Ch.278Die, You Monster (1)

# Chapter 278: Die, You Monster (1)

*Ding.*

[Pause]

[Quest: Seonhwang]

[Eliminate Seonhwang and protect the universe.]

[Eliminate the administrator who has gone mad with rage while carrying a dimensional split bomb, and protect the universe.]

[Reward: ???]

[Pause Released]

With a notification that appeared on its own.

The game paused and unpaused by itself.

And right after that.

*KWAAAANG!!!*

“What the hell.”

Something unknown collided with the planetary defense shield, causing a tremendous noise.

And the noise was the least of our worries.

[Danger]

[Powerful psionic energy reaction detected from ultra-massive cosmic monster]

[Planetary defense shield output reduced by 10%, evacuation order issued for all Ka’Zan planetary residents to underground shelters]

‘Was that thing really that strong?’

The psionic wave it released upon appearing instantly reduced the planetary defense shield by 10%—how is that even possible?

Of course, my thoughts were interrupted by a series of messages displayed on my terminal.

[Warp Gate defense patrol fleet annihilated, Gate defense forces annihilated]

[Monsters confirmed through the gate: one ultra-massive cosmic monster, one Queen’s Hive Ship, approximately 5,000 Kirsanid Scourge fleet]

[Support requested from Capital Defense Fleet and Leviathan-class Super Dreadnought on standby in orbit, as well as nanomachine collective]

[Orbital Defense Command issuing Level 1 combat readiness to all forces, all Capital Defense Fleet vessels launching]

[Direction change requested for some foreign support fleets toward the capital]

Seeing this desperate situation, I truly felt that the final battle with that monster had now begun.

And on top of that, well…

It came charging in with a dimensional split bomb hidden in its body…

‘It’s not even Seonhwang anymore—just a suicide bomber at this point.’

With that scathing assessment, I turned to Riel and spoke.

“Riel, what about Gaia, Meteorun, and the others?”

“They should be preparing to return by shuttle from the satellite by now.”

After hearing that, I pondered for a moment.

‘If I’d known this would happen, I should have just gone down to the surface.’

I had stayed at the Orbital Defense Command to support the satellite after sending Gaia, preparing for any contingencies.

With regret over my decision, I found it hard to hide my tears as I looked at the now-blockaded planet.

Of course, I could still leave the Orbital Defense Command and go down through the orbital elevator if I wanted to.

But with that Seonhwang bastard already here, how could I trust an orbital elevator that could barely withstand meteors or debris?

Moreover, I had been carrying the imperial crown that Artraia entrusted to me every day to guard against potential attackers.

In my current state, I was essentially a treasure goblin to Seonhwang.

‘Ah, I made the wrong choice.’

With this belated regret, I felt tears welling up inside.

——————————————

Meanwhile, at that moment.

“H-how did those things get here?”

“What the hell are those?!”

With the sudden appearance of Seonhwang’s main body along with 5,000 Scourge creatures.

Even in wartime, being far from the front lines meant that…

The defense units stationed in the capital planetary system, who had strongly believed they were far from the battlefield, were thrown into chaos.

“All fleets, advance!”

“Target the Scourge’s ultra-massive cosmic monster and the Queen’s Hive Ship first! Those two control the hive mind that directs the Scourge swarm!”

The Capital Defense Fleet, having received classified information transmitted by Arto through the Diplomatic Enforcement Planet, was the quickest to regain composure amid the chaos.

They immediately mobilized all available forces and began an all-out battle against the Scourge fleet that Seonhwang had brought.

Of course, given that the Scourge was inferior to the Capital Defense Fleet in both performance and numbers.

If things went well, the Capital Defense Fleet along with the additional reinforcement fleets would annihilate the escort fleet protecting the Hive Ship.

The Hive Ship would be destroyed, and with it, the Scourge hive mind would be eliminated.

But things never go that easily in this world.

Just as the assault squadrons of the Capital Defense Fleet were about to launch a volley of torpedoes to signal the beginning of their offensive.

“We need to attack at close range to increase their casualties.”

“Confirm proximity fuse settings for all torpedoes, proximity fuse activation confirmed.”

