260 Continuing Mystery
Six figures dashed ahead as they crossed the vast landscape full of thin patches of grass and the occasional tree.
Central was but a mere distant image from their position as they rushed ahead, heading for what had been unknown horizons a few minutes ago.
Skullius darted forward while trying keep up with Tulnas and his ladies who weren’t holding back as much because time was of the essence.
Or so Tulnas said.
Still, Skullius wasn’t being left behind along with Red Rage who eclipsed his Discount Human form when it came to speed and with his increased endurance, he was doing just fine.
At this time, Tulnas took the chance to explain his entire conjecture to the group.
“It would seem that Primus has been used to continuously spawn Clusters. At first I didn’t know what kind of energy it was as its application was stealthy and unlike anything I had ever seen or felt. However, when things started to go wrong back in Central and the other communities surrounding it a few months ago, I quickly noted that it was hostile Primus in action and one subtle detail made me sure that this was somehow linked to the Clusters,” Tulnas said with a stern expression.
“Those that got touched by the Primus without any defence, got boils over their bodies. Many boils that spotted their skin. The idea of having diseases in general, means that our bodies are incapable or defending against a certain invading force. However, all humans, even non-combatants unconsciously draw in mana and some are even able to unconsciously wrap it around their bodies.”
“Those whom we found to be plagued by the disease would obviously try to remain alive and that would encourage their bits of mana to wrestle against the Primus. In doing so, the boils would multiply and viciously spread. Does this phenomenon sound familiar?”
Gertreld’s eyes lit up.
“The formation of normal Clusters?” she said, almost leaping up as she ran.
“That’s right,” Tulnas said with a nod.
While Primus was a form of divine energy, it was a lesser form of power compared to the other types of energy.
Bits of it released wouldn’t be fatal to humanity and could even benefit other living things.
However, the term ‘hostile’ meant that where it was originating was not a neutral or benevolent source.
“It’s common knowledge that humans have a greater form of balance than the other races mentioned throughout history. If unstable higher forms of energy are introduced to our bodies, we might as well react in the same way that Aigas does when conflicting energies mash together. And that is, unstable impurities are born based on what we already have in our bodies. Clusters and Cluster beasts.”
Natalika nodded while Ginie gripped her staff tightly.
Seeing those people suffering from the boils had really tugged at her sympathy.
“So, using the same principle, the Evenfall is trying to create chaos using Primus energy? That’s quite the dangerous fire they are messing with,” the blindfolded swordswoman said.
“Indeed,” Tulnas replied.
Skullius partially understood what the four were talking about.
The concept of humans being the most balanced creatures was a known and accepted theory that he had learned from the books he had read.
It was also true from his view that conjuring many Clusters could easily backfire, but perhaps the Evenfall had a plan for that.
The conversation turned into more of a speculation spree as the group traversed, the scenery changing rapidly.
Soon, the group started to descend under Tulnas’ lead, the landscape changing from plain, flat ground and into a deep slope as it lead into a large water mass.
A lake.
The waters looked crystal clear under the sunlight and with the cute fishes visible within, one would be inclined to jump in and have a good time.
The group stopped.
Tulnas looked to both his sides, left and right.
There was nothing out of the ordinary when one applied plain sight.
Grasses grew more around the lake while scaling up the sides where steep and steeper slopes could be seen, as if defending the sanctity of the waters.
“Hmm, clever,” Tulnas said as he scoffed. “Get back.”
Everyone backed away a bit from Tulnas who edged towards the lake.
“This is the spot. An outrageous amount of Primus is leaking and disappearing here simultaneously. Also…”
Tulnas crouched down and touched the waters with his index finger before issuing an order.
“Do it.”
From his fingertip that touched the face of the water, a ripple pulsed, going from the edge and sweeping over to the rest of the lake in beautiful arcs.
As this occurred, the once clean and clear waters started to change, dirt appearing within the mix as it sullied the once beautiful liquid.
The waters turned dark, with an almost pitch black hue as within them, the cute fishes that the group had seen before vanished, replaced by massive creature that immediately started to pull themselves out of the water and gaze at the group with barely hidden malice.
Six of them appeared, their appearances like shiny grey fish, carp to be exact, with the four limbs they used; two that looked like hands and the others like legs!
They shook off the waters from their bodies and screeched, their bodies exuding the dark purple fumes of Primus.
‘Hmmm. So these things are consuming the Primus that’s leaking from… hmm probably under the water. Those other ones from the town were probably sentries and not meant for combat. But these…’ Tulnas thought.
Skullius looked at the statuses of these creatures and saw that they were Tier 4s, also having the <Empowered> tag over their stats which was massively higher than the ones of the Ghouls.
Shimmering blue cores shone from within them under his advanced sense and the Discount Human got vigilant.
One of the giant carp fish leapt up and when it came down, it set its feet above the waters, being able to stand over them as if it was the most natural thing to do.
It was smaller than the others but everyone here could tell that it was the strongest one.
It emitted a terrible screeched as from its forehead, its muscles and bone bulged and squelched, a slit appearing as in the next moment, a purple eye appeared.
…!
Skullius was about to act, along with everyone else except Tulnas who only narrowed his eyes as he analysed when…
OOOM!
The eye brightened up a great deal, the spots of light within it turning brighter and more intense!
WAAA!
The area suddenly felt colder and then, everyone felt weightless and when they tried to speak…
“Glub, glub?”
—
[Author’s Note]
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