Chapter 588: The Beast That Devours Everything

588. The Beast That Devours Everything (3)

It might sound cliché, but the Flesh Cook’s transformation into a dragon was truly awe-inspiring.

His eyes turned a burning red.

Dozens of large, razor-sharp teeth reminiscent of great swords emerged from his maw.

His skin became covered with shield-like dark red scales, leaving no gaps.

And that’s not all.

His body grew to mountainous proportions, and enormous, sleek wings sprouted from his back, capable of stirring up a typhoon.

It was a transformation a regular Zombie Puppet couldn’t achieve.

This was proof that Oliver’s modified Zombie Puppet technique had succeeded.

Not just using preservation chemicals, but a new method to keep the body in a seemingly fresh state using a blood solution.

Fwooosh!!

As the Flesh Cook, now a dragon, flapped his wings, a strong gust of wind arose, and the Flesh Cook soared into the sky.

The Wendy swayed violently as a result, but Captain Hook and the crew didn’t seem to care.

Whooosh—!

The view was suddenly filled with a wave of orange and red flames.

These flames spewed by the Flesh Cook in dragon form burned intensely and dyed the surroundings in a crimson hue.

“Ugh…”

Even Hook and his crew, who were outside of the attack range, groaned from the intense heat.

Their reactions weren’t exaggerated; the creatures swarming from the front were instantly reduced to ashes.

Flying creatures approaching from the sky and sea creatures rising from the water weren’t spared either.

Some tried using the ocean as a shield by diving, but the dragon’s flames boiled the sea in an instant, cooking them alive.

All that was left was a sea releasing steam.

“…”

“Are you alright, Captain?”

Oliver addressed Hook, who seemed half out of his mind.

Fortunately, Hook soon regained his senses.

“… I’m fine. I’ve just seen too much today.”

That was true.

The sea monsters, the mysterious sorcerer confronting them, the Flesh Cook transformed into a dragon all in one day.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say it was a world-shaking day.

“I’ll explain it all later.”

“No, that’s alright. Trying to comprehend everything now would just give me a headache. I’ll just head somewhere safe.”

Hook showed Oliver the Compass he had returned to him.

Rather than try to understand what he couldn’t, Hook seemed to focus on the present.

It was a reassuring attitude.

“Please do what you must.”

Oliver responded, and.

Soon, Zombie Puppet-Bathory, who had created wings made of blood, took Oliver and climbed onto the dragon’s back.

Zombie Puppet-Durance also used his transformed legs to leap onto the dragon’s back.

The back of the Flesh Cook in dragon form was so wide that there was more than enough space.

‘It could easily carry dozens more.’

“Turn the ship around!”

Hook shouted sternly as he took the helm, and the crew began rowing in unison.

The Wendy turned swiftly.

Oliver descended next to the Wendy and looked at Hook.

“Ah, Captain Hook, about what you just saw-”

“-What did I see today?”

A seamless understanding.

Hook answered exactly what Oliver intended to say before he could even speak.

It wasn’t a lie; it was his genuine feeling.

Oliver bowed in gratitude and then flew toward Neverland, while Hook sailed toward the direction of the mist.

He trusted in the unprecedented warlock who even commanded the Flesh Cook.

***

“Mmm, this is delicious. Really delicious.”

In the Verdant Forest, the stronghold of Fen and his followers.

Fen was eating the dishes laid out on the table.

All the dishes were prepared by Wendy, and as she said, she had quite the skill.

What can I say? The taste was not just good, it was comforting.

It was like eating your mother’s cooking.

Even though Fen didn’t know what his mother’s cooking tasted like.

“C-Captain! Captain!!”

As Fen was savoring some cream-coated drumsticks, an agitated voice echoed.

It was Kirby, one of Fen’s henchmen, a portly boy wrapped in a bear cloak, who entered through the usual emergency exit.

He got stuck at the entrance due to his belly and then tumbled down the stairs.

“C-Captain! It’s big trouble. Right now-”

“-Huh?”

Fen frowned, looking displeased.

Seeing Fen’s expression, Kirby realized his mistake and immediately turned pale as he sprang to his feet.

Then, wielding his usual club, he noisily dashed around the hideout before standing at attention in front of Fen.

This was a rule in Neverland. No matter the circumstances, never forget a child’s sense of humor.

Whether you wanted to or not.

Fen demanded it.

“Captain, I have a report!!”

Kirby spoke in a deliberately strong, yet clumsy manner. That was his role.

He was strong but thoughtless and straightforward; that’s how Fen remembered Kirby.

