The voice that came on the radio was all too familiar—it was her mother, Aegir's governor.
[My fellow countrymen in Aegir, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.]
I want to assure you all, but the situation is urgent.
[This is the closest Aegir has ever come to destruction; a terrifying enemy is approaching, this time...]
We may not be able to defeat them.
[All areas are surrounded, including escape pods.]
This is a fight to the death with no way out.
I'm sorry... I can't find the words to comfort you.
Please say goodbye to each other.
The people stood frozen in place, taking a long time to grasp the fact that their homes were about to be destroyed.
The city fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of noise.
There were few cries; people acted silently and efficiently.
Those with the strength prepare their weapons, willing to give everything for the city's final battle.
Those who are powerless bid farewell to their beloved ones.
Some artists frantically scratched their heads, their inspiration flowing like a spring in the moments before destruction.
"Draw it! I have to draw something!"
After knocking Brandus unconscious and handing him over to the guards, Gladiia broke the sound barrier and headed to rendezvous point 3.
She naturally had questions in her mind and wanted to confront that woman.
But now that the other side has made such a declaration, the crisis facing Aegir may truly be at a critical juncture.
The broadcast continued, but Gladiia had lost all interest in listening.
"Captain! What happened...?"
"Shut up, do something."
The hunters fell silent. Once their gear was on and seawater had filled the area, they stepped once more into the familiar abyss.
But when everyone assumed a fighting stance, ready to meet the enemy, they were met with deathly silence.
The Seaborn remained motionless. Their faces, identical to the hunters', wore eerie smiles as they silently watched them.
No one spoke, only a chill ran through them.
Gurgle--
It sounded like a heartbeat, or like the sound of a heavy object falling into water.
The hunters' hearts skipped a beat, but they immediately dismissed the latter idea—this was the dark, deep sea; what could possibly fall from the surface to this place in an instant?
Gurgle--
The sound rang out again, seemingly coming from all directions.
The broadcast was transmitted into the sea through a special interface, and the governor's voice sounded like a eulogy.
Gladiia felt a sense of absurdity.
Is this something that proud woman would say?
Where are Aegir's weapons?
Why not use those terrifying weapons built with singularity technology?
Is it fear of mutual destruction?
Gladiia shook her head.
No, if faced with a true threat of destruction, she didn't believe that woman lacked the courage.
The answer is obvious.
Gladiia was suddenly taken aback.
Weapons... ineffective against the incoming threat?
She closed her eyes and fell into deep thought.
The fact that hunters are needed to engage in combat indicates that this is not due to underwater geological activity.
That is a physical enemy.
Is it Seaborn?
Gladiia frowned. She had indeed witnessed Seaborn's new abilities.
But she didn't believe in so-called "Divine Miracles ".
Even if they could truly absorb kinetic energy, or even all energy, there must be limits.
But the woman's reaction didn't seem fake—or rather, she never acted.
Gladiia opened her eyes and scanned the abyss before her.
Let me see... what exactly are you afraid of!
Gurgle--
The sound rose again. The hunters noticed that Seaborn was beginning to disperse.
This did not bring any comfort.
The departure of an unsatisfied predator often signifies the arrival of an even more powerful one.
Gurgle--
The sound became clearer. A hunter opened his eyes wide and hesitated, saying:
"Is it too dark around here?"
The other hunters became alert. Indeed, even if this was a lightless abyss,
But with Aegir's light providing illumination, visibility shouldn't be this low.
Gurgle--
The sound came again, like a deafening roar, shaking everyone's heart.
Many hunters turned pale and covered their heads.
The rest of their companions changed color.
"Degradation!? At a time like this!?"
The hunters gritted their teeth and raised their weapons. If their companions were to Seaborn at this moment, they would have no choice but to swing their blades with painful resolve.
Gurgle--
The strange noise returned, and this time none of the hunters escaped its grasp.
Not only the heart, but also the chest cavity, muscles, and even blood all pound wildly in that instant.
The light dimmed further. Aegir's bright radiance could only illuminate a small area.
Gladiia was breathing rapidly, but she was still trying her best to perceive her surroundings.
She finally realized what was wrong—
What about ocean currents!?
Where are those ocean currents that should be everywhere and perceptible!?
The seawater around them was like solidified liquid. Eventually, some of the hunters could not bear it.
A hunter charged into the darkness, his weapon swung at an unseen enemy.
Before Gladiia could stop it, everything fell silent.
The hunter stopped abruptly, as if he had run into a wall.
While the other hunters were still confused, Gladiia's body had already stiffened.
She was familiar with this reaction.
The hunter who had charged out slowly turned around, revealing an expression that was both crying and laughing.
There's a wall ahead...
Before anyone could grasp the meaning of these strange words, the hunter's terrified expression drew their attention to where he was looking—
It was right behind them.
The hunters felt a chill run down their spines. With so many hunters, it was impossible for anyone to sneak up behind them undetected.
