Chapter 38

Light, the spirits, gathered in response to Almoa’s voice. They converged.

The scattered particles formed into a single mass, becoming a beautiful sphere, which then transformed into a radiant gemstone.

The gemstone was an egg.

All the spirits in this space changed their forms and were reborn.

“Manifest, Great Spirit Avril!”

The egg hatched.

What emerged was a crimson bird with its massive wings spread wide.

Almoa referred to this bird as the Great Spirit.

In other words, she used her skill to create a being on par with the Whale of the Earth—!

With her silver hair fluttering, Almoa raised her fist triumphantly.

“Pride! Prove your power! Burn through the wall that stands before me with your inferno from the depths of hell!”

Responding to Almoa’s command, the Great Spirit Avril unleashed a vortex of flames toward the wall.

If it had been made of mere iron, it would have melted easily in the scorching heat. However, even as Avril’s flames struck, the wall remained intact, emitting a high-pitched metallic scream that echoed as if in agony.

It was as if the wall—no, the entire space—was alive, writhing in pain.

The metallic sound signaled a clash of power… but Avril’s flames were stronger.

Sparks flew dramatically as the wall was quickly worn away.

And then—

“Pierce it!”

Almoa’s command was fulfilled, and the torrent of fire broke through the wall.

The deafening sound made me grit my teeth. Cracks spread across the walls and floor. The collapse had begun. A large hole appeared, which seemed to be the exit.

—Victory. Almoa’s power had triumphed over this mysterious presence.

“Almoa, we did it!”

I rushed over to the girl who had accomplished such a feat. Supporting her by the shoulder, Almoa showed a tired but fulfilled expression.

Together, we looked up at the newly born Great Spirit Avril. The fiery bird, freshly hatched, stared intently at its master, Almoa, with adorable eyes that held an endearing charm.

Almoa smiled.

“How cute.”

“Yeah. It’s like you’ve given birth to a child of your own.”

“…”

Huh? What’s wrong? I said it casually, but now Almoa’s turning red. Did I say something weird?

“The exit is open. Come on, let’s get out of here before this place collapses completely.”

Encouraging Almoa, I started walking. The Great Spirit Avril followed behind us with fluttering wings.

I placed my foot on the edge of the gaping hole.

Plip…

“Huh? A water drop?”

I wiped the water droplet that had fallen on my cheek with my finger, but then—

WHOOSH!

A massive flood of water surged in from the hole directly ahead of us.

“Ahhh!”

“Almoa! Damn it!”

Almoa screamed, and I stiffened, trying to resist. But with the water rising to my waist, there was nothing I could do, and we were both swept away.

As my vision submerged beneath the water, I caught sight of the Great Spirit Avril struggling against the current. But for a spirit of fire, the water proved too much, and with a faint cry, it was engulfed by the flood.

The violent whirlpool completely threw off my sense of balance.

Still, I desperately searched for Almoa.

I regretted letting go of her hand due to the water pressure—until I spotted her, flailing her arms and legs a short distance away. But her body was sinking.

Could it be that Almoa… can’t swim?

The bad feeling I had was confirmed.

Almoa’s movements were growing weaker.

This is bad. I need to act fast!

Fortunately, the strong current was subsiding, and visibility was improving. It wasn’t over yet, but there was a glimmer of hope.

I swam toward Almoa. It was hard to move with all my clothes on, but I managed to grab hold of her.

I looked upward to check which direction to swim. The surface was brighter—that must be the way out.

Then I glanced downward—

I nearly exhaled all the air in my lungs.

At the bottom of the water was a massive skull made of metal.

It was collapsing.

Its enormous mouth, which had been screaming in its death throes—we were swallowed by that thing!

I locked eyes with the mysterious being.

“…!”

Its mouth moved.

Clank, clank—its upper and lower jaws began to snap together.

But it seemed unable to move from that spot. The collapse wasn’t stopping, and its jaws kept moving, as if driven by hatred.

Fragments of it scattered into the clear water.

The destruction was speeding up.

Its jaws were closing faster and faster.

(Damn it, seriously…!?)

I cursed internally.

As the skull’s movement accelerated, the water flow grew violent once more.

We were being dragged toward the bottom.

At this rate, we’d both die.

The only thing I had left was the Sample from my [Awakened Appraisal]…

As the air in my lungs diminished and a cold fear gripped me, I frantically thought about what to do.

I had copied three skills from Almoa as Samples.

[Heart of Life].

[Staff Mastery].

And [Spirit Conductor].

If I had to choose—spirit magic seemed like my only option.

I reached out toward the skull.

But I hesitated before using the last remaining Sample.

Underwater.

With Almoa in my arms, I needed a spirit magic that wouldn’t harm her, could be precisely controlled, and would be most effective in this situation.

Is there such a spell…? Even if there is, I can’t picture it.

Damn. If only I had learned more about spirit magic.

I was filled with regret.

At that moment—

A large shadow, different from the skull, passed by the corner of my vision.

A gigantic fish, easily five meters long.

Its dignified form, distinctive head, and smooth swimming that ignored the current—it was majestic.

I had seen it in a book once.

I believe it was called an Ancient Great Fish, one of the longest-living species among fish. It’s also known as the master of clear streams.

But it’s not a spirit.

I can’t control it with my skills.

I’ve never heard of it attacking people, but… why is it here?

(Damn, I’m almost out of air.)

My limbs were starting to go numb.

The Ancient Great Fish watched us carefully.

I saw the same intelligence in its eyes as the Whale of the Earth.

It was trying to communicate something, I could feel it.

Then, with this skill—

(Sample activate. Gifted Skill: [Heart of Life].)

Light enveloped me.

A tingling sensation ran through the back of my head.

And then—

“Let me ask you. Are you the fragments of that evil being or not?”

The Ancient Great Fish spoke to me.