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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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Chapter 480

｢The target is fleeing in a miniaturized state.｣

｢Running away, is it.｣

Walter tracked the fleeing enemy with his eyes. Through the goggles of his helmet, he saw the creature shaped like a pink balloon receding into the distance.

‘To shrink its body that much...’

He already knew that sea demons could alter parts of their bodies sprouting extra tentacles, inflating themselves, and so on.

But to warp itself as extremely as that monster just had he’d never seen anything like it before.

‘So it really is a mutant, then?’

He’d heard it was a mutant, so he had factored in unpredictable behaviors like this. The real thing to watch out for was its temperament and intelligence.

‘It shrank itself to evade the attack, and even cut off the area struck by the APNC.’

For this hunt, he had prepared harpoons loaded with APNC (Anti Psychic Nanite Cartridge).

Normally, nanomachines that eroded psychic power would have continuously sapped a sea demon’s strength. But the creature had minimized its damage by immediately severing the area struck by the harpoon.

‘It’s clever no doubt about it.’

Deciding to be even more cautious, Walter halted his pursuit.

｢Let’s regroup and resupply for a moment.｣

｢Roger!｣

Now that the cordon was complete, escape was impossible. Walter gathered the hunters in the area.

His team was made up of humans, Cult, cyborgs, a mix of races. Species aside, every one of them was a veteran hunter.

And that’s not all. Each had been outfitted with gear perfect for this hunt: reinforced suits to withstand the intense pressure of the deep sea, dive helmets equipped with breathing apparatus, and even jetpacks modified for underwater use.

Everyone except Akira’s butler wore the equipment required for underwater combat. Thanks to it, they moved through the water as skillfully as they would on land.

｢Still no sign of the three-headed demon?｣

｢No. The unmanned submarines are searching continuously, but it hasn’t shown up on radar.｣

At the Cult communications officer’s report, the wrinkles at the corners of Walter’s eyes deepened.

‘Still nothing, even after all this?’

The three-headed demon was a formidable hunter. The other monsters were basically attack dogs.

Just as Walter valued his team, that creature likely cared for its monsters. Sending only a single sea demon out alone was out of character.

‘Don’t tell me… It can’t come out to fight?’

According to Akira’s dossier, the three-headed demon sometimes entered a chrysalis to grow. That was the only time a monster could truly be rendered harmless.

If it really was in a chrysalis, keeping hidden would make sense. And without its leader, the other monsters wouldn’t appear either.

‘…A golden opportunity.’

Success in hunting sometimes came down to luck. This was a rare chance to capture both the three-headed demon and the sea demon with relative ease. Walter grinned, baring his teeth.

｢It seems likely the creature is in its chrysalis. For now, focus on taking down the sea demon.｣

｢Roger!｣

｢Cyborg hunters, ready your APNC cartridges so they can be used as scattershot.｣

｢But that will drastically reduce effective range.｣

｢The creature can detach any area struck by a harpoon. If you use scattershot to hit a wide area, it won’t be able to do that. While the others provide cover, the scattershot team will move in and unleash their firepower up close.｣

｢Walter, I’ll assist the scattershot team,｣ said Akira’s butler, who now looked like a blend of shark, human, and octopus.

Walter nodded.

｢Agreed. If the butler wounds it, focus your attacks there. The creature won’t last long.｣

｢Understood!｣

｢One last thing: I’ll check everyone’s psychic resistance stats. Report in.｣

｢All members holding at seventy-five percent.｣

｢Good. Cult and cyborgs, don’t let it fall below fifty percent. Humans, stay above seventy.｣

APNC harpoons weren’t their only preparation for the psychic war. They also carried drugs to resist mental attacks: the same medicine used by the Eye of Revelation priesthood against the Vortex One cult.

By taking this, they would gain temporary resistance to disorientation, panic, and other psychic effects. It was all in preparation for the illusions used by the sea demon and the three-headed demon.

｢All right, move in and keep up the pursuit.｣

With the checks finished, the hunting team and their drone submarine fleet set off again.

The cordon was already complete. It was obvious where the sea demon was fleeing; a signal from the target had been picked up deep below in a narrow ravine.

‘Trying to hide, are you?’

