Chapter 185

Chapter 185. Wyvern? Why? Me? Wyvern?

A gloomy, pitch-black ancient vault.

At the entrance of a lengthy passageway, our group came to a halt, hesitant to proceed.

Positioned in our midst, Myserln sunbae’s costly glowing crystal projected a steady radiance, casting elongated shadows against the stone boundaries.

A heavy, fleeting quiet hung over us.

Breaking the stillness, I spoke up first.

“We are completely locked in, aren’t we?”

“……Mm. It appears so.”

“And that exit isn’t shifting an inch?”

“……That is absolutely certain.”

“Which means we’re genuinely stranded.”

shadow of a doubt.”

Stepping into these subterranean remnants had gone smoothly enough. Splendid, even. Right up until that gargantuan iron gateway slammed shut entirely on its own accord, remaining utterly unyielding to any force.

Naturally, pulling off an escape wouldn’t be impossible if I utilized Blink, however….

As if reading the sudden flash of intent in my posture, a warning came.

“If you’re contemplating a repeat of your previous stunt, I’d strongly advise against it. The defensive barrier seems to have reformed instantly. Breaching it from the exterior is out of the question. Furthermore, you must take the immense aquatic weight into account.”

The sheer pressure of the water. Yes, that was the true obstacle.

It was a hazard I hadn’t properly registered because we had made our descent seamlessly under Myserln sunbae’s protective guidance, but the external hydrostatic force down here was evidently monumental.

While it might not reduce a human being to dust instantly, it was more than capable of rupturing lung tissue and devastating vital organs.

Since I didn’t fully comprehend the mechanics at play, I resolved to avoid making any reckless gambles.

Setting that aside, just how far down had we traveled?

The moment that query crossed my mind—

“My apologies.”

Myserln sunbae dipped his head, filled with regret.

Nearly all of us… well, excluding Chenbi, had ventured into this abyss fully aware of the inherent perils, but encountering this absolute isolation firsthand clearly weighed heavily on his conscience.

Yet, rather remarkably, the first person to respond with utter levelheadedness was Chenbi.

“Do not worry about it. In the grand scheme of things, death claims everyone.”

That didn’t sound comforting in the slightest.

Regardless, dwelling on our predicament wouldn’t alter it.

The moment had arrived to establish our definitive course of action.

‘Let’s dismiss the idea of retracing our steps outside for now. Overcoming the crushing water pressure… well, it might not be entirely impossible to survive, but forcing that gateway open is an entirely separate dilemma.’

Therefore, when stripped down to the basics, what alternative did we actually possess?

‘To forge ahead.’

Precisely. Press onward into the heart of the structure, ensure the safety of the elemental entities first, and deal with the exit strategy later… surely, by exploring the depth of these ruins, a solution would present itself.

I communicated this logic to Myserln sunbae, Demian, and Chenbi.

Their individual responses varied considerably.

Predictably, Demian showed little concern.

“Peril is an inseparable companion to exploration. Occasions inevitably arise where turning back ceases to be an option, precisely like our current situation.”

Meanwhile, Chenbi offered:

“It is perfectly fine, Aster. As I noted, mortality is universal.”

Lastly, Myserln sunbae tightened his jaw, seemingly burdened by a sense of accountability, and offered a solemn nod of agreement.

At any rate, our trajectory was locked in.

All that remained was to put one foot in front of the other.

Prior to that, however, there was a specific detail I wanted to investigate.

It stemmed from that peculiar sensation of familiarity that had washed over me earlier, right when Myserln sunbae had utterly pulverized those mechanical guardians.

Stepping toward the completely splintered remains of a fallen golem, I bent down to inspect the debris, and the source of that nagging déjà vu quickly became crystal clear.

‘This object… isn’t a conventional golem.’

What set these apart from standard automatons?

To properly articulate that, one would have to delve into the historical evolution of magitech engineering. But seeing as I lack an expert’s grasp on the subject myself, it’s best to skip the lecture.

To summarize, the commercial viability of contemporary golems was achieved through breakthroughs in perfecting the “golem core,” though autonomous constructs resembling “golems” have consistently been excavated from historical sites spanning antiquity.

Yet, irrespective of their era of origin, these entities invariably retained a singular, unifying characteristic.

The integration of both a “core” and an accompanying “magic circle.”

This was an unvarying rule across the ages, shared by every variant of golem ever documented.

And that precise detail was why these constructs struck me as highly irregular.

Clack, clank.

Driven by a growing skepticism, I shifted through the shattered stone components, and my suspicions were vindicated.

‘…There isn’t a single trace of a magic circle.’

Regardless of how catastrophically fractured the pieces were, a scrutiny this meticulous should have yielded at least a fragment of a foundational inscription, yet the debris littering the floor was entirely pristine.

Indicating…

It was as though these parts had never been anything more than basic, inanimate rock.

Then, an entirely different anomaly presented itself.

‘The power source is right here.’

What could this imply?

