Chapter 71: Root Magic

[Evolution Points: 238,117,123]

The amount of Evolution Points he possessed was enough to perform two types of Species Evolution.

“Should I choose Psionic Combat Nerve for one and Enhanced Psionic for the other?”

Psionic Combat Nerve was for dealing with powerful enemies like Marquis Vespira. Enhanced Psionic was meant to strengthen the Apocalid Field.

“If I evolve both, I’ll be able to handle S-Class Demons that use Great Magic more easily than before.”

Psionic Combat Nerve and Enhanced Psionic both evolved to Level 7.

“I hope I can use Great Magic more freely with this. Is that too much greed?”

The skills used by the Central Unit were a type of Great Magic.

To be precise, they were used by the Outer Mind, the massive Hive Mind, while the Central Unit acted as the requester.

Though the Central Unit possessed a sense of self, it was insufficient to cast Great Magic on its own.

In contrast, the Outer Mind—a collective entity bound by a single will—was perfectly suited for wielding Great Magic.

This meant Choi Kangjoong was already using Great Magic left and right.

[The will of the Outer Mind promotes evolution.]

[Psionic Specialization intervenes.]

[Source Evolution intervenes.]

[Mana Development intervenes.]

[You have realized Root Magic.]

[Apocalid Field has evolved into Apocalid World.]

[Understanding of the Dimension System has increased.]

“Root Magic?”

He didn’t even need to ask anyone. Basic information about Root Magic flowed directly into his brain.

“Magic that changes and maintains the source itself…?”

Choi Kangjoong was familiar with a similar phenomenon: the Dimensional Devouring of the Apocalid.

Turning land that originally existed in the Dimensional Sea into part of the Apocalid was very similar to Root Magic.

As he traced the information regarding Root Magic, he felt he could follow the path through which it had entered his mind.

As soon as the intent formed, Source Energy surged.

His consciousness flowed along the path the information had traveled.

He felt as though he could discover where it had come from if he kept going, but he was suddenly blocked.

He gathered more consciousness to pierce through the barrier, but in that moment, the traces vanished without a trace.

‘Would the Dimension System have appeared if I followed it to the end?’

The Dimension System was an indispensable framework that connected various parts of the universe as if they were close together and triggered Awakenings.

While its creator was unknown, it was famous for the fact that the species known as Crystals could directly intervene with it.

‘It said my understanding of the Dimension System increased after realizing Root Magic, so there must be a connection. I should ask Iselin later.’

Choi Kangjoong didn’t think Iselin would know everything, but he figured he could at least get some advice.

“Anyway, that means the Apocalid Field has become the Apocalid World.”

Choi Kangjoong ordered the Central Command Giant to use the Apocalid World. Centered on the giant, the Apocalid World unfolded in a 500-meter radius.

“It’s a strengthened version of the Apocalid Field.”

The buff that increased the physical capabilities of the Apocalids became stronger.

Anything that wasn’t an Apocalid began to be digested the moment it entered the area.

“It’s like a Soil Pit with weak digestive power spreading out. The Central Command Giant is basically becoming a mobile Soil Pit.”

He had briefly thought about creating acidic shells, but that was no longer necessary.

‘So this is Root Magic, and I have to research the rest myself?’

Choi Kangjoong decided to look into it step-by-step and scheduled the mass production of Apocalids.

Similar to last time, he decided to produce 100,000 Walkers, 10,000 Scouts, 3,000 Warriors, 300 Giants, thirty Titans, and two Super Titans.

[Time remaining until mass production of Apocalid is complete: 130:00:00]

He gave all the remaining nutrients to Kuongi.

“You should become the first Hive Class.”

“Ku-eong.”

A Hive Class was a massive biological ship that was at least 10 kilometers long, often reaching tens of kilometers.

It could easily carry 500,000 small Apocalids and was difficult to kill due to the strong regeneration characteristic of biological ships.

Even in the Dimension War, there weren’t many things comparable to a Hive Class—perhaps only the ancient Island Whales or Fortresses made by remodeling dimensions into massive Dimension Ships.

Furthermore, as the name suggested, it wouldn’t lose its connection with the Outer Mind even from a great distance and could handle production on its own.

In other words, it allowed for the formation of a proper Apocalid expeditionary fleet.

‘If I produce several Hive Classes and start poking around, even Duke Akirif won’t be able to last long. I might even be able to fight a Demon Duke.’

Choi Kangjoong smiled to himself as he imagined the Apocalids moving around a Hive Class.

“Where should I go next?”

Now that M2721 had become an ally, there were more places to go.

There was the Dimension Monster Zone to the north of the Enterprise Union, and the massive dimensions ruled by Gratis or IANT to the west of M2721.

To the south of M2721, there was a battlefield where Orcs and Demons were fighting.

‘They’re all tempting… but maybe I’ll deal with the Orcs later. I have a feeling Kuralgal might have gone there.’

Hoping that Kuralgal would bring another massive horde of Orcs, he decided to postpone the battlefield of Orcs and Demons.

As he scanned the map Iselin had given him, he found something interesting.

“Island Whales and Dragons discovered in the Dimension Monster Zone. They weren’t there before. It must have been updated.”

The Black Market Map Iselin gave him was a system that shared Derrael’s military map directly. Because of that, unusual sightings were periodically uploaded, and explored regions would brighten.

‘The conditions for producing Special Entities included an Island Whale and a Dragon Lord.’

An Island Whale was a giant Dimensional Monster that carried a dimension on its back.

Since another species lived within that dimension, it was like transporting an entire world.

The Dragon Lord was, as the name implied, the leader of the dragons.

Dragons were a powerful race where each individual was S-Class; he wondered just how strong the one who led them would be.

