[ToG] Muse: Book 1 [Song of the Beginning]

Chapter 24 Nitency

Nitency: effort; impulse; tendency

In which Bam doesn't appreciate Evolet's tendency to think of her life lightly and Miseng doesn't regret her decision to ask Evolet a certain question on impulse.

¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸

To say Bam was angry was an understatement, though you could certainly say he was livid. Rage was rolling off of him in waves, directed at the man who had dared to hurt Evolet. With just one look, Bam understood that the man was stronger than him by leaps and bounds. But he also knew why Evolet had stood up against the man, they had something on the line and they couldn’t afford to lose.

He was irked that Evolet had told Horyang and Arkraptor to not let him come, his gaze trailing over to Evolet who still had difficulties breathing and pain apparent on her pale complexion. If only he didn't leave her alone, if only he didn't let her go with the others and instead made her wait for Yihwa with him. She was a Defender in his book, someone who wasn't meant to fight but to protect. He was supposed to be the one fighting, not her. She wasn't supposed to get hurt. His fists clenched as the Shinsu heeded his command with gritted teeth. Anger clouded his mind but he couldn't find it in him to care.

Urek stared at him with interest. Raising an eyebrow at the long locks that covered the brunette's face, though he could feel the animosity behind those bangs. His eyes wandered to the girl he defeated earlier, connecting the dots in his mind.

"Are you really going to challenge me? Despite how your partner just lost to me, Slayer Nominee? If you won't give up then you'll die."

"I have things that I fear more than death." Bam answered, moving his hand lightly as he gathered the Shinsu around him.

Urek narrowed his eyes, sending a small gust of wind to sweep Bam's bangs so that he could see his eyes. With one look, he could see that the boy was trying his best to keep himself composed. "Your hair is unkempt, but aside from the burning rage, your eyes are alright. Fine, I'll play with you, little boy. Let's begin the second round."

¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸

The baby Zygaena wriggled in Urek's hold, trying to escape to no avail. Urek stared at the unexpected gift, contemplating the oddity of the turn of events though it was certainly a good thing. Turning to the Regulars who were frozen from fear, he motioned to the other Zygaena flower. “Hey, babes. Take this flower.”

Ignoring the flabbergasted shout of ‘what’ and the stamers of ‘why’, Urek continued to speak. “Now that this little one’s been born, I don’t need that flower anymore. I’ll just give it to you. Take it. And tell them when they wake up, it’s a reward for their hard work and courage. That is, the courage to challenge and protect their teammates while facing the strongest man.”

They could only stare dumbfoundedly at the man who was walking away with the baby Zygaena in tow. Almost hesitantly, Wangnan asked his team, “What the heck is he all about…?”

It was Horyang who realized the identity of said man, telling his team to read the name on his back. They all knew that name tattooed on his back, trembling in fear and relief as the realization kicked in. It’s been quite a storm for them, but they didn’t quite have the leisure to relax just yet since two of their members were injured heavily.

Bam opened his eyes in a dazed state, the shouts of his teammates muddled in his ears. He couldn’t completely process what happened, though he understood that they all survived. Despite the haziness, his gaze wandered around in search of Evolet. His back burned from the sheer pain, but he pushed himself up while ignoring the panicked shouts and his throbbing back when he couldn’t find Evolet. Still gasping for air and vision clouded by his own blood, Bam mouthed out Evolet’s name. Yihwa quickly caught on to the cause of his stubbornness, calling out Arkraptor to bring Evolet over to Bam.