Gladiia's hands unconsciously clenched.
When did the broadcast stop?
Someone asked a question instinctively, but no sound came out.
Tranquility is the only thing that matters at this moment.
Silence. Then, everyone turned around together.
He swung his weapon behind him—but there were no enemies.
Can...
I have no hometown.
Everyone stood there, stunned.
What about their city?
Where is that brightly lit Aegir?
Has the lighting been turned off?
No, there is still light.
Everyone looked up, following the light.
The weapon slipped from his grasp and sank silently to the bottom of the sea.
What is that...?
The hunters stared blankly at the scene before them, some even bursting into laughter.
Four arthropods descended from the upper sea and seized Aegir, lifting this top-class city like a doll.
Arthropods... indeed, they are arthropods.
It resembles the limbs of an insect, only magnified many times over.
So large... large enough to casually mention an entire city.
Gladiia felt the ocean currents resume their flow, and the light suddenly shone brightly.
Above, Aegir illuminated the seabed like the sun, but everyone wished it would go out at that moment.
They saw--
Giant claws reached out from both sides and seized their home.
Its mountain-like body slowly stretched out, stirring the currents of the deep abyss.
Why have the ocean currents stopped flowing? Because the entire ocean area has been enveloped by them.
Why has the volcano stopped roaring? Because the ravines have been filled in.
The Behemoth stretched its body, Jormungandr, the mythical creature that encircles the world.
Even the most skilled hunters, faced with this mythical "prey," can only feel profound shock and powerlessness.
The surviving hunters also laid down their weapons. Faced with the sea itself, they were powerless to resist.
Only one person--
A white streak flashed across the abyss, and Laurentina's gasp was swallowed by the silence.
Gladiia stared intently at the Behemoth above.
Compared to this, the tiny figure is but a speck of dust.
She doesn't believe in God!
Even if the opponent's body is unimaginably large, it is still just a larger prey.
Aegir had the ability to hunt Him—so why didn't He retaliate?
Beyond singularity technology, Aegir possesses many other powerful abilities; there must be a way to defeat Him!
She doesn't believe in God.
If external attacks fail, then attack internally; if internal attacks fail, then tackle the genetic level!
If there truly is a God, why wait until now to take action?
Could it be that God truly has such a perverse sense of humor, finding pleasure in watching mortals struggle?!
Gladiia kept sprinting, climbing upwards along the "mountain range".
She doesn't believe in God...
She returned to Aegir's side and saw the Behemoth's head.
We also witnessed Aegir's counterattack...
Those powers they were so proud of did not cause the slightest ripple.
Like a giant Behemoth.
It came silently.
Vanished silently.
Through the dome of Aegir, Gladiia saw her mother.
[Let's escape and go help other cities.]
She could read lips, but she couldn't read her mother's eyes.
The scars she left behind were clearly visible beneath her eyebrows and eyes, but the expression on her face was one she had never seen before.
Gladiia closed her eyes, and suddenly had an answer to Brandus's earlier question.
She was indeed... still arrogant.
The hunter turned and fired at the Behemoth along with his spear.
Her hair was too soft to be tied up like the other hunters'.
At this moment, her long, flowing hair resembled a silver-white cloak.
In the city, a crazed painter watched this scene and frantically wielded his paintbrush.
Paint was splashed, and the usually fastidious painter let it cover his entire body without any regard for the fact that it was splashed.
Such behavior permeated every corner of the city—at this moment, the artistic spirit of all the Aegir seemed to be ignited.
They created frantically, trying to record something, but then gradually stopped.
The figure was clearly charging upwards, yet it gave the illusion of constantly sinking.
It's not the Warriors who are sinking...
The Behemoth has awakened.
The sound suddenly returned. A momentary cacophony filled the entire sea, only to be drowned out by an even louder roar.
The Behemoth stretched its body, its mountain-like limbs dancing, tearing the flat Daichi to pieces.
Caught up in this sudden movement, Gladiia tried her best to adjust her body with the ocean current.
When she stopped, she was already in front of the Behemoth.
The deep blue fissures unfolded, like two gates rising from the seabed leading to another world.
Then, the deep blue moon rose from the abyss.
Gladiia's weapon fell limp. Even though it hadn't left her hand, she no longer had the strength to swing it.
The Behemoth emitted a peculiar buzzing sound, which was not harsh but rather pleasant to the ear.
He carefully put the city back—leaning and unstable, like building blocks about to collapse.
He paid no attention to Gladiia, just as one doesn't notice dust in the air.
He left, as quietly as he had arrived.
The silence had vanished, yet the seabed remained speechless.
Everyone saw the two deep blue moons and clearly recognized a fact.
Gladiia closed her eyes and let her body sink quietly into the abyss.
He... possesses wisdom.
[Vane: Damn it! What the hell did you pull out!?]
[Leviathan (feeling wronged): Something shiny on the seabed...]
