Free Web NovelChapter 236: Become as Free as the Wind
Ruvian kept a careful watch on the towering silhouette behind them as he led the squad farther across the open plains. He made sure they stayed well beyond the beast’s notice.
For now, it was still searching where they had been.
"First of all, just to make sure," Ruvian said, still holding Shima’s wrist as they continued forward. "Other than me, can any of you see in the dark? Any spells, artifacts, or anything that could help? Or no?"
By then, Shima had already dispelled the lightning around her falchion. Yerin had done the same with her flames. Neither of them wanted to risk drawing the creature’s attention.
"No. I can’t. And I don’t have any artifacts for that either," Yerin replied first.
Arlok and Shima gave much the same answer, leaving only Horren.
"I... wouldn’t say I can see in the dark," he said after a brief hesitation. "It’s more that... I can feel my surroundings. Through the wind, I mean."
Now that Horren mentioned it, Ruvian recalled that he possessed a wind affinity and had honed his mastery over it to an extraordinary degree.
But how exactly?
There was scarcely any wind stirring within the suffocating darkness. At least, none that he could perceive.
’Perhaps there is,’ Ruvian mused. ’It’s just that my mastery isn’t refined enough to sense it.’
Either way, the information was valuable.
Better than he’d expected.
Finally, Ruvian came to a stop, prompting the others to halt as well. "Alright, listen carefully," he said. "We can bring that beast down. I’ll handle the coordination."
"That’s certainly reassuring to hear, golden goose," Arlok remarked, "but how exactly? This darkness even swallowed my voice once we got too far apart. We won’t be able to communicate."
Yerin nodded in agreement.
"That beast also seems capable of concealing its presence," she pointed out. "Even with [Heightened Sense], I could barely detect it."
Ruvian smiled shrewdly.
"Don’t worry. We won’t be communicating with words. I have a way to reveal the beast’s position. As for the rest of you, just follow it as a guide."
Shima frowned at him, equal parts irritated and baffled. "...And how exactly are you supposed to do that this time?"
"Like this."
Ruvian raised a hand and cast [Magic Missile]. (+250PP)
A cerulean-blue sphere of compressed mana rapidly formed before him before streaking into the darkness.
They still couldn’t make out the beast itself, but the instant the projectile struck its massive torso, the point of impact flared brilliantly before erupting into an explosion.
The beast screamed and immediately turned its head towards them.
"I’ll keep firing at it every so often," Ruvian continued. "All you have to do is close the distance whenever you see the light. Especially you, Yerin. It’s a wood-type Voidspawn. Judging by its body, I’d say it’s almost entirely made of wood. Your fire magic should be particularly effective against it."
Arlok pulled out his poleaxe, understanding dawning on his face.
"Ah, HAHAHAHA, I get it now."
Yerin followed up, "Then I’ll coat my sword in flames as well. That way, all of you will know where I am and can position accordingly."
Shima gave a firm nod. "I’ll do the same."
Ruvian replied, "Good. Just watch where you’re planting your feet. I can’t help you with that. Still, it should be fine. I’ve already checked the terrain, and it’s mostly level around here."
His gaze shifted toward the colossal silhouette steadily making its way toward them.
"So... let it come to us."
He let out a faint smile.
"We’ll fight it here."
Ruvian’s gaze shifted toward Horren, who stood beside him. "As for you, Horren," he said calmly, "I want you to stop relying on your eyes entirely. Fire your shots by trusting your instincts."
For a moment, silence fell over the group.
Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
"Huh!? Are you crazy?" Horren blurted out before quickly lowering his voice. "Ah... sorry. I didn’t mean to shout, but... I can’t do that. I’m..."
Ruvian cut him off before he could finish.
"Yes, you can, Horren."
He held Horren’s gaze.
"Sometimes, your eyes are the first thing that deceives you. When they become useless, similar to now, you have no choice but to trust what lies beyond them."
Ruvian raised his hand at the colossal beast.
"....You have that ability, Horren."
"Just trust yourself and let the wind guide you." (+250PP)
Horren opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but the opportunity vanished as the colossal beast was already in front of them.
Without another word, everyone scattered.
At the same time, Ruvian raised a hand and cast [Magic Missile], the cerulean projectile tearing through the darkness — exploding upon impact against the beast’s limb.
Ruvian watched them move, a thought quietly crossed his mind.
