Chapter 689

Whir, whir, whir—

Kal rhythmically swung a cord fixed with a grappling iron, utilizing the momentum to launch the metal hook toward the sky.

The projectile soared through the air, securing a firm grip at the summit of the fortress battlements.

“Your physical capability is truly remarkable, isn’t it?”

As Kanea voiced her amazement, Kal wore a look of immense self-satisfaction.

“Hmph. This happens to be a tool infused with magic. You might as well refer to it as Kal’s General Store Special Castle Infiltration Kit.”

“Incredible.”

Kanea offered an enthusiastic round of applause.

Eliza, observing the display from a short distance away, remarked, “To think you actually designed a mechanism like that.”

“I figured it would prove invaluable for the dungeon raid.”

“You leave absolutely nothing to chance.”

The realm of champions presents an infinite variety of challenges.

Sneaking past fortified defensive barriers is a frequent necessity.

Anticipating these hurdles, Kal had utilized his alchemical skills to fabricate the necessary gear beforehand.

“Hmph, do you honestly believe I earned the title of ‘the one who prepares for the beginning’ by accident?”

Exhibiting his pride once more, Kal gripped the cord and scaled the side of the stone structure.

Eliza and Kanea scaled the barrier right after him.

Reaching the summit ahead of the others, Kal carefully monitored the immediate surroundings before proceeding any higher.

Having already located a section where the sentries were particularly lax, Kal progressed without facing any resistance.

He took a second grappling line that was wrapped across his torso and tossed it down toward the exterior base of the fortification.

The moment Eliza and Kanea made it to the top, they observed Kal’s hand signals and immediately began sliding down the newly placed line.

Kal reeled in the initial scaling cord, packed it away, and promptly slid down right after them.

Upon touching down on the soil below, Kal gave a sharp tug to the secondary string at the bottom of the line, causing the mechanism on the battlements to fold up and fall down naturally.

Clack!

Demonstrating superb agility, Kanea snatched the falling tool out of the air and presented it to Kal.

Kal extracted three azure spheres from a pouch attached to his belt, placing one inside his own mouth.

He handed the remaining pair over to Eliza and Kanea.

Following his example, the two women placed the spheres into their mouths, prompting Kal to cautiously step into the surrounding waters.

Submerging alongside Kal, Eliza’s eyes widened with mild astonishment when she realized she could move through the fluid environment without experiencing heavy drag.

Retaining her breath felt entirely natural.

Opening her eyelids underwater caused no discomfort whatsoever, and her vision through the aquatic depths remained crystal clear.

‘This particular sphere… it is an item forged through the art of alchemy.’

Eliza felt a renewed sense of admiration for Kal’s exceptional manufacturing talents, which had been passed down through Dweno’s alchemy.

The tailored swimwear they wore also served to minimize water resistance.

Kanea, clearly matching her surprise, swept her arms through the water before flashing an enthusiastic thumbs-up!

Kal answered Kanea with a corresponding thumbs-up and assumed the lead position.

‘They certainly operate on the same wavelength.’

Whispering the thought to herself as she observed the pair, Eliza kept pace behind Kal.

Bubble-bubble—

The trio advanced with absolute stealth, refraining from tapping into their aura, sorcery, or spiritual energies.

Arriving near the specific destination detailed by Enniha, Kal spotted a man-made opening situated at the bottom of the defensive channel.

His eyes gleaming with intensity, Kal plunged directly into the opening.

A short time later.

“Phew!”

Kal drew a deep breath and muttered to himself.

“Just as I thought, the ventilation here is refreshing. While those aquatic spheres are excellent for everything else, the sensation of stuffiness is unavoidable.”

Kal spat out the magical sphere.

The moment it left his mouth, the item dissolved harmlessly into fluid and evaporated.

“Illumination.”

Conjuring a bright light via sorcery, Kal dragged himself out of the pool.

“Hmm. The path divides into two directions.”

While Kal stood pondering his options, Eliza wrung the excess moisture from her tresses and spoke up.

“I have a query. What is the reason behind us executing this mission in total secrecy?”

She had agreed to accompany Kal upon his request, but she remained completely uninformed as to why they needed to be so covert.

“Was this strategy devised by Leo Plov?”

“Negative. Leo remains unaware. This operation is being carried out solely by Chelsea, Enniha-nim, and myself.”

“For what purpose?”

“There are specific factors at play. I shall fill you in on the details later. For the moment, uncovering the portal takes precedence.”

Nodding at Kal’s explanation, Eliza stepped ahead to lead the group.

“We have two separate pathways, so how do you want to proceed?”

“I shall inspect the left corridor. You and Kanea should investigate the right one.”

“Are you entirely certain you should navigate this solo?”

