I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 577

"And you’re looking perfectly fine." Ian smiled.

"Told you I’d be fine in no time." Thesaya’s smile deepened as she stepped up beside him. She even gave him a wink. "Catch your breath, Ian. And shake that wet hair off."

Before she had even finished speaking, she thrust out her left hand, clutching the gemstone. The moment she spread her palm wide, the condensed spell burst forth.

Crack—

Large ice crystals bloomed one after another, lower and in a narrower range than before. Beyond them, however, long, sharp icicles sprouted like sea urchin spines. Staring at the massive crimson shape closing in beneath the surface, Thesaya finally clenched her fist.

Boom!

The crystal barrier exploded, spraying sharp icicles in all directions. Immediately after, the shark-like sea beast shot up from the surface, startled.

A piercing scream followed. Icicles had embedded themselves not only in its tough-looking back but also deep in one of its eyes.

Drawing back the Platinum Claws, Ian glanced to the side. "Looks like you won’t have to worry about magic exhaustion for a while."

Even with the spell gone, a massive amount of magic still radiated from Thesaya.

She lowered her outstretched arm and smiled. "That's right. I still have a lot of that elixir left to digest. Besides…" She tilted her head. "Sister will be joining us soon."

Ian looked back. The flames of the sacred fire on the main deck were clearly visible even from here, blazing so fiercely it seemed they might set the sails alight at any moment.

"Looks like they threw all the firewood in," Ian murmured.

Thesaya, whose eyes were glowing blue again, shrugged. "They were very eager. I helped a little, too. No point holding back, right? We need to endure only until we reach the lighthouse."

If that’s not the case, we’re in real trouble.

Yog's languid whisper followed.

—Thanks to that, I’m withering away over here…

Neither Ian nor Thesaya paid it any mind. They couldn’t very well extinguish the sacred fire just for its comfort. Besides, behind them, the shark-like monster from before and another sea beast that had caught up to it were racing toward them.

Swoosh—

Right then, Thesaya leaned over the railing. From her outstretched hand, a blast of blue frost shot out.

Crack, crack, crack—

Leaving a winding trail, the surface of the sea behind the ship froze. A thick sheet of ice was forming in the middle of the roiling ocean.

Crackle—

The pursuing sea beasts crashed into the ice like icebreakers, cutting through it. Though the surface cracked and shattered, it was enough to slow them down.

Taking in the sight, Ian murmured, "Chill Wave?"

"I learned it as Frost Wave," Thesaya replied, still pouring out magic through her palms. Despite her tone, she glanced back at Ian with a proud smile.

Crack— Crunch—

More sea beasts crashed into the ice sheet, which now extended behind the ship like a tail.

—All well and good…

Yog’s whisper slithered into Ian’s mind at that moment.

—But you haven’t forgotten my warning, have you?

Ian finally turned his head to the other side. Beyond the tall wooden frame, a pale blue light was visible atop a wave that rose like a valley wall. It was a ship that had been approaching at an angle.

"Is that thing heading this way?" Thesaya asked, straightening up. She flicked her wrist to shake off the shattered magic stone.

Sheathing his Truesilver Steel Sword, Ian nodded. "Probably."

"Why this way? Don’t tell me—" Thesaya’s brow furrowed.

As the ship slid down the wave, the crimson swarm pursuing it also became clearer.

Boom— Crash!

Blue bolts shot from the ship, exploding one after another. Of course, it was not enough to stop the tide of sea beasts. As Thesaya let out a sigh, Ian leaped onto the railing.

"Can I leave the rear to you, Thesa?" he asked.

Startled back to her senses, Thesaya nodded. "O-Of, of course!"

She fumbled for her magic stone pouch while looking up at Ian. He was pulling the grappling hook that had been firmly lodged in the wooden frame. As the ship climbed a wave, its hull tilting back, Ian grabbed the hook and climbed onto the frame.

A sudden unease crossed Thesaya’s face. "What are you doing, Ian?"

"What else?" Ian shrugged, standing precariously on the frame. His gaze was fixed on the ship sliding down the wave in the distance. "I’m going over there. To stop it."

"Going over? To there?" Thesaya’s eyebrows shot up.

She glanced at the ship;it was an impossible distance to cross unless one could fly.

After a beat, she took a sharp breath. "That’s too reckless! Even if you make it there, how will you get back?!"

"It’s coming this way anyway. I'll figure something out," replied Ian, gripping the rope just beneath the hook. The hook left his hand and spun.

Raising his left arm, Ian let the rope unfurl in widening loops and added, "Watch your head. You could die if this hits you."

"O-Okay." Thesaya instinctively ducked, fitting a new magic stone into her gemstone. All the while, her eyes were fixed on the rope spinning over Ian’s head.

Whoosh— Whoosh—

The rope spun faster and faster, now long enough to just barely miss the central railing. Despite swinging the rope menacingly, Ian was standing as steady as if rooted to the spot. When they were more than halfway up the wave, he looked down at Thesaya, his eyes ashen.

"If I don't make it back, don't do anything stupid. Just keep going."

Before Thesaya could reply, Ian thrust his arm forward. The spinning hook shot out in a straight line, aimed directly at the other ship.

Thwump—

Immediately after, Ian kicked off the frame and launched himself in the same direction. Thesaya’s gaze followed the red arc as it flew away with the swirling wind.

"Ian, you really are…" she murmured in a tone that was equal parts admiration and exasperation.

She then looked down. The crimson trajectories of the sea beasts were once again climbing the waves. As she pressed her lips together and prepared a new spell, Yog's whisper entered her mind.

