“I heard Magrain’s population was halved, and a lot of that was from killing each other.”
The Apocalid consumed just over a billion people. 500 million were casualties of civil war.
The average Evolution Points were lower than those of the Humans or Elves of Enterprise.
That was because the Non-Awakened were pushed around by the Awakened, couldn’t eat well, and had poor health.
“What do I do with 120 billion?”
What came to mind immediately was Species Evolution.
He could evolve one of the five types to level 9. But Choi Kangjoong decided to put it off. He decided to decide once it became clear what enemy he would face next.
“I need to produce more Central Suction Giants first.”
The Central Suction Giant could suck in enough waste even without being in the center of the Demon Realm. It could also absorb mana and heat to use as nutrients.
“I’ll scatter them on the eastern side of the Union.”
Choi Kangjoong scheduled production of 1,000. He also decided to create Apocalids to guard them.
“I should just make a fleet. If I attach a fleet trait that increases digestion efficiency, I’ll be able to get more nutrients.”
He planned to produce one more Hive Class and make it a Special Entity.
“What would be good?”
A list of Special Entities that could be made based on the Hive Class appeared on the table. There were dozens of types, but since they could customize shape and abilities, the number of types they could make was much higher.
“Let’s go with this.”
Choi Kangjoong decided on the Wide Sentry. Its combat power was lower than other Hive Classes, but instead it was very fast and could effectively control Central Units that were far away.
[Special Entity Production: 100:00:00]
Before the Colony Class was available, Hive Classes could only be produced in the Apocalid Dimension, so it required 100 hours.
“I’ve accumulated an enormous amount of nutrients.”
There was enough nutrients to create 13 Colony Classes.
“First, let’s raise Ku-eong.”
While fighting Magrain, Ku-eong grew quickly and eventually its body length exceeded 70 km.
If he gave 25% of the nutrients obtained from Magrain so far, it could evolve into a Colony Class.
Ku-eong also used the nutrients it had only stored in its body for its own growth.
With a crunching sound, its chitin armor widened and its muscles grew.
For any other creature, such growth would come with great pain, but the Apocalid, feeling no pain or fear, had no emotions about its growth.
He also increased the Apocalid numbers.
He decided to produce 10 million Walkers, 1 million Scouts, 100,000 Warriors, 10,000 Giants, 1,000 Titans, 100 Super Titans, and 10 Hives.
There was quite a bit of nutrients left, but since there was nothing urgent, he decided to store them.
[Apocalid Mass Production Complete: 2000:00:00]
Currently it would take nearly 3 months, but as the number of Hive Classes increased, the production time would decrease.
Choi Kangjoong entered the Dimensionnet for the first time in a while. Just by looking at the main page, he could tell what had happened in the Union while he was visiting Magrain.
“Choi Yunseo refused the Allied Forces summons?”
There was no penalty for refusing the summons.
In fact, High-Rank Hunters often had to be begged to come.
It was unusual that Choi Yunseo and Han Junghwa rushed to join every time the Allied Forces were formed.
Marsala was similar; if someone refused the summons without a valid reason, they’d be called a coward, so participation rates were high.
Not to mention Bartrang, and even M2721 surprisingly had more volunteers than the Allied Forces needed.
“This is totally cowardly.”
Choi Kangjoong loaded “coward” into his chat with Choi Yunseo and then looked over the article. Upon reading the reason for the summons refusal, Choi Kangjoong had no choice but to understand.
“If it’s an S-Rank Challenge, I can accept that. She’s taking the promotion exam next Thursday.”
He decided to quietly cheer her on, not to unnecessarily worry. He also felt too lazy to do anything for her.
“She’ll do well on her own.”
After deleting “coward” from the chat, a message came from Dielka.
[Dielka: Lord Outer! What are you doing?]
[Dielka: Don’t you want to eat Anti-Magic Shell?]
[Choi Kangjoong: I do. Did you find a habitat?]
[Dielka: Of course! But it’s in a somewhat far and dangerous place.]
[Choi Kangjoong: Where?]
[Dielka: Near the Demon Realm.]
[Choi Kangjoong: Just tell me the location. I’ll be quick.]
[Dielka: Let me come too! And I have a favor to ask, can you do it?]
[Choi Kangjoong: What is it?]
[Dielka: I’m researching how to farm Anti-Magic Shell. If this succeeds, I can eat delicious things as much as I want and make money too—how great is that?]
Choi Kangjoong was also tempted. People had always failed in Marsala, but Dielka, who created a Death Spirit from scratch, might succeed.
[Choi Kangjoong: What do I need to do?]
[Dielka: Just don’t eat all of them like before—leave some by size for me.]
[Choi Kangjoong: That’s nothing. Shall we go now?]
[Dielka: gg]
Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate. Dielka was dressed appropriately for going out.
“Let’s go fast. Hurry!”
At Dielka’s urging, he quickly opened the Gate and stepped through. Sierra came into the room, and through the shrinking Gate, they could see his dumbfounded face.
“Did you run away?”
“Run away? It’s just getting some fresh air.”
Dielka was confident. Choi Kangjoong shook his head and moved toward the coordinates she had given. After opening the Gate over ten times, they encountered a dimension densely covered with Anti-Magic Shell.
“How did you know about this place?”
Anti-Magic Shell lives below dimensions and is not detected by detection magic. So the only way to find it was to go near the dimension and observe.
