Artemia: Journey To The Thirtieth Floor

18. A Mysterious Creature

"We can't leave Scylla alone here," I blurted out with my gaze fixed on Scylla.

"Come on, Ivory! What exactly do you expect us to do?" Blake asked, his voice frustrated.

If I had to be honest, there's nothing more we can do except leave her here. But I don't think it's a good idea to leave a girl here all alone, tied up like she's a monster. Scylla did not deserve to be imprisoned in this place, especially given how she assisted the rebellion's fight against the rulers. But to get her out, the four of us would most likely have to put our lives in danger.

I groaned and looked around, hoping that we might be able to come across anything that would be of use. There's probably nothing there, but I can't afford to give up too soon. We've already been busted, so it won't be a big deal if the kings find out what we've been up to. However, we'd have to be extra cautious from here on out now on.

While I was looking for a way out, I heard strange noises. It seemed like something was scratching the floor, so I went over to check what was going on. And then I saw that Scylla seemed to be writing something on the floor with the metal bar near her. Oh, she's opted to simply write it down since she's unable to communicate verbally.

"Please go," Freya said aloud as she read the message. "Ivory, this is exactly what Scylla wants us to do. We're powerless, or at least not strong enough to get her out of here. It seems like a powerful spell has been placed upon her. If we attempt to release her, the kings will not let us off the hook. You're well aware that we haven't yet reached the point where we can confront them, aren't you?"

I turned to Scylla, trying to figure out what she really wanted us to do. She waved her hand and motioned for us to go with a sad look on her face. Ha, I get it. They're definitely right. Even if I believe that releasing her would be the best course of action, it will be detrimental to the team's welfare. Doing the right thing isn't always the wisest course of action in every circumstance.

"All right..." I breathed. "We have no option except to part ways with Scylla."

"I'm sorry," Blake whispered as he extended to me.

I smiled and nodded, letting him know that I understood what he was saying perfectly. I eventually understood that I was being unreasonable by expecting everyone to go along with everything I wanted just because I was the one who was in charge. But to prevent the team from deviating from the plan, the leader's responsibility is to supervise rather than direct the team members' actions.

"Goodbye. We'll make sure to get you out of this area after we've finished this game," I told Scylla as I waved my hands at her.

She gave us a kind smile and a thumbs-up. I really hope everything goes well for her out there. I feel sorry because we have to leave her there alone, especially after learning what the three kings are capable of doing. That is why we must work even harder to make our way to the top and vanquish the three kings. We'll be able to rescue everyone this way.

Ah, I was being too optimistic...

I took a deep breath and prepared to return to the surface, my heart getting heavier with each step. It honestly seems wrong to me since I have experienced what it is like to be abandoned. Being alone is not a nice incident for me, and I have a feeling Scylla is feeling the same way right now. She's all alone in a dungeon...with no one to talk to. I wish she could at least have some company in that dark place.

"Hey, what happened to the guy who lost his sister?" I asked when we arrived at the surface, looking around for their trace. "I can't seem to find them."

Dylan explained that he had sent him back earlier as he gave me a pat on the head. "I think you did a good job."

I managed to flash a shaky grin. "Thank you very much."

"Did you guys accomplish the quest?" a random person asked as he approached us.

"Yeah," I answered with a chilly tone while walking to the changing cubicle.

That group of people who approached us does not seem to have good intentions, at least based on my observation. Since the time we walked through the door, everyone has been staring at us. Blake's presence is known to almost all of the players who are still alive. Because of that, we received unwarranted attention. But it was okay with us! Many players scorn us because they consider us to be a danger. Well, I do think that we are.

I sighed as I walked out of the booth, frustrated that we couldn't get any rest even though we were literally on the beach. The pristine waters, the beautiful scenery, they all went to waste! We must keep a sharp eye out since assassination attempts might occur at any moment. Sure enough, we're on the wanted list that's floating around right now. But I really hope that this is not the case. It would have been fun to run around the shore...

"Wow, this place is incredible..." I mumbled to myself as I proceeded towards the inn that we had rented earlier.

"Be careful," Freya muttered as she patted the back of my neck.

I smiled and nodded. "Should I put a barrier up?"

"I'll take care of it. You should take some time to recover, okay? I'm sure you're feeling fatigued at the moment," Dylan said with a smile.

Blake ruffled the back of my neck. "It's time for you to rest, Leader."

They seemed to be determined to help me get some rest, so I did what they asked. My body feels like it's on the verge of collapsing at any moment. I'm in so much pain that I can't even take a shower because of the discomfort I feel. It's just beginning to take effect! Perhaps I went a little too far when I fought those serpents earlier. It's taking a toll on my body right now...

I awoke with a little dizziness in my head. Ah, I feel like I'm about to throw up. Silhouettes began to rush about, which made me feel much more queasy than before! I exhaled and lay on the bed once again, my gaze locked on the ceiling. I tried blinking a few times in the hopes of making myself feel a little better.

"Ivory!" a familiar voice yelled, which got me to snap out of my reverie.

"Ah, Freya..." I murmured.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything that hurts? Do you want anything to eat?" she asked, sounding hella worried.

Her inquiries made my brain throb, but I felt obligated to provide her with a thorough response. But because the ceiling was spinning, I completely forgot about everything I wanted to say in a split second. What the hell is going on? There was something in my body that made me feel heavy and...hot? I have a strong want to assault anything, and I'm afraid I'll pass out if I don't do so!

