Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Life is unpredictable. That’s the motto of Runan, the head of the research team at PH-101 Research Base. A native of Ganymede and a former Third Capital, he became a Prime Capital thanks to a fortunate marriage. Even though his wife belonged to the Zhao family, being a Prime Capital was a significant status. Marrying such a woman allowed him to secure a position within the Zhao family, which made it possible for him to take on the role of the head of a research team in a large research base.

Looking at it, life truly was unpredictable. Until he arrived at PH-101, he was thriving, but since the incident of being stranded in the depths of the ocean, he had been steadily descending into a downward spiral. However, after unexpectedly capturing a mutant sea demon, his mood soared. Despite losing many team members during the capture, he didn’t consider it a significant issue. All the deceased were either Middle or Low Capitals, expendable human resources used to capture the sea demon. It was a profitable business, no matter how you looked at it.

That was a few hours ago. Now, any semblance of a bright future had disappeared, and whether he could survive until morning was uncertain.

“What on earth is happening? Was it an earthquake?”

The first situation room was located in Zone A. Runan, along with team members who had hastily woken up and gathered here, was actively trying to assess the situation.

“According to the central computer’s report, it’s due to external impact!”

“Could it be the sea demon? It shouldn’t have the capacity for that.”

“Or maybe it’s the Dread Hydra or Pale Mask.”

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

The Dread Hydra is a massive, 50-meter-long ambush predator, and the Pale Mask is a giant predator that devours the Dread Hydra. Both are formidable marine creatures, though not as powerful as the sea demon. Their habitats are the deep-sea trenches beneath the base. Since the research base is located outside their territory, the likelihood of one of them attacking is low.

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

“Flooding is a problem, but water pressure is the main issue.”

“Agreed. Due to the strain on the devices regulating the internal environment, there’s a risk of malfunction.”

PH-101 Research Base is located in the depths of the ocean, several kilometers below the surface. Despite the harsh environment, it was designed to withstand immense underwater pressure. However, for the people inside, it’s a different story. If there’s a malfunction in the device stabilizing internal pressure, everyone inside is at risk of losing their lives.

“Sigh. We might have to abandon ship.”

Listening silently to the opinions of the team members, Runan finally spoke.

“To stabilize the pressure, we need to separate Zones E and F from the ring. Forcefully disconnect them and assess the situation in Zones C and D later.”

“Te...Team Leader?!”

The expressions of the team members darkened upon hearing the order.

Zones F and G house the sleeping quarters. Due to the incident occurring at night, there are easily over dozens of people remaining in Zone F. Despite the situation, the team leader chose to abandon all the individuals in Zone F.

“What is he doing? Can’t he hear me?”

“No, sir!”

As the team members hesitated to abandon colleagues who might still be alive and awaiting rescue, Runan urged them forward.

As the team members moved to follow Runan’s orders, the base shook violently. Everyone in the first situation room staggered due to the sudden impact.

“What is this?! Another attack?”

“No! This shock came from inside!”

“Could it be because of the water pressure?”

“Stop the pointless chatter and quickly confirm the situation!”

“Yes!”

Responding to Runan’s command, the team members hurriedly sat in front of the computers in the situation room to assess the situation.

A little later, one of them grimaced.

“Uh, there, Team Leader?”

“What is it?”

“We seem to have found the cause.”

At his pale-faced report, Runan approached and checked the monitor. Soon, he too had the same expression as the team members.

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

The research base is divided into eight zones, from A to H. Since it is configured in a circular ring, after G and H, the next zone is A.

While the appearance of an unknown monster invading the first situation room was a significant issue, the real problem lay elsewhere.

Zone H is where the biological research lab is located. In other words, the sea demon they painstakingly captured is trapped there.

“We need to separate Zone G immediately...!”

Kuooong!

At the moment he urgently shouted, an unprecedented shock engulfed the situation room.

‘It seems they still don’t know about my intrusion.’

From the moment I entered, I’ve been wandering around, pulling off human heads, but apart from the area being sealed off, no special measures were taken.

Thanks to the delayed response on their end, I could comfortably make my way to find Number 26.

Every time I crawled, the water level, rising halfway up the corridor, shook significantly. The entire corridor didn’t flood because the inflow of seawater stopped when the area was sealed off.

