Chapter 33: Hunting in the Dark Sea

*Rattle!*

The stone door slid open.

Dallip walked in with a cold gaze. He was likely prepared to kill if the gift wasn’t to his liking.

“A gift, you say. If you had such a thing, you should have given it sooner. What is this gift?”

The ant nest could cover a space station to some extent. One could even raise eggs inside the nest itself.

However, it would be a waste to simply hand it over to Dallip. My original goal was to make Dallip fight the Imperium Marshal. The most important thing was that it wasn’t currently here.

“Are you perhaps in need of a space station? An A-rank one?”

Even with abundant resources, creating an A-rank station was no easy feat. For the record, a station wasn’t just a port for spaceships.

It was a means for humans to oppose the gods.

Its primary purpose was to suppress or deflect the will of a planet. In this process, the planet’s will would accumulate and solidify, becoming Mana Stones. Naturally, the sustainable population of the planet would also increase.

“Ho! An A-rank space station?”

“I know the location where an A-rank space station is stored, ready to be used once assembled.”

“So, what you are giving me is information.”

The murderous intent that filled the room vanished in an instant. My trembling legs finally settled. Dallip slowly took a seat.

“Tell me. Where is this item?”

“It is not far from here. It is in the Lezento star system.”

“I know that place.”

It really wasn’t far. It was practically a stone’s throw away.

“However, to approach without being noticed, an elite few must move first.”

“Naturally. If they’re openly attacked, they’ll try to smuggle out the core components.”

Dallip stroked his chin.

“But. Seeing as you mention moving with an elite few… you must know a shortcut.”

“I have a First Mate. We will be able to find a way there somehow.”

Even without a First Mate, anyone familiar with the local geography could find a shortcut. However, such a person couldn’t be found here in the Labbitt star cluster. The place was completely ruined, to the point that even merchant ships no longer passed through.

“Fine. If I can obtain a space station, I will gladly stab those Imperium bastards in the back as you wish.”

Dallip dusted off his seat and stood up. I followed suit. Finally, I could return to my ship.

“Then, I shall go and prepare—”

“Where are you going?”

The tension that had slightly loosened tightened once again. What now?

“You must say hello to my family before you go.”

I knew Dallip’s wife was a legendary beauty. However, I had never seen her even while playing the game. It was as if the developers had given up; her illustration was nothing but a white question mark on a black background.

‘I am curious, though.’

I followed behind him.

“My Lady. How is the child?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The moment I saw her silhouette, my body froze.

‘Holy crap!’

I quickly lowered my head to avoid eye contact.

“Hahaha. Why do you turn your head away?”

“My Lady is so beautiful that I dare not look at her directly.”

I think I understood why there were only rumors and a question mark for an illustration. It was because almost no one had actually seen her properly.

Why? Because Dallip’s wife was a Medusa.

With my Force, I wouldn’t be able to withstand that blinding beauty.

“True. There are those who go blind with lust upon seeing my wife and turn to stone.”

I could see quite a few stone statues nearby. They were likely living beings once.

‘Wait!’

I hurriedly checked Sudongtae. He had already looked at the Medusa. In fact, he was staring right at her.

‘Damn it!’

Petrification was beginning to set in, but…

*Pat, pat!*

He simply brushed the stone dust off his body.

“Indeed. The Reaper’s escort warrior. What do you think of my wife?”

“I, Sudongtae, find her the most beautiful woman ever born.”

Is she really a beauty by this world’s standards?

“You there, you look as well. I want to show her off, so I shall forgive your rudeness. Even if you turn to stone, it’s not like there isn’t a way to undo it.”

The method to undo it was simple. Within one minute, the Medusa had to kiss the victim’s cheek…

That was terrifying in its own way.

“Then, please forgive my rudeness.”

I didn’t dare refuse. It was better than dying for offending him.

*Slowly—!*

Tense, I looked directly at the Medusa. Her hair writhed like small snakes against her pale face.

‘Damn.’

My entire body felt like it was freezing from the combination of disgust and fear.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…

‘Why is nothing happening?’

I blinked. Even Sudongtae, who possessed incredible Force control, had crystals forming on his skin. Me? Nothing. Not even a speck of dust.

“Oho. Your mental strength is impressive.”

That shouldn’t be possible…

‘Ah!’

It was because of the Eyes of Eodukshini. A Medusa’s petrification was a curse delivered through sight. My eyes, on the other hand, were under the protection of a divine artifact.

Once I cleared my head, I felt more at ease.

“You are truly beautiful.”

“Hahaha. Indeed, indeed.”

