Ch. 641..650

Chapter 641

A knock sounded from the door and it then opened up. A tired, grey-skinned man walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Palpo, you’re late."

"Sorry... I’ve just been busy is all..." Eedaj took his time crossing the courtyard to find his seat beside Daliea. He took a moment to breathe before grabbing a few small portions for his plate.

"Palpo, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing... don’t mind me."

"What’s ’palpo’ mean again?" Lina asked.

Daliea looked across the table and answered, "It means father. And when he calls me ’dhendi’, that means daughter."

"So I’m a dhendi too?" Lina glanced at her mom, who was eating slowly and too distracted to hear the current conversation.

"Yes, yes you are, Lina," Eliza stated. "Too bad my parents can’t make it..."

"Yeah, and mine are busy drinking or running their tavern," added Maura. "Where’s--"

Another knock sounded at the door, getting Eliza to shout, "Hurry up, Mother!"

"Sorry, I’m late..." Dragas giggled, closing the door behind her. "I was attending to the new plants and got carried away. They’re developing quite nicely."

"Does that mean--"

"No, Jack, they won’t be ready by the time you leave."

As Jack sighed and stuffed his face, two people remained unlively and weren’t able to go unnoticed. After gulping down his current mouthful, Jack telepathically asked, ’Eedaj, what’s on your mind? Is it still that?’

When Eedaj nodded and sighed, Jack stated, ’Don’t worry yourself. I’ve got a plan. Just wait and see.’

’... I trust you, Jack. It’s just... Maybe consult us all next time?’ suggested the Mind God.

’I couldn’t, not this time. I should’ve warned you not read Perchet’s mind, then you wouldn’t have become so stressed out.’

’But Jack... Do you understand what you’ve done?’

’I do, and I don’t want to talk about it. What’s done is done, there’s no going back now. So please, don’t mention anything to the others. It’s better that way.’

"Jaaack?"

"Yes, Eliza?" Jack ended his mental conversation and verbally replied to his calling wife. "Need me to pass the spider soup?"

"No... I just want to know what you’re talking about with Eedaj," stated Eliza.

"We--"

"Jack, we know that face. And your glances to Eedaj give you away," explained Eliza. "If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. Then save that kind of talk for when it’s just you two, or we’ll feel left out."

"Sorry..." Cleaning his plate and readying for a second helping, Jack looked to the other awkwardly silent person. "Mom, are you okay?"

"I’m fine..."

"Then why are you letting Lina eat your food?"

"Huh?" Lunara blinked, only now noticing that Lina’s tail was swiping food from her plates. But she didn’t rebuke her daughter. "Sorry... I guess I’m just distracted..."

"Is it about Dad? Or... are you nervous about the trip?" asked Jack, getting everyone to listen in.

Sighing, Lunara gave a weak laugh. "I guess both... but mostly the trip..."

"Are you nervous about seeing the other hydras? Is that it?"

"I’d rather not show them my true form," replied Lunara.

Lina suddenly shouted, "I want to go to! Can I come, Mom?"

"No, sweetie... I don’t know what will happen to you after we go into Glacier Keep..."

"But if Moranti and the swordsman are teleporting there after the keep opens, can’t Moranti send me back home too?"

"That--"

"Please, Mom! I want to see more hydras..."

Facing her weakness, Lunara looked into Lina’s baby hydra eyes and replied, "No... not this time..."

"But why... At least tell me why," asked Lina, not giving up.

"Jack, you convince her..."

Scratching his head, Jack shared his opinion, "Actually, I think it would be fine for her to go..."

"What?!"

"Mom, I’m going too, remember? And I doubt Halmut wants the other gods to start a fight outside of the keep. He knows that with Moranti we’ll be able to transport any number of gods whenever we want. And he also knows that we can escape via teleportation, so ambushes wouldn’t work too well either," reasoned Jack. "And, if you’d prefer, I can teleport us all directly into Glacier Reef with Eedaj’s help. That is, if you’re willing to share your past memories with me."

"That won’t be needed," stated Lunara. "You’ll teleport us to the Aazoon shore and I’ll carry us there. We should find it in a day or two, giving us a day to relax and prepare to enter the keep."

"Then I get to come--"

"No!"

"Mom’’ why are you against Lina going? Is it because of the other gods... or is it because of the other hydras?" questioned Jack.

Lunara opened her mouth but paused her tongue. A moment later, she sighed, "The latter..."

"But don’t you think it would be best for Lina to at least see where her bloodline comes from? Couldn’t visiting that environment be a good thing for her, letting her fully feel how powerful her body is to endure such water pressure and cold?"

"Yeah..." Lunara admitted. "I guess... it wouldn’t be the worst thing..."

"Yay! Thank you, Mom!" Lina got up and gave Lunara a big hug, getting the Water Goddess to feel a bit better.

"... Will you really be fine that far down, Jack?" Lunara questioned, sharing the same concern of half the table.

"Don’t worry about that. Thanks to Daruun, my body can function with breathing. So traveling underwater won’t be of any worry, thanks to my water magic and my professional guide," answered Jack.

"Will you have your weapons done by then?" Eedaj asked.

Nodding, Jack replied, "Unlike the poison, I can speed up the weapons’ production. Making the deadline won’t be a problem at all. With that in mind, I should get going..."

Jack stuffed the second serving of food into his mouth and stood up. After forcing it down his throat with a satisfied smile, Jack waved to everyone. "I need to finish hammering and shaping everything. That way, tomorrow I’ll be able to inscribe the correct enchantments and begin hardening and tempering everything. Then, all that’s left is empowering them with my own energy and polishing them to look good."

Having said that, Jack was carried away in a flash of purple light.

 

Chapter 642

"... Hmmm..."

Kylon sighed, turning in her sleep. She groaned and yawned as she instinctively stretched her body. Blinking, Kylon realized she was in her human form, a rare occurrence while she slept.

"You’re awake..."

That voice startled Kylon, causing her to immediately sit up. Only then did she realize where she was. "Halmut... what’s going on?"

"You’re welcome," stated the Sun Dragon in human form. He was pacing back in force, walking through the ash-covered room.

"What... What do you mean? And what’s happened in here?"

"Perchet attacked you, remember? Tell me more about it," ordered Halmut, finally sparing her a glance.

"I..." Kylon wanted to answer the question, but she genuinely didn’t know what to say. "Halmut... I don’t remember anything..."

Showing a bit more concern, Halmut turned to fully face her. "Kylon, you teleported back here bleeding from your nose and ear, proving that Perchet was the one that attacked you. But what happened to cause this? Tell me."

