124. Dispatch #2
As the chats from the helpers scrolled at the edge of his vision, Iris analyzed the dispatched world while scanning the planet it currently occupied.
And then.
It deduced that the planet had been destroyed by invasion from a certain race—and that the invading race was likely the root of its own species.
"Root, huh... So you're saying those monsters are the ancestors of your kind, Iris?"
> Negative. Not ancestors. The Ancient Labyrinth referenced astral code when creating us. Thus, 'root' is the accurate term.
Iris, a newly created species, added that calling them ancestors was inappropriate for that race.
They weren't imperfect beings like those ones.
The astral code had been thoroughly analyzed, flaws eliminated, strengths maximized—to rebirth them as perfect entities.
Omega had recently explained it.
Hard to detail, but roughly racial data or genetic info... or more simply, like unique species values.
He'd also heard that the Ancient Labyrinth created life in various ways.
Absorbing and analyzing corpses of explorers, drifters, intruders, etc., from other worlds, recreating superior beings.
Or, with living external beings, reading their astral code and world origin info, influenced thereby.
More often influenced by explorers in those cases.
Or combining labyrinth-native creatures.
Or creating entirely new astral codes without reference—pure invention.
And so on.
> The Ancient Labyrinth has many beings born from external influences. I am one. Melody Fox, Art Pega Unicorn, slimes, and many others are recreations analyzed from external astral codes.
In a way, the Ancient Labyrinth was a place that absorbed weak creatures and evolved their species.
Into perfect S-grade+ threats.
"But what are the odds? You were dispatched randomly to dimensions, and out of countless worlds, you hit the one with your roots..."
As for the question, Iris offered two hypotheses.
> Presumed higher probability for worlds linked however slightly to dispatch subject or Ancient Labyrinth.
> Or equal odds, meaning that race exists across countless dimensions.
"A race existing across countless dimensions?"
> Affirmative. Could be a species that dimension-hops, invading planets.
Indeed.
Iris's hypotheses made more probabilistic sense than pure coincidence.
Whatever the reason, it didn't matter much.
What mattered now was whether constructive negotiation with that race was possible.
Communication shouldn't be impossible.
Despite appearances, they seemed highly intelligent.
Smooth interaction likely.
Signs on the road were readable, so translation worked fine.
Anyway.
To install the Dimensional Altar Installation Ticket without issue, hope they weren't overly aggressive—or dumb enough not to gauge strength.
"Iris. Head to the surface first and link up with Black Magma Slime-003. Grab any nearby one and try talking."
> Acknowledged.
With that, Iris and Black Magma Slime-003 headed toward the city.
While peering into Iris's feed.
He glanced at the helpers' chat.
Hwang Mi-reu's question stood out.
"Varies by monster. Some stay small in the Ancient Labyrinth, others are at natural size."
"Haven't confirmed, but probably not."
While bantering with the helpers.
The dispatch team had reached the city outskirts.
Iris spotlighted a lurking monster nearby.
> Threat level detected.
> E-grade.
I could sense threat levels too.
Even across worlds, linked to it.
But didn't stop Iris reporting.
Tedious to relay myself constantly.
Anyway.
The creature Iris showed: human body topped with a massive eyeball.
> Elimination order on standby.
"Don't attack yet. Try talking fir—"
> Kii, eeeeek? Kiiiiiek!!!
The eyeball monster, spotting the team late, screeched and charged.
Not the communicative type, apparently.
Iris concurred, ordering Black Magma Slime-003 to attack.
> Hostile detected. No negotiation viable. Eliminating. Black Magma Slime-003, engage.
> Sung?
> Attack initiated.
> Sung!
Black Magma Slime-003 lobbed a small magma turd.
It hit the eyeball monster square,
> Kieeeek!!!
which writhed helplessly in agony before melting entirely away.
> Judged higher-threat individuals needed for negotiation.
"Seems so. Low-threat ones lack intelligence too."
After eliminating the eyeball monster.
Art Pega Unicorn, watching Iris's feed beside him, thrust out her sketchbook.
［Explorer, drawing complete.］
"Already?"
Finished in that short time.
Today's "Otherworlder Bestiary" was all hers.
She'd been bummed missing last time, so he yielded specially.
He took the bestiary and checked the drawing.
⚔ Threat Level:E-grade
"Well drawn."
［Thank you!］
Art Pega Unicorn smiled contentedly at the praise.
Merino Ulla praised her too after seeing it.
"Well drawn-yang. Head pat for praise-yang."
［Thank you!］
After checking the bestiary.
Back to Iris's feed.
Iris and Black Magma Slime-003 were entering the city.
Shortly after,
> Different species life signs detected.
Iris halted, turned sharply, zoomed in.
A monster-overrun building appeared.
On its surface.
—"Ughhh..."
A person in a strange helmet and spacesuit-like gear, entangled in tentacles, groaning faintly.