GBP Chapter 263 9 years ago
Chapter 263 9 years ago
That was probably nineteen years ago.
Overcast skies, torrential rain, flash floods submerged the village.
When the floodwaters recede, humanity's homes will be gone.
To escape the monsters' attacks, humans traveled to distant lands in search of a new home.
"What exactly do you want, Muban? If we don't catch up with the main group soon, we won't be able to reach the shelter before dark."
“I know, but I didn’t see Brother Luo’s house in the main group. They should have taken shelter nearby when the flash flood came.”
Ignoring the advice of those around him, Mu Ban headed straight into the legendary ruins and forests. Compared to his own safety, Mu Ban was more worried about the safety of Brother Luo's family.
“Brother Luo and his wife have a baby with them. If they fall behind the group, we’re doomed! I can’t leave them behind and go alone.”
"You go with the older generation first. I'll catch up with Brother Luo and the others as soon as I find them! I'm still young, I can handle it."
Muban remained as motivated as ever, unlike the others who were defeated by the disaster.
This flood destroyed not only people's homes, but also the few remaining hopes in their hearts.
The roar of the behemoth has already echoed from afar; the great disasters that have befallen the human world are nothing to the monster.
The predators continue their hunt as usual, and groups of humans are also potential prey.
"Where are they? Where are Brother Luo and the others?"
Traveling alone through the mountains is filled with loneliness and hardship. The flood-ravaged ground is muddy and fraught with danger; a moment's carelessness could lead to falling into a pit or having one's skin cut by loose rocks.
Muban's legs were bleeding from a mixture of blood and mud, and the increasingly cold wind heralded the arrival of night, but none of this could stop Muban's steps.
There were human footprints on the ground, and Muban knew that people had walked this road before, and Brother Luo and his group were likely ahead of them.
In the midst of chaos, even the smallest clue was enough to ignite a raging fire in Muban's heart. He saw hope, and he knew that all the suffering he had just endured was about to bring him the reward he desired.
The footprints extended deep into the cave, and Muban tried to call out to them, but received no response.
Muban's restless heart cooled down; he refused to believe his own rationality.
Unwilling to give up, Muban went to the cave alone, where he did find the Luo couple, but Muban was too late.
It was all too late... It was completely dark outside, and the breathing of the giant beast could be clearly heard. Muban had failed to save the Luo couple, and he didn't even know if he would survive the night.
"What's the use of thinking about all this nonsense now! Brother Luo's family were all good people; they shouldn't have died this way. If we don't bury them properly, won't those wild beasts just desecrate them!"
Impulsive, stubborn, inflexible, and unwilling to give up—these were the things that Brother Luo had been teaching Muban to do during his lifetime, and Muban remained unchanged even after Brother Luo's passing.
Muban urged his hands, which had been cold for so long, to light a fire with the last of his strength. He wanted to use the last light to dig a grave for the Luo couple and himself.
The cold gradually seeped into Muban's heart from the outside world, his movements became increasingly stiff, and all his thoughts revolved around death.
But when Muban shone the light on the Ro couple's faces, he discovered that they were not as desperate and in pain as he was; on the contrary, they were smiling contentedly at the end of their lives.
"Why? Why is this happening?"
"Wait, what about that child? Where did Brother Luo's child go?"
Now, having finally come to his senses, Muban rallied from his despair and found a new purpose to keep living.
As long as that child is alive, he cannot die. Even if there is only the slightest possibility that allows him to keep living, Muban will hold on to it and never let go.
The firelight spread throughout the cave, and on the surface, everything appeared empty and indifferent.
However, Muban discovered something unusual: there were traces of magic here, and it was an incredibly powerful and unprecedented mysterious magic.
Muban walked into the center of the remnants of magic, trying his best to understand its composition. This was the only chance for him and the child to survive; only by restarting the magic in the ruins could they see any hope of life.
A miracle occurred: the magical particles around Muban brightened again, instantly transporting Muban to a mysterious space.
In that vast, starry space, Muban saw a fantastical monster and an infant being protected by the monster with starlight.
XX
"Huh? That's how I got here? Are you kidding me, Uncle Mu?"