“Because Dark Elves are that talented!”
“You’re saying everything you want now that Iselin isn’t here.”
“It’s the truth. Let’s eat one first.”
Dielka flew over and harvested one Anti-Magic Shell. The shell was over 2 meters long, so just eating it seemed like it would be filling. Choi Kangjoong and Dielka went up to the dimension and made a fire. Soon, the Anti-Magic Shell opened its mouth. Even with strong magic resistance, once the inside was cooked, there was nothing it could do.
“This reminds me of the old days. Last time we went to eat this, some weird bastard came and spouted nonsense.”
“That was the Dragon Guardian, right?”
“Right. Those guys think they’re dragons themselves.”
They ate the cooked shellfish meat and also boiled ramen in the broth. It had been a while, so the taste was even more amazing. After filling their stomachs and lying down, they felt sleepy. Dielka also blinked heavily. Just as they were about to sleep for a while, a Dimension Ship approached. It was lavishly decorated with cruel ornaments.
“It must be from the Legion of Greed, right?”
“Seems like it. We should destroy it before it calls others.”
“Wait! It seems to want to talk.”
A white flag was hung high on the Dimension Ship.
“I thought you hated demons.”
“They’re demons of Greed. They might have valuable information!”
Choi Kangjoong was speechless at Dielka’s flexibility. Soon, the Dimension Ship reached the Dimension Boundary. As expected, a Demon of Greed descended. He was a dignified handsome man, his attitude very polite, and his voice seemed to sing.
“I am Count Karug. Welcome to this place. Lord Outer, and Master of Nahrromel.”
“How did you know?”
“What other Human and Dark Elf in the Union would come alone without a Dimension Ship, just the two of you, to eat Anti-Magic Shell?”
“You’re perceptive.”
Dielka was ready to shoot an arrow filled with Death Mana the moment Count Karug said something nonsense.
“So why did you come all this way?”
“To convey the will of Legion Commander Slein.”
“Speak quickly. It’s disgusting to face a demon.”
Despite saying that, Dielka’s heart was full of hope that it was something related to money.
“Lord Outer and Queen Iselin had agreed to attend the Legion Commander’s party, but no matter how many invitations were sent, you didn’t come.”
“Why would we trust entering the Demon Realm? We know what you might do there.”
“It is merely to enjoy pleasure together.”
Count Karug laughed as if drunk.
“He was very sad. He even gave away three Duke territories just to invite you two, but…”
“We just didn’t have time. Isn’t that right, Lord Outer?”
“Right. Time didn’t permit.”
Choi Kangjoong affirmed.
“So I prepared something more interesting. You don’t think Salika’s attack will end like this, do you?”
“That bastard will attack again someday.”
“That’s right. The Executors sent by Salika have already departed for the Enterprise Union.”
“Executors?”
“Not one, but two. Do you wish to know?”
“No. I’ll find out myself.”
Choi Kangjoong didn’t want to fall for the demon’s trick.
“That’s a pity. The Legion Commander knows everything about the Executors’ identities and even the composition of their forces.”
“So you’re saying come to the party and you’ll give me that information?”
“It’s the opposite order. If you attend the party, we’ll tell you everything about the Executors. If both Queen Iselin and Lord Outer come, you’ll get information on one Executor. If Lady Dielka here also comes, the Legion Commander will give you information on both Executors.”
“What proof do you have that you know?”
“This.”
Count Karug held out 10 photos. They showed a massive Dimension Ship tens of kilometers long.
“Isn’t it a fake?”
“That’s sad to hear. Each photo cost the lives of 100 demons.”
“Not many died.”
“This is an invitation.”
Count Karug handed over an invitation made of gold. Without even opening it, Choi Kangjoong gave it to Dielka.
“Just by coming, you can obtain much gold and treasure, so please do attend.”
Count Karug said, looking at Dielka. Dielka had to force her eyes wide to not show any wavering. In her mind, the treasure obtained from dismantling Duke Akirif’s flagship flickered.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Count Karug returned on the Dimension Ship he came on.
“What will you do?”
“I need to think about it.”
“I think going once might be okay.”
“Because of money?”
“Not entirely.”
Dielka smiled sheepishly.
“Let’s deal with the Anti-Magic Shell first.”
“Yes!”
Choi Kangjoong and Dielka went down and detached the Anti-Magic Shell from the dimension. Dielka took half, excluding what she needed for farming research, and Choi Kangjoong took the other half. After returning to the Union and sharing with family, relatives, and acquaintances, another half remained. Choi Kangjoong kept only 10 and moved to Raelena to give the rest to Iselin.
Iselin was coincidentally in her office, having a dimensional communication with Dielka.
-They said they’d tell us about the Executors if we come to the party. Don’t you think it’s useful information?
“Dielka, Lord Outer is here, so later.”
I want to go there too! Lord Outer! Open a Gate!
At Dielka’s shout, Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate. Dielka quickly stepped through the Gate. She was in her bedroom, dressed very lightly.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable to expose so much?”
“No. I like it because it’s comfortable. Your Majesty, isn’t your neck stuffy?”
“Of course I have to wear this.”
When Iselin glared, Dielka asked Arthil to bring an outer garment and put it on.
“What about the invitation?”
“I left it. I’ll go get it again.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
Arthil took out the gold invitation from her bosom. It was the one Slein had sent to Iselin.
Iselin examined the invitation with a slight frown.