Ch.790Starlight Whale

# Void Species.

Unlike the other two lineages of monsters that retain their original biological form despite being distorted and twisted, these beings are like fragments of the universe carved out and transplanted.

It’s doubtful whether they even possess individual consciousness, and one might question if they’re even living creatures at all—they are, quite literally, unknown monsters.

Even in Academy lectures, they would merely skim through the external characteristics and precautions regarding Void Species.

After all, the descent of Void Species itself was such a rare occurrence—only six times throughout the Empire’s eight-hundred-year history—so it was natural that there wasn’t much information available.

Only two things were known about Void Species:

First, once they descend, they cannot be wounded by any method; and second, even without killing them, they will disappear on their own if you stall for time.

The problem was that this “time” wasn’t just a day or two.

—-

– KWAAANG!

Durandal, swung like lightning in my charge, collides with the monster’s brow and releases a thunderous sound.

Not a cutting sound or the sound of flesh tearing, but an explosion like a battering ram striking a castle gate.

In other words, I hadn’t left even the slightest wound on the creature’s body.

…As expected, even Durandal isn’t enough.

Clicking my tongue in disappointment, I leaped sideways to avoid its counterattack.

– WHOOOONG!

A moment later, a tail composed of hundreds of tentacles swept through where I had just been, creating a small storm.

“KYAAAAH!”

As soon as I dodged the tail, I charged again and swung Durandal, but—

– KWAANG!

Once again, I only managed to push back the Starlight Whale’s body slightly without cutting through its skin.

If I could wield the power of spatial severance that could cut through the world itself, I might be able to cut it, but with simple sword strikes, I could only halt its charge without landing any effective hits.

It felt similar yet different from Orhan’s Unyielding Flesh.

While Unyielding Flesh literally strengthened the body to be as hard as unbreakable metal, this felt more like striking a water balloon that would never burst with all my might.

‘It doesn’t nullify the impact itself. The attack connects properly, but only the result of “being wounded” is removed. The entire species must possess such protection or power.’

The habit of asking Hersella’s opinion whenever I fought a strong opponent I’d never seen before came out as a quiet mutter.

[Heung…]

The answer that came back was completely useless.

No, actually it is useful. I could probably tease her about this for thirty years.

“——.”

But for that to happen, I first need to defeat this Starlight Whale somehow. Or at least hold it off until Demian awakens the holy sword.

So, how should I fight…

I stared at the Starlight Whale swimming through the black lake I had created by collapsing the ground, contemplating how to defeat it.

I didn’t know much about Void Species either.

Even reading the settings, there were only vague phrases like “fragments of reason fallen from death’s bastard child” or “ripples scattered in the void.”

There’s a limit to nonsense—what does that even mean?

If you described a baked baguette as “the child of earth and the blessing of sea reborn through the trial of fire, with carved sword marks adding to its beauty”—would anyone understand what you’re talking about?

At least I wouldn’t.

So apart from what was already known, I only knew two things about Void Species:

That its body, which couldn’t be wounded even by Durandal swung at full power, would be sliced like tofu by a holy sword’s blade.

“———!”

And that when it makes an eerie roaring sound and the stars inside its body begin to shine like now—

– KWAAAANG!

Magic would fly, so I needed to dodge immediately.

—-

The moment the cosmic nebulae inside the charging Starlight Whale shone like an exploding supernova, the ground where I had been standing was obliterated.

I managed to throw myself aside by instinctive danger sense faster than visual perception, but seeing how the edge of my clothes that had brushed the explosion was carved away, I shuddered to think what would have happened if I had remained there.

“———!”

“You can’t even speak but you’re having fun…!”

Repeated explosions. The activation speed was faster than I expected—anyone less skilled than Demian or myself would struggle just to dodge.

“Let’s see how long you can keep firing!”

In other words, for me, these were attacks I could dodge as much as I wanted.

I leaped through the air using Karma flames as propulsion, continuously evading the magical explosions pursuing me. Walls and ground erupted like fountains, and thunderous roars shook the air.

Of course, dodging alone wouldn’t lead to victory.

Watching the Starlight Whale swimming toward Demian while keeping me occupied with chain explosions, I realized there was no point in continuing to just dodge.

“You bastard, where do you think you’re going!”

I expelled Karma flames upward to land in a falling motion, then immediately kicked off the ground and charged toward it.

“———.”

At that moment, the Starlight Whale immediately turned to face me. Then, countless starlight patterns appeared before my eyes as I charged straight toward it.

A simple trap.

Its goal wasn’t to keep me occupied while killing Demian first, but to pretend to target Demian in order to lure me in and eliminate me for certain.

Like capturing a charging wolf with a net.

“…Ha.”

Did it think I wouldn’t realize that?

I smirked as I glared at it.

Even so, how could I, a human, possibly lose in a battle of wits to a whale?

I had already anticipated this level of trap. And how to break it.

This kind of thing?

I just need to pass through before it explodes.

I triggered the power of heroic deeds spread throughout my body, infusing my soul into it and unfolding it toward the world.

【Defying Fate】

The monochrome world ripples in welcome to its master’s visit.

