When I arrived at the gathering point, the two monsters were closing in on each other with a group of agents caught between them.
One was a mass of silver threads that the Argyreion Mages had been handling relatively calmly until just moments ago.
The other was…
A Thunder Giant. Within the colossal shape resembling dark storm clouds, lightning writhed and screamed like wild beasts. Every time it twisted its body, thunder roared across the sky—a testament to immense magical power.
‘What is that thing?’
Judging by the positions of the agents who had just fled, this must be some entity that crawled up from the depths. But that only confused me further.
‘There wasn’t anything like this when I came out.’
I hadn’t thoroughly analyzed the depths, but there certainly wasn’t anything that looked this insanely dangerous at first glance!
If something this dangerous had been present, we would’ve taken a step back, formulated a proper plan, and handled the relics carefully.
I fell into thought. How did such a thing appear?
There was only one suspect: the sealed room at the bottom of the depths. Something inside it.
‘But…’
The moment I sensed it, I closed my eyes to prevent mental overload. Even so, I could tell the seal was relatively stable.
Torres Tower isn’t some inexperienced minor magic tower. Unless they recklessly broke the seal without following excavation protocols, there shouldn’t have been any reason for whatever was inside to go berserk.
“Stop the Silver Parasite immediately!”
An urgent voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
The Silver Parasite that Argyreion and Torres Tower desperately tried to suppress thrashed violently as it was dragged to the open field. It flailed its silvery threads toward anything capable of absorbing mana, glowing fiercely in the process.
Argyreion mages attempted to restrain it using telekinetic forces, but they couldn’t control every single strand. Its rampage destroyed the engines of ships docked on Crete Island; the Silver Parasite detected the mana stored within and infiltrated them.
Despite losing much of its silver mass during transit, the parasite managed to regenerate most of it. The mages of Argyreion expended over 60% of their enhanced mana reserves, granted by the Blessing of Justice, just trying to suppress the massive creature.
Still, they believed the situation was turning in their favor. If the battle continued inside the ruins, the parasite’s recovery rate would’ve outpaced their own consumption. Should the parasite invade the magic core of the ruins, it would’ve caused catastrophic damage beyond anyone’s ability to handle.
But now, dragged to an open field devoid of additional mana sources, the fight would become fair.
The Blessing of Justice didn’t just boost their mana capacity—it also sharpened their wisdom in wielding magic. With all their abilities unleashed, they were confident they could suppress the parasite before it recovered further.
Their prediction was shattered by the Thunder Giant emerging from the depths.
An overwhelming magical presence emanated from within the giant. If the Silver Parasite absorbed this power, there was no way the mages here could stop it.
The parasite also detected the giant’s mana. Instinctively, it directed its silvery tendrils toward the towering figure.
Ironically, the Thunder Giant, or Brainfire Giant, shared the same thought. His immense hunger recognized the pure mana contained within the parasite. Devouring it would surely quench his ancient thirst.
Both giants identified each other as prey. It was a horrifying scenario.
No matter which side won, there would be no hope left for the mages of Crete Island.
The Thunder Giant raised his hand toward the heavens. Ash-like particles rose from his body, darkening the clouds above. Then came the roar of thunder.
Heavy rain began pouring down as the heavens cried. Lightning gathered amidst the storm clouds, illuminating the darkness.
In stark contrast to the high-tier magical assault of the Thunder Giant, the Silver Parasite’s strategy was simple: approach and absorb.
The parasite extended its silvery threads indiscriminately, devouring everything within reach. The mages understood instinctively that neither monster should be allowed to consume the other.
They struggled desperately to maintain balance. When the Thunder Giant incinerated the parasite with bolts of lightning, they retaliated by destroying his right leg. When the parasite ensnared the giant’s arm, they severed the strands.
Only after both creatures exhausted each other could the situation be resolved.
Amidst this fierce struggle, Caruto noticed a silhouette far away.
It was the Blasphemia agent who had brought the Silver Parasite. He stood atop a ridge.
