94. Blue Tide Unit
Jack emerged from the black smoke, his crimson eyes glaring at the three centurions. The three captains froze at the sight of Jack's majestic presence.
A 2nd-grade monster?! Bin thought, eyeing the centurions.
At the very least... I can't let them get in my way.
Bin knew all about the dynamic between the Taia family's centurions and the deputy lord. Deputy Lord Enderlin had established the Blue Tide Unit, and the captains couldn't ignore his orders. He couldn't let them leave unscathed. They would only interfere with his future plans.
That was when Shark, the captain of the Blue Tide Unit's 3rd squad, scowled at Jack.
Swoosh.
In an instant, Jack on his purple horse closed the distance to the man.
"...!"
The other captains were dumbfounded by Jack's agility.
F-Fast...
Definitely a 2nd-grade monster.
As their eyes widened in shock, a jet of water erupted from beneath Shark's feet, forcing him to retreat and evade Jack. Shark glared fiercely at him.
"Hey, you gotta pick your opponents for that showboating."
With those words, Shark's sword began to shimmer silver. At that moment, a massive amount of water pooled on the ground, and six water pillars shot up.
The six pillars rose around Jack, forming a hexagon with him trapped in the center. Soon, they all crashed toward him in a rush.
Whoosh!
A smirk played on Shark's lips.
Not so tough.
But his smug smile didn't last. His pupils trembled.
Swoosh.
"...!"
As the water jets surged toward Jack, a single red sword flew straight at him from within.
Thud.
In the end, the red blade pierced Shark's abdomen, making him spew blood.
"Damn it..."
Shark's eyes rolled back as he collapsed on the spot.
Thud.
Meanwhile, Jack boldly revealed himself beside the swirling waters. He had elongated his shadow at the moment of impact to shift his position.
"One down."
With a deep, gravelly voice, Jack turned his head toward the next captain. Black smoke billowed from him, his scarlet eyes gleaming.
Watching Jack overwhelm Shark so easily, Ravins and Panser's pupils shook.
This guy's no pushover.
And his magi is formidable too...
As Ravins and Panser focused on Jack, he gripped his conical red sword and approached them.
Swoosh.
But they weren't about to just stand there.
"We're not just gonna take this lying down."
Ravins's dagger, gleaming silver, stretched out endlessly, resembling a massive serpent. Panser activated his Opening as well. His lower body and arms had already transformed into those of a leopard.
I'll shatter that armor.
The long blade in Ravins's hand writhed fluidly, slashing down at Jack countless times. But the purple horse Jack rode was incredibly nimble.
Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.
Thud! Thud! Thud...!
Ravins's sword only struck the empty ground.
Annoying...
The purple horse even neighed loudly, flicking its tongue as if mocking him.
"Hiiing."
Ravins's face twisted in frustration. That's when Panser lunged at Jack with leopard-like paws, swinging his claws.
But only the sound of air whooshing filled the space.
Swish.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
As Panser's claws aimed for Jack's upper body, Jack leaped high from his horse, dodging them. He spun counterclockwise in midair, like some acrobatic performer.
Landing swiftly on the ground, Jack brought his red sword crashing down on Panser.
Stab!
A sound of flesh tearing was followed by Panser's groan.
"...Urk!"
Before he knew it, the red sword had embedded itself in Panser's back as he charged with his head lowered.
Panser's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
Thud.
As Panser fell, Ravins wore a hollow expression.
...This is it?!
He knew from countless battles. Even if he went all out against this monster, he'd end up pierced through.
Thud.
His fighting spirit shattered, Ravins sank to his knees right there.
I'm done...
Irin stared at Jack and Bin in disbelief.
Against three centurions...!
The Blue Tide captains' pathetic defeat was incomprehensible. Three elite captains kneeling to a single monster? And one thing became clear: despite its merciless nature, it had avoided vital spots as much as possible.
He took on three centurions while avoiding lethal strikes?!
Irin looked at Bin with a dazed expression. Then it hit her. The young lord before her was incomparably stronger than she'd imagined.
Gulp.
As Irin unconsciously swallowed, Bin, who had approached the cave entrance, spoke up.
"What are you doing? I'm leaving you behind."
"Y-Young lord, wait!"
Irin hurriedly moved to the cave entrance. And so, Bin and Irin, having dealt with the Blue Tide Unit, stepped into the tunnel leading to the hatchery.
* * *
At the entrance to Trist's hatchery, a fence made of countless bones came into view. It resembled a giant bird's nest. Inside were eggs larger than humans, lined up in rows. These were the eggs of monsters belonging to the Taia family.
The Taias interacted with monsters in various ways, one of which was the hatchery. It was tradition for family members to oversee the hatching of one egg each, to maximize bonding between monster and family member.
