Aerial Combat

“Hmm…”

There was a bit of a commotion, but thanks to Helena, I was able to safely return inside the ship.

Piyak, who had fallen into space, was also safely retrieved through reverse summoning.

Currently, I was driving the ship while nestled snugly in Helena’s arms.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

“Okay.”

“Do you even know how worried I was?”

“It’s just a game…”

“Still.”

“Yeah…”

I couldn’t bear to ignore Helena’s worried gaze, so I nodded.

How long had it been?

While proudly showing off the massive ship to other users and diligently wandering through space, a warning message popped up in front of me.

[Entering the Demise Domain!]

This area does not incur PVP penalties.

“Oh.”

I was wondering when it would appear. A PVP-only zone.

I dismissed the message and looked around.

The beautifully shimmering space was still the same, but the type of debris floating around had changed.

A massive ship, half-destroyed and devoid of light, and numerous materials scattered around it.

Those piloting Tier 1 ships were approaching it, collecting the materials scattered in space.

Overall, the atmosphere of this space itself is heavy.

It felt like it was telling me that a battle could break out anytime, anywhere.

I stroked my chin and increased the ship’s speed.

Shwaaaak!

The roar of Deathwing as it began to advance with fierce flapping.

As the massive ship began to sail in a straight line, the smaller ships blocking its path began to clear the way.

I nodded in satisfaction at the sight.

“Yeon-ah. Over there.”

Then, Helena reached out and pointed to the shimmering far side of the universe.

When I turned my gaze in that direction, I could spot something faint wriggling.

“Is it a monster?”

I watched it for quite a while.

The wriggling something was gradually approaching this way.

A long, extended massive body and fins spread out on both sides.

A huge horn grown behind its back.

[■■■■-!]

A subtle cry that could be heard even though it didn’t open its mouth.

I gaped blankly at the sound, which was difficult even to imitate with a human voice.

[Watcher of Chaos]

A monster. A boss monster at that.

However, unlike other boss monsters, the color of its name was yellow.

A monster with a yellow name meant it was neutral.

It was an indication that the monster would not attack users unless attacked first.

“Wow…”

The overall appearance of the Watcher of Chaos was like a giant whale.

Of course, unlike ordinary whales, it had far more fins and a horn on its head.

“Do you want to catch it?”

“Uh…”

Isn’t that obvious?

I blankly nodded at Helena’s question.

The giant whale, the Watcher of Chaos, swam freely through space, passing between the users’ ships.

“It seems difficult to catch right now?”

“I think so too.”

I nod at Helena’s words.

I recall the Kraken that was added with the old sea system.

The giant squid that could only be caught by mobilizing countless ships.

The Watcher of Chaos that appeared this time would not be much different.

That’s because its size was even larger than the Tier 15 ship I was riding.

It seemed like at least a hundred users would have to join forces to attempt a raid.

It was at that moment. Several small ships began to follow the Watcher of Chaos, which was swimming away.

Ships with the same guild mark.

They maneuvered their ships to surround the Watcher of Chaos as it moved away.

“Are they going to challenge it…?”

“Hmm…”

I wonder if they can catch it?

I quietly watched the scene.

If it is proven that the Watcher of Chaos can be defeated with that many people, I was planning to stay in this Demise Domain with the guild members.

Kwaang!

“Looks like it started.”

A huge explosion sound announcing the start of the raid.

The light that burst out from the side of the small ships covered the Watcher of Demise, which was peacefully moving forward.

Peong-! Peobeobeobeong-!

Splendid lights began to pour in from all directions.

The giant whale calmly accepted all the attacks.

At that moment, the name tag floating above its head turned red.

[■■■■-!]

Immediately after, a huge roar erupted.

The Watcher of Demise’s actions were not the end of it.

It began to swing its massive fins, completely smashing one of the closest small ships.

Kwang!

The wreckage of the ship collapsed with an explosion.

The user on board was, of course, instantly killed.

Its attack was not the end of it.

After the fins came the massive tail.

When the tail, swung like a whip, swept around its body, most of the attacking ships were destroyed and sent flying.

“Wow…”

More than half of the ships were blown away with just two attacks.

The raid is a failure. The users who realized this began to turn their ships around and flee, but the Watcher of Demise did not let them go.

Paaaah!

Watcher of Demise.

It was the moment I understood why its name was Watcher.

One giant eye unfolded in the dark space.

The eye began to glare at the ships that had attacked it.

Immediately after, the ships began to turn red.

It was clear that they had been caught in its special pattern.

I sat down on Deathwing’s head and examined everything in detail.

Because in order for us to attack it in the future, we needed to know all the patterns in detail.

Immediately after, the Watcher of Demise began to open its large mouth and inhale.

The wreckage of the ships floating in front of it was sucked into its mouth and turned into red energy.

