The Audience Chamber where the party was waiting.
I already felt bad for making the party members, who had come to enjoy a vacation, stay cooped up in the Audience Chamber, and now I had to ask an even more burdensome favor.
“…Something important has come up. I need your help.”
Thinking about ruining their vacation made it hard to speak.
Then, Jinsu, unable to contain his curiosity, spoke up first.
“Brother, what is it? Just say the word! We can finish the important work and then all play together!”
Indeed, for them, catching a single Monster would be an easy task.
“I’m sorry, but could you catch one Monster for me? It’s a bit of a dangerous Monster.”
“A Monster? Hey, why are you making it sound so difficult? That’s our specialty!”
Unlike Jinsu, who was thumping his chest at my words, Minjun’s eyes grew serious.
“What kind of Monster? And what are its characteristics? Let us hear about it first.”
A statement worthy of a leader who takes responsibility for the lives of his Party members.
He was trying to make a cautious judgment so as not to lead his followers into a death trap.
“I haven’t heard the details yet either…”
– I will explain that.
It was Sailun, who had followed us in at some point.
– A Giant Starfish. That is the true identity of the Monster.
The Starfish we know are star-shaped sea creatures that eat things like clams.
On the surface, it seemed like just a single Monster, but the Merfolk already had a history of failing to subjugate it.
– It is no ordinary Starfish. No matter how much we slashed and cut it away, it regenerated infinitely, so it was impossible to dispose of.
A Starfish.
It is a creature with the Ability to restore and regenerate its arms as long as the center of its body remains.
Furthermore, its skin is hard and covered in thorns or protrusions that serve as protection.
– Because of those characteristics, we chose to seal it rather than eliminate it, and we selected personnel to establish a Sealing Force.
“Leader. This Giant Starfish, why don’t we try catching it?”
Jinsu approached Minjun, looking like his body was itching for action.
“I’ll decide after seeing it myself.”
Unlike a typical Dungeon where you must clear it once you enter, this was not a Dungeon.
It meant we could check it from a distance and then decide whether to attack or not.
“It could be dangerous.”
Despite my worry, Minjun did not take back his decision.
Following his gaze, I saw Sailun, who was waiting for Minjun’s decision while looking incredibly stiff with tension.
“I’m curious, you see. Just how strong is a Monster that survived after facing the entire Merfolk race?”
Minjun was trying to restrain himself as much as possible, but his desire for victory—to fight and win against a Choi Gyujin Monster—seemed to be burning.
Park Janghyeon, who had been quietly listening to Suyeon’s interpretation, spoke up softly.
“There is a problem. Our movement is hindered while in the water.”
He pointed out that since we aren’t Merfolk, we cannot move as quickly as we do on land.
– I believe I can solve that.
Sailun pulled out a fancy box he had been hiding behind him, though I hadn’t noticed when he grabbed it.
– Inside this is the Merfolk treasure, the ‘Sea God Stone.’ This treasure will surely be of great help.
As the lid of the box opened, a stone emitting a deep blue glow was revealed inside.
Perhaps it was because of the surrounding lighting, but it seemed to shine even more brightly.
It exuded an energy that made the surrounding air feel cool, creating a mysterious and wondrous atmosphere.
Sailun held the box out to us and added an explanation.
– The Sea God Stone is a stone imbued with a special Ability.
He then proceeded to explain the Sea God Stone’s abilities.
The first Ability of the Sea God Stone is allowing one to breathe underwater.
Because it collects air from the seawater within a certain radius, it is said to be effective not only for the one holding the Sea God Stone but also for anyone within that radius.
It was because of this effect that it was possible to breathe freely in the Dragon Palace.
The second Ability is increasing the owner’s Water affinity.
“Water? I guess it’s good for people who use Water Attribute Skills.”
“Yeah. But among us, the person who uses Water Attribute Skills is…”
At that moment, Park Janghyeon raised his hand with an unusually excited expression.
“I… have the Ice Attribute, so I think it will be a huge help to me.”
“Oh! Is that so? There was at least one person!”
– Why is there only one? It includes me and you as well, does it not?
Kasia explained as if she were frustrated.
– Can you not handle the Spirits of Water? You still have a long way to go, but wouldn’t the Spirits of Water like you more if your affinity increased?
“Is that so? That’s amazing! I thought it was worse than the third Ability. While we’re at it, I wish we could make it into a necklace!”
Unlike us, who were focused only on the Ability of the Sea God Stone, Baek Seonwoo focused on a different part.
“It’s an item you didn’t bring out even though you knew we couldn’t breathe in the Sea when we visited the Dragon Palace. Is it alright to give such a Merfolk treasure to us?”
Hearing that reminded me of the struggle in Eliya to save Trnalpria.
If Seira had come to pick us up with the Sea God Stone, then Trnalpria wouldn’t have been necessary.
– It is because Merfolk treasures cannot be taken out to the outside world. The Starfish is in this world.
“I suppose that makes sense.”
Minjun asked Sailun.
“Do you have a plan?”
– …I do not. Instead, I will tell you about the enemy. It will be helpful in facing it.
Originally, the Starfish were not threatening creatures.
However, not long after the Dragon King fell into a slumber, they suddenly became bloated, and problems began to arise.
– Starfish usually swallow anything that is simply smaller than themselves. But as they grew larger and their arms became longer, they began to devastate the surroundings indiscriminately.
Even the vicinity of the Dragon Palace was not safe.
Since the Starfish, having run out of nearby food, gradually expanded their territory toward the Dragon Palace.