"I... I... Umm... I really can’t remember..." Kylon blinked, forcing her brain into overtime. "I don’t remember fighting Perchet... Was that really what happened?"

Getting nowhere fast, Halmut looked away and glared at the wall. "Remain here and get some rest. In two days, you’ll leave for Glacier Reef with seven other Flood Dragons. I’ll summon the two Flood Dragons here for you to make demigods in the meantime."

"But... What about--"

"Just rest for now... Don’t worry. The child is alive and well."

Kylon began to feel less pressured but felt her heart suddenly skip a beat. She had caught Halmut licking his lips at the mention of their child. And for some reason, what seemed like a forgotten memory flashed through her mind. It was but a single statement yet it caused her whole body to shiver.

"Would you rather your child be raised by Skaryn or eaten by Halmut?"

The thought alone was terrifying. Kylon kept that thought to herself and tried to bury it in the back of her mind. She laid down and rolled over, letting her still-tired body go back to rest.

Halmut, on the other hand, eventually turned back with a frown. The Sun Dragon growled, keeping his anger from roaring and waking Kylon, "What have they done to you... Perchet, how dare you..."

He feared this would happen. Halmut had chosen Perchet due to Perchet’s ability to gain and protect knowledge. The Nocturnal Dragon was proficient at acquiring information from around the world but few understood how intricately Perchet was able to control sound. Halmut was one of the few that did. When he healed Kylon, Halmut had found the area that Perchet had targeted specifically. Her mind. That was the deadliness of soundwaves, and how Perchet had most likely overridden Kylon’s short-term memory.

"I’ll get him... I’ll get them all... After leaving this forsaken world, I’ll soon trample over everything they believe in and hold dear..." Halmut stole another glance at Kylon, slowly licking his lips. "Soon... Soon, we’ll be taking you and everyone from here... In Jewel, you’ll become more useful..."

*****

The next two days passed with little time to spare. All demigods had now entered Earthen Keep, including Dragas who was finally made a demigod by Moranti. Some had already ascended even, mainly Hadurt and Jin who were racing to godhood only to lose to Perchet.

Back in the Leisure Guild, the morning sun was cresting over the distant mountains. But that morning light was unable to reach Jack, how was hobbled over a worktable.

"Finally! It’s perfect!"

"YOU CALL THAT RUBBISH PERFECTION?!?!"

"Come on... be honest. It looks great, doesn’t it?" Jack began to adorn his new equipment that loosely fit under the description of armor.

"That’s absolute garbage! How dare you waste such beautiful materials!" argued Gasnon, practically in tears. "Look! The world-renowned sheen of the refined roxite has been tarnished by your terrible handiwork! How could you do such a thing?!"

Jack ignored Gasnon’s comments. He was too busy admiring his shoddy workmanship. There were seven pieces to the armor in total: one helmet, one chestplate, one backplate, two bracers over the forearms and elbows, and two grieves over the shins and knees. Together, they looked like dark, scrap metal armor made by goblins, only human-sized. And Jack sauntered around the forge with pride.

"At least you made this properly..."

Gasnon stroked the rapier, trying to make himself feel better. After finishing the hammering and shaping of everything on the first day, Jack fitted the roxite rode into the rapier after melting a thin hole through the center with concentrated fire. Then, before placing the rapier’s roxite core where it belonged, Jack etched an enchantment into the metal to allow for dark magic affinity and flooded it with his energy beyond a capacity that Gasnon had thought possible. It was the one thing that Gasnon and Moranti were proud of.

As for the scrap armor that Jack was parading through the room, it also contained powerful enchantments. Apart from hardening and tempering, the enchanting and empowering stages were the only things that Jack had done well. Everything else, the shaping, jointing, personalizing, was of the worst quality that Gasnon had ever seen.

No matter how Gasnon looked at it, he wanted to reject the notion that those two items were made by the same person. For a man to lift a legendary sword into the realm of gods was the dream of the greatest weaponsmiths, yet the same man created the worst atrocity a smith could possibly conceive, let alone be proud of.

Jack didn’t care, though. As he paraded his new armor through the room, he was fixated on his newest achievements.

[Create a pseudo-one-star weapon: claimed]

[Create a weapon that can rival a one-star cosmician’s strength but can be wielded by a mortal being. One-star reward: 7,500 skill points]

[Insufficient yet passable: claimed]

[Create a full set of armor with no practical benefits, magical benefits, or any sort of boosts whatsoever, yet it still contains enough energy to qualify as one-star level equipment. One-star reward: 10,000 skill points]

[Laughingstock of the battalion: claimed]

[Have the worst looking armor among all your peers while proudly flaunting it like a peacock, despite the armor’s complete and utter lack of attention to detail. Unique reward: 200 skill points]

It was strange, yet Jack was enjoying the smallest of his rewards the most. He was curious when he’d get a chance to prove the potency of his new masterpiece.

Chapter 643

Jack quickly gathered his things and left Gasnon’s home with only a goodbye. He stored what he called beautiful armor and left, leaving long after Moranti and just before the sun began to rise.

As Jack blinked into his courtyard, He was glad to see food on the table. All of his wives were waiting for him at the table thanks to his earlier communication and warning of his need for a fast breakfast. They didn’t say much or do anything special but they all enjoyed the slapdash breakfast that Maura had thrown together with toast, sausages, and a morning fruit salad.

Once Jack plowed through a couple of plates, he let loose a long sigh and gave each of the women a hug and kiss goodbye. After reassuring them of his imminent return, Jack teleported away.

Reappearing elsewhere in the restricted area of the Leisure Guild, Jack smiled and knocked on the door before him. Immediately, Jack’s hand was grabbed and the hero was dragged inside.

"Big Bro, are you ready now? Did you finish your armor?"

"Of course I did!"

"Then let me see it! Why aren’t you wearing it?" asked Lina.

Jack replied, "Because it’s special armor for special occasions. Until a necessary moment arrives, I don’t want any foes knowing of its existence. A surprise would be best for me." That’s when Jack spotted Lunara sitting at the table, calm yet unexcited. "Is something the matter, Mom?"

Sighing, Lunara put down her morning tea and asked, "Jack... How far down have you gone?"

"You mean underwater?" assumed Jack. The hero took a moment to think, stating, "A few hundred meters, I think. How deep is Coral Crypt?"

"An ancient dungeon like Coral Crypt has nothing on the depths that we’ll be traversing..." answered Lunara. "Coral Crypt is only seven hundred meters below the surface. Where we’re going, it’s more than ten times that depth. After two hundred meters, the sunlight begins to weaken. At one thousand meters, all natural lighting will have vanished. This is why even the gods have rarely explored the depths of the ocean..."

