[Joo Eun-jong: Captain!]
[Joo Eun-jong: It’s me!]
[Joo Eun-jong: I heard you’re looking for Anti-Magic Shells?]
[Joo Eun-jong: I know a place where they grow beautifully.]
[Joo Eun-jong: Shall I take you there?]
“How did Joo Eun-jong know?”
[Choi Kangjoong: How did you find out?]
[Joo Eun-jong: Yunseo posted it on Instagram.]
[Joo Eun-jong: (Link)]
Choi Kangjoong clicked the link.
It was a post where Choi Yunseo had uploaded a selfie along with some text. It roughly said that she was looking forward to it because her brother had gone to catch Anti-Magic Shells.
“So Dielka must have told Iselin, and Iselin told Choi Yunseo. Choi Yunseo posted it on social media, and Joo Eun-jong saw it.”
It was a veritable spiderweb of connections.
“I guess it’s not mice that listen to the words of the day, but Elves.”
[Choi Kangjoong: How do you know the habitat of the Anti-Magic Shells?]
[Joo Eun-jong: My father actually told me to go catch some.]
[Joo Eun-jong: It’s for my B-rank promotion.]
[Joo Eun-jong: He said something about how I absolutely have to catch Anti-Magic Shells if I want to rank up.]
[Joo Eun-jong: I already sent a Dimension Ship ahead to scout the habitat!]
[Joo Eun-jong: You just need to leave a few for me!]
[Joo Eun-jong: You can have the rest, Captain!]
“It’ll probably be noisy if he comes along. Since Dielka is here, I suppose it’ll be fine.”
Dielka was also quite talkative, so he figured she and Joo Eun-jong would get along well.
“Joo Eun-jong is a rascal, so he’ll probably talk more to a woman than to a man like me.”
And it wasn’t just any woman, but a striking Dark Elf beauty.
“Dielka will absorb Joo Eun-jong’s noise. Is she an Anti-Sound Shell?”
[Choi Kangjoong: Where is it?]
[Joo Eun-jong: I’ll send the coordinates!]
[Joo Eun-jong: When should we go?]
[Choi Kangjoong: In three days.]
That was the time required for the Light Titan to reach the coordinates Joo Eun-jong provided.
[Joo Eun-jong: Yes, sir!]
[Joo Eun-jong: I’ll have everything thoroughly prepared!]
The chat, which felt noisy just looking at it, finally ended.
“There are only Dimensional Monsters there, so there shouldn’t be anything to prepare.”
Three days later.
A van pulled up in front of Choi Kangjoong’s house.
The back door opened, and Joo Eun-jong stepped out.
“Manager Son, I don’t know how long this will take, so stay on standby.”
“W-Where should I wait, sir?”
“Where else? At the Guild.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
“Your face looks good, doesn’t it?”
“N-No, sir!”
Manager Son Myeong-o hurriedly stiffened his expression. For an employee, a day without their boss was a true vacation, and his joy had been plain to see.
“Fine, just go on vacation.”
“Really?”
“If I’m not here, someone else will just try to order you around anyway. Just take a vacation.”
“Thank you!”
“And use this however you want.”
Joo Eun-jong held out his personal credit card. Manager Son was bewildered.
‘Why is he acting like this? Is it time for him to die? Or is he trying to fire me?’
No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t figure out Joo Eun-jong’s intention.
“What’s with that look? Do you think I’m going off to die?”
“No way, sir!”
“It was written all over your face.”
“A-Ah, no, it wasn’t!”
“Just take it already.”
“T-Thank you!”
Manager Son’s hands trembled as he accepted the card.
“I’m off.”
Manager Son remained dazed for a long time, even after Joo Eun-jong entered the open gate.
“It’s been a while, Captain!”
Joo Eun-jong gave a ninety-degree bow toward Choi Kangjoong, who was sitting in the living room.
“You’re here?”
“The house is nice. It’s the perfect size for living alone.”
“You think this is the perfect size for one person? There are plenty of empty rooms.”
“An exercise room, a home theater, a study, and an equipment storage room—wouldn’t you run out of space just by dividing it like that? Captain, how many rooms do you use?”
“I use one.”
