Choi Kangjoong quickly got the hang of it.
[A new Walker Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Scout Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Warrior Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Giant Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Titan Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Super Titan Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
[A new Hive Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
“So this is how it’s done.”
The energy-type Apocalid was both different from and similar to other Apocalids. By maximizing the energy ratio, he could create an individual that operated without parts like a brain or heart. That made it closer to a spirit, difficult to damage physically.
There were downsides too.
Without a brain, its intelligence was low, and it had a strong tendency to move according to the attributes bestowed.
It was also hard to inflict physical damage.
“These are basically spirits. If I make the body and energy ratio half and half, it’ll become like a Transcendent Beast.”
Choi Kangjoong summoned and manipulated the Air Walker form.
“Keep the brain, heart, and Source Energy organs. Increase the energy ratio in the legs. Energy attribute: Consumption.”
An Apocalid was created that was similar to an Air Walker overall but had blurred outlines. It wasn’t as hard to see with the naked eye as a Spirit of Wind or a Spirit of Fear.
[A new Walker Class has been created.]
[Would you like to name it?]
“Eater Walker.”
[Apocalid Eater Walker has been saved.]
“Should I test it against a spirit?”
Choi Kangjoong moved to a forest on Marsala. There were many Spirit Trees and even more spirits, so he could easily see spirits wherever he went.
Just then, a Spirit of Wind passed before his eyes.
He summoned the Eater Walker and ordered it to capture that spirit. The Eater Walker flew off with a whoosh and swung its leg, which was close to a tentacle.
The Spirit of Wind quickly changed direction but was brushed by the tentacle.
“Nutrients and Evolution Points are coming in.”
Even just 1 point meant it was increasing. The Spirit of Wind fled. The Eater Walker spread its wings and chased after it.
The Spirit of Wind was as fast as its attribute.
Since it had no physical form, it could fly more freely than a bird.
But it couldn’t escape the Eater Walker, which was covered in Evolution Codes and had undergone 8 stages of Species Evolution.
Crunch.
When the Eater Walker grabbed the Spirit of Wind, a sound like that seemed to come out.
Its six legs absorbed the Spirit of Wind.
Even as the Spirit of Wind struggled, it couldn’t break free from the Eater Walker’s absorption force.
Gulp.
The Eater Walker swallowed the Spirit of Wind like water.
The forest, which had been noisy with strong winds, fell silent.
Choi Kangjoong was satisfied.
In the Dimension War, spirits were the most troublesome species to deal with.
Even though Psionic Specialization had made it possible to digest spirits, combat was a different matter.
But now, it was the opposite. Dealing with spirits was actually much easier.
To digest a being with a physical body, he had to cut and break it, then put it into the Soil Pit. That wasn’t necessary anymore. Just touching was enough.
“I’ll produce more Eater Walkers and put them in the Wide Sentry Fleet.”
The characteristics of the Wide Sentry Fleet applied, making the Eater Walker’s absorption even stronger.
Choi Kangjoong also synthesized Mineral Accumulation and Digging.
[Using 3,000,000 Evolution Points, synthesize Combat Muscle and Monster Muscle.]
The icons representing Combat Muscle and Monster Muscle entered the table.
[Using 2,000,000 Evolution Points, synthesize Mineral Accumulation and Digging.]
[Extract Mineral Extraction and Carapace Reinforcement from Mineral Accumulation.]
[Extract Rock Destruction and Ore Smash from Digging.]
[Mana Development is involved in the Evolution Code synthesis.]
[Mineral Accumulation and Digging have been synthesized into Magic Stone Crushing.]
“Magic Stone Crushing? Creating this Evolution Code would normally require 1 billion Evolution Points.”
Magic Stones created outside of organisms were usually made by combining mana with minerals, and they were extremely hard.
The Super Titan that had chewed through the Bluestone Fortress, which was made of Magic Stones, had no intact teeth left after the battle.
Without Regeneration, its mouth would have been so damaged that crushing Magic Stones with bite force would have been impossible.
“Lucky me.”
Choi Kangjoong was grinning.
The Evolution Code “Digging,” possessed by all classes, was replaced with Magic Stone Crushing.
