Chapter 35: The Cry from the Depths (2)
Damn it.
Ronan quickly stood up. It was a strange sound, similar to the days when he left Gran Cappadocia. And faint screams were coming from below.
Aselle looked at Ronans grim expression and shrugged his shoulders.
Why, whats wrong, Ronan?
It seems like something has happened in the lower district.
Ronan pounded the back of the furnace haphazardly. Suddenly, a certain section went in, and the floor began to sink. Ronan furrowed his brows and muttered.
Too slow
The descent was painfully slow. Ronan grabbed a battle hammer hanging on the wall and started striking a corner of the elevator.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
What, what are you doing now?!
Marya, surprised by Ronans sudden actions, exclaimed. The hollow sound echoed, and stone fragments scattered. Ronan nodded at Marya, who locked eyes with him.
Yeah, youre the strongest. Use your strength.
Hu-huh?
Ronan threw the battle hammer at Marya. Catching the hammer, Marya alternated her gaze between Ronan and the hammer. Ronan shouted in frustration.
Damn it, hurry up. Youve got money and weapons to collect!
Ugh, fine, I got it!
Marya clenched the hammer handle. Mana permeated through the handle, gathering at the head of the hammer.
She raised the hammer above her forehead, then slammed it onto the elevator floor.
Kwaang!
A bluish glow appeared along with a deafening noise.
Your nickname Riceball Genius was right on. This side suits you better.
The corner of the elevator shattered as a pitch-black space appeared. Complete darkness, devoid of even a hint of light, stretched out before them.
A sudden rush of cold air dampened Ronans bangs. Catching a whiff of the smell reminiscent of rotting eggs, Ronan wrinkled his nose.
The smell of sulfur
Ugh!
Aselle and Marya covered their noses and mouths. It was a much stronger sulfur smell than usual.
Ronan twisted his lips, considering several possibilities. Boiling lava beneath the ground, the scent of sulfur, and dwarves digging through the earth.
Based on his accumulated experiences wandering the world, a promising future wasnt coming to mind. Ronan gestured to Aselle and spoke.
Lets go, Aselle.
Huh? What? Whats happening all of a sudden?
Marya, go back to Philleon and let them know the situation. Especially informing Kaido.
Kydokan? You mean the hunting instructor? Dydicans brother?
Yeah, thats right. He might have some connections for finding people. And given the level of our professors, they probably know something about that forge. Anyway, hurry.
Ro-Ronan? Why are you suddenly grabbing me
Ronan grabbed Aselles hood. Sensing a familiar sense of foreboding, Aselle was about to step back. Ronans foot landed on the edge as he jumped into the hole.
Kyaaaah!
Kyaaaah!
Darkness poured over the boys heads. Maryas scream echoed from above. Cita, eyes wide, wings folded, swooped down toward Ronan and Aselle.
Byeeee!
In an instant, Cita reached the boys and grabbed onto Ronans back. Her four wings spread open, slightly reducing their falling speed. It was the moment when Aselle, regaining his senses, was about to cast a spell.
I-in-invisible hand!
Not yet.
Ronan covered Aselles mouth with his palm. Even in the midst of the rapid descent, Ronans expression remained calm, as if he were on a picnic. He pulled Aselles hood and said,
We cant stop now. Were almost at the bottom. Understand?
Ugh ugh!
You have to do it at the right time. If you mess up this time, Its not empty wordswell really die. Got it? Nod if you understand.
Ronan demanded. Aselle barely nodded his head. Tears welled up in his eyes and scattered into the void. Just as they thought the bottom was getting brighter, the sight of Gran Cappadocia unfolded before them. Ronan twisted his lips.
Damn, its too late.
What What is all of this?!
It was a dismal sight. It seemed like a deluge of massive rocks had swept over the city. The once orderly buildings were now shattered like sandcastles trampled upon.
The previously confined lava had overflowed and was cooling on the road. Most of the once abundant stalactites and stalagmites were shattered. Ronan, catching the stronger smell of sulfur, furrowed his brow.
Lets get ready.
Y-yes!
Steel supports were swiftly passing by the boys sides. Aselle closed his eyes. Amidst the roaring wind, a faint incantation resonated.
Slow Zone.
What?
It was a spell Ronan hadnt heard before. He reached his hand towards the ground. A geometric magic circle appeared at the point of anticipated impact, and the falling speed noticeably slowed down.
Wow.
Ronan rounded his lips in amazement. The boys bodies, which had been slowing down gradually, nearly came to a halt about 5 meters above the ground. Another familiar incantation flowed from Aselles lips.
Invisible Hand!
Invisible hands caught the slowed bodies. Aselles telekinesis lowered both of them quickly and safely to the ground.
As Ronans feet touched the ground, he gave Aselles back a firm pat.
Good job, Aselle. When did you learn something like that?
Using a spell other than the Invisible Hand was quite remarkable. Aselle, his eyes wet with tears, managed a faint nod. At last, the ground brightened beneath their feet, revealing Gran Cappadocias scenery. Ronan twisted his lips.
Damn, were late.
What Whats going on?
The scene was dismal. It looked as though a torrent of massive rocks had swept through the city. The once orderly buildings now lay in ruins, much like sandcastles that someone had stepped on.
