Blowing Up the Fish Pond (3)

Shocking! Hundreds of Abyss Beasts Suddenly Drop Dead, The Truth Is Horrifying!

Share Now! The Fall of Constantinople Was Actually Because of This!

Why Did Abyss Creatures Wail All Night? Why Did Countless Mercenaries Abruptly Fall Asleep? Was It a Decline in Morality, Or the Deliciousness of Black Tea? Let Us Walk Into Science, Walk Into Urban—

“Why make it so exaggerated…? It’s just a max-level character clearing low-level mobs, that’s all.”

I couldn’t help but interrupt the dramatic, yet pathetic, narration.

As I mentally played the elegant music of BV17E41147AJ, I gazed into the distance.

I had reached the fifth layer of Sandra’s Abyss, commonly known as the “Great Corridor.”

This area was far more expansive than the previous four layers, almost entirely devoid of obstacles like stone pillars or walls.

However, the darkness permeating this space was denser than any before, and the air was thick with a putrid stench.

Faintly, I could discern numerous mushroom-like, placenta-like growths on the ground.

For those who can’t imagine it, please refer to Junji Ito’s Uzumaki, chapter 11.

“Sigh, so many years have passed, and the Abyss is still this damn place…”

I found myself reminiscing once more.

Humanity’s records detail two of the most severe Abyss disturbances.

One occurred six hundred years ago, when an Abyss Beast named Mazinus appeared in human territory.

Another was four hundred years ago, when the Abyss Four Sisters, led by Dunashangzhuo, emerged in demon territory.

Both incidents required the intervention of several Apostles and Venerated Lords to quell the situation.

As for the most severe incident in the past decade… ugh, it seems that happened during my tenure.

Two months after I took office, the Caruso Great Abyss, the largest in human territory, spiraled into chaos.

A rare, intelligent Abyss Beast named Gay-er caused immense trouble.

After expending significant effort to eliminate it, I even got lost within the Abyss.

If I had to mention it, my debut opponent, the Great Sea Siren Bangarnon, also possessed Abyss bloodline… such memories are too painful to revisit.

Nevertheless, the opponent I faced this time shouldn’t be as troublesome.

It was merely a common beast tide.

The Abyss is indeed a place brimming with distortion and darkness, yet these shallow regions are akin to a five-foot-deep pool in a swimming facility for me.

The Abyss Beasts here are generally not strong, nor particularly intelligent, posing no real threat.

They are, however, perfectly suited as mounts.

“Child, move faster.”

I kicked the tentacled, bat-like Abyss Beast beneath me.

It immediately hastened its pace obediently.

The chains of dominance, extending from my hand, tightly coiled around its neck.

Such low-level creatures could never resist me, Kos.

ROOOOAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!

ROOOOAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!

ROOOOAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Three overlapping roars echoed from above.

I initially assumed three Abyss Beasts had arrived simultaneously, but a glance upward revealed a single colossal, three-headed flying dragon.

It bore a striking resemblance to King Ghidorah, albeit with blue-black scales and octopus tentacles for a tail.

It roared, spitting black energy orbs at me, which were essentially condensed, murky Abyss energy.

It was a highly inefficient method.

Allow me a quick explanation.

Our world is saturated with diverse energies: light energy, thermal energy, various elemental energies, and wandering magical power.

These are all phenomena long understood and utilized by humanity.

In truth, the Abyss is much the same.

Energy itself has no inherent good or evil; it’s simply that Abyss energy is too turbid for humans to readily harness.

Yet, for me—

“…as long as I can ‘understand’ it, its use presents no difficulty.”

The murky energy, now under my command, gathered at my fingertips.

Opposite me, the three heads of the colossal flying dragon, attempting to play ‘Ace Combat,’ had also amassed considerable energy, each maw clutching a black orb.

Did it intend to clash beams with me?

“My apologies, but slowly gathering energy like that—”

ROOOOAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!

“—is certainly less efficient than my direct dominion. Even getting into position won’t help you.”

BOOM!!!!!!!!!!

Darkness was swallowed by an even greater darkness.

Violent winds raged within the shadows.

Once the dust settled, the hideously ugly three-headed dragon had transformed into a headless one, which, ironically, made it look slightly better—

GUH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

However, a fourth head erupted from its belly, hissing and spewing black fire at me… What was the point of that?

Before the black fire could reach me, the neck of this new head was tightly ensnared by my chains.

A forced contract was established in an instant; an Abyss Beast of this caliber was still far too inferior compared to me.

I took a shallow breath and commanded—

“Commit suicide.”

Guh… guh guh…

It struggled for a moment, attempting to resist.

“Commit suicide. That is an order.”

I repeated my command.

…………

And so, it obediently twisted its neck, used its massive maw to tear open its own chest, and crushed its own heart.

Deep within Sandra’s Abyss, in the spiral passage between the fifth and sixth layers—

A mercenary group, numbering over twenty individuals, advanced steadily.

Each member was fully armed, with clearly defined vanguard, main force, and rearguard positions.

Their movements were synchronized and precise, comprising hardened warriors, seasoned mages wielding staffs, mechanists surrounded by robots and drones, drive-swordsmen equipped with exoskeletons, elf-summoners commanding spirits, and psychics dressed with distinct flair.

