Outer God (8)
Inside the warehouse, numerous taboos were sealed away. If even one broke free, the city would grind to a halt, with countless casualties inevitable. Of course, there was no need to worry too much. Powerful sealing magic was in operation, so it could hold even if a battle broke out.
"Hm."
We reached the deepest part of the warehouse. In the center of a vast space stood a pedestal, and atop it was a single foreign object sealed away. It looked like a gem, but also like a creature's eyeball.
"Hands off. Before I kill you."
"...."
The girl, who had been reaching for the gem, froze at my words. The barrier, more than half torn away, was barely holding its shape. A little longer, and it really would've been stolen. I'd nearly screwed everything up by taking it easy and not rushing.
"You. Who are you?"
"Someone here to stop you."
"So you're the enemy?"
"What else, an ally?"
The girl tilted her head cutely—or at least, her childlike appearance might make it seem that way. But it only heightened my tension. Because even my evil eye couldn't see through her.
Tricky one.
Cases like this were rare. The president and the earthworm came to mind, but this girl felt different. The other two were like staring up at a cliff; she was like something hidden behind a curtain. In simple terms, someone was interfering with my evil eye.
The gate and the key... Yog-Sothoth, right?
The Cthulhu Mythos was infamous as a horror tale. It undoubtedly existed in reality, and anyone in this line of work had to know it as basic knowledge. I knew the names and epithets of the gods, at least.
"What's so special about that gem you're after?"
"Dunno. Shin-nim needs it."
"Needs it for what?"
"Dunno."
Yog-Sothoth was the Cthulhu Mythos' number two. Its dumb dad was basically irrelevant, so it was effectively the strongest. If that thing was after this foreign object... whatever it was, it sure as hell wouldn't be used for anything good.
"Sorry, but I can't hand over the gem."
"Oh well. Guess I'll kill you and take it."
"Hah, crazy bitch."
I let out a hollow laugh and slashed my throat. Blood poured like a waterfall, and a massive magic circle etched itself at my feet.
Not someone I can hold back against.
There were no guarantees, but she'd already proven her strength by slaughtering the Ma Tower professor. I went all out from the start.
"Bite and shatter. Dye the flesh in blood."
"The ancient predator now becomes a loyal hound."
"Obey your father's command and tear my foe to shreds."
⟨ Hunter Summon ⟩
The deep sea erupted from the crimson magic circle. Surging waves filled the warehouse with abyssal waters. A single beast swam toward this crudely recreated deep sea.
[———!]
A roar that evoked primal terror. Just glimpsing its form could shatter minds, its aura matching the monsters of myth. Scales hard as fortress walls. Fins that defied horrific currents. Teeth sharper than any famed sword.
"This'll be fun... cough!"
"...."
I'd lost enough blood to collapse right then, but I'd successfully summoned the strongest familiar I could call: the Hunter.
[Go.]
[———!]
The apex predator of the ocean: a shark. No match for the deep sea's lords, but its power was nothing to scoff at. True to its veteran hunter nature, it charged without fear, sweeping the battlefield like a berserker.
"Ugh...!"
[———!]
The warehouse brimmed with water. The already superhuman Hunter in its element was impossible to track with the naked eye. The girl took several fin strikes. She counterattacked immediately.
[Gotta use magic.]
[—!?]
Magic circles bloomed everywhere as she gestured. No chant or seals, yet they formed perfectly. They activated on cast, with power to overturn the sea and slaughter its life.
Insane.
The sun rose, lightning struck, curses descended, and blades of judgment rent space. Not just multi-attribute spells—each was a distinct magic, all devastating.
"Strong. Honestly, a bit disconcerting."
[———!]
"But I won't lose."
The warehouse exploded, flipping the sea. We plunged underground somewhere. The Hunter dodged her spells amid the chaos; she unleashed barrages like her mana was infinite. Me? I hung back, spectating.
[When do I help?]
Just a bit longer.