“Confirmation complete, preparing to fire all torpedoes…”

Seonhwang, seeing the assault squadron of 50 ships including destroyers, was infuriated by their existence, which to him was no more significant than flies.

“How dare these insolent creatures…”

He casually waved his hand toward the squadron.

And immediately after, the squadron of 50 ships, including 500-meter-long destroyers…

*CRACK! KWAAANG!!! KWANG!*

Under Seonhwang’s destructive psionic power, they were crushed like old canned tomatoes.

They disappeared in a massive explosion.

And witnessing this in real-time, the Capital Defense Fleet…

“Holy shit!”

“Fleet retreat, retreat now!”

“What kind of insane psionic ability is that?!”

Naturally, since the Holy Seveli Empire also had psionic ability users, they understood that what they had just witnessed wasn’t impossible.

But when they realized the immeasurable power of that psionic ability…

Everyone panicking and retreating was only natural.

In an already shocking situation, seeing an entire squadron crushed like a can—who could maintain their composure?

“Retreat!”

“We need to get beyond the range of his psionic abilities! All ships activate shields!”

“Fall back to the range of Eternia’s ‘Veil’!”

Especially the minor thought that they too could be turned into compressed tomato juice…

It instilled tremendous fear in the Capital Defense Fleet that had been charging in bravely.

To control the fear among their subordinates, the admirals of the Capital Defense Fleet had no choice but to order a retreat.

——————————————

What followed unfolded in a similar manner.

“This fortress is wrapped in reinforced tectite alloy armor plates, with natural rock walls hundreds of meters thick and shock absorption systems! It’s a natural fortress that won’t fall to some cosmic monster!”

A fortress converted from an asteroid tried to block Seonhwang’s advance route…

*CRACK, CRUNCH!*

“Huh…?”

“Worthless NPCs… die.”

Despite the defensive fire from the fortress’s numerous turrets, he approached recklessly, tore off all the hatches, and burned the interior.

*BEEEEEEEEP… TEEEEEEE!*

“Tsk.”

He withstood the simultaneous impact of over a hundred 50GT (gigaton) nuclear missiles fired by stealth defense satellites without a scratch.

“Advance, beings from another world.”

At the same time, he directed the 5,000 Kirsanid Scourge ships he had brought to launch random invasions throughout the capital planetary system.

“Damn it, he’s attacking the shipyard!”

“This is Supply Base 75, we’re under assault by a 700-meter class monster! Requesting assistance!”

“…All Capital Defense Fleet vessels, engage and destroy the scattered Scourge forces individually.”

He even forced the retreating and regrouping Capital Defense Fleet to disperse completely.

Breaking through all the defensive forces that Arto had carefully prepared.

And not long after… Seonhwang’s main body, displaying its bizarre and extraordinary form, appeared in orbit within view of the Holy Seveli Empire’s capital.

“I have come to reclaim my crown, you inferior beings.”

And upon arriving at the Orbital Defense Command…

Among the mortals watching him from inside, Seonhwang identified Arto.

“I see, so you’re the one who made fools of the alien forces I brought again.”

Having assessed the situation, Seonhwang realized that Arto was responsible for foiling his plans.

At that moment, he decided to eliminate both the Orbital Defense Command before him and Arto in one fell swoop.

———————————————

And I was watching this scene from the Orbital Defense Command.

*WHOOOOOM!*

“Strong psionic reaction detected ahead! Brace for impact!”

*RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE…!!*

“Kuh, damn it.”

First, I was shocked by that disgusting form.

Then, I was shocked again by the powerful psionic wave that followed.

*KUUUUU…!*

“The enemy is attempting to attack us!”

“Shields at maximum output!”

“Order all defense turrets to attack! Hurry!”

I was about to be shocked a third time as that abominable thing tried to crush me along with the entire defense command…

*KWAAAANG!!!*

“Th-that’s!”

“It’s an Ether Dragon! The Saint of Eternia has come to help us!!”

“Then who’s the other one…?”

Unfortunately, the third shocking scene was none other than Maria and Artraia leaping up from the surface.

They transformed into massive Ether Dragons, starting with their heads, and performed a body slam straight into Seonhwang.