Thanks to my enhanced physical abilities, the world had slowed several times more than before. It now seemed almost as if time had stopped completely.

Even explosions that could obliterate space entirely were inflating as slowly as balloons blown up by children.

And so, in this world of only gray, black, and white.

I kicked the ground hard with both legs in a low jump, throwing my body through the gaps between the slowly expanding explosions, easily slipping through and continuing my charge.

Until my body reached striking distance of the creature.

Five seconds like that.

– KRACHAANG!

The moment the compressed time world shattered like glass,

– KWAAAAAAANG!

A thunderous explosion and shockwave roared behind me.

“——?!”

The Starlight Whale gaped in shock, as if wondering how I had escaped the explosion.

Whether it was truly surprised or just my imagination, I couldn’t tell.

Well, it didn’t matter either way. What mattered was that I was now within striking distance.

Grinning with bared teeth, I reached out with my right arm and grabbed near the creature’s tail, having sheathed Durandal after confirming it was ineffective.

“——?”

“If sword strikes don’t work, how about this?”

Even if it doesn’t take damage, the fact that it gets pushed back when hit means it has physical substance. In that case, I should exploit that aspect.

After confirming that its tail was firmly caught between my side and arm, I wedged my blunt left arm between its belly and the dark Mana ground—

“KRYAAAAAAAH!”

Squeezing all the air from my lungs, I used every ounce of strength to lift the creature’s body.

– KUGUGUGUGUNG!

Raising black water spray, the Starlight Whale’s massive body slowly rose into the air.

…Wow, this actually works.

A body nearly ten meters long being lifted by the hands of a small human not even two meters tall. I was impressed with myself.

From the side, it must have looked like a scene straight out of mythology.

“——? —, ——?!”

Perhaps experiencing being lifted by someone else’s hands for the first time in its life, the Starlight Whale was so confused that it couldn’t even properly resist, only violently writhing its body.

Of course, with its multi-ton body thrashing like that, it was becoming difficult for me to keep holding it.

“Kuuuh…! Stay still, I’ll put you down right away…!”

With gritted teeth against the tremendous weight, I twisted my waist, turning my body—

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

And slammed the vertically lifted whale down onto the ground.

– KWAAAAAAANG!

The entire ground shook as if an earthquake had struck, and shattered rocks and crystal fragments shot high into the sky.

“———!!”

The Starlight Whale, having hit the ground with its back, howled and writhed.

Had I been able to wound it? Unfortunately, it didn’t seem so.

It was merely struggling in confusion at the inverted view of heaven and earth, not because its back had burst open spewing flesh and blood.

Well, disappointing as it was, it wasn’t a major concern. I had achieved my primary goal of separating it from Demian’s vicinity. That was enough.

I cracked my stiff shoulders and waist while mocking the Starlight Whale, which was crushing the ground with its struggles alone.

“Look at you throwing a tantrum. Is this your first time being thrown by someone?”

“———!”

With a roar that clearly conveyed anger, dark Mana rose beneath its back, forming a lake.

Half-submerged in the lake, the Starlight Whale rotated sideways like someone splashing in water, correcting its inverted posture.

“If it’s your first time, I should be understanding. First experiences are usually painful.”

I grinned at the thundering Starlight Whale, then turned my head to look at Demian.

Grasping the holy sword emitting pure white light, head bowed as if asleep while wrapped in chains of light.

He still seemed far from awakening.

“Ha….”

I shook my head with a quiet sigh.

There’s no helping it then.

I’m sorry, Millia.

This method… I had hoped to avoid using it if possible… but with this guy not waking up, what choice do I have?

So please forgive me just this once.

After offering words of apology that the person concerned couldn’t hear, I reached out toward the sleeping Demian and—

-Grab!

Hoisted him onto my shoulder like a sack.

Perhaps because he was tightly wrapped in chains, his limbs didn’t dangle loosely but remained firmly fixed, making him very convenient to carry.

“I need your help, Demian. You’ll cooperate, right?”

No answer came.

That must mean he’s willing to cooperate. Silence means consent, after all.

Indeed, what a good friend.

Having secured Demian’s cooperation, I quickly summoned Cascador and mounted it before the Starlight Whale could counterattack.

“Grrrrrr!”

Cascador growled, baring its teeth as if saying “How dare you try to put a male on my back?” It was a natural reaction for a unicorn, but—

“Calm down. Don’t think of it as carrying a male, but as carrying your master who happens to be holding baggage.”

When I grabbed its horn and lifted its head to meet its eyes while explaining, it withdrew its teeth and obediently submitted.

Though its eyes said it had never seen such a crazy woman before… but that was something I could punish later. For now, defeating that monster was the priority.

And with this method, I should be able to defeat it.

I looked at the Starlight Whale, which for some reason wasn’t counterattacking but just staring blankly at me, and shouted in the most confident voice possible:

“Now behold! This is my secret weapon that will end your life!”

While securing Demian firmly at my side after hoisting him on my shoulder.

Like a lance of a charging heavy cavalry, positioning the tip of the holy sword I was holding to point forward.

“Demian Lance!”

“———?”

Whether shocked by its majesty, the Starlight Whale opened its mouth wide and emitted a strange moan.