Chapter 587: The Devouring Monster

There are said to be five stages to accepting death.

First is denial.

Second is anger.

Third is bargaining.

Fourth is depression.

Fifth is acceptance.

An interesting fact is that these stages don’t just apply to death.

Similar patterns can be found in life’s great hardships, like lawsuits, breakups, accidents, business failures, and even discovering family secrets.

“Oliver must be at the third stage… bargaining.”

Floating in the middle of the sea, Merlin thought this while rubbing his face, starting from his chin all the way to his hair.

It’s the stage where you realize the truth but try desperately to delay, avoid, or somehow change it.

Perhaps that’s why Oliver sought Merlin’s help.

“Did he really ask for my help because fighting the sea monster was too difficult?”

“…Yes, it’s very difficult and terrifying.”

Oliver was trying to break free from the prophecy. If he could just do that, maybe he could escape his fate too.

It might be foolish, but it was a desperate effort.

Merlin could only guess how much agony and pain Oliver had faced to reach this stage.

Despite the century-old knowledge passed down from the previous Archive.

“Sigh…”

Grrrrrr…!!

As Merlin lamented his ignorance and helplessness, a massive cry interrupted.

It was the roar of the sea monster.

This roar was so enormous that it caused ripples across the sea, which was under magical control.

For a normal person, this sound would have been maddeningly unreal.

But Merlin remained unperturbed, offering only an apology.

“Ah… sorry for calling you a salamander,” Merlin said as his wrinkles vanished and his hair grew back.

He had reverted to his youthful self, a man in his twenties.

But Merlin didn’t find this rejuvenation pleasant. The reason being –

“Whenever I take this form, my temper flares, and I start saying and doing things without thinking. If that insulted you, I apologize… Crocodile.”

ROAAAAAR…!!

The sea monster roared fiercely, displeased by Merlin’s apology.

Though being called a crocodile was better than a salamander, it still insulted the sea monster.

From the sea monster’s perspective, the frustration was understandable.

The sea monster’s body glowed in a bright emerald hue. Although its outer appearance vaguely resembled a crocodile, it was far from being one.

Neither the monster nor others could mistake it for a mere crocodile.

What crocodile could rival the size of a small continent?

What crocodile could create a tsunami just by moving?

What crocodile could sink an island by swinging its limbs?

What crocodile could manipulate water at will?

What crocodile could swallow a ship whole?

What crocodile could challenge an entire nation?

Created by Fen, the sea monster Leviathan was certainly no crocodile.

Except, perhaps, in one person’s eyes.

“Sorry, but you honestly just look like a giant crocodile to me.”

Merlin, who was tinier than a fly compared to Leviathan, spoke calmly.

This made it seem even more sincere.

Because he truly meant it.

“Phew…”

Merlin was puzzled.

Why didn’t his master or previous Archive kill this crocodile?

Even though the Archive receives knowledge and experience passed down by predecessors, there were always subtle nuances or gaps left out. This was one of them.

Why didn’t the master finish off Leviathan? Merlin could only speculate.

“Was it because he feared disturbing the prophecy?”

It was very possible.

Like most Archives, his master was both a pessimist and a conformist.

He wouldn’t take the risk of interfering with apocalyptic events.

The apocalypse is a grand and delicate machine.

You can’t just avoid or delay it.

Perhaps it would’ve spiraled into an even worse situation.

Merlin agreed with that.

“But I’m not sure if this creature is that monster.”

Merlin pondered as he stared at the emerald “crocodile” amidst the split sea.

Sure, it was a giant sea monster, and it lived in the Western Sea, but could this really be the apocalyptic monster from the prophecy?

The Devouring Monster.

It was hard to describe… but it seemed lacking somehow.

A crocodile controlled by a little shadow stuck between its eyes as the apocalyptic monster? It felt laughable.

ROAAAAAR!!!

Whether due to Merlin’s expression or the shadow’s words, the sea monster let out an enraged roar.

In that moment, the sea held in place by Merlin’s magic crumbled.

The sea monster seized the opportunity to recapture some control of the sea, creating multiple colossal waterspouts to attack Merlin.

Each waterspout spun in different directions, attempting to grind Merlin like a blender.

SWOOOOOSH!!

But they were blocked by a massive watery hand.

“…!!”

The moment the sea monster created those waterspouts, Merlin had used the ocean water to form a giant titan.

The Sea Titan, with a voluminous beard of foam and a gigantic trident made of underwater rocks.

The titan was as large as the sea monster, except there were not one, but three of them!

WHOOOOSH…!!

The Sea Titans surrounded the monster, each positioning their tridents and thrusting them toward it.

The sea monster retaliated, using its mighty form and the massive tidal waves, while glaring at Merlin with its gigantic jaws open.

Its vast mouth cast a shadow over everything.

Merlin extended a hand crackling with powerful electricity.