"You brat, watch your tone. If you don't change your stubborn temper, I won't give you any food tonight."
On the sunny grasslands and in the thriving farmlands, most of the people rebuilding their homes are actively engaged in production and construction.
Even if a giant beast passes by, people will not be as fearful as before, because humans now possess new magical knowledge. Muban has brought about reforms for humanity, and he is a rising star in the eyes of all the villagers.
"How old are you two that you're still throwing tantrums? Neither of you is mature enough."
"Uncle Mu said I was the child chosen by the magical beast, that's ridiculous! How could a monster save a child? I've never seen a monster like that before."
"Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Luo Yi, there are many miracles in this world waiting for us to witness."
Unlike Muban's straightforward personality, the woman speaking to Muban spoke with a tone full of concern. She knew that Luo Yi was destined for greatness, and she believed that Luo Yi would write his own legend, just like Muban.
“I have taught Luo Yi a lot of things and knowledge, but Luo Yi seems to be born to go against me, and I can’t do anything about him.”
"But the magic you taught Luo Yi, he eventually learned it all, didn't he, Muban? Luo Yi is a smart kid, he knows what he wants."
“Ariel, if you continue to spoil Luo Yi, he will definitely rebel later. If I can’t control him then, it will be a big problem.”
“If Luo Yi wasn’t rebellious, he wouldn’t be your student, Mu Ban. On the contrary, I think he’s very much like you. He’s curious about the world, has plenty of self-confidence, and once he focuses on a goal he’s set out to achieve, he’ll do it no matter what.”
Muban showed little resistance towards his wife, and temporarily put aside the matter of Luo Yi.
Muban's current focus remains on refining magic; only by enabling humanity to wield more power can they better survive in this monster-dominated world.
After finding Luo Yi that night, Mu Ban gained extraordinary magical knowledge from the magical beast, which enabled him to become a top magician in human society and lead all mankind into a new era of magic.
"Mom, what was Dad talking to Brother Luo Yi about just now?"
Young Elifa looked at Luo Yi in the distance with innocent eyes, her face full of envy. She also wanted to have magic that she could focus on like Luo Yi.
Elifa felt that if she had strong enough magic, she would be loved by many people, because her father was just like that. As a top magician, he was greeted with cheers and adoration wherever he went.
"Dad is telling Luo Yi a legendary story. Both Dad and Luo Yi have witnessed the legend."
"Wow, is that the Giant of Light? Has Daddy ever seen the Giant of Light?"
"No, it's another legend, a story of love and hope, different from the hero's kindness and justice."
Elifa heard these kinds of stories most often from her mother. In her mother's words, every person and every animal was full of love. They helped each other and became each other's hope.
Elifa also wants to be that kind of person, able to heal everyone and share the love and hope her mother spoke of.
Twelve years ago, under Muban's leadership, magic became widespread, and the number of magicians reached an all-time high.
Humans possess their own power; they can stand on the front lines of their homes to drive away giant beasts, and they can also build fortresses when natural disasters strike.
Since then, humanity has finally ushered in its own time of peace, no longer afraid of floods and wild beasts, and singing heroic epics day and night.
However, Muban was not satisfied. He had already studied the limits of human development of magic, and the original scale of magic could not be improved further.
So Muban turned his attention to the legend of light. He had personally witnessed the dreamlike secret of a legend, so Muban firmly believed that there must be giants of light outside the world.
Initially, it was just Muban's research. No one was as fanatical as Muban in believing in a long-standing legend. Most people simply regarded the Giant of Light as a hero in their imagination.
However, the denials from the outside world never dampened Muban's perseverance. Without his initial stubbornness, Muban would not have achieved his current success.
"The Giant of Light must exist; he awaits my call in a world beyond our own. One day, the Giant of Light will return to our world."
"Of course, I believe everything you say. But before that, honey, today is Elifa's birthday. When can you come home? Elifa has been looking forward to seeing you for days."
"Why is it Elifa's birthday again? How old is she this year?"
“Your daughter is already four years old this year, she’s very busy. I think you should go home and get some rest. If you stay at the research institute any longer, you might even forget your own age.”
Ariel still took Muban home so that the whole family could celebrate Elifa's birthday together.