"What about Kylon? I thought she was known for that?" asked Jack.

"That’s why her people found me when I was young and on the run. That led them to discover the trench that leads to Glacier Reef, but Kylon and the Flood Dragons have never dared to enter that place."

"Then, how are you going to find it?"

"It will take time, but I’ll be able to sense my way back." Lunara explained, "Coming from there, I’ll be able to sense the currents and search accordingly. We’ll find it in time for the opening of Glacier Keep."

"And I’ll get to see more hydras too!"

"Calm down, Lina. That’s not a priority, though I do think it will do you good to join us. You’ve never experienced the wild of the ocean floor. That makes you the only hydra to not know of its dangers and cruelty, something you need to learn," stated Lunara.

"But I still get to go," Lina added. "Then I’ll make some more friends like me."

"I wouldn’t count on that..." Lunara sighed and finished the last sip of her tea. "I wasn’t accepted long ago and neither was my birth mother... I’m not sure how the other hydras would react to learn of our existences, Lina."

"Well, we’ll find out real soon!" laughed Lina, not backing down from her excitement.

"What if I make a light beyond a thousand meters?" asked Jack, returning to the original topic.

Lunara shrugged and stood up. "We’ll be fine, but it will attract unnecessary attention at first. For me, I’ll be able to make do without it but I’m also fine with it if you want to be able to see the underwater world for yourself. Just expect a few attacks or a swarm of sea life to be attracted the moment you light it."

"Anything we can’t handle?" Jack asked sarcastically. Yet when Lunara seriously considered the question, Jack was astounded.

"We’ll be fine, but Lina won’t be allowed to use her hydra form."

"WHAT?! Then why--"

"That’s that! Unless you don’t want to join us," argued Lunara. "I was beyond lucky to survive when I left there, and that’s because I was fleeing toward the surface. Now, we’ll be doing the opposite and at lv. 71 you’re still not strong enough to face everything down there. Having two full-sized hydras will attract more attention and I don’t want that. Understood?"

"Fine... But I’ll be asking again after we dive!" stated Lina, sticking her tongue out.

Jack laughed, "Then, we’re ready to go, right?"

"Yes... we’re both ready," answered Lunara, stepping closer to Jack. At the same time, Lina threw her arms around both Jack and her mother, anticipating Jack’s next move.

The three figures vanished from the courtyard and reappeared far to the east of Kartonia, on the edge of the map. They felt the cold wind brushing over the chilled sand of the Aazoon shore.

"WHOA!!!"

It was Lina’s first time seeing the ocean, proving just how out of depth her understanding was. Despite being one of the most powerful and well-known species among water-dwelling beasts, Lina had less experience underwater than Jack.

Without hesitation, Lunara shifted into her behemoth Nine-headed Glacier Hydra form. "Climb on and hold on tight. I don’t want to waste any time."

Jack complied and Lina took a few more moments to pull her eyes away from the oceanic view. She admired the view all the better from high up on her mother’s back, left speechless as her instincts filled her with anticipation.

"Now, we dive."

A three-word warning was all Jack and Lina got as Lunara dove into the waters heads-first at a breakneck pace. They clung to Lunara’s scales, finding the ridges on her back to have the best grip and hiding behind some of the larger scales that acted like hundreds of "small" dorsal fins. This gave Jack and Lina a place to sit and allow the water to pass without much resistance. The small, family party was on its way to the deepest parts of the world.

Chapter 644

With Lunara’s size and power, they passed through the first oceanic zone in seconds. The powerful sunlight began to dim as they passed the two hundred meter mark and it was vanishing fast.

Jack and Lina were in awe of the underwater world around them. All sorts of wildlife could be found, many of which were unfamiliar to Jack entirely unfamiliar to Lina, who was drooling at the sight of almost every new creature. But Lunara’s precaution of keeping Lina on her back immediately paid off as Jack was certain Lina’s curiosity would’ve dragged out the trip through this portion of the ocean, let alone everything deeper.

Before long, they reached the dead zone where sunlight dwindled away and left the world in permanent shade.

Lunara made no stops though and continued her descent through that place. Both Jack and Lina could feel the water pressure growing substantially but they both managed to shrug it off. Jack’s divine physique was put to good use and Lina being a Glacial Hydra, a species dwelling more than ten thousand meters below the ocean’s surface, made the shifting water pressure slightly uncomfortable at best.

A bright beam of light burst out of Jack’s hand as they entered this area. Like a spotlight, Jack peered into the briny depths of the ocean.

At the same time, a swarm of large, black eels rushed towards the light’s source. They were almost ten meters in length and half a meter in width as they barreled through the water toward Jack.

While Lina licked her lips and Jack was about to act, Lunara was the first to make her move. A layer of frost exploded out of her body and killed the lv. 50 eels on impact. However, Lunara didn’t stop, causing Lina to frown as they passed up on what she thought would be a snack.

’This is where it gets harder...’ Lunara telepathically stated, getting the attention of the other two. ’Pay close attention, Lina. Down here, without me and Jack, you would still be at risk.’

’I can handle myself, Mom,’ sighed Lina, disappointed to hear that.

’No, you can’t. Not where we’re going,’ Lunara corrected. ’Stay on my back and speak only telepathically. We don’t want to attract unnecessary attention and waste time or destroy ecosystems without a need.’

’Okay...’

’Jack, making a light is fine but don’t keep it shining on any one creature for too long. It will spook them or draw them to us,’ added Lunara.

Agreeing, Jack lessened the mana used to cast Beacon of Light and dimmed the spotlight. It wouldn’t let Jack see much at once but it was enough to look around.

To Jack’s surprise, Lunara was growling time and time again. It wasn’t very loud but Jack could guess what was happening.

’Can you see with sound waves?’ Jack asked.

’Not quite... But I’m able to roughly tell how far we are from the ocean floor, and if there’s a nearby drop-off. We’re not deep enough though, so don’t expect to reach Glacier Reef tonight.’

’Really? Is it that hard for you to find?’

’I never bothered searching for it and was focused on fleeing when I left, so I didn’t mind forgetting the way back then,’ responded Lunara.

’Can’t I swim next to you, Mom?’

’No, Lina. I don’t want to attract attention and that means we can’t interact with anything, which is what you want to do.’

’But... please?’ begged Lina.

Lunara begrudgingly answered, ’No... not this time. In the future, after we know the way, we can explore the depths together. Okay?’

’Okay...’

