Ch.129Beings of the Deep Sea (3)

Life is unpredictable.

This was the motto of Runahn, the research team leader at the PH-101 research base.

Originally a Third Capital from Ganymede, he became a Prime Capital thanks to marrying well—a self-made success story.

Even though his wife was only from a branch of House Zhao, she was still a Prime Capital. Thanks to this marriage, he was able to secure a minor position within House Zhao. Without that connection, becoming the research team leader of such a large research facility would have been impossible.

Looking at his life, one could truly say that life was unpredictable.

Until coming to PH-101, his career had been on a steady rise, but after being shipwrecked in the deep sea, he had been on a downward spiral.

Then, after capturing a mutant Seed Demon, his spirits soared. Several team members died during the capture, but that wasn’t particularly concerning.

The deceased were all Middle or Low Capitals—expendable, cheap human resources. Capturing a Seed Demon at the cost of such disposable personnel? Anyone would consider it a profitable exchange.

That was his thinking just hours ago.

Now, instead of a rosy future, it was unclear whether he would even survive until sunrise.

“What the hell is happening? Wasn’t it an earthquake?”

In Zone A, where the First Situation Room was located, team members who had rushed there after being awakened were busy assessing the situation.

“According to the central computer, it was caused by an external impact!”

“Could it be the Seed Demon? But it shouldn’t have the strength for that.”

“Maybe it’s a Dread Hydra or Pale Mask.”

“That’s impossible. This isn’t their territory.”

Dread Hydra was a massive 50-meter-long sea anemone, and Pale Mask was a giant predator that fed on Dread Hydras. Both were formidable deep-sea creatures, though not as powerful as the Seed Demon.

Their habitat was in the trench below the undersea canyon next to the base. Since this research facility was established outside their territory, it was unlikely that either of them had attacked.

“Zones E and F are completely flooded, and water is still flowing into Zones C and D!”

“The water pressure is the biggest problem.”

“Agreed. The environmental control systems are under such strain that they could malfunction at any moment.”

The PH-101 research base was located dozens of kilometers deep in the ocean. It was designed to withstand even the harshest environments, including the tremendous pressure of the deep sea.

However, the people inside were a different story. If the internal pressure stabilization system malfunctioned, everyone here would be dead.

‘Tsk. We’ll have to abandon them.’

After silently listening to his team members’ opinions, Runahn finally spoke.

“To stabilize the pressure, we need to separate Zones E and F from the ring. Issue the forced separation command, and we’ll decide about Zones C and D based on their condition.”

“T-Team Leader?!”

The team members’ expressions darkened upon hearing the order.

Zones F and G housed the living quarters. Due to the incident occurring in the middle of the night, there were dozens of people still in Zone F.

Despite this, the team leader had chosen to abandon all personnel in Zone F.

“What are you doing? Didn’t you hear me?”

“Yes, sir!”

As the team members hesitated at the thought of abandoning colleagues who might still be waiting for rescue, Runahn pressed them.

As the team members moved to follow Runahn’s orders, the base shook violently. Everyone in the First Situation Room staggered from the sudden impact.

“What is this?! Another attack?”

“No! This impact came from inside!”

“Could it be from the water pressure?”

“Stop the useless talk and check the situation quickly!”

“Yes, sir!”

At Runahn’s command, team members hurriedly sat at the computers in the situation room to assess what was happening.

A moment later, one of their faces contorted.

“Um, Team Leader?”

“What is it?”

“I think I’ve found the cause.”

Runahn approached to check the monitor as the team member’s face turned pale. Soon, his expression matched that of his subordinate.

“An unidentified creature has breached the outer wall of Zone E and is currently moving toward Zone G?”

The research base had a total of 8 zones, from A to H. They were arranged in a circular ring formation, so after Zones G and H came Zone A, where they were now.

While a mysterious monster entering the First Situation Room would be disastrous, the real problem lay elsewhere.

Zone H housed the biological research lab—where the Seed Demon they had worked so hard to capture was being held.

“Separate Zone G immediately…!”

KUUUUNG

As he urgently shouted, an unprecedented shock wave hit the situation room.

–

‘They don’t seem to know I’ve infiltrated yet.’

Since entering, I’d been ripping off human heads, but apart from sealing off sections, no special measures had been taken.

Thanks to their slow response, I could comfortably search for No. 26.

Each time I crawled, the water surface, which had risen to half the height of the corridor, rippled significantly. Since the zone closure had cut off the inflow of seawater, the entire corridor wasn’t completely submerged.

As a result, I had to crawl through the narrow corridor in an uncomfortable position. If I raised my torso even slightly, my head carapace would immediately hit the ceiling.

