"Kwanita, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I asked the lady who floated above the lotus flowers. We were currently walking down a dark corridor toward the exit.
Kwanita replied, "It seems so. Why do Dumba and the others think we're dating?"
"Wait, what? Is that what you think?"
"Well, yeah. What were you thinking then?"
I scratched my head, which wasn't itchy, and said, "We're in a dire situation where a whole race is being turned into monsters by irresponsible individuals, and their kin are coming from far and wide to save them, ironically becoming dinner in this cursed land. And you're busy wondering why they think we're a couple?"
Kwanita's face turned red. She hid her embarrassment behind her hair. "Sorry, we are clearly not on the same page. I have this habit of thinking about the wrong things at the wrong time."
And then I said, "Well, it's not like I'm offended. I was thinking about how the plight of the Dimbessa people is similar to what happened to our city. Driven by a thirst for power, they've met with a grim fate. Are these six-armed monsters mutating due to the same gas and chips?"
Kwanita pondered for a moment and said, "You're right. Especially since those responsible are of the same lineage—the Bropa. It's a pity we can't find the lab where that serum was created."
"Yeah, it's unfortunate. Dumba said that the place had been destroyed for a long time. Everyone believes the lab was intentionally destroyed by Ruthfus to erase all traces of his crimes. If only something remained, it would greatly help us."
"Rhinggamana, do you have a plan on how to deal with this problem?"
"I might. But it's a bit risky. And it seems we have an additional problem ahead of us. A big one."
"Really? What is it?"
Unbeknownst to us, we had arrived at the entrance of a cave. The door was tightly sealed, refusing to budge. I looked at Kwanita with a sheepish gaze. "Do you know how to open this door?"
She shook her head. "Sadly not. I thought it would open by itself when we got here."
"Well, would you mind calling one of the Negrida over there to open this door for us?"
Kwanita nodded. With her lotus flower, she floated back into the cave. While I waited, I inspected the surroundings of the cave more closely. There were numerous mushrooms and green moss clinging to the walls. It seemed all those plants had been deliberately cultivated by Dumba and his gang for a specific purpose. Had they been consuming these as food all along?
Soon, a short, dark-skinned man with curly hair hurried toward me, pulling a lever camouflaged by rocks at the side of the door. The stone door opened shortly after. Kwanita and I immediately stepped out into the outside world.
The warm air from the sandy heights hit our bodies. I cast my gaze over the surface of Dimbessa. In the distance, I could see many six-armed monsters wandering through the forest.
I then looked at Kwanita while gently stroking her head. "Maybe it's best if you wait here. It's too dangerous for you to come with me."
"What? But you're the one who made me promise to always stay close to you."
"I know. But this situation is different; you'll be much safer here with the others. Don't worry, I'll come back as quickly as possible."
Kwanita then asked with a pleading look, "At least you can tell me your plan?"
"I think I'll capture one of those monsters alive for study. That way, I might gain useful information."
"Are you insane? How would you capture that creature alive? They'll surely swarm you if you attack one of them."
"Don't worry, Kwanita. My strength is far greater than those monsters. I'm not sure if they could hurt me. I'll be fine."
"I hope you're right. Everyone here is putting their hopes in your hands, Rhinggamana. I will never forgive you if you don't come back."
Kwanita floated back into the cave after saying that. I immediately flew back into the forest to observe the monsters as they went about their activities. From the treetops, I saw a monster digging in the ground for food. Occasionally, it snorted and then dug another hole with its hands.
Cautiously, I floated toward it and flicked its ear. The monster was startled and immediately launched an attack while screaming in my direction. I quickly dodged. I let the monster attack me blindly without blocking a single strike. I wanted to see its speed. Dumba was right; this creature was faster than sound. No wonder none of the Negrida could contend with them. Even if they all teamed up against just this one monster, I doubted they could win.
