Chapter 70
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: You Are Indeed a Prophet
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning.
Dilia woke from her sleep. The sudden drumming of heavy rain against her ears jolted her awake.
"Ugh..."
A low groan slipped through her lips.
She tossed and turned as if throwing a tantrum.
But the relentless downpour refused to let her drift back to sleep.
Ugh, I want to sleep more...
Dilia furrowed her brow. Her mind was already half-awake. At this point, it was better to get up than try to force herself back to slumber.
So she blinked first.
To clear the hazy fog from her vision.
Moments later, her bleary eyes focused on an unfamiliar ceiling. It resembled the rough interior of a cave.
Why am I in a place like this...?
Was it the lingering drowsiness?
A sudden question bubbled up in her mind. And just then, a clamor erupted from outside.
Rumble! Pour!
Thunder crashed alongside the torrent of rain.
The moment she heard it, forgotten memories flooded back like a light switching on.
Oh, right.
She had entered the forest for the hunting exam.
And after finishing the hunt...
While chatting with Ullan on the way back to base, she had dozed off.
Huh? Where's Ullan, then?
Did he wake up? Or was he still asleep?
The question popped into her head.
She gently turned her small head to scan the cave.
And in that instant...
"Finally awake?"
A familiar voice came from behind her.
It was Ullan.
A flicker of joy surged through her, and she whipped around. But the delight was short-lived as Dilia let out a dazed gasp.
"...Huh?"
The reason was simple.
His face was much closer than she expected.
Close enough to touch if she reached out.
No, even closer.
Any nearer, and she'd feel his breath.
What? Why is he so close?
As the questions swirled fiercely in her mind, Dilia's eyes suddenly widened.
"...?!"
That's when she realized her situation.
"Wh-wh-what is th-this...?"
Her voice stumbled in panic.
It was warranted. She was cradled in Ullan's arms right now. From the moment her eyes opened until this very second.
The instant she grasped it...
She jolted back in alarm.
"Wh-why am I h-here...?"
As she stammered incoherently...
The scarlet eyes before her shifted.
Calm as a still lake.
Ullan pointed to the opposite wall with an emotionless expression.
"You rolled over from there."
"R-Rolled?"
Rolled? What did that mean?
Dilia glanced at the wall he indicated.
And then, a memory flashed through her mind. From the times she half-woke intermittently.
Right. The ground was so uncomfortable...
Now it all came back clearly.
She had fallen asleep against that wall at first.
But the uneven floor didn't suit her, and she had tossed quite vigorously.
She hadn't realized she'd rolled all the way over here. As the belated memory resurfaced, she let out a groan.
"You must've been exhausted."
Ullan asked abruptly.
Of course she had been tired.
The night before the exam, she'd been too excited about spending 72 hours with Ullan to sleep.
But why ask now?
"You were snoring like thunder."
"..."
"I thought the cave was collapsing."
Heat rushed to her face.
Dilia protested in fluster.
"I-It wasn't that bad, honestly!"
"No, it really was."
"Still, that's exaggerating..."
"I swear on my warrior's honor."
He was swearing now?
Dilia clamped her mouth shut.
If he was going that far, she must have snored pretty loudly. With a slightly pouty face, she pursed her lips.
"...I don't usually."
In a way, it was Ullan's fault.
She'd lost sleep thinking about him.
But her sulk didn't last. Dilia looked at Ullan with concern.
"Anyway, are you okay?"
"With what?"
"You probably couldn't sleep because of me."
"Oh, that? I'm fine."
Ullan waved it off.
"Sure, it was pretty noisy, but not enough to keep me up. And..."
"And?"
Dilia tilted her head.
Ullan grinned.
"Your pajamas were soft. Helped me sleep."
"..."
Dilia sealed her lips.
His answer meant he'd held her while sleeping.
The moment she realized...
"Eek."
She covered her ears with both hands. To hide her burning red ears. But her hands couldn't cover her flushed face too.
So she spun around completely.
And hastily changed the subject.
"Uh, b-breakfast time. I'll prepare it."
"Need any help?"
"...No, just stay there."
Don't look over here, absolutely.
Fearing he'd see her scarlet face, Dilia prepared the meal without turning.
There wasn't much to prepare, really.
Breakfast was just the wooden fruits they'd gathered yesterday. But it was woefully insufficient for Ullan.
"If it's not enough, you can have mine."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I usually skip breakfast anyway."
"Then I'll gratefully accept."
Ullan didn't refuse.
As he devoured the fruits in a blink, Dilia collected some rainwater in a pot.
She boiled it over the quickly lit campfire and pulled a small pouch from her backpack.
"What's that?"
"Tea leaves."
With a simple reply...
She took out a few dried leaves. They shimmered with a bright yellow hue, like ginkgo leaves.
Bubble bubble!
Soon as the water boiled, she tossed them in. Then poured the tea into disposable cups she'd set aside.
A brilliant golden color, like Dilia's eyes.