Because of that, I had to crawl through the narrow corridor in an uncomfortable position. If I raised my waist even slightly, my head carapace would hit the ceiling immediately.

‘If the corridor ceiling were lower, I wouldn’t have been able to carry the prey.’

Currently, my six tentacles for predation were coiled around the bodies like a snake hunting for prey.

It didn’t look good, resembling entwined eels, and it was uncomfortable to move, but there was no choice.

‘Is it here?’

‘It must have been under a lot of stress.’

The creature seemed to have gone through significant hardships, and it was evident, making me flinch unintentionally.

Contrary to my thoughts, Number 26, upon seeing me, emitted light and sent out waves in excitement.

「Big guy, you’ve grown a lot! Much bigger than me!」

[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ (I ate well, that’s why)]

「Eat well? you’ve done well, big guy!」

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ (I got food for you too).]

「Yeah!」

‘Woah!’

Leaving the happy creature behind, I examined the prison.

‘Indeed. It’s a prison made by the Star Union.’

I now understood why Number 26 seemed so depleted. The prison bars were made of pure black silver, appearing pitch-black. Special devices resembling sprinklers were attached between the bars, on the floor, and the ceiling.

Those devices were energy-absorbing mechanisms, similar to a blood reaver, absorbing energy from other creatures. The absorbed energy was then used to power the device itself, allowing even powerful creatures to be confined for an extended period.

‘There’s water nearby, so Gremlin Moss won’t work.’

I approached the computer that managed the prison, trying to operate it with my small chest arm. However, it didn’t work properly, likely due to the water that had entered the entire area.

‘I’ll have to open it manually.’

Although the management computer would eventually break down, rendering the energy absorption devices useless, I had no intention of waiting until then.

I used all six combat arms to grab the prison bars tightly. As I seized them, energy drained from my body, but I paid it no mind, as the energy exerted to bend the bars was greater.

The bars I held twisted like licorice and, with a short tearing sound, were torn apart. After a few repetitions, I had broken enough bars for Number 26 to come out safely.

I also destroyed all the energy absorption devices attached to the broken bars, ensuring the creature’s safe exit.

「I can come out now, right?」

[ZZ (Yes).]

「Wow! Big guy, you’re strong!」

Finally free, Number 26 hopped over and embraced me. When we left the cosmic city, our sizes were similar, but now the creature had become much smaller.

‘I remember the old times.’

Hugging the diminished creature, memories from when we first met on the meteoric spaceship and shortly after arriving at the cosmic city flashed back.

‘Now, I can’t carry you on my head anymore.’

Until I acquired the ‘Giant Creature’ trait, carrying it on my back would be the most I could manage.

[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZ (You’ve been through a lot).]

「I’m fine. How about you, big guy?」

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZ (As you can see).]

I patted its head a few times and released the hug. The creature still seemed in good spirits, so I handed it the prepared food.

「Thank you! I really like it!」

Apparently hungry, Number 26 immediately extracted tentacles from its body and swallowed the food. I continued to pet the creature, conveying gratitude for its efforts.

‘The rescue was successful. Next is...’

Number 26 quickly finished eating the provided food. I didn’t think it would be enough to satisfy its hunger.

「Big guy! I have something to say!」

Number 26, having finished the meal as I expected, called out to me.

[ZZZ ZZZZZZZZZ (Are you still hungry?)]

「Yeah. But there’s something more important.」

[ZZZ (Oh?)]

「The creatures with appendages here. They’re very troublesome.」

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ (Creatures with appendages, are you talking about humans?)]

「Yeah! Humans are bad!」

Number 26’s body swelled significantly, and light flickered uncontrollably. It was the first time I had seen the creature express anger like this.

[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ (Don’t worry. I’m going to give those humans a hard time.)]

「Yeah! Let’s give them a hard time!」

[ZZZ (Sure)]

Number 26 waved its fins and tentacles threateningly.

Seeing that cute sight, I reaffirmed my decision.

Those who angered Number 26, I should make them pay with blood.

‘I had that intention from the beginning, but...’

I realized it might not be as simple as just killing them. The people in this deep-sea research facility would likely suffer and die in agony.