“What is it, Kirby?”

Fen responded, seemingly satisfied.

Kirby shouted.

“The evil pirates are approaching here!”

“Pirates?”

“Yes! But… but…”

“…”

“The pirates are retreating… and instead, a dragon is flying towards us!”

Kirby explained about the sudden appearance of a dark red dragon.

It spewed flames that instantly turned thousands of creatures to ash.

Because Kirby had to act, he couldn’t give a detailed explanation, but it wasn’t a problem for Fen, who had already grasped the situation thanks to the images Neverland sent him.

“Is that so.”

Fen’s reply was brief and ambiguous.

Just that.

No further directive or plan. But more importantly.

“Captain! Captain!”

Just in time, Tootles and the other children who had gone to find Wendy arrived.

They entered through the emergency exit causing a ruckus and stood at attention in front of Fen, just like Kirby.

Fen was eating a ham pie.

“Captain! Wendy’s missing!”

Tootles, wearing a skunk cloak, was the first to report.

Slights, wearing a fox cloak, Nibs, wearing a rabbit cloak, and the Twins, wearing raccoon cloaks, then followed up with their reports that they couldn’t find Wendy.

Fen reacted indifferently.

“Is that so?”

“Huh…?”

The children looked puzzled and uneasy at Fen’s reaction.

More than anyone, Fen was sensitive to Wendy’s every move, though he quickly lost interest.

That’s why they went to search for Wendy before he even gave the order.

Yet Fen didn’t react much.

This was something they had never seen before.

It was unsettling and concerning.

Perhaps Fen had done something to the current Wendy.

After all, Kirby, Slightly, Nibs, the Twins, and Tootles all genuinely liked this Wendy.

This Wendy didn’t just watch over them out of fear; she genuinely cared for them.

That’s why they were worried. Could it be, Fen already…?

-“Are you worried about Wendy?”

As if reading their thoughts, Fen suddenly asked.

Not in his usual playful tone, but in a low, serious voice.

It was a sign of danger, but the relatively younger Tootles, oblivious to it, wanted to answer.

That he was worried.

At that moment, Kirby smacked Tootles’ head with all his strength.

Thwack!

“Ouch!”

“There was a fly!”

Kirby told a blatant yet considerate lie like a child.

To save Tootles, who was about to give the wrong answer.

But it didn’t work on Fen. He asked an even more pointed question.

“Do you like Wendy, or do you like Neverland more?”

That was a question Fen would never normally ask.

A sense of inexplicable unease and tension filled the space.

“…”

Even the youngest Tootles could sense something was wrong.

As a result, an awkward silence took over the space.

Fen finished the pie and then stood up.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Captain… why are you asking that…?”

“I just think you guys seem to particularly like this Wendy.”

“You don’t like her, Captain…?”

“No, I like her, too. From the very first moment, I knew she was Wendy. That’s why I spared her life when I was about to kill her.”

Fen recalled the first time he met Wendy (Jane).

In the sewers of Ravely in the Capital of Gallos.

He originally intended to kill her along with Dave as per his agreement with the Flesh Cook, but he changed his mind the moment he saw her.

She strongly reminded him of the Wendy he had longed for.

Not everything about her was perfect, but her flaws could be fixed over time.

“So, what’s your answer? Neverland? Or Wendy? Which do you like more?”

The children were once again forced to choose.

They instinctively knew they couldn’t pass this off casually.

“W-We…”

-“Of course, it’s Neverland!”

Kirby, bundled in his bear cloak, answered on behalf of the group.

“Is that so?”

“Of course! Chocolate coins, trees that grow candy, bacon bark… This is an island for children! The one you created!!”

An island for children. Hearing that, Fen smiled.

“Isn’t it?”

“O-Of course! Captain!”

Seeing Kirby’s answer, the other children nodded knowingly.

Having received the desired answer, Fen moved outside.

“Captain… where are you going?”

“I’m off to stop the bad guy trying to invade this island. You stay here, wait until I get back.”

“Oh… okay.”

“And, don’t worry too much.”

“Hmm?”

“Wendy is safe. I’ve given her a special mission.”

“A special mission?”

“Yeah, a special mission. To protect the island for the children, to make sure the bad guy targeting the island gets a good beating.”

***

‘Ah… what an irony.’

Rumble Rumble.

Oliver, after landing on Neverland riding the Flesh Cook in dragon form, muttered to himself.

‘This place is supposed to be a paradise for children?’

As soon as Oliver dismounted, the Flesh Cook reverted to his human form, and Bathory handed him his clothes.