Steam rose with a refreshing aroma tickling her nose. A familiar scent from her past life.
"Blond leaf tea."
"You know it well."
Dilia smiled brightly.
As if he'd nailed it. Blond leaves, dried and brewed into tea.
Its crisp scent invigorated the drinker, famous among Arpen's rangers before starting their day.
"It's hot, so be careful."
"Cheers."
Ullan took the cup.
A sip of the hot tea brought a minty freshness.
His stuffy mouth cleared up.
Even his mind felt refreshed.
Didn't think I'd taste this again.
Ullan savored the memory from his past life, sipping leisurely. Dilia did the same. By the time they'd finished...
Pour!
The rain intensified.
As if a hole had opened in the sky.
Gazing at the refreshing downpour, Dilia murmured.
"It's just like he predicted."
Who else? Only one had foretold rain in the northern forest during the exam.
"...What is that guy's deal?"
Dilia's eyes narrowed.
Noa hadn't just predicted the weather.
The exam privilege change, and even the five special task force agents as escorts—all spot on.
I've heard high-level shamans can glimpse the future...
But nothing this precise.
Curiosity piqued, she asked.
Ullan, from the same tribe, might know. But he didn't.
"Honestly, I don't know much either."
"Huh? Even you?"
"As I said before, I only met Noa around when we left the plains. But about her foresight... I know a bit."
On the journey here from the plains...
Ullan had verified Noa's foresight multiple times. He recounted every incident without omission.
And emphasized her predictions never missed.
A perfect hit rate.
Dilia frowned skeptically.
But she couldn't outright doubt it.
Noa had proven it already. Moments later, her expression darkened.
"Then that must be true too."
"What?"
"...Abyss Worshippers."
The evening before last, Noa had said.
On the second day of the hunting exam...
Tonight, a group would pass through the forest. And for some reason, they'd attack and abduct students.
Recalling that...
Dilia's face hardened.
Abyss Worshippers are dangerous.
She'd never seen one.
But records and texts screamed peril.
Composed of skilled mages and shamans, all wielding 'forbidden magic.'
Forbidden magic: strictly banned even to learn, let alone use.
Not just horrific side effects, but the ingredients and catalysts.
...Humans.
Precisely, human blood, body parts, or lives.
Magic using humans as materials. The mere thought nauseated her.
Dilia bit her lip.
Then turned to Ullan.
"What do we do?"
"Stop them."
No hesitation.
Unlike Dilia, Ullan had faced them endlessly in his past life.
Traitors worshiping the Abyss.
Humanity's betrayers. If they became apostles with Abyss power, they'd be far trickier.
So...
Cull them as worshippers, before they receive grace.
To prepare for the Abyss Gate's opening.
His eyes flashed fiercely.
Ullan recalled Noa's prophecy.
Expected late at night. Exact time unknown.
Six worshippers, splitting into groups of three.
They'd twist the northern forest into a maze with forbidden magic, then abduct students. That was all Noa saw.
And one more thing.
Yesterday at lunch, Noa had whispered only to Ullan.
"Protect Dilia, Ullan."
A meaningful hint that she might be their target.
Of course, Ullan intended to anyway.
Dilia was a precious comrade, an essential mage against the Abyss.
Then...
"Any specific plan?"
Dilia asked abruptly, looking uneasy.
Ullan nodded.
"Can't pinpoint them yet, so we'll patrol the forest casually and take them out on sight."
"..."
The word "take out" made her pointed ears twitch.
Her golden eyes trembled faintly. Ullan suddenly understood.
Right. Not yet, at this point.
Once, with past-life comrades...
They'd discussed this.
"When was your first kill?"
To comfort a bard tormented by his first murder.
Ullan's was at fourteen.
Defending his tribe from a hostile raid. No guilt—just survival.
And the earliest was...
Sniper Sven Isaac of the hero party: nine years old.
The latest: that bard.
Next: Dilia.
Right before the Abyss Gate opened, she'd first bloodied her hands with human blood.
So this was her instinctive aversion—and fear—of killing.
Dilia fidgeted, nervously biting her nails, clutching the talisman from Noa.
"Don't worry."
A large hand rested on her head.
Ruffling her silver hair gently, Ullan continued seriously.
"I'll be in front of you."
"...Ullan?"
"Getting bloodied is my job."
The vanguard's duty.
Dilia's eyes widened.
He'd read her mind, and strangely, the gnawing anxiety washed away.
"Yeah. Thanks."
She regained her composure.
Twitching ears and trembling eyes settled. Reassured by his words.
Soon, as the unease fully faded...
"Rain's letting up."
The heavy shower thinned.
About to stop completely. Dilia brushed off her spot and stood.
"Shall we move?"
"Yeah."
Ullan nodded, grabbing his axe from the corner.
"Time to hunt."
Monsters. And Abyss Worshippers. All of them.
His eyes gleamed savagely.
7.
Not long after.
