Chapter 93: Ghost Island (2)

He felt like he was gambling with this box presented to him. But with the situation that they were currently in, Iron had no choice but to accept. He hurriedly chose Yes as soon as a huge shadow fell over their heads. It was as if God was telling him that he had no time to think.

Then, bright light bursted out of Iron’s body.

― You have chosen to open the box. From now on, God’s blessing is with you.

The moment he pressed Yes, he felt that his entire body was overflowing with energy. The contaminated mana in their surroundings were instantly purified from the bright light that emitted from his body.

When the light shone, Thulhupus’ tentacle stopped and shrank away from the ship. It seemed like the purification was so strong that it even affected the huge Thulhupus. No matter how godly an apostle could become, they would still be no match to a God. Perhaps it was because of the huge status difference that its huge tentacle ran away and shrank back.

Meanwhile, notifications rang one after the other in Iron’s ears.

― You have opened God’s box. God’s gift is now in your body.

― The random box is rolling.

(……)

― Bbaambababaaam! You have opened a high-tiered box!

― For three hours, you will be able to use the divine power that you will have in the future,

― There’s a big gap in status. You will faint for a long time once the three hours are over.

― An other-worlder has experienced God’s Blessings for the first time.

― You have received the Title: The One Who Experienced God’s Blessings.

― The effect of the achievement will awaken your divine beasts with your weak divinity.

Iron was left in a daze from the continuous notifications, blinding light and God’s overwhelming power. While he was blanked out, his divine beasts appeared above him. 

― Ppiiiii~

Phoenix flew with its huge wings covered with flames. Owl was slightly smaller than Phoenix but its two eyes were still extremely shocking. And the most impressive among them was the smallest bird that was shining a green light like a sacred and divine being. 

With the appearance of the three divine beasts, the light shining from Iron’s body became stronger. The divine power was so overwhelming that it was able to clean any unclean being or object, of course the contaminated mana was included as well.

Thanks to this power, their ship was able to advance forward.

Thulhupus also did not hastily approach them. This was because the power of the blessing granted by God was a power that even Cthulhu’s apostle could not oppose. However, it knew very well that this power would not last forever. That was why it waited patiently as it devoured the contaminated mana in the surrounding area. All it needed to do was to endure for a short while before being able to eat all of these cheeky ants. 

Thulhupus and the void insects immediately retreated back into the Ghost Island to avoid the intense light emitting from Iron’s body. 

Meanwhile, Baepsae flew towards the finally relaxed Iron. 

―Tweet!

Baepsae, covered with a divine and sacred light, greeted Iron.

Was it because it had been a long time? It seemed like Baepsae was especially happy to see Iron. However, Iron felt awkward facing Baepsae. The cuteness had disappeared from Baepsae as a sacred and divine feeling emanated from the bird’s tiny body. 

“Nice… to meet you?” 

When Iron greeted Baepsae foolishly, Baepsae pecked Iron’s forehead hard. Iron quickly shook his head and came back to his senses in response to Baepsae’s actions to wake him up and get his grip together. 

―Tweet! Tweet, tweet, tweet!

Iron nodded blankly when he heard Baepsae’s explanation. He couldn’t help but stare blankly at the old cuteness that reappeared as Baepsae’s small beak opened diligently to explain. But the harsh rebuke that flew in his ears made him come back to his senses and listen carefully.

―Tweet!

The bright light that bursted out from Iron’s body disappeared after Baepsae’s explanation. 

“The… The giant octopus is moving again!” 

“Everyone, get ready!” 

Thulhupus moved quickly as if it was waiting for the moment when the light disappeared. However, this time, Iron did not wait for death. 

Phoenix immediately breathed out a huge fire that brightened the sky to stop Thulhupus. Owl’s two eyes shone like bright moons as it fired a beaming light that stopped the numerous void insects from approaching. 

Peace was once again restored in the ship thanks to the overwhelming abilities of the two divine beasts. Meanwhile, Baepsae, who was shining with a sacred glow, sang a song that spread calmly through the ship.

―Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet~ Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet~

As the cute Baepsae’s song spread all over the ship, the eyes of the exhausted soldiers became lively once again. The faces of the troops began to regain energy as their wounds and injuries slowly healed. Everyone on the ship shouted at the ridiculousness of this fraudulent miracle.

Meanwhile, Iron approached Gustav with a solemn expression on his face. 

“We don’t have time.” 

“Huh? What do you mean?” 

“Three hours… You have to decide whether we have to deal with this or retreat.” 

Carl Gustav turned to look at Iron seriously.

“You… what did you do?” 

He could see that Iron’s body was not normal. His current body contained a huge amount of sacred and divine power that looked similar to the halo surrounding Baepsae. This power could not just come out like that from his own body.

“You! Did you sacrifice yourself again?!” 

“This is not the time for us to worry about that now.” 

Iron’s expression remained grave as Carl Gustav shouted at him.

“During the duration of this power, will you decide to help the main fleet to defeat the mermaids, or… to reverse that thing’s summoning.” 

Carl Gustav turned to look at the giant octopus at Iron’s words. It was huge enough to make a kraken, this world’s largest octopus, look like a baby. However, he thought that it might be possible with Phoenix, surrounded by its sacred flames, and Two Moons, with its sacred light, working together. 

“Can you get rid of that with your two divine beasts?” 

“I don’t know.” 

Iron did not know if the power of Two Moons and a phantom species was enough to make it possible. This was the reason why he couldn’t guarantee that he could get rid of the apostle. But there was a far easier way than that.