While Force, who inhabited the Zombie Puppet-Flesh Cook, dressed, Oliver continued to survey his surroundings.

It was astonishing.

He had heard that the island was recreated using children as materials, but seeing it in person exceeded his imagination.

The notion that this was an island for children seemed absurd when one considered how many children were used as ingredients.

Perhaps it was to be expected.

From amazing fantasy animals, the Red Ones to play war games with, chocolate coins hidden across the island, candy trees, bacon bark, and so on.

To recreate a world children dreamed of in such vivid detail required a lot of children.

As such, calling this an island for children seemed contradictory.

An island that eats children alive would be more fitting.

‘Or maybe it’s somehow natural?’

Oliver changed his line of thought.

Though Neverland was limited to this island, Fen’s influence extended to surrounding waters and islands.

The Sea of Oblivion.

That means Neverland also affected the surrounding areas and would naturally require vast resources.

Moreover, most of the numerous creatures Fen commanded were made from humans.

Actually, it should have been anticipated that Neverland would be on such a scale.

‘So, Fen kidnapped Miss Jane.’

Oliver fully realized just how terrifying a person had abducted Jane.

‘It seems she’s safe, though.’

Oliver, focusing the Warlock’s Eye, continued to examine Neverland, flooded with emotions, vitality, and even souls from many people.

Although the intense energy within Neverland hindered him from fully using the Warlock’s Eye.

Oliver stubbornly focused further, searching the surroundings until he located Jane’s emotions.

Though it was a reckless act like staring at the sun through a telescope, Oliver eventually succeeded.

‘Her vitality has slightly weakened, but her emotions… they’re alright. Is she sleeping?’

Oliver carefully analyzed Jane’s emotions and made an educated guess.

Given her nearly immobile emotional state, she seemed to be sleeping. Her vitality had slightly diminished, but it was at a level indicating fatigue.

He had heard Wendy was dragged off, meaning she wouldn’t face any harm from Fen, but there was always some concern. Thankfully, there appeared to be no major issues.

After locating Jane’s emotions, Oliver immediately moved forward with First, Second, and Force.

The journey itself posed no particular difficulties.

Being Fen’s island, the place was filled with creatures and traps, but Oliver faced no delays thanks to the assistance of Zombie Puppet-Flesh Cook, Bathory, and Durance.

All three had significant expertise in both magic and dark magic. Even before Oliver said anything, they identified and destroyed traps, and took down incoming creatures.

Huge teddy bears, cymbal-clapping monkeys, bogeymen, sack men, toy soldiers, nutcrackers, clowns—the creatures they once struggled with on the New Continent fell effortlessly.

The one who stood out the most was the Flesh Cook. With every swing of his knife, the creatures were easily sliced to pieces.

After pushing forward persistently, Oliver finally discovered a lake in the middle of a forest.

In the middle of the lake was a rock, and on top of that rock, Wendy was sleeping.

“Stand guard around here,”

Oliver asked Child to keep watch around the area while he focused his magic beneath his feet and walked on the water toward Jane.

He wondered why she was sleeping in the middle of a lake, but he didn’t think too much about it and went to wake her.

He had waited long enough already.

“Miss Jane–”

–Thunk.

Just as Oliver knelt beside Jane and tried to wake her, she suddenly opened her eyes and stabbed Oliver’s side with a dagger hidden beneath her waist.

“…”

“…”

It was a sudden assault.

Jane said nothing as she pushed the dagger in deeper and stood up.

Oliver also remained silent, just staring at Jane. Something felt off.

As if mocking Oliver’s reaction, the corners of Jane’s lips curled upward.

“Ah…”

Oliver finally gasped as he realized something.

Jane’s shadow was missing.

Oliver dropped the Quarterstaff he held in his left hand and grabbed Jane’s hand that was holding the dagger.

Grip.

He applied just enough force so she wouldn’t get hurt, but so that she couldn’t push the dagger in further or pull it out.

Jane struggled, and while she did so, Oliver moved his right arm.

His right arm, which had been burned by The Burned One.

Although moving it caused pain, Oliver didn’t mind as he brought his right hand to Jane’s face.

Judging it to be an attack, Jane tried to pull away, but she couldn’t escape due to her captured hand.

Rip!

With his bandaged right hand, Oliver grabbed and ripped off Jane’s face. Specifically, the shadow that enveloped Jane’s face.

The shadow, which had appeared as Jane’s face, tore away, revealing her true face.

Jane was crying, and Oliver looked at her as he asked.

In his usual calm voice.

“Are you alright?”