Amazed at Lunara’s streamlined charge through the ocean’s depths, Jack did his best to find and remember any noticeable landmarks on the way. It would come in handy in the case he wanted to visit later as well, but it also filled Jack’s mind with more wonder than ever. To have such a wondrous, unexplored world so nearby was astonishing for him.

This pace continued for a while. Lunara only slowed down after she finally reached the bottom of the ocean floor at around six thousand meters deep. They had encountered a few fish and sea life that tried to attack them and Jack’s light but nothing that could withstand Lunara’s frost body. The strongest creatures wouldn’t be found until now and even those may not attack should they sense a threat from Lunara’s gigantic presence.

’Now... We search every crevice for signs of Glacier Reef...’ Lunara sighed, getting Jack and Lina to do the same out of habit.

Lunara’s speed was lessened as she inspected the nearest drop off carefully. Rather than dive into the depths of each crevice and trench, Lunara tried to sense the currents and gauge the deeper water temperatures. It took some time but would be faster than exploring every inch of every crack.

Wildlife became harder to find. But when Jack and Lina spotted something, it was either gigantic, minuscule, or traveling in large groups.

The day passed slowly compared to their meteoric descent. And the slower it got, the more impatient Lina was. They had passed on every snack she spotted on the entire trip and were inspecting their fifteenth drop off, crevice, or trench. After a long day of doing nothing, Lina struggled to ignore her hunger.

At the top of the trench, Lunara was slowly scanning their surroundings. Jack kept a dim light searching through the pitch-black depths with only specs of bioluminescent light as a guide. Their focus was elsewhere and not on Lina.

The young, lv. 71 hydra was starving and was unable to deny her instincts. She could sense some movements in the water nearby and Jack’s light gave her a glimpse of a meal. The light revealed a giant school of small, transparent fish clustered together. Jack wasn’t too interested in the fish, having seen similar fish in the other crevices, but Lina was eager to eat.

As soon as Jack moved the light elsewhere, Lina kept her focus on the traveling school of fish. After a moment passed and her babysitters weren’t paying attention, Lina darted forward at full speed.

"Lina!"

 

Chapter 645

"Lina!"

While the Lina raced across a couple of hundred meters of water in silence, Lunara roared at her daughter.

Instantly, Jack turned the spotlight back to the school of fish and Lina closing in on them. But the school of fish instantly separated and swam away, alerted by Lunara’s verbal shout. Yet Lina didn’t stop!

"Lina! Get back!" Lunara continued to yell verbally and not telepathically.

’But I’m--’

"NOW!!!"

Not caring for her daughter’s response telepathically, Lunara roared for all nearby wild life to hear. Finally, Lina stopped in her tracks. Her eyes turned to the trench wall now a hundred meters away and her frown fell from her face in shock.

"I said get back!" argued Lunara, rushing toward the young woman.

’A human?’

A subtle, deep voice sent chills down Lina’s spine and startled Jack completely, who increased the strength of his spell to better find the source of that voice. It wasn’t too difficult thanks to matching Lina’s and Lunara’s gaze, leaving Jack with his jaw agape.

Motionless on the trench wall, Jack spotted two massive unblinking eyes. Then, he was able to make out what seemed like a massive triangular head that was as course and colorful as the trench walls, barely moving as Lunara appeared at Lina’s side. When that head twitched, Jack still struggled to find the creature’s body. That was until Jack realized that most of the visible trench wall was the creature’s body.

’A hydra... and a human... together?’

"Lina, get back now!" ordered Lunara, using one of her heads to shield the small, insignificant girl. When Lina finally moved and went back to Jack’s side, Lunara turned her attention to the two eyes and used her telepathy, ’I’m sorry for my daughter’s actions. If I replace your prey with my own food, will that suffice?’

’Your daughter... And nine heads? I’ve never heard of such a hydra... nor of such a large hydra... Are you here to challenge me’ like the others?’ The head and eyes twitched again, wary of Lunara’s every move.

Lunara replied, ’We’re searching for Glacier Reef, where the hydras come from. I’m from there but left thousands of years ago. Now, we’re trying to find it again and my impatient daughter chased away your meal by accident. I’m truly sorry.’

’Hmmm... And what of the other human? Can you spare him as my meal?’ the creature asked calmly, staring at Jack with intrigue.

’I won’t try that. He’s stronger than me.’

The triangular head twitched again and the third side opened up to show its pincer-like teeth. ’Is that so... Then I’ll accept the food you mentioned earlier...’

’Thank you.’ Lunara bowed her heads gracefully as a Giant Spider corpse appeared in the water. ’This comes from the world above the surface. I hope you enjoy it.’

’Thank you...’

’Excuse me, but are you a Mantis Levianthon?’

Turning his attention back to Jack the giant head nodded slightly. ’I am... How would you know that?’

’Would you mind if I made my light bigger?’ Jack asked, using his message skill as telepathy. ’I want to see your full size’

’And why should I allow that?’

’I’ll give you more food.’

’Oh... Then go ahead.’

With permission, Jack increased the size of his beacon of light and covered the entire side of that trench wall. Finally, the hero broke out in laughter after realizing just how monstrous this beast was and why Lunara offered it respect.

From the top of the head to the tip of its tail, the beast was incomparably long. Jack could only think of one beast whose length could pass that of the Mantis Leviathan, Dragov before ascension. Most of its body was the combination of a centipede and a lobster, clinging to the trench walls and blending in to hide from prey. What made it a mantis leviathan, however, was the upper body portion of the beast, which was basically a giant praying mantis with three pairs of long, barb-covered limbs. That portion wasn’t as long as the beast’s tail end but it was far more threatening.

Before saying anything else, Jack took out a Storm Dragon tail and let it begin drifting down the water.

Upon seeing the corpse, the mantis was impatient. Unlike before, when the mantis let the spider corpse drift to the ground, the leviathan lashed out with two of his powerful limbs. The barbs on the beast’s forearms gripped the dead flesh and tore it open as the Mantis Leviathan instantly bit into his meal. After a few seconds of ripping the tail apart and feasting on its meat, the Mantis Leviathan cleaned its pincer-like teeth and looked back to Jack.

’This... What is it?’

’Something from the outside world. Right now, we’ve got somewhere to be but I wouldn’t mind bringing you more rare foods after we’re done,’ stated Jack. ’We may be able to talk about you passing lv. 89.’

’Oh... so it’s possible?’

’We’ve already done it, that’s why she warned you about me.’

’I’d like to talk then... But after you find the hydras?’ Taking a moment to think, the Mantis Leviathan turned his head and reached out with one of his free arms. ’That way... about a thousand lengths of my body... You’ll find the trench you want... But don’t send more my way...’

’And what can we call you?’ asked Jack.

