Chapter 199: Your Eyeballs are a Bit Disgusting (1)
Chapter 199: Your Eyeballs are a Bit Disgusting (1)
The straight, open corridor was littered with Purples collapsed here and there.
It seemed Al’shel hadn't been lying. Though they were all foaming at the mouth and trembling while clutching their bodies with all four arms, not a single one of them had stopped breathing or had their heart fail.
“…What kind of effect does it have to leave them like that?”
“Hmm. It is my signature magic. It pours nightmare induction, trauma triggering, sensory deprivation, dilation of perceived time, sensory maximization, hallucinations, intermittent fainting, memory shuffling, and phantom limb pain—well, all those rather severe mental spells—into them all at once.”
Just hearing about it was horrific.
Based on the list alone, it was technically classified as non-lethal magic, but I suspected more than a few would rather beg for death.
“The best part is that a restoration spell triggers the moment the effects end, so there is no need to worry about lasting psychological damage. It is perfect for neutralization.”
Are you sure it’s not for torture?
If you asked someone with weak mental fortitude for the location of their base using that, they’d probably invent a base they didn't even have just to make it stop.
Regardless of the potency of Al’shel’s magic, the path forward was clear and easy.
As I walked through the hallway filled with screams and groans alongside Al’shel, I soon realized what he had meant earlier.
“…You said they were the ones sustaining the world, right?”
“I was half-joking. In reality, the entire race sustains it together.”
Is that so? It didn't feel like a lie.
Even if calling him the sole sustainer was a joke, as you said…
It felt like this guy alone was supporting about 33% of it.
The pressure was that immense.
The moment I took a step forward, the atmosphere shifted violently. Countless gazes pierced into us, as if they had no intention of hiding their presence.
Clairvoyance… or something like that?
“Al’shel?”
“Yes?”
“You said this race was on the weaker side, right?”
“I did.”
Then what was this pressure I felt pressing down on my entire body?
No matter how low I estimated it, this was top-tier A-Rank. Depending on the nature of the ability, it was a level of pressure that could easily reach O-Rank.
“I believe you are mistaken, Lee Ha-ram.”
Al’shel, seemingly feeling the pressure as well, spoke as he moved forward with slightly slowed steps.
“In the Otherworld, combat basically involves a single strong individual possessing the power to cover dozens, hundreds, or even billions. In other words…”
Snap.
The presence of a single gaze intensified, and my left hand twisted.
Whether the bone shattered or dislocated, my left hand spun a full rotation accompanied by intense pain.
“They are only weak as a race. They still possess the power to hold a seat within the train. And the entity ahead is what allows them to survive.”
Snap. Crack.
My neck. My left leg. My right leg.
As if space itself were warping, my entire body began to rotate.
I managed to resist my neck twisting through sheer strength, but perhaps because my focus was on my neck, both of my legs ended up completely folded.
The pain was indescribable.
Yet, perhaps because the method was so surreal, it wasn't pain or fear that dominated my mind.
‘That hurts like a bitch.’
That was my only thought.
Then, taking advantage of the gap where my bone and flesh were regenerating, I looked back at Al’shel.
I saw that he was also under attack.
His tentacles, neck, and limbs were twisted in every direction. The sight of his limbs being pulled and contorted was as grotesque as something out of a ghost story.
“….”
Yet, there was no change in Al’shel’s expression.
He simply flailed his twisted arms, thrust his broken legs forward, and wobbled his head, which had been turned 180 degrees.
He continued to move forward.
“You’re pretty flexible.”
“It is a strength of my race.”
Perhaps because his neck was turned, Al’shel’s voice sounded quite strange. However, the nonchalant tone of our conversation served to bolster my will, and I too thrust my shattered legs forward.
One step. Forward.
Thud.
It was a simple step, but the pain transmitted from my mangled feet and legs was quite impressive.
Still.
It’s bearable.
Flicker.
My arms and legs restored themselves with a faint glow.
Planting them firmly, I headed forward.
“Your regeneration has become faster.”
“I got used to it after using it so much.”
Crunch.
With an even stronger gaze, my waist twisted.
Fortunately, I blocked that, but the price was the rotation of my remaining limbs.
“Do not rely on it too much. Regeneration always comes with a price. If fatigue accumulates, even the hardest metal is bound to break.”
“I know that much.”
Even if I never died, the memories, pain, and fear accumulating inside me wouldn't disappear.
The moment they crossed the threshold, my will might break.
But.
“I don’t have much of a choice right now, do I?”
“True. There is no other way but to endure.”
The further we advanced, the stronger the gazes piercing my body became.
Accordingly, the mysterious physical force acting on my body intensified.
For now, I was enduring by repeating The Cycle of advancing and regenerating, but I wondered how long I could hold out.
The long corridor.
I couldn't even see The Enemy’s form at the far end.
Nevertheless, we slowly moved forward.
To find the final line I could withstand—the position from which I could leap at The Enemy the moment I regenerated, without being killed instantly.
* * *
Hundreds of dislocations.
Hundreds of fractures.
Through that nightmare, I drew closer to The Enemy.
It was much closer than I had expected.
My body is also tougher than I thought.
Thinking that, I looked at Al’shel standing on the opposite side.
He was so twisted that his limbs looked like crumpled paper.
He seemed to be protecting his head and torso, as vibrations continued to ripple through his vital areas, but compared to him, my limbs hadn't even been severed.
They were constantly breaking, twisting, and causing persistent pain, but at least they were still attached.
Twitch.
“Oh, come on.”
We’re right in front of you. Why don't you stop with these petty tricks?