The speed at which Walkers crushed Magic Stones increased several times, and the power of Scouts, Warriors, and Giants also increased to some extent.
Thanks to the Magic Stone Crushing Evolution Code, Lutal’s Magic Stone Cutting Power also grew stronger.
“With the Chitin Mace that has Magic Stone Crushing, it catches Golems so well.”
The Chitin Mace was a Special Entity based on a Giant class, an Apocalid whose Scythe Claws and tail were remodeled like a mace.
“I was going to create a Chitin Mace and Golem-specific Unit, but that won’t be necessary.”
Instead of the two Chitin Maces he had originally planned to produce, Choi Kangjoong created one more Lutal and Booster.
Using 10 billion Evolution Points, he evolved the Psionic Chitin Blade to Stage 9.
“Now it’ll cost 1,000 billion points.”
In the Dimension War, Species Evolution ended at Stage 10. It required enormous Evolution Codes, but in return, it granted special abilities, allowing the Apocalid to rapidly grow stronger.
“Does Stage 10 mark the end in reality as well?”
Choi Kangjoong had a feeling it wouldn’t. Would a species that constantly evolves, consumes, and reproduces have a limit?
“I’ll find out when I evolve. Or I can just break through it myself. I think I can replicate Species Evolution with Root Magic.”
Species Evolution was, in a way, Root Magic that changed oneself. Since it was also the Level 1 Origin Magic that Lagan mentioned, he felt he could master it with more practice.
“I should start practicing Root Magic first.”
Choi Kangjoong moved to an empty dimension devoid of Apocalids. Here, he could use any Root Magic without issue.
Starting with inanimate objects, he tried altering the Source of living things in various ways. Stones turned into metal, then into hard wood. He also transformed the dimension using Root Magic.
When he twisted the Source toward fire, the dimension gradually grew hotter.
If left alone, it would become a dimension where volcanoes formed and Fire Spirits frolicked.
He tried the opposite as well.
The dimension’s temperature dropped, and water froze.
It began to resemble the Ice Dimension that Duselduf had tried to drop on the Enterprise Union.
“Fun.”
He changed the Source of the dimension to Apocalid.
It wasn’t easy.
It was much harder than turning a pebble into wood. Still, little by little, the dimension transformed into an Apocalid Dimension.
“Come to think of it, Golems are also inanimate objects. Can I change them with Root Magic?”
If it were possible, dealing with Clytemnestra’s Golem Legion would become much easier.
“Where are the two Executors coming from?”
He was monitoring all directions of the Enterprise Union, but the fleets of the two Executors were nowhere to be seen. Even if they were half the size Slein described, they should have been detectable from 10,000 km away. The fact that they still weren’t visible meant one of two things: either they hadn’t come, or they were coming from a different direction.
“The 6th Dimension Fortress was attacked from above.”
Long ago, the 6th Dimension Fortress, where Choi Yunseo worked, was ambushed by Count Senzo. A surveillance network was tightly spread over a radius of 500 km around the 6th Dimension Fortress—how was that possible?
Choi Kangjoong looked up. Dimensions spread horizontally, so if he went in the direction his gaze was aimed, he would soon enter the empty Dimensional Sea. The Null Sea, which was avoided because there was no way to obtain food or water. But for a special purpose, it could be crossed.
Count Senzo had also sailed there for six months and succeeded in attacking the 6th Dimension Fortress without anyone knowing. Since Golems and spirits didn’t need food or water, the Null Sea was even more convenient for their movement.
When Choi Kangjoong exerted his will, the Light Titan carrying the Sky-Eye Giant moved. It observed everything spreading upward and downward.
“Is that it?”
Something scattered like dots was approaching from a point 100,000 km vertically and 800,000 km horizontally from the 1st Dimension Fortress, which monitored the Iant Colony.
Choi Kangjoong sent the Central Sky-Eye Giant and all Sky-Eye Giants. As the resolution improved, the shape of the dots became clearer.
“That’s it.”
The two largest dots were the flagships of Clytemnestra and Gunsmir, as shown by Slein.