’I have no name...’

Tilting his head to the side, Jack smiled. ’Can I call you... Jinbe?’

’Hmm... That is an acceptable name...’

’Then, Jinbe, would you mind if we made a promise? It will prove that I’ll be back to see you. How does that sound?’

’Jack, you wouldn’t--’

’It’s called a mutual seal,’ Jack continued, letting Lunara sigh in relief. ’It will link us so we can find each other easier. Then you’ll be able to roam and hunt and I’ll be able to find you with ease. Then, if we can reach an agreement, I’ll help you pass lv. 89 and make you a god. How about it?’

 

Chapter 646

’It’s acceptable... There are no downsides?’

’Nope, not at our levels,’ replied Jack. ’Is that a yes?’

The giant, rock-like head nodded. ’Go ahead...’

Teleporting off Lunara’s back, Jack was ecstatic to feel the dense armor atop Jinbe’s head. It surprised the Mantis Leviathan but he did nothing to stop Jack.

"Is it possible for you to bleed? Or to secrete biogenetic fluid? For this, you’ll need a drop of that fluid.’

’It’s possible... form your seal first and I’ll comply... To grow stronger, anything...’ stated Jinbe, surprising Lunara.

’Then don’t mind if I do.’

Jack suddenly kicked up a cyclone of wind around him, creating a small bubble of air around him and the spot where he began writing. The seal was finished easily without the interference of the surrounding water, surprising Lunara further.

’It’s ready.’

Jinbe tilted his head sideways, almost ruining the seal as Jack was forced to move the air pocket as well. ’Prod my joint... A small cut from you won’t affect me at all."

Complying, Jack swam to the side and took out the rapier he had upgraded earlier. It was still only lv. 85 but was more than enough to make a small poke in the beast’s joint. Then, Jack used a medical needle to extract some blood from the small wound, which the leviathan hadn’t felt at all.

Back at the seal, Jack dripped the blood onto the seal and tapped the rapier’s tip with his finger, letting a drop of his own blood fall on the seal as well. The seal was now finished and faded into Jack and Jinbe, but the behemoth of the deep still felt nothing.

’There... we’re linked now. We can communicate from afar now and locate each other,’ Jack stated, trying his best to contain his joy.

’Then go... I await your return...’ The Mantis Leviathan nodded to the party, again pointing toward their desired trench.

’Wouldn’t you rather tag along?’

’No... My presence there would complicate things... But if you need my assistance again, contact me...’

’Then contact me if you need assistance too,’ replied Jack. ’Soon, others will be searching for Glacier Reef also. It would be best to avoid them and join us.’

’Others... Then I’ll remain hidden... Thank you for the warning, Jack..." Having said that, the Mantis Leviathan nodded and released himself from the wall. The ground shook as it landed and picked up the Giant Spider Corpse. Then, faster than Lunara’s top speed, the Mantis Levianhon bolted down into the depths of that trench.

Jack, Lunara, and Lina took off again as Lunara no longer needed to waste time searching with proper directions. She remarked, ’Lina, I told you to remain on my back.’

’But... I was...’ Lina pouted but wasn’t in the mood to argue.

’You realize what would have happened, don’t you? Lina, you were almost eaten by that thing.’

’That thing is named Jinbe and he’s my newest companion!’ Jack stated, not letting the others forget it.

’But why would you make a seal with that beast?’ asked Lunara

Jack replied with a question, ’Do you know what that beast is, exactly? You seemed to have been quite respectful.’

Lunara sighed, ’I’ve heard stories of them but never seen one. The hunters would sometimes fight over prey with such a beast, but I had long forgotten the stories until I saw it clearly.’

’It fights with Glacial Hydras? But you’ve never seen one? Doesn’t that mean it never lost against your people?’ reasoned Jack, startling Lina.

Nodding, Lunara answered, ’Never had they successfully killed such a beast but they’ve chased them away. They’re too fast for us to catch and their armor is greater than ours. But their attacks are primal at best, nothing more than physical prowess with no long-range attacks, according to what I’ve heard.’

Jack felt all the giddier. This only added to his excitement while reading his newest achievement.

[Form a seal with a primordial species: claimed]

[Discover and create a linking seal with a Mantis Leviathan, a primordial beast that predates dragons, hydras, and the like. One-star reward: 3,000 skill points.]

At first, Jack had no clue that the Mantis Leviathan was even there. His system only recognized it after getting a clear picture of the beast’s head, labeling it "Mantis Leviathan, Primordial Bloodline". Such a bloodline was more ancient than anything that Jack had seen prior, so how could Jack not want such a bloodline for himself?

’Jack? Jack?’

’Oh, sorry. What is it, Mom?’

Lunara repeated herself, no longer lecturing Lina, ’Why would you make a seal with such a dangerous beast?’

’You mean, ’why wouldn’t I?’, right?’ replied Jack. ’According to my system, Jinbe might predate your whole species. For him to remain alive this whole time, his bloodline must be insane! I need that kind of strength!’

’But I thought you could only have four beast companions?’ argued Lunara.

’The worst part of that was the sharing of EXP with so many beasts. But that’s not an issue for me now, since I’ve ascended and the seal can’t pass cosmic energy. After leaving Kartonia, EXP won’t be a thing and we’ll get pure cosmic energy without the help of the world,’ explained Jack. ’And if Jinbe’s bloodline predates event he dragons, then I want him with us more than anything right now.

’Also, what if Kylon and the Flood Dragons find him? Wouldn’t they bully him and kill him for EXP? They may be gods, but I imagine the amount of EXP a beast like Jinbe offers would be enormous, even worth the time of newly risen gods.’

’You want to protect that thing?!’

’Yeah! Someone has to!’

Lunara telepathically shouted, ’But it has killed so many of my people?!’

’I thought you never got along with your people?’ refuted Jack. ’You’re too afraid to show your true self to them yet you’re mad at a beast for sharing the same prey and fighting a few times?’

’That...’ Lunara sighed, searching for some grounds for an argument.

Jack added, ’If Jinbe needs it, I’m going to teleport and help him. No ifs, ands, or buts!’

 

Chapter 647

As Lunara had no way to argue further about the Mantis Leviathan, the party rushed through the water. Jinbe’s guidance was key as they spotted two more potential crevices or trenches along the way. But they soon arrived at a trench directly in front of them and Lunara came to a gradual halt.

The Hydra Goddess sniffed and let the water pass calmly through her gills. Faint smiles appeared on her many heads. ’This is the one... It’s faint, but I can smell the difference...’

’Then what about your hydra form?’ asked Jack.