“But we don’t need to get rid of it.” 

“What?” 

“We need to find the thunderbird while my divine beasts block that.” 

Carl Gustav’s eyes shone at the end of Iron’s words. 

“That’s also a way to deal with it.” 

Rescue the divine beast that was tied up and drained of strength. Just like what they did in the Winter Mountains and the Black Forest. 

“Hoo… At this rate we’ll be known as the unit that specializes in saving divine beasts…” 

Carl Gustav smiled as he spoke like he was complaining.

“Good. The Ghosts will risk our lives to open the path for you.” 

Just like what Carl Gustav did in the Northeast, he decided to risk his life to protect Iron once again. He was sure that this young hero would once again bring them good results in return for their faith and trust. 

Gustav called the Ghosts and the troops in the ship to explain Iron’s condition and the operation that they would follow in the future. 

After hearing the explanation, the troops all looked at Iron. Everyone looked in awe at Iron’s sacrificing himself once again. 

“I pay my respect for your sacrifice.” 

The captain of the ship placed his hand on his left chest and bowed his head to Iron after hearing Gustav’s explanation. Even all of the soldiers and officers on board the ship saluted and paid their respect to Iron. They did not know what kind of sacrifice that he had made but they knew that it was not a lie. After all, Iron had sacrificed himself in the Northeast already. And because of that, everyone looked at Iron with awe and respect.

“Cough, cough… This is not the time for this. We don’t have much time.” 

All of them nodded heavily when Iron coughed and avoided their gaze.

“The operation begins now. First, Lieutenant Colonel Iron Carter.” 

“Yes, sir!” 

Iron replied stiffly at Carl Gustav’s call.

“Do you have an idea where the thunderbird is?” 

“I don’t know its exact location yet. But it seems like I will know… once we enter Ghost Island.” 

Gustav nodded as if he firmly believed Iron’s words. 

“Then, the Eastern Army has to get you as close as possible to the Ghost Island.” 

“Yes. Once we get in the Ghost Island’s vicinity, the Northeastern Army will start the operation.” 

“Then, we will protect you as much as we can while you’re on the ship.” 

Carl Gustav quickly spoke the details of the operation as they advanced to the Ghost Island. 

The two divine beasts had to team up just to block Thulhupus’ gigantic tentacle. The void insects took this opportunity to flock towards the ship.

“Stop them! Stop them from approaching! We must get to the Ghost Island! We have to get them to the vicinity of the island!” 

The captain of the ship shouted loudly as he encouraged the troops of the Eastern Army. 

“You’re the strongest navy fleet in the Empire! Don’t you want to say something when we go back?” 

“Yes, sir!” 

“Our mission is to take the Northeastern Army to Ghost Island. Will you be able to complete the mission?” 

“Yes, sir!” 

“Good! Let’s risk our lives to complete this mission!” 

After the captain’s voice drifted on the ship, the eyes of the soldiers of the Eastern Army were filled with the desire to complete the mission. But no matter how strong the elites of the Eastern Army were, the attack of countless void insects were still difficult for them to handle.

“We’ll help you too.” 

The captain shook his head firmly when Carl Gustav offered his help on behalf of the Northeastern Army. 

“This is our mission. You’ll have to fight hard in Ghost Island. You shouldn’t be wasting your strength here already.” 

The captain firmly rejected Carl Gustav’s offer to help as he pulled his sword out instead of his baton. 

Countless void insects blocked the path of the ship towards Ghost Island but the Eastern Army tried their hardest to break through. The soldiers fired their guns while the wizards fired their magic to the point of exhaustion. Even the knights fought to protect the wizards until they were bleeding. The senior officers also pulled out their swords to defeat one more void insect while directing their subordinates. The battle was extremely fierce to the point that the captain of the ship bled profusely.

But the Northeastern Army did not move. If they moved here, they would have abandoned the honor of the Eastern Army. They also had to save as much strength and mana that they could for the more dangerous operation that they will fight on the Ghost Island. 

Was it because of the efforts of the Eastern Army as they fought fiercely and desperately? They finally broke through the countless void insects and arrived at Ghost Island. 

“This is enough.” 

Carl Gustav spoke as he thanked the bleeding captain. 

“From now on, we will begin the Northeastern Army’s operation.” 

The Ghosts moved to cut through the void insects by the end of Carl Gustav’s words. At the same time, the Northeastern Army began to unload the small boats that would carry them further inland. 

“My respects to the Eastern Army’s courage and bravery.” 

“I pray for the Northeastern Army’s luck.” 

The captain prayed that Gustav and his troops would meet with fortune on their operations. After the two shook hands, the Northeastern Army finally began to move in earnest. 

The first thing that they needed to do was to get to Ghost Island safely. 

The Eastern Army continued to fire their guns and cover for the Northeastern Army as they moved forward.

“Our mission has yet to be completed! Cover them as much as you can until they arrive at Ghost Island!” 

“Yes, sir!” 

All of the members of the troop answered loudly as they covered for the Northeastern Army. 

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Thanks to the ship’s exhausted naval artillery and magic, the Northeastern Army was able to arrive at Ghost Island with minimal losses. 

“We will now start our operation to rescue the thunderbird. Let’s all survive and meet later!” 

“Yes, sir!” 

The entire troop answered Carl Gustav with their head down. 

And just like that, the entire Northeastern troop gathered at the coast of Ghost Island to begin the ‘Thunderbird Rescue Operation’ earnestly at Gustav’s orders.