‘That’s him. If I take him down, we can regain control of the parasite!’
Caruto, a mage from Argyreion, moved decisively to eliminate the Blasphemia agent.
Of course, Ortes knew nothing about controlling the parasite.
“Hmm? What seems to be the problem?”
The man responded with a smug grin. Caruto raised his hand, aiming his mana-infused pistol—a weapon that channels a mage’s power into bullets.
‘He doesn’t react to this level of threat. That means he’s equipped with an automatic defense artifact…’
True to form for a former Blasphemia agent, Caruto assessed the situation quickly. Automatic defense artifacts varied in how they countered attacks, so more information was needed.
‘Is the artifact portable, or is it a regional defense system installed in the area?’
“What do you mean, ‘what’s the problem?’ Can’t you see this disaster unfolding before your eyes?”
“Disaster?”
The Blasphemia agent maintained his smirk as he observed the battlefield below, where the Thunder Giant and the Silver Parasite clashed ferociously. Agents scattered in panic while Torres Tower and Argyreion remained to hinder the giants, unwilling to abandon the ruins.
From the chilling smile, Caruto deduced two things:
‘He only turned his head, not moving from his position. It’s a regional defense system. A mana pistol won’t penetrate it. A more sophisticated spell is required.’
First, the type of artifact.
“You… You want everyone to d*e, don’t you?”
Second, the nature of the Blasphemia agent.
This agent desired the deaths of the traitorous Argyreion organization, the collaborating Torres Tower, and even the mercenaries and agents working under Torres Tower—showing no mercy whatsoever. Such cruelty defied explanation.
Blind hatred for enemies of the Ten Towers. Fanatical to the extreme.
‘But if he set up a regional defense system…’
The recoil from forcibly pulling the parasite from its containment must’ve affected the mage controlling it. Suffering injuries that made manipulating the parasite while moving difficult, the mage chose to stay stationary and focus solely on control, clearly prepared to sacrifice himself to eliminate enemies of the Ten Towers.
“Don’t you care about your life…!”
Pretending to be overwhelmed by the agent’s madness, Caruto took a step back. This was a calculated delay to buy time for his auxiliary computing device to prepare a spell.
As soon as the signal confirmed the spell was ready, Caruto launched his attack to deny the enemy any chance to counter with magic.
If he could just take this guy down, his ally Rugret could recast the control spell on the parasite and stabilize the situation!
‘Ah. So that’s what the Silver Parasite is called.’
The Argyreion mage conjured dozens of flames in mid-air and fired them.
If I had truly been restrained by controlling the parasite, I wouldn’t have escaped the explosion and died. But I’m not a mage.
Since the Argyreion mage approached, my alertness was already at its peak. The moment I saw the signs of his spell, I prepared a counterattack.
Attack and evasion crossed simultaneously. In the brief moment of confusion as the mage realized his mistake, my high-frequency blade cleaved him in two before he could recover.
“You… aren’t a mage…?”
The Argyreion mage collapsed before finishing his sentence.
Though the immediate threat was dealt with…
‘Now what?’
The Silver Parasite rampaged unchecked, and the Thunder Giant remained equally uncontrollable.
I glanced downward at the entrance to the depths.
‘What exactly made Torres Tower think it was safe to open that sealed room?’
They must’ve believed in something to unseal the giant.
I sprinted toward the depths. Fortunately, the giant had destroyed all traps and mazes on his ascent, creating a direct path to the final chamber.
‘Anything will do!’
The situation was dire. After one Argyreion mage departed to deal with the root cause, instructing a comrade to cast the control spell on the parasite as soon as it became free, the remaining mages reached their limits.
They couldn’t possibly stop the direct clash between the two giants.
Dark clouds filled with thunder enveloped the Silver Parasite, while silver threads pierced the giant’s body. It was a bizarre mutual erosion.
Footsteps echoed from afar. Rugret, waiting for Caruto, turned her head.
Approaching through the storm clouds was not the person she expected.