It was a paradox that defied logic.

While I don’t possess a profound education in arcane mechanics, I am well aware that operating a golem demands a dual setup: a “core” alongside a “magic circle tasked with tethering that core to the physical shell”….

The central catalyst is present, yet the binding matrix is utterly absent?

“Mm… this makes no sense.”

I cast a glance toward Myserln sunbae, who had quietly stepped up beside me at some point during my inspection.

Had he arrived at a similar deduction?

“Ah, hold on a moment. I can’t say with absolute certainty, but… give me just a second.”

Uttering those words, Myserln sunbae began sifting through the ruined remnants he had shattered earlier, turning the pieces over deliberately to examine them from multiple angles.

It took only a brief interval before a sharp gasp escaped him.

“Wait—gather over here. Take a look at this, would you?”

“This object is….”

“I managed to salvage a reasonably preserved core from the wreckage. Observe.”

The object Myserln sunbae extended toward me was a crystalline orb roughly matching the dimensions of a grown man’s fist.

The very component that had been embedded within the upper cranial sections of the automatons just moments ago.

But what exactly was I supposed to be identifying?

Perhaps sensing my complete lack of comprehension,

Myserln sunbae parted his lips to explain—just as another voice cut across his own.

“It functions as a core, but….”

“It is completely devoid of mana. Under normal circumstances, even when an automaton ceases functioning, a golem core inherently retains the property of drawing ambient mana into itself, yet this specimen exhibits no such behavior.”

Chenbi turned the crystalline sphere over in my palms, inspecting it thoroughly before nodding with absolute conviction.

“There is no doubt. I detect zero trace of mana. Aster, are you unable to perceive this?”

“I am….”

I was completely in the dark.

To be precise, it wasn’t that I failed to notice the absence of mana—rather, I lacked the background knowledge to realize that “an absence of mana in this context is highly unnatural.”

“Throughout every historical epoch, golem cores have progressed by absorbing ambient mana and utilizing it as their primary driving force. If you desire a breakdown of the underlying theory… it would be rather tedious, wouldn’t it?”

“Ahem, not at all. I was paying close attention.”

“No, I fully comprehend.”

Utilizing a tone entirely drained of enthusiasm, Chenbi voiced his accord, subsequently shifting his attention back toward Myserln sunbae.

“What was the point you intended to raise, Lord Myserln? I believe I interrupted your thought process midway… please accept my apologies.”

“Mm, no need. Your observation mirrored exactly what I was about to point out. Thanks to your explanation, I’ve been spared the futility of chanting a spell into a goblin’s ear.”

What did it signify to chant a spell into a goblin’s ear?

It was a common idiom used when someone completely failed to grasp a concept, regardless of how diligently and thoroughly it was explained to them.

“At any rate, Chenbi has effectively covered half of my intended explanation. Because of that, I can deliver the remaining context quite easily.”

“No, it is unnecessary. After all, everyone dies.”

“…….”

Ah. It seemed he hadn’t achieved some profound philosophical awakening.

He was simply clinging stubbornly to that single phrase.

Regardless, Myserln sunbae’s moment of social discomfort passed swiftly.

“Ahem. Ahem. To begin… let us group up. Demian, join us over here. Hey! Stop handling random objects!”

Demian, who had been tampering with an unknown fixture in a dark corner, came trotting back to the group, and once he integrated himself, we formed a tight circle once more.

With our numbers reassembled, Myserln sunbae let out a thoughtful grunt while stroking his facial hair, then adopted a soft, measured tone—resembling an elder preparing to recount an ancient myth.

Or rather—that was his intention.

Had I not chosen that exact moment to disrupt him.

“Are you familiar with the Grand Elemental era? It is a historical epoch shrouded in antiquity, and….”

“Sunbae?”

“……?”

Lowering the hand I had raised to request the floor, I inquired,

“Is this turning into a formal history seminar?”

“……Heh heh.”

Myserln sunbae let out a gentle, deep chuckle accompanied by a benevolent expression. Observing his reaction, I felt a sense of cheerful satisfaction well up within myself.

‘So this is how I spread joy to those around me.’

It is a well-known adage that laughter prolongs one’s lifespan, meaning if Myserln sunbae enjoys a long life, the credit belongs entirely to me.

In the midst of that touching interlude,

Chenbi interjected,

“Lord Myserln, mortality comes for us all.”

What exactly are you trying to imply by that?

“Aster’s inevitable expiration date might as well be shifted to this very moment. I see no reason for you to restrain your frustration.”

Chenbi: officially penciled in for a mandatory session of mental fortitude training.

Mercifully, Myserln sunbae managed to swallow his rising irritation. It was an unavoidable reaction.

I had merely posed an innocent inquiry—it just happened to be a query that tested Myserln sunbae’s patience slightly.

In any case, as a direct result of my selfless, agonizing intervention, Myserln sunbae’s historical dissertation achieved the remarkable feat of being condensed into a mere three sentences.

