096. In Place
"Dunno. That's up to the Puppeteer."
The corpse of the Colorful Cyster lay there. The Necro Puppeteer didn't spare it a single glance as he walked past. Looked like he had no interest in turning it into a puppet.
I wasn't particularly interested. But since the allies were curious, I asked.
"Necro."
Did you call me?
"Why didn't you turn that Colorful Cyster into a puppet just now?"
I ignored it because turning that thing into a puppet would be a waste of ability, but if you want it, Gauntlet, I'll go back and make it one right now.
"Nah, no need. I was just curious about your criteria for puppets."
...Hm. No real criteria. If I like it, I make it a puppet. If not, I don't. That one was too big, so I didn't like it. Plus, all those garish colors—didn't even want it as synthesis material.
That's what he said. A totally trivial reason.
Whatever, I didn't care either way. Puppets weren't my concern. No point forcing him if he wasn't into it.
Passing the Colorful Cyster's corpse, the exploration team kept diving deeper into the sea.
Then.
Oh. Master. I forgot to mention earlier.
Neo Hyung-seok turned his head slightly toward the Puppeteer following behind.
There are monsters down here in the deep sea you absolutely shouldn't run into.
Monsters we shouldn't run into?
Yes. Running into one leads to... bad things...
As Neo Hyung-seok continued—
Woooooom—!
A massive vibration shook the deep sea.
Neo Hyung-seok halted his dive and sighed.
...Speak of the devil.
A shape rose from the depths below. A giant earthworm... no, at a glance, it resembled a dragon.
The Blood Jellyfish Princess tilted her head at the monster.
Huh? That's the dangerous one? Looks super weak.
It's neither dangerous nor strong. But it has one annoying ability. Looks like it's using it now. No way to dodge, so we just have to take it—
Before Neo Hyung-seok finished—
Flaaash—!
A blinding light filled the deep sea, and Iris's screen went black.
The exploration team stood at their starting point again. The uninhabited island with the door to the cave.
The distance to the mech factory is far, sure, but situations like this can drag it out to weeks.
Neo Hyung-seok explained: The monster they just encountered was the Deep Guardian. Guardian of the deep sea... or rather, its own territory. It instantly banishes intruders with its ability.
Its territory boundaries are unknown, so no way to avoid it. Best to hope luck's on your side and you don't run into one.
Eeeek...!
Fuming, the Blood Jellyfish Princess clenched her fists and glared at the sea.
Dad! Can I drink all the seawater?
"No."
I shut it down firmly.
Eh? Why?
If Dad says no, then no.
Simple reason: Sucking up all the seawater would make every sea monster our enemy.
The ocean is vast. Who knows how many monsters lurk in its depths—or what powerhouses.
Not just SS-grades. Maybe even SSS-grades.
Turning them all hostile? Suicide.
Once I explained kindly, the Blood Jellyfish Princess finally got it.
Neo Hyung-seok. Was that the only one?
No, not the only one.
How many then?
Dunno exactly. Probably dozens.
Got it.
Kinogine Arachne chatted with Neo Hyung-seok, then abruptly extended an arm and snapped her fingers.
In that instant—
Kieeeek!!!
A Deep Guardian, pierced by a single thread, was yanked violently from the sea.
"Kino. You threaded it before the banish?"
Yeah. Sprayed thread the second I saw that worm to null its ability. It connected, but the nullifier didn't work for some reason. Still, got it out onto land—lucky.
The Deep Guardian dragged ashore was soon fully bound in thick threads from Kinogine Arachne.
Dad. Kill it before it uses the ability again? Don't know where it'll banish us this time...
No need to kill it. Can't use its ability out of water. And of course your nullifier didn't work—Deep Guardian's banish is near-absolute.
"Near-absolute?"
Yes. Limited to water, near-zero combat ability—but that banish is top-tier. Works on almost everything. Won't on Solorbs or Giant Bone Find, obviously.
"Figures SSS-grades are immune... But SS-grades too? Headache. Can we counter by killing before it activates?"
My original body tried—sent fast monsters like Bastet. Success or failure? Debatable...
Neo Hyung-seok scratched his head, then continued.
Killing a Deep Guardian still triggers instant banish.
"......"
"Hyung-seok."
Yes, Master. Neo Hyung-seok here.
"Do Deep Guardians banish each other if they meet?"
Not sure. But they probably never meet—they rarely leave their territories.
"Never meet... But it'd work on each other, right?"
Probably. They can banish, but not resist it.
That gave me an idea. A super simple counter.
"Right. First, tame this Deep Guardian. No one moves till it's done—rest up."
Tame one, then have it preemptively banish others in the deep sea.
But why didn't Min Hyung-seok think of this? Dumbass?
