Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: The Grotesque Prince
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"No...."
I was so flabbergasted I couldn't even laugh.
"No, why are the Grotesques getting wrecked?"
It was an absurd sight. The cosmic calamity that had destroyed countless civilizations, the Grotesque classified as a great thief by the strongest alliance in the greater universe, was getting smashed like an extra in a disaster movie.
But thinking about it calmly, it made perfect sense.
No matter how much of a cosmic calamity the Grotesques were called, since they operated across the vast universe, the forces they could deploy on a single planet were limited.
Only a great overlord created directly by the queen using her own power could reach the transcendent realm. And right now, there were six transcendent-grade monsters rampaging on this planet.
Even though the infection on the 98th Earth was complete, with billions of infected and hundreds of thousands of slayers, it was still impossible to handle six transcendent beings.
"Still, I didn't expect them to fight each other. Well, there's no reason for Grotesques and monsters to get along."
Of course, there was the question of why monsters had appeared on the doomed 98th Earth... but thinking calmly, it wasn't hard to guess the reason.
'As long as something's alive, it doesn't matter if it's infected or whatever. They don't discriminate.'
Monsters are "dropped" into coordinates with the highest concentration of intelligent life or where a powerhouse on par with that many exists.
This was a phenomenon occurring across the entire universe, happening fairly everywhere.
In other words, the Grotesques...
Were being "ordinarily" attacked, just like any other civilization.
"Anything can happen, huh."
I looked down at the 98th Earth from atop Replie and organized my thoughts.
It was a completely unexpected situation... but it wasn't a bad thing for me.
Paht!
I canceled Replie's summon. Feeling the 98th Earth's gravity pulling me down, I activated the system UI.
I opened the status window, then went into the class section.
★☆Job Change Complete☆★
Sword God (Mythic) => Void Lord (Mythic)
Right now, I had all the mythic classes with two each in warrior, thief, and sorcerer lines—three lines total.
A total of 18 mythic classes.
Not as many as Revenge's 23 mythic classes now, but it was an incredible array of options. More than enough to pick the best one for any situation.
I activated the trademark trait of the Void Lord.
Existence Denial.
Not only did my body turn transparent, but all presence and aura vanished completely. Even I couldn't feel my own body, like my consciousness was floating in empty space.
Focusing my senses to perceive my body, I pierced the atmosphere, stepped through dimensions, and descended to the ground.
[Ra! Eta! Edio!]
I spotted Shimgon yelling amid the tsunami crashing onto the southern beach.
Pajijijik!
To the north, a Thunderbird descending like a beam of light unleashed a storm of lightning.
Tens of thousands of infected and slayers screamed in resistance, but they died pathetically like toys.
'This is no ordinary mess.'
Careful not to be detected by the transcendent-grade monsters, I pulled out my mercenary registration card.
'Inventory.'
From the sub-space included in the mercenary registration, I took out the scanner I'd prepared in advance. It showed the location of the last rescue signal.
'Northeast, 217 km.'
Since I'd aimed for this spot from the start, the rescue signal location was very close.
'I should go. Oh, before that.'
I set down Cheda, which had been strapped to my back in backpack form.
'Cheda. Activate the spell I purchased.'
-The Magic Store cart has been opened.
Wung!
Concealed magic swirled around Cheda. For today, I'd bought orders worth over 100 million from the Magic Store.
'Tracking footage mode... range 1 km to 5 km.'
Strike while the iron's hot. With the unique environment and situation on the 98th Earth, plus footage of me—the rising star—completing my mission, it should sell for a good price.
'Of course, if luck's bad, Cheda might get spotted and destroyed... but that's unavoidable. It's an investment.'
Leaving Cheda behind, I started moving slowly. Thanks to the mythic trait Existence Denial, none of them noticed my presence.
No, even without it, they probably wouldn't have.
The 98th Earth was that chaotic.
Kugung!
Kwagwagwang!
Earth-shattering roars and shockwaves shook the atmosphere like the world was being remade.
Quite some time had passed since the transcendent-grade monsters appeared, and the 98th Earth no longer had any of the common terrain features of [Earths].
The continent twisted, the sea swallowing the land—a scene of total devastation.
Sseuk.
Maintaining Existence Denial, I climbed over a toppled mountain and crossed waters gushing with muddy floods.
Kugung... Kwang!
A volcano erupted.
'Talk about variety, seriously.'
I lightly stepped through the air. My Extreme Will Body could swim through lava without issue, but no need to leave traces.
Jing....
The scanner in my hand vibrated. It meant I'd reached the destination.
'...Nothing here.'
But looking around, there was nothing. They'd either left or used concealment or distortion spells to hide.
'Come to think of it, the rescue target...'
I recalled the mission info.
[Dr. Ceril Haruk]
Biologist affiliated with Ouroboros. Visited the 98th Earth for research papers, then lost contact.
8th-class master, commands two 9th-class spells, princess of the Tekea Federation.
'Yeah, definitely not some weakling. No wonder she came here confidently.'
Centering on the spot the scanner indicated, I began a wide-radius search.
"Death comes for you! Despair shall not end!"
"Kieek!"
"Blood Orcs! Rip the enemies apart!"
It wasn't just transcendent-grade monsters making noise on the 98th Earth; all sorts of monsters clashed with the infected, bellowing monstrous cries. Passing among them, I suddenly spotted something bizarre.
Paht!
Some monsters vanished into thin air.
I instantly arrived at the spot where they'd disappeared.
Wung!
My Extreme Will Body's [Resistance to All Things] activated, detecting twisted dimensional flows on my skin.
'...Found it.'
Jiiik....
