Ch.118118. Inverted Tsunami (2)

“Activating magical energy tracking system. Scanning all signatures within range.”

“Moving all units to the target location near the academy coastline.”

“Initiating acceleration sequence. Commencing artificial materialization.”

Hatan nodded as he heard these reports coming in one after another.

This was the operation to gather the magical energy of all the rulers of the magical realm in one place, except for the water dragon that was still alive and the unicorn whose complete destruction had been confirmed.

According to Darwood Campbell’s request, they were to summon these magical beasts “much faster” than planned and at a “designated location”—something that would normally take several months to a year.

‘…Everyone would call this insane if they knew what we were doing.’

By now, it was obvious why he had demanded “full authority” over the academy.

Even for the Crucible of Struggle, the academy with the most advanced technology among the three, forcibly “resurrecting” two magical beasts of special-grade level was extraordinary.

Adding a bit of exaggeration, it was practically a miracle akin to raising the dead.

Aside from the Demonic Spire, this kind of feat was only possible because they were the Tribal Union.

“Are you really going to fulfill his request, Hatan?”

Hatan turned to look at the hologram of the tribal chief who had followed him to the command room.

Utad Han-Chai. While all the other chiefs had expressed their concerns in various ways, he was the only one who had agreed with Darwood Campbell’s plan.

“You agreed to it too, so why are you saying something different now?”

“I suspect he has something in mind, but I can’t begin to guess what his intentions are.”

Utad continued with a sigh.

“I don’t want to doubt the man’s abilities, but I can’t understand why he would want to resurrect the rulers of the magical realm that he’s already subdued. And that’s not all…”

His gaze shifted to the screen in the situation room.

The entity creating this “situation” was appearing right there.

“…in a situation where such monsters are showing themselves.”

Indeed, it was an overwhelming sight that made such concerns understandable.

Both Hatan and Utad groaned simultaneously as they watched the giant humanoid cephalopod revealing itself from beneath the sea.

It was clearly an “ancient” magical beast.

Since magical beasts typically grow by devouring other magical beasts, their age often symbolizes their strength.

The Four Divine Beasts and the Dragon Clan, considered the strongest magical beasts in the material world and almost reaching divine status, are all thousands of years old.

“New magical beast detected!”

One of the staff members reporting the situation exclaimed.

“It’s a two-dimensional entity! The identifiable rank is…!”

The following sentence was almost a scream.

“It’s a magical beast that’s at least a thousand years old! Ancient God class-!”

“…”

“…”

Both Hatan and Utad lost their composure.

Over a thousand years old?

That’s a monster that makes even the rulers of the magical realm, which hunters joke about hunting, seem like children in comparison.

And there were three such entities.

“When was the last time a special-grade or higher magical beast was discovered?”

“It’s been over a hundred years, you fool. There hasn’t been anything close since the Four Divine Beasts.”

“I suppose we should be thankful. At least they’re not thousands of years old like the ones you mentioned.”

The two fell silent after this exchange.

They were probably thinking the same thing.

“…Will he die?”

“…Probably.”

No matter how skilled a person might be, it’s impossible to win against something like that.

Even running away wouldn’t guarantee survival.

“…I bet he didn’t expect something like this to appear. Otherwise…”

He wouldn’t have made the insane claim that he could handle such creatures with just a few people.

Utad remained silent at Hatan’s words.

“Let’s just hope he’s not too much of a braggart.”

At the very least, he hoped Darwood could take down one of them properly.

That would at least give them a chance to come up with a strategy for dealing with the other two.

Everyone was probably thinking the same thing.

But what unfolded next was completely different from their expectations.

●

“There’s one thing commonly reported when dealing with magical beasts of this level, though the records are old and uncertain.”

Kasa Garda said this while watching the giant covered in tentacles reveal itself.

Ancient God class. Among the two-dimensional rift beasts that occasionally appear in the material world, these are the most powerful, except for the beasts of Pandemonium and the Otherworld.

And there’s a clear reason why they’ve earned such a reputation.

“They all possess at least one ridiculous ‘authority.'”

While not reaching the level of demons who can manipulate reality on a massive scale, beasts this ancient definitely possess at least one absurd ability.

“And this one seems to have the curse of invulnerability.”

Kasa came to this conclusion after seeing the magical energy surrounding its body.

Elia, who was staring blankly beside her, asked in confusion.

“…The curse of invulnerability?”

“If it were applied to a ‘weapon,’ it would mean it can’t be damaged by anything.”

“…”

Elia was silent for a moment.

She clearly didn’t understand what Kasa was saying.

“…Is that even possible?”

“Of course it is. The world is vast, and impossible things are everywhere.”

“How do you defeat something like that…?”

Yes.

That’s what any normal person would think.

How do you defeat a thousand-year-old magical beast that can’t be harmed by any weapon, continuously spreads curses around it, and possesses overwhelming power to begin with?

But.

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? The world is vast, and impossible things are everywhere.”

Which means.

There’s at least one person out there who can come up with an insane idea, put it into action, and actually succeed.

For example.

If you’re facing a monster that no ‘weapon’ can harm.

You simply beat it to death with your ‘bare hands.’

