-Th-This!"
Allen looked down. Under his clothes, something was moving.
A bulging shape was desperately trying to crawl out of his pocket. The thing struggled, wriggled, and then—
A pair of tiny wings suddenly popped out.
Then, two even smaller hands emerged, gripping the edge of the pocket and pushing hard—
His money pouch had come to life.
That heavy pouch containing the fifty gold coins Wen Laisa had given him now sprouted a pair of fluttering little wings and flew out.
Allen's pupils abruptly contracted.
Damn it, my fifty gold coins are in danger!!!
"Freedom!!!"
The money pouch let out a sharp, cheerful cry, its tiny hands raised high as its wings flapped vigorously. It shot upward with a whoosh!
"Freeeedom—!!!"
Allen had never been this focused in his entire life.
His eyes locked onto the flying money pouch like a laser. Every muscle in his body tensed in an instant. He leaped up with all his might, reaching out, stretching toward that fiercely flying pouch.
"Don't do this to me!"
He grabbed it!
Allen's desperate jump actually caught the money pouch.
Joy surged in Allen's heart—and then he realized he was being lifted off the ground.
That tiny pouch erupted with unbelievable strength, dragging him, pulling him, flying irresistibly toward some predetermined direction.
Allen was like a kite being tugged along by its string, dragged by that insane money pouch as they shot into the storm.
"Freeeedom—!!!"
The money pouch was still shouting.
Xal'atath trembled at Allen's waist.
Though she had no idea what Allen had done... but... but-but... what just happened? A pouch had simply been granted life like that?
It had nothing to do with the elements, nor was it some soul attached as a vessel's spirit or some power being infused.
It wasn't even related to the corruption of the Void.
It was just an ordinary object that suddenly came to life, skipping every step and instantly completing flesh transformation.
What kind of divine power was this?
---
In Jaina's room, she had already retreated to the corner.
Outside the window, over a dozen Naga were frantically smashing against the porthole.
At the door, the crashing sounds were deafening.
"Paval!" she screamed hoarsely. "Daelin! Where are you?!"
No response.
Only the sound of the storm, the banging, and the deep, guttural roars of those monsters.
Jaina hugged the pillow tightly against her chest, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
She wanted to cast a spell to defend herself, but her hands were shaking too violently, her lips quivering so badly she couldn't even complete the incantation.
How did it come to this...
Everything I've been learning, what was it all for?
When the most critical moment came, I couldn't do a thing.
At this rate, I'll never be able to protect my brother, protect myself, protect anyone.
Boom—!!!
The expensive wooden door crashed to the floor.
Beyond the door was the storm.
The lightning.
The endless darkness.
And then, the dark figures.
Over a dozen Naga crowded at the entrance, their dark green scales gleaming eerily under the flashes of lightning. Their vertical pupils stared at her in unison, their mouths stretching open to reveal rows of sharp, tiny fangs.
Just then, Allen was being dragged through the sky by the money pouch, crashing into one mast after another, tearing through sail after sail.
Allen forced his eyes open against the wind and rain, looking down.
Then he sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
Below, a large group of Naga was surrounding the highest luxury cabin.
Allen's heart sank. According to the system description, an item granted life would seek out a new master.
What if the new master it chose was one of these Naga, and then those Naga dove back into the sea?
Would his fifty gold coins be lost forever?!
The leading Naga was the largest, wearing a broken crown on its head and holding a dimly glowing trident in its hand.
It raised its weapon high and let out a long howl toward the sky.
In an instant, the storm grew fiercer. Rain poured down like a waterfall, waves crashed madly against the ship's hull, and streaks of lightning weaved through the clouds, illuminating its hideous face.
"I am Prince Nazgak!" its voice thundered, overpowering the roar of the storm. "Remember my name, and tremble before my tides!!!"
The money pouch dove with Allen in a steep descent toward that group of Naga!
A faint blue light had already ignited in Allen's eyes.
He had only one thought now—to protect his money pouch, he had to kill every last Naga as fast as possible!
Zzzzzt—
Electricity began to crackle in the air.
The current first danced around Allen's body, slithering like living things. Then, they sensed the cascading curtain of water pouring down from the sky.
The torrential rain.
It was the perfect conductor.
---
Jaina stared in despair at the Naga charging toward her.
Tears burst from her eyes. She shut them tight, hugging the pillow, waiting for that moment to come.
And then—
Boom!!!
Countless shattered pieces of wood rained down from above. A figure crashed through a hole in the ceiling, landing right in front of the Naga.
Jaina saw clearly—beneath that black cloak was a fluttering white robe, and a pair of eyes burning with an eerie blue light, as if lightning had been condensed within them.
His hand was gripping something tightly as he reached toward her.
Jaina froze.
She saw his lips move, as if he was saying something. But the storm was too fierce, the thunder too loud—she couldn't hear him.
Then, her entire body collided into an embrace.
In that moment, the world turned white.
Dazzling light surged from all directions, thunder roared, lightning danced wildly.
She stayed hidden tightly in that embrace, feeling incredibly safe.
Only when the light finally subsided and the thunder gradually faded did Jaina dare to peek out from behind his shoulder.
Those Naga were now lying in twisted heaps on the deck, smoking, reeking of burnt flesh. They would never move again.
She was saved...
She looked up at the person holding her tightly.
That black wizard.
That face was so close to hers, rainwater dripping from the tips of his hair. The blue light in his eyes was slowly fading. He was breathing slightly heavily, his brows furrowed, as if troubled by something.
Jaina's heart was pounding so violently it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Each beat was so loud, so clear.
And Allen—though he appeared to be holding Jaina tightly, in reality, both his hands were desperately pressing down on that damn money pouch.
This cursed thing had flown onto Jaina and was now stuck to her lower back, looking all smug like it had "found its new master."
Whether the thunder on the deck had awakened everyone, or the Naga that had put them to sleep were now dead, Captain Daelin led a large group of sailors, Paval Reiss led a squad of personal guards, and Morgan and Stella all rushed onto the deck together.