The previously contained lava had overflowed and was cooling on the streets. Most of the prominent stalagmites and stalactites were broken. Ronan, catching the stronger scent of sulfur, furrowed his brow.
Just then, a faint moan reached their ears.
Ugh ugh
Both boys turned their heads almost simultaneously. The groan was coming from beneath a scattered pile of stalagmites.
Hastily, Ronan pushed aside the rocks. A dwarf, draped in a tattered apron, came into view.
Cough, cough! Urgh!
Ronans eyes widened as he recognized the dwarfs face. It was the same dwarf who had been scolded by Dydican for something related to transparent scrolls before.
My, my legs twisted.
Seeing the dwarfs legs twisted at a grotesque angle, Aselle felt a surge of nausea. Ronan poked Cita, who was still clinging to his back.
Cita.
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As if in response, Cita muttered, and it casted a spell on the dwarf. A small magic circle appeared in the air, and the twisted leg straightened back to its original position.
The dwarf, feeling relief from the diminishing pain, opened his eyes wide.
Th-this my leg Wait a moment, you two came with Dydican before
Thats right. We dont have much time, so Ill ask quickly. Simple rock accident, infuriated rock spirits, cave giants. Which one happened? Personally, I hope its not the second or third.
Ronan grabbed his shoulders and shook the dwarf. The dwarf, trembling, spoke with a quivering voice.
I-it seems like the third suddenly, they surged from the depths of the tunnel
Darn, I had a feeling. Stay put here.
It seemed they accidentally stumbled upon the dwelling of the cave giants while digging through the tunnels. Considering their tendency to live deep underground, encountering such monsters was unlikely for dwarves, in any case.
Ronan was about to take a step forward.
Ho-hold on just a moment!
The dwarf, struggling, got up. He held onto Ronans shirt and spoke.
C-can you help my comrades have been kidnapped. Even the old Do Doron was taken by the time the stupid old man tried to resist, Dydicans child had gone to save him, but he hadnt returned yet.
Ronan impatiently swept his bangs aside. The situation was far from cheerful.
How long has it been since the rocks came crashing down?
Uh, not much time has passed. Its been a few hours at most.
At least thats somewhat fortunate. Wait here.
Ronan nodded his head. Given the cave giants habits, there was still hope if it had only been a few hours. These creatures had the habit of taking captives to their lairs and preserving them for a while before consuming them.
Tears resembling chicken droppings were flowing from the dwarfs eyes under his apron.
P-please both of you going like this wont do especially that Dydicans child
Ill do my best.
Ronan promised. While rescuing those kidnapped was important, it wasnt right to leave other survivors to their fate, especially when there was a possibility they might perish soon.
However, sending Aselle to rescue everyone was impractical due to the vast area. It was also possible that his mana would deplete quickly while searching for injured people. Knowing where the captives were buried would make things much easier.
With a quick decision, Ronan spoke with a bitter tone.
It cant be helped. Well be back soon, so do your best to hold on.
Okay.
Aselle nodded with determination. Cita, who had been playfully tilting its head by their side, now climbed atop Aselles head.
Cita?
Go fast.
Suddenly, its four wings spread wide. Its red pupils emitted light. Soon, beams of red light began to rise from various piles of rocks. Ronans eyes widened.
After swinging a total of twenty-five times, the ores that functioned as armor finally fell apart and scattered. Ronan finally swung his sword toward the exposed gray flesh.
Slice!
Along with the sensation of cutting through frozen meat, yellowish blood spurted out.
Kraaaargh!
Once again, a guttural scream erupted. The unbalanced giant staggered and fell.
Ronan thrust his sword into the giants face as it crashed to the ground. The blade went deep, almost as if piercing through something soft. A squelching sound followed as the blade went in and then the giant let out a gurgling scream, thrashing before finally going limp.
Disgusting bastards.
Fortunately, Ronan was accustomed to dealing with larger foes. He drew his sword and swung his arm like a seasoned warrior. The blade, stained with yellow blood and chunks of flesh, was already showing signs of wear.
There might still be more giants lurking around. Ronan hurried as quietly as he could toward Dorons forge.
Thankfully, no new giants appeared until he reached the interior of the building. Suddenly, a doubt crossed Ronans mind.
But how did they know what weapon to take?
He realized he hadnt heard the most important part. However, it was too late to worry about it now. Ronan stealthily made his way into Dorons forge.
The nest made of barrels was still intact. In the center of the nest was a furnace with a perpetually burning fire and a pristine white anvil.
Whats that?
As Ronans gaze fell upon the anvil, his eyes widened. Resting atop the anvil was a sword unlike any he had seen before.
Ronan approached the sword almost trance-like. The hilt was short, the pommel almost nonexistent. The long blade, radiating a black sheen, was so thin that the back could be seen through it.
This is my sword?
Ronan instinctively recognized it as his weapon. To confirm, he lightly touched his fingertip against the blade. A sharp pain and a thin cut followed on his finger.
Damn!
The sharpness was beyond belief. The blood that trickled along his finger didnt stick or slide off; it soaked directly into the blade. Ronans eyes narrowed.
An expert like Doron made this What on earth did he create?
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