“Now that I know where they’re coming, I need to hide along their route.”
The Apocalid were also skilled at ambushes. When they entered Hibernation, they were indistinguishable from inanimate objects, making them hard to detect.
“Let’s dig.”
Choi Kangjoong summoned Walkers on the dimension where he stood. The Walkers dug into the ground and excavated soil. In an instant, dozens of tall mounds of earth were created.
The Hives summoned in the Dimensional Sea lowered their Biotubes. Fighter Giants grabbed the thick Biotubes and moved, plugging them precisely into the mounds of earth. A powerful suction force occurred, and the mounds were sucked into the Biotubes. When flat ground was exposed, the suction stopped.
After repeating this a few times, the interior of the dimension, which was slightly smaller than Ku-eong, became empty.
Choi Kangjoong created five more of the same dimensions and filled them with Apocalids. He also had Claw Devourers and Swarm Lords dig large holes next to the dimensions and cram them inside.
As the dimensions emptied, their gravity weakened, allowing even the Hive Class to endure. Walkers perfectly sealed the holes.
“Move it.”
Ku-eong, the remaining Hives, and all Super Titans and Titans gathered to push the dimensions. They were careful not to get pulled by the gravity of the dimensions.
“This should be about right.”
He placed the six dimensions along the enemy’s expected movement route.
“Just those are too conspicuous.”
Choi Kangjoong dragged ten more intact dimensions over. Placing them at a distance made it look like a sea region.
“Stay hidden well.”
The Claw Devourers and Swarm Lords inside the dimensions also entered Hibernation.
“Even I find it hard to detect.”
Having completed the preparations, Choi Kangjoong returned to his room. Despite the impending battle that could change the fate of the Enterprise Union, the world remained the same. In the morning, people went to work or school; in the afternoon, they returned home to rest. In the evening, they met friends at cafes or bars, or strolled in parks with their families.
This was possible because they were completely unaware of the approach of the two Executors.
Choi Kangjoong thought it was good that he hadn’t even told his Parents.
“I need to inform Iselin and Dielka.”
Choi Kangjoong sent a text to the two Elves about the approach of the two Executors and the ambush.
[Iselin: Which direction are they coming from? I’ll come too.]
[Dielka: I want to fight too!]
Even just reading the letters, he could feel their fighting spirit.
[Choi Kangjoong: You don’t need to come. If an Elf is among the hibernating Apocalids, you might be detected.]
[Dielka: I can hibernate too!]
[Choi Kangjoong: Elves don’t have that ability.]
[Dielka: Then you can change me with Root Magic, Lord Outer!]
Dielka’s words made Choi Kangjoong curious. Could twisting an Elf’s Source enable Hibernation? If possible, the two Elves, whose combat power rivaled Special Entities, could fight from the start of the battle, which would be advantageous.
Choi Kangjoong immediately moved to Dielka’s mansion.
“Lord Outer!”
“Let’s do it quickly.”
“Do what?”
“Hibernate.”
“Let’s eat first. I’m hungry, and I need to fill up before hibernation.”
“I’ll insert a Coffin and give you nutrients.”
“Can you do that?”
“I’m already doing that to the individuals currently in Hibernation.”
“Then let’s do it right now?”
Choi Kangjoong twisted Dielka’s Source. He made her closer to a Central Unit, just as he had done with Iselin. Dielka sat comfortably and closed her eyes. Soon, her pulse and breathing slowed. They almost seemed to stop.
He poked Dielka’s cheek. Dielka showed no reaction.
“It works.”
Choi Kangjoong called Iselin and explained the situation.
“Do it to me too.”
Iselin said outright. Choi Kangjoong twisted Iselin’s Source. What he had done before had nearly worn off over time. Iselin, now like a Central Unit, quickly fell asleep.
Choi Kangjoong placed the two Elves among the Apocalids.
“Now I just have to wait.”
The fleet of the two Executors was gradually approaching. They sent Reconnaissance teams to the dimensions in the Null Sea out of suspicion, but they didn’t notice the presence of the Apocalids.
Soon, the fleet entered between the six dimensions where the Apocalids were lying in ambush.