Chapter 60: A One-Sided War

The first Dimension they encountered was inhabited by Orcs.

Their numbers were slightly over 50,000.

As soon as the Orcs saw the Apocalid, they rushed forward, assuming it was a Dimensional Monster.

They flew out from Orc Launchers and even dove into the Dimensional Boundary to swim toward it.

The simple-minded Orcs perceived other species in only two ways: things to eat and things to fight. Even the things to fight turned into things to eat once they were defeated.

“Lutal doesn’t even need to wake up.”

“Ku-eong.”

In the past, the entire Apocalid might have had to rise and fight, but that was no longer the case.

They didn’t even fire the Mana Cannons or Kitin Cannons.

It was over once Kuongi opened its mouth and swallowed the approaching Orcs.

The Orcs who entered lost their sense of direction in the pitch-black interior and fell into the Soil Pit on their own.

Some Orcs did end up elsewhere.

But even then, they were inside Kuongi’s body; they were soon caught by Walkers and dragged to the Soil Pit.

Resistance was futile.

The Walkers, who had undergone six stages of Species Evolution and accumulated Evolution Codes, could handle dozens of Orcs on their own.

Air Walkers were sent to the emptied Dimension.

Flying swiftly with Distortion Flight, the Air Walkers scattered Apocalid spores.

[Dimensional Devouring is starting.]

“50,000 Orcs is easy. It would take 5 million to be a challenge.”

“Ku-eong.”

“Unless Duke Akirif brings every single soldier in his duchy.”

“Ku-eong.”

Before the Dimensional Devouring could even finish, they arrived at the next Dimension and swallowed the Orcs there.

The speed increased further as the Apocalid was divided.

With more Central Units, there was no need for the Apocalid’s ultimate weapon, the flying Lutal, to wake up.

Because they had sent Stealth Scouts ahead of time, they never lost their way.

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Current Evolution Points: 33,254,827 points]

[Dimensional Devouring is starting.]

[Dimensional Devouring is starting.]

[Dimensional Devouring is starting.]

“It’s fast. So fast.”

It was incomparable to the past when they ate Dimensions one by one.

In an instant, they had devoured almost the entire Orc Sea, leaving only one large Dimension where the most Orcs resided.

With over 2 million Orcs living there, they could obtain 20 million Evolution Points.

“Let’s eat while saving as much nourishment as possible.”

He decided not to use the Biological Torpedoes, which were powerful but inefficient.

They cleared the Dimensional Boundary with Mana Cannons and sent a Central Command Giant to secure a landing point.

The next to step foot into the Dimension was the Central Cannon Giant.

As soon as it landed, it used its Flame Emitter to incinerate the rushing Orcs into ash.

The Scrap Cannons were shattered by the triple-barreled Mana Cannons, and the Orcs flying in from Orc Launchers were plucked away by Air Walkers and moved to the Soil Pit.

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

Kuongi did not wake Lutal this time either.

If 2 million Orcs had been unified under an Ultra Great Boss, it might be different, but since there were only Great Bosses, it wasn’t enough to warrant Lutal’s involvement.

Watching leisurely, Choi Kangjoong received news that the Elemental Cruise Ship had arrived at Marsala.

“Iselin is going to have a hard time.”

Just as Iselin had said a while ago, every passenger on the Elemental Cruise Ship was investigated.

Under her strict orders, which ignored species, status, or age, the only ones exempt were Choi Kangjoong’s relatives.

The EEE affiliates exposed in the process were sent straight to prison.

High-ranking members like Task didn’t even go there; they were sent to the execution grounds.

Iselin’s fury didn’t end there.

By interrogating the captured Elves, she rounded up even more EEE Organization members who were operating secretly in Marsala.

The number of Elves caught in that manner exceeded 1,000.

Iselin openly insulted them, calling them vermin worse than the filthy and despicable Gratis, effectively crushing the momentum of Elf supremacy.

“That’s refreshing.”

Choi Kangjoong felt Iselin’s will to not tolerate even the slightest crack between Humans and Elves.

Since Demons were skilled at exploiting gaps like inter-species conflict or internal issues, it was a good choice.

[Dimensional Devouring is starting.]

Before long, the Orcs in the large Dimension were cleaned up.

“Next, let’s go eat some Elves.”

“Ku-eong.”

The large Apocalid, carrying the smaller Apocalids in its belly, headed toward the Elf Sea.

***

Duke Akirif was, as always, surrounded by delicacies and handsome men and women.

Not many things could pull him away from such pleasure.

He would only slowly rise for something like a visit from a Demon Duke.

A voluptuous woman approached him and whispered in his ear.

His half-closed eyes flew open, and he jumped up.

The handsome men and women covering his body were pushed aside in a heap.

“You’re saying the Outer Mind is right in front of us?”

“Yes, Duke. He has already devoured the Orcs and is heading toward the Elves. What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do! We have to go immediately and at least retrieve the corpse of the Outer Mind’s Summon!”

“Will he give it up easily?”

“We’ll make him give it up! Call Duke Royal!”

Soon, an inter-dimensional communication was connected.

The figure of Duke Royal appeared before Duke Akirif.

– What is it?

“Duke Royal! The Outer Mind has come near my duchy.”

– And?

“What do you mean ‘and’! Aren’t you very interested as well?”

– I am interested in the Gate Stone; I have no interest in that thing.

“Can’t you think? If we touch the Outer Mind, the Elves who have the Gate Stone will naturally come!”

– I cannot use my forces on something that isn’t certain. Is that all you have to say?

“It is certain! If we attack the Outer Mind, the Elves will come!”