“Oh come on. Expecting a teenager going through adolescence to wander through a pitch-black passage alone with young women clad in swimwear? The mental strain is simply too overwhelming for me to handle.”

Flashing a mischievous grin, Kal made his way down the left passage.

“Besides, it is highly unlikely that any severe threats lurk down here anyway.”

Leaving them with those parting words, Kal vanished into the dark ahead.

Watching his retreating form for a second, Eliza turned down the right path with Kanea.

Trekking in front, Kanea pressed her palms together and remarked, “Don’t you find Kal to be incredibly alluring?”

“You possess an absolutely dreadful taste in partners as well.”

Kanea’s eyelids fluttered open in surprise as she turned to look at Eliza, who had delivered the critique with complete indifference.

“How so? He manages every single obstacle flawlessly, does he not?”

“Hardly. Once you become slightly more acquainted with his true nature, your perspective will shift drastically. In fact, you will most likely find yourself completely disenchanted.”

Gazing intently into Eliza’s subtly upturned lips, Kanea eventually let out a gentle laugh.

“You are being deceptive.”

“What are you implying?”

“You are merely trying to eliminate potential rivals, aren’t you?”

“Preposterous. Why would a noble successor of the Hergin lineage concoct a falsehood of that nature over a mere commoner…”

Eliza, who was on the verge of snapping back, caught Kanea’s direct gaze.

‘She possesses a truly irritating perception.’

Eliza let out a breathless, dry chuckle.

Releasing a soft sigh, Eliza mentally conceded that Kanea’s assessment wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

Kanea beamed as she took note of her reaction.

“I find myself quite envious of you.”

“Over what?”

“Your inability to be direct regarding your own emotions.”

“What is there to possibly covet about a trait like that?”

“It implies that you will be granted the opportunity to share a lengthy future alongside Kal.”

“There is absolutely no reason you cannot experience the same outcome, is there?”

“No. I have a feeling it won’t play out that way for me. My instincts tell me otherwise.”

“Instincts?”

“It feels as though the span of time permitted to me is destined to be cut short, for some reason.”

“…”

“Kal projects the exact same energy. He does not interact with me as if I am a presence that will remain in his life for the long haul.”

“Well… the two of you haven’t truly bonded just yet…”

“The issue runs deeper than that. Hmm. It feels almost as though he is actively preparing himself for an eventual parting. He acts precisely like an individual who possesses foreknowledge of what is to come.”

Kanea’s tail gave a subtle, rhythmic twitch.

The inner guidance of the beastkin youth—reared in a bleak, unforgiving era where survival was an uncertain daily struggle—proved to be remarkably precise.

Kanea offered a warm expression toward the quiet Eliza.

“The day will eventually arrive when you can freely express your genuine feelings. My only wish is that it does not happen far too late.”

“I might very well lose all interest in him before such a moment even arrives.”

“That is certainly a possibility as well!”

Kanea erupted into a bout of amusement and stated, “I had honestly never contemplated the idea of harboring affection for anyone before. Once my spirit found a bit of breathing room, these sentiments naturally surfaced. It feels wonderful. I am perfectly content.”

Mmhmm! Kanea nodded her head firmly, though a hint of sorrow touched her features.

“My sole lingering lament is that I wish to occupy a more permanent position within Kal’s recollections. Hmm. Perhaps I ought to have simply thrown myself at him earlier? Ah! Do you think I should ambush him the moment we complete this journey back?”

“Cease this ridiculous line of thought.”

Kanea let out a series of giggles at Eliza’s icy reprimand.

“Engaging in a rivalry over a target actually feels quite exhilarating.”

“I am loath to acknowledge it… but I shall speak plainly with you. This isn’t a competitive hunt over a target; it is merely an undignified romantic entanglement.”

“Oh? Is that how you see it? That makes the entire situation far more thrilling! Perhaps we ought to become companions?”

“With an individual who is actively participating in a romantic dispute against me?”

“Why shouldn’t we?”

“I suppose there isn’t a compelling argument against it.”

“What brings the two of you down here?”

Chelsea demanded answers while crossing her arms over her chest, prompting Kal to simply give a loose shrug of his shoulders.

“I enlisted their assistance for the task. On another note, did you manage to locate a portal within the maze area?”

“The mere fact that you are asking that question indicates that your search near the protective channel yielded no results either.”

Chelsea let out a heavy sigh.

It appeared that the labyrinthian route had also proven to be an utter dead end.

“I am completely out of potential locations to investigate.”

It was right as Enniha began to manifest visible signs of distress and urgency.

Kanea interjected, focusing her gaze on him, “What exactly are you attempting to uncover?”

“We are searching for a hidden passageway that connects directly to the subterranean levels of the metropolis.”

