There Will Never Be Another

Lakeshore

"Ah, why has the rain grown lighter?" An official stood at the entrance to the shelter, gazing at the sky outside. Suddenly realizing something, he stretched out his hand to catch the rain.

The commoners cheering beneath the altar also sensed that something was wrong. One after another, they lifted their heads to look at the sky, uncertain and alarmed.

"The rain has weakened? Why has the rain become lighter?"

In the sky, dark clouds had originally blanketed everything, a vast black expanse that made people feel a satisfying downpour was certain to come. And the rain had indeed grown heavier and heavier, already seeming ready to moisten the parched earth. Even if it did not intensify any further, rain of this strength, falling for half a day, would be of great use.

Yet who would have thought that this rain, which was not even particularly heavy, would show signs of decline after only a short while? Even the clouds filling the sky gave the impression that they were slowly dispersing.

Under those startled, doubtful gazes, the people's cheers gradually weakened, and the atmosphere of wild joy began turning to unease.

King Yu had already withdrawn into the large shelter. He had not had time to change into dry clothes, nor had he been in the mood to care about such trivial matters, but when he noticed this scene, the ugly expression on his face eased somewhat.

Watching the rain grow smaller and smaller until it returned to the fine drizzle from when it had first begun, the other officials all looked grim, but King Yu finally set his mind at ease.

It seems the monster really has acted.

Though it was slow, as long as it succeeds, it is not too late now.

*I had thought the task