– There is no need for further conversation.

Duke Royal’s image vanished.

Duke Akirif vented his frustration.

“That stupid Mage. Has he forgotten how to use his brain for anything other than research?”

“Only the Demons of Chaos themselves don’t know they are stupid,” said Count Ambie, who had delivered the news of the Apocalid’s arrival.

“Connect me to Marquis Vespira. He won’t be able to refuse my proposal.”

A moment later, the figure of Marquis Vespira appeared.

– What is the matter?

The Demon clad in purple armor spoke in a heavy bass voice.

“An enemy has come to my pasture. You know that if that place disappears, the Doomwheel will be isolated as well, right?”

Duke Akirif called the place Choi Kangjoong was invading his “pasture.”

Since he provided drugs and extracted resources, it was no different from a pasture.

– If you need troops, I will provide them.

“No! You must come yourself. Don’t you know the Outer Mind’s power?”

– Hmm…

“I know very well that you’re bored to death in the Doomwheel. I’m offering to create an environment where you can run wild; are you going to refuse?”

– If I leave, the Doomwheel might be destroyed.

“If the Outer Mind swallows the pasture, the same thing will happen. Make a choice. Will you sit in the Doomwheel and take it, or will you stop him at my pasture?”

Marquis Vespira did not hesitate any longer.

Even without this, he, a Demon of Ruin, was itching for action while stuck in the Doomwheel.

Even if the Doomwheel were destroyed in his absence, he could simply say he had no choice due to Duke Akirif’s request.

– I will depart immediately.

“As expected of a Demon of Ruin. You’re different from those stupid Demons of Chaos.”

– Your pasture will be destroyed regardless.

“As long as I can obtain the Outer Mind’s Summon, that doesn’t matter.”

– Understood.

The communication was cut.

“Count Ambie, you go and receive the Outer Mind’s Summon.”

“How many Demons and Magic Beasts may I take?”

“As many as you want!”

“Yes, Duke.”

Count Ambie kissed Duke Akirif on the cheek and left.

She was originally a Demon of Chaos, but Duke Akirif, coveting her beauty, had put in great effort to bring her over.

“With Marquis Vespira and Count Ambie, there should be some results.”

Having finished his business, Duke Akirif sank back into pleasure.

***

There was no strong resistance in the Elf Sea either.

This was because most of the Elves were in a state where their bodies and brains were ruined by drugs.

“If it were the Elves of Marsala, they would have been much more robust.”

Even the Elves who could be considered the leadership of the Elf Sea only cared about the Orcs and Metra; they didn’t know what to do about the Apocalid’s invasion.

They didn’t scout and were defeated individually after sending only a portion of their total forces.

Inter-dimensional communication was also cut off, so they couldn’t even receive advice from Duke Akirif.

The Elves who were still somewhat sane were assassinated by Stealth Scouts.

The Apocalid easily devoured the Dimensions and arrived at the main base of the Elf Sea.

It was a large Dimension, similar in size to the one in the Orc Sea.

The number of Elves also reached 2 million.

However, it was already in a semi-destroyed state.

This was due to the Rebellion triggered by the Apocalid waves.

“A Shield is covering the entire Dimension. Did Duke Akirif do this?”

It had been installed by Duke Akirif, who didn’t want the Elf pasture destroyed by Orcs or Metra.

It was quite thick and layered many times over, so to pierce it with Mana Cannons, they would have to fire without rest for days.

“Kuongi, fire.”

Choi Kangjoong chose an easier method.

Kuongi approached the Dimension.

Mana Ballistas rained down, but Kuongi’s Shield was sturdy.

Opening its mouth, Kuongi fired its breath.

A brilliant white flash split the Dimensional Sea and fell upon the Shield covering the Dimension.

The Shield, which even a Biological Torpedo couldn’t penetrate, was destroyed in an instant.

The breath still had power left and fell upon the Elf City.

Kwooooong!

The breath that touched the ground caused a massive explosion.

Buildings collapsed like dominoes, and a mushroom cloud rose.

Kuongi turned its body and fired its Mana Cannons.

The Mana Ballistas that had been pounding its body were destroyed.

Bio Pods released from its belly descended, transporting the Apocalid.

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

[Evolution Points have been obtained.]

After devouring even the Elf Sea, they headed toward the Metra Sea.

The Skyeye Giants previously scattered there discovered an approaching fleet.

“Marquis Vespira is finally coming.”

“Kiik!”

Kai, who was on Marquis Vespira’s Dimension Ship, answered.

As Iselin had expected, and thanks to Kai who had infiltrated the Doomwheel, Choi Kangjoong was well aware of Marquis Vespira’s approach.

Another fleet was approaching from the direction of Duke Akirif’s duchy.

It was Count Ambie.

“Combining the two, there are over 1,000 Dimension Ships.”

One might be flustered by such an enormous number, but Choi Kangjoong only salivated.

“Looks delicious.”

A Demon of Ruin receiving all sorts of support inside the Doomwheel was a burden, but if they came outside, they were merely prey that was slightly difficult to swallow.

True to his nature as a Demon of Ruin, Marquis Vespira advanced while destroying the Dimensions where the Metra lived.

Count Ambie was similar.

They poured Magic into the Dimensional Sea and captured whatever they liked to use as Slaves.

The Apocalid moved along, swallowing entire Dimensions.

Ten days later.

Three fleets arrived at the large Dimension where the Metra City was located.

The Apocalid, the Demon of Ruin, and the Demon of Greed landed on the Dimension first without even asking for permission from the native Metra.

The Metra, caught in the middle, could only watch in silence.