Chapter 37: Siren’s Song, Reaper’s Feast

[You have acquired Evolution Points.]

[You have acquired Evolution Points.]

[You have acquired Evolution Points.]

[You have acquired Evolution Points.]

[You have acquired Evolution Points.]

[Current Evolution Points: 5,677,722]

Just as expected, Evolution Points were coming in much faster than nutrients.

Especially from the large Gratis—each one gave me hundreds of thousands of points.

“The big ones really are worth it.”

The Gratis, fleeing from the fire and bombardment, dove underground.

They were a species skilled at digging, so they tunneled down tens of meters in the blink of an eye.

Apocalids bred in these dark burrows with their night vision were especially useful.

Not only could they chase well, but even if the tunnel collapsed, they’d track down the Gratis by faint traces and catch them in the end.

Some Gratis put up a fight, but the Scout Line took care of those.

Individually, they were a species weaker than Orcs.

Not long after, the fires died out.

The Central Cannon Giant had gone wild, firing non-stop, so the whole city quickly turned to ash.

The Walkers busily tossed anything that could be used as nutrients into the digestion pits.

The number of Gratis rapidly dwindled, and soon there were fewer than ten thousand left.

[Dimensional Devouring begins.]

Apocalid spores spread by the Walkers landed in the dimension and grew rapidly.

“Let’s split up and devour the nearby Farm Dimensions.”

“Krrk.”

“Ku-eong.”

Thanks to Selic’s chattering, we learned all about the Gratis’s troop deployments, so there was no problem splitting up the Apocalids.

Just like before, the Lutal, the Ku-eong, and the Central Cannon Giant each took some Apocalids with them.

The only defensive forces left in the Farm Dimensions were a few crackling cannons, so even just sending in the Walkers was enough to devour them.

“I’ve set automatic devouring—let’s go find the Evolution Code.”

After directly conversing with both Dielka and Selic, Choi Kang-jung wanted to obtain the Telepathy Evolution Code as soon as possible.

He’d already decided what monster to hunt.

The Siren.

Like the beings from mythology that lured sailors to their doom with song, this dimensional monster would draw in Dimension Ships with psychic suggestion.

The Evolution Code was psychic suggestion itself.

In other words, it was Telepathy, and if fused with other Evolution Codes like Psychic Field or Psychic Shock, it would become a powerful technique for both offense and defense.

“I need to hunt as many monsters as possible.”

He searched the internet for places where Sirens appeared.

Since they roamed the Sea of Dimensions, they didn’t live in a specific dimension—just in regions where they were frequently sighted.

“This place looks good.”

It wasn’t far from the 6th Dimension Fortress.

Since it was a safe area, there were a lot of Dimensional Fishermen waiting to catch Sirens.

“Let’s go.”

Choi Kang-jung Blinked outside and headed for a Gate leading to the area near the 6th Dimension Fortress.

It was more convenient to open a Gate directly, but he preferred the feeling of getting some fresh air like this.

Do Seung-cheol was a Dimensional Fisherman.

His job was to brave the dangerous Sea of Dimensions and catch monsters of which even 1% was not truly known.

It wasn’t as dangerous as being a direct-combat Hunter, but it was still grueling, risky, and a high-income profession.

So, he had a lot of pride.

Even Hunters, though awakened, respected those who caught dimensional monsters without awakening.

But of course, there were always exceptions.

“When’s the Siren coming? You’re fishermen, don’t you even know that?”

Joo Eun-jong shouted at the top of his lungs.

Do Seung-cheol, a 25-year veteran fisherman and Seonjang, let out a deep sigh.

In his heart, he wanted to toss that loudmouthed brat into the Sea of Dimensions.

But with all the Carrier Guild members watching, he had to hold back.

“I told you, we can’t know exactly when the Siren will appear.”

“So we’re just supposed to sit here and wait?”

“Yes.”

“What a waste of time. You think my day is the same as yours?”

Joo Eun-jong stormed out onto the deck.

All he could see on the Sea of Dimensions were Dimension Ships with their lights off.

“My father seriously gives me crap like this for an exam.”

He would never have come here on his own.

Joo Gun-hak had ordered him to catch a hundred Sirens before taking the C-Class Exam.

If he could do that, his skills were far above C-Class, and there was no way he’d ever fail the E-Class Exam.

The authoritative Joo Gun-hak would never accept it if his slacker son couldn’t even pass the E-Class Exam.

