Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking-Chapter 587: Gilderoy’s Adventure (End)

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Linus was a natural...

He went ham on the Nightmare Crystal Worm, harvesting all the crystal ores that grew on the surface of its body with his pickaxe. He was in tune with his instincts, reducing the effort he needed to remove the ores.

After three hours of non-stop mining, a small crystal ore mountain piled up underneath the suspended crystal worm. Linus was still up there, hacking away at the remaining ores.

Despite his obvious signs of weakness due to exhaustion, his eyes remained bright and determined; it's as if he couldn't sense the state of his body at all.

He tripped once or twice because he was really tired, but instead of taking a moment to rest, he instead gobbled up raw crystal ores, which gave him an immediate boost of strength and energy to keep going; that's how he's able to last for so long.

Lennon still felt anxious. Usually, the diet of Crystal Sprites like them mostly consists of processed ores. Consuming raw crystal ores was unhealthy for their species, so their ancestors thought of a way to 'cook' the ores so that it would be safer to eat. Unfortunately, Lennon doesn't know how to do this. He was but a humble miner, after all. He's not privy to secrets like that.

Despite knowing this, Lennon was unable to do anything about it. He knew that he couldn't interfere. Not when his son was clearly determined to prove himself worthy to be Gilderoy's student. He could see it in his son's eyes that this was a do-or-die, and he would die trying.

Lennon would occasionally look at the otherworldly couple nearby, trying to gauge what they felt from their expressions. Alas, their faces didn't betray their thoughts. Lennon couldn't tell anything at all. Gilderoy would just look at the child from time to time with the same flat expression as before, making it difficult to tell if he, Linus, was making progress at gaining his approval. He also didn't say anything when he saw the child eating raw ores to continue his work, and his wife was the same.

'Come on, son. You're at the final stretch,' Lennon muttered anxiously to himself.

The final stretch meant that Linus had already harvested all crystal ores on the midsection of the Nightmare Crystal Worm's body. The remaining ones were at its tail and head, which are the most difficult ones to gather because there is an extra layer of protection on these parts, especially at its head.

Let's not forget that Linus was basically running on fumes at this point. His young body was just not built for extensive labor like this. Even Lennon would find this difficult to do; he might've already given up at this point if he were in his son's shoes.

But it was oh-so-clear that Linus wouldn't go down without a fight. He was very determined to seize the chance given to him, so of course, he would do his best to finish what he started.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Crash!

The strikes at different locations are what it took to harvest the crystal ores growing at the tail of the worm. Obviously, the worm was less than thrilled to experience this, but nobody cares about what it feels right now.

If Linus' were still as energetic as before, it might've only taken him two strikes to remove the ores. But like what was mentioned earlier, he's already tired, and these ores were harder to extract, so it demanded more from him.

Nevertheless, he continued. Even when his hold on his pickaxe weakened and his knees wobbled in overexertion. Even when his vision was turning double and blurry. Even though his stomach was waging war at him because of the impurities it had to process due to him consuming raw crystal ores...Linus kept going with nothing but sheer grit and willpower.

Lennon's heart was breaking at this sight, yet he continued watching. He felt incredibly bad but also so proud of his son; such conflicting feelings could only be felt by a parent, it seems. With this, it truly doesn't matter if Linus wasn't his biological son.

Hours passed by, and whenever they thought that Linus wouldn't be able to continue anymore, he surprised them by catching himself. He had taken short rests in between, breathing raggedly but refusing to back down. The radiance he exuded has dimmed considerably, indicating that he was on the verge of passing out from exhaustion, yet he refuses to fall.

Only a few remaining oars were left, and he's at the head of the worm now. Just a little more and he'd be done. However, he's also running out of time. It wouldn't be long before the deadline approached, and if he didn't move now, he'd fail to complete what he started.

Thunk!

Thunk!

Thunk!

So, Linus kept going. He barely even had the energy to keep holding on to his pickaxe, yet surprisingly, he's still able to swing it somehow.

And finally, after what felt like forever, the last crystal ore fell...and so did Linus.

Linus would've crashed face first on the pile of crystal ores below, but he didn't because some mysterious force kept him suspended in the air, similar to what happened to the worm.

His weak and overexerted body floated toward the couple. Linus was barely hanging on to his consciousness at this point; he was so weak that he couldn't even lift a finger, but even so, he still asked:

"Did...did I do it?" His voice was faint and raspy.

Gilderoy's expression softened as he nodded: "Yes. But next time, you should really ask more questions. I didn't tell you to harvest all of the crystal ores on its body. I told you to gather as much as you can, not all of it. The ones on the midsection would've been enough, Silly Boy."

Linus and Lennon were speechless. Their minds momentarily shut down in shock. They didn't expect this at all.

But before they could ask anything further, a surprising scene happened.

Roots and vines broke out of the soil; they moved deliberately slowly, as if it was a sign that they didn't mean harm. They wrapped themselves on Linus' body, like a bandage of some sort, covering him from head to toe like a mummy.

Before he gets scared, though, Linus feels an indescribable surge of comfort seeping into his exhausted body. It's like the warmest hug ever; it's so comfortable that he was falling asleep but not really.

"W-what's happening?" Linus asked in confusion.

Lennon, on the other hand, was grateful because just now, his son's voice sounded more energetic. Which meant that whatever this was, it's healing him, and in his mind, the one who did this was none other than the enigmatic gentleman before them.

"Thank you for healing him, sir."

"Oh, no! Don't look at me." Gilderoy grinned at them. "I didn't do that. It's not my wife either."

"Eh? Then...who did...? Huh?" Lennon was confused, and so was his son.

Gilderoy chuckled and said, "Crystal Sprites like you are born from nature itself. Aside from you, there are many other species that fall into this category, and thus, they are largely referred to as 'Nature Spirits.' This means that you have an innate inclination and affinity to it. Some more than others."

He looked at Linus, who's wrapped and cradled by this world's nature, and continued, "It would've been impossible for us to meet under normal circumstances, you know."

"Our home, while a temporary one, was by no means unguarded. In fact, I'd dare say that even if this world were to collapse at the very next minute, the area where our home was located will remain intact. No amount of crystal worms or crystal sprites can intrude or break through my enchantments."

"And yet you, little guy, not only managed to bypass my security but also escaped my senses. I didn't see you until you were at my door clutching your dying father with you. You know why that happened?"

"..." Linus shook his head, but it was clear that he was eager to know.

"That's because you weren't seen as a threat. And more importantly, the nature of this world deliberately guided you to me because it knows that I'm the only one who could help you."

"You, little one, are loved by this world. It wouldn't be wrong to say that amongst its many creations, you are its favorite."

"You aren't just the son of your father. You're also the son of nature, just like me."

Linus's and Lennon's eyes widened in shock. This was a concept that was much bigger than them, so they may not be able to completely grasp it now, but it surely doesn't make it any less shocking.

As the roots and vines retreated after restoring Linus' energy, Gilderoy also stood up. The tables and chairs retreated underground as he left, reminding the father and son pair that this world also caters to this gentleman's will.

Then, before their very eyes, a plume of green flame appeared on Gilderoy's fingertips. He flicked this flame towards the suspended worm, and in a fraction of a second, the worm ceased to exist, erased in body, mind, and soul by that seemingly innocuous flame just now.

"Close your mouth, Silly Disciple. Follow me, along with your father. Your lessons begin today."