"Weave a network of lies so intricately connected to each other that even the creator will accept them as the truth" –Master of Bullshit, Sir Inala.
'A perfect Empyrean Snapper, a Mudropper, a Free Human with a Human Avatar mimicking a Zinger, the Spirit Containers of all three have been stolen.' The Boar King analysed, 'Does he want to collect the Spirit Containers of every special existence?'
When he arrived at the Sanrey Plains, drawn by baby Gannala's voice, and entered a cave, some of his Prana and Lifeforce were absorbed. The Boar King failed to find the source of the trap anywhere in the region.
Now that he thought about it, his Prana and Lifeforce absorbed back then were synthesised into the clones he faced now, which was how he was fooled and dragged around all over the Dralh Sea. The Boar King stared at the figure of Inala, 'Has this woman served her purpose then? Is that why she has been abandoned? Has he figured out a method to recreate her ability?'
The Boar King had a lot of questions. But first, he had to confirm something. Ignoring the Empyrean Snapper heads that peeked into the mine, he calmly approached Wittral. Upon seeing that he was alive, the Empyrean Snappers became stunned.
They couldn't attack now, in fear they might harm Wittral. Moreover, the Boar King was right next to Wittral. By the time their attack reaches him, he would have killed Wittral. Moreover, none of their attacks were strong enough to kill the Boar King in one hit.
Hence, it became similar to a hostage situation as the massive heads of the Empyrean Snappers peeked in through the massive hole that had been opened on Leh Island.
"What…happened? Did we win…" Wittral woke up when the Boar King shook him awake. He was stunned, blinking in confusion at the scene of Empyrean Snappers staring at him nervously while an arrogant man stood before him. A glance and countless memories buried deep in his mind, part of his inheritance stirred up in response, causing him to shout, "B-Boar King!"
"I just have a question to ask you," Saying so, the Boar King pointed at Inala, "What's her Primary Nature?"
"I…don't know," Wittral gulped in nervousness as he spoke honestly, "All I know is that she can absorb the Prana of anyone she comes into contact with. She's hiding part of her abilities, but…"
He frowned, confused as he stared at Inala, "Didn't you swallow her before? How is she alive?"
"Explain," The Boar King stared at Wittral, "Tell me everything you know."
"Y-Yes," Wittral eyed the helpless expressions of the Empyrean Snappers as he began to speak, "It started when we left Fral Island on our ship."
He went on to explain the appearance of the Sandy-Grey Void, the insane fight they had with the Pranic Beasts, and the arrival of the Boar King towards the climax. "The last I remember is killing the Clumped Fingers before I lost consciousness."
"I see," The Boar King nodded, his expression dead serious, 'He has the Mudropper's Primary Nature. That explains the appearance of the Sandy-Grey Void. So, the desert island I was lured towards was the result after the Sandy-Grey Void lost its effect.'
'The fact that he used such an important Primary Nature in such a nonserious situation is terrifying.' He concluded, 'It means he has figured out a means to retain various Natures in his body even after using them. Has he managed to evolve Voracious Nature?'
"Anything else you know about her?" The Boar King asked Wittral.
"Only that she came from the Brimgan Empire," Wittral said.
"Does the name Amita Brimgan ring a bell?" The Boar King asked next.
"No," Wittral shook his head.
The Boar King pocketed the two cups and the Bone Slip on the altar of mud, turned around, and began to walk away. Midway, he stared at the Empyrean Snappers, "Do you still want to fight me?"
"No, please allow us to escort you out," Geugeu said in a hurry, flickering beside Wittral the moment there was a window of opportunity. Only then could he relax, since he was there to protect Wittral now.
"You can accompany me if you want to die." The Boar King snapped in irritation and walked out. But a moment later, he approached Inala and slapped him awake, asking, "The guy that captured you…what did he call himself?"
"W-Weren't you the one that captured me?" Inala placed a hand on his reddened cheek, staring in disbelief. Though upon seeing the Boar King raise a hand, about to give another slap, he shouted in a hurry, "Loot!"
"He called himself Loot!"
"Loot," The Boar King nodded and walked away, soon leaving Leh Island as he jumped into the Dralh Sea and began to swim away, 'Loot, huh? He's a scheming bastard alright? He even used Gannala's baby voice to lure me into his plans, knowing very well my obsession towards her.'
"Wait a second!" The Boar King was shocked upon realisation, "If he used her voice to lure me in both the situations, then…"
He took out the Bone Slip and looked into it once again, failing to find anything else. He then observed it in detail, only now noticing a tiny indentation to the side. When he poked it with his finger, a needle made out of bone popped.
It was a stealthily hidden Bone Slip. And when the Boar King accessed it, the familiar figure's annoying voice resounded.
[I wanted to reveal this hidden piece to you in the future and enjoy your crumbling expression. Unfortunately, you found it prematurely. Anyway, you're probably wondering where I got Gannala's baby voice. Well, that's a no-brainer.]
It felt like the entity he had been searching for all his life was snatched away by a stupid monkey in the end. The Boar King's mood became foul as he heard the subsequent sentence.
[It was a stroke of fortune, to be honest. I came in search of the Mudropper when I stumbled upon the Supreme Tusk's successor. I would be an idiot to miss this opportunity. So, I took it. I mean, you can't blame me, you know? Though she might only be a regular Empyrean Tusk, she's the Supreme Tusk's successor. She had a lot of valuable stuff with her. I came to know more about you and have been able to improve my chances of reaching the Mystic Grade through her.]
[Therefore, I thank you, big brother. You're the best!]
"Bastard!" Prana billowed out of the Boar King, causing large ripples to form on the sea and result in fierce tides.
The group of Empyrean Snappers surrounding Leh Island became afraid in response to his voracious emission of presence, getting on full alert. Many of them resigned themselves to a fate of death, only to see the Boar King…leave.
"That was…terrifying." Geugeu patted his racing chest and calmed down. He then inspected Wittral, "Are you alright?"
"You're not injured or anything, right?"
"I'm…not sure." Wittral muttered, confused, "For some reason, I can't feel any Prana."
"Come again?" Geugeu stared at him in disbelief, laughing nervously as he assumed his ears were playing tricks on him due to old age. His hands trembled as he grabbed Wittral and asked, his voice desperate, "What are you talking about, Wittral?"
"Prana," Wittral became afraid as he spoke, "I can't feel it anymore."
"Let me check," A foreboding sensation enveloped him as Geugeu seeped his Prana through Wittral's heart. Despair set in him as he muttered, his expression dead, "It's gone."
"Wittral doesn't have a Spirit Container."