Chapter 607: Proposal
The air changed in a way that none of them could ignore, as the pressure that had once been distant and heavy began to take on a presence that felt alive and aware.
It had become a living thing that did not simply exist above them but actively pressed down as if the sky itself had gained intent.
High above the ruined city, the sky no longer stable as clouds twisted into unnatural spirals and folded inward toward a single point where a vast thing was forcing its way through, swallowing the light little by little until the entire area dimmed under a growing shadow that stretched across the streets and shattered structures below.
Then it revealed itself.
The Celestial Abyssal Beast descended slowly from the distorted sky. Its body was so immense that it was difficult to comprehend in a single glance, as its body appeared to be made from shifting darkness that constantly moved like a living void while countless massive tentacles extended outward from it in every direction.
Each one of those tentacles was large enough to dwarf buildings as they spread across the sky like roots of ancient and monstrous trees.
Those tentacles did not remain still, as they moved with a slow movement that carried an overwhelming weight.
Some of them reached downward toward the city while the others coiled above like a tornado, and every movement distorted the air itself while sending invisible waves of pressure across the ground.
That pressure intensified in an instant to pressing down on everything as the earth began to crack in scattered places and dust lifted into the air without wind. While even breathing became heavier as if the air had thickened under the presence of something far beyond them.
It felt as though the entire world was being observed.
Sean’s head lifted sharply the moment he felt it, and when his eyes met the sky his expression changed as the color drained from his face while his pupils shrank in shock.
Connor followed his gaze and the moment he saw the creature his voice came out strained as he muttered in disbelief. "What kind of thing are we even looking at right now?!"
For a moment both of them stood still, not because they chose to, but because the sheer scale of the creature froze them where they stood. As the realization settled in that this was not something they could fight on their own and perhaps not even together with Clyde.
Sean clenched his jaw as he forced himself to move.
"Move!" he said, his voice sharp and urgent.
Connor followed as both of them immediately dashed forward toward the molten nest with no hesitation. Their run fast and direct as any caution they had before disappeared under the scene of what they had just seen.
Above them one of the massive tentacles moving across the sky, and even though the motion was slow the pressure it created caused the ground beneath them to tremble. But neither of them slowed down as they continued run forward until they reached the entrance and rushed inside.
The heat of the nest returned the moment they crossed the threshold, wrapping around them as the tunnel stretched ahead with glowing veins of molten rock. And although their pace slowed slightly due to the terrain their urgency and panic and rear remained as they moved deeper step by step.
As they advanced, Sean raised both of his hands to show that he had no intention of attacking, even before Clyde appeared. And his voice echoed through the tunnel as he called out. "I do not come here to fight. Please don’t attack."
Connor followed closely behind him while mirroring the same gesture. His body tense as Sean continued speaking.
"We are not enemies at this moment. You should already feel that, right?"
The heat grew thicker as they moved forward, and then movement appeared ahead of them.
From deeper within the tunnel, Clyde emerged first with faint lightning crackling along his arm while his eyes remained sharp and cold as if ready to strike at any moment. Mina followed beside him with her daggers already in hand and her body lowered into a stance prepared for immediate combat.
They stopped when they saw them.
Two men standing with their hands raised. No weapons drawn.
For a moment, no one moved.
Sean felt it clearly at that distance as the killing intent directed toward them was not loud or explosive but quiet and focused in a way that made it far more dangerous.
It sending a chill through his body as he realized just how thin the line was between survival and death in that moment.
They had truly gambled everything.
"I’m serious," Sean said as he spoke quickly but firmly, making sure there was no hesitation in his voice even as the tension pressed down on him. "We don’t have time for unnecessary fights right now. That thing outside was far beyond what any of us could handle alone."
A distant rumble echoed through the nest at that moment as if confirming his words. He continued, saying. "Even someone like you will not be able to deal with it just by the two of you. We need to work together at least until the monster above us is defeated."
Silence followed his words.
Mina’s eyes shifted slightly as she glanced toward Clyde, as she always did in situations where a decision had to be made, leaving the final call to him without speaking.
Clyde did not respond immediately.
His expression remained cold and unreadable while faint lightning flickered along his arm. For a moment it looked as if he might attack anyway despite everything that had been said.
Connor felt his throat tighten as he remained still, fully aware that if Clyde decided to strike then there would be no escape for them.
Sean did not lower his hands. He waited.
A few seconds passed in complete silence.
Then Clyde finally spoke.
"Right," he said in a calm and steady voice. "I suppose we could help each other," he continued, leaving a brief pause before adding, "until that monster is defeated."
The tension in the air did not disappear. But it changed.
The animosity between them had not gone, of course, but at least it had been set aside for now.
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