The most important factor in battles between Dimension Ships was size.
If a Dimension Ship was large, its interior was spacious enough to equip a high-output mana engine.
With that, it could wield stronger weapons and have a sturdier shield.
Numbers mattered, too.
Even a Dimension Ship with a large mana engine couldn’t survive if it got pummeled by dozens or even hundreds of ships.
“There are 33 Dark Elf Pirate ships!”
Captain Choi Byungwoo broke into a cold sweat at the crew’s scream-like report.
Although the battlefield of the Sae Byukho was three times longer than that of the Dark Elf Pirate ships, the overwhelming difference in strength—33 times the number—was beyond turning the tide.
Even if Han Junghwa alone took down ten ships, or strained to catch fifteen, the Sae Byukho would sink, and the Hunters would be annihilated.
“Focus the shields on the deck where the Hunters are! It’s fine if other parts get destroyed!”
“Yes, Captain!”
“Damn it. How did they find us? Did our operation plan leak outside?”
Even though the Sae Byukho was a 300-meter Dimension Ship, it was nothing more than a grain of sand compared to the Sea of Dimensions.
There were Dimension Ships dozens of times larger than the Sae Byukho lined up everywhere.
But the fact that that many pirate ships targeted this place specifically was hard to explain as mere bad luck.
“There’s a traitor in the guild. I have to report this if we make it back alive…”
Captain Choi Byungwoo touched his left chest, where he kept a family photo.
Tension filled the command deck.
No one thought they could run away from 33 fast Dark Elf Pirate ships.
Amidst the loudly ringing approach alarms, no one dared to speak.
“Who’s that?”
“Looks like an Outer Mind.”
A figure resembling a doll appeared and flew off at high speed.
“What is that doing? We should be safe inside the shield to attack, not expose ourselves!”
“They say it killed 50,000 orcs, so maybe it has a method?”
“Are dumb orcs comparable to Dark Elf Pirate ships?”
“Trying to run away…”
“It’s heading toward the pirate ships. Tell them to come back quickly!”
“Hunter Han Junghwa said she would only communicate personally, so I didn’t give her the radio.”
“Damn! Is it because they’re a different race and don’t know how to fight us?”
Captain Choi Byungwoo was restless.
With defeat certain, losing even one precious fighter was painful.
As they anxiously watched, the Dark Elf Pirate ships suddenly disappeared from sight.
“A visibility-blocking spell?”
Captain Choi Byungwoo pressed his eye to the binoculars.
It wasn’t magic.
It was a physical phenomenon caused by the sudden appearance of something enormous.
“A Dimension Ship…? No, it has eyes and a mouth. Is it a Dimension Monster?”
Captain Choi Byungwoo was certain it wasn’t a Dimension Ship, but he had never seen a Dimension Monster that looked like this either.
It seemed less a product of natural evolution and more something created for a specific purpose.
“Should we attack?”
“No. Don’t provoke it. Let’s use this chance to escape. Full speed ahead!”
The Sae Byukho started moving.
The Hunters on deck were equally bewildered.
The aura from the sudden giant presence was dizzying.
If they didn’t have long combat experience, they might have attacked first.
“Should we shoot…?”
The Hunters looked to Han Junghwa.
Han Junghwa hesitated.
If those things were hostile, striking first would be advantageous.
But something bothered her.
Their color and texture were very similar to the Outer Mind’s armor.
The aura felt the same.
‘They said there were a few Dimension Ships, right? Could these be the biological Dimension Ships they mentioned earlier?’
Han Junghwa reached a conclusion and shook her head.
“They must be the Outer Mind’s Dimension Ships. Don’t attack.”
“Those are Dimension Ships? They look like monsters to me.”
“There are races that use Dimension Monsters like Dimension Ships.”
“That’s true…”
Han Junghwa watched carefully.
On the back of the giant creature were thick legs and spikes protruding from its back.
Once they settled in position, cannon fire erupted.
The Dark Elf Pirate ships were blown to smithereens.
The Hunters cheered at the decisive attacks.
“Outer Mind, can you capture at least one ship without killing it? We have questions to ask.”
—Understood.
Choi Kangjoong, having received the radio message, sent six Light Titans and Fighter Giants.
They broke through the ruined formation of the Dark Elf Pirate ships and approached the largest pirate ship.
The Fighter Giants flew up and concentrated their attacks on the pirate ship’s engine.
Five-meter-long chitin spikes pierced through the outer hull, and the mana engine stopped.
Inside, the panic of the Dark Elves could be sensed.
“Bring it back.”
As the Fighter Giants clung and pushed, the pirate ship slid forward.
No pirate ship tried to block it.
The Light Titans that dived in were busy surviving the mana cannon attacks.
Dark Elves who rushed out to attack the Light Titans were shredded by chitin cannons.
When the Dark Elf pirate ship reached near the Sae Byukho, Han Junghwa boarded it.
The pirates had thrown down their weapons and raised their hands, so there was no need to fight.
“Bring the captain!”
At Han Junghwa’s shout, the Dark Elves—who had little sense of loyalty or honor—immediately brought out their captain.
“We’ll surrender. Just spare our lives…”
Han Junghwa and the Hunters bound them and locked them inside the Sae Byukho.
The pirate ship was connected by cable and towed along.
Before long, the battle was over.
All the pirate ships except the captured one were destroyed, and the Dark Elves were taken into Kuongi’s hold as nutrients and Evolution Points.
Kai was sent along with the Fighter Giants.
Choi Kangjoong recalled the Apocalids and returned to the Sae Byukho.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for Outer Mind, we’d all be dead.”
“Thank you, Outer Mind.”
“You saved us.”
“I thought I’d never see my daughter again… Thank you!”