I sprang to my feet and dashed outside at maximum speed. The moment I arrived at a place where no one else was present, I promptly fired a shot into the water. Something leaped out of the sea and devoured the snowball just as it was going to touch the water! When I looked at the spot where the creature had popped out, my mouth dropped open. A massive tsunami erupted and almost swept me away, but I managed to hold on for dear life.

Damn, it nearly took the life out of me. Thankfully, I was able to put a barrier up just in time before it reached me. But what the heck just happened? I glanced at the water as I attempted to remember what I saw. Uhm, as far as I recall, a monster suddenly emerged out of the sea and ate the ball of elemental force that I formed. What was that thing...

"Ivory!"

"What happened?!"

"Hey, are you all right?!"

Freya, Dylan, and Blake were panting as they looked at me, waiting for my response. They were also completely soaked as a result of the wave. But I was too taken aback by what I witnessed, and I couldn't say anything. I swear, I saw that thing that appeared out of nowhere! That wave it made was so powerful that I was on the verge of passing out!

"Ivory!" Freya yelled as she softly smacked my cheek.

I glanced at her for a moment before looking out at the water. "Did you happen to see that?" I asked.

"Is it the tidal wave? Yes. But are you feeling alright?" she worriedly asked as she tried to check whether I had wounds on my body.

"Ivory, how do you feel? What happened here?" Blake asked, his brows furrowing out of confusion.

"Something out of the water emerged..." I mumbled to myself.

"What?" he asked as he leaned in to hear what I was saying.

"There was a beast..." I reiterated.

He sighed and lifted me off the ground, leaving me shocked. But I chose to just let him do it. I snaked my arms around her shoulder for support, so he raised a brow at me. I don't feel flustered right now, even though I would usually do. Witnessing something like that after I had just gotten out of bed was a little frightening. That thing had the ability to consume my attack, so I don't believe it is simply another sea monster.

Ah, right. It didn't explode just yet...

I smiled and glanced down at the ground as I snapped my finger. A tremendous explosion was heard across the surrounding area, and it even created an earthquake in certain areas. Blake looked at me with wrinkled brows before bolting for a more secure location. Freya and Dylan were sprinting away from us when I looked back.

"Ivory..." Blake muttered before asking me as he put me down. "What did you do?"

Freya constructed a protective barrier around us to keep us from being injured. Instead of replying to Blake, I glanced around and saw that the water was steadily receding. It seems as if everyone was able to protect themselves against that threat. Heh, it's possible that the monster who ate it is no longer alive.

"Ivory!" Blake called, trying to get my attention. He was very frustrated because of the way I acted, but I couldn't help it.

I let out a sigh. "All right, I'll explain."

"Don't try to leave any information out."

I told them everything that happened, from the moment I felt the impulse to assault anything until the point when I was carried away by the tsunami. Even though I was aware that the three of them were attempting to keep from criticizing me, they listened closely still. I would totally understand if they scold me! I'm not sure what it was that possessed me, but I've been completely out of it since I woke up.

"That's all there is to it..." I whispered under my breath as I glanced down.

"Ivory, were you bothered by it that much? Why did you make it explode?" Blake asked in a calm manner.

I blinked twice since it was a response I hadn't expected. "Yeah..."

"Okay, I'm sorry for getting all worked up about this. Just...let us know if you're planning on doing anything like that, please," Blake said this to me in a kind voice as he ruffled my hair.

"Aren't you being a little too lenient with me...?"

"We certainly didn't expect you to act in such a manner, but we know that you're dealing with a lot of issues at the moment. You're our leader, and we were aware that you were under pressure because of the position you're in. You've been trying to shoulder the responsibility of leading this group for quite some time. Don't worry, we completely understand what you're going through," Dylan said as he assisted me in standing up.

Freya giggled and touched the back of my neck a couple of times. "Ivory, everything is in order..."

I smiled to myself as I looked down on the ground. Heh, I consider myself really fortunate to have them as colleagues. If it were other people, I bet I would have been kicked out of the group right there and then. Perhaps I've been too tense these last several months, and it's now taking its toll on my health. Now is a good time for me to try to relax! I think it's just right, especially for the sake of the team.

It's important to note that I'm not attempting to justify my conduct here. But, if I want us to continue working together, I'd have to let loose for a little bit. I feel like I really need to get rid of the tension that has been building up recently. I won't have to be concerned about my behavior spiraling out of control all of a sudden. I don't want to become an even larger nuisance.

"Thank you," I responded as I lifted my head to look them in the eye. "From now on, I'm going to keep myself under control."

"That's my girl right there."

I didn't pay attention to what Blake was saying since it was giving me a weird feeling! But when Dylan tousled my hair, I was on the verge of losing it. Seriously?! I'm supposed to control myself right after I say that? I took a deep breath and proceeded towards the exact place where the thing appeared.

"Do you want us to look into it?" I asked. They nodded, and we moved on to the next step.

"It's most likely a quest, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Or maybe an anomaly may have happened."

"Perhaps a leyline disorder?" says the author.

I believe it has something to do with Scylla since it is practically just next to the site of the dungeon. This is just a crazy assumption, but it's possible that Charybdis is involved. But I would not want to get engaged in anything like that if I could help it. That would be committing suicide right now!

"Run!"

I turned around to see what was causing all of the commotions. Everyone was yelling and raving about it! I was irritated at first, but as I understood what was going on, I became terrified! The three of them were also frightened, but I dragged each of them away from their terror to bring them back to reality!

"There's a minotaur!"