Leviathan Subjugation (2)

The chat window overlaying the exploded Leviathan's head went quiet for a moment. Then a single message popped up.

"…Terra. Get ready."

[Yes, yep!]

These viewers sometimes fixate on the dumbest things. Sure, I got a bit hyped myself and went overboard compared to usual…

Anyway! The headless beast was still thrashing wildly, and regeneration had already kicked in. No time to waste.

Chains forged from manipulated water. I bound the Leviathan's body tight, hoisted it up, and shaped the end into a handle, offering it to Terra.

[Uh… Lady Goldie?]

"What're you waiting for? Bite it. We're hauling this thing up."

[……]

This oughta charm her too. I paraded the golden handle right in front of Terra, then hopped back onto the beast's head.

"Play your cards right, and I'll buy you another game pack when we get back. Whatever you want."

[R-Really?!]

"You ever seen me lie about something like this?"

Game packs aren't exactly breaking the bank anyway.

[Lady Goldie is the best!]

"Heh, yeah, yeah."

She's happy, so mission accomplished.

"Mm…"

Meanwhile, on the surface. Park Ha-eun fidgeted with her sword hugged close, while Salao sharpened his harpoon. The boat had fallen eerily silent after Goldie dove in—until Salao suddenly stood.

"Looks like it's coming up."

"…Pardon?"

"I can feel the currents. There've been several fights down there already."

Ha-eun tried to stand too, but Salao blocked her.

"Not yet, miss. Brace for impact."

"…."

"Nearest uninhabited island is northwest, right?"

Bwoooom—the ocean surface vibrated. Confirming it, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Salao gripped his harpoon artifact. No fancy name for it. To him, it's just a tool to skewer monsters, with barbs at both ends.

But every hunter's gear carries their will or philosophy, whether they intend it or not.

Krak—the harpoon clenched tight, a translucent rope sprouted from the tip, linking to the boat's center. Ha-eun's eyes widened at the secure tether.

And the next instant—

SPLASH!—a massive creature burst from the depths.

"Whoa?!"

The boat rocked violently. Ha-eun clung on, staring ahead to see a gigantic dragon and—

"T-Terra?!"

SKREEE!—trailing it, a massive crocodile head lunging jaws-wide, as if to devour Terra.

"Here comes dinner."

Salao grinned maniacally at the sight, then hurled the harpoon from his blood-gripped hand at blinding speed.

Thwunk!—it embedded in the Leviathan's body. Tiny compared to the beast, but Salao's power doesn't end with the throw.

Patience. Obsessive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fishing drive. He'd drifted at sea for days hunting one monster. Even recovered one only to face hordes, fighting solo through the night.

He came back with just bones that time—but he kept fishing. That's his endurance, his life.

Artifacts embody their owner's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will. So the harpoon in the Leviathan wasn't mere metal—it's Salao's very existence.

As long as he doesn't yield, it'll never come loose.

"Salao! Reel it in!"

Goldie's voice rang out. Salao hit the helm, slamming the throttle to max speed toward the nearest land.

VROOOM!—SKREEE?!—The Leviathan's colossal body, chasing the light, jerked sharply toward the boat.

This boat's got some serious power…

"Terra, let's follow."

[Got it!]

Flap!—Wings beating, we pursued the boat.

Screeech—SKREEE!—The beast shook off its daze, twisting to resist, its long body whipping toward the boat.

"Terra!"

[On it!]

BOOM!—Terra's heat ray breath blasted its torso back.

Glancing at the boat…

"Ha-eun…?"

Ha-eun strained, gripping the rope. What the…?

[Lady Goldie! We need a bigger shock!]

Terra was right—the Leviathan had fully recovered and was now dragging the boat backward with raw mass.

"Stick close to its body. I'll hop on."

[You sure…?]

"Worried about me now? Brat… Don't sweat it."

I patted her horn reassuringly.

Noisy bunch even through text.

"Listen to Talassa, kids."

[Lady Goldie, almost there soon…]

"Oh, right."

Flap!—Terra flew low, aligning with the Leviathan.

Thud—I kicked off her head, leaping down.

CRASH!—Grroink?!—Doubling my weight, I slammed down hard on its back.

But…

"…I remember every one of you who just chatted that."

BOOM!—I slammed my fist into its torso, glaring at chat.

"Next time, real execution content."

Cocky brats.

Thud—golden energy cloaked my body as I dashed along its length. First, drag it fully out of water—target the head to keep it dazed.

Closing in, I jumped, fist cocked—

BOOM!—Grrk!—side-swiped its jaw.

As its head whipped around, I air-stepped higher, channeling energy into my right leg.

"Hya!"

Leading with my foot, I stomped its maw down hard.

Crunch!—

"Oof, still not out? Gotta pop the head again?"

Szzzt—while I pondered next moves—

"Don't pop it. Ruins the meat quality."

"Quality…? Now's the time to care?"

Radio from Salao.

"You already popped it once, I think. Regenerated meat loses texture. Stop the weird popping."

…He has his hunter's creed, like my treasure hoarding?

"Fine… So what now?"

"Best is knockout. Hold on."

Silence followed as he prepped…

"Y-Yes?! Me?!"

"Keep her straight."

"N-No…!"

Ha-eun's panicked voice crackled over the radio.

…Huh?

"Hey, what's—"

BOOM!—Damn, Leviathan's back up already. Gotta drag it to land…

Clank—a massive spear materialized in my hand. Fish? Skewer it.

…Though Leviathan ain't skewer-worthy visually.

Grip—

"Terra, back me up!"

[Roger!]

Thud!—I kicked off its body, charging fast. Then—whump!

Gripping the spear inverted like a pole vault, I launched upward.

Whoosh!—Spinning it for balance in midair, I thrust deep toward the target.

Squelch!—

———!!

Spear nailed dead-center in its eye. It shrieked ear-splittingly.

"Shift aside."

"Huh?"

Salao's voice from behind. I yanked the embedded spear upward—

Crack!—He appeared, slamming the end deeper.

"Not deep enough."

And in his hand…

A sweep oar…? The kind for rowing.