Chapter 41
Thud!
The space warped, and the center of the temple completely collapsed.
The hunters, who had been waiting for the maze to close, kept a distant watch on the person emerging from the exit.
“So, you’re here.”
Rowing slowly lifted his gaze. Beyond the collapsing stone debris, through the rising dust, a silhouette was walking out.
It was a woman with sky-blue hair.
Her movements were frail, as if she didn’t know how to fight. Her shoulders slumped, her legs wobbled. Yet despite her delicate appearance, she was an infamous criminal.
‘So she’s the Storm’s Lover.’
A bounty of 20,000 gold. Top-priority wanted by the royal family. The protagonist whose reputation shook the continent had appeared.
“What… she looks ordinary.”
“Well, it’s strange to come out of Maze alive, isn’t it?”
Canoe’s Bluebell stood silently in front of the altar, staring into the void. Her eyes, though before the empty altar, seemed still trapped inside the maze.
“She said she only needed to stay alive, right? This is a perfect opportunity! She even looks like she’s lost her mind!”
The hunters, gripping their weapons, were breathing heavily, ready to rush in. Excitement from the prospect of victory already filled the air among them.
“…Something’s off.”
Rowing muttered quietly. Even with the killing intent directed at her, Canoe seemed completely indifferent to them.
The woman standing before the altar lowered her head deeply. Her shoulders trembled slightly. A faint voice escaped her small lips.
“…Strange person.”
‘What did she say?’
Rowing motioned for the others to wait while he observed Canoe’s condition. But the murmurs of discontent could not be suppressed.
“Are you seriously going to make us stand by when the feast is right in front of us?”
“You coward! You’re out of the reward share!”
“Hey, if you all rush in at once…!”
Rowing tried to stop them, but they didn’t listen.
“What are you mumbling about, woman?”
“Looks like your lover is dead!”
Axes, sharpened and ready to strike her legs, approached. But Canoe remained standing in front of the altar, unmoved from her initial position.
“Doing whatever you want without consulting me.”
She clenched her fists, bit her lips, and raised her head. This time, her voice was clear.
“You call yourself a comrade. So why don’t you even ask for my opinion?”
Seeing her face, Rowing instinctively took a step back.
‘She’s… not scared.’
Her pale face showed no fear, no panic. In fact, it would be more accurate to say she looked angry.
“Now it’s over!”
Just as all the attacks were about to rain down on Canoe, a droplet of water appeared in the air, glowing with blue light.
“Why are you the only one left? Are you ignoring me?”
Rowing suddenly felt a cold chill surge through him. The air brushing against his skin seemed to shift the currents instantly.
“Everyone, get back!”
The moisture particles glowing like rings of water slowly circled around her. The waves formed a dance around her.
“W-what…!”
The weapons swung by the hunters instantly lost their power and dropped into the air.
Like ripples spreading across a calm surface, an invisible force radiated throughout the space.
It was too unusual to be just intimidation. At that moment, no one could use their supernatural abilities.
“….”
Everyone, forgetting even to breathe, watched the surreal spectacle.
From the ground around her, waves spread, calmly rippling outward. It looked like a sacred sanctuary where the god of the sea was holding its breath.
“The ruler of the horizon…?”
Rowing muttered reflexively. Behind her, it was as if a vast ocean had been draped.
It was overwhelming. And somehow familiar—he recalled a man who had ruled the seas.
“You absolute fool. More clueless than a giant squid.”
Without changing her expression, Canoe, who had just unleashed an immense power, spoke bluntly. Rowing laughed nervously, dumbfounded.
‘Does she even realize what she just did?’
No. She could never know. Whatever had angered her, the hunters didn’t even exist in her perception.
“I… I can’t breathe…!”
“M-my ability… isn’t working?”
The hunters, flung in all directions, rolled across the dirt, screaming.
When she lightly shook her hand, the surrounding blue aura dispersed. A weary voice followed.