Apex predators of the ocean, reduced to hiding their bodies to escape this was almost laughable.

Of course, there was no room for carelessness. The hunters kept alert as they descended along the sheer cliffs of the ravine.

The cliff faces, sculpted by nature’s own hand, were steep. Countless caves riddled their surfaces.

‘As expected.’

Even at a glance, the structure looked extremely complex. If they hadn’t captured the creature’s biosignals, the search would have been next to impossible.

｢The signal is getting closer.｣

The moment of battle was approaching. Walter signaled his team silently to be ready for attack.

Tension peaked then, the communications officer shouted.

｢Multiple biosignals detected from the submarine!｣

｢Multiple? Where are they coming from?｣

｢Inside the cliffs! The biosignals are within the cliff caves!｣

No sooner had those words left their mouth than monstrous lifeforms burst from the cliffside caves.

｢Shadowhooks!｣

｢Everyone, respond!｣

Shadowhooks, with bodies like small whales and teeth shaped like hooks, were mid-tier predators in the ecosystem’s food chain.

These beasts stalked their prey in silence, using camouflage-like wave patterns, then snatched victims with hooked teeth to devour them.

Because of this, they typically moved quietly and alone. Charging en masse, as they were now, was highly unusual.

It was certain that the sea demon had driven the shadowhooks out of their burrows.

Its intent was obvious: exhaust the hunters’ ammunition.

Their stock of APNC harpoons was not unlimited. Use too many, and they might not have enough left when it came time to actually fight the sea demon.

｢Submarines, intercept the Shadowhooks.｣

Torpedoes fired from the android-controlled submarines slammed into the Shadowhooks. Though those creatures were tough, they didn’t stand a chance against a torpedo’s impact each one struck simply burst apart.

In an instant, the ravine was filled with flesh, blood, and swirling dirt.

｢Where is the Sea Demon?｣

｢It hasn’t moved from the bottom of the ravine.｣

It was practically daring them to come down, likely having prepared a trap.

‘There’s no need to play by its rules.’

The submarines were loaded with Epsilon-class bombs from the Star Union. Normally, these would be set up before use, but underwater, it was simple: just drop one directly above the creature and detonate.

｢Drop all the Epsilon-class bombs—｣

｢W-Walter!｣

The communications officer’s urgent shout cut off his order.

｢Message coming in from above! The cliff is about to collapse!｣

｢What?!｣

Even before the words were finished, the cliff crumbled.

｢Damn it! Everyone, take cover!｣

Boulders the size of houses rained down overhead. The hunters scattered quickly to evade, but the larger submarines weren’t so lucky. Struck by a merciless barrage of stone, they began to sink one by one.

The subs were as sturdy as spaceships—being buried by rocks wouldn’t destroy or sink them. The problem was that, until those rocks were cleared, they couldn’t move.

And that was exactly the enemy’s aim: to trap the submarines beneath the collapsed cliff.

｢The Sea Demon’s signal is approaching!｣

Through the falling rocks, swirling dust, and rampaging Shadowhooks, a pink blur darted past. The miniaturized Sea Demon was now right behind a hunter, jabbing its slender tentacle at the hunter’s goggle.

｢Urgk!｣

｢Kovek’s down!｣

｢Damn it!｣

With a brief scream, the hunter’s comms went dead. After killing one person in a flash, the creature instantly moved toward its next victim.

Walter offered a wry, disbelieving laugh.

An assassination in the chaos of battle–it was a level of tactical thinking far removed from that of any wild animal.

｢…How interesting.｣

He re-evaluated the enemy.

The one before him was every bit as worthy a quarry as the three-headed demon.

｢We’re switching to close combat. Maximize your jetpacks and shield output.｣

｢Yes, sir!｣

Walter readied a harpoon and charged at the creature that had just appeared behind a hunter.

The hunter turned and fired an APNC harpoon. The creature contorted its body into a donut shape, letting the harpoon pass right through.

Startled, the hunter hesitated for a split second. The creature didn’t miss the opening, thrusting a tentacle at the hunter’s head just as it had before.

｢Ah?!｣

Thanks to the heightened shield output, the result was different this time—the hunter narrowly escaped with his life.

