Ch.172172. Friendship

Geum Do-hyun didn’t give up. He needed a firm opinion to dispel his suspicion that Do Jong-hyun was a monster.

However, a problem arose in his preparation process.

Watching Eyes. The monster faction’s spy was in the process of figuring out this fact.

He was planning to pull off something similar to the previous airplane incident.

[Blend into humanity and disrupt their plans]

The Monster Terror Group has taken a major hit and is currently regrouping. Moreover, the byproducts they’ve lent ultimately cannot surpass Do Jong-hyun.

Furthermore, Dokgo Jun has grown even stronger since the last battle.

To the extent that he could now rightfully be called the world’s greatest.

So what should they do?

The monster faction sought revival as Ancient Species. According to their purpose, humanity’s strength had exceeded their expectations.

In the first place, they had already found the energy needed for their goal of immortality.

As that energy was already abundant, they needed to put forth a bit more effort on their side as well.

Eun Se-rin greeted the Watching Eyes that had come to her home.

“I’ve been diligently organizing information about you. It always feels good when such data is neatly arranged.”

Eun Se-rin handed the report over to them.

The Watching Eyes received it with telekinesis.

[Origin of Ancient Species]

-Basically, all current monsters are individuals created based on Ancient Species.

-The reason they abandoned the Ancient Species was ultimately because it was a body destined for extinction. Over the ages, their strong physiques were conversely eating away at their lifespans.

Bodies they thought would grant eternal immortality reached their limits, and the energy they generated was insufficient.

-Therefore, monsters were divided into two factions. Those who wanted to invade to find new energy, and those who accepted death as inevitable and waited. In the war between these two giant monster factions, the side that wanted to avoid extinction won.

Since their lifespans were gradually decreasing while active as Ancient Species, they tried to extend their lives by modifying themselves.

The core idea was to miniaturize their entire species and reduce the energy needed to extend their lifespans.

-The monsters currently attacking humanity are the result of numerous monsters being created and differentiated. They guided humanity to grow until ‘certain energy became stronger.’

-In other words, the monster faction could overwhelm humanity using the sealed bodies of Ancient Species if necessary. But since they needed to obtain sufficient energy from humans, they also helped humanity grow. For quite some time.

“Unless something unexpected happens… but something unexpected did happen, right?”

Eun Se-rin crossed her arms and observed the Watching Eyes’ reaction.

Words were transmitted into her mind.

[Unnecessary… information… judgment]

“As a recorder, I need to document things in detail. For future reference, you know.”

[Deemed meaningless… will not repeat twice.]

Eun Se-rin nodded.

“Fine. Do as you please. But the plan itself is too unstable. Consuming the energy humans possess to replenish yourselves? What happens when that energy runs out too?”

[Unnecessary… analysis.]

“Well, what does it matter to me anyway. So what’s the plan? Geum Do-hyun is moving a monster?”

[Ancient Species… to test… the suspect… utilize.]

Eun Se-rin’s expression hardened.

‘Now, Geum Do-hyun suspects Jong-hyun of being a monster?’

She didn’t know the full circumstances. But it was about time for suspicion.

‘Well, he’s always absent when major incidents occur, and unusual events happen around him…’

It’s reasonable to be suspicious. But Geum Do-hyun was trying to cross that line.

‘Testing him with a monster? What an insane operation. The kind of reckless thinking a wealthy high school student would have.’

While Eun Se-rin knew that Do Jong-hyun was genuine, Geum Do-hyun was suspicious.

Using a real monster based on mere ‘suspicion.’

‘He could accidentally kill his friend. But why go to such lengths…?’

Eun Se-rin thought about Geum Do-hyun as his homeroom teacher.

At the beginning of his first year, he was greedy enough to make enemies and severely overestimated himself.

‘That started to decrease probably when the White Dragon Guild came for inspection?’

His self-centered personality changed after seeing someone stronger or more highly regarded than himself.

‘But with Do Jong-hyun being highly evaluated, jealousy must be a factor too. Disgusting guy. For such a reason!’

It was an absurd and petty reason. Eun Se-rin regretted her emotional surge.

‘I shouldn’t be like this. Anyway, whenever Jong-hyun is involved…’

She needed to stay calm. Above all, the Watching Eyes hadn’t just come to deliver news.

[Half-blood… must utilize… that power… strong. That child… judgment.]

“Not yet.”

As expected, they were after her child.

“My revenge comes first, as agreed with the leader. That child needs to grow more.”

[Humanity… growing stronger… threat. We will… nurture them. Judgment complete]

The moment the Watching Eyes glared at her child, they were sent flying.

“Don’t bother my mom!”

Her child, appearing exactly like a human, was suddenly behind her.

But the Watching Eyes weren’t completely dead.

[More time needed… judgment. But… entering ‘retrieval’… recognition. Education… essential.]

After delivering this warning, they disappeared. Eun Se-rin admonished her child not to do that again.

“It’s dangerous.”

They’re different from the Monster Terror Group. Though the two are connected, unlike the Terror Group which cannot directly harm her, they can.

“…We don’t have much time left.”

Eun Se-rin sighed.

