Gacha System: Reborn In The Hardest World
Chapter 40: Titan Ray

Chapter 40: Titan Ray

Florentine helped herself to a parade of stationary armors, gawking at the rows of steel standing like inanimate soldiers, "Ha-ha! Look at it all!"

While he wasn’t the most knowledgeable about the resources of a kingdom, Gael couldn’t help but feel impressed as well.

He looked up at a wall with hundreds of blades embedded, ready to be claimed, "I’m guessing this is why Galios chose this land. The resources must be top-notch."

"Right on the money. The giants are a basic civilization, not very ambitious. They sat on a sea of precious metals," Jae-Seong explained, picking up a boulder-sized cannonball casually with one hand.

"What’re we here for anyway? I’ve got weapons of my own," Gael asked, though not adverse to the idea of free loot.

"I’ve heard about that system of yours. You can summon just about anything, but it’s random," Jae-Seong recalled, walking through the steel armory. "It sounds like a pain in the ass, to be honest."

"...I can’t really disagree there," Gael muttered, glancing back at his familiars.

The fellow Outlander picked up a well-forged sword from the outlet of blades, "I’m not saying your system is weak or anything. It’s just unpredictable, so it’d be best to have some consistent firepower, right?"

"Thanks, but I already do," Gael assured him, declining the weapon.

Jae-Seong looked at him as his shades ducked below his piercing irises, "Oh? You seem pretty confident. I did hear you impressed the Monarch, and defeated that noisy dragon...I’ll believe it when I see it, though."

"Ya looking for a fight or something?" Florentine asked in defense of her summoner.

All the warrior’s words did was stoke laughter from Jae-Seong as he raised his hands, "Ha-ha! I’m a laid back guy, so I don’t really go around picking fights like that. Just saying though, I only form my opinion after seeing it with my own eyes."

"Well, you’ll get to see it yourself when we’re out there," Gael told him.

"Righty. Well, if your comrades there need anything, they’re free to stock up. When you’re ready though, we’ll head out!" Jae-Seong announced, clapping his hands together.

While Gael found himself disinterested in the stockpile of weapons, the others had their fun picking and choosing from the free loot. Matteo stuffed his pockets with magical trinkets and runes, while Florentine brought a few crystals of her own.

’I have enough summons to rely on. I’d prefer to save them for when I’m pushed–I can’t waste permanent summons on duds,’ he planned.

After preparations were made, he met the tenured Outlander at the other side of the armory, leading to a hidden passage outside. It overlooked the city from an isolated vantage point, higher than the buildings and bridges at the city’s base, though lower than the castle’s peak.

"What’re we doing here?" Gael asked.

Jae-Seong stood at the edge of the secretive balcony, putting his fingers to his lips, "Wait and see."

A whistle emitted from the Heavenly King’s lips, sounding into the air as if bolstered by the usage of a tool made specifically for that sound. A shadow passed over, as a breeze pushed through the wind–

"Kuuuuu."

–An inhuman, but gentle sound responded to the whistle, followed the shadow that made itself known as it dipped into view. It resembled a mantaray, vast in size with a sky-blue back and white belly, swimming through the air as if it were the sea.

"What’s that–?!" Gael questioned, feeling the wind of its wings brushing past his body.

Jae-Seong reached his hand out, caressing the head of the airborne creature, "A Titan Ray–Delilah. She’s our ride to the Sevaraid Domain!"

The tranquil ray let out a chirp as if enjoying the pet, allowing Jae-Seong to hop right onto its back. While Gael was perplexed at the idea of riding such a creature, there was no hesitation from Florentine nor Matteo, who hopped right on.

"C’mon, Master!" The warrior gestured for him to follow.

Matteo was already writing notes as he knelt on the giant entity’s back, "What a magnificent creature...It doesn’t even seem to feel our weight."

As he stood there a moment, he begrudgingly followed, jumping from the balcony onto the titan ray’s back. He caught his footing, finding it surprisingly sturdy as he looked at its pale-blue back.

"You’re good," Jae-Seong said, grabbing his arm to help him balance. "Titan Rays possess a magical trait that lets them fly weightlessly, no matter what they carry."

"Right, well...Hopefully it has the magical trait to fly straight," Gael said, looking down, immediately to his regret.

Observing the far-beneath ground while moving through the air was enough to bring him to his hands and knees.

"Ha-ha! You’ll get used to it!" Jae-Seong said, standing tall and strong.

All he could do was try his best not to hurl the contents of his stomach as he watched the clouds draw near.

"Alrighty, hang on! We’re about to go fast!" Jae-Seong warned, placing his hand against the creature’s back.

Gael covered his mouth, feeling his stomach swirl, "Fast—? What’re you talking ab—!?"

Before he could get an answer, he experienced it as the titan ray emitted a call that whistled through the air. The wind shifted around as it flapped its wing-like limbs, producing a cerulean shock wave before—

"Ghhh!"

All he could do was hold on as the creature began to fly like a speeding bullet. It completely defied physics, somehow grateful he wasn’t flung from its back.

Florentine gasped, falling on her rear, "This is crazy—!"

"Ha-ha! Don’t worry—we can’t fall from its back! We’re bound here, as long as you touch it," Jae-Seong explained, having to speak over the wind.

"Why didn’t you...say that before?!" Gael shouted.

All that he got as a response was cheerful laughter from Jae-Seong, who took unreasonably joy in the flight. Soon all he could see were the clouds, engulfed in them as the creature swam through the fluffy constructs.

"Haah...!"

He couldn’t help but gasp, feeling the innards of the cloud like a cool blanket. The mist was dense with moisture; a refreshing feeling like that of standing by a gentle sprinkler.