I shook my head at Shin-nim's question. Needed to gauge the girl and Yog-Sothoth's strength—and honestly, it felt wasteful to interrupt. I'd slit my throat to summon the Hunter; had to see it fight.
Want some popcorn?
[Wait. Got cola too.]
Shin-nim and I watched the battle from my mind, munching popcorn and cheering the Hunter. Unfortunately, it was gradually being pushed back.
"Tough vitality. Almost Black Goat Doe level."
[———!]
"But I'll win in the end."
As she slashed downward with her index finger, a massive magic circle formed in the air. The previous spells weren't weak, but this was on another level. True divine-tier magic. I'd never faced it, but instinct told me whose it was.
That guy's magic?
The Ma Tower president, a Mythic-grade space mage. The mana scent differed, but the structure felt like his.
[Can you handle it?]
[.....]
I checked in with the Hunter. If it backed off scared, Shin-nim and I would step in. I might overuse familiars, but I wouldn't make them tank divine punishment for me.
[Fath...er...]
"Hm?"
Suddenly, familiar words spilled from the Hunter's maw. Stunned by the abrupt Korean, I could only laugh hollowly at what followed.
[I'll... win...]
[Hahaha! Yeah?]
I knew deep sea beings saw Shin-nim as mother, me as father. But without language, their intent was unclear—until now.
Bluffing? Cute.
Not my bio kid, but as Shin-nim's husband and adoptive dad, I could grant its wish. If it wanted to fight, I'd trust it.
Okay with you, Shin-nim?
[Of course. Loving husband is hot!]
With her okay, I sat on the ground. No dispels, no barriers. My life rode solely on the Hunter.
[I believe in you.]
[I'll... live up... to your faith...]
It bowed excitedly, then rose and approached the girl. The magic circle was over 90% complete. Cataclysm brewed in the shattered cavern.
[—————————!!!]
The Hunter staked its life in response. Unlike my mere 20-odd years, it had lived since ancient times. Its life was endless struggle, undefeated till now.
BY THE FATHER’S NAME, VICTORY IS MINE. MY SOUL IS THE PRICE; MY GLORY IS ETERNAL.
⟨ Deep Sea Chant ⟩
Unknowable tones poured from its maw. A language that drove listeners mad, exploding heads if comprehended. With it, the Hunter chanted its counterspell, fueling lacks with its own life force.
"Deep sea magic... huh."
The Hunter died from its own spell. Its crumbling flesh was gruesome, but the magic was sublime.
Now I get it.
I'd thought I understood the deep sea. But what I knew was mere surface—minor copies. The beings I'd summoned were Earth civilians by comparison.
"Huh...? That can't be...?"
[.....]
As enlightenment dawned, Hunter and girl remained locked. Fingers on triggers, uncast but ready. She instinctively knew: her magic couldn't pierce its.
[Ugh...! Whatever! Die!]
No retreat now. She cast; Hunter poured everything in.
A mass from the overhead circle plummeted. The Ma Tower's weight compressed to a point—a divine bomb.
[!!!!!!]
Futile. No matter how heavy the object, seas merely ripple before settling. The Hunter linked maw to abyss, devouring all: spells, debris, girl.
Space, mass, mana—everything swept into the deep.
[Gyaak!]
The girl, eaten from below, thrashed with mana. Useless. Body pulverized, fingertips dust—then everything froze. A colossal presence emerged.
****
The otherworldly god appeared abruptly. An Outer God, great Outer God, come to save its avatar.
Time halted, space froze. The deep sea magic resisted, but everything else stopped. No matter the waves, deep-rooted trees don't sway. The girl escaped the abyss; the spent maw clamped shut.
"Shin-nim, you saved me! Thank you!"
[.....]
The regenerated girl thanked her god profusely. Normally, a god might feel rewarded, but not now. Omniscience meant glimpsing unwanted futures.
"Parents butting into kids' fights...]
[......]
"Pisses me off. In every way."
The moment they met, her fate sealed: predestined ruin. In the near future, existential death by that one's hand.