With that sentiment, I channeled all my strength into my left arm to counter The Enemy’s force.
It was a tense tug-of-war into which I poured even the strength needed to walk.
I wouldn't have been able to use it while moving forward bit by bit, but now there was no need to advance any further.
Therefore, I took my eyes off my trembling left arm and looked straight ahead.
A massive underground structure.
It was a circular, dome-shaped area densely decorated with faded tiles, likely built in the distant past.
It seemed to be an important place, as the tiles were polished to a shine and there wasn't even a speck of dust to indicate the passage of time. However, it hadn't been able to withstand the weight of time itself, as fine cracks ran across the tiles here and there.
In the center of that ancient architecture sat a stone chair connected to numerous electrical wires and pipes that looked out of place.
And upon it sat the one we were looking for.
An entity staring at us with countless flashing eyes.
However, his appearance was completely different from the ones we had seen before.
Three of his four arms appeared to have been torn off, with only bulging flesh remaining to prove they had once been part of his body. Even the remaining arm was as gaunt as a shriveled mummy’s.
No, that’s not quite right.
His entire body—everything except the eyeballs—was shriveled.
Even his characteristic purple skin had dried into a crumbly grey. His mouth was shrunken and wrinkled, and his sunken stomach looked as though it had never known the touch of food.
In short, he looked like a complete mummy.
Nevertheless, the numerous eyeballs on his head…
Blink.
…were moving, possessing a lush moisture that contrasted sharply with his shriveled body.
“….”
Could one even call that thing alive?
Was it not just a simple mummy?
In fact, it looked as though he were already dead, somehow keeping his power alive just to protect his people.
The sight was pitiful, but I didn't let it bother me. I extended my right arm and swung my hammer.
It couldn't be helped.
We came here because we needed information, and the being before us was the one who managed all of it.
Whether he was dead or alive, since he had chosen to meet us with a contest of strength, he was merely an opponent to be crushed.
But before that.
“Al’shel.”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything I need to do?”
At my question…
Squelch. Squelch.
Al’shel quietly began to restore his body, scattering mucus.
Then, after layering a Magic Circle over his arm that was trying to twist again, he looked around quietly but cautiously before finally speaking.
“There is nothing. Let us proceed with neutralization.”
“Good.”
That’s my specialty.
Now that we were this close, the force wasn't getting any stronger.
If so, it was safe to assume this was The Enemy’s full power.
If I sacrificed one limb, I could easily land an attack.
Therefore, I relaxed my left arm, which was about to be twisted.
Crack.
As my left arm twisted, I reclaimed the strength that had been dispersed throughout my body and lowered my stance to charge.
“Let’s go.”
Just as I was about to spring forward…
“Kgh… aaaaaargh.”
Along with a scream that sounded like it was flowing out of hell, the force acting on my body weakened.
“….”
The scream came from the grey mummy sitting on the chair.
He lifted his body with his one remaining arm and opened his parched mouth.
“What business… do ones as strong… as you… have here…?”
It was a dry, parched voice that lacked any hint of moisture, sounding as if it were rising from the abyss.
“…I’ll step back.”
Dialogue and negotiation weren't my forte.
“Understood.”
As I took a step back, Al’shel stepped forward.
“Hmm. It is a pleasure to meet you, Great One. Since it is awkward to address you as such, may I ask your name?”
Al’shel acted with utter nonchalance, hiding his true nature and pretending to be kind.
However, there was no kindness or respect in his voice. Rather, it was a pressure that was far from friendly.
“…I am Grix.”
Perhaps sensing that, the mummy who called himself Grix also lowered his voice.
“I see, Lord Grix. I am Al’shel, and the person over there is Lee Ha-ram. We have traveled all this way for no other reason than to obtain information.”
“If you wish to buy information… you should have requested a trade through the proper channels. What is the meaning of this…?”
Come to think of it, did they say he was an information broker?
So we could have just paid and bought it? Hmm.
“That would only be surface-level information, wouldn't it?”
At that, Al’shel began to cackle.
“….”
“What we want is more vital information. The strength and population of each faction. The ratio of soldiers. Combat capabilities. The amount of currency they hold. Imports and exports. Those kinds of… important statistics.”
Uh… were we trying to get those?
I didn't know.
“…You. You are not someone who belongs to any faction.”
Did Al’shel’s absurd request cause a problem somewhere?
The mummy spoke with a hint of anger in his parched voice.
“How did you know that?”
“…Through countless battles, we have formed a treaty. Therefore, there is no one among us… who would demand such information.”
Perhaps reminiscing about the distant past, a hint of sadness entered the mummy’s voice.
“I see. A treaty. It sounds like a predictably tedious thing.”
The opposite emotion dwelled in Al’shel’s voice.
Mockery, joy, and patheticness.
“A treaty to maintain boundaries so that no losses occur between massive groups. How predictable. A trashy peace created by the privileged… for their own benefit…”
Before Al’shel could even finish his sentence…
“Silence! What do you know of it!”
A roar filled with immense rage erupted from the mummy’s mouth.
Snap. Crack. Snap. Crack.
The force that had stopped once again gripped my entire body, and at the same time…
Crunch.
The octopus standing a step ahead of me was completely crushed.
“…Sigh.”
I let out a sigh.
While neutralizing the overwhelming force and restoring my twisting limbs, I spoke.
“What should I do?”
“Is it not obvious? Neutralize him, please.”
Al’shel’s request came as he reappeared beside me in an instant.
“Will do.”
Hearing that, I charged toward The Enemy.