To integrate such a diverse group indicated an experienced, veteran mercenary company, known as the Vultures.

“Everyone, we’re almost at the sixth layer. Stay vigilant.”

“”””””Yes, Captain!””””””

Under the command of the Vultures’ captain, nicknamed Clam, they progressed with unwavering resolve.

Any Abyss Beasts encountered along the way were swiftly eliminated through their exceptionally tight coordination.

Even the larger Abyss Beasts that had routed other mercenary groups in the first four layers failed to pose a significant challenge to them.

The team members were invigorated, their formidable strength and reliable captain filling them with confidence, allowing them to navigate even this depth with ease.

Moreover, there was a rare beauty among their ranks now.

Investigator Aimira Milala, from the Ninth Apostle Investigation Committee.

As a special envoy, she held the authority to request accompaniment from local personnel to special regions—such as Sandra’s Abyss—for her investigations.

For ease of movement, she wore a short trench coat over her attire, swapped her high-heeled ankle boots for sturdy leather ones, and donned tight pants over her original stockings.

This ensemble, paired with her still somewhat youthful face, imbued her with a unique charm.

The presence of such a beautiful young woman further motivated the men in the group, each eager to impress her.

Initially, they had considered her a burden, but they quickly realized she was adept at self-preservation and never caused trouble, so they accepted her.

Indeed, her presence seemed to accelerate the team’s progress.

“Everyone, please wait… The moon is in Scorpio, Orion and Venus are intersecting, the eighth house is askew…”

She paused, manipulating a modern electronic device—her phone.

She wasn’t using it to remotely control machinery like some avant-garde mechanists, but rather to operate a very common app.

It was a mini-program built into a social media app, displaying information on constellations, zodiac signs, and celestial phenomena.

It was used for simple divination games and was very popular among young women.

However, for her, it was different.

“Um… Mr. Sniper? Two o’clock direction, elevation 17°. Could you please take a shot?”

“Understood!”

The team’s sniper raised his explosive sniper rifle, pulled the trigger toward the spot she indicated—with a bang, an octopus-shaped Abyss Beast, camouflaged by changing its skin color to blend with the darkness, was blasted down.

Seeing its ambush fail, it squealed and gurgled, attempting to flee, only to be immediately focused down and eliminated by the other team members.

“Amazing, Miss Aimira!”

“I never knew astrology could be so precise!”

“Any thoughts on joining the group? What’s the point of being an investigator? Come join us!”

“Ahaha, everyone, you flatter me. My skill is actually quite ordinary…”

Facing the team members’ praise, Aimira’s face flushed slightly.

She shyly covered her face with her phone, a gesture so adorable it made hearts flutter.

“But… you said you were an astrologer before becoming an investigator. I thought you’d use something more… well… how should I put it? A more formal astrolabe, but it’s just a phone?” one team member asked curiously.

“After all, it’s just for confirming celestial positions. This app is sufficient.”

“So powerful! Miss Aimira, Miss Aimira, can you calculate my fortune?”

“Uh, about that…”

“You rascals, we haven’t left yet! Keep moving!”

Captain Clam roared, and the team immediately resumed their advance.

They were now almost at the sixth layer.

If no dangers arose, they would spend the night in a temporary safe house established by the Mercenary Guild in the sixth-layer passage, then proceed with further exploration tomorrow—

“Captain, please wait,” Aimira suddenly called out to the captain.

“What is it?”

“The celestial phenomena seem a bit off. This alignment… appears to be a tremendously ominous sign.”

“A bra…?”

“An omen.”

A hint of tension entered Aimira’s usually gentle voice.

The captain dared not be negligent.

Just then—

“Captain! Look ahead!”

“Huh?”

Just as they were about to reach the ground of the sixth layer, a figure suddenly appeared before the team.

It was cloaked, its head obscured by a hood, standing silently at around two meters tall.

No one knew when it had appeared; by the time they reacted, their path was already blocked.

“…Hiss…”

It emitted a hoarse growl.

Something seemed to float within the darkness beneath its hood, and tentacles extended from beneath the hem of its cloak.

“It’s a humanoid Abyss Beast…”

“This one looks quite eerie. Be careful.”

They immediately entered battle-ready stances.

The Paladin captain raised his great shield, and the two mages erected thick barriers.

“Miss Aimira, please step back a bit—”

A kind-faced Lancer beckoned Aimira, who was not adept at combat, to retreat.

He was just about to show off in front of the beautiful young woman—

The mysterious Abyss Beast raised a tentacle, and a dark blur flashed from its tip.

Everything happened in an instant.

The captain’s great shield had a corner sliced off.

Both layers of magical barrier were pierced simultaneously.

The Lancer, eager to show off, had the arm holding his spear severed.

The events unfolded with terrifying speed.

Blood from the Lancer’s severed wrist splattered across Aimira’s face.

“Eh…? How…”

Before she could fully react, the monster unleashed its full oppressive presence.

Twisted.

Shadowy.

Crushing.

It felt as if countless maggots were crawling all over one’s body.

“This thing is…!”

“A LEADER BEAST!!!”