Chapter 475: Activation

Black magic is categorized into four major branches.

The most basic, easy to learn, and stable branch is the Fire branch.

Though it carries some risks, the Disease branch can be highly useful and powerful in certain situations.

The Manipulation branch demands many resources, but it shows potential for various development paths.

“And finally, we have the Creation branch.”

Oliver spoke to Joanna.

Joanna, as a Holy Knight, also had some knowledge and responded.

“The Creation branch is the hardest to learn and the most complex to use, right?”

“Yes, that’s why the information available on it is the least as well.”

In fact, among all the black magic books Oliver collected or bought during his time as a problem solver, Creation branch books were the least frequent, even including those from his master Joseph’s library.

Unlike the Fire branch, which only requires talent in black magic, or the Manipulation and Disease branches, which need medical knowledge, the Creation branch demands something special.

“Imagination, creativity, sincerity, and things that are hard to define. That’s why, apart from talent, the Creation branch is difficult both to use and to study.”

“······Is it hard for Dave to use as well?”

“Hmm······. It’s a bit tricky.”

Oliver thought for a moment before answering.

Minion, Child, Hunger. While Oliver found making creatures useful, he wasn’t particularly good at using Creation branch magic as a whole.

Because elements like imagination, creativity, and sincerity were what held him back.

As proof, every creature Oliver made was just an adaptation or imitation of his master Joseph’s creature, the Eater.

Hunger was an exception, as it was heavily inspired by the spirit that Kevin used, but even then, it didn’t stray far from the Eater, which was based on hunger.

“But how do you know this was made by Fen?”

“It’s tricky to use, but not hard to analyze. You can see it with your eyes.”

Oliver stared into the large amount of emotions, corpses, and souls that made up the intestines.

It made sense, given it was meant to cover the entire abandoned mine, but it still raised questions.

What could Fen have used all this material for?

The scale of materials used here wasn’t about cost, the problem was getting them in the first place.

Using such a massive amount just for a desperate move was excessive. Escaping through the blockade would have been easier if Fen had helped.

Yet, Fen used even more resources. The only explanation was one clear intent. Especially with Fen’s assistance.

To confirm, Oliver opened his canteen and took a drink.

“······.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, the water’s refreshing. But, Joanna, what do you want to do now?”

“What?”

“Honestly, all I want now is to get your advice, Joanna.”

“······.”

“But, I made a deal and took this mission. I’ve come to assist the Holy Knights by my own will, and right now, the only Holy Knight in front of me is you, Joanna. So, what do you want to do?”

Joanna, who had been shaken by doubt, guilt, faith, and hesitation regarding the mission, slowly found stability in her eyes thanks to Oliver’s words.

“Will you ······. help me?”

“That’s my job.”

Oliver stated it as if it were obvious. He intended to do his best to help with the mission.

However, Joanna felt unexpectedly relieved and grateful.

She considered saying it was nothing to worry about but decided to stay silent when she saw Joanna deeply pondering over something.

“······What does Dave think of the current situation? Is it dangerous? Can we proceed with the mission?”

A Holy Knight asked a Warlock for their opinion.

It might have seemed ironic at first glance, but Oliver answered sincerely without caring much. It really didn’t bother him.

“I can’t say whether it’s dangerous or not.”

“So it’s fine?”

“No, it means even I can’t tell how dangerous it is. The Creation branch is hard to learn and difficult to use, but it carries unknown possibilities. You can’t predict what kind of creature will emerge depending on the magician’s skills and materials. It’s hard to offer an opinion, especially with Fen, who specializes in Creation branch magic, as our opponent.”

Although nothing was certain, Joanna seemed to be lost in deep thought, as if Oliver’s answer was enough for her.

Oliver added more to his explanation.

“What is clear, though, is that Fen didn’t come here without serious determination. The materials used in these intestines covering the abandoned mine aren’t normal.”

Oliver instinctively pointed to the intestines. Strangely, the intestines flinched as if they were afraid.

Upon hearing Oliver’s words, Joanna focused her Holy Power in her eyes, radiating a golden glow as she looked around. Oliver also used his Warlock’s Eye to examine the surroundings.

The intestines that transformed the mine tunnel into themselves had already deformed the passageways significantly, pushing those trapped by Fen’s shadow into even more unfavorable positions and further isolating them. Some were even dissolved by gastric juices, only to get devoured by creatures.

It was literally like being inside Fen’s stomach.

“Dave.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Can you open a path, like you did earlier when you helped me?”

“Of course.”

Oliver drew out his blood-red dagger again. Seeing this, the intestines convulsed as if panicking.

***

“This crazy bastard······.”

Somewhere in a massive underground cavern within First Step.

Fen, with his eyes closed, suddenly muttered this.

Although Fen’s voice wasn’t loud, anger seeped into it, causing everyone around to stop what they were doing and look at him.

Fen, who sat on a grand, ornate throne that didn’t suit his small frame, wearing a Warbonnet, symbolizing leadership.

