Chapter 40: Source of Chaos

“This must be a Gate Stone.”

Choi Kangjoong turned the Gate Stone over in his hands.

At a glance, it looked just like a glass ornament.

It seemed like something humans could manufacture with their technology.

But the inside was different.

“I thought I’d sense Demonic Energy, but I feel Source Energy instead.”

The Gate Stone was a device powered by Source Energy.

“Can the Demon Commander of Chaos use Source Energy too?”

It wouldn’t be strange, considering he was a being who far surpassed even S-rank Hunters.

“Or did some other being who can use Source Energy make this?”

No matter how much he examined the Gate Stone, there was nothing more to learn from it.

It might be better to capture the Dark Elf who had received the Gate Stone and ask her directly.

“Should I ask Iselin, too?”

Choi Kangjoong fetched Iselin’s necklace.

Since he could use telekinesis through Source Energy, there was no need to get out of bed.

“At this rate, I’m going to become one with this bed.”

He pressed the button, and Iselin’s voice came through.

-You’ve wrapped up the Ma Woo Sea, I see. Congratulations.

Choi Kangjoong was caught off guard; he should’ve spoken first.

“Were you waiting for me?”

-No, I was just about to contact you as well.

He instinctively felt that wasn’t true, but let it slide.

“Thanks. I have something to ask you.”

-What is it?

“Can the Demon Commander of Chaos use Source Energy?”

-I’m not certain, but I’d say the odds are high.

“Is there anyone else who can use Source Energy?”

-You know about the Crystal race, right?

“Of course.”

-That whole race can use Source Energy.

The Crystals were a very rare high-tier race.

They were wise, able to connect to the Dimension System, and were often called Prophets.

“It probably isn’t a Crystal.”

-What happened?

“I got a Gate Stone, and I can feel Source Energy inside it.”

Iselin wasn’t surprised; she already knew about the great battle between Gratis, Dark Elves, Chaos Demons, and Apocalid.

The Demon Commander of Chaos might have used Source Energy.

“Isn’t it more advantageous for demons to use Demonic Energy?”

-It’s good for creating demons, but not for causing greater chaos.

“So, that’s why he made this and gave it to the Dark Elves?”

-It’s still speculation. If we capture Charigna, the first one who used the Gate Stone, and ask her, we’ll know for sure.

Charigna was a Dark Elf who called herself queen.

She was the ruler of Dark City, the massive dimensional ship woven from countless dimensional lines, and also the supreme commander of the Elf Pirates.

“But we don’t know where Dark City is.”

Dark City was always on the move, and only the Dark Elf Pirates knew its exact location.

-You can use Dielka. She’s also searching for Dark City and plans to win over the Dark Elves there.

“That’s right, there’s Dielka. How’s she doing?”

-Busy as ever, rebuilding the Nahrromel Knights.

“She’s doing well, then.”

-And I’m rebuilding my fleet too.

“Good for you.”

-Right.

A brief silence fell.

Neither of them was good at small talk.

-What are you going to do with the Gate Stone?

“I’m going to swallow it.”

-I see. If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll buy it for 50 billion won.

Fifty billion won.

A huge sum, but one he could earn by selling mana stones.

It would be a waste to give up on the evolutionary path that might open from the Gate Stone—unless it couldn’t be digested.

‘It might not work since it’s inorganic. I’ll put it in the digestion pit, and if it doesn’t dissolve, I’ll sell it.’

Choi Kangjoong agreed and turned off the necklace.

“Let’s try it.”

He opened a Gate and dropped the Gate Stone into the digestion pit.

Plop.

The Gate Stone floated in the digestive fluid.

No matter how long he waited, it showed no sign of dissolving.

“Maybe I’ll need to get the Evolution Code of a Devouring Demon.”

Devouring Demons didn’t exist in Dimension War, so Choi Kangjoong had no way of knowing what would happen.

“Should I just lend it until I get the Evolution Code?”

When he contacted Iselin again and offered to lend it to her, she was delighted.

-What would you like in return?

“I’m just lending it.”

-But you should still receive something.

“We’re friends. You helped me before too.”

-Friends…….

“I’ll send it through Marsala.”

-No, I’ll send an Elf instead.

“I can just use a Gate to go.”

-There’s a Gate-Prevention spell cast here.

Choi Kangjoong focused his mind.

There was definitely more resistance than opening a Gate somewhere Apocalid wasn’t present.

‘Maybe I should use the Gate Stone too.’

He infused Source Energy into the Gate Stone.

The Gate Stone lit up, and a Gate opened with a whoosh.

On the other side of the Gate, Iselin was standing, looking bewildered.

“Here.”

Choi Kangjoong stepped through the Gate and handed over the Gate Stone.

“Thank you…….”

The door slammed open and Elves rushed in.

The knights had come running to Iselin’s office, where the Gate alarm had gone off.

“Princess! Are you all right?!”

“An intruder!”

“Who is this……?”

“Enough!”

Iselin quelled the commotion with a single word.

“This is Outer Mind. He came personally to give us a Gate Stone, so show your respect.”

Thud!

The Elves all dropped to their knees at once.

It looked like they might break the solid marble floor.

“We’re sorry!”

“We have been careless. Please forgive us.”

“I’m not angry, so you may rise.”

“No, this is the height we deserve.”

Elf society still had a strict hierarchy, so it was natural for them to kneel.

“You may go.”

“Yes.”

The knights quietly backed out of the room.

Choi Kangjoong felt like he’d landed in the middle of an Elf period drama.

“Please, have a seat.”

Choi Kangjoong sat on a plush sofa, and Arthil brought out some tea.

