Comment and Coupons Thank You, Everyone – 150th Chapter
49. Magical Beasts and the Heart of the Abyss
149 – Magical Beasts and the Heart of the Abyss #1
With several bottles worth of water, Yingyi sprinkled droplets like storm clouds, extinguishing all the flames of fury I had ignited.
Once lit, those destructive flames wouldn’t stop until everything was burned, but curiously, they lost their power and fizzled out when they touched the water Yingyi carried.
I discovered this on the night of the fire at the Mendel Mansion. Yingyi extinguished the flames, which could have spread unchecked into the forest. Thanks to Yingyi, that fire didn’t engulf the entire kingdom.
‘Seems like this little guy has some unique properties in that body of his.’
I splashed Yingyi on my face, wringing out every last drop. The coolness felt refreshing against my skin, which helped calm the lingering excitement, allowing me to regain my cool head.
— Gyuuiing.
— I know, buddy. You didn’t really mean what you said earlier, did you?
【So that’s why I told you to bring plenty of water. Who would have thought Cloudring could put out fires? I’ve read records about how he likes cool things and steers clear of hot heat, but…】
Usir marveled at the cold outer wall where the fire had been snuffed out and the drifting ash.
— So, how much water do we have left?
【Just the water bottles for a day’s rations from the backpack you’re carrying and my luggage. I didn’t know how much to ration, so I used up all the water the Goddess was carrying.】
— Good job. That’s just the right amount.
With just one fiery blast, we used half the water we had. On the bright side, that means we have enough for one more shot of flames at least.
On the downside, it also means we can only sh**t fire one more time. It’s not like we can be stuck in a collapsing tower for the rest of our lives.
But since I’m an optimistic person, I decided to think, “Wow! We can still sh**t fire one more time!”
— So, Fire Dragon, how does my fire look to you? Do you think it would be effective against the Great Hero or Nialli?
To my question, Azidahaka, who had been brushing the ash-covered floor with his palm, responded with a low hum.
“I couldn’t see it, but it was hot and intense energy. It would be a serious poison for Nialli. His body and abilities are largely weak against fire. However, I wonder if Great Hero Guki, with his fire-resistant traits, would be affected…”
‘Fire-resistant traits.’
I recalled the fan said to be made of the hide of the magical beast Behemoth. Wasn’t it crafted from the thin wing skin of the winged magical beast, Delta?
The instrument Hameln, made from that creature’s fur and bones, was treated as a legendary artifact in the human world, so it stands to reason that the fan also holds significant power as a <Talent> imbued tool.
The power of the divine beings condensed in the World Tree manifests as the Fruit of the World Tree and the magical beast Behemoth.
Therefore, a tool made from such a being naturally bears the power of a divine being as well.
If I had to liken it to an RPG I used to play, it would be like a relic infused with the power of an ancient god.
‘So this Great Hero, with that title, also has a fire-resistant trait. What does he think he is, the Demon King?’
I frowned, recalling one of the villains from the Journey to the West.
Well, considering there’s the monkey-like mythical creature O Kong with the red fur, I guess it shouldn’t shock me that there’s a Demon King as well.
【I found the key to operate the lift in the package you gave me. I searched this area thoroughly, and it turns out this guy was keeping it.】
Usir held up a small metallic object tightly wrapped in bandages. A golden gleam flickered from it.
Clank, clank.
When Usir inserted the key into a small hole in the wall, the sound of machinery activating echoed around us.
【Done. Surprisingly, it hasn’t broken down. Now we can ride this lift down to the first floor without any issues.】
Usir pressed the button with an arrow pointing downwards, and soon enough, the lift revealed itself with a whirling sound associated with pulleys and chains.
‘So it really is an elevator.’
While I marveled at experiencing modern civilization in this place, Usir and Azidahaka stepped into the lift with calm strides.
“Please get on. This is a magical tool that freely transports cargo and creatures up and down.”
— I could have guessed that much.
“Looks like we won’t be far now. The day we finally break free from these annoying cuffs and chains is almost here.”
Azidahaka jingled the shackles locked around her wrists with a bright smile. After being restrained for more than ten years, she naturally must feel joy at the prospect of freedom.
【But this is just the beginning. Now we need to peer into the genuine, underground abyss that has become the Ancient Nest.】
Clank, clank.
Just like a prison door, the lift’s doors closed tightly.
Tick, tick.
With the cold metallic sound of gears and pulleys turning, I began to feel my body descend downward.
【Ancient Nest: Heart of the Abyss】
‘Look at that! A name that screams Ancient Nest! The Heart of the Abyss sounds so grand.’
I waved my hand dismissively at the text that appeared before my eyes, thinking it wasn’t a big deal.
Yet, as I descended further down, the icy chill sticking to my body and the inexplicable pressure kept me on edge.
【Hoo!】
Usir, who had been calmly guiding us until now, shivered and took a deep breath. He dramatically unfolded the map of the tower he clutched tightly in the air.
Flap. Flap.
He flipped through several layers of the map until he finally showed me the last sheet.
