Ch.118Extinction Device (3)

# Chapter 118: Extinction Device (3)

However, since I had plenty of time before reaching the core of the extinction device.

I continued piloting the ship while Levia was unlocking access to the information.

And after leaving the bone-filled graveyard area behind.

Only when we entered a new region did Levia finally speak up, having apparently unlocked the access.

“Information access rights acquired. Would you like to check it now?”

“Hmm… Yes, please.”

“Understood.”

And just as Levia was about to speak after hearing my request.

-Ding♪

‘Ah.’

[Time Pause]

With that familiar sound effect, everything paused as a new event message appeared before my eyes.

[Event: A Tale from Ancient Times]

[The information Levia found is as follows:]

[Communication Record: 51254446-BX]

[Playing Record]

[“May this choice undo the mistake.”]

[-Sssssss…]

‘…???’

Unlike usual, the state of the event message seemed a bit strange.

It said it would play a communication record, but then suddenly an unexpected video unfolded before my eyes.

The content of the video was also strange.

A person whose gender was difficult to determine stuck a syringe into their arm.

Then, immediately after discarding the syringe, they threw their entire body toward something gelatinous in front of them.

When the person lunged forward, the silvery substance wrapped around their body… and then completely disintegrated it.

‘What is this? Nanomachines?’

Nanomachines aside, why would they show me such a video?

While I was pondering this, the video ended and a new event message appeared.

-Click!

[Event: The Truth of That Day]

[Ash’s true identity is, in fact, a scientist from an extinct ancient civilization… well, not exactly.]

[After the scientist injected a special virus into their body and threw themselves into a mass of nanomachines.]

[Ash was the product of chance, born from the scientist’s DNA code, the special virus, and nanomachines mixing together over countless years.]

[And over that long period, this entity with newly formed consciousness essentially became the representative of the nanomachines’ collective consciousness.]

[By chance, it came to function as a core component of the extinction device.]

‘…Hmm.’

So that’s what the video in this event was showing.

The content of the event message was strangely peculiar.

It felt less like a proper event message and more like it was desperately trying to shove information at me?

Or rather, how should I put it.

‘It feels like the data is cutting off in places.’

Since it felt like reading partially loaded data, I first deactivated the time pause.

[Time Pause Deactivated]

“…I’ll tell you right away.”

I continued advancing the ship toward our destination while listening to Levia’s explanation.

And shortly after.

“…That’s all. Do you have any questions?”

Although Levia provided a somewhat detailed explanation.

It was essentially just reciting the same fragmented event messages I had seen…

I spoke to Levia with a tone that conveyed my complete lack of understanding.

“Levia, is what you just told me really all you’ve figured out?”

“Yes, due to database deterioration over the years, some information connections have been severed.”

“Hmm.”

At Levia’s words, I felt inwardly puzzled but outwardly played along.

“Alright, then let me know as soon as you discover any additional information.”

“Understood, Minister.”

After all, the reason we came here was to find Ash and, while we’re at it, stop this extinction device as the Pioneer Empire had threatened us to do.

————————————

After continuing our ship’s advance, we finally succeeded in reaching the planet’s core.

“Is this the innermost part?”

“Yes, it is.”

Perhaps because we had passed through areas filled with vicious superweapons and piles of skeletons.

The massive pillars erected at the planet’s center, the enormous discs rotating between them, and…

The mysterious, twinkling star shining between those discs.

Despite witnessing this high-tech, ultra-civilized spectacle, our emotions weren’t particularly overwhelmed by it.

“Look, look at that! What a rapturous energy source!!!”

Of course, one person…

“Indeed!”

“Oh… look at those beautiful curves. To maintain something of that size…”

No, quite a number of people weren’t so much unimpressed as they were expressing their twisted desires in response.

But regardless of that, what I needed to do right now hadn’t changed.

“Riel, where do you sense Ash’s signal?”

Use Ash and Leviathan’s power to damage the extinction device from within.

To execute this hastily formed plan, I had decided to prioritize acquiring Ash before anything else.

So as soon as we arrived, I kept activating scanners to assess the situation, but…

“Umm… Minister?”

“What?”

“Ash’s energy seems to be coming from directly above us?”

As soon as I heard Riel’s incredulous words, I immediately looked toward the upper observation window installed in the bridge.

And there…

-Kuuuuuuuuuu!!!!

“Oh.”

“Wow.”

A combination of electronic terminals and monitors, as massive as our Leviathan, was approaching us as if “bowing its head.”

‘Well.’

Reminiscent of GLaDOS from my previous life, I instinctively sensed that this was the core of the extinction device.

What’s more surprising was that on the forehead…? or head part of the core, there was a woman half-buried in it.

It was such an unexpected sight that we were all seized with questions about who she was and why she was there.

But right after that.

“Oh, Minister? I can sense Ash’s energy from that buried woman over there!”

After Riel, who was monitoring electromagnetic waves, exclaimed in surprise.

I turned my head again to focus on that distant “woman.”

“Is that true, Riel?”

“Yes, the appearance is a bit strange, but judging by the electromagnetic signals, it’s definitely Ash.”

Just as I was about to express joy at finally finding Ash.

-Crackle!!!

“Ugh!!”

“Gah!”

In front of the operators on the bridge, various electronic panels and screens burst into flames and exploded, and simultaneously.

-Screeeech… Boom!

-Bzzzzzzzz….

With incredibly bizarre noises, the extinction device’s core, which had been quite far away just moments ago, suddenly approached us.

Then it quickly settled into position, surrounding us like a coiled snake.

“Everyone, battle stations!”

“DEFCON 1!”

Seeing this, not only the personnel on the bridge.

But also combat forces standing by throughout the ship were ready to storm and subdue it from within.

But right after that.

“…Who are you people?”

Contrary to expectations, instead of attacking without warning, it coiled around us and asked a relatively polite question.

‘It should normally attack without mercy. Could this also be some kind of error?’

While thinking that briefly, I soon realized that now wasn’t the time for contemplation but for an immediate response.

After first telling Riel to establish communication.

-Crackle…

As the communication networks connected and the faint static subsided.

“Who are you people?”

I decided to send a brief communication to the extinction core that kept repeating the same question.

“I—”

But at that moment.

-Ding♪

[Time Pause]

An event window suddenly appeared, blocking my view and simultaneously initiating a time pause.

‘Damn it.’

I put aside my attempt to speak and decided to check what this new event was about.

[Event: The Deepest Part of the Extinction Device]

[You have finally succeeded in reaching the innermost part of this planetary fortress.]

[Achievement: Obtained “Heart of Extinction,” initiating additional linked events]

After confirming the content of the event message.

I stood dazed for a moment, then decided I should first deactivate the time pause and have a conversation with that damned extinction core.