Dallip looked extremely satisfied. His wife seemed to be one of his greatest sources of pride.

“Oh, right. Greet my daughter as well.”

What he introduced this time was…

‘It’s an egg.’

It was slightly larger than my body. Judging by the flow of dark energy, it seemed to be synchronized with the temple. He was likely performing a ritual using sacrifices. That was probably why Dallip had been devouring criminals in the temple — to prevent the planet’s will from interfering with the egg.

“It is an honor to meet you, Princess.”

— I see. It has been a long time since I have seen an outsider. You are quite cute for a human.

Because it was an Imugi egg, it could actually speak. Dallip’s eyes practically dripped with honey as he looked at the egg.

“Is she not lovely? Don’t you go falling in love with her, though. Hahaha.”

No matter how lovely an egg is, it’s still an egg.

— Oh, Father. More importantly, it’s so stifling. I want to go outside soon.

“Endure just a little longer.”

— I have been inside this egg for ninety-nine years.

“Should you not reach 100 years? You must be born as a Golden Dragon.”

In the Empire, only dragons could become Emperor. Among the various types, becoming a Golden Dragon would even provide legitimacy.

‘As expected. He hasn’t given up on putting his daughter on the throne.’

I knew this. But unfortunately, she would be born as a Black Dragon, not a Golden one. I knew the future, but I couldn’t tell him.

“Now that the greetings are over, let us move.”

***

*Phew!*

I collapsed into the captain’s chair, exhausted.

‘I thought this body was complete trash, but…’

I survived thanks to my quick wits. One wrong move and I could have died in some godforsaken place.

‘Dallip. I’m never seeing that guy again.’

No matter how he’s the strongest in this world, he’ll lose in the confrontation with the Imperium Marshal. I don’t even need to get rid of him myself. Time will take care of it.

‘There are just too many monsters in this neighborhood.’

There’s no reason for me to get squeezed in the middle and get a bloody nose fighting alongside them.

It’s wiser to sell the Lucifel star cluster and leave as soon as possible. Somewhere like the warm District 24 in the south.

‘I have plenty of money from that sucker.’

It wouldn’t be hard to settle down there.

“Phew. You worked hard, young master.”

Ttaeng-chil, the servant, wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. Having finally gathered my wits, I spoke.

“Sojin. We need to find a shortcut to the Lezento star system.”

“It shouldn’t be difficult. The distance is short.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Our ship took the lead. A single vessel followed behind us.

“Thinking about Dallip being on that ship gives me the creeps.”

One shouldn’t underestimate it just because it’s a single ship. That vessel was specially crafted. Alone, it could tear through thirty average warships.

What was scarier was Dallip inside it.

Once the ship is sunk, the real deal comes out. Should I call it phase two? Once he dedicates himself as an Imugi, another twenty ships are a joke to him.

Meaning he can destroy fifty ships on his own.

“Activating warp drive.”

Our formation entered the wormhole. After some time passed, my mental strength recovered. Paru’s help was significant.

“Out here!”

We exited the wormhole.

“Change to this route here.”

We entered another wormhole. Sojin was breaking a sweat trying to find the path. To his eyes, the wormholes must look different. I felt dizzy from entering and exiting so many times.

*Clatter.*

Perhaps because of that, the ant egg I had secured shifted slightly.

“Oh. My little chick. It’s time for you to eat.”

I carefully removed the cushioning around it. Then, I meticulously sprinkled Force over it.

“The most beautiful egg in the world is my little chick.”

The crew members gave me strange looks. In their eyes, I probably looked no different from Dallip. Regardless of what they thought, my chick was much cuter than Dallip’s daughter.

“Captain! We’ve arrived in the Lezento star system.”

The star looked massive.

It was only natural. Usually, interstellar warps arrive at the outskirts of a star system. However, by using small wormholes, it was possible to warp near the star itself.

[A truly enviable navigator. I shall take the lead from here.]

Dallip’s ship, which had been following us until now, overtook us.

“Follow him.”

“Understood. Activating acceleration drive!”

Dallip didn’t have a First Mate. Even so, he found the sea path simply through intuition. The reason this was possible was…

“As expected. Imugi are terrifying.”

Sojin wore a fed-up expression. Interstellar warps aside, no one could navigate a sea path within a star system better than an Imugi.

We raced quickly along the dark sea path.

“Captain! Control is requesting an identification code.”

“Keep it locked.”

The enemy central planet sent out signals, but I ignored them. There was no reason to let them know who we were. We were here for piracy, after all.

[Hahaha! I am Dallip, the one whose strength can pull up mountains and whose spirit covers the world!!!]