At that moment, Walter closed in and stabbed his harpoon hard. The tip lodged in the tentacle, and the creature convulsed in pain.

｢Now!｣

As Walter held it, the cyborg hunters opened fire.

A rain of APNC scattershot fell upon the creature. No matter how skilled it was with psychic powers, stopping that onslaught wasn’t easy.

But the creature had another means of defense: it manipulated the floating rocks all around to form a shield.

Then it detached the impaled tentacle and quickly retreated.

As a living being, it couldn’t keep sacrificing tentacles forever. With time, it would be at a disadvantage.

｢Keep pressing in. Comm officer, keep track of any submarines that can be recovered.｣

They pursued the fleeing creature, descending deeper.

At the bottom of the abyss, the creature was waiting for them.

It stood tall among the rocks that had fallen to the seabed. Its body had grown huge again, signaling it intended to settle things here.

‘Just what I was hoping for.’

Silently, Walter gave the hand signal to attack.

The cyborg hunters, having landed on the sand, charged at it. Those wielding harpoon guns spread out in all directions, seeking the best angles for their shots.

The moment the cyborgs entered scattershot range, the rocks embedded in the ground all moved at once. The same boulders that had blocked APNC rounds now toppled toward the hunters.

They had already encountered this tactic once before, so everyone dodged the falling rocks with ease. While this distraction played out, the harpooners completed their formation and fired a volley.

The Sea Demon intercepted one harpoon with a tentacle, then struck the sand hard with its fin. A thick cloud of sediment exploded, obscuring vision.

Of course, the helmet’s detection system still worked perfectly. Obstacles like this were meaningless. Even through the murk, the hunters fired accurately at the creature’s tentacles.

As a result, the once-dominant predator started to falter. Severed tentacles littered the seafloor, increasing in number.

Perhaps sensing the danger, the enemy stopped manipulating the rocks and, instead, produced an immense number of tentacles from its entire body—whipping them so fast the water seemed to split.

｢Look out!｣

Tentacles thick as building columns lashed in every direction. Walter and a few others flattened themselves to the ground just in time to dodge.

Not everyone was so lucky. The cyborgs locked in close combat couldn’t escape in time.

The tentacle storm instantly shattered their shields. Their armor, made lighter for underwater battle, couldn’t withstand deep-sea pressure on its own. Without shields, they vanished without even a scream.

｢It’s reaching its limit! All firepower—!｣

Just as Walter was about to shout for everyone to unleash everything, something shot out from the sand and struck his abdomen hard.

｢Gah?!｣

｢Walter!｣

Walter tumbled across the sand, coughing blood. Through the blood-smeared goggles, he glimpsed a pink tentacle erupting from the ground.

That was the real reason the Sea Demon had stayed still at the bottom—laying down assassin tentacles in advance and waiting for the right moment.

‘But how did it target me?’

So many here were armed and equipped identically. And yet, it had singled out the leader with uncanny precision.

‘No—there’s one difference.’

Walter’s distinguishing trait was his hand signals. The creature had noticed him giving orders with gestures.

He had never imagined, after hunting only wild monsters until now, that something like this could become a weakness.

｢…Impressive.｣

Even in pain, Walter couldn’t help but admire the creature.

His shield was shattered from the latest attack. In a few seconds, the deep-sea pressure would crush him.

‘But it would be no fun to end like this.’

The old hunter prepared for one last desperate move.

Rising to his feet, he grabbed a small bomb strapped to his waist. Activating the timer, he charged straight at the enemy.

If the creature noticed, it didn’t show—it just swept its fin at him.

Moments before the fin struck, a powerful explosion engulfed the Sea Demon.

***

“Hyun-seo.”

“…Yes?”

The fragrant scent from the coffee on the mahogany table wakes me.

“Congratulations.”

The counselor sitting across from me smiles warmly and continues.

“As a result of our sessions over the past six months, your condition has improved remarkably. You’ve restored your relationships with your family, and your social life has made great progress. The world you perceive now is richer than ever before.”

The more I listen to his voice, the more at ease I feel.

‘That’s wrong.’

“Of course, the accompanying stress has also increased sharply, but that too is a good sign. It means you’re adapting to reality.”