The largest room on the second floor served as Choi Kangjoong’s bedroom, computer room, and study.
“If you say so, then that’s how it is! When are we leaving?”
“We’re going right now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“A Dark Elf is coming with us, so don’t be surprised.”
“I’ve never seen a Dark Elf before. This should be interesting.”
Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate to Marsala. As they crossed over, Sierra knelt on one knee while Dielka waved.
“You’re early. Who is this?”
“A younger brother I know, Joo Eun-jong. He said he needs Anti-Magic Shells.”
“An uninvited guest,” Dielka said coldly.
Joo Eun-jong didn’t hear her as he was busy looking around the Elven mansion.
“Let’s go.”
Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate near the Light Titan he had sent ahead.
“Take care while I’m gone. Got it?”
“Yes. Have a safe trip!”
Sierra saw Dielka off. Choi Kangjoong, who thought she was coming along, asked, “Isn’t Sierra coming?”
“She’s busier than me with higher education and knight training. Can I cross?”
Without waiting for Choi Kangjoong’s answer, Dielka hopped through the Gate. Choi Kangjoong and Joo Eun-jong followed.
“Oh my. I thought it would be soft, but it’s much harder than I expected.”
Dielka tapped the Light Titan’s Chitin Gauntlet with her foot.
“Ordinary magic won’t even leave a scratch on it.”
“It really looks hard to pierce. Can I try using a bit of Death Mana?”
“Go ahead.”
Choi Kangjoong hadn’t even thought of it, but hearing Dielka mention it made him curious as well.
Dielka pulled a knife from her thigh and injected a small amount of Death Mana into it.
The summoned Death Spirit flew to Choi Kangjoong and rubbed its cheek against his.
Dielka glared at it before slashing the Chitin Gauntlet.
The Shield was pierced by the unique offensive power of Death Mana, and a crack appeared in the Chitin Gauntlet.
The Death Mana spread, causing the surrounding Chitin Gauntlet to age and weaken rapidly.
It was enough to kill a human, but the Light Titan was massive, and thanks to its Rapid Regeneration, it ended as just a minor wound.
“As expected of Death Mana.”
“Right?”
“Whoa! What was that just now? Was that Death Mana?”
Joo Eun-jong cut in.
“That’s right.”
“You’re Dielka Nahromel, right? I’m Joo Eun-jong.”
Joo Eun-jong offered his hand jovially. Dielka pointed toward the Dimension Ship next to the Light Titan with a cold expression.
It was the ship of Do Seung-cheol, the Dimensional Fisherman who used to catch Sirens with nets. Joo Eun-jong had hired him through their previous connection and came all this way to find the Anti-Magic Shells.
“Why don’t you humans just go over there? There are plenty of humans on that ship.”
“My place is by the Captain’s side.”
“Your magic skills look pathetic. How do you plan on following an Outer?”
“Pathetic? I’m a prospective B-rank Mage! I’m even fast because I specialize in the gale element.”
“So you’re saying you’ll be a burden.”
“That’s not it…”
“Stop it. Did you come here to fight?”
When Choi Kangjoong intervened, Joo Eun-jong shut his mouth.
‘The process was different, but Dielka did end up becoming an Anti-Sound Shell regardless.’
Do Seung-cheol crossed over from the Dimension Ship.
“It’s been a while, Outer.”
“It has. What’s going on?”
“We ended up in the same place, so I came to say hello. I also have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the Anti-Magic Shells. It seems someone else is after them besides us. There’s detection magic set up near the habitat. That’s why we haven’t approached any closer.”
Do Seung-cheol scratched his head. Indeed, the Light Titan and the Dimension Ship were far from the Anti-Magic Shell habitat.
“They’re Dimensional Monsters. Finders keepers,” Dielka said.
“It becomes an issue if they’re being farmed. If they belong to the Elves, I might not recognize the markings.”
“What is there to worry about when I’m here?”
After Iselin acknowledged Dielka as a member of the House of Lords in the Elf Great Council during the public hearing, her pride had skyrocketed.
“Who might you be…?”
“You don’t know me? I am Dielka Nahromel, the only High Dark Elf in Marsala.”