’I’ll change that after passing another thousand meters. The influence of the hydras isn’t that large.’

’Even after so long?’

’That--’

’HALT!’

Telepathic shouts caught Lunara off guard. She had only gone a couple of hundred meters into the trench yet she was already spotted by something. Immediately, Lunara frowned and glared into the abyss.

When Jack expanded the reach of his light, they got a clear picture. Two Glacial Hydras were nearing them, both with only a single head and at lv. 84.

’What is this?!’ shouted one of the hydra’s momentarily blinded y the light.

’Sorry..." Jack dulled the light while keeping it steady through the area. This allowed the party to see the two hydras and the two hydras to better see the party.

’What...’ The leading hydra blinked, believing his eyes were deceiving him after the moment of blindness. ’You’re... a hydra?’

’I’ve come to see Glacier Keep. I have no desire to interfere with Glacier Reef or the life of my fellow hydras,’ replied Lunara, making her purpose clear from the get-go.

’Glacier Keep?!’ the second hydra shouted again, baring his fangs.

But the one in the lead was more subtle in his judgments, showing a solemn but stern glare. ’What reason do you have for visiting Glacier Keep? And how did you find this place?’

Lunara nodded respectfully and answered, ’Long ago, after being born in Glacier Reef, I fled for the upper world as a child. Now, I’ve come back to see Glacier Keep once more, and that’s all.’

’And why should we allow you to pass?’ asked the second hydra, to which the first hydra did nothing to retract.

’It’s imperative that we visit Glacier Keep.’

’Why? Explain yourselves,’ demanded the lead hydra.

Both of the hydra guards were unable to see the levels of Lunara and the two figures on her back. However, that wasn’t entirely uncommon for creatures dwelling so deep in the ocean. Sure, Lunara was larger than both of the guard hydras but that didn’t stop their pride.

’For a hydra with so many heads, you demand a lot with little information,’ argued the second hydra.

’If you prefer, I can count your heads after I let them roll...’ Jack’s casual tone stunned the two guard hydras, increasing their uncooperativeness.

’I demand an audience with the Hydra Head.’

’WHAT?!’ shouted the second hydra. ’How dare you demand such a thing!’

Lunara continued, still showing only a soft gaze at the hydras. ’I have no ill will towards my own people. I seek an audience with the Hydra Head since we’ll need his permission to visit Glacier Keep, and explaining everything to you right now would only waste our time. I’ll explain everything to the Hydra Head and the elders.’

’Or would you prefer us forcibly entering?’ asked Jack, playing the role of bad cop.

While the second hydra was entirely against it, the lead hydra guard clicked his tongue and turned around. ’We’ll escort you to Glacier Reef. It will be up to the elders if you’re allowed to stand before the head.’

’But we--’

’Enough!’ The lead hydra shut up his comrade. ’This is how it goes... You know this.’

Begrudgingly, both hydras turned and began to lead the way down the trench. Lunara followed them from a respectable distance, not too close yet not too far. She wanted to maintain a showing of respect for her people.

’So much for hiding your true self,’ Jack joked via their mental link.

Lunara sighed, ’I hadn’t considered the expansion of the hydras...’

’Too distracted and nervous to consider it?’

’... Yes...’ admitted Lunara.

’Mom, why do they only have one head?’ Lina asked

’That’s how our people were at first...’ Lunara replied, choosing her words and tone carefully. ’It’s quite common for hydras to have one head and it’s rare for our people to have three heads.’

’Then, what about us? We have nine heads... Are there any more like us?’

’No, sweetie... there aren’t...’ sighed Lunara.

’Oh... But the others are still like us, though, right? They’re still Glacial Hydras?’

Jack replied emphatically, ’Correct. Without a doubt, those two hydras leading the way are Glacial Hydras just like you, Lina.’

Lina had never felt lonely when thinking of her species, but this was the first time meeting anyone other hydras apart from her mother. It was an eye-opening experience and gave Lina the feeling that she was part of something larger than herself, a common feeling among large tribes. Pride for her species. It was a new feeling that had existed in her mother’s shadow but was truly growing after realizing that an entire civilization of her people existed in the world.

But Jack continued to question Lunara in private conversation, ’Who’s the Hydra Head?’

’That’s the hydra chosen to lead the people. The hydra head is our chief, of sorts.’

’And why can you demand such a meeting upon arrival? Those two hydras only became cooperative after mentioning that request.’

Lunara answered, ’Any hydra returning from beyond the trench has the opportunity to meet with the elders or Hydra Head in case they have urgent news to relay. That’s how the protocol works.’

’And how would you know that?’

’My mother was forced to use it a few times...’ stated Lunara.

Sensing the unwillingness in her voice, Jack stopped himself from asking more about the matter. He thought it would be better to ask about such a sensitive topic when the situation was more fitting.

 

Chapter 648

As they dove deeper, the two guard hydras were joined by others. A small handful of hydras passed them to assume the now-empty patrol positions near the trench’s entrance while four more one-headed hydras created a perimeter around Lunara. With two at the front, one on each side, and two at the back, the hydras made sure to show their strength in numbers and force Lunara’s cooperation.

’Why so many?’ Jack asked Lunara.

Lunara sighed, ’Because someone threatened to make heads roll...’

’Oh... I guess that’s a fitting reason...’ Jack scratched his head and went silent.

They rushed through the cold, dark water and no one stopped Jack from emitting his dim light. Rather, Jack had stopped casting the spell of his own accord.

After passing what Jack assumed was another few hundred meters, bioluminescent flora and fauna became more prominent. The deeper they went, the more diversity there was in the plant life, which baffled Jack and filled Lina with awe. Such a beautiful sight was something they hadn’t found in the other trenches, instantly proving that the trench leading to Glacier Reef was completely unique.

’They’ve planted more...’ Lunara quietly stated, for herself and the other two to hear. ’Before, these plants existed another thousand meters down... They’re growing a lot...’

The party passed more and more hydras along the way as the lighting was no longer an issue. It was still dim light compared to the surface but it was more than enough to guide the way so deep in the ocean. Also, they started to see a return of wild life living in the hydra-made ecosystem. Both luminescent and non-luminescent creatures added to the surrounding beauty.

’Wait, Lina. After we meet with the Hydra Head, I’ll give you all the food you could want.’ Lunara already knew what her daughter was thinking, spotting the diverse amount of fish and feeling hungry herself.

’Okay...’ Lina replied, not wanting to go against her mother on the matter. She still vividly remembered spotting those giant eyes of the Mantis Leviathan and feeling like she had become the prey of another. It was an experience that Lina would never forget.