It’s the kind of solution only a madman would think of, but it’s intuitively brilliant.

Kasa smiled as she watched Darwood Campbell approaching the giant that had emerged from the sea with his ‘bare body.’

“Wait, that’s the teacher…! What is that lunatic doing over there-?!”

Kasa couldn’t help but chuckle at Elia’s shocked reaction.

“Well, he’s not completely bare-handed. Looks like he’s wearing something on his arm.”

“What can he possibly do with just a gauntlet?! Look at what he’s facing! W-wait, I need to go help him right now-“

Kasa casually puffed on her pipe and stopped Elia.

“Well, let’s just wait and see.”

Her eyes were undoubtedly.

“If I didn’t think he could do it, I wouldn’t have taught him in the first place.”

Filled with trust in her ‘disciple.’

Meanwhile, the giant’s eyes fixed on Darwood Campbell as he approached.

Then.

-…

-…

-…!!!!

A curse far more powerful than what it had been emitting before struck down where Darwood was standing.

It was a terrible curse that could blind just by looking at it.

A strike powerful enough to boil the sea, shake the earth’s axis, and make the heavens tremble.

But.

“Sorcery is based on human willpower. As long as you have a strong will for any kind of purpose, your sorcery becomes that much more powerful.”

As Kasa spoke these words.

Magical energy began to form on Darwood’s arm.

It was the technique Kasa had shown him before.

The pinnacle of sorcery manipulation and the martial art she created with it: Sky Breaker.

Of course, he probably couldn’t display even half the power she had shown. What she had demonstrated wasn’t something that could be easily replicated.

And Darwood Campbell himself was likely well aware of this.

But.

Even if he couldn’t do it exactly the same way.

Even if he could only imitate it.

“With enough will.”

As Kasa muttered these words, the magical energy forming on Darwood’s arm grew larger and larger.

And the next moment.

“Anyone can create a miracle.”

With those words.

Darwood’s arm pushed through the air.

It was a light punch thrown from a distance that shouldn’t even have connected, but.

-…

-…

-…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It ‘shattered’ the curse, ‘twisted’ space, and ‘tore apart’ the giant beyond the point of impact.

A single human.

Tearing apart a thousand-year-old magical beast with one strike.

Creating a miracle.

“…”

Elia fell silent, unable to utter a word at the sight.

‘…What was that just now?’

It was unfathomable.

Elegant and lofty.

It wasn’t something that could be interpreted, or even something one could simply ‘admire.’

Darwood’s strike had reached that level of transcendence.

“…How did he…?”

She had never heard that he had trained in such techniques or had exceptional talent in that area.

What was that just now?

“…Teacher, did he always have that much talent in martial arts?”

“No.”

Kasa responded with a slight smile.

“His talent in that area is garbage.”

“…”

“In fact, most of his combat-related talents are garbage. He couldn’t even touch the brilliant talent you possess.”

Elia fell silent at this ruthless assessment of Darwood.

“However, he knew how to handle ‘sorcery’ well. That’s the kind of person he is.”

Kasa took a long drag from her pipe and continued.

“He’s the type who would do anything to achieve his goals. It’s an abstract way of putting it, but his ‘willpower’ is first-class.”

“…Willpower?”

An ordinary person would have given up.

That man, who acts as if he knows everything, probably knew in advance that three such monsters would appear as his opponents.

An ordinary person would have given up, sat down, blamed their misfortune, and been crushed to death.

But in such a situation.

That man.

Somehow, he devised a method.

He approached Kasa, whom he had never met before, and prepared for this situation long in advance.

Of course, he must have had his own special insights.

Whatever method he used, the fact that he knew in advance that this would happen must have played a significant role.

But now.

At the core of the fact that a single human is ‘smashing’ a monster of that level.

Only one fact wraps around its essence.

Willpower.

The belief that never backs down for the sake of one’s chosen goal.

“That’s exactly what you need to learn, future warrior.”

Kasa said with a smile.

“Indomitable spirit.”

The best outcome is for oneself to survive and for no one around to get hurt.

Never give up on that.

No matter who the opponent is, no matter how dire the situation.

Never stop struggling to achieve the best outcome.

Even if others see it as madness, even if you yourself are damaged to some extent, even if it’s ridiculous, even if your dignity falls to the ground, even if you’re condemned and ridiculed.

Don’t compromise with yourself.

Don’t compromise your beliefs with reality.

“…”

Elia silently watched the scene.

As if entranced.

With the look of someone who has discovered an ‘ideal.’

Never taking her eyes off it.

-…

-…!!!

But soon, at the thunderous roar, Elia flinched and turned to look at the giant.

Even with its body in tatters, it was still alive.

“It survived that…?”

“The title of Ancient God isn’t given for nothing. One hit like that won’t kill it, obviously.”

As Elia listened to Kasa’s words, she suddenly noticed Darwood doing something strange.

He was staring at his arm.

More precisely, at the magical engineering watch on his wrist.

“And considering that guy’s nature, he would naturally have ‘prepared’ something more.”

As if there was something that was supposed to ‘happen’ around this time.

“…That’s right.”

And as Darwood muttered those words.

“Nice to meet you, hey.”

Nearby, a ‘pure white’ energy surged up.