Bin and Irin stepped toward the hatchery entrance.
Step. Step.
At Bin's waist hung the skull Codic, visible at a glance. On Irin's shoulder perched Zeke, apple-sized and green.
Bin had come here for one reason: to retrieve the family heirloom from the guardian of this hatchery.
As they entered, Codic scanned the surroundings.
Not this one. Not that one either. So many...
Codic had good reason to look around. He was checking if any of the countless bones might be his own.
Step step.
As Bin's group continued toward the hatchery entrance, Zeke teased Codic, who was peering at Bin's waist.
"Pfft, you look so pathetic dangling there like that."
Codic bristled at the words from the massive Zeke and shouted back.
"What would a slimy wretch like you know of this glorious position?!"
"Wanna go a round?"
"Just what I wanted. Dak! Dak!"
As Codic and Zeke's voices rose, Irin glared at Zeke.
"Zeke... Behave yourself here."
Irin's tone was more serious than usual. Chastised, Zeke's shoulders slumped further.
Why am I the only one...
Meanwhile, Codic smirked at the deflated Zeke.
"Serves you right, slime."
His cheekbones rising in satisfaction, that's when a chill gaze fell upon him. It was Bin's.
Codic's head drooped instantly.
My lord... I am wronged. It was that slimy one's doing...
Hanging from Bin's waist, Codic strained to lift his jaw, pointing at Zeke. But despite his efforts, Bin's gaze remained forward.
Because of the massive horde of skeletons visible inside the hatchery.
Irin spoke, looking at them.
"Young lord, these are the ancestors guarding this place. Please wait here for now."
Waiting at the entrance, Bin indifferently regarded the figures before him. In his eyes, they were armed skeleton soldiers and bone monsters.
The Taias had one peculiar trait: upon death, they guarded the hatchery. The sacred energy of the hatchery made it possible. These skeletons needed no food or sleep—perfect conditions for guardianship. Moreover, they were unaffected by the Taia family seal, making them objective compared to other monsters.
Bin eyed the giant skeletons.
"Feels familiar somehow."
He saw skulls like this all the time, so they didn't feel alien.
Realizing the implication in Bin's words, Codic raised his voice.
"My lord, you mustn't compare me to those mangled wrecks!"
Thud.
Now perched on Bin's hand, Codic bowed his head to showcase his perfect spherical skull.
"Mine is a flawless orb!"
"..."
But Bin looked unimpressed. He saw no difference. Anyone would react the same—these were just skulls to him.
Step step.
Irin passed through the entrance. Before her loomed a cluster of massive skeletons. Among them, one seated on a giant throne stood out. He seemed to be the leader.
Sensing her presence, the skeleton spoke.
"You know well that no one enters here without the family head's permission..."
He lounged on his throne, leaning against Astraphe plunged into the ground.
As the skeleton seemed displeased, Irin hurried forward and knelt on one knee before the giant.
Thud.
"Previous family head! I, Irin Taia, youngest princess of the current family head Endaran Taia, greet you."
"..."
Irin's posture was rigid and perfect, showing utmost respect. Yet the giant skeleton's expression remained sour. This was a place only the family head could enter by tradition, so he was understandably irritated.
Bowing her head, Irin glanced at him and continued.
"First, I apologize for this rude intrusion. Trist is in crisis, and time is of the essence. I beg you to hear my plea for the sake of our endangered home."
"A plea? Kahahahak."
The giant skeleton threw his head back in an eerie laugh. Then, pressing down on his grounded spear, he rose. His frame towered over three meters, rivaling Zeke's bulk. He took a firm stance.
"This hatchery has always been the domain of the family head alone."
"Previous family head, Trist is in danger. Please reconsider."
The giant skeleton responded coldly to her words.
"Begone."
But Irin wouldn't back down.
"I beg you."
"I said begone."
"..."
As Irin stood unyielding, the skeleton bellowed.
"Do my words amuse you?!"
At that instant, electricity crackled from the spear in his hand.
Zzzap.
The spear, now embodying lightning, surged toward Irin.
Swoosh.
The bolt tore through the air. Zeke, enlarged, appeared before her.
"Irin, get back."
The startled Irin cried out.
"No!!"
Zeke was made of liquid. She judged he couldn't survive that attack. Her voice was filled with desperation.
Zeke...
As Irin's mind went blank, she squeezed her eyes shut, unable to watch.
Then, a thunderous boom echoed through the entire hatchery.
Bam!!
Tears welling in her eyes, Irin cautiously opened them. Before her stood Bin's broad back in his black uniform. Zeke lay collapsed beside him.
Bin had shoved Zeke aside and blocked the skeleton's lightning throw. Grimacing, Bin spoke.
"Hey, bonehead. Dying wasn't in the plan."
"...!"
Irin froze like a statue on the spot.