“If the Siren doesn’t appear, I’ll just call it.”

Joo Eun-jong compressed the air.

In the past, even as a Mage class and a wind-type, this was something he couldn’t do.

After learning from Joo Gun-hak, his skills had improved by leaps and bounds, so now it was easy.

He released a highly compressed bubble of air.

Pang!

The shockwave spread far into the distance.

Joo Eun-jong looked around.

Nothing changed.

“Tch.”

He repeated the same thing several times.

Do Seung-cheol, aghast, tried to stop him.

“What are you doing! Are you trying to get us all killed?”

“There’s nothing out there, so what’s the worry?”

“Who knows what’s lurking where you can’t see! What if a demon comes, will you take responsibility?”

“Stop yapping so much.”

Joo Eun-jong scowled and went inside.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Director Son Myung-gyu bowed deeply.

Do Seung-cheol sighed.

If not for Director Son Myung-gyu, who was always apologizing, and the huge sum of money from the Carrier Guild, he’d have kicked them out long ago.

‘That punk! A parasite. No, worse than a dog! If only a dimensional monster would just eat him up!’

But Do Seung-cheol’s wish didn’t come true that day, or the next, or even the day after.

It was as if Joo Eun-jong was proving the old saying that those who get cursed at live the longest.

Then, one day, something appeared on the radar.

Do Seung-cheol put his telescope to his eye.

Monsters that looked half-crocodile, half-fish were approaching.

“Siren! Cast the nets!”

“Check the Mana Stone charge!”

“If you don’t want to die, put in your earplugs tight!”

“Harpoons loaded!”

The Dimension Ship spread out its nets in four directions.

They placed bait in the center, waiting for the Sirens to be caught.

Soon, the Siren horde came into view.

The Siren group was moving in a path that would avoid the nets, but Do Seung-cheol calmly observed them.

The leading Sirens spotted the bait and changed direction, and all the others followed.

-Aaaaaaaah~.

A beautiful song rang out.

Because the psychic waves were meant to allure, any creature who heard it would find it pleasing.

As the Siren horde drew closer, their singing grew louder.

Without the earplugs imbued with resistance magic, anyone would have been lured in, mindless, and devoured alive by the Sirens.

“Come on, you bastards! I’ve been waiting forever!”

Joo Eun-jong stood on the deck.

A pack of nearly three hundred Sirens—prime targets for hunting.

He wanted to attack right away, but held himself back.

If he used magic before the Sirens reached the nets, he might draw their aggro and ruin the lure.

“Director Son! Make sure you get this on film!”

“Y-Yes, Executive……!”

Director Son Myung-gyu, pale as a ghost, was holding the camera.

His hands were shaking so much he could barely record.

It was amazing he’d even come this far without being an Awakened.

The Siren horde hit the nets.

The taut nets blocked their advance.

The Sirens were pushed back, got tangled in the nets, and began to flail.

The electric magic built into the nets activated.

The abundant mana from the Mana Stones was drained instantly, and a powerful shock engulfed the Sirens.

The tangled mass of Sirens screamed in agony.

It was a terrible psychic wave, like something was gouging their brains.

“Wind Cutter! Wind Cutter! Wind Cutter!”

Joo Eun-jong unleashed his spells with glee.

The sharp, swift magic sliced through the Sirens’ bodies in an instant.

The fishermen launched their harpoons.

Harpoons embedded themselves in the writhing bodies of the living Sirens.

“Well, Director Son. We must’ve caught a hundred by now, right?”

“Y-Yes, I think so.”

Director Son Myung-gyu had his eyes shut tight in terror.

Even now, he was like that.

Joo Eun-jong snatched the camera from him to check the footage.

“What is this? There’s not a single clear shot!”

“I’m sorry!”

“You think my father will believe I caught a hundred Sirens with this?”

“W-Well… There’s another group coming—why not catch those?”

“Hmm?”

Just as Director Son said, another Siren horde was approaching.

Do Seung-cheol, who was directing the operation, grimaced.

“Damn it! It’s a double wave! Cut the nets, turn the Dimension Ship!”

The nets detached from the Dimension Ship.

Even if the Sirens in the net were valuable, they weren’t worth more than their lives.

The ship quickly accelerated to flee.

-Aaaaaaaah~.

But the Sirens kept coming closer.

Do Seung-cheol hoped the Sirens would be interested in those caught in the net.

But the Siren horde ignored the nets and passed by.

“Dump everything in the storage!”