They never stopped. Their escorts instead increased the pace, forcing Lunara to barrel downward to match their top speeds. It was sudden and easily noticeable but the party didn’t question the abrupt change. Likely, there were some telepathic orders given to increase the pace for some reason.

After crossing at least a couple thousand meters, the solar of the water began to change. The harsh darkness was growing softer bit by bit.

’There’s light so deep?’ Jack asked.

Lunara explained to Jack and Lina, ’That’s from Glacier Reef. It’s a reef made of glowing ice and it lights up the entire trench floor.’

’Such a thing exists?!’

’Pretty...’ Lina was entranced by the surroundings as the water grew colder and colder. For some reason, her body was feeling more at home the deeper they went. And the plant life was also changing the closer they got to the bottom, pulling Lina’s curiosity further into a trance.

The water was now as bright as it was a few hundred meters below the surface, but the color was different. It was slightly green yet still blue. As they got closer and the trench walls began to expand further apart, Jack was also left in awe. The view was far beyond anything he had imagined.

Finally, they could make out the bottom of the trench, at least what looked like the bottom of the trench. But the trench floor was now wider than all of Federal City and Gilga combined, without question. And covering a majority of the trench floor was a vast stretch of soft, neon blue ice with no hard edges whatsoever. An astounding array of different natural structures and plant life spread across that glowing ice, which made the area nearly as bright as the surface. That light was also cast against the base of the trench walls as the ice structure was lifted just above the trench floor and the glowing underbelly of Glacier Reef was what created the most ambient lighting by far.

There was no welcome for the party. No verbal greeting or explanation by the escorts. Yet, the party felt as if nature itself was welcoming them to the most beautiful place in all Kartonia.

As they reached one hundred meters above Glacier Reef, the escorts changed course and swam directly over the large reef. This allowed the party to realize another fact about the beautiful scenery. Glacier Reef was far longer than it was wide. It went longer than their eyes could see.

They passed many different biomes existing on Glacier Reef alone, including what looked like a forest of giant, turquoise kelp, a tundra covered in swaying coral tubes and sponges far larger than any human, anemone-like creatures that were many times larger than the average Glacial Hydra, and more.

Another thing that startled the party was the number of Glacial Hydras in the area. There weren’t dozens. They had already spotted a few hundred as they entered the area. Some hydra heads poked out of that kelp forest and even more were seen living inside of the countless Giant Anemones, which exited in various patches of Glacier Reef with each patch varying in different color and size. Such anemones grew larger as they got closer to the center of Glacier Reef.

They began to near what had looked like tiny structures of ice from the distance. Only now Jack and Lina understood their true size, which matched the skyscrapers of Jack’s old world or even surpassed them.

It was as they eventually neared the structures that the escorts began to slow their pace. They reached a casual swimming speed as they entered what Jack assumed was what the hydras’ more "industrialized" area. Countless buildings of different shapes and sizes dotted the vast central area with grid-like swimming paths carved into the semi-translucent, glowing ice. Experiencing the city with their own eyes was absolutely breathtaking.

 

Chapter 649

Countless eyes spotted the party, namely Lunara, as they swam overhead for the city populace to see. The few faces that they could make out from afar were filled with shock and disbelief, but some also showed a demeaning glare.

Lina was silent but the serene beauty of the city was dulled somewhat by the stares she felt from her own species. Everything was beyond her expectations. The stunning reef defied description and imagination, yet the stares of the hydras grew less friendly the closer they got to the center of the reef. Lina didn’t know what to feel at the moment.

Finally, they halted their charge outside one of the most central and grand buildings. It looked like a giant manor constructed from ice, sized for the giant hydras with many courtyards and smaller buildings connected to the main manor.

One of the hydras at Lunara’s side, the highest leveled one at lv. 88, came forward and telepathically shouted, ’Elder Hindrad, we’ve brought a returning hydra who seeks an immediate audience!’

’Proceed!’

The six escorts moved again, leading Lunara to enter the giant manor. They landed in a courtyard and walked the rest of the way, taking their time and remaining silent with occasional glares back at Lunara and the two smaller figures on her back. Lunara ducked her heads at the entrance and followed without a word.

They traveled through a few hallways of ice with ceilings adorned in bioluminescent purple moss to give the manor a regal glow. The intricate of the manor’s walls showed how carefully the building was made, also showing Jack how stuck up the owner was.

When they reached a giant archway, the two escorts at the front moved aside. The same hydra that spoke outside the manor ordered, ’Enter. Make haste and don’t waste any more time of the elder.’

Jack wanted to say something but he remained silent as Lunara obliged immediately and descended a flight of stairs into what looked like an icy courtroom.

The escorts moved to the side and joined a few rows of fellow hydra guards. While Lunara stood at the lowest and centermost position of the room, hydras lined both sides of them at the same height as the usual ground. Before Lunara was a raised platform where three hydras lounged and glared at her, one being the focus with the largest and most vibrant cushion as well a band of glowing ice around his head.

’State your case and cause for my audience,’ snarled that lead hydra, getting right to business.

Cordially, Lunara bowed her nine heads and stated, ’I seek an audience with the Hydra Head, as we’ve come to visit Glacier Keep.’

’Preposterous!’ the hydra elder exclaimed with a chuckle. ’Such an ugly hydra seeks to visit Glacier Keep? Is that the only reason you invoked your right to an audience with me?’

’This is of utmost importance, Elder, that I can assure you.’

’Begone! And don’t bother wasting any more of our time!’

’Elder, I’m sorry but we can’t take no for an answer. I must speak with the Hydra Head.’

’Impossible! I should run you back out of the trench, but that would only offer you another attempt at an audience!’ laughed the elder. ’Good luck finding a home in the slums.’

’Elder, you--’

’However, those two creatures on your back must either be slain or removed from the trench,’ continued the elder. ’Shall I have them escorted or executed? Take your pick.’

’I OBJECT!’

Jack’s resounding telepathic shout startled the entire crowd and gained the disdain of the elder. ’You have no right! I’ve decided, you’ll be slain!’

A couple of hydra guards rushed downward, ready to attack. At the same time, Jack smiled and sighed. But Lunara immediately shouted, ’WAIT!’

’Hmm? What? Do you defy an elder?’ asked the old hydra from the comfort of his cushion. He had lifted one of his webbed claws, getting the guards to stop their charge just out of reach of the nine-headed hydra and those on her back. ’Do you understand the offense that you’ve committed?’

’I implore you, Elder. We must see the Hydra Head immediately. If not--’

’Speaking back against an elder’s official ruling is punishable with exile,’ the hydra elder stated without a care in the world. ’As such, you’ll be forced beyond the trench and will forever lose the right to enter. Should you attempt it, the guards will slay you on the spot.’