I grabbed the dimension with both hands and carefully tore it open. With delicate motions like tearing a class card, the dimension split, revealing what lay beyond.
[This...! Mass-produced fake transcendent...!]
[Rattatuaka!]
Jjejeong!
Bracing Existence Denial against the shockwave, I crossed into the space. The tear healed in an instant.
'...Finally showed up.'
I saw the hideous monster fighting Shimgon.
A size rivaling the deep-sea chaos Shimgon. Insect-like carapace, ten wings spread wide, radiating light.
No matter how I looked at it, a monster—but given the situation, that couldn't be.
'Great Overlord.'
It referred to a Grotesque that had reached the transcendent realm.
A special existence created with particular care by the queen—either by securing an immense number of infected or through enlightenment elevating a slayer or Grotesque.
The incarnation of terror that had slain countless intelligent beings and scarred numerous civilizations.
That plague of the greater universe.
Jjeok!
[Krack!?]
Got smashed by Shimgon and crashed messily into the ground.
[Ge-eta! HA-HA-HA!]
Shimgon opened its maw wide and laughed heartily. The great overlord's face twisted.
[Th-this! Fake bastard!]
Bbaek!
A dazzling arrow of light struck Shimgon. Literal light speed—even Shimgon couldn't dodge.
However.
Chiiik!
The pierced hole healed in an instant. A chilling smile bloomed on Shimgon's face.
Kubang!
They clashed again.
'Shimgon will win.'
The great overlord was transcendent, but barely over the threshold. It couldn't beat Shimgon, level 22 powerhouse.
It might be a symbol of despair in lower civilizations, but among transcendentals, it was bottom-tier.
'Well, still a transcendental, so it won't die quickly.'
I moved slowly, undetected by them.
Too bad, but Cheda couldn't enter dimensional rifts, so I'd left it filming outside.
"Huh? The signal..."
A soft voice came. Beyond the hill where the two transcendentals fought, a cave hidden by strange magic waves.
I checked the scanner. It glowed blue. Guidance complete.
I entered the cave.
"Over there! Rescue team! Are you nearby right now? Help!"
Hearing the desperate voice, I entered the cave while maintaining Existence Denial.
"Ugh... Rescue team? What are you talking about, Dr. Haruk."
"Don't speak! You're bleeding! Hey! Is anyone around?"
A single Tyrannosaurus was cradling a person in its arms.
'Ah... that's new.'
It looked like a carnivorous dinosaur about to eat its lunchbox, but no. Because that Tyrannosaurus was the researcher I needed to rescue: Ceril Haruk.
'Dinosaur race.'
Ruling species of the Tekea Federation, an upper race with immense physical prowess and spirit aptitude. Despite the drawback of overly strong feral instincts leading to humans edging them out, they still commanded vast influence.
The problem was the human-looking man it wasn't.
"Why... are you holding that thing?"
Releasing Existence Denial, I stared at the man in her arms.
Violet hair, chiseled features, dark circles under his eyes and pale skin giving a somewhat decadent vibe—but undeniable stunning beauty no one could deny.
Seemed like he needed immediate rescue from the Tyrannosaurus's clutches, but reality was the opposite.
'This guy's... a Grotesque.'
Not some ordinary infected or slayer.
It even felt more special than a great overlord.
"Ah! You came! We need treatment, treatment!"
"'That thing' needs treatment?"
I was dumbfounded by Ceril's delighted reaction at seeing me.
'Not just any Grotesque, but clearly a high-ranking one, and she wants me to treat it?'
Absurd. And wasn't I an immigrant from the 98th Earth destroyed by Grotesques?
"Prince saved me and got badly hurt! If we leave him like this, he'll die!"
"...Prince?"
The odd name made me pause.
"Yes, he could've escaped anytime but did it for me..."
The massive Tyrannosaurus sniffled. I knew she was female, but the scene was impossible to get used to.
Her voice was even sweetly melodic like a nightingale.
"Uh... ugh. Don't say weird things."
Then Prince opened his eyes. Despite dozens of holes in his body, his eyes shone with spirit.
"Prince!"
"Not for you... for the research. The paper was almost done; couldn't let it go to waste... kugh...."
"Prince! Oh no! Hurry! We need to heal him fast!"
Ceril turned to me. I shook my head.
"My mission is to rescue you, not some unidentified Grotesque. Researcher Ceril. We need to leave now, so please shrink to your smallest form."
As a biologist and 8th-class mage, she could surely use transformation magic.
"...No."
"What?"
The Tyrannosaurus, head as big as my torso, shook its head stubbornly.
"We have to save Prince! Give me a potion or healing ampule!"
"No, what the—"
My face involuntarily scowled. Was this insane dinosaur head for real?
Paht!
Instead of nodding to the crazy request, I opened my inventory. Obviously not to grab a potion.
Sseuk.
I drew Hyperion.
"Ah, no, what are you doing!?"
As Ceril freaked out at the pitch-black blade, right before I unleashed sword aura—
"20 million Geralt!"
Ceril's shout made me hesitate.
"No, what the..."
"30 million Geralt! That's my limit!"
"......"
I thought about her words. 1 Geralt = 3,000 won on the 34th Earth.
'So 30 million Geralt is...'
90 billion.
"...Don't say ridiculous things."
I wavered briefly but shook my head. No matter how important money was, I couldn't spare a Grotesque.
I'd spent 150 hours to come to the 98th Earth; I planned to kill as many as possible anyway.
Wung!
I unleashed sword aura. And as I swung—
"...100 million Geralt."
Prince, cradled in Ceril's arms, spoke with difficulty.
"I'll give you 100 million Geralt."