NOVEL WEB Chapter 49: Telecactus
Gabby slowly walked toward Commander Darius, his steps heavy with anger and the intent to kill.
Then he stopped.
Commander Darius spoke, "I'm sorry for what I did. I left my own army and betrayed Duke Ashby II to make up for my sins. I'm sorry for calling you a witch born and for killing your father."
Gabby replied calmly though his hands were trembling, "Because of your orders, I became a wanted criminal. I was only fourteen and I ended up making enemies with the strongest military force in the La Magia Kingdom."
Commander Darius spoke with tears in his eyes, "I'm truly sorry. I swear I regret everything I've done. If killing me will bring you peace, then do it. Please… forgive me, Gabby Magus."
Gabby took a step forward, but then he stopped.
Something felt wrong.
He narrowed his eyes, and a thought crept into his mind:
"Darius has no reason to be here in the East. Why would he abandon his post and just happen to find me in the middle of this deserted land?"
"This man is a loyal dog of Duke Ashby II. No matter what crimes they commit—even murder—they always justify it with twisted morals."
Then it hit him.
"And most of all… he called me Gabby Magus. But Darius only knows me as Cero Restes."
Gabby finally relaxed and thought to himself, "I can't believe I almost fell for it. A classic illusion spell. Just like the ones Master Ren Restes warned me about."
Then, he activated his Phantom Sight.
His left eye glowed faintly, and a drop of blood trickled down his cheek. The pain was sharp. Phantom Sight came at a cost, but it gave him something priceless: Clarity beyond normal vision.
With Phantom Sight, Gabby could see through magic, not just what was in front of him, but what was hidden beneath.
Darius had transformed into something terrifying.
A gigantic plant that resembles a twisted cactus bloated, cracked, and pulsing with unnatural life. Its thick, green flesh is covered in jagged thorns.
Its surface is riddled with flesh-like folds, and beneath the outer layer, you can see vein-like roots twitching and pulsing, as if the plant itself has a heartbeat.
At its center lies its true horror: a massive, gaping mouth disguised as a blooming flower. The petals are fleshy and wet, lined with rows of needle-like teeth that curve inward, designed to trap and grind anything that falls in. The mouth constantly drips with sap.
Gabby thought to himself:
"The illusion is finally gone. Just as I suspected, it's a monster plant called the Telecactus. But this one is different. It's evolved. Normally, they can't mimic voices or emotions. They just lure you with simple tricks like an illusion that makes the creature a beautiful maiden."
"I've never seen one hunt this subtly before. The water we drank… it wasn't water at all. It was the creature's sap. I can't believe its sap gave it telepathic access to my memories and desires."
"This is one of the few monsters that can use magic—and it's extremely dangerous."
Suddenly, Telecactus realized its illusion had failed. Its massive mouth opened wide, revealing rows of sharp, thorn-like teeth. With a loud roar, it lunged forward, trying to bite Gabby in a burst of rage.
But Gabby reacted just in time.
Von saw the monster move forward.
He raised his staff and shouted, "Sixth Class Spell: Glacier Judgment!"
The air around them suddenly dropped in temperature. Frost crackled across the sand. The sky above darkened due to a massive shadow.
High above the battlefield, a colossal iceberg formed in mid air. Its sharp edges sparkled in the moonlight. It was so big, it blocked the moon and made the desert glow with cold blue light.
With a loud crash, the iceberg fell straight down, aiming at the Telecactus. The ground shook. The wind roared. In a flash of white and blue, everything was covered in ice and snow.
The Telecactus was smashed to death, crushed beneath the weight of Von's devastating magic.
Von asked, "Where are the others? What happened?"
Gabby replied, "Probably the same thing that happened to me. Trapped in an illusion spell by that monstrous plant."
Their faces turned grim.
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Kalen stood in the middle of the desert, but as he walked, the world around him changed. He saw a beautiful garden. Flowers bloomed. The air was cool and sweet.
And in front of him stood a beautiful maiden.
She wore a flowing red gown that shimmered in the light. Her long golden hair fell down her back like silk. A small silver circlet rested on her head, making her look like a noble lady—or a forgotten princess. Her violet eyes glowed softly, full of mystery. Her smile was warm. Her voice was gentle.
She said sweetly, "What is a handsome and brave young knight doing here?"
Kalen's heart raced. It was the first time anyone had called him young and handsome.
"She looks like someone from my dreams," he thought. "Someone I've always wished to meet."
The maiden reached out her hand.
Kalen hesitated.
"This feels too perfect," he thought. Then he asked, "My lady, what's your name?"
She smiled. "Call me Sheena."
Kalen nodded. "Alright, Sheena. My name is Kalen. To be honest… I'm kind of scared. I barely know you."
Sheena tilted her head and blinked with innocent eyes. "Am I not beautiful enough?" she asked softly, lifting her gown just enough to reveal smooth, porcelain-like thighs.
Something stirred inside Kalen.
"Damn it," he thought. "Even if this is a trap… I can't back down now. I joined Robert's Magic Academy to earn a noble marriage. I can't let this chance slip away."
He reached out and grabbed her hand.
But the moment he touched his eyes widened.
It was slimy.
He pulled back slightly and asked, "Why are your hands… slimy?"
She responded, "I'm wet and I'm excited on devouring you."
Kalen thought to himself, "She knows what my fetish is. I like innocent looking girls with wild thoughts."
So he replied, "Exactly my type, Sheena." As he reached her hands once again.
And then they danced slowly toward the center of the beautiful garden. Kalen felt immense joy.
As they reached the center, everything suddenly changed. The garden disappeared, and he found himself in the middle of a desert.
Above him, a giant mouth opened wide.
Before he could react, he was swallowed, drawn helplessly into the gaping jaws of the Telecactus.