‘If the corridor ceiling were any lower, I couldn’t have brought food.’

Currently, my six feeding tentacles were wrapped around corpses like snakes hunting prey.

It looked rather unsightly, like strung-together dried pollack, and made movement difficult, but I had no choice.

Even back on Eusung’s research vessel where we first met, the researchers didn’t properly feed No. 26. They provided just enough nutrition to keep it alive, nothing more.

‘It must be very hungry.’

My discomfort is far better than letting No. 26 starve.

‘Is this it?’

After passing through a corridor marked H, a thick metal blast door blocked my path. I had already broken through one blast door, but this one looked even thicker.

Being a facility that researches dangerous marine creatures like the Seed Demon, the security level seemed higher than elsewhere.

‘Not that it matters.’

I brought my auxiliary organ under my jaw close to the blast door. It had a double-door configuration with another blast door inside, but that didn’t matter.

These metal pieces couldn’t break my will.

[Zz zzzzz(I’ll get you out soon)]

“Yes!”

After reassuring No. 26, I backed away.

Acidic fungi are half as effective in water, so I’d have to break through using more primitive methods.

I lowered my head to position my horn to pierce the door, then charged.

The six combat arms on my upper body struck the corridor floor and walls, propelling my body forward. The claws on my tail and lower body, submerged in water, also moved vigorously, pushing water back to help me advance rapidly.

I had already breached the outer wall of the research facility, which was designed to withstand deep-sea pressure.

The thick blast door shattered upon impact with my horn. Not stopping there, the blast door behind it crumpled like paper from my charge and was flung away.

The seawater from the corridor behind me poured into the room through the broken door.

‘Hmm?’

“Guruk?”

“Enemy. Guruk.”

After breaking through the blast door, instead of humans, other beings were waiting for me. Fish-like humanoids in work clothes stared at me.

‘Fishrians?’

I’d seen humans and Fishrians trading in stilt houses above the sea, but I didn’t expect to find them in a research facility.

Seeing them in work clothes, they seemed to be handling security and guard duties here.

“Gururuk. That one made human nest, mess.”

“Guruk. Looks strong, offer as sacrifice!”

“Sacrifiiice!”

They made bizarre sounds as they sharpened their claws. The eyes that had glinted in the darkness disappeared into the water.

If they were human, they would have fled immediately, but true to their fanatic nature, these creatures had no retreat.

‘Didn’t expect to meet them here.’

In the game, Fishrians typically appear as minions of powerful marine creatures. Fitting their setting as worshippers of deep-sea predators, they serve as combat support for fearsome predators like Seed Demons and Pale Masks.

Honestly, to players fighting quasi-boss creatures like Seed Demons, Fishrians are merely annoying flies, but they still couldn’t be completely ignored.

‘Male Fishrians have poison in their claws and spines.’

Those colorful spines on their backs and heads, resembling the poisonous barbs of lionfish, aren’t just decorations. Just as real-world sea creatures often possess potent toxins, Fishrians’ poison is extremely powerful.

Moreover, Fishrians can control the potency of their poison, making it an upgraded version of the neurotoxin I possess.

The unfortunate thing for them is that I have the “Complete Immunity” trait. One of the Subadult perks, Complete Immunity grants near-perfect resistance to poisons and diseases. Unless facing a player specialized in poison use, few beings can harm me with toxins.

‘And…’

“Guruk!”

The submerged creatures suddenly approached me and leaped out of the water. Their claws scraped against my outer shell as they passed.

“Guruk?!”

“So hard!”

Since their claws couldn’t penetrate in the first place, their poison was useless. Unless they used their poison glands in their spines to release toxins into the water.

I extended my combat arms and grabbed the Fishrians by their waists. Their eyes shook uncontrollably, as if they hadn’t expected this. When I applied pressure, their waists broke with a snap.

“Monster! It’s a monster!”

“Guruk! Sacrifice difficult!”

Those not caught in my grasp finally seemed to understand the situation and tried to flee. I pounced on them after tossing aside the already lifeless Fishrian bodies.

After adding the Fishrians to my collection of prey wrapped in my feeding tentacles, I looked at the remaining corpses.

‘It’s a bit awkward to carry them all, maybe I’ll just have a taste?’

I bit off the head of a Fishrian corpse. The fishy smell characteristic of fish, followed by the tingling and intense taste of poison remaining in the poison glands, and then the unique texture pleasantly tickled my mouth.

‘Delicious.’

It’s not heavenly like genetically modified humans or the Swamp King, but it has a very unique flavor.

