Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]

Chapter 92.2: Rosario no More

Abandoned Island South of Serisis

10:25 a.m. 5th Zelyr 1092.

15 Days to World's End.

Whooosh!

Fang Ling stood at the helm of a boat as it washed onto the lonely island's shores. The midi's furrowed brows depicted his frustrated anger. Once again, their search had turned up fruitless. More and more, he began to believe they needed to even deeper beneath the sea. But, unfortunately, that was Kudrick's territory. At the moment, Fang Ling could not think of a way to break past Kudrick's senses to delve deeper to search.

In the end, it seemed he had no choice but to rely on external help. Speaking of which...

Fang Ling hopped down from the boat, and then, after placating the crew, ventured inland. Over the past couple of days, the daeben kid moved further inland in search of stronger earth. He would only emerge when it was time to either eat, or spar. As Fang Ling progressed through the foliage, he came across several smooth, spherical depressions in the ground.

Fang Ling swallowed hard as he walked past these holes. That monstrous kid grew at an astonishing rate. The experienced veteran could tell. In a few months, he wouldn't even be capable of chasing the kid's tail anymore. 'Well, I can always boast of being a monster's teacher.'

Fang Ling consoled himself as he emerged into a small clearing. 'As creepy as always.' Dozens of stone, and mud statues filled the clearing. Initially, they were deformed messes without any discernible shapes, but the further Fang Ling walked, the more definetd they became.

Some statues depicted warriors in battleposes. Some depicted beasts poised for an attack, or laying down. Fang Ling suppressed goosebumps that shot up as he gazed into the life-like eyes. 'Did he have to paint them?' This was the true source of Fang Ling's unease. For whatever reason, Kashi insisted on painting these sculptures.

Unfortunately, the daeben was far too skilled an artist. Kashi's statues ended up looking too realistic, almost like they would move out and attack at a moment's notice.

Splash!

A loud splash by the creek drew Fang Ling's attention. He jerked his head to see Kashi standing on a tiny man-made island. Evidently, the daeben had thrown a giant rock into the creek, and somehow locked it in place. Kashi, however, was not alone on the island. A lauging mermaid sat on the stone platform. Streams of water rose from the creek and arced around her in beautiful spirals.

"What the―" Fang Ling quickly rubbed his eyes, and focused. This time, he saw the truth. The 'mermaid' was another sculpture. Only, this time, it had reached such a high degree of realism, that it momentarily created an illusion. Having regained his senses, Fang Ling walked to the edge of the creek and then called out, "Kashi!"

"Ling-san!" Kashi looked up from the sculpture, paint comically splattered on his cheeks and fingers. "Just a moment!" He quickly applied the finishing touches to the sculpture. Immediately he raised his hand, Kashi recieved a series of prompts.