—Now I can finally breathe, though that red divinity of yours is almost equally disgusting.

I’m really doing all sorts of crazy shit, he thought, watching the grappling hook fly ahead of him. The hook was slowly losing speed, arcing downward.

Whoosh!

The hook skipped in mid-air and shot up again, struck by Ian’s outstretched Willful Grasp. Immediately after, Ian thrust his left arm behind him.

A Whirlwind erupted, pushing him forward once more.

Yog burst out laughing.

—At this rate, you might actually end up flying, my friend.

Of course, that was impossible. He was merely gliding, slowing his descent. If he hadn’t launched himself from the crest of a wave, his feet would have already been touching the water.

Rumble—

In any case, the ship, shrouded in a pale blue mist, was rapidly approaching as it climbed the wave. The ripples of chaos and tainted magic grew sharper and clearer.

The bead of chaos essence resonated in response. With calm, steady eyes, Ian took in the ship. It was hard to believe something that old and battered could slice through the water at such speed.

So, it’s running on magic after all.

Ian’s gaze lingered on the barnacles clinging to the hull. With the Willful Grasp, he lashed the grappling hook once more, eyes fixed on the empty foredeck.

"Die— You bastards!"

"Master of the Deep… Grant me greater strength!"

The commotion was coming from the main and aft decks. Clearly, the crew was too busy fending off the sea beasts to pay attention to anything else. Someone might have spotted him, but with the sea swarming with giant crimson monsters, he likely wouldn’t draw much attention.

Thwack—

The hook soared in a high arc just as Ian unleashed another Whirlwind behind him. The ship was closer now. As intended, the hook flew over the foredeck railing.

Zing…

Pulling the rope, Ian activated his Platinum Barrier, raising the shield to his side and turning.

Crunch.

The Platinum Barrier slammed diagonally into the hull. Barnacles rained down, revealing a hull that was unscratched by the impact. The same was true of the half-broken railing the hook had caught on. Even as the impact sent him flying backward, Ian, now gripping the rope with both hands, pulled with all his might.

"Phew…" A quiet sigh of relief slipped out.

The rope was secure. This insane stunt had actually worked. The hull, which tapered downward, was not a problem as it was currently climbing a wave.

Thud.

Planting his feet on the hull, Ian climbed up, pulling on the rope with both hands. The barnacles under his feet crumbled away.

"Reload! Quickly!"

"Hahaha— Just a little longer! One last gift for you bastards!"

"Get a grip if you want to go to our Father’s side! You sons of bitches!"

Amidst the chaos of the corrupted sailors, Ian vaulted over the railing and landed on the deck. The shouts and cheers died down one by one as he turned and unhooked the grappling hook.

—They all seem rather confused.

Yog chuckled as Ian turned. The deck, much wider than the Black Wave’s, had four large crossbows mounted on the sides and stern. The one on the side was clearly broken.

All the sailors were gathered around the three functioning crossbows, staring at Ian. Their bloated, fishlike faces were filled with confusion and bewilderment.

—The one at the helm back there must be their captain.

As Ian surveyed the deck, he gave a slight nod.

"The hell is that guy?"

"Red divinity and a golden shield?"

"How did he get on board?"

The corrupt sailors looked around at each other in disbelief. A faint smirk tugged at Ian’s lips as he drew the Truesilver Steel Sword.

Swoosh—

The moment it left the scabbard, a golden Mantra flared up, becoming a bright yellow blade of magic.

Tap, tap!

Ian charged forward instantly. In a single bound, he was on the central deck, swinging his right arm toward a corrupted sailor who stood frozen, his fish-pale eyes wide with shock.

Crunch—

The creature, nearly two meters tall and covered in blue scales, had a hide as tough as any sea beast. Of course, it wasn’t tough enough to stop the Platinum Claws from slicing clean through it.

"Uh?"

The sailor’s fishlike eyes blinked as its upper body slid diagonally off its torso. Before the lower half had even collapsed, Ian smashed it aside with his Platinum Barrier and continued past, the grappling hook still in his hand. Chunks of viscous flesh and entrails splattered across the deck.

"What are you staring at?! Kill him!" At the center of the raised stern, gripping the round helm, a massive corrupted man finally bellowed.

It had to be the captain Yog had mentioned. He was taller than the others, a wide-brimmed pirate hat jammed low over his head. Below it, bluish tendrils writhed like hair, quivering with rage.

"W-Wait, Captain. That sword and shield—"

"Kill him!"

"Keep firing! We’ll take care of this bastard!"

A few hesitant voices were drowned out by the enraged shouts of the other sailors. The corrupt sailors charged, wielding rusty blades and slimy tentacles. However, Ian, rushing to meet them, wasn’t looking at them.

Found you.

His gaze was fixed on the far side of the deck, next to the thick mainmast. A figure in a tattered, hooded cloak stood there alone—the spellcaster.

"Insane…. How… how did he get… here?"

The man, his face a mess of boils, was preparing a spell even as he gaped in horror. His eyes glowed with an ominous dark green light;he wasn’t preparing a blue spell. In any case, he was too far to reach in a single dash, and the other sailors would soon block his path. However, that wasn’t a problem for Ian.

Swoosh—

With a sharp motion, Ian thrust forward the arm he’d raised. The bright yellow arc shot from his hand like a beam of light.

Crack!

The spellcaster's head snapped back. A sword hilt jutted from the middle of his face, its magical blade erupting from the back of his skull in a brilliant flash.