“Well… I should help out my struggling disciple. The monster also seems to be all it can muster.”

With those words, Merlin unleashed a flash of lightning from his hands.

***

KRRRRRAAAANG━━━━!!!

“…!”

The deafening thunder caused Hook to turn around.

Four colossal Sea Titans had risen, their vast forms reaching towards the heavens, casting a fierce light across the horizon.

It was a scene as awe-inspiring as Leviathan, perhaps even more so.

Hook was at a loss for words.

He had sailed the wide seas and witnessed all sorts of things, but even he couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of what he was seeing.

‘Is that person the most unbelievable of all?’

Hook thought as he looked at Dave, who was steering Wendy alongside him.

He had anticipated some unexpected abilities from Dave, prepared as he was to face the sea monster, but not to this extent.

Despite the absurdity of it, Hook observed with calm awe.

He was amazed at Dave’s extreme preparations and still more by Dave’s unwavering resolve as he stared ahead.

Even knowing Dave was a powerful sorcerer who had rapidly grown in skill within Randa, Hook hadn’t expected this.

And so Hook felt his heart begin to race.

Maybe, just maybe, they could actually save the children trapped in Neverland.

This had been his goal all along, but honestly, Hook hadn’t really expected success.

For the reasons mentioned before.

Like opening a book despite having no intention to study.

Like doing something out of obligation or guilt, even knowing it was doomed from the start.

So, when they crossed the long-impenetrable mist, Hook could only marvel, still doubting if they could really reach Neverland.

He had wandered in place for thirty years.

But upon seeing someone stand against the sea monster, a small hope began to grow within him.

Maybe, after thirty years, he could finally fulfill Wendy’s request.

“Captain Hook.”

At that moment, Dave spoke.

“Several creatures are closing in rapidly.”

Dave’s keen eyesight alerted Hook.

Recognizing the threat, Hook instantly understood what it meant.

Though an early version, Hook had once lived in Neverland himself.

He knew the gatekeepers around it.

“Ah…”

A beautiful melody suddenly echoed around them.

Hook instinctively realized what it was.

“Sirens! Block your ears!”

His warning was almost instinctual. Oliver, First, Second, and all the sailors on Wendy followed suit, covering their ears.

Once he had checked this, Hook pulled another lever next to the helm.

CLANG.

A loud clanking sound rang out, and the figurehead on Wendy opened its mouth. Then.

[Sleep tight, my dear! In the front yard and back garden!!! Even the birds and little lambs!!!]

A horrifying song began to blare, loud enough to really shatter eardrums.

It wasn’t just a metaphor; it was an actual, ear-splitting noise.

The sirens, who had been singing around Wendy, began bleeding from their ears as proof.

“Kyaaaa!!”

“Grrrrrrrk!!”

With their eardrums torn, the sirens screamed in pain and fled in all directions. Hook didn’t miss the opportunity and commanded the crew.

“Fire!”

Hand cannons, submachine guns, harpoon guns, and cannons – a hundred or so of Wendy’s crew took aim at the retreating sirens.

Some of the sirens evaded with their unique agility, but were quickly pierced by bullets from Second, who now controlled the Zombie Puppet Durance, and vanished.

“Sirens’ songs enchant people.”

After driving away the sirens, Hook explained.

“Though not physically harmful, they are dangerous because they target the mind. Especially men. That’s why we needed to counter them with a song.”

“Is it Wendy’s song? The one she first sang for you, Captain Hook?”

“Yes, Fen’s sirens also tried to kidnap the children from early Neverland with their songs, but Wendy always drove them away with hers.”

“It’s an amazing song.”

Oliver genuinely admired.

Objectively speaking, the song might not have seemed great, but everyone has their perspective.

“Are there any other creatures besides sirens that we should be wary of?”

“Probably not. Fen doesn’t leave dangerous things around Neverland.”

“Wasn’t there a sea monster earlier?”

“That one’s different. Fen didn’t control the sea monster anyway. Its power is too great, even for Fen to handle. How it woke up again after being forcibly suppressed is a mystery, though.”

Oliver tilted his head at Hook’s answer.

The energy he sensed from the sea monster was mixed with the essence of The Burned One, and there was a shadow of Fen – the energy of his creatures.

Hook seemed unaware of this, unable to sense the monster’s overpowering presence. Just as Oliver was about to give him the information, Hook pointed his finger and spoke.

“There it is! The only unexplored island. That must be Neverland -”

-KRASH!!

Before Hook could finish, something shot up from the sea and collided with Wendy.

A creature, nearly as large as Wendy, appeared.

Before anyone could identify it, a massive tentacle sprang from beneath the sea.

It was a giant squid’s tentacle.

“Aaaaahhh!!”

A sailor was caught and dragged underwater by the tentacle as soon as it emerged on deck.

Gone in an instant.

Though the sailor screamed, Hook didn’t care.

As long as Wendy was safe, the sailor could be recovered later.