’Elder, we must--’

’That’s final. Now, kill those two pests and escort her to where she belongs!’

’Sorry, Mom...’

Unable to stop Jack any longer, Lunara accepted Jack’s apology and hoped for the best.

’WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS?!?!’

The elder’s sudden shouts perplexed the entire room, at least until they noticed a small figure holding a weapon to the elder’s throat. Those that were charged with slaying the creature were the most startled of all, as they only saw a strange flash of purple light before the creature was gone.

’You’re no hydra...’ Jack mocked the elder with a laugh. ’You’re merely a frog lurking at the bottom of the deepest well... Do I need to broaden your horizons, or will you allow us to meet the Hydra Head?’

’Empty threats! Such a worthless, disgusting--’

The elder’s words ended with a sharp humming sound, followed by the plop of something large hitting the icy floor.

All hydras present were shocked speechless. They all felt they were no longer in reality.

To shut up the elder, Jack had simply lowered his rapier and cast spatial slash, instantly beheading the lv. 89 hydra elder. It was an immediate wake-up call for all hydras present.

’Jack... Please?’ Lunara sighed and begged Jack as the only one unsurprised apart from Lina.

’Fiiine...’

As if he was completely the most difficult of chores, Jack teleported to the lowered ground and picked up the hydra head before teleporting back to the elder’s seat. Jack carelessly placed the head back onto the motionless corpse and flooded the dead body with holy energy, resealing the severed neck.

 

Chapter 650

The great hydra elder felt a rush of breath enter his lungs and life come back to him. He was seen panting heavily before the further shocked crowd, and rage filled his eyes.

’How dare you--’

Without batting an eye, Jack cast spatial slash yet again to behead the hydra anew. But Jack caught the head and immediately placed it back while casting revivification simultaneously.

When the elder experienced death and revival for the second time within the span of a minute, he was all the more furious. "This--"

Again, Jack beheaded the hydra and instantly revived him. And Jack did it so casually, still acting like it was a chore. This time, Jack began speaking the moment the elder was revived, stating, ’You do realize you died, right? As in, you lost your life and are only alive now because of her?’ Pointing to Lunara, Jack continued, ’If not for her, I wouldn’t mind leaving you headless and feeding your corpse to others as a delicacy. She’s requesting an audience with the Hydra Head, but I’m ordering you to grant us an audience. Get the picture?’

’Why would--’

Jack mercilessly severed the hydra’s neck again and mercifully revived the elder in the following seconds. ’I’m ordering you to grant us an audience with the Hydra Head. Or will I need to take your head as collateral for such a meeting?’

The hydra elder kept quiet. He made no moves, neither with his head or the rest of his body. With every fiber of his being, the hydra elder wanted to deny Jack the privilege of immediately meeting their ruler and banish such disrespectful filth. Yet he now understood how incapable he was in the face of Jack, something that defied all logic of the Glacial Hydras.

’Shall I give you another lesson?’ asked Jack. ’I wonder how many times we can do this before I’m out of mana...’

’Your audience is granted!’ a shout came from the audience, surprising many.

The hero looked down at the room’s entrance and sighed, meeting the gaze of another hydra wearing a similar headband to the speechless elder. ’How soon?’

’They’ve already begun to prepare the meeting place and I’m sure the head will be glad to welcome you. Please, follow me,’ the elder replied with a bow, glad that he had arrived when he did.

’Very well...’

Jack teleported back to Lunara’s back and sat beside Lina, who was feeling mixed emotions. Witnessing Jack killing her people so casually was harder than she expected but she was also shocked to see the amount of loathing that her mother was receiving.

When the six guards from earlier tried to follow as well, that hydra elder shook his head. ’I believe there’s no point in your presence. Would you disagree?’

’We--’

’Thank you, Elder,’ the lv. 88 hydra from earlier spoke out, silencing the other unwilling guards who were furious at Jack’s outburst.

Glad to have a level headed captain, the elder ordered, ’Return to your usual duties. I’ll handle things from here.’

As the six guards were left behind, Jack confirmed some of his prior beliefs. Each hydra had some means of showing its status. The elders wore headbands made of the ice from Glacier Reef with an occasional gemstone embedded at the center, like the arrogant hydra elder that Jack toyed with. The hydra guards had armbands made from ice but in different colors, mostly being blue yet the lv. 88 wore a greener ice band.

’I’m sorry for causing you such trouble,’ the guiding elder stated. ’You may call me, Artrat. Please, don’t assume that Elder Hindrad and his beliefs are shared by all hydras.’

’Really?’

Glancing at the third formerly silent figure, Artrat chuckled, ’The purpose of you being brought to Hindrad was clear. At the moment, the issue of discrimination is at large. One side holds fast to old beliefs and traditions while the faction wanting equality is growing beyond their control. And the newest head leans in our favor on these matters, though he’s been waiting for the best time to act against widespread segregation of the hydras.’

’And that involves us because she has nine heads?’ deduced Jack.

’That’s right. The arrival of a nine-headed hydra is unheard of and will shock the hydra people.’

’You mean... there are more hydras with multiple heads than before?’ Lunara questioned.

Artrat nodded and led the small party toward another even larger building at the very center of the glacial city. ’That means you’ve lived since long ago? I heard you once lived here but I recall no nine-headed hydras in my time. And you definitely don’t look older than me.’

’She has a husband, by the way.’

’Jack!’

Laughing, Artrat stated, ’I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, for millennia, there’s been a shift in the amount of heads hydras are born with. Now, the majority of hydras are born with three heads and some three-headed hydras have managed to become elders a well.’

’Seriously... That’s wonderful!’

’But that only encourages those holding to tradition to grow more radical,’ added Artrat. ’Hindrad is the perfect example of that. Now, you’ll have your first meeting with the head, but don’t expect it to be the last. I’m sure the elders will be making moves involving your return here. However--’

’I’m not returning,’ stated Lunara. ’We’ve only come to visit Glacier Keep. That’s all.’

’Well... That will be hard for us elders to swallow, as both sides will seek to do something about your arrival. And this is the first time any other powerful creatures have entered the reef, so I’m still unclear on how that will be handled,’ replied Artrat. ’But I assure you, we’ll do our best to treat you fairly while these two guests are in the reef.’

’If anyone tries anything against her, I’ll kill them. And I may not be in the mood to revive them afterward, even if she asks me to.’ Jack presented his thoughts clearly, for both Artrat and Lunara to understand. ’As for the issue about Glacier Keep, the hydras are unable to stop what’s coming.’