Youngest 223

Episode 223

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“Ugh, it’s so cramped.”

I crawled into the cave, inching my way through the gap between the rocks.

I was the only one who could squeeze through the narrow passageway.

Of course, I faced opposition from Kal and the rest of my family, but this time, I couldn’t concede.

“There’s no way someone like Father could have been defeated by mere magical beasts. There must be another reason.”

“But still!”

“If he’s hurt and unable to get out, we have to rescue him quickly. Is there anyone here who can use healing magic?”

“…….”

“Yes! That’s me!”

There was no way Grandfather, Kal with his massive black sword, or the senior knights could pass through here. Even Mother, who was taller and bulkier than I, wouldn’t make it.

“……Fine. Then, in the meantime, we’ll clear the rocks from this spot and try to come in. If you sense any danger, avoid it at all costs! Understood?”

With Grandfather’s firm, restrained resolve, the knights’ determination blazed even brighter.

Kal bit his lip until the last moment, then forced out a stifled voice.

“If anything happens, tell us right away. Somehow… I’ll get to you.”

“Just know that if you blow something up in here, you’ll bury me, too.”

“There are plenty of other ways besides explosions.”

“Huh?”

“Like taming the cave beasts, for instance.”

“You’re insane.”

Even as he made a big X with his arms, declaring his absolute opposition, Kal couldn’t erase his stubborn expression.

‘I’d better get out of here before my spare battery gets contaminated.’

I crawled forward again, inching my way through the dark crevice.

At times, the blocked passage left me nearly suffocated. Whenever that happened, I’d shift the stones ever so slightly with my magic—delicately, gently. One misstep, and I’d be buried myself.

“It’s a little scary…”

Inside, the darkness was absolute, pitch-black.

I conjured a small magical light. There wasn’t enough room to float it beside me.

After a moment’s thought, I infused the faint blue pendant around my neck with the light instead.

A soft glow radiated out from the pendant. There was no reason it should, and yet it felt as if Father’s gentle warmth was enveloping me.

‘What should I say to him when I find him?’

Shall I tell him that, in truth, we were always a family from the beginning?

That even after wandering for so long, I’m glad we finally met?

That I hope he won’t blame himself too much or let himself be swallowed by sorrow?

‘…I don’t know.’

I bit my lip.

I forced myself to act brave in front of my family.

But the thought of making Father face the truth—it scared me, just a little.

Because I couldn’t even imagine the darkness that surrounded him.

‘An illusion spell lures in the vulnerable places in a person’s heart…’

I didn’t want to believe Father could have succumbed to such magic, but if there were lingering regrets, sorrows, or unresolved feelings in his heart greater than I’d imagined…

“Gasp, the exit.”

Just as I was sinking into endless thoughts, I spotted the end of the passage ahead.

Shaking my head, I hurried forward.

It was odd to call it an exit when I was crawling into a cave, but in any case, I’d safely passed the collapse and arrived deeper inside.

Springing up, I didn’t even notice the stinging pain of my scraped, bleeding palms and knees.

“Father!”

Inside, it was damp and dark. I heard the steady drip, drip of water falling onto moss-covered rocks.

‘The concentration of illusion magic is far too thick.’

It wasn’t a lie that a high-grade magical beast had been here. The lingering traces of illusion magic within the cave were heavier than I’d expected.

I quickly cast a protective spell, ensuring the dreadful magic wouldn’t cloud my mind.

‘Which way should I go?’

The cave twisted and tangled like an anthill. But I couldn’t let myself stop—I ran.

Scrapes and cuts gathered on my arms as the sharp walls clawed at me.

‘There could be a sealed magical beast, too.’

A faint trace of mana. Instinctively, I followed it.

I slipped and fell on the slick floor, then scrambled to my feet again, repeating the cycle several times.

Finally, I reached the deepest part of the cave.

And there, amid the remains of magical beasts stacked like a mountain—

“Father…!”

I saw my father collapsed to one side.

I rushed over, nearly rolling, and shook his broad form. Seeing his eyes so tightly closed, my heart somersaulted in panic.

Quickly pressing my ear to his strong chest, I was relieved to hear—thump, thump—the steady beat of a heart.

“Father! Wake up!”

He looked peaceful, as if napping under the shade of a tree at the training grounds.

‘No visible injuries. So it was an illusion spell, after all.’

Had he defeated all the beasts then collapsed? Or was he wandering in a dream yet still fighting by instinct?

The moment I went to shake his shoulder again, my gaze caught on his stone-like clenched fist.

“This is…”

With difficulty, I pried out a golden locket that gleamed in his hand. One contained a family photo. The other—

“…It’s me.”

It was a portrait of myself as a child.

All the pent-up emotion inside me surged up in an instant.

It was as if I understood what kind of vision had ensnared and finally broken him.

“Father… please.”

Right then, chills ran up my skin.

From deeper in the cave, black as a gaping pit—

The aura of a high-grade magical beast, shuddering as if it might awaken at any moment, washed over me.

‘So that’s where the strongest one was sealed!’

I extended my barrier to its limits.

The gigantic spider-like beast that emerged was one I’d seen before on the battlefield.

‘A breed that lures its prey in with illusions and devours them.’

It targeted people at their weakest. Its attack power wasn’t especially high, but regardless, it was a high-grade magical beast.

Krrrkk!

It began hammering at my barrier with dozens of bladed, hairy legs.

Kang! Kaang! Kang!

Fortunately, not a single crack appeared in the shield.

‘…Thank goodness we’re down south.’

I glanced at the gauge on my magic watch. If I borrowed mana from the environment, I should be able to repel the beast’s assault for some time without burning through my reserves.

‘At least until Khalid arrives!’

I could protect Father.

“Father, come back to your senses!”

I shouted his name.

Kkikig, kang!

The monster, eyes bulging by the hundreds, charged to devour me.

Don’t be afraid.

By my side is the strongest hero in the world.

I took Father’s hand and channeled mana into him.

Please, notice me. I’m here.

I poured all my heart into it.

‘Father will return, no matter what.’

Long ago, when I was a child, crying and huddled in a black cave, it was Father who saved me.

Everyone has a cave in their heart they cannot escape alone.

Not because they are weak, but because they are kind and gentle, these things take root within them.

Because someone is precious, because they yearn so desperately, regret and remorse and self-reproach remain.

The one who taught me all this—was Father. It was my family.

Father led the childish me, sheltering in the shadows, into the sunlight.

And so, this time, it’s my turn.

Now I will become the signpost for him.

‘Wherever you’re wandering, I’ll be here so you can always find your way back!’

My desperate mana flowed even stronger through Father’s hand.

Kang! Kang! Kaang!

The beast’s attacks intensified, but as much as my energy waned, the surrounding mana bolstered and reinforced the barrier, so things were still holding steady.

Until then.

Kyaaaargh!

All at once, the beast let out a bizarre screech and shriveled its body. For a moment, I thought it was retreating and let out a breath of relief—when a vast, ominous force swept through.

“…!”

At the same time, the pressure on my barrier multiplied. I turned my head on instinct—and my eyes went wide.

“It’s not… just one.”

Awakened from slumber, swarming monsters began to flood in. In the next instant, razor-sharp claws lunged toward me.