The crew lined up and threw everything from storage overboard.

Among them was more bait, which split the Siren horde into several groups.

Still, a hundred Sirens continued to chase the Dimension Ships.

“Seonjang! Is this the max speed?”

Joo Eun-jong demanded harshly.

“Yeah, you little punk. If you’re a Hunter, do something!”

It was an extreme situation, so Do Seung-cheol spoke without restraint, then shrank back.

He worried Joo Eun-jong might just kill him and escape alone.

But Joo Eun-jong only grinned.

“That’s what Hunters are for, isn’t it?”

Joo Eun-jong moved to the stern.

Director Son Myung-gyu was dragged along, forced to follow.

“Film this well this time!”

“How am I supposed to film properly in this situation!”

“Just hold on tight!”

The Carrier Guild members stood beside Joo Eun-jong.

“Aren’t you going to run?”

With support magic, they could make the Dimension Ship move faster than the Sirens.

Other Dimension Ships might be left behind, but not everyone could die together.

Joo Eun-jong shook his head.

“We have to do what we can.”

“The Guildmaster will be pleased.”

“Pleased, my ass. He’ll just be mad I did something that didn’t make money.”

“He’s always stricter with you, Executive.”

“Whatever, just shoot!”

Joo Eun-jong and the guild members each cast their strongest magic.

Wind Cutter, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and more blasted the Sirens.

In an instant, they took down a hundred.

But the crisis remained.

With the bait gone, two hundred Sirens closed in.

The Hunters were nearly out of mana.

“Director Son! Make sure you film this!”

Joo Eun-jong squeezed out the last of his mana.

He formed an image in his mind and manifested it with mana.

A razor-sharp vortex spun up in the midst of the Siren horde.

Crash!

Sirens caught in the spell were shredded to pieces.

More than fifty Sirens went down, and half of the remaining horde was wiped out.

“Blade Vortex……!”

“You need to be at least B-Class to use that spell……!”

Thud.

Director Son Myung-gyu supported the collapsing Joo Eun-jong.

“I was cool, right?”

“Yes! You were amazing! When did you learn something like that?”

“I just picked it up here and there.”

The guild members clicked their tongues.

If just watching an area-of-effect spell was enough to learn it, the world would be full of B-Class and above Hunters.

“But now I’m out of mana. You guys try some area-of-effect spells too!”

The guild members, instead of attack magic, used support magic to boost the Dimension Ship’s speed.

Thanks to Joo Eun-jong’s area spell, the ship they were on was almost certainly safe.

And since the Hunters had reduced the Siren numbers, maybe one or two more ships could escape.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Harpoons flew from the other Dimension Ships.

The Carrier Guild members had no strength left to raise a shield.

The harpoons struck directly into the mana engine nozzles.

The Dimension Ship lurched; the speed remained the same, but the velocity dropped.

The other two ships were in the same situation.

“Hey, you bastards!”

Do Seung-cheol shouted in fury.

-We’re sorry……. We have families…….

“And I don’t? You animal bastards! Don’t you realize the Hunters here worked their butts off to save you?”

-We’re sorry…..hada

“Is sorry enough! I’ll survive just to smash your damn mouths!”

Do Seung-cheol was appalled.

Betrayed.

The punk he wished would get dragged off by a monster tried to save everyone, while the colleagues he’d suffered with betrayed him to the monsters.

“Damn it. What a twisted world.”

Do Seung-cheol looked back.

The Sirens were right in front of them.

Maybe because of the absurdity of the situation, he felt strangely calm.

“I’ve got no face left to show the Hunters. What am I supposed to say in the afterlife…….”

But the Sirens never reached the Dimension Ship.

Something flashed past both sides of the ship.

Then, the gigantic shadow of a monstrous creature loomed over the ship.

“Eek!”

Do Seung-cheol stared into its tranquil eyes.

He’d seen everything there was to see, and little phased him anymore, but this was different.

Instinctively, he ducked behind the wall.

“Huff! Huff! Huff! What kind of monster is that……?”

There was a deafening crash, and the Sirens’ screams followed.

Joo Eun-jong could be heard cheering, calling out for his “big brother.”

Do Seung-cheol stole a glance backward.

Creatures that looked like they could swallow a Dimension Ship whole were slaughtering the Sirens.

And amid that exhilarating sight, a figure he’d only seen in videos hovered there.

“Outer Mind……!”

Do Seung-cheol collapsed to the ground.

“We’re saved…….”