The people in the command deck also came out to thank Choi Kangjoong.
Captain Choi Byungwoo held Choi Kangjoong’s hand, tears welling up.
Some people slumped down as the tension eased.
Choi Kangjoong felt fulfilled.
This was why he saved people.
‘Is this the pride Yunseo talked about?’
Once, his parents asked Choi Yunseo why she chose the Dawn Guild.
It was a question born from the fact that the Dawn Guild’s conditions were worse than those of the Edge Guild or Carrier Guild.
At the time, Choi Yunseo answered that adding pride made it better than any other place.
‘My parents liked it too.’
Choi Kangjoong wanted to be praised not as Outer Mind, but as himself.
He didn’t think he would hide his face and operate for much longer.
“Outer Mind, were you a Summoner?”
“Something like that.”
“Unexpected. I thought you’d be a Warrior or Mage. Did you tame that Dimension Monster?”
“No. I made it.”
“Outer Mind, you’re amazing.”
Even an S-Rank Hunter who could split mountains or evaporate lakes was still just an individual.
It was impossible for one person to destroy an entire dimension or defeat dozens of Dimension Ships in battle.
But someone who controlled Dimension Ship-level Monsters was different.
Not knowing the intentions of such a person could be frightening.
Han Junghwa was someone who focused only on what was immediately visible.
Removing the appearance and atmosphere of fear, he seemed like a pure and kind man.
His attitude toward others showed that despite his power.
“On days like this, it’s a rule to buy drinks. Outer Mind, do you know how to drink?”
Han Junghwa stepped closer and spoke.
Choi Kangjoong found her sparkling eyes a little overwhelming, but not unpleasant.
“I’ve never tried it.”
“Then I’ll teach you. Want a drink?”
“No.”
Choi Kangjoong refused, thinking he wouldn’t be able to handle alcohol.
“Aw. I wanted to be the first person to drink with Outer Mind. Next time, you have to drink with me. Until then, don’t drink with anyone else!”
Han Junghwa poured out everything she wanted to say in a rush.
“Alright.”
“Promise!”
The crew entered the Dimension Ship’s interior.
The Sae Byukho departed and was able to return safely to the rendezvous point without incident.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, we made it back safely. But can you keep today’s events a secret?”
“Why?”
“We’re going to pretend to be dead for a few days to find the traitor in the guild.”
“If that’s the reason, then sure.”
“You always do so much for us. I’ll definitely repay you. Also, that Dimension Ship was really cool.”
After bidding farewell, Choi Kangjoong flew off.
Han Junghwa and the Hunters waved their hands wildly to see him off.
When he got home, a thank-you message from Guild Master Kang Sungpyo was on the Sae Byukho phone.
He said they had also doubled the original reward money.
“Made a billion. Just like Han Junghwa said, it really was an easy request. Well, since the Dark Elf Pirates paid me with this, it wasn’t exactly easy.”
Choi Kangjoong collapsed onto his bed.
“Even just a little beyond the Enterprise Union’s border, life is hanging by a thread.”
Going further than the Dimension Fortress without military or guild escort was forbidden.
That area was dangerous, too.
The border was so vast it couldn’t be guarded tightly, so small groups of pirates, demons, and Monsters could appear anytime.
Thus, the Dawn Guild, which sent many people to the Dimension Fortress, was also often attacked.
“If we eliminate Gratis, the Union border will expand, creating a safer zone.”
The location of the 6th Dimension Fortress might also change.
“Let’s go eat the Hydra Sea quickly. Hope they’re doing well.”
Evolution Points poured in steadily.
The orcs had been completely wiped out, and the dimension had merged into one Apocalid.
[Evolution Point acquired.]
[Evolution Point acquired.]
[Evolution Point acquired.]
[Current Evolution Points: 2,088,702.]
The Evolution Points used for racial evolution had almost reached zero but had now surpassed two million.
“The Dark Elf evolution code is Night Vision. Let’s attach it to the Skyeye Giant.”
Now the Skyeye Giant could see better in dark dimensions.
It was similar to mana or infrared vision but was a different ability—helpful but not essential.
Choi Kangjoong also exercised and enrolled in a driving license school.
The process wasn’t difficult.
Becoming part of a massive hive mind had improved his memory, so he could ace the written test by skimming the workbook once.
The practical skills were nothing compared to flying the Wind Gale.
There was a Hunter-specific exam he could take anytime, so he got his license quickly.
“Third license.”
His Resident Registration Card, Hunter Certificate, and now Driver’s License.
“Am I about the same age as other Hunters now?”
Choi Kangjoong felt like his twisted life was being restored.
“Maybe I just need a car accident and to make some friends. Do I have any friends yet?”
Iselin and Han Junghwa could probably be called friends.
Dielka felt different, and Joo Eun-jong was a strange guy.
[You have consumed all dimensions in one sea area.]
The Sea Area Consumption Bonus granted one million points and unlocked the racial evolution direction.
[Choose your racial evolution direction.]
[1. Production: Enhance Apocalid production efficiency.]
[2. Consumption: Increase Evolution Point acquisition.]
Unlike before, when there were three options, now only two could be chosen.
“Gratis are fewer than orcs, so let’s go with production.”
This was to balance it by producing more nutrients rather than Evolution Points.
[Apocalid production ability has evolved.]
[Apocalid production efficiency has improved.]
“We’ll be able to make more units.”
Choi Kangjoong smiled brightly.
Consumption would be automatically chosen at the next Sea Area Consumption, and after that, he could choose from three options again.
“Let’s head to Ma Woo Sea.”
Small Apocalids boarded the Titan-class and Giant-class and entered hibernation.
The number of Dimension Predators had increased significantly compared to before entering the Hydra Sea, and they moved toward Ma Woo Sea.
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