[Vane: Is Aegir anything? Bah! Aegir isn't anything... Tsk! Let's just say they are, couldn't you pick a smaller one?]
[Leviathan: Sorry...]
[Vane: You can apologize!? You went online... no! You joined the We Many chat?]
[Leviathan: Is that not allowed?]
[Vane: Let me clear out some inventory...]
Vane scratched his head wearily as the massive arthropod easily shattered the underwater mountain range.
Vane: "..."
He had imagined Ishar-mla would create a powerful body, but he hadn't expected it to be this enormous!
How can Vane's feelings at this moment be described?
It was like being told you you'd won a vehicle in a lottery, which the organizers described as luxurious enough.
You might even guess it was a Rolls-Royce, but instead they delivered a tank.
Would you dare to drive it?
Anyway, Vane wouldn't dare.
Control was returned to Leviathan, and the raging ocean currents instantly subsided.
Vane suddenly remembered Vera's words:
[Do you even realize that you've created a group of life?]
Although he did not create Leviathan, he did inspire its consciousness.
At this moment, Vane truly began to value these lives that he regarded as "batteries".
(They really need to be taught properly...)
Vane smacked his lips as he ventured deeper into the We Many, clearing away unpleasant memories while pondering Seaborn's future path.
They truly no longer need to fight.
With their [Immortal Bodies ] alone, they can even rush into the sun to draw energy.
Ultimate Ishar-mla is the only recorded survivor of the lumberjacks, but now there are probably the We Many.
As expected... ascending into the starry sky is the inevitable destiny of the Seaborn.
Vane's thoughts were racing, but he never felt any joy at this immense power.
Instead, all that arose in his heart was confusion, and... a trace of fear.
When he found himself holding a city—a city home to millions of lives—as if it were a toy,
In that instant, he felt not an abundance of power, but something was flowing away from his spirit.
For the first time, he truly experienced--
The tilt of [human] towards [non-human].
This feeling gradually faded as he withdrew from Leviathan's body, but it still disgusted him.
Can a person's mental state be affected by their physical body?
Vane searched his memories: family, friends, brothers... none of those emotions had been forgotten.
But he did clearly sense that something was being lost.
At the same time, a question suddenly came from the Group Chat.
[Gregor: Vane, what are you doing?]
[Vane: Huh? Nothing.]
Vane felt a little flustered and instinctively denied it.
[Vane: Why are you suddenly asking this?]
[Gregor: It's nothing, it's just... I'm suddenly feeling a little uneasy.]
[Vane: Huh~ Boss, you're not here for some comfort, are you?]
[Gregor: Maybe it's just my imagination...]
The familiar tone put Gregor at ease, and Vane gradually emerged from his dazed state.
Thanks to his earlier recollections, he suddenly remembered that there was indeed a "treasure" hidden at the bottom of the sea.
Most Aegir cities rely primarily on hydrogen energy, but geothermal energy was the first energy source the Aegir mastered.
In the Herculaneum Volcanoes, a Mobile City of Aegir has been abandoned.
Linculanum is one of the few cities in Aegir that primarily relies on geothermal energy.
Although some kind of supercharging technology may have been used, Vane didn't care.
The city was swallowed up early in the eruption of Seaborn, which was located at the bottom of the Seaborn at the time.
It unfortunately became the first place to fall.
So many years have passed, it's impossible for any survivors.
This is a city abandoned by Aegir, and also one of the many treasures buried in the deep sea.
After receiving an affirmative answer, Vane asked Leviathan and then ordered him to turn around.
[Vane: Boss, would you be interested in powering a city?]
[Gregor: You didn't rob someone's Mobile City, did you?]
[Vera: You...]
[Vane: Absolutely not! It's an abandoned underwater city!]
(Image. jpg)
[Gorth: You're not hiding something again, are you?]
[Vane: What do you mean "again"?!]
[Vera: Every time you bring up a new topic, it's definitely to cover up something else... Are you sure you didn't cause any trouble?]
[Vane: No! Uh... at least I didn't directly cause any trouble!]
[Gregor: Never mind... as long as you know what I mean. But I'm far away, so I probably can't be of much help.]
[Vane: It's alright, it's alright, those Fire Grand Knights will do.]
[Gregor: Okay. Anything else?]
[Vane: Hmm... there's one more thing.]
[Gregor: said.]
[Vane: When you, Boss, are at full power and invincible, do you feel anything special? Like... like you've lost something?]
[Gregor:...]
[Vane: Boss?]
[Gregor: Do you think I've changed?]
[Vane: Absolutely not! The boss will always be the boss!]
[Gregor: Then you'll always be fourth.]
"..."
Vane stared at the message for a long time before finally writing a reply.
[Vane: If I hadn't been a little late in assigning dorm rooms... I'd be the boss!]
[Gregor: Want to be the boss?]
[Vane: Yeah!]
[Gregor: You're still 20,000 years too early.]