Chapter 271
Chapter 271: That Old Man at the Door Has Already Been Charmed
Dozarel's fluorescent-blue body floated up from beneath the sea's surface.
It kept its eyes fixed on Gulton before it, furious beyond measure.
The attack just now had done little to its thick-skinned, tough-hided body.
Yet it simply refused to accept it.
Why did that fire-obsessed idiot in front of it get to have someone fighting on its side?
That was precisely why it was so enraged.
Wuuuu—!
Come fight me one-on-one if you dare!
Gulton naturally paid no heed to Dozarel's provocation. Fire and water were natural opposites—the more furious Dozarel grew, the more delighted Gulton became.
Even the lava flowing across its body brightened several shades, as though its temperature had climbed even higher.
Likewise, Viktor was studying Dozarel.
To be precise, he was watching its terrifying Health Bar.
Under Gulton's attack—one powerful enough to level an entire city—Dozarel's Health Bar had dropped by only 3%.
Still, that was perfectly normal.
After all, Dozarel was nothing like Dorakon, a Calamity whose only asset was speed.
This was out on the open sea—Dozarel's home turf.
The ocean was continuously replenishing its strength.
On home turf, it was confident it could hold its own in a 2-on-1 without falling behind.
That was why Dozarel was, without a doubt, the hardest Boss Viktor had faced so far.
But Viktor was in no hurry.
Likewise, he had yet to play any of his trump cards.
Wuuuu—
Dozarel's colossal body tilted back slightly above the sea's surface, and a deep, resonant whale cry rang out like the shattering of a great bell.
The heavy whale cry pushed the surrounding waves completely aside, forming faint ripples that trembled across the vast sea's surface.
As though answering some manner of summoning, the storm clouds in the distance began rolling and converging rapidly.
The sparse cloud cover was pulled at a speed visible to the naked eye, surging violently toward the sky directly above Dozarel.
Dense darkness swiftly swallowed the entire sky whole, and beneath the churning cloud layer, sunlight seemed no longer capable of breaking through.
Both the cloud layer and the waves grew wild and violent, sending enormous plumes of spray shooting upward as though the 2 were about to collide.
Above the sea's surface, white mist also seemed to fall under some manipulation—thick fog swirled and settled around everything, once again blanketing the entire ocean.
Gulton, seeing this, refused to be outdone.
It threw its head back and let out a deafening roar, flames erupting and blazing around it like a violent gale.
Beneath the heavy, layered fog, it was as though an enormous, hazy lighthouse was gradually coming into focus.
Scorching heatwaves surged outward, fighting to push back the surrounding white mist.
The lava nearby welled up once again from the ocean floor, piercing through the sea—its fiery-red radiance seemingly determined to incinerate every last wisp of white mist.
Boiling waves expanded outward in every direction from around Gulton, and the sun above seemed to grow even more searing.
As though straining to force its way through the heavy cloud layer and reveal its full brilliance beneath the overcast sky.
The sunlight that was frantically converging began to feel unnaturally oppressive, tearing a hairline crack through the thick cloud layer—and a single ray of light seized the opportunity to break through.
A perfect deadlock.
Viktor watched the 2 massive beasts, neither willing to yield, continuously reshaping the surrounding environment. He slowly opened his mouth:
"Keep going."
"We still have plenty of time."
***
The staggering battle between Gulton and Dozarel produced an astonishing impact on the environment.
The weather in the surrounding area fell into tremendous chaos as a result.
Take Blairstone, for instance.
The sky at that moment seemed to have lost all stability.
Within just a few minutes, a sky that had been crystal clear would suddenly be smothered by thick, dark clouds—followed immediately by a torrential downpour.
Not long after, the sky would clear again, and unbearable heat would flood over everyone's heads once more.
Countless residents craned their necks upward, eyes filled with bewilderment at the sky above Blairstone.
The weather had turned wildly erratic. Many residents complained bitterly, yet all felt utterly helpless.
"What in the world is going on with this weather?"
"Clear one moment, pouring the next—there's no rhyme or reason to it."
"What does the Meteorological Bureau have to say about this?"
People exchanged confused looks. Beneath such unpredictable weather, the Blairstone Meteorological Bureau had issued no advance notice.
Did that mean even they were completely in the dark?
Meanwhile, inside a towering building, only sparse candlelight flickered in the dim interior.
A large group of Mages was clustered around the enormous Magic Orb at the center of the room.
They poured Magic Power into the Orb one after another, continuously monitoring the shifting cloud cover above Blairstone.
"In 1 minute, Blairstone will experience another downpour—temperatures will plunge again."
"In 3 minutes, skies will clear completely. Temperatures will gradually climb, and before the next rain arrives, the entire city of Blairstone will be unbearably stifling."
The Mages' voices rose and fell in succession, yet each face carried a trace of helplessness and worry.
Scrolls and papers covered every surface of the hall, recording all manner of meteorological data—the robed Mages moved about the room in a flurry of activity.
