Chapter 243: I Like Powerful Boys~
Oasis Temple City was unlike anything Bahamut had seen since arriving in Terra-Mythos. Senkeht had been harsh and rugged. The Shadow Fang Sect had been imposing and mysterious. But Oasis Temple City? It was alive.
The gigantic city stretched endlessly beneath the blazing desert sun, built around a colossal oasis that looked more like an inland sea than a body of water. Countless waterways spread outward from the center of the city, flowing through marble streets and beneath elegant bridges. Tall sandstone towers rose into the skies, decorated with blue crystals and golden markings that shimmered beneath sunlight.
The city was crowded beyond belief. Merchants shouted loudly from stalls, beast-drawn carriages moved through the streets, elementalists displayed small tricks to attract customers... Even the air smelled different. Spices, cooked meat, perfume, incense, and magic all mixed into something overwhelming.
Nagini had shrunk herself before they entered the city, transforming into a smaller serpent wrapped lazily around Bahamut’s shoulders like a scarf. Her golden eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
"Too many people," Ren muttered from Bahamut’s shoulder.
"You say that every time we enter civilization," Sel replied.
"Because civilization is awful."
"You are a bunny."
"And?"
"No, genuinely, how are you racist against humans as a rabbit?"
"I evolved beyond your understanding."
Bahamut ignored them while looking at the small parchment Elder Silvia had given him earlier.
"The inn should be in the Oasis District."
"That narrows it down to about five hundred buildings," Exildra commented calmly.
"Wonderful."
The Black Fang Prodigy walked silently beside them, her veil fluttering lightly in the warm wind. Her eyes moved carefully through the city. Something felt off, but she couldn’t explain it.
"You feel it too?" Ren suddenly asked quietly. Her gaze flickered toward him. The rabbit’s red eyes had narrowed dangerously.
Interesting... so he noticed something.
"Feel what?" Bahamut asked.
"Nothing yet," Ren answered.
"But something smells weird."
Lily sniffed Bahamut’s neck immediately.
"He smells fine to me."
"That’s not what I mea— actually, never mind."
They continued moving through the city. The further they went into the Oasis District, the quieter things became. The crowds lessened, the roads became cleaner, and the buildings grew taller and more luxurious. Beautiful fountains decorated the intersections while expensive inns and restaurants lined the streets.
Bahamut looked down at the paper again.
"Silver Sand Inn."
"Oh, I know this area," Sel said. "There should be a left turn somewhere ahead."
"Found it," Alana pointed excitedly.
The group turned into a long street lined with palm trees, and that was when it happened. Nobody noticed it, not even the Black Fang Prodigy or her elemental. The sunlight flickered for the briefest moment, like a candle dimming, and everything continued normally.
Bahamut kept walking, Sel continued talking, Lily remained attached to Bahamut’s arm, and the Black Fang Prodigy followed behind them silently. Everything was completely normal. But it wasn’t, because outside the illusion, the group had already separated naturally, like leaves drifting apart in a river. Bahamut unknowingly turned into a different street entirely.
Sel walked toward another direction while still "talking" to people who weren’t beside him anymore. Exildra calmly walked alone through an empty alley while believing Lily was still next to her. Ren remained perched on Bahamut’s shoulder inside the illusion.
But in reality?
The real Ren had vanished several streets away. The illusion was terrifyingly perfect. It didn’t force false visions into their minds. It merely altered tiny details. A missed turn here, a shifted building there, a delayed sound... small manipulations stacked endlessly until reality itself became distorted.
And the worst part?
The victims filled the gaps naturally themselves. Their minds completed the illusion willingly. That was what made this illusion horrifying. No alarms were triggered and no instincts screamed danger. Everything felt right.
Meanwhile...
Hidden atop one of the luxurious buildings overlooking the district, Calil watched silently. His pale blue eyes glowed faintly. Below him, Bahamut unknowingly walked deeper into isolation exactly as planned.
Calil smiled softly.
"The Web of Mirage," he whispered. "My finest illusion."
Beside him stood Elder Derek, hidden beneath a dark robe. His eyes never left Bahamut. They were filled with obsession, possession, and madness. Those emotions swirled endlessly inside them.
"He really doesn’t notice," Derek muttered softly.
"Of course he doesn’t," Calil replied calmly. "The illusion doesn’t fight the mind. It guides it."
Far below them, Bahamut suddenly frowned slightly.
"Hm."
For a split second, something felt strange. He turned slightly.
"Ren?"
No answer came. Bahamut blinked. That was odd. Because in his mind, Ren had already answered him.
...
The Silver Sand Inn was far quieter than it should have been. That was the first thing Bahamut noticed the moment he stepped inside. An inn in the Oasis District should have been bustling with merchants, nobles, adventurers, servants, and travelers. Instead, the lobby was nearly empty. Only a single receptionist stood behind the counter, smiling politely without speaking.
Bahamut frowned slightly beneath his blindfold.
"Weird."
Still, he continued walking. The letter Elder Silvia had given him felt warm in his pocket, almost as if reacting to something nearby. The instructions written on it had been simple.
"Room 44. Fourth floor. Meet the client."
He climbed the stairs slowly, his boots tapping softly against polished wooden steps. The higher he went, the quieter the inn became. By the time he reached the fourth floor, the silence had become oppressive. There was no movement, just silence.
Bahamut stopped briefly in the hallway, his instincts twitching faintly.
"Probably just tired."
The illusion subtly smoothed over his suspicions once more. He walked toward the final room at the end of the corridor.
Room 44.
Golden light spilled faintly beneath the door. Bahamut knocked twice.
Knock. Knock.
A soft voice answered immediately.
"Come in~"
Bahamut opened the door, and froze. The room looked nothing like a meeting room. It looked like a romantic chamber prepared for seduction.
Warm golden lanterns illuminated the dim room softly. Expensive curtains draped around the walls while incense burned slowly from silver holders, filling the air with a sweet scent. Rose petals were scattered carelessly across the floor and furniture. A low table stood near the center beside luxurious cushioned sofas.
And seated elegantly upon one of those sofas was a man.
Long golden hair spilled over his shoulders and down his back like liquid sunlight. His pale skin almost glowed beneath the lantern light, while deep blue eyes stared directly at Bahamut with amusement and hunger. He was beautiful, dangerously so.
Bahamut immediately felt uncomfortable. The man smiled slowly before standing up gracefully. His movements were smooth and deliberate, almost hypnotic.
"You finally arrived," he said softly.
His voice carried a strange warmth to it, like silk wrapping around the ears. Bahamut didn’t move. He felt that something was wrong... very wrong. The man began walking toward him slowly.
"You’re even prettier up close..."
Bahamut’s brows furrowed beneath the blindfold. The air suddenly felt heavier. The man stopped directly before him now. His glowing blue eyes roamed over Bahamut openly, as his lips curled upward slightly.
"I like powerful boys~"
SNAP!
Bahamut’s instincts exploded violently as every nerve in his body screamed at once. The illusion shattered instantly inside his mind. His eyes glowed a deep crimson the blindfold as killing intent erupted from him instinctively.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The entire room trembled.