“The Grand Elemental era. It is frequently referred to as the age of the ten thousand spirits. Among practitioners of spirit arts, it is spoken of as a legendary epoch, during which society establish—”

Concisely bypassed.

“…and consequently, records indicate the creation of a particular category of apparatus. And what form might that take?”

From this point forward lay the core of the matter.

“Spirit golems.”

“Spirit golems…?”

Confronted with the unfamiliar synthesis of those two concepts, Chenbi tilted his head in bewilderment.

Which was entirely logical—spirits, being entities manifestations of pure nature, and golems, being manufactured products of advanced magitech, were elements that standard reasoning could never reconcile.

Acknowledging Chenbi’s visible perplexity, Myserln sunbae offered a nod and elaborated further.

“A spirit golem is precisely what the terminology implies: an automated construct propelled exclusively by elemental energy. I have read accounts stating that instead of employing conventional mana, an actual spirit is bound within the core mechanism to catalyze movement.”

Hence, the underlying logic was straightforward.

Just as a standard golem operates via the application of mana, a spirit golem functions through the vitality of the elemental entity secured inside its power source.

Yet despite the uncomplicated nature of the theory, the precise methodology required to achieve this had eluded modern discovery entirely.

Having imparted that piece of lore, Myserln sunbae surveyed our immediate environment with a renewed gaze, his academic fascination as a spiritist clearly ignited.

“To speak candidly, I always categorized it as mere folklore. Similar to tales of dragons or vampires. I assumed it belonged to the realm of children’s fables. To realize such constructs genuinely endure into the present day….”

But wait a moment.

“Sunbae?”

“Go ahead.”

Deviating from his earlier warmth, sunbae darted a chilly look in my direction.

However, on this occasion, my inquiry was entirely earnest.

“In that case, were the elemental entities that originally petitioned you for assistance actually the ones confined inside those very cores? And what became of the spirits that were bound within the destroyed wreckage?”

Was it an exceptionally perceptive question?

Myserln sunbae let out a startled gasp, then began massaging his beard while knitting his brows in deep contemplation.

He had likely been so thoroughly captivated by the historical revelation of the spirit golems that the broader implications had completely slipped his mind.

It took a few moments before he formulated a reply.

“Initially, at this current juncture, I cannot detect any elemental signatures within the recovered cores. Unless one shares a formal pact with a specific spirit, identifying their residual essence is exceedingly difficult… but under current assumptions, yes. They most likely manifested their escape the moment the physical vessels were compromised… though as for confirming whether those specific entities were the ones that called out to me… I lack the means to know.”

Ultimately, the conclusion remained wrapped in uncertainty.

Well, the truth would undoubtedly unveil itself as we penetrated further into the structure.

Even so.

‘The epoch of the ten thousand spirits….’

With a fresh perspective, I took in the surrounding architecture.

According to sunbae’s testimony, that had been an era where spirit manipulation—rather than conventional sorcery or physical combat arts—had experienced an explosive renaissance, culminating in an unparalleled golden age….

‘Does that mean the subordinates… are ranked by the thousands?’

I felt my eyelids stretch wide with sudden realization.

Even by my standards, managing ten thousand subordinates would prove to be quite a logistical undertaking.

At any rate, suppressing a massive grin that threatened to warp my expression, I cleared my throat forcefully and redirected my focus.

“Well then… shall we proceed inward?”

“Let us move. Our paramount objective at this instant is to liberate the young ones confined within these walls.”

That was precisely the point I was trying to make.

And so, at the exact juncture when Aster’s companions initiated their advance—

Deep within the subterranean heart of the ancient ruins of Baharmut.

Upon a ceremonial dais, a colossal crystalline orb shuddered violently as it began radiating a deep, resonant hum.

Woooong—

Trapped within the transparent confines of the sphere, elemental forces imperceptible to mundane sight writhed in a chaotic tangle, their individual consciousnesses fracturing and merging into erratic knots of thought.

It arrived. It is here. Solitary? Four of them? Companion? Mortal? For what purpose? Fiend. Terrifying. Evade. Negative. Deliver us. Liberation. Yearning. Wyvern? Why? Me? Wyvern? Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural….

The fractured wills, initially pulling in a myriad of conflicting directions, rapidly coalesced into a unified entity, fusing into a singular, overpowering voice.

[Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural. Unnatural.]

[Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous. Anomalous.]

Then, at a critical moment—

Drip—

The chaotic churn of the elementals’ collective consciousness ceased instantly.

Shortly thereafter, the crystalline vessel holding the spirits erupted with a blinding, magnificent luminescence.

The intense radiance persisted for an immeasurable duration.

When the light finally dissolved into nothingness, the resulting voice resonated with absolute unanimity, projecting a solitary, unyielding intent.

[Threat detected, eliminate.]

Grrrrrggg—

A monumental, earth-shaking tremor reverberated through the entirety of Baharmut.

A massive, blood-chilling bellow.