Dallip shouted over the open channel.

“Ugh, that idiot.”

Actually, is this better? The goal itself was to pit Dallip against the Imperium.

*Wroaaaaar!*

Warning waves spread out. Over 100 ships emerged from the central planet. Likely, the fleets stationed on the outskirts would also come rushing here.

[I’ll leave those guys to you.]

A transmission came from Dallip. Simultaneously, his ship brushed past the enemy vessels.

“Crazy!”

Even for me, it was impossible to face 100 ships with only five.

“There’s a limit to how much trash you can dump on someone.”

Our original plan was to draw their attention from a distance. Just enough so that they couldn’t smuggle out the core components of the space station. Then, Dallip’s main force would strike from the outskirts.

“Damn it.”

I had carried out this operation trusting only in Dallip.

“What do we do, Captain?”

Normally, running away would be the only answer. At least the enemy ships were all just corvettes.

“We have to hold out as long as we can. If we pull back, Dallip will be isolated.”

He wouldn’t die. However, there was a high possibility the operation would fail.

“But the enemy has over 100 ships.”

“They’re likely just a ragtag bunch anyway. The elite would have been taken by the Imperium Marshal.”

Thinking that way offered some small comfort.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Formation orders have been issued!”

Everyone wore tense expressions.

“Switch helmsmen. Chris, you’re up.”

“Yes, sir!”

Chris looked confident. It seemed he believed in himself and me.

‘Right. Let’s do this.’

I shouted, my eyes filled with resolve.

“Be as annoying to the enemy as possible.”

We just needed to buy time. Until Dallip’s main force arrived.

*Boom, boom, boom!*

Meanwhile, the stationary cannons of the space station spat fire.

*Zip! Zip! Zoooom!*

Dallip’s battleship moved brilliantly. It evaded almost every attack.

‘That’s insane.’

Dallip was likely steering the ship himself. That ship was difficult to handle unless you were an Imugi.

*K-boom! Bam!!*

This time, Dallip attacked. It was only one ship. With that one ship, he was neutralizing the massive stationary cannons one by one. He wasn’t the Empire’s greatest warrior for nothing. The battleship moved like a fighter jet.

“Captain!! The enemy fleet is changing direction. Their target seems to be Dallip’s ship.”

“We can’t let them interfere.”

Maybe the game would be over before the main force even arrived.

“Chris. Step on it!”

“Yes, sir!”

Our ship slid forward as if being sucked in. Being a corvette, we were able to catch up quickly. We could see the tail of the enemy ship right in front of us.

“Number 2, Number 4. Fire lasers.”

*Pew! Pew!*

Two dainty lines of lasers were fired toward the tail of the enemy ship. They looked quite insignificant, but…

*K-boom!*

After being hit in the engine, the ship staggered and veered off course. We had only taken out one out of 100, but they wouldn’t be able to just ignore us and keep going now.

“Enemy fleet! Veering left and right.”

“…?!”

I hesitated for a brief moment. Looking at what those guys were doing…

‘Maybe this is doable?’

They were clumsy — far too clumsy. Their spacing was all over the place, and the lines leading from the head were tangled.

I understood the enemy fleet’s intention. They probably thought that if they split the fleet in two, we would follow one of them. If that happened, one group would deal with me, while the other would go to provide support.

“Not a chance. Ships Number 1 and 2, to the left. Ships Number 3 and 4, bank right.”

“Orders transmitted.”

I also split them into two ships per side. At this rate, their heads would soon collide with each other.

“Shields to maximum. No engagement. Just brush past them.”

Under normal circumstances, it was a reckless order.

[[Orders received.]]

No captain talked back. They were people who had seen my skills during the Queen Ant subjugation. In addition, they were people I had handpicked. I didn’t know about their skills, but they weren’t the type to disobey.

*Shoooooo!*

Two ships flew off to each side.

“Enemy fleet. They are attacking our ships.”

The enemies naturally attacked as we approached. However, my subordinates blocked with shields or evaded. Not a single ship took a direct hit.

“Ooh.”

The personnel in the situation room marveled quietly as they watched.

“Did you predict this?”

“Of course. We haven’t lost speed, but those guys made a sudden turn.”

“Ah! So only our ships are free to change direction.”

I nodded.

“They’re slow as molasses. Let’s bite them, Chris.”

“Yes! Skrrrt, zap, boom!”

Chris was completely excited. It felt as if the world had slowed down for everyone except us. That was because the enemy was experiencing a bottleneck effect from what just happened. It was a complete mess.

“Open all batteries. It’s hunting time.”