If his guess was correct, then this battle in the darkness would prove invaluable, allowing Horren and the others to learn something and grow stronger from it.
And yes, speaking of that, Ruvian’s expectations were primarily placed on Horren.
’No doubt about it, this guy over here is certainly a prodigy.’
Based on Horren’s stats and talents, Ruvian came to one conclusion. Horren possessed an even greater affinity for wind magic than Silvena.
Because... who the hell unconsciously managed to perceive their surroundings through just wind magic while trapped in absolute darkness?
Even Silvena, whom Ruvian regarded as one of the most formidable wind mages, had yet to accomplish such a feat. She still had to consciously activate [Wind Detection] to achieve anything remotely similar.
And if his theory proved true, if Horren could genuinely perceive the world through the wind — mastered it even — then he would undoubtedly become an invaluable asset in the future.
’No, not just him—’
Ruvian’s gaze swept across his three other teammates as they surged through the darkness toward the colossal beast, each advancing at their own pace, driving themselves forward with a different rhythm.
[Alive], [Alive], [Alive].
Ruvian smiled almost fondly.
’—But them, as well.’
He raised a hand and cast [Magic Missile] again.
The cerulean projectile streaked through the darkness before bursting against the beast’s shoulder. Almost instantly, Yerin, Arlok, and Shima lifted their heads toward the brief flash — committing the creature’s position to memory before fanning out to encircle it.
From a distance, Ruvian caught a glimpse of lightning cleaving through the darkness to his right. Almost simultaneously, a blazing streak of flame tore across the night from his left.
And at the center, drawing the beast’s attention by slamming the ground with enough force to make it lurch toward him, was none other than Arlok.
’Perfect!’
Immediately, Ruvian unleashed another [Magic Missile], striking the beast squarely in the face, momentarily blinding the colossal creature.
Seizing that fleeting opening, the three of them launched themselves into the air, converging upon the beast from three different directions.
Shima was the first to land a blow, her lightning-wreathed falchion carving across the beast’s shoulder. Sparks erupted upon impact, and in the next second, flames began spreading across its left shoulder.
Yerin followed immediately after. Her flaming blade swept along the length of the beast’s arm, leaving behind a blazing trail that quickly engulfed the entire limb before she pushed herself away from the monstrous body.
As the beast instinctively reached toward the burning arm in an attempt to smother the flames, Arlok came hurtling through the darkness. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he drove his poleaxe squarely into its face.
BOOM!
The tremendous impact snapped the beast’s head backward and forced its colossal frame to stagger several steps in retreat.
Despite its colossal size, and the overwhelming advantage granted by the absolute darkness, the beast simply could not keep pace with Squad 69’s speed and coordination.
*****
[Horren’s POV]
’They... they all are amazing.’ (+500PP)
Watching the almost maniacal ferocity with which his teammates fought, Horren could not help but stare in silent awe, admiration quietly welling within him.
Was that what people called courage?
But what kind of courage could compel someone to charge blindly into an abyss? Or was it something greater than courage?
If so... what was it?
Trust?
But how? How could something as intangible as trust grant a person the resolve to gamble their life without a moment’s hesitation?
’No...’
Horren inwardly shook his head.
It was both.
For the first time, Horren realized the true meaning of teamwork; it wasn’t just fighting side by side or exchanging commands in the heat of battle. No, it was placing your life in another person’s hands without a shred of doubt.
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the cerulean flashes that repeatedly pierced the darkness; then, toward Ruvian.
"Trust and courage... both at the same time..." (+500PP)
He murmured those words under his breath before a faint smile slowly formed on his lips.
Somehow, the thought carried him back to a distant memory — to the days when his grandmother patiently taught him how to hunt with nothing but a bow, an arrow and magic.
Suddenly, he felt a gentle breeze brush against the back of his head. (+500PP)
Horren slightly chuckled at the familiar feeling.
’Right... Ruvian is right. I–I should trust myself more. I should give it a try.’
Closing his eyes, he summoned his bow from his dimensional storage and drew a steady breath.
’Grandma....’
’Forgive me, I haven’t forgotten your teaching yet, and I never will, so please... please guide my hands once more....’
His fingers settled upon the bowstring.
’And let my heart....’
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[Chapter 236: Become as Free as the Wind]
Plot Points= 21,620
