Chapter 90: Ancient Beast Attack (2)

Grrrr…

The Mimic Snail boss opened its maw, revealing writhing red innards—an unsettling sight. Hard, gray, shell-like barnacles protruded from within.

“…Gross. I take back wanting to keep one,” Sevi said, turning away, pale.

“Barnacles! It’s shooting barnacles!” a mercenary shouted.

“Everyone, get to the barrier!”

Some expanded the protective barrier while others activated deck-mounted devices, deploying a massive net.

Pop-pop-pop!

Over a million barnacles spewed from the boss’s maw, sticking to the net. Sizzle—the net melted where they clung. The aura users quickly activated a second device to keep the barnacles from reaching the ship.

“It’s disgusting. I feel sick. I’m gonna throw up,” Sevi groaned, burying their parrot head in the dirt of Sanse’s pot, feathers bristling. Baba, unfazed, patted Sevi. Ion, clicking his tongue, enlarged his flame sword. He’d planned to leave it to the mercenaries, but a dragon vomiting on his plant was unacceptable.

As he adjusted his grip on Sanse, the boss paused, tilting its body as if puzzled. Without eyes, Ion couldn’t tell where it looked.

…!

The beast leapt, its massive presence felt by all, then dove into the lake with a splash, sending up a wave Ion evaporated with his sword. He frowned.

What? Preparing to attack from below? That size could capsize the ship…

But the boss’s presence rapidly faded, followed by the smaller snails splashing after it. The mercenaries peered at the water.

“The beast retreated on its own!”

“Ha, the king snail fled? Lucky break!”

“Lucky for us. Harvest those barnacles! Mimic Snail barnacle powder sells high!”

The mercenaries dismantled magic gear and rushed to collect byproducts. Realizing it wasn’t preparing a counterattack, Ion dispelled his flame sword.

Last Shadow ancient beasts are different from frenzy-driven ones. They flee.

They were clearly intelligent, but why they fled was unclear. From the mercenaries’ chatter, this wasn’t common.

It freaked out, like it saw something it shouldn’t have.

“Sevi, they’re gone. You can look up,” Baba said.

“I’m gonna puke,” Sevi mumbled.

“Dam Ion, what do we do? Sevi’s in shock. Big goosebumps. Big vomit,” Baba said.

“I’ll have nightmares…” Sevi groaned.

“Big nightmares,” Baba echoed.

“Go lie down in the room. Rest will help,” Ion said.

As Sevi shuffled off, mercenaries blocked Ion’s path.

“Hey, kid. Aura mage?” one asked.

“…Yeah,” Ion replied.

“Hired by a passenger? New face. Planning to work at Dock 17?”

“No, my employer’s traveling, so I’m just passing through. Not settling here,” Ion said.

“Ah, got it. Traveling in wartime? Nobles, tch. Your skills impressed us. Take care till the island,” the mercenary said.

“Thanks,” Ion replied, then stopped him. “How long have you worked on Elidivi Lake?”

“Thirty years this year. Why?”

“I’ve never seen Mimic Snails. How strong was that boss?”

“Hard to deal with since physical attacks don’t work well. It’s among the top three toughest beasts in Elidivi. Be glad it backed off, kid,” the mercenary said, patting Ion’s shoulder before leaving.

Ion felt an uneasy premonition.

“I’ll dream about it…” Sevi whined.

“Sevi, why’d you go out? You should’ve stayed with us,” Ion said.

“I went to protect Dam Ion. I’m gonna puke. Pet my head,” Sevi demanded.

“Stay with us if beasts show up. Here?” Ion asked, patting Sevi’s head.

“Yeah. Rub my arms too,” Sevi said.

Fevel and Fint fanned Sevi, petted their head, and massaged their arms, doting excessively. To Ion, Sevi seemed fine, just milking the attention. Leaving the dragon to their “nannies,” Ion spoke softly to Sanse.

“You okay, Sanse? Not grossed out?”

“Sanse fine. Sanse worries about Dam Ion,” Baba relayed.

“I’m fine. Thanks for worrying,” Ion said.

“…”

“…”

“Dam Ion not ask me?” Baba said.

“What,” Ion replied, his warm expression turning cold.

Baba sighed, grumbling to Sanse. “He’s like that. Not honest.”

“…”

“Yup, yup. I agree,” Baba said.

“…”

“Sanse funny. Talks cool,” Baba added.

Ion’s ears perked. Unable to resist, he asked, eyes sparkling, “What’d Sanse say?”

“Not telling. Our secret. Learn spirit speech if you’re curious,” Baba teased.

“I’ll give you Mana Sulfur,” Ion offered.

“Full,” Baba said.

“…”

“Say, ‘Cool Baba, please tell me,’ and I’ll consider it,” Baba said.

