Terraforming Tokyo
Terraforming Tokyo was as noisy as ever today. The roar of cars racing across asphalt, the clatter of subways crossing tracks, the endless murmur of crowds pouring out. A city that should have been filled with the sounds of everyday life was now dominated by the shrieks of monsters.
"Kieeeek!"
"Kyaaak!"
Today, all those noises would unify into one. For a moment, only screams would echo through the city.
Atop the spire of Tokyo Skytree, I stretched my body straight like shedding a cocoon. A cool breeze swept over me under the glaring sunlight. I extended my senses. The sensation spread with the wind, blanketing the entire city. Monster positions and numbers across dozens of kilometers appeared like dots on a vast map.
Wider than Seoul, but far fewer monsters.
Probably because players had been running around here longer than in Korea. Korea had been in turmoil due to the previous administration's issues when I stepped in.
This'll end faster than I thought.
Japan's land area was about 3.8 times Korea's. I'd expected it to take that multiple in time, but no.
Suits me just fine.
I raised one hand toward the sky. Murderous mana began infiltrating Tokyo's heavens. With a rumble, the sky started to churn.
······Looks like I'll get home early for some chicken after all.
Spicy or soy sauce?
Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka—death rained down relentlessly. Whenever the sky turned red and space twisted, thousands of monsters vanished without a trace. The strongest being to cross dimensions was pronouncing merciless annihilation upon countless lives.
Prime Minister Yoshida couldn't hide his shock at the speed that defied common sense.
"No way... this can't be real?"
Countless red dots on the tablet screen. Blink, and another would disappear.
Even deciding to deploy players to Korea took so much agonizing...
Korea with Sertina, China with tens of millions of players. After much deliberation, he'd boldly chosen Korea. A decision that could have sealed Japan's fate. But Yoshida had hit the jackpot on his all-in bet.
"My choice was right...!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, he clasped his hands, convinced. The best thing he'd done since becoming prime minister was helping Sertina.
After days of effort, Japan's monsters were finally thinning out. Higher-grade ones were actually easier to handle. They broadcast their mana waves everywhere like shouting "I'm right here!", so even without active senses, their positions lit up the map like pinned coordinates.
The problem was the sneaky small fry hiding away.
"Still, I've cleared most of the visible ones."
No more strong ones left, so players could handle the rest without worry. The remnants topped out at D-rank at best.
And now, where I was...
"Lady Sertina, please have one too!"
A grand banquet hall. A thank-you event courtesy of the Japanese government. Japanese cuisine lined the tables alongside lavish dishes from around the world. Purple liquid filled crystal wine glasses as camera flashes popped.
The food's good.
I speared a mini pork cutlet and popped it in. The deep sauce melded with the meat, spreading satisfaction. Fresh ingredients, top quality—no complaints.
Spoon and chopsticks darted between plates and mouth. Especially this sushi—it hooked my tongue. Cha Eun-joo had insisted I try raw fish at first, and I'd thought she was telling me to graze like a cow, but once I tasted it... it melted silkily, unleashing heavenly flavors.
"Yawn... sleepy."
After eating, I posed for photos with Yoshida in front of the press. Keeping a safe three-step distance, of course. He'd helped me out, so giving him a good image wasn't a bad deal.
Still, no getting too close!
I turned to the window and stretched. A big yawn later, the sunset had vanished beyond the horizon, darkness rolling in.
Visible monsters are mostly gone, so Japan's players can mop up the rest.
The lavish banquet wound down as Cha Eun-joo summoned the airship at the entrance.
"We'll be off now!"
"Thank you so much for coming. We'll treat you just as well next time."
VIPs bowed deeply. With the government's farewell, I boarded the airship and sank into my seat.
"Let's head home."
I was dying to flop into bed. The government had provided a presidential suite in a top hotel with full service, so no real discomfort, but still—home sweet home.
"Heh."
Back home, I dove straight into bed without turning on the lights.
Poof—familiar cushioning, my unique scent. My bed is the best! Don't underestimate it—full luxury options that rival any hotel!
Hehe, I hugged the pillow and rubbed my face in, savoring the cozy bliss.
Then, the room lights snapped on.
"Eek."
"Laaady Sertiiina?"
In the bright light, someone drawled the end of my name. I slowly turned.
Yunsia and Tier stood there, hands on hips, faces fuming mad.
"Wh-what...?"
"You gotta shower first when you get home!"
"Lying straight in bed gets it all dirty!"
"Ah, no, I don't mind..."
Before I finished, Yunsia and Tier had hooked arms under my pits—one each—and hauled me up like a resisting prisoner.
"Come on!"
"Time for a refreshing wash!"
"Nooooo..."
With a blank face, I was dragged toward the bathroom.
In a world beyond human detection, an invisible realm. Hundreds of displays hummed in a lab-like space of pure white. Dozens of robed researchers bustled about.
Er pointed excitedly at a monitor.
"Oh, Miria! Check this out! Earth's mana density is spiking steeper now!"
"Really? Hehe, told you—the compatibility test was spot on. It'll be livable soon enough."
Miria smiled warmly. Er clenched a fist, eyes sparkling.
"Our new home... can we really look forward to it?"
"Of course. Just gotta clear out those pesky mortals first."
Coexistence with native organics was impossible. The immortals knew this well. Mortals couldn't survive the overwhelming mana overload from immortals' mere presence over time.
"This planet's got time running out."
Er gazed wistfully out the window at an alien star painting the sky red.
"Can't be helped. Our cores generate mana like perpetual engines. That's what keeps us immortal, after all."
Each immortal was a massive generator, mana seeping across the planet and accumulating. Too much, and the planet collapses under the strain. Immortals inevitably moved to new bases.
"Finding suitable ones is tough. Needs life-support conditions and planetary mana affinity above threshold."
"Yeah, that's why we're steadily ramping Earth's mana. Low density halts our core generation."
Little by little, over time. Like a drizzle soaking clothes. Careful not to overwhelm the migration target with excess mana. For a more livable environment. And tastier, too.
"Right, Er. Any anomalies since last time?"
"Huh?"
"Earth's mana density. At first update, it converged to zero."
An unknown entity had absorbed all the mana meant for Earth. Immortals had suspected that one. Immortal Killer. Even HQ had flipped out. If it—or something equal—existed and died, Earth's mana would've fluctuated noticeably.
But no signs.
Er rolled his eyes thoughtfully.
"Oh, that... No changes since. Maybe Earth's adaptation was lower than expected?"
"Hmm... fair point. Still, let's run updates periodically, just in case. Due for one now, right?"
"Yep! Tomorrow."
"Good. Heading out first—hang in there."
"See ya, Miria!"
And so, the day of Earth's third update arrived. Inevitably affecting Sertina too. But this time, no one—no nation—dared touch her.
"......Peaceful."