Chapter 966 |
Chapter 966
Steiber's mind grew faint.
"Success...? Or failure...?"
Honestly, anyone with a brain would have realized that Yuder's plan was more likely to fail than to succeed. In the deep sea, where the only concern was not getting crushed, the idea of descending even deeper to the very bottom to uncover the hidden anomalous crack and deal with the lurking monsters was daunting.
A normal human would not dare to venture to the seabed without bracing for death, let alone speak of it so decisively without hesitation.
Of course, Yuder was no ordinary human. He possessed abilities, physical strength, and mental fortitude far surpassing anyone in the Cavalry. Tasks deemed impossible were always resolved when he took charge.
And then there was the Commander, Kishiar. His extraordinary capabilities were in no way inferior to Yuder's. The members of the Cavalry still did not fully grasp the extent of their Commander's capabilities. To the world, Duke Peletta was a foolish idler, but to them, their Commander was anything but. Yet Kishiar often brazenly behaved in ways that seemed to confirm people's prejudices. The frightening part was that, despite being so close and having spent considerable time together, they still couldn’t fathom who he truly was.
Keeping secrets and thoroughly deceiving others was no easy feat. If someone had managed to do so thus far, what couldn’t he achieve in the future?
Steiber felt a strange belief that these two, being together, might turn the tide even in this seemingly impossible situation.
Rrrrrrrrrrrr!
Steiber closed his eyes tightly, then opened them. His fleeting yet profound thoughts vanished. He was deeply concerned for the safety of the two who had descended below, but this was no time for idle worries.
Their task was straightforward.
Yuder had instructed, “When the monster ascends, the remaining members will unite their strength to create a current and send it to the surface.” Even if they couldn't avoid the undersea earthquake, the visible form of the monster in the distance meant it was time for Steiber to act.
If asked whether he could fully protect himself with his remaining strength, he honestly wasn’t confident.
Even a momentary lapse in the protective force would result in a horrific death, unrecognizable amidst the currents and pressure. Alternatively, he could be attacked by the ascending monster and become its prey. Either way, death seemed closer than life.
However, Steiber did not turn his back or despair in fear. He remembered Yuder Aile's demeanor from the day before. He also recalled the image of the Commander, the first to step forward and slash towards the sea.
Without hesitation, he gathered strength in his hand and signaled his nearby comrades.
"We respond!"
Even if their combined force was no more than a pebble swallowed by a giant wave, not acting would bring greater disaster to their comrades above. Therefore, even without Yuder's command, they would never retreat.
Steiber mustered all his remaining strength and began to create a current. Having learned by watching Yuder, the current he now conjured was no longer as daunting and overwhelming as it had been at first. It was just excruciatingly painful and exhausting due to the excessive exertion of power.
As he strained every muscle to generate the current, Steiber looked around and realized that his comrades, too, were already taking similar actions in the darkness, making signaling unnecessary.
All except one member, who, tasked with escorting the Commander's guest, was unable to use any other power and swiftly moved upwards. The collective effort soon created several small whirlpools, weaving together to form a new current in the water. Naturally, this current was much weaker and smaller than the one created with Yuder. Yet, the members remained calm and focused, ready to unleash their power at a moment's notice.
Once everyone was prepared, Steiber sent the signal without hesitation.
"Now!"
Steiber witnessed an ominous current sweeping up along with the massive shadow of a monster ascending through it and launched the current he had created toward it. Simultaneously, the currents created by other members were also shot forward.
Although each current was small on its own, they had learned from Yuder that combined, they could become a much greater force. Despite appearing feeble compared to their previous efforts, the currents created by the members did not scatter but instead converged, advancing toward the monster.
Against the imposing shadow rising, their efforts seemed minuscule, leaving no one certain if they could actually push the monster to the surface. Clenching his teeth, Steiber intensely watched, not missing a single moment as the currents raced toward the monster's shadow.
And then.
Kwaaaaaa... Ahhh....
Just when Steiber thought the currents were about to reach the monster, which seemed poised to extend its tentacle-like limb towards them, he suddenly realized that the monster was almost motionless.
‘What's going on?’
As soon as he noticed this, the combined currents launched by Steiber and his comrades struck the monster.
Their best effort, now at its limit and barely making an impact, was like a small wave, seemingly about to disappear as soon as it hit, like a pebble swallowed by the tide.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Pufffff....
What they had thought was a giant snake-like creature turned out to be a misconception. The monster burst like a bubble.
‘What...!’
Thousands of tiny, insignificant fragments that had formed the monster's body dispersed across the sea like white mist. The tremendous wave mixed with the current hit Steiber and passed by. However, it wasn’t as threatening as he had braced for in the face of expected death.
As Steiber instinctively braced for defense and shut his eyes tightly, upon opening them, he saw the familiar force of someone else overlapping around his body.
A force of water, firm like a transparent wall yet delicately spread out. This solid protective power had originated from somewhere deep below, amidst the remnants of the monster. Steiber thought he glimpsed a faint golden light in that darkness. In this darkness, where it was hard to see ahead, only one person could accurately identify their location and exert such power. A moment of deep joy and realization thrilled him.
A sudden surge of deep joy and realization sent a thrill through him.
"Yuder!"
From the depths of the sea, two small shadows ascended at an unbelievably fast speed, piercing through the remnants of the monster like an arrow. Emerging into view were none other than Yuder Aile and Kishiar La Orr.
Even in the dim light, their condition looked disheveled, but they appeared unharmed and alive.
‘They're alive!’
Yuder, with a light shining from one eye stronger than any magic stone bracelet, raised his hand.
The gesture of his uplifted fingers and their trembling signified something simple.
Earthquake.
Simultaneously, Kishiar also made a hand signal.
Move upwards.
The moment he signaled, everything around seemed to swell, and the remnants of the monster in the sea rushed toward them like a torrent. The currents created by the members dwindled in strength. However, Steiber no longer felt death drawing near.
Even though he couldn’t fully grasp what was happening, wasn’t it enough that the two had completed their task and returned to them? He laughed heartily, asking no questions, and exerted his power. The force of water he shot beneath him started to propel his body explosively upwards.