It was revealed that the people who had been going missing for some time had also become food for the Starfish.
– We were complacent. Because we thought we were Choi Gyujin in the water. To us, who lived peacefully, it came as a huge shock and terror. Because of their hard outer skin, they were difficult to cut, and even if we barely managed to cut them, they even regenerated after some time.
Every time one was disposed of, dozens of Merfolk died.
Due to the hungry Starfish attacking at all times, it is said that nearly half of the entire Merfolk population died.
– The biggest one captured a Merfolk and swallowed it in a single mouthful…
Sailun, recalling the horrific memory, frowned.
– Fortunately, the Dragon Palace was protected… but one of the biggest ones remains. A creature that is truly a Monster among Monsters, having devoured even the other Starfish.
“So, to summarize, it’s giant, has a hard outer skin, and regenerates infinitely. And it swallows and dissolves its prey?”
– Yes. That is correct.
We had heard all we needed to hear.
Minjun cut the conversation short, as if he had no intention of waiting any longer.
“Let’s go and see.”
***
Following Sailun’s guidance, we swam out of the Dragon Palace.
– Beyond here is that thing’s territory.
Is that the territory of the beast?
It looks peaceful to me.
“The oxygen concentration is low.”
“You’re right.”
Is it because they are Hunters with sensitive senses?
I don’t really feel much of a difference.
Wait, do I?
– You are correct. Since the Starfish is huge, it requires more oxygen. Likely, all the oxygen in this vicinity is being absorbed into that thing’s body.
Indeed, a Monster is also a living creature, so it must breathe.
In particular, unlike a Human, a Starfish breathes through its skin rather than lungs, so it would absorb even more.
Since its surface area is wide.
“Let’s go further in.”
Entering the territory didn’t mean the Starfish was right there.
As we went in a bit further, there were huge pillars, as if they were supporting the Sea.
It was like the pillars of a temple that might exist in the underwater city of Atlantis.
“Where on earth is it?”
“Phew, it feels like it’s around here…?”
I’m gradually running out of breath.
Seeing as breathing is particularly difficult, it seems like it is hiding nearby.
Sailun whispered quietly with a terrified expression.
– …Let us quietly retreat so as not to provoke it. Those things are its legs.
Following the tip of Sailun’s finger, there were the pillars I had thought were temple pillars.
In that moment, it felt as if darkness were suddenly rushing in.
“Everyone, dodge!”
Minjun’s shout broke the silence.
A giant presence felt within the darkness.
Someone, no, something was approaching us at a rapid speed.
“Haat!”
Park Janghyeon fired an Ice Spear toward it.
It only flinched for a moment before quickly shattering the ice.
Then, it approached even faster and swallowed Minjun, who was at the front, whole.
“It… it looks like the Starfish’s stomach! Starfish protrude their stomachs out of their mouths to wrap around prey and digest them!”
“What?! Minjun!!”
At that moment, the things we thought were pillars moved all at once and pounced toward us.
“Brother! Let’s get away first! It’s dangerous without Brother Minjun!”
Minjun had been swallowed, but if we stayed like this, everyone would just die.
Deciding to trust the S-Rank Hunter and Tank, Minjun, we quickly escaped from its territory.
– Is that not beyond the level of being giant!
“To think it was larger than the Dragon Palace…”
“Minjun… Minjun…”
“Brother, don’t worry. The Leader will definitely not die.”
When I looked up at Jinsu and the other Hunters, they didn’t have worried looks.
Rather, it was a look of belief that he would obviously be alive.
“Minho, you saw Minjun fight too.”
Indeed, ordinary Monsters posed no threat to Minjun.
In Eliya, he wasn’t injured at all even though he blocked things with his body.
Right, this is no time to be despondent.
I have to think of how to save Minjun.
– I will go back right now and summon the Sealing Force.
A new unit of Merfolk who had fought the Starfish for many years.
I hope there is a way to defeat the Starfish.
We decided to wait quietly for Sailun to bring the unit.
However, the longer the wait for the Merfolk became, the more bad thoughts filled my head.
No matter how blunt and stubborn he is, he’s my younger brother.
The only blood relative I have left in this world.
I felt a soft patting on my shoulder.
“…Kasia.”
– It will be alright. Domo Minjun is a strong Human, is he not?
I composed myself once more.
“Brother! The Merfolk are here!”
When I turned my head, hundreds of Merfolk holding tridents and crystal balls were approaching, led by Sailun.
– Sorry for the long wait. I was a bit late preparing for the battle against the Starfish.
According to Sailun, the majority of the Merfolk unit he brought were those thoroughly specialized in sealing.
So, he warned us in advance that our side would have to handle the direct combat.
– Instead, I will cast Binding Arts and various Weakening Curses to make the battle smoother.
I have no intention of arguing about the combat.
Since Minjun isn’t here, who will be the Chicken Leader…
When I looked back and forth between Jinsu and Park Janghyeon, they both answered at the same time.
“It’s fine!”
“Let’s do that.”
Is there no separate Chicken Leader?
Suyeon quietly approached my side and gave me a hint.
“Janghyeon is the acting Leader, but Jinsu is constantly eyeing the position.”
Aha.
Jinsu secretly had an ambition for power.
– From now on, it is a race against time. Hunters, if you are ready, let us depart immediately.
He was right.
No matter how tough Minjun is, it would be hard for him to hold out for long while trapped in a digestive fluid Seed Pouch.
“We are ready.”
“Let’s head out right now!”
No special strategy is needed.
I just trust myself and my comrades.
Having finished their preparations, the group headed toward the Starfish’s territory.