Kanea blinked twice upon processing Enniha’s explanation before offering, “If that is your objective, doesn’t Master Dweno’s personal workspace fit that description?”

“What?”

Enniha’s gaze sharpened instantly.

“What are you implying by that statement?”

“I stumbled upon it when I accompanied Master Dweno to survey the inner layout of the stronghold on our initial day here. There was a massive structural stairway positioned there that descended deep into the earth where Master Dweno’s workspace is located.”

Upon receiving Kanea’s revelation, every member of the gathered party widened their eyes in sheer shock.

“Now that I think about it, Dweno deliberately established his private workspace entirely isolated from everyone else in a secluded zone!”

Back within Ivaldi, Dweno’s personal studio shared the same general vicinity as the workshops of the other craftsmen.

Initially, they hadn’t given the arrangement much thought, but following Kanea’s disclosure, the setup undoubtedly appeared highly questionable.

“Let us move!”

Just as Enniha was about to take charge and guide the group toward Dweno’s studio.

Rumble rumble rumble rumble—!

Without warning, the stone flooring beneath their feet began to vibrate violently.

Catching everyone entirely off guard, the sudden seismic shift caused the entire group to instantaneously lose their footing and stagger.

“A tremor?!”

“W-What is the meaning of this sudden disruption?”

Rumble rumble rumble rumble—!

The massive fortification trembled under the force of a powerful seismic upheaval.

Leo, who was perched atop the battlements, narrowed his eyes as he assessed the situation.

“W-What could be causing this?”

Ar, who had been chatting animatedly right beside Leo, wore an expression of total bewilderment.

Leo, who remained completely unbothered despite the highly anomalous nature of the tremor, murmured under his breath in a muted tone.

“The time has come.”

“Pardon?”

Flash!

Far off in the distance, past the edge of the sky.

A massive pillar of dark energy slammed downward from the heavens.

Whoosh—

Inky, dark flames erupted outward from the dark column, spreading as if intent on wiping out all existence.

The blazing inferno rapidly receded, and from the fading cinders, colossal monstrosities, corrupted beasts, and fiends began to pour forth in massive numbers.

“The military force of the Giant King…”

Ar took a sharp, nervous breath.

Whoosh—

Moments later, the dark pillar of fire dissolved entirely, revealing the imposing figure of the Giant King Gias within the clearing.

‘Is that truly… Gias?’

Leo’s facial expression stiffened slightly.

The oppressive aura radiating from Gias was profoundly abnormal.

“Ar.”

“Yes.”

“Go apprise the rest of our comrades regarding the current state of affairs.”

“Consider it done!”

Ar leaped down from the top of the fortification.

Remaining behind on the battlements, Leo maintained a focused gaze on Gias.

Leo’s eyes flickered with intense concentration as he scrutinized Gias, who was outfitted with bizarre, twisted gear that he had never once encountered before.

‘…Two distinct presences?’

“That entity is most assuredly not the Gias belonging to this era’s timeline, but rather the very monster whose head I personally took.”

Leo shifted his gaze at the sound of the familiar voice materializing right beside him.

Dweno stood there calmly, gently smoothing his facial hair.

Dweno, his eyes drawn into a sharp squint, remarked, “Furthermore, look at the battle gear he currently sports.”

“I have no recollection of those pieces either.”

“It appears highly probable that he has consumed the version of himself belonging to this timeline.”

“…That explains it.”

Leo, who had perceived Gias as holding the essence of two separate entities, found his answer.

“Utterly insane.”

Right as Leo let out a quiet click of his tongue in disapproval.

“Leo! Our companions are currently arming themselves and will arrive shortly!”

Ar, who had conveyed the critical intelligence at an astonishing velocity, touched down right alongside Leo.

“Leo. I shall head down to the studio to fetch the armaments.”

“…Please take care of it.”

“Has the Brave weapon been fully restored?”

“Indeed.”

“Fantastic! I would expect nothing less from Master Dweno!”

Ar let out an excited cheer.

“In that case, I shall take my leave and return swiftly.”

Dweno took flight without a moment’s delay.

As he departed, he cast a final glance over his shoulder.

He paused his gaze briefly on Leo and Ar, who stood resolutely atop the shaking castle walls.

Within Dweno’s perception, the silhouettes of the young man and woman suddenly shifted, projecting the images of a human warrior sporting silver tresses and a snow-furred lupine beastkin.

Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, alongside Arion, the Champion.

Dweno allowed a subtle smile to grace his face as he observed their unfamiliar yet hauntingly familiar forms.

‘He has successfully gathered an exceptional circle of allies, Kyle.’

Dweno redirected his gaze toward the path ahead.

‘I can safely leave the rest in his hands.’

With his back turned to Leo, who continued to scan the horizon, Dweno bolted toward the rear lines.