Ion’s expression froze.

“Not doing it?” Baba asked.

“Nope,” Ion said.

“Dam Ion’s boring. No-fun human,” Baba muttered.

Ion had a plan. Baba, fed six hours ago, would beg for Mana Sulfur in a few hours. He’d ask then. Short-sighted bat.

With the deck off-limits due to cleanup, Ion turned to Fint. “Sir Fint, how intelligent are ancient beasts? Can they recognize predators and flee?”

“Of course. Last Shadows have enough intelligence to assess opponents. At the border, I saw beasts retrieve dead comrades’ bodies. They took five corpses and left immediately,” Fint said.

“Retrieve bodies? Why?” Ion asked.

“Camaraderie, perhaps,” Fint replied.

“Beasts have emotions?” Ion asked.

“Naturally. They’re living beings. Field beasts lack emotion or intelligence, but war remnant descendants, breeding in Idea for millennia, are like a species—humans, fairies,” Fint explained.

Ion nodded lukewarmly. Demon Realm beasts could converse before frenzy…

“Maybe they fled seeing Sevi’s dragon presence,” Fint suggested.

Ion agreed, but Baba flapped wildly. “Nope! I know the real reason.”

Ion, uninterested, said, “What.”

“Snail made eye contact with me,” Baba said.

“It had eyes?” Ion asked.

“Yup. Skin acts as eyes. Sees stuff. Saw me, got scared, ran,” Baba said.

“Why’d it flee from you? It saw the dragon,” Ion countered.

“Nope! Didn’t know Sevi was there. Fled from me,” Baba insisted.

“Your ego’s growing. Not cute,” Ion said.

“Dam Ion’s dumb. Stupid. Fool! I’m cute!” Baba retorted.

Annoyed by Baba’s flapping, Ion grabbed them. Baba whined, but Ion ignored it. If beasts were intelligent, word of a dragon aboard likely spread, meaning no more attacks.

Smooth sailing to the island.

Ion relaxed slightly.

But it was a naive assumption. The next day, ancient beast attacks resumed, with unprecedented events even veteran mercenaries hadn’t seen.

The next day.

“Ancient beasts!”

“Beasts appearing!”

“Get to safety! To your cabins!”

Wooong— The alarm blared. Mercenaries, drawing weapons, froze in shock.

“Why’s the Mimic Snail boss back?”

“Not just that! The Yellow Octopus boss too!”

“Careful! The Shidou Bird boss is circling above!”

Three house-sized boss beasts surrounded the ship, with tens of thousands of smaller ones. “Why are three different boss species together?” a mercenary stammered.

“Thirty years, and I’ve never seen this!” another said.

As mercenaries panicked, the Shidou Bird perched on the water, staring at the deck. The Yellow Octopus did the same. The Mimic Snail waved a tentacle.

Ion froze. The Octopus and Bird’s massive eyes locked onto him. The Snail’s waving tentacle prompted nods from the others, their eyes quivering as if saying:

“See? Told you.”

“Whoa, really?”

“Is this real?”

“Dam Ion, look! They’re staring at me. I was right, huh?” Baba said.

“They’re looking at Baba!” Sevi exclaimed.

“Is this real?” Fint gasped.

The three bosses, after gawking, dove back into the lake’s depths.

“What’s going on? Why’d they flee?” a mercenary said.

“Never seen this in thirty years…”

“Lucky break. Mimic Snail, Yellow Octopus, and Shidou Bird attacking together would’ve wiped us out.”

The mercenaries didn’t notice the beasts stared at one spot, too unthinkable. But their relief was premature—similar events continued.

The next day.

Wooong— Another alarm. More bosses appeared: Mimic Snail, Yellow Octopus, Shidou Bird, plus…

“Giant Barnacle boss! Why’s a deep-sea beast on the surface?”

“Crocodile Snake too! Swimming right below us!”

A reef-like beast and a half-crocodile, half-snake joined, with their minions encircling the ship. Mercenaries drew weapons, faces grim; passengers feared the end.

“Why aren’t they attacking?” a mercenary asked.

“Don’t strike first! They might leave like yesterday!”

Ion, in the cabin with Fevel’s group, heard the commotion. The bosses weren’t attacking, just circling, while mercenaries stood tense. Ion, taking Baba, stepped onto the deck.

Gooong!

Kikik! Kirrrk?

Shhha! Shhha…!

The bosses visibly startled, chattering among themselves. Mercenaries and fleeing passengers froze, baffled.

“Dam Ion, look! They’re staring at me again. What’s up? Cause I’m cute? Want to poke my mouth when I yawn? My cuteness must’ve spread. What do I do?” Baba said.

“…” Ion couldn’t deny it anymore. The beasts were gawking at Baba.