As the daughter of a powerful figure in the magical world, her birthday was naturally a grand affair, with people and children from all over coming to celebrate with Elifa.
Elifa was very happy. Just as she had imagined, she was the center of attention and was loved and cheered by everyone.
But a birthday is never complete without Dad. Elifa loves birthdays with both her mom and dad.
"Aren't you going to play with everyone, Luo Yi?"
"No, I don't like that lively atmosphere. I feel like I'm not from their world."
"Are you joking? I did laugh."
Ariel found Luo Yi practicing magic, and his completely immersed state of mind was just like Muban's.
"How could you not be from the same world as us? I can see you, you can see me, we live in the same sky, even the same family, how could we not be from the same world?"
“That’s not what I meant, Ms. Ellie. I’m just not comfortable being around so many people, and I don’t know what to do to make everyone like me.”
Ariel successfully persuaded Luo Yi, much easier than persuading Muban. Ariel and Luo Yi sat together, away from the lights in the front yard, chatting quietly in the moonlight and shade of the trees.
"Luo Yi, why do you think that way? Does anyone require you to conform?"
"No one has asked us to do it, but isn't that what everyone is doing? We cater to what the public likes, do what the public praises, integrate into the group, and enjoy ourselves with everyone."
"No, Luo Yi, it's true that happiness can be obtained from a group, but true happiness must be found by oneself. Others cannot give you the happiness you want."
Luo Yi didn't quite understand the meaning of "happiness." Mu Ban had never taught him this word. Was happiness a kind of blessing magic? Was it powerful?
Seeing Luo Yi's dazed expression, Ariel smiled. Luo Yi was still the same as before, clueless and innocent.
Do you know how I met Muban?
"I don't know. I only remember that you got married in a very beautiful place. There were many people who came to attend. It was much more lively than Elifa's birthday party."
"Yes, but a long time ago, I fell in love with Muban at first sight, and it was related to you."
"I?"
Luo Yi became even more confused, as he had never been familiar with this matter before.
Ariel's smile grew even brighter. Every time she recalled that scene, Ariel was glad that she had made that brave decision.
"It was a night seven years ago, in a shelter where human refugees gathered. Everything around me was gloomy and oppressive. I was there at the time, and I was terrified. I was so scared that I didn't even dare to go near the fire to warm myself. I just stayed in my little place and endured the cold."
"But on that terrible yet magical night, a man appeared to everyone's astonishment. He came from the distant forest and rescued an infant from the most unknown and dangerous mountains."
"He was like a miracle incarnate, eliminating humanity's fear of darkness through his actions. A man holding a baby successfully traversed what people called the darkness of death and brought new life to the light."
"Back then, Muban was so brave and handsome, ignoring people's questions and doubts. He was covered in wounds, but there was still a warm light in his eyes. He looked at the baby in his arms, tired but proud."
"It fascinates me so much."
Looking at Muban from another perspective, Luo Yi discovered that Muban was not just stubborn; he had also been a hero, a hero who dedicated everything to the lives of others.
Luo Yi admired heroes and longed for them at all times. Therefore, he was fascinated by legends and hoped for a legendary story of his own.
To quell Luo Yi's mischief, Muban once promised to let Luo Yi venture out on his own when he turned eighteen, giving him a chance to become a magician who surpassed Muban.
In exchange for this condition, Luo Yi agreed to stop stealing Tu Yuwan from Mu Ban and even to follow the rules from now on, otherwise Ariel said she would never talk to Luo Yi again.
In order to have the chance to become a hero, and for Ariel's sake, Luo Yi forced himself to try to accept Muban's obsession. As long as he could get through this period, he hoped that he could take control of his own destiny.
Then time moved to ten years ago.
The Duke intercepted the signal that Muban sent into outer space two years ago, which directly led to the first contact between the two worlds.
A war breaks out between worlds, a conflict between monsters and cosmic monsters, and a life-or-death battle between magicians and aliens.
Throughout that year of war, both humans and monsters suffered heavy losses, and countless tragedies unfolded constantly.
Among them, Ariel's death directly caused Muban's obsession to worsen, until he fell into an abyss from which there was no turning back.