Once I had gathered the data I needed, it was time to test this monster's strength. I tried to parry its claws with my bare hands. My body was immediately enveloped in a golden aura that formed a shield. To my surprise, both I and the monster were sent flying in opposite directions. The monster then rose and attacked again. I quickly took a fighting stance and exerted ten percent of my celestial power. This time, only the monster was flung away while I remained steadfast.
The monster cried out in pain, its roar summoning others, including their leader. The largest one among them had been hurling giant rocks at us since we arrived here. It charged at me as soon as it spotted me. This creature was much stronger than the others; I had to avoid its strikes. Jumping to the right and left, I easily evaded its blows. Each strike left large craters in the ground. Trees fell with ease under the swing of its massive arm.
The speed of the six-armed monster's attack was no joke. I was overwhelmed. With no other options, I summoned the dormant Blerit Sword and matched its strength against the monster's strikes. As our attacks clashed, the monster was sent flying several meters, crashing into a tree. I was pushed back, though not injured; the monster's power left me astonished.
Their strength was far more brutal than the werewolves I had faced in Hengard city. It seemed Ruthfus's potions were much stronger than Sambra's.
As I battled the leader, the other monsters refrained from joining in, waiting for their commander's orders. When the large monster slammed into a tree, I leapt and slapped its face with the Blerit Sword, using my left hand to gauge its reaction. The monster staggered, unable to regain its footing.
The other monsters quickly leapt to shield their leader with their bodies. In that chaotic formation, I summoned half my power to fling them all away from their leader. They were thrown in every direction across the forest. When I cleared the crowd, the leader had already recovered. It immediately grabbed its comrades and formed a bizarre formation, tilting their mouths toward me. They paused for a moment before simultaneously screaming, unleashing a devastating wave toward me.
The crushing wave struck my body fiercely. I was sent flying away from the battlefield, my chest feeling tight. Darn it! I didn't expect these creatures to attack me like that. As I landed on the ground, I had already recovered. There was no time for games; I needed to be more serious and increase my vigilance.
The monsters continued to bombard me with their sound waves. I remained calm.
Summoning all the celestial powers within me, I cloaked my body to its maximum capacity. My strength doubled in an instant, but I didn't summon the armor gifted by Gabriel. I still appeared like an ordinary human, with my right arm missing and white hair. I was confident that, in this form, I could still defeat them.
Taking a deep breath, I unleashed a roar similar to the monsters'. My voice collided with their sound waves, stronger than before. My scream sounded like a bomb exploding. The monsters were immediately blasted away, scattering in chaos. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly captured the largest one. Then, with calculated strength, I struck its head, knocking it unconscious.
Before the others could react, I lifted the unconscious monster above my head and shouted at them, "Do you want to challenge my speed? Fine, let me show you the true meaning of speed!"
I dashed around the entire horde at an incomprehensible speed. Their eyes struggled to keep up with my lightning-fast movements. Creatures like these typically fear greater strength. And sure enough, one by one, they began to retreat back into the forest.
Seeing their mental damage, I soared high into the sky toward the cave hideout. Time was pressing, so I forced the cave door open with my hands, breaking its mechanism. When I returned to the hall where everyone was gathered, everyone, including Kwanita, screamed hysterically at the sight of the six-armed monster entering their refuge.
"Monster! The monsters have found us! Run for your lives!" Dumba shouted.
Everyone was in a panic, unsure of what to do. Before the situation escalated further, I threw the creature into the middle of the room. Silence fell as everyone realized I was standing behind the body of the monster.
"Rhinggamana! You're back!" Kwanita immediately descended from her Vimana and hugged me tightly.
Dumba, astonished at my body cloaked in a bright golden aura, exclaimed, "What a magnificent power you possess, Rhinggamana Astolfo. Your aura illuminates this entire room. You are like a divine messenger."
Then I said, "Everyone, please remain calm! I do not intend to scare you. This is the largest monster among them that I captured. Together, we will investigate how everything came to be like this."