Chapter 952

Turning

Chapter 952

"Anyway, after confirming the Commander's response, I immediately returned. I met with Dover and the others too."

The current Yuder had created was immensely large. Naturally, it was impossible to finely control something of such magnitude. The implication was that he could not afford to pay attention to every monster that got deflected in different directions during the process of pushing them toward land.

To correct these deviations and ensure safety on the water, Yuder decided to enlist the help of Dover and the first team members. They quickly realized that the monsters bouncing out of the current and shooting up through the water were precisely the subjects of Yuder's requested assistance.

While members skilled in water manipulation pushed the waves towards land, those adept in wind joined in, directing their gusts in the same direction to aid in the effort. The combination of water and wind added strength from above, making Yuder's current even more powerful.

Yuder exhaled deeply upon hearing that everything had gone according to plan.

Though he was confident, dealing with monsters was unpredictable, and there was always a chance things could go awry. It was only now beginning to sink in that everyone had trusted Yuder's judgment in such a perilous situation, managing to deal with the first tentacle without any loss of life.

Despite knowing he shouldn't let his guard down, Yuder felt strangely relieved.

He glanced at the members busily attending to their wounds and then spoke up.

"There's no one seriously hurt, so of course they're alright."

After responding, Steiber fell silent for a moment, appearing somewhat hesitant.

"Steiber?"

Wondering if there was something he hadn't said, Yuder looked at him, prompting Steiber to sigh and smile.

"No. Just wondering if it's okay to say 'thank you.'"

"...Why would you say that all of a sudden?"

"This, this right here."

Steiber gently shook his wrists.

"Now that I'm healed, leave the next steps to me, the Sul Division's Deputy Commander, and also check your condition. We need to help each other to survive, right?"

"..."

"That guy with the injured leg should probably be sent up, and we can call someone else from above to take his place. Seems like I've shared all the reports, so let's get back to our duties!"

Steiber smiled and exercised his power over water. A few small droplets formed and flew towards Yuder's shoulder and back, bursting upon contact and then vanishing. It was a mode of communication befitting an Awakener who knew how to manipulate water, almost like a gentle tap, but without using hands.

When Yuder looked away from the burst droplets, Steiber had already moved towards the other members, leaving only his back visible.

‘...Is the main point to tell me to check my condition?’

From the moment Steiber was sent to land with limited information and a specific intent, he could have been angry with Yuder. Even if it was out of trust in his abilities and concern for his well-being, Steiber had every reason to feel slighted.

‘If it were Kanna, she would've timidly asked if she hadn't been helpful, and if it were Ever, she would've resolved her feelings by actively participating in the next task assignment.’

But Steiber was distinctly different from the other two Deputy Commanders.

This more mature demeanor, even compared to his previous life's memories of Steiber, probably stemmed from the changes he had undergone, knowingly or unknowingly, in this life.

Yuder glanced at his shoulder where Steiber's water droplets had tapped and moved, then descended below. The vibrations rising again from the sea were becoming ominously intense.

—

"Commander! We've dealt with the last of them!"

"Over here as well, all cleared and retrieved!"

Kishiar approached a mound of monster corpses and other impurities near the breakwater, almost as large as a small hill. Many monsters had survived even after his initial unleashing of sword aura. Having dealt with all of them and retrieved the bodies, the pile had grown to this size.

"How's the situation in other areas?"

"We've just received a report that the monsters that drifted to other areas have been easily handled as well."

"That's a relief."

Kishiar picked up one of the monster corpses piled in front of him. With a sticky sound, the corpse he pulled out bore various shapes and sizes of teeth and eyes that seemed alive.

It looked like something created by chopping up and mixing the bodies of every plant and animal in the world, then turning the concoction transparent.

"Monsters are inherently difficult to classify distinctly, but this batch seems uniquely bizarre, perhaps enough to go down in history."

"Indeed. I've never seen anything like this before."

The one who responded was Hellem. She had come to deliver the news that the traps set up by the mages were functioning well and had found herself unable to leave the sight of this heap of monster corpses.

Her expression was serious as she examined several of the bodies laid out in front of her, using a few magic tools she had brought along.

"Have you discovered anything?"

"Oh, you're in a hurry. Haven't I just started examining these creatures? You're expecting results too soon."

After saying this, Hellem chuckled and pushed up her glasses.

"...But who am I, if not the continent's foremost monster research mage?"

"And that means?"

"These creatures seem to be made of a mixture of various materials, forming a structure that appears to be a single entity, but it's futile to try to determine where one individual begins and ends. They can move separately and yet together. However, there's one common characteristic among these irregular beings."

Hellem pointed to the heap of monster corpses.

"Their skin, or the outer part, is made of the same material."

Kishiar stared at the monster corpse he had just picked up.

"It's transparent and squishy. Almost like a jellyfish."

"Yes, exactly."

Hellem nodded and continued.