It would normally take an entire nation to hunt one, but Choi Kangjoong had sufficient forces.

“I should go there.”

Choi Kangjoong sent the relatively fast Light Titans ahead.

They were filled with Central Stealth Scouts and regular Stealth Scouts.

He planned to have them infiltrate the area beforehand and use them as a base to open a Gate.

“Let’s head out in five days.”

Choi Kangjoong wondered what an Island Whale and a Dragon would taste like.

Vrrr.

His Dawnphone rang. He checked it, expecting Han Junghwa, but it was someone else entirely.

No, it wasn’t even a human.

“Dielka?”

Dielka had sent a message asking if he could come to where she was.

“What’s going on?”

Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate.

Shortly before Choi Kangjoong moved.

Dielka was running away. Chasing after her was Sierra, carrying a briefcase.

“Lady Dielka! You must process this by the end of the day!”

“It’s a pain! I told you to do it!”

“If I do something that isn’t within my authority, I’ll get torn to pieces by everyone else!”

“So what if you get yelled at a bit? Can’t even do that for me?”

Dielka ran through the mansion’s garden with an exasperated expression.

She had intended to leave the mansion Iselin lent her soon, but things hadn’t gone as planned.

Because of the suddenly increased Dark Elf population, like Sierra, everything was in short supply.

Even though the amount Iselin provided for free was substantial, there were problems with basic necessities and a lack of land.

Thus, they had no choice but to stay in the mansion Iselin provided.

Snatch.

Sierra’s hand caught Dielka’s clothes.

She had let him catch her on purpose.

Sierra would have struggled to even see her if she, who had fled from demons and birthed a Death Spirit right below an Orc battlefield, truly put her mind to it.

Sierra knew this well and quietly handed over the briefcase.

“I want to wander around the Dimensional Sea. Don’t you feel the same? Huh?”

“I am satisfied just having a home where my family can stay.”

“You’re no fun.”

After finishing her grumbling, Dielka returned to her office.

Suppressing her urge to fire her bow, she picked up a pen.

“Once things stabilize, it’ll be perfect. Wandering the Dimensional Sea and having a home to return to when you miss it.”

“Everyone is working hard, so it will happen soon.”

“Tell them to hunt some Dimensional Monsters. I need to pay back the money I borrowed from the Princess.”

“Do you think catching a few monsters will cover that? Why don’t you ask the Outer Mind?”

“I have some pride, you know. Just play something exciting.”

When Sierra touched his phone, fast-paced music began to play from the speakers.

Dielka shook her head to the beat as she focused on her work.

“Why did my mother have to leave me with all this!”

Sierra could only offer a bitter smile at Dielka’s lament.

No one knew what had happened to her mother, who had been taken by the Immortal Demon long ago.

They only speculated that she had met a tragic end.

Creek.

The door opened, and a Dark Elf entered. Sierra drew his sword like lightning and pointed it at his neck.

“Who are you?”

“I, I… came to deliver a letter…”

The Dark Elf, who looked hollow-eyed and restless, waved a letter in his right hand.

“How did you get in here?”

“I, I just did… as I was told…”

“By whom?”

“The, the person who told me to… deliver this…”

“You don’t know who that is?”

“I don’t… I was just told I’d get money… if I handed this over…”

Sierra did not let down his guard. Whether this trembling Dark Elf had entered on his own or with someone’s help, it was a problem.

This was the most important place for the Marsala Dark Elves, where Dielka stayed.

“Bring the letter. We’ll find out how he got in later.”

“Understood.”

Sierra called a fellow knight to take the letter and hand it to Dielka.

Dielka read the letter with a disinterested expression, but her face suddenly turned serious.

“Everyone out.”

“But right now…”

“I said, get out.”

Seeing Dielka’s rare serious demeanor, Sierra and the knights quietly left the room. Dielka crossed her legs and stared toward the Dimensional Sea.

“They’ll release my mother if I bring a Gate Stone?”

Dielka fiddled with a strand of hair that had been inside the letter. It was proof that her mother was alive.

“What do these bastards take me for? Do they think I’ll fall for such a trick?”

Dielka carefully stored the hair and contacted Choi Kangjoong. Immediately after, a Gate opened and Choi Kangjoong stepped through.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has. Is something wrong? The atmosphere seems heavy.”

Dielka explained the situation regarding her mother and the letter.

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Getting my mother back alive is the best scenario, but that’s probably impossible. She’s been in the Demon Realm for so long, so she won’t be in a normal state. Still, I’m going to get my revenge.”

“I’ll help you.”

“I told you, this one didn’t fly to the Outer Mind in the Hydra Sea for nothing.”

Dielka summoned the Death Spirit. The Death Spirit appeared on her shoulder and immediately flew to Choi Kangjoong. It even pecked at his cheek with its beak.

When Choi Kangjoong shared a bit of Source Energy, it fluffed its feathers in delight.

“This is likely a trick by Duke Royal, so let’s try to catch him too if we can.”

“How?”

Choi Kangjoong, who needed a Demon Duke as a condition for adding a Special Entity production function, was also intrigued.

“I’ll lure him by pretending to fall for this. I’m telling you this in advance so you don’t misunderstand and think I’m actually siding with a demon. I’m doing this because I want to kill them all.”

“Are you going to hide it from Iselin too?”

“It’ll be hard to hide it from the Princess. She might even be wiretapping and listening to us right now.”

“Come on. She wouldn’t go that far.”

“You have no idea how devious Elves are. You shouldn’t trust them too deeply. Dark Elves are much more direct and aggressive, so we’re fine.”

The veins on the forehead of Iselin, who was indeed listening, bulged.