16. Black Panther Alien, Flash
Starting November 2023, The Korea Daily is excited to publish the fantasy novel series “Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years” on our website. This new captivating series follows a trio of young adventurers on their quest to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations, including the Maya and Inca. In an exciting development, Netflix is currently adapting the novel’s storyline into a film.
The ‘Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years’ is the latest novel authored by Jeeyoon Ha, who created the “Pangaea series.” Ha’s debut novel, “The Pangaea: Finding Xibalba,” was selected by the Korea Creative Content Agency in 2022 as part of their initiative to support the global export of fantasy literature.
Readers can eagerly anticipate the online publication of two installments each month, with new chapters appearing bi-weekly, offering a regular escape into this magical realm. *Mark Oh translated the Korean novel into English.
At that moment, the Bolt Rider started to descend rapidly with a buzzing sound. From Suri’s point of view, he could see the black land below. Stone temples were scattered all over the land. Among them, one temple was emitting a particularly bright light. That temple was slightly changing its direction like a broken doll.
For now, Suri came down to where Sabi and Maru were.
“Wow, it’s Top Gun!”
Sabi ran over and pecked Suri’s cheek, making a fuss.
“I saw our dads… They looked healthy. You guys don’t have to worry.”
Suri didn’t want to worry Sabi and Maru.
“Dad…?”
Tears suddenly flowed from Sabi and Maru’s eyes.
“Guys… come on, we’ll meet them again… let’s go inside the temple.”
Suri walked in bravely. The temple was exactly as Suri had seen it in his dream. But, at the crossroads, cute little lightning blossoms were blooming and flickering like flowers. They were lightning flowers that absorbed the lightning flowing like tiny blood vessels in the air.
“They’re so cute.”
Sabi ran over and stroked a lightning flower. Then, as she moved, the lightning flower slipped into Sabi’s pocket.
“Wolf~!”
Maru collapsed on the spot with a scream. Three giant wolves, shooting lightning from their bodies, were running towards them, shaking the ground. Suri and Sabi were frozen in place. The Lightning Wolf, Thorwein was about the size of a horse. Thorwein blew its lightning breath on the faces of Suri, Sabi, and Maru. When the lightning breath touched their faces, it turned into smoke and fluttered. The three of them rolled around, hugging Thorwein.
Just then, a star shot through the sky from somewhere. It was instantaneous, like teleportation. The star gradually lost its light and revealed its true form.
“Black Panther alien!”
Maru’s heart was pounding.
“… I’m Flash. It’s my second name.”
Lightning was flickering from Flash’s helmet.
“So, do you have a first name? The place indicated by the helmet is the Green Valley region, right? Then… are you from Sirius? Are you a wizard by any chance? Tell me.”
Sabi bombarded him with questions.
Maru, who was joking around touching Flash’s body, was struck by a powerful lightning and fell off. The collapsed Maru, who woke up after a brief fainting spell, looked like a victim rescued from a fire. Maru got up, leaning on the ground. The ground was covered with tiny green flowers.
“Life on the black land where only lightning strikes…”
Maru couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Areas where lightning strikes frequently tend to be humid and have a high chance of rain. When it rains, nitrogen oxides created by lightning dissolve in the rainwater and seep into the ground, supplying the plants with the nitrogen they need for growth. That’s why there are many forests in the areas where lightning strikes. It’s a very rich environment. But this abundance is a thing of the past, before the Marvellem War….”
Flash extended a hand to Maru, but Maru got up on his own.
“Is this Malta? Ancient Malta.”
Suri was already certain.
“The two are ultimately one.”
Malta Island passed through Flash’s helmet.
“I met my father a while ago. I don’t think the lightning is going to arrive 72 years later.”
Suri needed Flash’s help.
“This is the location of the prophecy passed down from generation to generation. We have to find the prophecy in the place where the lightning arrives every 72 years. Only then can we find the sword… but… they’ve messed up…”
Flash’s voice began to echo like a Bahak tribe.
“Who are they?”
Suri became excited.
At that moment, they heard the noisy sound of people gathering. When Suri saw them, something crossed his mind. He took out the “Winged Traveler” that was in his arms. As soon as he opened the book, the symbols of each tribe began to appear on the blank page. The symbols were the numbers.
The Arcanos tribe was 357.06.83… Draco tribe was 333.45.3 3… Ren tribe was 61.08. .91.1… Cain tribe was 41.73..666… Libya tribe was 16.66.42.7… Meta tribe was 58.146.01… The numbers were clearly embossed.
“These mysterious numbers were the addresses where the tribes lived… What could these addresses mean? Anyway… Nobel Discovery Award!”
Suri laughed involuntarily.
“But there’s one number left… What is it?”
Suri tilted his head.
Lightning began to fall from the sky again. Between the gaps in the falling Scoll, numerous mini portals opened, and beings in strange outfits began to pop out randomly.
“They’re wizards.”
Flash said quietly.
“It’s Marvellem.”
Someone in the tribe shouted.
“Why did the wizards show up?”
Suri asked Flash.
“It’s because of you. The wizards found out that you found this place and appeared. It means that your fathers are in danger. So. You have to fight and win. You can’t let them take the location of the prophecy.”
With that, Flash disappeared in an instant.
[To be continued…]