But the real issue was that the giant squid had seized Wendy, trapping her.

This was concerning for two reasons.

First, it thwarted their plan to quickly reach Neverland.

Second, despite Fen’s vision for Neverland, a dreadful creature was guarding its gates.

Fen was known to dream of a beautiful world in Neverland, so this meant something had changed in him.

Though the details were unclear, it was troubling news.

Hook felt unease, and as if to fan that, bizarre creatures – ugly sea creatures and bird-headed chickens – began approaching from the direction of Neverland.

If this continued, they wouldn’t even reach Neverland, much less land safely; at worst, they could end up sinking.

Hook made a quick decision. He doubted it would work, but there was no other choice.

“Dave.”

“Yes, Captain Hook.”

While cutting off several encroaching squid tentacles with First and Second, Oliver responded.

Their combined firepower was stronger than that of all hundred of Wendy’s crew, damaging more tentacles in the process.

Though the tentacles regenerated and reattached to Wendy after each strike.

“Your Zombie Puppet has a flying ability. Can you reach Neverland alone?”

Oliver realized Hook meant the Zombie Puppet, Bathory, and replied.

“Yes, I can.”

In fact, Oliver had even more reliable and powerful means of flight available, but he chose not to mention it.

It was better to save his most powerful options.

Satisfied with his answer, Hook made a proposal.

“Then, let me distract them, so you can land in Neverland on your own.”

“…Are you sure?”

Oliver asked. Under Wendy lay the giant squid, and in front, hundreds, maybe thousands, of creatures were closing in.

Yet Hook volunteered to be the bait, shouldering all the risk.

Even though Hook himself had business in Neverland.

“I wouldn’t be of much use even if I landed there. It’s better if I just draw attention here.”

Staying on Wendy, Hook could fully use his abilities.

It was true enough.

“But I have one favor to ask.”

“…What is it?”

“Besides your friend, could you save the children too?”

“Sure.”

Before Hook could even state any conditions, Oliver agreed, causing Hook to pause.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

It was a short but firm answer. Surprised, Hook questioned his intention.

“Why?”

“Because I like people like you, Captain Hook.”

Oliver spoke as he observed Hook, who had been searching for Neverland for thirty years, risking everything now for a better outcome, even at his own peril.

Hook was left speechless at the sincerity in Oliver’s response.

Oliver then pulled out a sheet of paper and another Zombie Puppet from the shadows.

Originally, he had intended to use them as a trump card, but the situation had changed.

“Is that…”

Seeing the new puppet riddled with scars, Hook muttered in shock.

“Is that…Flesh Cook-”

“-Take this.”

Calming the surprised Hook, Oliver handed him a piece of paper imbued with portal magic.

Although it was uncertain whether it would work correctly in the Sea of Oblivion, which was under Fen’s control, it was better to be prepared.

“I’ll send people through here, so you move outside the mist, Captain Hook. The spell might work within the Sea of Oblivion, as it’s connected territory.”

Then Oliver tossed the Heart Compass that Hook had given him earlier.

Given Hook’s firm resolve now, he’d likely be able to navigate through the mist.

After catching the compass, Hook asked.

“What do you mean by move?”

“Exactly what I said. There’s no point in rescuing people if you don’t secure their safety, right?”

“You make a good point, but without Wendy as bait, how do you plan to get through there?”

Hook pointed towards the hundreds of thousands of creatures swarming towards them.

Like a swarm of bees, it seemed impossible to break through without Wendy distracting them.

Oliver replied.

“With force. Force.”

Upon his call, Child – Force entered the puppet of the Flesh Cook that had been tucked within Oliver’s shadow.

The Flesh Cook began to move with creaking steps, as if instilled with new life.

Its movements were sluggish at first, as it wasn’t fully accustomed to its new form, but it didn’t matter.

SLICE!!

Even in that state, the Flesh Cook was powerful enough to sever all of the giant squid’s tentacles wrapped around Wendy.

SCREEEAAACCH!!!

Despite its previous resilience, the giant squid screamed as if it had been hit differently by the Flesh Cook’s attack.

And it wasn’t just that.

“Now it won’t regenerate.”

The severed parts struck by the Flesh Cook had started to fester, eating into its body.

Failing to recapture Wendy, the giant squid fled.

When Hook questioned how Oliver would deal with the approaching creature horde, Oliver once again called on Child – Force.

On cue, Force crouched down as though undergoing metamorphosis.

Then, like an eruption, it transformed.

Its eyes blazed red-hot as if on fire, and its massive jaws seemed capable of devouring anything in its path. Red-black scales covered its body like armor, and its enormous wings appeared as though they could blot out the sky. Its massive frame rivaled mountains, yet it moved as swift as the wind…

Force had transformed into a colossal dragon, larger than Wendy.

With a powerful flap of its wings, it soared skyward and unleashed fiery breaths towards the advancing enemy.