Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Afterparty
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The torn upper body burst through the water's surface and flew into the air. Blood rained down like a storm, soaking Ian head to toe in red. He wiped his face and stared straight at the fleeing form.
“…….”
It was an Oni. The upper body of a human attached to a massive Oni head shot upward against gravity, spraying blood. A roar exploded from its gaping maw, shaking heaven and earth.
[Ooooooh!!]
[Be silent.]
At that moment, black spines erupted from the sea, piercing the Oni's upper body and dragging it back down. Water exploded outward with a massive splash, and the pirates who hadn't yet disembarked hastily cut their grappling hooks and fled.
[Monster battle! Run for it, fuck!]
[Fuck! Is that a Kraken?!]
[It's worse than that! Raise anchor, quick!]
Rumble!
The anchor dropped from the pirate ship was hauled up with a deafening clamor. Sails unfurled, and the black pirate flag whipped in the wind.
But they couldn't escape. Red eyes bloomed across the sea surface, swarming like piranhas to devour the ship and its crew in seconds. Not one lasted even a moment before crumbling to dust.
“……Unbelievable. Those weren't weaklings.”
Lee Seo-ah muttered, drenched in blood just like Ian. Instead of replying, Ian gripped his Grimoire tight and glared at the water below.
Nothing was visible. Only the eyes floating on the black seawater filled his view. Whatever was happening down there remained a mystery.
One thing was certain, though.
[Aaaaaagh!!!]
The Producer was slaughtering the Outer God's minions.
[A dog that can't bite just barks.]
Ssssssh...!
Each time the sea churned, blood and organs sprayed in every direction. Horrific screams contrasting the Producer's low voice vibrated the air, drawing small Oni from all sides.
It was meaningless. The moment they surfaced, they became chunks of meat sinking into the depths. No one could tell what killed them. The eyes merely shifted, and limbs and torsos disintegrated without warning.
Sudden death.
That was their cause. Ian let out a hollow laugh and swept back his blood-matted hair.
“Maybe it's the ocean boosting its potential.”
[It is.]
The Producer responded to Ian's soliloquy, its voice echoing from the ocean depths.
[The outer sea here is far less restricted than the true Outer Sea, but a sea is still a sea. I can move far more freely than on land.]
“……Does that apply to the other creatures too?”
[Yes.]
Splash!!
One Oni arm tore free and sailed through the air, slamming into the cruise ship's edge. It twitched before going limp.
[So if the chance arises to fight at sea, releasing them wouldn't be a bad idea. They'd probably go wild with joy.]
“……Would that be good for me?”
[The ocean is vast. Once released, they'll swim off and hunt the local sea life on their own.]
“What if they attack humans?”
[Hm. Regrettably, humans aside from you, Contractor, are no concern of mine.]
With that, the Producer slowly emerged onto the surface.
At its side dangled a dead Oni head, tongue lolling out. The head, dripping red blood, had been gruesomely torn open like a flower. Red flesh formed the petals, the brain its stamen.
[Handled.]
The Producer extended the head toward Ian as if showing it off.
[If it's alright, may I eat this?]
“……I ordered you to eat. Go ahead.”
[Thank you.]
The Producer bowed its head slightly, then opened wide and crunched the Oni head. The sounds of bone and flesh grinding, mingled with faint screams, rang out clearly.
[Apologies. Creatures eaten by me always make such lovely noises. Not pleasant for human ears, I imagine.]
“……I'm fine. Is it over now?”
[Yes. I sense the space collapsing.]
As the Producer spoke, the horizon's edge began crumbling—sky and sea folding away.
Space dissolved like scattering ash. The Producer glanced back before submerging halfway.
[Once the collapse finishes, everything here will resolve. The location remains, but we'll be free of the Anomaly.]
“…….”
[I wish you a safe return. I'll take my leave here.]
The Producer closed all its eyes and bowed its upper body like a formal farewell. As Ian exhaled to reply, the Producer spoke first.
[Finally, a message from Her.]
“What?”
[She awaits you.]
Drip.
With that, the Producer vanished. Ian stared at the spot for a moment, then wiped his face and leaned against the railing. Lee Seo-ah, who had been blankly watching, sidled up beside him.
“……You don't have that Grimoire too, do you…….”
“…….”
“……Yeah, pretend I didn't ask. I won't pry.”
“Thanks.”
Ian gave a bitter smile, tucked the Grimoire away, and reached into the pocket where he kept his cigarettes.
Nothing. He'd tossed the crushed pack long ago, and the last one from the final mast had been smoked after the battle.
Such a waste after rationing them. He sighed deeply and tilted his head back.
The spatial collapse had reached the cruise ship. Like an iris-out in a movie, everywhere but the ship was swallowed by pitch darkness—as if it had never existed.
That wrapped things up on the cruise. The aftertaste wasn't perfect, but it wasn't bad. He'd learned why the Outer Sea creatures targeted him and confirmed cults and Outer Gods tied to Cthulhu mythos. Not a total loss.
‘The one who provided the Anomaly... no idea who. But definitely no good intentions.’
Some freak distributing Anomalies to others. He knew not everyone Anomaly-related was a saint, but seeing it firsthand felt off.
It was brief. Ian sorted his thoughts, took in the darkening space, and slowly closed his eyes.
No need to track the provider personally. Unintended involvement, no grudge, no big deal.
Passing info to the Management Bureau should suffice. They'd handle it.
‘Finish the commission, rest up, focus on recovery for a bit.’
With that in mind, Ian steadied his breathing.
Moments later, as the sea scent brushed his nose, the space fully collapsed.
*
In the end, the commission succeeded. As space crumbled, the Anomaly shut down, returning them to reality. They gathered the unconscious survivors inside the cruise ship and called the Cartel. The Cartel didn't refuse.
Surprisingly, the Cartel had a service for clients stranded mid-ocean. Yacht instead of helicopter, but otherwise like Indemnitas.
Ah, pricier. Still, solid service. Worth it.
“Here's the USB. This caused the disappearances. Survivors are still inside.”
They handed over the USB as proof.
A black USB appearing post-collapse. Nothing special visually, but its aura was alien. It stayed fixed in midair like plugged in, so the Cartel took it without question.
Solid proof meant first payment wired on the spot. Second after assessing survivors.
Not desperate for cash, so no complaints. Timing didn't matter.
After a day on the yacht, they set foot on Korean soil again.
“Good work on the commission. Hope to see you again.”
The Cartel staff dropped them at Incheon Port and left. The two yawned and strolled off.
“Feels like forever since I touched land…….”
“It has been. Hungry?”
“I was fine, but now I am.”
“Then let's eat. What do you want?”
“Buffet, buffet. Saw one on SNS—great vibe in Incheon. Always wanted to try it.”
“Let's go there.”
Their bike waited untouched in the lot. Ian donned his helmet familiarly and seated her behind. Lee Seo-ah eyed the new bike with curiosity and nerves.
“This safe?”
“Grandmother's magic on it—no issues. No spare helmet, so we ride as is. Okay?”
“If it's safe. But isn't this illegal?”
“Not if we don't get caught.”
Ian chuckled and revved the engine. Lee Seo-ah laughed and hugged his waist tight.
“Oppa, gun it!”
Vrooom!
He twisted the throttle on cue. RPM spiked, and the bike shot from the lot toward the buffet, wind whipping their faces.
Sadly, the buffet didn't live up to the hype.