089. The Three Great Combat Families, Taia 1
The 1st class knights stared in shock at Codic hovering in the air before them.
"Another 2nd class monster...."
"This is bad...."
"A monster that took down Magoil!"
The knights surmised it immediately. The skull floating right before their eyes was the one that had claimed Magoil's life. The thought of facing such a creature made their hands and feet tremble already.
"What the hell are we supposed to do...."
Even 50th Centurion Silva and 100-man Captain Hipo lay defeated. As their minds filled with questions on how to proceed—
Swoosh.
Invisible Bin cloaked Codic with his clothes and swiftly slipped away from the area.
The other knights didn't pursue the vanishing Codic. No, they couldn't even dream of it. This was the beast that had felled even the 2nd class monster Magoil. Even if they chased it down, they figured it was no opponent they could handle. If anything, they were relieved it had left.
"Phew...."
As the knights sighed in relief, dazed Hipo suddenly recalled something.
That fire was...
The black flames that had appeared before him reeked of an alien, murderous aura. And not only that—it had snuffed out the life of a 2nd class monster like Magoil in an instant. His legs trembled involuntarily. It was pure instinct, beyond his control. Seeing his shaking legs, Hipo panicked.
My body's trembling...?
Meanwhile, Bin removed his invisibility helmet, Quinae, and pushed through the dense thicket.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
Each step covered several meters. Codic, dangling from Bin's belt, had reverted from iron back to bone. Glancing around, he spoke up.
"My lord, where are we headed, if I may ask?"
"Someone's hiding."
Bin's gaze fixed on a thick tree.
"Pardon, my lord?"
Before Codic could question further, Bin's eyes turned icy.
I can feel it. An ominous presence...
Bin drew the greatsword from his back with his right arm and swung it forward.
Shwaaaaa!
A black crescent blade wind surged toward the thick tree.
Swoosh. Thud!
The tree split in two, revealing a massive figure in red uniform. A sword at his waist and a huge barrel of liquor. Bin's eyes sharpened.
You...
The one hiding behind the tree was none other than Grander family's deputy head, Emma Grander.
Emma conjured two red gates—one in front and one to his right. Bin's blade wind entered the front gate and emerged from the right one.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack...!
The redirected blade wind mercilessly shredded countless trees. At a glance, over ten had toppled. Emma turned right.
"...."
His view showed only the barren space swept by Bin's attack.
Hic!
Seeing it, Emma hiccuped—a habit from his drinking. But this time, it was different. He looked somewhat startled. Emma marveled at Bin's blade wind.
"Kyahaha, that was close."
His half-lidded eyes fixed on Bin. White bandages on the right arm, greatsword. This was the kid who had nullified his magic before.
Kid, your senses have sharpened.
He had definitely been hidden behind the tree, quite far from Magoil. Yet the boy had pinpointed him. And Emma's surprise didn't end there. The boy's breathing was incomparably steady now, mana flowing smoothly through his body. He was on the verge of breaking into 2nd class knight territory—growth beyond compare.
To grow this fast...
Even when he was a 100-man captain candidate, Emma had seen potential. But this exceeded all expectations. Pupils dilating, Emma lifted his massive barrel and gulped down liquor.
Gulp gulp.
Bin eyed him coldly.
"So it was you bastards after all."
Hic!
Emma hiccuped nonchalantly and replied.
"What, stating the obvious? Grander and Bascon—fated to spill blood, aren't we?"
"In that case... just what I wanted."
"Haha, listen to this kid talk so fierce. I like it."
Tilting his head back to gaze at the moon, Emma pulled a cup from his pocket and poured liquor, offering it to Bin.
"Fate brought us here on this rare moonlit night. Let's share a drink, just us."
Bin's eyes turned murderous at Emma's jesting. Swoosh. In one motion, Luminare cleaved the cup in half. As Bin swung, Emma's eyes widened.
"...!"
The cup split, but the liquor inside stayed suspended, not spilling. Proof that mana lingered in the cut.
Gulp.
Emma's throat bobbed.
"...!"
He blinked at the sight, confused. Was he too drunk? Or had the boy truly reached this level? Tilting his head, Emma spoke.