【The first floor of this tower was originally a sanctuary that housed the king’s court and the Goddess’s chamber. It was designed to display a grand and overwhelming spectacle for those stepping into the labyrinth city for the first time. The place where Nialli’s heart descends is deep within this court, and right in front of it, that stubborn bull is firmly planted.】
Usir pointed to a large rectangular area on the map, where a nervously scribbled X marked the location.
— So where’s the room of this Fire Dragon? The place where the Purifying Spring is said to be?
【That’s over here. Just beyond this forbidden area.】
— Hmmm.
I scrutinized the map and frowned slightly.
The location of Nialli’s heart was at one end of this lift entrance, while Azidahaka’s room was at the opposite end.
— I wanted to take care of both at once. Guess I’ll have to set my priorities.
Should I defeat that Nialli’s heart and tidy up issues before easily unleashing Azidahaka from her seal?
Or should I release Azidahaka’s seal first, then join forces to drive Nialli away?
These two choices were the scenarios running through my head right now.
【Right now, it may seem like we don’t have much to work with, but the Goddess is strong. Near Nialli’s heart, there will be plenty of his elite minions and toxins, making it hard for you to break through alone. I recommend unsealing the Goddess first. Once she’s fully powered, she’ll be a great aid against the celestial bull and Nialli.】
“I agree. That sounds like the best course of action.”
— So, you mean we should take the corridor to the left when this door opens?
I rubbed my chin, examining the path drawn on the map.
【However, plans can change at any moment. This first floor is the very Abyss that Nialli’s heart has descended into. It’s a place we could call his belly. The terrain could have altered. Don’t forget the chance your map could become completely useless.】
Usir’s repeated warnings made me firmly resolve myself. Just then, the elevator that had been endlessly descending suddenly jolted and stopped moving.
In that moment, we all paused, staring at the tightly shut door.
Thinking about the chaotic rat that reigns over the worst of the mythical creatures, crawling insanity and chaos incarnate, Nialli’s ancient nest beyond this iron door made even me feel a bit frightened.
The iron door separating us from what felt like hell seemed thin and fragile, like mere paper.
— Gyuuiing…
Yingyi, nestled in Azidahaka’s arms, let out a weak sound.
The pure-hearted Yingyi, who reacts sensitively to things, seemed to want to burrow deeper into Azidahaka’s embrace, indicating that the malice felt just beyond this door was far from ordinary.
Clank, clank.
Finally, the door opened, revealing an inky darkness that greeted us.
It was a depthless darkness that obscured even the slightest visibility. Even with the lights attached to the elevator ceiling, we should have been able to see the surroundings a little, but no dice.
— I can’t see a thing.
“Nialli dislikes bright light.”
— Talk about a rat.
I tried to lighten the mood, but the overwhelming nothingness was somewhat disconcerting.
【One step forward, and it feels like I might get engulfed by shadows that turned the space upside down.】
— Yeah, if I misplace my foot, it could be the end of me.
Nodding silently at Usir’s trembling voice, I felt the same meaning in what he said. Moving my body outside the lift felt like being swept away by unrelenting silence and void.
“Since the day my eyes were covered. Darkness has been like a friend to me. I’ll step out first.”
Azidahaka, blindly unaware of the situation due to the blindfold, boldly declared. I was genuinely impressed by her bravery.
— Gyuuiing, iiing…!
Yet Yingyi, cradled in her arms, flailed as if terrified. It was as if Yingyi was loudly insisting that we shouldn’t enter this place.
Eventually, Yingyi wiggled free from Azidahaka’s grasp and stuck herself to the back of my neck.
— Iiiing….
— Yeah, I get it. It’s scary. I feel like I might just pee myself a little too.
If Raccoon Leaf were here, he might have fainted at the mere sight of this blackness. I considered myself lucky that I didn’t have to see that scene.
Splash, splash.
Azidahaka’s bare feet took a step forward into the darkness outside the lift. Her appearance, leaving the elevator into obscurity, resembled something floating in an empty void.
— So, how’s it feel? Think we’ll be okay?
“I’m quite familiar with Nialli’s darkness, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
‘Wow, she looks surprisingly dependable now.’
Compared to the many times she acted like a goofball, Azidahaka now seemed genuinely capable enough to be called the Saint of Light or even a Goddess. I found myself impressed that she had this trustworthy side.
Her demeanor brought to mind my witch sister, Eve, whom I considered my older sister in my heart.
‘Well, in the end, she’s still a part of the mythical creatures.’
“The greater the fear felt by living beings, the more power and schemes Nialli gains, evolving in even more insidious ways. We must not succumb to fear; we need to hold firm.”
Urged by Azidahaka, Usir and I slowly eased ourselves out of the elevator. As we stepped outside, the clank of the elevator door closing echoed behind us.
An utterly profound silence and darkness, like a thick winter blanket, pressed down upon me.
My front paw couldn’t even be seen in this dark environment, and I involuntarily frowned.
— But seriously, I can’t see anything. Light up your tail or something.
I called out to Azidahaka, who stood beside me.
Yet no matter how much time passed, the fire didn’t light up, nor did I receive any response from her.
— What’s going on? Where did everyone go?
I reached out, trying to feel for Azidahaka or Usir’s presence. But my flailing arms only sliced through empty air.
Now, even Yingyi, who was previously behind my neck, was nowhere to be seen.
— Ugh, what is going on?