“Ah! That person! Then there shouldn’t be any problem even if they are Elf-farmed.”
“And that is definitely not an Elf farm. Even the Elves haven’t succeeded in farming Anti-Magic Shells.”
“Then shall we go?”
“Hurry up and let’s move. I heard Anti-Magic Shells are delicious.”
Dielka urged them on, licking her lips.
Do Seung-cheol crossed back to his Dimension Ship and started the Mana Engine. The Dimension Ship and the Light Titan advanced.
“The detection magic sent a signal somewhere,” said Joo Eun-jong, who had been observing the detection magic.
Before long, something flew toward them from the opposite direction. Dielka was the first to recognize its identity.
“An Ogre? No, it has two heads, so it’s a Twin-head Ogre.”
Twin-head Ogres had larger, more powerful bodies than regular Ogres and were simple monsters capable of using basic magic. Choi Kangjoong prepared to draw his Chitin Blade, and Dielka notched an arrow to her bow.
“Why is it approaching when there’s only one of them?”
“I’m curious too.”
Normally, even a Twin-head Ogre should have fled upon seeing the Light Titan and the Dimension Ship. However, the Twin-head Ogre flew straight toward them.
“Stop!”
It even spoke.
“Could it be a Guardian?” Dielka muttered.
Guardians were beings granted power by dragons to protect their lairs or dimensions.
Dragons sometimes led a small number of them or designated an entire race spread throughout a dimension as Guardians.
“I am a Guardian of the great Nakstu! This place belongs to Nakstu, so those who are uninvited, begone!”
The Twin-head Ogre spoke with sheer arrogance. Dielka snapped back sharply.
“This place belongs to Nakstu? Did your master raise these Anti-Magic Shells?”
“He enjoys Anti-Magic Shells that grow naturally. This is a place he has personally marked to visit soon, so you Dark Elves who only know how to act like pirates, get lost before you are punished!”
“Hey! Do you know who I am? Where is that lizard bastard Nakstu? Tell your master to come out!”
“Do not insult him! I will tolerate it once because I am generous, but if he finds out, divine punishment will rain down upon you!”
“Outer, let’s just kill this guy first and then think.”
Choi Kangjoong nodded. Essentially, the creature was claiming ownership of shells in the open ocean just because they found them first.
If it had spoken politely, he might have considered showing some respect.
Anti-Magic Shells lived in other places too, and Choi Kangjoong didn’t need every single one there.
Even considering the Evolution Code and the ones to share with other Elves and people, 110 to 120 would be enough.
However, he had no desire to back down against a Twin-head Ogre that lacked basic manners.
“You can tell a dragon’s personality just by looking at its Guardian. That Nakstu fellow must be petty and arrogant.”
Dielka notched an arrow and drew her bowstring.
“To defy me! As expected, Dark Elves are stupid!”
The Twin-head Ogre deployed a Shield and flew toward them while swinging its club. Dielka released the string.
The arrow, which had even swallowed its own sound due to the Death Mana, advanced like a ghost.
*Bang!*
The Twin-head Ogre’s Shield was easily shattered. Its hide, which was tougher than steel thanks to mana, was pierced like a sheet of paper.
The power of an arrow steeped in Death Mana, which could penetrate the Light Titan’s Shield with just a small amount, was immense. That was the end of it. The Twin-head Ogre died instantly.
“Bravo! Nice shot!”
Joo Eun-jong clapped his hands. The corners of Dielka’s mouth curled up slightly.
“Let’s eat. No, I mean, let’s harvest them.”
Dielka revealed her true intentions. The Light Titan and the Dimension Ship approached the Anti-Magic Shells.
The Anti-Magic Shells were clustered tightly on a small Dimension Boundary. As Dimensional Monsters with powerful magic resistance, they didn’t budge at Joo Eun-jong’s magic. The Light Titan opened its massive mouth and began crunching them.
“So this is an Anti-Magic Shell! I’m finally getting to taste one!”
They started a fire on the deck of the Dimension Ship and placed the Anti-Magic Shells on it. A salty yet savory aroma drifted through the air.
Choi Kangjoong, Dielka, and Joo Eun-jong all salivated. The fragrant scent drew the crew members toward them.