"Guess I'm totally wasted. Next time, I'll fill this cup with your blood."
His threatening words fell on deaf ears. Bin wasn't one to cower.
"Might be your blood instead."
"Heh."
Emma chuckled dryly, red light flashing from his hand. A red magic circle etched on the ground, and he vanished.
Swoosh.
Bin watched him go, conviction solidifying. The Grander family's raid on Bascon was imminent...
* * *
Days later. Inside Plentel Castle, at Danel's mansion.
Bin and Danel sat across a table. Two pouches of gold coins lay atop it. Danel stared blankly at them.
"What are these gold coins...?"
"Reward for completing the mission."
"This much...?"
Bin nodded silently. Danel glanced at the gold before continuing.
"Well done, Bin. But Mother doesn't need this. Seeing you grow strong is thanks enough."
"No, Mother. No more wearing the same clothes. Get at least one new outfit. And this..."
As Danel looked sheepish, Bin handed her a necklace, hiding his own embarrassment.
"Bin, this is..."
Danel examined the round necklace, which opened and closed like a locket. Opening it, she found a message inscribed.
[pro....]
'A proficient person.' That was its meaning.
Indeed, this wasn't an ordinary necklace. Its special feature: one could inscribe new messages anytime. Understanding it meant Bin was no longer a clumsy child, Danel's eyes welled up.
Tears streamed down. She turned away. Bin awkwardly approached and clasped the necklace around her neck. It deviated slightly from what he'd meant to convey.
Protect. 'I'll protect you.' A pity he couldn't get that across, but the moment was heartwarming all the same.
And watching this heartwarming scene even more warmly was none other than Codic.
M-my lord... You said it was fine!
Truth was, this money wasn't mission reward. It was proceeds from selling the crystal in Codic's skull.
* * *
Stepping outside the mansion, Bin looked up at the night sky. The moon hung there. Seeing it recalled Emma Grander days ago.
Contemplating the impending Grander raid, Bin objectively assessed his forces. Monster-infused right arm and black flames. Luminare's opening. Invisibility helmet Quinae. Codic and his bone monster skull knight, elite skeleton knights, Gust, starfish. Gold Tooth and crew... 2nd class monsters King, Queen, Jack. Plus three avian monsters from Zaratann.
Forces that could rival any marquess house on Gana Continent. Tremendous growth from before. Yet unease lingered. His foe was Grander ducal house—one of the continent's three great combat families.
They were swallowing marquesses and earls alike, bulking up. With chimera research and hired mercenaries via wealth, even Bascon allying in wouldn't guarantee victory.
Can't count on this alone. Then...
Bin considered another option: maximizing the 1st class monster power within him. For that, he needed help from another of the three great combat families—Taia house. The most monster-attuned family.
With Taia's aid, things could change.
Taia was currently in internal turmoil, on rebellion's brink. If their help unlocked his 1st class monster power, he could protect his mother from continent-top-10 powerhouse Helden Grander.
And more: a golden chance to secure Taia before war with Grander. Bin planned to visit under pretext of returning their avian monsters.
They must be looking for these.
Bin bowed his head, eyeing the Taia seal on his hand. A smile crept up at thoughts of reshaping Taia's future.
* * *
Days later. Southwestern Gana Continent.
A massive green stalk towered before Bin. As 7th Division Centurion, he could now roam freely outside the castle. Alternating rides on Taia's three avian monsters, he'd arrived smoothly.
Bin tilted his head back at the colossal stalk.
"Still as majestic as ever."
Codic shared the awe.
"My lord, I can't see the top... It's like gazing upon your future stature. Haha."
Guy's spouting nonsense again.
Bin ignored Codic's flattery, as usual. The stalk's height was immense, nearly piercing the clouds. Peering closer, he spotted people and monsters within.
This was Trist, Taia family's seat. Harmonizing with monsters, their ancestors chose nature over stone castles. Continent folk often said: In Trist, where monster magi amplified, Taia reigned supreme among combat families...
Step. Step.
As Bin approached Trist, riders on avian monsters atop the stalk loosed arrows at him.
Swoosh— Thud! Thud!
Two arrows embedded in the ground. One shouted down.
"Halt! Only Taia may enter Trist!"