Turning Chapter 942

Chapter 942

"...Got it. Below!"

Suddenly, something writhed swiftly in the darkness beneath their feet.

Before Yuder could fully comprehend what it was, he shifted the nature of the power he was emitting for the search. The water enveloping over ten people pushed their position in a different direction instantaneously. Simultaneously, something extended out like a lance, piercing the water before retracting.

"...!"

The members gasped, spewing bubbles and swallowing their screams. If it weren't for Yuder's reflexive response, born of his long experience, one of them might have fallen victim to that attack. Fortunately, none had lost their protective power.

Yuder, following his training, quickly surveyed his team members who had dispersed in all directions to respond and then lowered his gaze.

Something faintly lurking in the vast darkness. Thanks to Steiber's power, its concealment was breaking, gradually revealing its presence. However, its full identity remained elusive, even as Yuder directed his power toward the source of the attack.

It was like trying to separate water from water—a vague feeling. As his abilities naturally dulled, losing their sharpness and blunting his senses, Yuder became convinced of the attacker's identity.

‘It's definitely a monster, that's for sure.’

At that moment, one of the scattered members narrowly evaded another attack. The blurry assault had struck where he just was before returning. Yuder directed his power there, but the attacker vanished too quickly to be properly targeted.

Similar incidents repeated several times, most attacks aimed at Steiber. While Steiber adeptly dodged them, simultaneously using his power to reveal the monster and evading attacks was visibly taxing.

‘Moreover, the members are nearing their limits.’

Their protective power waning and breaths growing heavy, their movements slowed. Already hindered by the water's resistance, their movements in this deep sea, with its intense pressure, seemed almost dangerously constrained.

The members were moving at half the speed they started with. Yuder was faring better but had yet to fully discern the enemy's identity. Time was running short.

‘In that case…’

His decision was swift. Yuder moved his hand, adorned with a glowing bracelet, signaling the members.

Retreat!

Normally, he would have ensured everyone's safety before acting, but this time, he immediately drew upon his power. It wasn't a situation to spare any consideration.

‘No one has neglected their training so far, so they will be able to avoid it on their own.’

In his past life, Yuder often acted alone, not looking back at others, harboring similar thoughts. But unlike then, when he always had contingencies for those who couldn't evade, the current Yuder didn't bother as much.

One might say he had become more reckless and careless than before. But Yuder thought otherwise.

When he couldn't fully trust those around him, he couldn't concentrate solely on using his power. In critical moments where split-second decisions were crucial, this distraction had put Yuder in danger several times.

But now, consider the situation.

A fearsome power of water, incomparably greater than any Yuder had wielded before, surged around him. Yuder swiftly removed the bracelet he was wearing on his arm and threw it downwards, directing his power at it with a forceful release.

Gruuuuum…

The bracelet, hit by a whirlpool-shaped cannon of water, flew off, cracking from the impact. Despite the tremendous force, it had no adverse effect on the nearby members, a testament to their unwavering focus. As gaps widened, brighter light than before began to seep through until the bracelet shattered completely.

The bracelet, worn to distinguish each other in the deep-sea darkness, Yuder knew what materials were used in its making.

Nightstones, essential in crafting magic tools to illuminate darkness, are a type of magic stone. Appearing ordinary in light, they emit a natural glow in darkness—a rare and valuable material, difficult to mine and expensive. Even wealthy nobles seldom used it, considering it not cost-effective. In the Cavalry headquarters in the Capital, funded entirely by Kishiar, these stones were embedded regularly in every wall, but such places were exceedingly rare.

Importantly, nightstones are, after all, a type of magic stone. When placed in a magic stone stove, they burn and emit light. The principle of a magic stone stove burning magic stones to produce fire is...

‘To momentarily exert pressure intense enough to shatter magic stones, igniting them. Once ignited, the fire spreads to other magic stones of the same nature, continuously burning.’

The bracelets they wore, designed to withstand the depths for some time, were not indestructible.

The power unleashed by Yuder caused the bracelet to explode in a brilliant light, illuminating the water.

Huuuuk---!

Although the surroundings momentarily heated up as if boiling, it was bearable.

Before the light from the explosion faded, Yuder clearly saw something lurking below in the illuminated depths.

'If my abilities weaken and I cannot see, then I shall use my eyes.'

The very end of the deep sea, unexplored even by Yuder. The true bottom of the ocean faintly visible far below.

Beneath the shimmering light, what revealed itself was...

'...A valley, no. Is that... a crack?'

A dark and profound shadow lay at the bottom of the deep sea.

Initially, it seemed like a valley due to its enormity. But upon closer inspection, its shape was somewhat peculiar.

Yuder's eyes flickered momentarily with tension.

He wasn't mistaken. What he had thought to be a valley was actually several colossal cracks, lying dormant at the very bottom of the sea. Though they appeared small from this distance, up close, each fissure was vast enough to swallow them all without a trace.

It looked as if a giant hand had repeatedly sliced through the water, leaving long trails like cuts. From it, long, transparent tentacle-like appendages faintly emerged, wavering.

'Is that the monster Steiber sensed...?'

What had he just witnessed?

Before he could fully comprehend it, another tremendous vibration emanated from below.

Rumbling…

Simultaneously, before he could get a better look at it, the light from the shattered bracelet rapidly dimmed.

'Damn it.'

As expected, Yuder had thought the light would last much longer, but due to the vibration, its consumption was alarmingly rapid. Even so, creating fire outright in these waters was impossible. Using the power of fire underwater would only result in boiling water, as seen in the aftermath of the stone burning, but this time, even hotter.

While it was possible to disregard the opposing nature of these forces and use them if necessary, whether now was the right time was uncertain.

The largest and most unusual cracks he had ever seen. The monster, of which he had barely grasped a glimpse. Should he retreat? Or should he advance alone?

In the midst of these fleeting thoughts, a small object flew towards Yuder and tapped his shoulder. Reacting reflexively, he caught it and saw that it was a bracelet, similar to the one he had just thrown.

Turning his head, he saw Steiber waving his hand and signaling intensely.

“Use it!”

"..."

Since gaining his Eye of Magic, Yuder could see more in the darkness than before, but the other members couldn't. Without the bracelets, they were unable to properly recognize each other here.

That was why Yuder hadn't bothered to look for any bracelets other than his own.

Was it right for him, who had Eye of Magic and could descend deeper than anyone for the search, yet only managed to discern something with Steiber's help, to make a choice that could endanger his team? Looking at the bracelet, Yuder sent a signal back to Steiber, intending to return it. However, Steiber, as if he had anticipated this, shook his head without a moment's hesitation, mouthing his words clearly.

“We can't see, but you can! That's enough! Use it! You need it!”

He moved away from Yuder, proving he had no intention of taking it back. While Yuder looked at him, bewildered, another bracelet struck him on the back of his head. Catching it, he saw it was from another member.

The member seemed slightly startled that his aim had failed, hitting Yuder's head, but, undeterred, he gestured just like Steiber.

“Use mine too!”

Before Yuder could respond, another bracelet flew in from a different direction. Then a fourth, and a fifth, until several bracelets, imbued with the power of water, floated around him.

“Yuder!”

“Use this as well!”

“And mine!”