How to Quell the Sandstorm (3)
I continued slowly, as if explaining to Teika, who was still tilting his head in confusion.
[The focal point you create generates something with immense mass. That point pulls in surrounding objects.]
I only knew the basics myself. I wasn't a scientist to begin with. I'd just looked it up once out of curiosity about the difference between telekinesis and gravity.
To put it simply, the big difference between the two talents was whether a focal point existed.
Telekinesis could move objects freely without one, but gravity required it. Telekinesis won hands-down in versatility, but when it came to raw destructive power, nothing beat gravity.
Because if you created a focal point inside an object, gravity became the most cheat-like talent imaginable.
And that wasn't the end of it.
With gravity, you could even create something like a black hole.
A black hole was a celestial body with such extreme mass that its gravity pulled in even light.
In fact, the Teika from ten years later had become a monster who could wipe out tens of thousands of monsters with a single gesture, but right now, he was definitely still a rookie.
Well, a 7-star rookie, anyway. Honestly, reaching 7-star made you an ace in any first-tier guild. Even that impressive Kim Myeong-cheol was only 7-star.
But Teika Cooper was a freak who would become one of the handful of 9-star hunters in all humanity. He'd figure out how to make that black hole and hit 9-star.
Teika just groaned in response to my words.
He clearly hadn't grasped it yet.
Well, there was plenty of time.
It would actually take him years to realize and apply this. I was just hoping to shave a little off that timeline.
"What the hell are you two talking about for so long? Food's ready—come eat."
"Yeah."
"You weren't teaching him something, were you?"
"Hm? Would that be a problem?"
Han Seohyun's eyes sharpened.
"He's not gonna end up as our enemy or anything?"
"Not an enemy, no."
"He's gonna be some shiny hero, and our fate is to be the villains. So even if not now, he'll be our enemy someday, right?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at Han Seohyun's words.
"I told you. He's destined to be a national hero. He won't bother with small fry like us."
In my mind, Beltsmets' operations would stick to Korea, maybe East Asia at most. The odds of clashing with a globe-trotting Teika were basically zero.
Han Seohyun's glare didn't soften.
"I just have a bad feeling about it."
I brushed off the worry.
"We're never crossing paths with that guy again, I promise."
What did it hurt us if he got stronger? I waved it off lightly.
That evening, the sandstorm intensified. The previous winds felt like a breeze in comparison. Visibility was shot—even staying oriented was a struggle. It would only get worse as we neared the eye.
Walking through this barefaced was suicide.
I pulled out a mask and handed it to Han Seohyun. Even he, who hated masks, put it on without complaint.
Showing someone else's face felt off, so I stuck with the smiling face mode. Han Seohyun grimaced but had no choice.
Kim Jaeho got a spare pair of Teika's goggles. I'd wanted to give him the mask, but he'd snatched the goggles and bolted, leaving it for Han Seohyun.
Everyone hated my masks that much? It kinda hurt.
I conjured a wind dome around us. It guzzled mana, but with the mana-boosting bracelet, it wasn't impossible.
Monsters thinned out deeper in. Just standing here was grueling.
If not for this insane goal of taking down Evrika, we'd have bailed. Not that escape was easy—this place was a trap. The mana-mixed sandstorm numbed our senses, disorienting even direction.
Without Han Seohyun's sand bird overhead, we'd be lost for sure.
We tied ourselves together with rope. Visibility was down to two meters.
I took point.
Mental confusion didn't faze me, and I had Ray as my all-purpose navigator.
She couldn't map unknown paths, but she'd warn me if I veered off.
Teika brought up the rear, guarding against surprise attacks.
The storm made eating impossible—mouths filled with sand. We just kept walking.
Sitting meant getting buried alive.
Han Seohyun, relatively free to talk under his mask, groaned.
"Ugh... I can't... go any farther."
I grabbed the rope.
Everyone halted. I reeled them in, forming a circle under the dome, and checked Han Seohyun.
He was beat—shaking all over. I signaled for a break.
Then I carved out the ground with wind.
Wind had limits, so I shifted earth midway, but details didn't matter. I dug a pit for four, ushered everyone in, and tarped it tight against sand. Cozy enough.
"Haa."
Han Seohyun ripped off his mask first. Kim Jaeho ditched the goggles. They all shook off sand.
"Watch it. You'll sand up the whole pit."
"Ugh, sorry."
Han Seohyun stumbled. I caught him.
> He's just exhausted. Never been the sturdy type.
No injuries—just fatigue. Rest here would fix him.
I handed rations to Han Seohyun, slumped on the floor.
"Ugh, don't wanna eat."
"Starve and you're dead tomorrow. Force it down."
"Fiiine."
I passed food around. Just jerky in the cramped pit, but better than nothing. Chug water too—the outer storm made meals impossible, so stock up.
Kim Jaeho wolfed his silently. Han Seohyun crashed post-meal. Kim Jaeho, sand-caked and spent, followed suit.
Teika, watching, spoke up.
[Coming here alone would've been suicide...]
I shot him a "you think?" look. He shut up, sheepish.
Leaning against the wall felt surprisingly snug. Sand hissed overhead.
[How'd you all meet, anyway?]
Small talk, but our origins were heavy.
I'd bought Kim Jaeho from traffickers; Han Seohyun sought me for his brother's revenge.
Not your average meet-cute.
Teika added cautiously after my pause.
[Especially that kid—he looks so young. Even for an East Asian, he seems like a student.]
I debated lying but went straight.
[The quiet one's on my payroll. This one's the brother of a dead... friend. I'm looking after him.]
[Ah.]
Teika blinked at me.
[Makes sense. Teaming with a seasoned hunter like you? Experience comes fast.]
He hummed to himself, nodding.
"Nngh... brooo..."
Han Seohyun whimpered—nightmare again. He'd skipped them when dead-tired before.
Teika caught the murmurs.
[He looks like he's hurting. Wake him?]
[Just a nightmare.]
[Nightmare?]
[Told you—dead friend's brother. That end... wasn't pretty.]
[Shouldn't you wake him from—]
[Waking doesn't end it. Just delays. Better let the body rest if you can't banish it.]
I knew from experience. Jerking awake from nightmares just weighed you down more. Sleep was sleep—the body recovered, even if not deeply.
[You sound like you've had your share.]
I smirked.
[Live long enough, it happens.]
We were same age physically, but he saw me as veteran. Close enough.
My masked face screamed mid-to-late 20s. ID said 23—who cared?
Shut up and sleep already. As I thought that, wetting my throat—
[I've never had nightmares. Never been through anything to cause them. No clue how to comfort.]
[No comfort needed. Just stay by their side. Prop them up when they crack.]
That's what I needed most. Mine came with a leash, not a shoulder, but paradoxically, it kept me whole. Hated admitting it.
[Got it. They must be glad to have a leader like you.]
Such words from near-strangers. American lip service was something else. Still, nice to hear.
[Haha, thanks.]
[No, dead serious.]
Teika scratched his cheek.
[Gonna keep calling me Cooper-san?]
[That's your name?]
[Yeah, but 'Mr. Cooper' sounds like my dad. Gives me chills.]
No way I'd get buddy-buddy with "Teika." Keep distance, dude!
[Fine, Cooper-san it is for now.]
For now? What scheming? This was our last hurrah. As I grumbled inwardly—
[Once this is over, wanna come to America with me?]