“You know what?”
Rowing swallowed his astonishment and looked at Canoe. She was far stronger than he had expected.
‘…This fight was unwinnable from the start.’
He had to admit his complete defeat—underestimating Canoe Bluebell and failing to control the hunters.
“The stronger your power, the more you’re told not to show it.”
A hollow laugh escaped. He didn’t even feel motivated to oppose Canoe Bluebell. It was like a salmon facing a killer whale.
“But if you don’t, nothing changes anyway.”
Her blue eyes sank.
“Humans like you won’t leave me alone.”
Canoe’s gaze turned toward Rowing. At that moment, an oppressive force squeezed his chest and crushed his entire body.
Do not move. Do not resist. Rowing flinched, lowering his head. It wasn’t rational thought; it was instinct whispering.
“First, show me the way to the hostage.”
Rowing bowed. There was no other choice.
A single water droplet bounced between the stone debris.
“This is the master’s power.”
Jelly leapt into the air to observe the airborne moisture. The stronger the master, Canoe, became, the deeper their bond, allowing Jelly to sense it.
“Master, the battle is proceeding smoothly.”
The flowing waves entered Jelly like a current. Though faint, the familiar feeling reached him.
If he grew a bit more, he thought, one day he might be able to communicate with his master without a single word.
“The way the water is acting reminds me of fighting the giant squid.”
Jelly twirled his plump pink body and added,
“But… it seems she’s pretty angry, huh?”
Ian flinched slightly at the mention of anger and slowly stood.
“…Good that Canoe is safe.”
Ian exhaled quietly, looking up at the ceiling. Dust crumbled across the dried blood on his hands.
‘Body…’
Thanks to Jelly, he wasn’t seriously injured. Most of the poison had been neutralized; his only wound came from Smile’s attack. It was almost miraculous luck.
“Where did a jellyfish like this come from?”
Ian lightly tapped the round cap, and Jelly looked down at him, brimming with pride.
“Why? Is this the first time you’ve seen such a magnificent jellyfish?”
“Exactly. You saved me, Jelly.”
“I didn’t want the master to be sad if you died. We’re comrades, after all.”
Jelly shrugged, twitching the corners of his mouth. He glanced sideways and opened his mouth subtly.
“And… I don’t want to miss out on sashimi or fish cake either.”
“Ah.”
Ian smiled faintly. All the effort of feeding him to grow closer seemed worthwhile. He could almost hear Canoe’s voice scolding him not to tease Jelly.
“But…”
Jelly tilted his body slightly and asked. His tiny eyes stared at Ian with a surprisingly sharp gaze.
“I don’t think the master heard the last part properly, do you?”
Ian slowly lifted his head. He didn’t need to ask to know what Jelly meant. He hesitated briefly, then closed his mouth.
“…Now I’m taking advice from a jellyfish.”
“…Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Recalling his own words, he felt dizzy and collected his thoughts.
‘…I’ll never directly tell her that.’
Jelly tilted his head, staring at him. Ian tapped the jelly on the forehead and said,
“You’re the master’s capable partner, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then if you deliver it properly, won’t the master be happy?”
“…Oh!”
Jelly’s tiny eyes widened.
“Somehow, you did this last time too. Humans really require a lot of work.”
Satisfied with convincing the innocent jelly, Ian carefully removed the earring from one of his ears. First, he needed to leave this place and reunite with Canoe.
Rustle.
The wind shifted. The currents subtly rippled before violently mixing. Repressed senses erupted.
His head throbbed. That unpleasant feeling never became familiar, no matter how many times it happened.
He quickly sensed presences floating in the air.
‘This…’
The exit, hidden by the collapsing maze, faintly appeared. At the same time, he detected traces of another person nearby.
‘They’re coming.’
Already, they were within striking distance. Ian narrowed his brows slightly.
Along with the unfamiliar presence came a question.
“…Why are you here?”
