"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author Notes-
Chapter 10: The Mysterious Savior
“Who said that?!” A nearby female voice cried out about a host.
“Help!... I need help!”
He didn't recognize the voice, but that was irrelevant at the moment.
The sea monster now fixed its gaze directly on him, its two main tentacles moving menacingly as it drew closer.
[Activating protective technique…ERROR…source of spiritual energy not found…unable to activate.]
“What's going on?!” Zephyr shouted.
“No! Stay away from me!” He stumbled backward.
The tentacles advanced slowly, almost as if the creature was toying with him, though it could have killed him at any moment.
[Source of usable energy found inside host body…Mana …recalculating variables.]
The woman continued to speak, but Zephyr tuned her out. His immediate concern was the looming threat before him.
One tentacle lashed out at him.
He barely managed to evade, but the impact shattered the wooden dock, sending planks flying and the structure trembling.
‘One more strike like that, and the dock will collapse. If I fall into the water… it's over.’
[Elemental source core identified…lightning element is usable...searching Library of Thoth for...]
Zephyr, with his right leg bleeding profusely, tripped over a broken board.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“No!” He lay on his back, seeing both tentacles descending upon him.
[Low-rank lightning spell found…Lightning Strike…status…viable.]
A strange sensation coursed through Zephyr's body, and suddenly, a bright light appeared above him.
Before he could comprehend what was happening, the light vanished, followed by a deafening shriek of agony from the sea monster.
The tentacles withdrew, and Zephyr hastily scanned the area where the creature had emerged.
“What?!” Shock painted his face. The once menacing monster now sported a gaping hole in its head, surrounded by charred marks.
“The light?...” It must have been the illumination he had witnessed earlier, emanating from the female voice he had heard.
“Someone saved me…”
As the sea monster retreated into the depths, unsure whether it was dead or merely wounded, Zephyr realized he couldn't linger on the docks any longer.
“Ahhrgg!” Pain surged through him as he attempted to stand. His leg was not just cut but likely broken.
Despite his chest pain and difficulty breathing, he couldn't afford to remain here.
“Come on… move!”
[Level up…status recovery…]
“Ahh!” Startled by the voice once more, Zephyr observed hundreds of green lights enveloping his body. But the most astonishing part was the sudden absence of pain.
With no impediment, Zephyr rose to his feet, astonished to find his leg completely healed.
He surveyed the area, seeking his savior, but found no one.
“I can't stay here…” Even if the monster was vanquished, someone was bound to investigate the commotion.
The docks were far from any houses, but the noise would surely attract attention.
“If they find me in this state…” Panic clawed at him. He had no choice but to flee.
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“Huff…huff..”
Zephyr gasped for breath. He had been running for almost an hour without respite.
Miraculously, he had managed to evade detection as he left the village. But by now, they would surely have noticed his absence, as well as that of the other boys.
‘If they suspect I harmed them…’
That would spell disaster.
Killing was strictly forbidden by the Celestial Beings, and if they found the bodies and accused him, he would be branded a criminal.
“Even reaching Zloria Town might not be safe now… what am I going to do…”
Perhaps he could attempt the journey to Elmeria Village, the farthest human settlement. Situated on the other side of the continent and controlled by Elves, it was unlikely to have heard news of the events in Varian Village.
However, the trip would take over two weeks, and he only had enough provisions for a week at best.
Lost in thought, Zephyr pressed on. He dared not halt, uncertain if anyone was pursuing him.
By the few maps he recalled seeing, there were some rocky mounts west of the village. That would provide some shelter for the night.
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Night had fallen by the time Zephyr reached the mounts.
Exhausted, he found a sheltered spot beneath a sturdy tree and collapsed.
Too weary even to eat, sleep claimed him almost immediately.
[Assimilating mana into host body…opening mana channels…molecular restructuring underway…process will be completed in four hours and twenty-three minutes…]
The familiar voice echoed in his mind, but Zephyr was too fatigued to register it.
The boy fell asleep, completely oblivious to the changes occurring within him.