“Stress?”

‘A lie.’

“Yes. The tension headaches you’ve frequently mentioned, the mild depression these are minor side effects that come with adapting. There’s no need to worry.”

He says it with certainty, as if his answer is definitive and all I need to do is listen.

“In any case, since you’ve made a complete return to reality, today will be our last session. Ah but you should continue your medication a bit longer.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

The session ends as uneventfully as always.

Stepping out of the hospital, I am greeted by an icy chill, but the street feels warm in contrast red stocking decorations and green trees are visible in every shop window.

Today is Christmas Eve.

“Hyun-seo!”

Someone calls out to me at the bus stop where I’m waiting. It’s Yu Si-hyun—my junior at university, leader in my club, and my girlfriend.

She looks prettier than usual, dressed up as she comes over.

“Did you wait long?”

“No, I just got here too.”

“Hehe, then shall we go?”

Today is our date. As always, we walk arm in arm down the street.

“That movie that came out a few days ago, I heard it’s really good—what do you think?”

“That one? The club was talking about it too, so I’ve been looking forward to it. Sounds great!”

“Okay. I’ve already got the tickets, so let’s see the movie, then grab dinner.”

“Then I’ll buy popcorn and drinks.”

We watch a movie I’ve been excited about with the person I love.

“Where’s this?”

“I came here once with my dad, while exploring hidden restaurants. It was really good.”

“…Let’s not. This place looks too expensive.”

“And for my second reason it’s not just delicious, it’s affordable.”

We have dinner at a restaurant full of old memories.

“Whew, that was a great meal.”

“Right? You know all the good spots. Share them with me from now on.”

“Nope. I have to save them for special occasions.”

“Fine, then from here on, I’ll do the escorting. Come on, follow me.”

We take a slow, peaceful walk through the park.

No big events, no jaw-dropping gifts just an ordinary date. But it feels perfect. And I know it’s not just me; we both enjoy Christmas Eve together.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Before I know it, the fun is over and it’s time to part.

“It’s getting late. We should head back.”

“Hyun-seo.”

“Yeah?”

“I told you, I’m supposed to escort you tonight.”

As we wait for the bus at the stop, she takes my hand and gets on a different bus not the one to my apartment.

“Huh?”

“I made a reservation. Let’s go.”

The destination turns out to be an upscale hotel.

“Ever since I started seeing you, I’ve been so happy. So I want to spend tonight together.”

Her cheeks flush as she confesses. My heart pounds so loudly I can’t speak, only nod.

Later, after showering first, I wait for her in the room. The quiet sound of water, the soft bed everything feels unreal. I never thought a day like this would come for me.

‘It’s a lie.’

I’d never been able to form a deep relationship with anyone. I always believed I’d spend my whole life alone and die that way.

‘That’s not true.’

Then Si-hyun, wrapped in a white towel, comes out. Is it because of the hot water, or her shyness? Skin not covered by the towel is blushing peaches.

My heartbeat is so loud I can hear it in my ears. She sits next to me, offering a faint smile, and gently closes her eyes.

She wants me. And I want her just as much.

‘Get a grip.’

As I put my arm around her waist, I can feel her trembling a mix of excitement and nerves.

‘Don’t fall for it.’

The thought flashes through my mind.

Maybe this moment is a turning point in my life. To love my partner, get a job, build a family.

If I just take one more step, I can leave behind everything from before I woke up. I’m certain of it.

‘This isn’t real.’

I lean down toward her. Her beautiful face draws near.

At that moment, a thought sparks through my mind like lightning.

Water all around, cave walls shaking as if about to collapse, and in the darkness, a lone shining presence. Scenes flash by as if someone pressed fast-forward.

I remember.

What those images meant, who the real ‘me’ is, how many times I’ve been in ‘this situation’ before all of it comes rushing back.

“I’m sorry.”

Instead of pressing my lips to hers, I kiss her forehead lightly, then rise.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget the kindness and love you’ve shown me.”

“Hyun-seo?”

She looks up at me, startled and confused.

“What do you mean…?”

“But I have to go now.”

It was truly a sweet dream. But now, it’s time to return.

To the place where my first friend and most cherished one waits for me.

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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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