*

Honestly, I was being treated very well.

“To think that young master Do-hyun is friends with that famous person!”

“How does he get such good grades without a summoning spirit?”

Among other professional Jaegers, I was served food and gained knowledge from them.

Geum Do-hyun had calmly begun practicing using the method I suggested.

“Let’s try it in the actual sea on Sunday. Anyway, the beach near this villa is rented for training, so others are prohibited from entering.”

“It’s going to be really cold.”

Geum Do-hyun and I were diligently practicing in the villa’s swimming pool, exchanging signals underwater and checking if we could maintain continuous firepower with our abilities.

But this guy Geum Do-hyun was half-hearted about it.

“Hey! Focus more. I told you to create explosions to keep water from coming in!”

“I know, I know. The theory is all stored in my head. I almost had it just now.”

It’s not that Geum Do-hyun wasn’t trying, but he wasn’t as passionate as expected.

After a short time, he would come out of the water to rest.

Right now, we were trying to utilize flames in various ways.

Geum Do-hyun self-generated special fuel and combustion devices. By controlling the flames, it’s possible to instantly increase speed like Ariel, and also inflict damage on enemies.

“Hey, let’s at least try discharging flames underwater by the weekend.”

“First I need to properly create flames, right?”

Due to my nagging, he finally started again at the bottom of the swimming pool, which was over 5m deep.

Geum Do-hyun concentrated his magical power on the signal rod and burned it.

By using the explosion’s pressure to prevent water from entering and continuing to burn, continuous flames are possible.

If this is extended, it could even be used like a sword.

Thanks to our efforts, Geum Do-hyun was now able to maintain flames to some extent.

“Hey, I’m doing fine without your nagging. Let’s rest a bit now.”

“If you had concentrated properly from the start…”

“Let’s do it properly in the sea tomorrow. It’ll be easier with professionals around.”

“Please do it right, since the reinforced suit is heavy.”

While reinforced suits operate with a certain amount of magical power, they’re still difficult to use underwater… or so it’s known.

Of course, since I actually have a perfectly functional summoning spirit, it doesn’t really matter to me.

But I need to pretend otherwise.

Anyway, seafood was visible by the seaside. Barbecue was being grilled right before our eyes, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Geum Do-hyun kept looking at me.

“What?”

“Nothing. Thanks to you, I can do new things underwater.”

“Considering the motivation, it’s natural. We’re supposed to help each other.”

“Right, that’s true. Now, let’s eat a lot since we’ll be doing a more practical test tomorrow.”

The barbecue was sliced before us, revealing its form.

The fragrant flavor and various cuts of meat sizzling stimulated our stomachs.

Yes, let’s eat. Eating is what counts. If we can’t enjoy ourselves while at this villa, it would be a waste.

Throughout this dinner, Geum Do-hyun expressed his ambitions.

“The three major guilds? I’ll surpass them and take the top spot. Definitely! You should join too. You’re welcome.”

Geum Do-hyun wants to stand at the top with his own forces.

My thoughts are slightly different.

“But I want to end it before that.”

“End what?”

“I want to create a world without monsters before becoming the best.”

“That’s the ultimate goal. It’s not something that can happen quickly.”

I wonder how long it will take. All preparations for my final evolutionary form are complete.

In this state, I now need to reduce the enemy forces.

The Monster Terror Group, Si U-jin… all the gates too.

To prevent humanity’s extinction.

With that determination, I took a sip of my drink.

The next morning, the day of the big test arrived. A normal lesson where we identify and retrieve structures and obstacles set up by professionals.

Except it’s in the vast open sea, not a swimming pool.

“Let’s go!”

Geum Do-hyun entered the water spiritedly, and I followed.

Holding the signal rod, I navigated the clear sea, focusing on visual reconnaissance.

The important thing here is position tracking. It would be convenient if either of us had detection abilities underwater, but neither did.

Inevitably, we needed to search separately, but our numbers were few.

According to the manual, two people should move together, but training wouldn’t work if adults were involved.

We decided to split up and search.

[Search]

The color of the signal rod changed, and we moved in opposite directions.

It’s different from the manual, but since it’s artificial anyway. Does it matter with other Jaegers nearby? Indeed, Jaegers were waiting along the beach, ready to move in case of emergency.

I was moving deeper to find structures and obstacles when I saw a strong current coming from afar.

It’s big. Something large was rising up now.

“…”

I changed the color of my signal rod and waved it around. In this situation, I had to use the radio.

[Geum Do-hyun. Where are you? I see something strange in the water?]

No answer. What’s happening now? Suddenly, I felt the currents intensifying from all directions.

Far away, something black was approaching, writhing.

It was like a slender spear. A creature with a sharp, spear-like head and two eyes.

A species I’d never seen before was coming toward me.

Wait, why is that here?

I urgently fired a flare that could be seen by those on land.

But the currents grew increasingly fierce, charging toward me.

This is dangerous—should I transform? Something unusual is definitely happening.

As I held my card, aiming at the approaching creature,

Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the water behind me.

Geum Do-hyun was now grabbing me and forcibly pulling me back.