The tapering rain finally stopped by evening. Then, special task force agent 'Ramil Birman' resumed outer patrols.
Ramil was a mid-level mage.
Specializing in wind magic.
For this mission, he scouted the forest at wind-like speeds for threats.
"Tch, what shitty weather."
Like the eastern tropics.
Post-rain humidity was stifling. Curses were inevitable. Then...
Whoosh!
A gust carried mana. From upper-level mage and squad leader Walter.
—Eastern outskirts clear.
—North too.
Colleagues reported in.
Walter asked Ramil.
—Ramil, your side?
"Yeah, almost done here."
He'd just started, but no point admitting. They couldn't check anyway.
After the report...
Walter asked again.
—Dilia Arpen?
—Camilla's on it.
Dilia Arpen.
Ramil frowned at the name.
She was why the task force was assigned.
Dean Deplin Chernio's orders: observe and protect her.
"Dean's so overprotective."
The forest bordered the academy.
Only 2-star beasts or lower.
Why five agents for this?
Plus, Mana's Beloved. Her skill surpassed upper mages—unprecedented.
As he grumbled...
—Good. Regroup at temporary base in 30, at 8 PM sharp. Readjust night watches.
—Got it, Camilla.
—Confirmed, Yuwan.
Recall order.
Ramil acknowledged and halted. Confirming Walter's spell ended, he muttered dully.
"No point patrolling more."
Time to head back.
What could happen?
As he turned casually...
His shoulder twitched.
...Blood smell.
Human, not beast.
Face stiff, he scanned around. Tracing the source. Then spotted something odd afar.
That’s...
A hazy figure.
Ashen robe. Narrowing his eyes, Ramil crept closer silently.
Or tried to.
"Fresh ingredients delivered themselves."
A grotesque voice from above.
Like scraping metal.
Grating sound, and five shadows encircled him.
How did they sneak up...!
No presence detected.
As his face hardened...
The ashen-robed figure was now inches away.
He doffed the hood.
Ramil's eyes bulged.
"...?!"
Utterly grotesque.
Pallid, bloodless skin. Decaying flesh on sparse teeth.
Empty sockets where eyes should be. Most shocking: human eyeballs dangling from his necklace.
After close inspection...
Ramil intuited.
"...Abyss Worshipper!"
Mad mages who abandoned humanity.
Common trait: horrific, twisted appearances. Like this man.
Chill creeping over him, Ramil backed away hastily.
No chance like this!
Outmatched in power and numbers.
Regroup with allies first. He triggered acceleration magic to flee.
Nothing happened.
Mana solidified like stone. Spell incomplete. Panicking, he yelled.
"Wh-why won't the magic...!"
"Work?"
The worshipper leaned in.
Shaking his eyeballs, he laughed.
"Because you met my eyes."
Somehow, those eyes disrupted magic. As Ramil paled...
The worshipper seized his face.
Crunch! Creak!
Vise-like grip.
As screams escaped from the crushing force, a whisper slithered in.
"Your eyes are pretty too. Sea-blue and sparkling. I like them."
"W-wait! No way..."
"I'll take them."
With mocking notice...
He gouged out both eyes.
"Aaaagh! Kyaargh!"
Agony of live eye extraction.
Ramil screamed uncontrollably.
That signaled it.
Others approached stealthily.
With razor-sharp blades.
"Fingers are mine."
"T-Tongue! I'll cut the tongue!"
"Leave the heart. Perfect snack."
With chilling words...
His body was shredded.
Screams turned to death rattles. Ramil soon stopped breathing.
As the pieces lay scattered...
The eye-gouger grabbed his severed head.
Thrusting a sharp finger into the brain, he pried open the jaw.
"Kids in the forest, huh."
He'd read Ramil's memories. Others perked up.
"Kids? How young?"
"Five or so would be ideal. Good for materials or offerings."
"Nah, not that young. Academy students."
"Academy? Arsen?"
"Eh, skip 'em. Too much hassle."
Arsen Academy.
They shook their heads.
Naturally. Half were nobles' heirs. Trouble for nothing.
But the reader disagreed.
"No. Capture them."
"...What?"
"Must capture."
Voice laced with power.
His reply bubbled with laughter. Like striking gold unexpectedly.
"The sacrifice the Abyss seeks is there."
"What?"
"No way!"
"Yes."
His mouth split in glee.
He uttered with ecstasy.
"Mana's Beloved."
"...?!"
Instantly...
Their eyes changed. Apathy vanished, replaced by raw greed and obsession.
"Offering her would be huge merit. Might get grace sooner than thought."
After reading all memories...
Shouts erupted.
"G-Go, go, go! Now!"
"Worth the risk."
"Grab the others too."
"No witnesses."
Unanimous.
New target set.
"Right. Let's hunt."
The worshipper tossed Ramil's head.
It rolled, spewing black smoke, melting gooily away.
That signaled.
The Abyss Worshippers vanished.
The forest fell silent again. As if no one had been there.