Although the throne and Warbonnet were symbols of kingship, Fen’s youthful appearance made them seem out of place.

“Leader! Leader!”

A child draped in a skunk cloak came running noisily towards Fen.

The child’s small build, awkward speech, and fidgety movements indicated how young he was.

“Leader! Leader! Leader! Leader! Leader! Leader! Leader! Le-”

-Smack!

Fen, opening one eye, boxed the boy’s head mid-sentence.

“Quiet, Tootles, you fool!”

Tootles, rubbing his head in pain, apologized.

“Sorry, Leader······.”

But his eyes welled up with tears, more out of frustration. All he wanted was to check if Fen was alright.

“Are you okay?”

Tootles wasn’t the only one concerned about Fen, as Unbent Knee, one of the leaders among the Red Ones’ Warlocks, approached and quietly asked.

Unbent Knee was the only Warlock among the Red Ones who could use soul magic.

‘Though it requires the true consent of the tribe.’

“Is something wrong?”

When Fen didn’t respond, Unbent Knee asked again.

Fen adjusted the Warbonnet on his head and answered.

“It’s nothing serious.”

“So there is something.”

Clever brat. Fen cursed internally.

These Red Ones weren’t like the fools drumming and dancing around the bonfire with Lily. If only they were.

The Bubbling Mass that had been resting behind the throne stood up, influenced by Fen’s emotions, emitting its distinctive, indescribable sound.

Seeing this, the Red Ones and Lily who were performing a ritual out of fear showed signs of retreating.

Oh, no, that wouldn’t do. That wouldn’t do at all.

Fen raised his hand to calm Bubbling Mass and then spoke.

“Something did happen. A small thing······. One of the intruders is breaking through the intestine tunnel to reunite with their companions.”

“Is that possible?”

Unbent Knee asked in his unique, rigid tone. Although he didn’t look particularly surprised, his emotional state showed he was quite shocked.

Fen felt the same way.

Unlike other Creation branches, the Intestine Tunnel which overlays a space with a creature, was one of Fen’s proudest creations.

The amount of materials consumed was tremendous, and it exponentially increased with the size, but the fact that the Intestine Tunnel could fully dominate the space made it a small Neverland of its own.

It could alter its structure at will, crush the space itself, affect the internal environment, and use sticky darkness to blind those inside—it was Fen’s own tiny kingdom.

But that wasn’t all. Though the conditions were strict, the Intestine Tunnel could create numerous creatures using the grudges lingering in the site and could even dissolve people into ingredients for black magic through its gastric juices.

Its interior was so strong that it resisted destruction by either Holy Power or magic.

In short, everything inside was practically his toy.

‘But, that crazy guy······.’

Fen felt an indescribable emotion as he thought of Dave.

‘Or was it Oliver?’

Whether Dave or Oliver, whoever it was, had managed to break through the Intestine Tunnel, something only one person had ever done before.

And they did it using the dagger they used when subduing the Flesh Cook who’d turned into a dragon.

It was no ordinary dagger. Otherwise, there’s no way the Intestine Tunnel, which was under Fen’s control, would simply open a path for him out of pain and fear. Damn it, it was baffling.

Creatures inherently don’t obey their masters and might even turn against them, but wasn’t Fen their master?

Fen, a Finger of the Black Hand, the master of Neverland, and above all, a prince. It was utterly humiliating to have the control of his creature taken like this.

He felt so furious that even slaughtering all the stunned Red Ones wouldn’t be satisfying.

Bubbling Mass and the surrounding creatures, reacting to Fen’s anger, began shedding their usual dreamlike forms.

It was a tense moment, as if something could explode at any second. That’s when Fen saw it.

Amid the bonfire, the totems, Lily, and the Red Ones beating drums and dancing, a faint hellish aura flowed. The presence of a demon, just like in his childhood!

Fen, forgetting his anger, waved his hand urgently and shouted.

“Continue the ritual! Continue!!”

Seeing Fen’s unusual reaction, the Red Ones began drumming and dancing again, and Lily, the centerpiece of the ritual, climbed onto a large drum and danced passionately.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

With every nimble step Lily took, the air trembled, and Fen realized the demon was showing interest in this place.

Damn it! That’s right, the demon was finally paying attention! To this place! To him!!

He actually thought he was making a mistake earlier when he was about to kill everyone and abandon the ritual.

“Tootles, Unbent Knee.”

“Yes, Leader!”

“······.”

“You will have to buy me some time. I’ll send some creatures to support you. Shadow!”

Fen loudly called out to his shadow, the creature he made using his own shadow as a medium.

In the darkness of the underground cavern, where only the ritual bonfire provided light, Fen’s shadow walked out.

Fen noticed his shadow had an uncomfortable appearance, different from usual, but decided against asking. What did it matter? The important thing was that the ritual was finally beginning to take effect.

Fen gave an order to his shadow.

“Take these guys and deal with the guests. Go!”