Galaxy’s First Ruler - Chapter 282

Aldrich gazed at the distant mountain range coming closer and closer.

Even from such a height, it didn’t seem the Light Devouring Vulture was flying above the height of the highest peak. Surely, many peaks stood taller than the tallest clouds in the sky. And the Dreamers, Common and Rare alike, were needed to cross this almost circular, mountainous hurdle to reach the checkpoint.

Aldrich knew hardly any ranges were innately round, if not perfectly circular. ‘No wonder they have chosen this planet. It’s perfect for the current selection.’ Aldrich thought and contemplated how many of such circular mountain ranges were on the planet. Certainly not over 3, Aldrich guessed.

“Master,” Meuric brought all his strength to utter a word. There was no blood about him, nor was there any sign of obvious anguish or agonizing pain. But one could easily tell the horrifying event from moments ago on the beast’s back by the occasional shivering of Shu’s wings.

The slitted pupils of the two snake tails kept taking secret glances at the red vapor enveloping Meuric from head to toe.

The HP potion had done a perfect job, sewing all hints of terrorizing wounds. But the deafening roars full of unbearable pain still echoed around the flying beast like the buzz of millions of mosquitoes over a gutter. And like those mosquitoes, this echo reminded them of the ethereal stench of the agony Meuric had been through just then.

Aldrich didn’t reply or even turn to look at the seemingly lifeless boy. Meuric eyes were half-closed, almost matching the look on Aldrich’s face. He would have already gone to sleep, if and only if he would have got any sign of it from Aldrich. But if the last time was of any relevance, then he won’t be getting any SP potion, at least not right now.

“Master,” Meuric reluctantly parted his lips, “Are we there yet?”

Screeech!!

A cry of the beast followed Meuric’s question. Aldrich saw the bright light coming out of the beast’s brain had dimmed considerably. To Meuric’s dismay, Aldrich answered the question with another question.

-“What do you know about the Light Devouring Vultures?”-

A groan came out of Meuric’s dry throat after hearing this. He didn’t want to speak, same as Aldrich didn’t want to either. But Meuric didn’t have Rumok, nor did he have any Skill to mimic Aldrich’s way of speaking.

“Light Devouring Vultures are nocturnal beasts. They nest over the top of the trees, devouring the sunlight for the entire day through their brains. The transparent layer of skin on their head turns the sunlight to Mana, which then fuels the beasts’ Mana reserves. During the night they hunt for food, and do all their activities…” Meuric, as talkative as he was to speak so many words, even his condition, halted to take a deep breath.

Aldrich sensed the mixed, tired feelings of the Rare Ranked Beast and completed Meuric’s words.

-“Lacking any source of light, they can’t refuel themselves, making them vulnerable if they were to fly for a long time.”-

Meuric’s eyes shot open, hearing Aldrich. The breath, which would have made him speak for long, suddenly came out as a roar of one sentence.

“MASTER! You knew?! Yes, you knew. Then why ask…” This was the extent to which Meuric could exert himself before passing out momentarily.

Aldrich noticed the light had become significantly darker on the vulture’s head. The mountains were still tens of kilometers away, but their majesty was already towering over Aldrich from afar. From the way the flying beast was slowing down with every moment, it didn’t seem the vulture could cross the mountain.

But Aldrich didn’t want to go over the mountains either. At least not before dealing with the thirty-some Dreamers who were approaching from the same direction he had left behind.

Aldrich nudged the beast back using the cane, and the beast, already tired, plunged downward. Walls after walls of heavy chilly winds hit Shu face-on, making him cling to the vulture’s feathers tightly. Aldrich looked at this and a slight, amusing smile came over his face, but not obvious for anyone to notice it.

-“On my command, use the Gaze of Terrors. Enough to make them know death, but not actually die. Then use the Listener of Fear.”-

Aldrich could do away with Shu’s intrusion altogether, but no weapon could remain in his arsenal without him knowing how it worked. Aldrich wanted to observe how Humbaba “the Terror” used these abilities, and if these abilities could bring out any changes in Abomination No. 9.

‘I can’t have anyone know Shu’s secret, especially when I don’t know what methods are available to the High Ranked Dreamers of N.I.K.E.’

Aldrich thought, remembering his ultimate aim for this mission given by the Queen.

Shu didn’t have to make any noise for Aldrich to know if he had understood the meaning of his words or not. The contract was more than enough for Shu to not do anything harmful against Aldrich’s interest.

Roar-hisssss!!!

Suddenly Shu’s grip loosened, and the howling wind swept him away instantaneously. As he passed by Aldrich, his two tails lunged at Aldrich’s neck for a hold, but the Rumok flashed again, jerking the snakes.

Shu’s tiny figure dwindled as he kept rolling away from the beast. His wings fluttered, trying to adjust his posture, but the vulture’s descent was swifter than a mere fall. By the time Shu’s wings made him hover, the vulture was already gone out of his reach.

Aldrich sensed El Cid’s presence some hundreds of meters away beside a river. His figure seemed bleak in the dead midnight, and Aldrich could see the blue cloak behind him fluttering up and low even from afar.

The river provided a natural clearing on its banks, but also separated the jungle in half. The vulture landed near El Cid, who helped Aldrich step down.

“My Lord, from a hundred kilometres left to right, one must cross this river to go towards the Soundless Mountains without losing a day.”

Aldrich saw the dark waters of the river and then turned to look behind towards the jungle.

-“How long?”-

“5 minutes.”