With almost no fat, it wasn’t greasy but rather lean, and the firm muscles provided an excellent chewing experience. Additionally, the poison flowing from the poison glands between the brain and spines gave a thrilling pleasure, like eating sushi with wasabi.

‘I should bring these to No. 26.’

I discarded some human corpses that were wrapped in my feeding tentacles and replaced them with Fishrians. The Seed Demon No. 26 would have even stronger poison resistance than me, so it could enjoy Fishrian meat with pleasure.

‘Though when I give some to Adhigh Orr, I’ll have to avoid the poison gland areas.’

With that thought, I entered deeper into the zone and found what looked like a sturdy prison.

And inside, I saw a familiar face.

“…Big one?”

[Zzzzzz(Long time no see)]

“Big one!”

No. 26 jumped with joy upon seeing me.

The creature I hadn’t seen in a long time had shrunk considerably. Its body, which used to be about 5 meters, was now only 2 to 3 meters. Its pink body, which once reminded me of cat paws, now looked lifeless and dull.

‘Probably from all the stress.’

It was so evident that the creature had suffered considerably that I couldn’t help but flinch.

Contrary to my thoughts, No. 26 was genuinely excited to see me, emitting light and sending out waves frantically.

“Big one grew a lot! Much bigger than me!”

[Zz zzzz zzzz(That’s because I ate well)]

“Good eating is wonderful! Big one did well!”

[Zz zzzz(I’ll get you out right away)]

“Yes!”

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzz zzzz(I brought tasty food, so you can eat when you come out)]

“Wow!”

Leaving the joyful creature, I examined the prison.

‘As expected. A special prison made by Star Union.’

Now I understood why No. 26 looked so weak.

The prison bars were made of pure Black Silver, making them pitch black. Between the bars and on the floor and ceiling were several special devices shaped like sprinklers.

Those devices were energy-draining mechanisms, similar to Blood River. The absorbed energy is used to power the devices themselves, allowing them to contain even the most powerful creatures for extended periods.

‘With water around, I can’t use Gremlin Moss.’

I approached the computer that controlled the prison next to the cell. I tried touching the computer with the small arms on my chest, but it wasn’t working properly, probably due to the water that had entered the entire zone.

‘I’ll have to open it with my bare hands.’

The management computer being broken meant that those energy absorption devices would eventually be neutralized, but I had no intention of waiting that long.

I used all six of my combat arms to firmly grasp the prison bars.

The moment I grabbed them, energy was drained from my body, but I ignored it. The energy needed to bend the bars was greater than what was being drained.

The bars I gripped bent like taffy before breaking with a short bursting sound. After repeating this several times, I was able to destroy enough bars for No. 26 to exit comfortably.

I also smashed all the energy absorption devices attached near the broken bars to ensure it could safely come out.

[Zzzz zzzz(You can come out now)]

“Wow! Big one strong!”

Finally free, No. 26 jumped toward me and embraced me. When we left the space city, our bodies were similar in size, but now it was much smaller.

‘Brings back memories.’

Hugging the smaller creature reminded me of the past.

When we first met on Eusung’s spaceship and when we had just arrived at the space city. Back then, I used to carry it on my head.

‘I guess I can’t carry it on my head anymore.’

Until I acquire the “Gigantic Creature” trait, carrying it on my back would be the best I could do.

[Zzzzzz(You’ve been through a lot)]

“I’m fine. What about you?”

[Zzzz(As you can see)]

After stroking No. 26 a few times, I released the embrace. I handed over the food I had prepared to the still visibly happy creature.

“Thank you! I love it!”

Hungry, No. 26 immediately extended its tentacles and devoured the food. I continued to stroke it, conveying my sympathy for its hardship.

‘Rescue successful. Next…’

No. 26 quickly finished all the food I had brought. I didn’t think this would fully satisfy its hunger.

“Big one! I have something to tell you!”

As I expected, No. 26 called out to me after finishing its meal.

[Zz zzzz(Still hungry?)]

“Yes. But there’s something more important.”

[Zz(Oh?)]

“The appendage-bearing creatures here. They’re very bad.”

[Zzzzz zzzz zzzzzz(By appendages, do you mean humans?)]

“Yes! Humans bad!”

No. 26’s body inflated greatly, and its light flickered frantically. I had never seen it this angry before.

[Zzzzz zzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz(Don’t worry. We’re going to punish the humans)]

“Yes! Let’s punish them!”

[Zz(Good)]

No. 26 menacingly waved its fins and tentacles.

Seeing its cute display, I reaffirmed my decision.

Those who angered No. 26 would pay a bloody price.

‘That was my plan anyway…’

It seems I shouldn’t just kill them quickly.

Everyone in this deep-sea research facility would die struggling in pain and despair.