"Though more investigation is needed, creatures with this kind of skin are typically found in the sea... as you said, Commander, like jellyfish or squid. And such creatures often struggle to maintain their form in the presence of heat or poison."

Hellem revealed that she had already tried burning a few of the monster corpses. As expected, they contracted and shriveled rapidly upon contact with fire, confirming the hypothesis of their weakness to heat.

"Hmm."

"The individual strength and power of these creatures isn't particularly formidable, so even without such measures, they would be easy to handle. But this will be useful information for the civilians in the towns."

"We should instruct the shelters to prepare torches."

"And when using weapons against them, it might be better to attack by accurately targeting the core parts that make up their form, rather than slashing randomly. If you cut too carelessly, they keep moving even when severed. Of course, for someone with your strength, Commander, such advice may seem unnecessary."

Instead of responding, Kishiar smiled.

"Not at all. Your advice is quite meaningful to me. It will be tough, but keep observing."

"Understood."

Kishiar looked around. The morale of those gathered here had significantly increased compared to before, undoubtedly related to the aura he had just displayed.

'I usually don't resort to such tactics.'

Taking the lead at the forefront to dominate the initial phase of the battle and then leading the surrounding forces was a strategy often employed by Yuder Aile. In a way, it was his style of combat.

It might seem recklessly bold at first glance, but real combat differed from games.

Those who witnessed the overwhelming prowess of the one leading were not just gaining an experience and morale boost that couldn't be quantified by simple numbers or win-loss ratios. The immense value of this intangible asset was amply proven by the atmosphere on the field.

"Do you think they will reappear soon?"

Nathan Zuckerman, following behind Kishiar, asked in a low voice. Kishiar nodded.

"Yes. This is just the beginning; they will keep coming."

"How many times do you anticipate this will happen?"

"Hmm. That's impossible for me to predict. Even Yuder hasn't informed us."

"..."

Nathan Zuckerman's gaze darkened slightly. Unlike the uplifted spirits of the team members, he understood the hidden implications of the uncertainty regarding how many times such incidents might repeat.

It seemed easy for now, but what about the future?

An attack without a set end could, in some ways, be more daunting than a fierce, short-term battle.

Kishiar continued, as if reading Nathan Zuckerman's thoughts.

"The fight ahead will likely be a battle of morale and stamina. It's like a game of batting back and forth with those creatures, like playing catch. So make sure you manage your energy well."

Clearly, Kishiar's decision to lead the first assault himself, ending it overwhelmingly, took such considerations into account.

"Here they come again from the sea!"

At that moment, team members observing the sea shouted and waved their arms. Kishiar stared at the frothing distant sea, a fierce smile on his face.

"Here comes another ball sent by Yuder. Let's go and strike back."

The mass within the crack, having lost its long tentacles, stilled momentarily as if assessing the situation, and then began to thrash wildly, attempting to break free once more. In this process, two tentacles, thinner but faster than before, emerged from two of the six cracks.

Steiber's team gritted their teeth and desperately dodged and attacked these tentacles. It felt like being shackled in the dark, fighting an enemy that could strike from anywhere, but their training had not been in vain. With just a few signals from Yuder and Steiber, the team members put forth their utmost effort to fulfill their roles.

Yuder, too, participated in the attack to some extent, and when the area began to fill with severed tentacle pieces, he once again created a current similar to the previous one.

-Kwaaaaaa---!

Although slightly less powerful than before, the current was still strong enough to sweep away the monsters, churning through the sea and heading towards land.

"Everyone, push together!"

The other members on the water, upon spotting the incoming threat, clenched their teeth and pushed the waves with all their might.

"Here it comes! Everyone, get ready!"

The members lined up on land did not fear the approaching current but faced it bravely, weapons in hand. Those who plunged fearlessly into the water succeeded in turning all the monster pieces into corpses after a fierce battle.

The third and fourth currents were also dealt with in the same manner. The exhausted members were rotated out, and those underwater with Yuder switched places with those above. The shining bracelets eased the transition for those entering the water, reducing discomfort.

From the fifth wave onwards, Kishiar, concerned for the team members who had hardly rested even on the surface, sent small boats carrying holy water and priests. This became a hub for communication, allowing for much more agile transmission of information.

“Yuder! The Commander's side has dealt with all of this batch too. They’re asking if you're alright…”

“Tell them I'm still okay. And the Commander?”

“As you might expect, the Commander is the most unscathed among us.”

Yuder's strategy involved cutting and pushing the enemies towards Kishiar and the colleagues on land, who then killed them. Based on the reports from Kishiar, Yuder gauged the status of himself and the others, adjusting their movements accordingly.

Nathan Zuckerman, observing this, realized the truth in his lord's words.

'Just like the Duke said. This is really... just like a game of catch.'

It felt similar, even though the 'ball' was unimaginably huge, beyond anyone's imagination.

But even in a game of catch among the most skilled, there inevitably comes a time when the ball veers off in an unexpected direction.

This happened on the ninth wave.