Chapter 279: Mavuika's Request
Venti's usually lighthearted tone was now tinged with the weight of history.
"You all saw that big fellow, right? It wasn't just conjured out of thin air by the Abyss. Its prototype was a failed creation of a legendary alchemist from five hundred years ago. Back then, that thing was called 'Bacunawa'—the Immortal Calamity."
He paused, his fingers unconsciously brushing the strings of his lyre, producing a low, somber note.
"Its most troublesome aspect is its undying nature. And that's not 'immortality' in the usual sense of tenacious life force, but something closer to…" Venti searched for the right words. "Hmm, an immortality at the conceptual level. Conventional means of destruction—whether it's sword slashes, axe blows, or even elemental annihilation—can hardly 'kill' it in a true sense. It always manages to re-coalesce and revive in some way. The people of that era paid an unimaginable price just to subdue it."
"And what we're facing now," Venti's tone grew even graver, "is clearly the Abyss using remnants of that creation's body, or perhaps its very concept, and infusing it with vast abyssal energy to reshape it."
"With the Abyss's power bolstering it, its conceptual-level immortality has likely become even stronger, and its inherent erosive and destructive power is far beyond what it once was. It will only be more troublesome to deal with than it was five hundred years ago."
After listening to Venti's explanation, Wise nodded thoughtfully. "Using a monster with conceptual-level immortality to counter the warriors of Natlan, who are themselves difficult to kill while protected by the Thanatos Ode…" he mused.
"The Abyss's strategy this time seems far more… astute than when we were last here." He was referring to their previous mission to rescue Kachina, where the Abyss had relied more on brute force and overwhelming numbers.
Everyone nodded, silently agreeing with Wise's analysis. The Abyss was not a mindless beast; it was learning, evolving, and actively seeking out weaknesses in its opponents' systems for targeted strikes.
Just then, Mavuika's voice, carried by the Windborne Network, reached the members of the chat group gathered below. "My friends… I can no longer attack that giant."
Her voice paused, as if she were gathering her strength.
"From this moment on, I must dedicate myself to collecting and guiding the battle intent and faith converging from the entire Natlan battlefield. I need to gather enough power for a final strike against the Abyss's true body in the sky. So…" Her voice was heavy with the burden she carried, yet firm.
"Would you kindly, for me and for all of Natlan, intercept Bacunawa? Natlan's warriors are brave, but their strength is not enough to stop this Abyss-enhanced monster from advancing."
"No problem! Leave it to us!" Lumine was the first to respond, her golden eyes shining with fearless determination.
"Isn't that why we're here?" Stelle added, hefting her star-forged bat. Her tone was as relaxed as if she were heading out for a picnic, but her gaze was exceptionally sharp.
The other members of the group voiced their wholehearted agreement, their voices a chorus of unwavering support.
Mavuika felt this unreserved solidarity, and her voice filled with deep gratitude. "Thank you… I sincerely thank you all! Please be careful. I will be watching the battle closely, and at any critical moment, I will surely intervene to protect your safety!"
With the request accepted, tactical arrangements were immediately put on the agenda.
Wise looked to Venti and Zhongli, the two most experienced individuals present, and asked respectfully, "Mr. Venti, Mr. Zhongli, what should we do now?"
Stelle, however, was already vibrating with impatience. She brandished her weapon and declared, "What else is there to do? We all charge in together and beat it up! I want to see just how many times this so-called 'conceptual-level immortality' can withstand our punches!"
Zhongli slowly shook his head, his expression calm. "That would be inadvisable."
He scanned the assembled group and began his analysis. "Not everyone here is adept at dealing with an enemy of this sheer scale., the protection of the Thanatos Ode currently seems to primarily affect the people of Natlan. Director Hu, Belle, and Wise—you all specialize in close-quarters combat and lack experience against such a foe. The risk would be too high."
"also," he continued, gesturing to the periphery, "there are still scattered Abyss monsters and corrupted areas around the Holy Fire Arena that need to be cleared and guarded. These tasks are equally important and require dedicated personnel."
On the other side of the platform, Lumine was having a difficult time trying to convince her small companion.
"Paimon, listen to me. You need to stay here at the Holy Fire Arena," Lumine said, placing her hands gently on Paimon's tiny shoulders, her tone serious.
"No! Paimon wants to go with you! That big guy is too dangerous!" Paimon stomped her feet in the air, her little face a mask of anxiety and stubbornness at the thought of being separated.
Lumine shook her head, her voice becoming softer but no less firm. "Paimon, listen. The Holy Fire Arena is where almost all the civilians of Natlan have gathered."
"Although they are protected by the Thanatos Ode and won't truly die, the pain and fear brought by the Abyss's corruption are real. Look," she said, pointing to a group of Natlan natives in the distance who were still trembling in terror despite being within the safe zone. "Even if they're physically unharmed, they're being tormented mentally."
She met Paimon's worried gaze, her own eyes filled with encouragement and trust. "Your Optimization Power is one of the most effective means of purifying the Abyss's corruption. By staying here, you can help so many people and alleviate their suffering. This is also a very important battle!"
"Paimon," Lumine said, her voice full of pride, "haven't you always wanted to be a more reliable companion? Now is the time! They need you here. They need you to show them your true power! Trust me, and trust yourself!"
After a masterful blend of coaxing, praise, and sound reasoning, Paimon finally wavered. Her small face was a battlefield of conflicting emotions.
Finally, she nodded vigorously, though her voice was thick with reluctance. "Okay, fine! Then, Lumine, you have to be careful! Don't let anything happen to you! Paimon will stay here and help everyone with the corruption problems, and I'll be waiting for you to come back!"
With Paimon reassured, the final assignments were determined.
The Astral Express crew—Stelle, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Welt—along with the battle-hardened Traveler, Lumine.
The five of them wasted no more time. After exchanging determined glances with those remaining behind, they transformed into five swift streaks of light, rocketing out of the Holy Fire Arena and heading at full speed toward the Crag Gorge.
Their mission: to do everything in their power to intercept Bacunawa.
At the very least, they absolutely could not let it cross the last natural barrier leading to the Holy Fire Arena—Tinder Hill.
However, when the five of them finally traversed the distance, arrived at the edge of the Crag Gorge, and stood directly before the colossal being, the difference between observing from afar and experiencing it up close became as vast as a chasm.
Previously, from a distance, it had seemed as massive as a mountain. Now, standing at its feet, they truly understood what it meant to be insignificant.
Its nearly two-hundred-meter height made it impossible for them to see its full form, even when craning their necks back as far as they would go. It was less a monster and more a walking, breathing piece of the landscape—a mountain that had been given malevolent life.
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