Could it be a breath pattern?

As if to signal that the breath was fully charged, the Watcher of Demise began to twist its body.

Immediately after, a red beam erupted.

Kwagaaaaaaaaak-!

The bright red beam swept through the ships marked in red.

Annihilation of all ships.

Only the wreckage of the destroyed ships floated forlornly around the Watcher of Demise.

A hundred people? No. To catch that guy, there must be at least a thousand users.

And the ships must be large and sturdy, not small like that.

[■■■■-!]

The Watcher of Demise, as if not relieved of its anger, began to wildly swing its fins and attack other users who had not attacked it.

Kwagagagang-!

Countless ships explode with a single attack.

After confirming the scene, I turned the ship around without hesitation.

If I kept watching like this, the Roar of Deathwing, my and Helena’s joint ship, would surely be smashed as well.

I looked back at the Demise Domain with regretful eyes.

It’s still the first day of the patch. Many things are shrouded in mystery.

It’s a shame, but it seemed like catching that giant whale would have to be postponed until next time.

“Are we just leaving?”

“Yeah. What else can we do? If we had stayed there, your and my ship would have been smashed.”

“Mine and Yeon’s…”

It’s a Tier 15 ship.

Since a huge amount of gold was spent on its production, the repair costs would also be enormous.

So, I was planning to operate the ship in a way that would minimize damage to it.

“Should we gather some people this evening…”

“Are you going to catch that thing?”

“First, I need to check how many people can gather.”

My guild, Malrang Cheonddeok Cow, had 300 members, but not all 300 could gather.

So, I was planning to check the number of people in the evening, the time when the most people could connect, and ask acquaintances to find people to raid the Watcher of Demise.

“What if the ship gets smashed because the raid fails?”

I shook my head at Helena’s words.

I don’t assume failure from the start.

That’s the Blood Demon King. That’s my way of playing.

I always envision only the best situations.

I had the talent to create such situations.

“It won’t fail.”

“If the ship gets smashed, you’ll be charged a huge repair fee, you know?”

“It’s okay!”

“Do you have gold?”

“No!”

“Should I lend you some again?”

“…”

It was okay even if you didn’t lend me any now.

I already owe tens of thousands of gold. If I keep increasing my debt, I’ll collapse from overwork first.

Of course, it would be much easier if I could repay it in a way other than game gold…

Sohee’s deepening skinship was slowly becoming burdensome.

“Yeon-ah.”

“Why…?”

“It’s almost time.”

“What, what is…?”

“What else… I mean it’s time to go home.”

“Heo, heok…!”

I quickly checked the time at Helena’s words.

Current time is 4:30 PM.

It was already approaching the time when school ended.

When did the time pass like this?

I hurriedly steered the ship and docked at the nearest large island.

The island I arrived at this time was a winter island covered in pure white snow.

Ppodeudeuk-

“Wow…”

I get off the ship and exclaim in admiration.

The cold wind blowing from all directions and the sensation of snow felt under my feet are excessively realistic.

But the admiration ends here.

I shook my head and ended the game.

The vision darkens in an instant.

The senses of the body become faint, and the mind begins to fly away quickly.

“Hoo…”

A familiar feeling that I always feel.

I felt the senses of my body gradually becoming clearer and raised myself up.

The place I woke up was, of course, inside the capsule.

With the lid closed, I relied on the faint light and pressed the button.

Ttal-kake-

“Whoa…”

A long sigh flowed out as the lid of the capsule rose into the sky.

It’s hot.

Hot?

I raised myself from the capsule and checked my body condition.

Sticky, squishy.

Sweat was soaking through the back of my shirt.

Could it be that the air conditioner inside the capsule broke down again?

I got out of the capsule and exhaled hot air.

“Hoo…”

Now that I think about it, sweat is also flowing on my forehead.

Not only that. Armpits, thighs, and even the inside of my underwear.

Everything was damp.

While I was glaring at the capsule with my arms crossed, Sohee approached and called me.

“Ha-yeon-ah?”

“Ah, Sohee-ya.”

“You’ve sweated a lot…?”

“Yeah. It seems like the internal air conditioning function is broken.”

You old junk.

I stretched out my foot and kicked the stupid capsule.

Kong-!

“Are you angry? I’ll tell them to repair it, or rather, to replace it with a new capsule, so calm down.”

Sohee said that and took out a luxurious handkerchief from her pocket and wiped my body.

From the forehead to the nape of the neck.

Just as the handkerchief, which was slowly coming down, became moderately damp.

I shook my head and refused the favor.

“It’s okay to stop now. I can go home and wash.”

“Euum…”

This is the third time the capsule’s air conditioner has broken down.

Only my capsule seems to be causing trouble.

I sighed and grabbed the bag I had thrown in the corner.