The majority of those working at the Meteorological Bureau were Mages.
Because they could directly perceive weather changes through elemental fluctuations.
Yet the current state of Blairstone's weather left even these Mages—who monitored conditions every single day—completely baffled.
The disturbance originating from the Padalenbu Sea was like a volatile, unpredictable beast—at times still, at times raging.
Energy was rapidly accumulating near the sea region, clear skies and dark storm clouds intersecting and shifting without cease.
It seemed to herald the coming wrath of nature itself.
Faced with this chaotic energy, the Mages' eyes were filled with unease:
"This...this needs to be reported to the Royal Capital, doesn't it?"
Someone had already sensed the gravity of the situation, and asked the others tentatively.
At that moment, a capable-looking woman walked slowly into the dim room, expression grave, footsteps hurried.
"Director."
The Mages all straightened up respectfully at the sight of her approaching.
The woman stepped before the enormous Magic Orb, took one look at the three-dimensional image displayed upon it, and furrowed her brow:
"What's the current situation?"
The Mages immediately began reporting in an orderly fashion.
The sudden weather change in Blairstone was clearly being influenced by a powerful surge of energy from a distant source—and the origin of that energy was the sea region of Padalenbu.
This kind of massive energy accumulation could potentially trigger tsunamis, typhoons, waterspouts, or other disasters.
Yet strangely, that flood-like energy seemed to be held in place by some force—unable to pour outward.
At least for now, that was very good news.
The Director listened to the Mages' report and gave a slow nod:
"We need people right away."
The chaotic weather was having an enormous impact on the city. The alternating freezing cold and intense heat made it impossible for residents to carry out their normal activities.
Fishermen heading out to sea and merchants running trade operations were equally helpless—not a single person in all of Blairstone was able to step outside. The entire city had gone so quiet that this great metropolis had almost ground to a halt. If this continued, the economic damage would be incalculable.
Although they had already notified the Clavena Family, it was clear that the other party hadn't come up with any viable solution either.
Just then, a Mage entered the Meteorological Bureau and reported to the Director:
"Good news, Director—someone is already dealing with the abnormal situation in the Padalenbu Sea Region. It's Council Member Clavena."
The Mages around them heard this and were suddenly overcome with relief, smiles breaking across their faces involuntarily.
Even the Director, who had been deep in anxiety, visibly relaxed—the tight furrow in her brow easing.
A Council Member's power was extraordinary, and the one currently in control of the sea region was Blairstone's very own Council Member Clavena.
That is to say, Viktor.
This news had come from the Royal Capital.
It was genuine information passed along by Viktor's younger sister—Leah, the public figurehead of the Clavena Family.
Though no one knew how she had come by this information, it was nonetheless heartening.
The Director gazed at the continuously shifting weather readings and spoke:
"With Council Member Clavena's help, our workload can ease somewhat."
"Gather people first. Have the Mages prepare Formations—we need to prioritize stabilizing the weather over Blairstone."
Just as she finished speaking, another Mage came stumbling through the door:
"Director Norma, there's a new development."
Norma turned her head, looked at the frantic subordinate, and asked quickly:
"What is it—tell me immediately."
The Mage caught his breath, then said haltingly:
"At Blairstone Port, there's a...uh, a Demi-human...who's swimming in the water?"
His words were filled with uncertainty: "She says she can help us change the weather."
Norma was somewhat puzzled—just who would dare make such a confident claim.
Seeing the Director's brow gradually knit together, the subordinate quickly extended what he was holding toward her:
"She said...she wanted me to show you this."
Norma took it. It was a badge.
On the badge were 3 shattered human heads—unmistakable at a glance.
Norma's eyes went wide. She recognized the insignia's meaning instantly.
With an expression of utter disbelief, she cried out:
"A Council Member!?"
***
At the storm-ravaged Blairstone Port District.
The Demi-humans were calmly directing the surrounding sailors and fishermen to evacuate from the waterfront.
Leon had a communication device on her ear, receiving real-time updates from Lady Leah back in the Royal Capital.
At the same time, Leon's gaze drifted toward the port—the spot closest to the sea's surface.
She looked in that direction, her eyes carrying a trace of exasperation.
"Mm...yes, Lady Leah."
"That person from last time...she's come looking for Helnersen again..."
At that moment, Helnersen sat cross-legged on the shoreline with arms folded, his presence steady and profound, eyes fixed squarely on the young girl before him.
The girl had a head of red hair and a beautiful face, half-reclining against the bank's edge.
Only—the lower half of her body, floating in the water, was truly difficult to look at directly.
It was an enormous and beautiful fish tail, in a brilliant shade of crimson.
The scales upon it shimmered like rubies—eye-catching, wide, and vivid.
She leaned against the bank's edge, one hand busily stroking Helnersen's muscular arm without the slightest restraint.
Her eyes brimmed with coy allure, throwing flirtatious glances at Helnersen one after another.
"Mister Bear-Man~just tell me, won't you."
"Do you have a mate or not?"