Chapter 8: I’m Sivar (1)

Chapter 8: I’m Sivar (1)

While Ellie chatted with Sivar, Luna entered a cave suspected to be the residence of a wild creature.

Despite it being morning, the cave was incredibly dark. In response, she took out an item from her pocket. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary stone. However, its true value soon became apparent.

Flash!

The stone, which previously showed no color, emitted a bright light, illuminating the entire dark cave. It was a luminescent stone provided by the academy for emergencies. When infused with magic, it automatically emitted light.

Luna held the glowing stone in one hand and carefully examined the interior of the cave. The first thing that caught her eye was the floor.

Is it leather?

Laid on the floor were what seemed to be pieces of worn and tattered leather. Most of them were better to sleep on than the hard ground. Above all, each piece of leather was unusually large. Even considering the shrinkage due to age, they were still sizable.

As expected of that man. Hes incredibly powerful.

She had somewhat anticipated his immense strength when he swiftly killed Manki in an instant, but his power was overwhelming. If it werent for that man, Ellie would have ceased to exist in this world. A horrifying nightmare was on the verge of happening.

Manki was one of the most challenging monsters to subdue. Despite its massive size, it was surprisingly agile, capable of taking advantage of any momentary lapse in attention. Moreover, it was impossible to handle the situation as swiftly as that man. The fact that he pulverized Mankis leg with a crude stone axe was a feat in itself.

Most large monsters have powerful lower bodies. Hm?

As Luna looked around with the luminescent stone, something suddenly caught her attention.

There were neatly arranged stone axes and a spear on the wall. It appears that the spear was also used. Luna cautiously picked up one of the stone axes. A solid sensation was transmitted through her hand.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary stone axe. It was a stone axe made skillfully by using sinews and leather as reinforcements.

Shall I check?

She wanted to confirm if there was anything special about the stone axe. As soon as she had that thought, she focused her eyes.

As she focused her eyes, a green glow shimmered in her eyes. It was like the eyes of animals shining in the dark of midnight.

[Sturdy Stone Axe: F+]

[A stone axe made even stronger with sinews and leather.]

[It is well-made, but it will also be easily destroyed. However, it is effective as a weapon due to its sturdiness.]

[Special Effect: None]

Numerous characters were arranged in Lunas field of vision. Surprisingly, they contained the contents of the stone axe.

It was an ability she had since birth. When she focused on a specific object, relevant descriptions would appear before her eyes.

Through this, she could discern if food was poisoned and seize valuable artifacts.

She had used it effectively even when she was in her hometown, but she didnt know how she obtained this ability or the circumstances surrounding it.

Did he break Mankis leg with such a crude axe?

Lunas expression stiffened as she read the description of the stone axe. Items have grades, and the higher the grade, the more diverse abilities and effects they possess.

But look at this stone axe. It has no effects whatsoever, and its grade is the lowest. Yet, it swiftly took down Manki.

Even her own sword was not an F-grade, but a much higher B+. It was crafted by the blacksmith of her hometown, showcasing her true skills. Just how strong is that man? Luna placed the stone axe back in its original position.

Could this be a representation of how long he has been here?

There were marks on one side of the wall, almost filling it completely. It seemed like lines were drawn with each passing day. Roughly after surpassing 1000 marks, they abruptly stopped. It was evident that the man had spent at least several years in this forest.

Did he stop marking after surpassing 1000, or did someone else live here before him? Nothing was clearly revealed. However, considering that the man couldnt understand speech, such assumptions could be made.

He might have spent his childhood here.

It seems like theres a need to properly confirm his face. His hair and beard were so thick that his facial features were unknown.

Having lived in the wild, he probably didnt feel the need for management. She continued inside along the wall.

As she went deeper inside, she noticed a row of skulls, presumably the result of a mans hunt.

Judging by the size of the skulls, they all seem to belong to large creatures

The shattered skull of a Manki and the gigantic bear were extraordinary. It was hard to imagine what would have happened if he posed a threat to Luna and Ellie with such abilities.

Fortunately, he seemed to recognize her as one of their kind, but she couldnt let her guard down.

Hmm?

As Luna followed the wall, she suddenly found herself at the deepest point. However, the wall illuminated by the luminescent stones seemed peculiar.

There were drawings. Although they were crude, it was evident that they were drawings.

Luna approached the luminescent stone with an entranced expression.

This is what

As the light revealed the overall picture, it entered her field of view.

The first drawing depicted a person with their family. Several lines roughly represented a person, but it was clear that they were a family.

Even though it was poorly drawn, she didnt pay much attention to that. She was more interested in the story.

This is undoubtedly the emblem of the United Academy

The symbol of the United Academy was a star. Countless stars forming a circle.

A person who was separated from their family enters a place speculated to be United Academy and experiences various incidents and accidents there.