The finest Elf tea, enjoyed from a sofa so soft it seemed made of clouds.

It was a luxury he’d only imagined, but the reality was a little different.

‘Ugh. It tastes terrible.’

The tea Iselin enjoyed didn’t suit Choi Kangjoong’s palate at all.

“You said you’d lend it. How long were you thinking?”

“Until I need it.”

“So, indefinitely for now. How should I repay this…… Would you like the tariff waived on a certain cargo ship?”

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll do it immediately.”

Arthil contacted the port at Derrael.

Soon, the cargo ship carrying goods from Choi Kangjoong’s father’s trading company received special treatment and was exempt from customs duties.

“Anything else you need?”

“Could you show me a Life Spirit?”

“Of course.”

Iselin summoned the Life Spirit.

A white rabbit appeared on her shoulder.

“So this is what Life Essence feels like.”

“It’s warm, and full of vitality.”

“If you can handle a Life Spirit, you deserve to be called a High Elf.”

Choi Kangjoong manipulated Source Energy to mimic Life Essence.

A light with a similar feel to the Life Spirit appeared at his fingertips.

“H-how……?”

“I figured it out after seeing Death Mana. I thought I could do the same for Life Essence.”

“You can use Source Energy?”

“That’s right. I converted it using Source Energy.”

[You have mastered two high-tier mana types.]

[Your nervous system is evolving.]

[The Central Unit can now use high-tier mana.]

‘Now Kai and Kuongi can use it too. The Apocalid Field will improve even more.’

If Death Mana was mixed into Kuongi’s Great Manastorm, its destructive power would skyrocket.

If the Apocalid Field’s buff included Life Essence, each unit could revive even if its head was blown off.

‘It was worth coming in person.’

Unlike the relaxed Choi Kangjoong, Iselin was so shocked her long ears were quivering.

No wonder Life Essence was considered high-tier mana.

Among Elves, a race close to mana, those who could handle it were extremely rare.

And he’d just mimicked it after seeing it once.

It was far, far beyond the bounds of common sense.

“Can you also use Death Mana?”

“That’s right.”

Choi Kangjoong demonstrated the Death Blade.

For the first time, Iselin learned that she became calm rather than panicked when she was truly stunned.

“You’re even more incredible than I thought.”

“Want me to teach you?”

“No, those two mana types are opposites, so I can’t hold both.”

“Really? Maybe I can because of Source Energy.”

“That’s probably it. You’re converting it from Source Energy, so you don’t have both at the same time.”

“What happens if you hold both at the same time?”

Everyone who tried died, so there are no records.”

“I’ll have to be careful.”

Choi Kangjoong steadied himself and drank the tea.

As expected, it still tasted terrible.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Take care. Thank you so much for the Gate Stone.”

“Make good use of it.”

Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate and vanished.

Iselin looked down at the Gate Stone.

[Held Evolution Points: 10,786,232 points]

After devouring Gratis, Dark Elves, and Chaos Demons, his Evolution Points had surpassed 10 million.

“I can unlock the Supertitan Class now.”

Choi Kangjoong entered the Room of Evolution.

[Supertitan Class has been unlocked.]

He didn’t produce one right away.

He was short on nutrients, and raising Kuongi to Supertitan Class took priority.

The Evolution Code applied Fundamental Combat Muscle, Acid Pouch, Rapid Regeneration, and Death Resistance.

Just like the Titan Class.

“From now on, give all nutrients to Kuongi.”

“Kuong.”

With Kuongi’s size now over 800 meters, it wouldn’t be long before he reached Supertitan Class.

“From Supertitan Class onward, this is the real main battleship.”

Enormous vitality, an impenetrable shield, a vast number of Mana Cannons, the ability to produce Bio Torpedoes endlessly, and a massive force of Apocalid within.

And even Breath, unlocked at the sixth stage of biological weapon evolution.

It was the Supertitan Class—this was the true power that made Apocalid worthy of being called a dimensional predator.

“Let’s go devour more dimensions.”

“Krurk.”

“Kieek.”

“Kuong.”

The Apocalid moved to another dimension.

Thanks to Selic, there were no dimensional ships capable of stopping Apocalid.

There were Pajijik Cannons installed in the dimension, but they could handle those as they fought their way through.

The city of Gratis was swallowed by shadow.

The Gratis looked up at the dimension above.

Enormous monsters floated overhead.

Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!

Pajijik Cannons battered Kuongi’s side.

Some pierced the shield, but they were so weakened that the Psionic Chitin Gauntlet was barely scratched.

BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM!

Hundreds of Mana Shells rained down.

Under the relentless dimensional bombardment, the Pajijik Cannons and the last handful of armed Gratis were annihilated.

Apocalid units of Giant Class and below landed at the dimensional boundary.

The feast was about to begin.

-Eliminate them.

The Central Command Series Giant’s Apocalid Field was a supremely efficient area-of-effect attack.

There was no need to use Death Mana.

Passing through while using the Apocalid Field felt like erasing Gratis with a giant eraser.

It was a psychic attack, so even Gratis hiding underground couldn’t escape.

In the blink of an eye, an entire city was devastated.

Compared to before the Command Series, it was a whole new level of speed.

[Dimensional Devouring is commencing.]

[Dimensional Devouring is commencing.]

[Dimensional Devouring is commencing.]

He sent Apocalid to the surrounding farming dimensions and devoured them as well.

Kuongi grew rapidly, receiving nutrients from several dimensions at once.

[Maelstrom has evolved to Supertitan Class.]

[All dimensions in a sea sector have been devoured.]

[Apocalid’s devouring ability has evolved.]

[The amount of Evolution Points gained has increased.]