There were pictures of fighting monsters, as well as battles with a giant she presumed to be a demon. The pictures werent only about battles. There is a picture of someone being stabbed from behind with a knife, a picture of a person collapsing on the ground and weeping while looking at the sky.

The most noticeable one among them was a picture near the end. Luna stared at the mural as if she were possessed. It depicted a person ascending into the sky and raising both arms high. Not only were the arms raised, but there were also wings attached to the persons back.

An angel?

There was no other choice but to think of it as an angel who once opposed demons. I didnt understand what these things meant at all. However, I could make some guesses.

The mans life? No, if that were the case, he would have known words.

The entire wall was filled with pictures, and there were no visible writings. What on earth is this? Could this mural that fills the entire wall have been drawn by that man?

Considering that he knows the symbol of United Academy, the possibility is high. But I didnt understand why he drew these pictures.

Could it be?

Just when she was contemplating an absurd assumption.

Please focus here.

Luna didnt say anything more and drew her sword, starting to write characters. The first one was her own name.

Do you know what this means?

Fuck?

Thats your name. Do you know what this signifies?

Sivar stood still, looking dumbfounded. I anticipated it, but he cant read either.

Unable to understand spoken words or recognize written ones, it was a complete disaster. Not to mention admission to school, he wont be able to have a proper life.

Oh, fuck. This is seriously fucked up, isnt it?

On the other hand, Sivar had a similar thought as Luna. Due to the immense shock, he became stiff and rigid.

I clearly understood their words. Even though they openly criticized me, I remained silent because what they said was true.

However, after Luna wrote on the wall, I couldnt help but feel screwed. I couldnt read the writing at all. I could understand spoken words, but I couldnt read the text.

It was neither English nor Korean but some strange characters.

This is screwed up.

I longed to go outside, but even going out was a problem. How could I lead a proper life if I couldnt read?

At times like this, when we had similar yet different thoughts, Luna said to Ellie as if pointing it out.

Did you see? Even if we pass the special selection, everyday life is impossible. Well be at the level of playing with a little kid.

But Its not good to keep living here. Sivar is a person, Luna. Plus, hes the one who saved us.

Ellie didnt give up until the end. She seemed determined to bring Sivar to the academy somehow.

To be honest, Luna felt a similar sentiment. If she hadnt seen the mural earlier, she would have left him here and gone back.

However, now that she was curious about Sivars identity, she couldnt do that. If it werent for the harsh reality, she would have gladly accepted.

Luna let out a deep sigh at Ellies unwavering gaze, even though she was usually timid. It was a complicated situation in many ways.

I doubt we could have taken Sivar with us from the beginning. What does it matter if Sivar continues to stay here? Is there any guarantee that he will follow us?

Thats true.

Lets think about this issue later. For now

Eventually, when her mind became focused on postponing taking Sivar with them.

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, the sound of thunder echoed throughout the entire cave. It was truly a deafening noise, like thunder.

However, the thunder didnt just end with the sound, the ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

Ah!

What, whats going on?

Luna and Ellie were greatly startled by the unexpected thunder and earthquake. It was strange enough to hear thunder, but to feel the ground shaking as well.

Just a moment ago, the weather was sunny. There wasnt a single cloud in the sky.

Something unusual was happening. Luna sensed it at that moment.

Thud!

S-Sivar?

As if sensing something, Sivar tightly gripped his battle axe and ran outside the cave.

Ellie urgently called out to him, but he had already escaped from the cave.

Rumble!

The sound of thunder rang out once again. The entire cave shook, causing small fragments to fall from above.

If it continued like this, the cave could collapse. Luna hurriedly shouted to Ellie.

Lets get out of here! It might collapse if it keeps going like this!

Oh, I understand!

It wasnt a good sign when the ground shakes every time thunder strikes. This forest was known for various unusual occurrences.

They soon escaped from the cave. Apart from the thunder, the outside was incredibly sunny.

In an instant, their vision became clear, and they furrowed their brows. They were able to spot Sivar.

Sivar?

Grrrr

Sivar remained silent in response to Lunas call. Instead, he emitted only animal-like sounds.

He held a stone axe tightly in his left hand, lowering his posture. It was a clear display of being on high alert.

So, what was Sivar guarding against? Luna and Ellies gaze naturally shifted to the front of Sivar.

And there, unexpectedly, a completely unexpected creature was standing.

A squirrel right? Its a squirrel, isnt it?

It seems so

It was a squirrel. It was large enough to be comparable to a big dog, but it was definitely a squirrel. At first glance, it was an endlessly adorable squirrel. Its outward appearance was so cute that even when it spread its shoulders, it was only cute.

However, the behavior the squirrel displayed next was by no means cute. This place is a chaotic forest where only the strong survive. The squirrel stared fiercely at Sivar and then suddenly spread its arms wide.

Kyaaah!!

While making a truly cute sound, the squirrels actions were extremely harmful to the heart.

Crackle!!

Because a blue lightning bolt struck right in front of its nose. It was genuinely harmful.