Chapter 126 – Anomalous Phenomenon

Across the ocean, in California.

A man with graying hair named ‘Jayden Green’ was…

“Sigh…”

He let out a sigh while looking at the screen, which was changing by the second.

“I know it’s the Apocalypse… but isn’t the workload a bit too much…?”

For the past few months, he hadn’t slept more than three hours at a time. He was a radar observer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In Korean terms, he was a civil servant working for the Meteorological Administration.

His original role was to look at clouds and forecast the weather. Sure enough, on the screen he was watching, red and yellowish blobs representing clouds were squirming.

The problem, however, was…

“Is this a Harpy Swarm?”

Lately, it felt as though Monsters were being observed more frequently than clouds. Because of that, his role was no longer limited to meteorological radar observation.

Suddenly, he wasn’t just a weather forecaster…

He had become a Monster Forecaster, issuing bizarre predictions such as: ‘Localized Harpy Ambush expected in Southern California today at 14:00. Weather: Clear.’

Perhaps because of this, he now handled not only meteorological satellite data but eventually military satellite information as well.

Naturally, his status had risen tremendously.

‘Well, I suppose it’s a relief that they treat me well…’

That was why, despite complaining about the murderous working environment, he ultimately strove to complete the tasks given to him.

It was only natural that he and his family were included in the priority list for rations. He even had escort guards attached to him at all times.

Especially after the Situation became seriously dire.

The National Guards of California, Oregon, and Washington—states bordering the US West Coast—merged to form the [Western National Guard].

The first thing the Commander-in-Chief did was…

‘I look forward to working with you.’

He personally visited Jayden’s office. It spoke volumes about the influence Jayden had on the defense of the West.

Jayden was that competent, but…

“Ah, it’s doing this again.”

Lately, he had been racking his brain over a certain ‘Anomalous Phenomenon.’ His Aide, hearing his lament, spoke up.

“Is it happening again today?”

Whenever that happened, Jayden would always request to have the photo printed once more. Today was no different.

“Print this out again for me.”

It was like a ritual, as if he were trying to deny the very existence of this ‘Anomalous Phenomenon.’ Only after pathologically comparing the newly printed, identical photo…

Did he ask his junior, as if desperate for any help.

“What on earth do you think this phenomenon is?”

“I don’t know. Could there be a malfunction in the satellite’s transmitter?”

Every time, the junior would tilt his head and offer what he thought was a reasonable deduction, but Jayden would react with blatant disgust upon hearing it.

“That’s impossible. Then why is this only happening in the Pacific Ocean?”

After staring at the photo for a long time, Jayden finally had to admit it. That this ‘Anomalous Phenomenon’ was ‘reality.’

“This is just absurd…”

Yawning, he handed the photo to his Aide. He seemed to want it out of his sight as quickly as possible because he hated looking at it.

The Aide took the photos reflexively and was about to ask what he should do… but seeing Jayden’s expression—exhausted and unwilling to think about anything—he gave up.

There was no way he’d get a good answer by asking at a time like this. Instead, he decided to examine the photos in Jayden’s stead.

They were radar satellite images spanning the entire Pacific Ocean.

‘Wow, there really are a terrifying amount of them.’

The entire Pacific was packed with aerial Monsters. However, on the other hand, the phenomenon that had been causing them headaches for the past few days was clearly visible.

‘This is the problem…’

Above that sea of aerial Monsters, there was an empty space where the Monsters had vanished, as if someone had used a chalkboard eraser to swipe them away starting from Japan.

‘Hmm… I feel like I’ve seen this pattern somewhere before.’

He thought for a moment.

Then, as if suddenly remembering, he shouted.

“Ah! Wasn’t this very similar to when William’s fleet crossed over from Korea last time?”

Jayden narrowed his eyes at those words…

“It is certainly a similar pattern. But listen…”

He began to deny it.

“Even while being escorted by ‘those’ Aerial Motherships from the Magitech Civilization, they barely managed to carve a path across the Pacific. Those traces were swallowed back up by the wave of Monsters within a few hours. But this…”

He took out a ruler and examined the empty space among the Monsters.

“Look here. The diameter easily exceeds 200 miles (320km). Who in the world could travel around while shooting down every single Monster within a 200-mile radius?”

“Uh… you’re right.”

“I truly wish such a person existed. If there is someone like that, they are humanity’s only hope. The person who will save us from these damn Monsters.”

“…I’m sure that’s true.”

Then Jayden sighed.

“Whew… still, I’m glad I’m not the only one seeing it this way.”

It was then that the Aide’s eyes widened.

“Dr. Jayden?! Does that mean…!”

“Yes. I’ve thought so from the beginning. I just wanted someone to confirm it. Let’s report this directly to the Commander-in-Chief.”

“Ha… hahaha…”

The Aide laughed hollowly.

Watching him, Jayden swallowed his remaining words.

‘And if, by some miracle, this really is a person… I’ll have to add a sincere piece of advice that we must align ourselves with their faction by any means necessary.’

Strictly speaking, Jayden was not in a position to give advice to the Commander-in-Chief. That was why he had never once offered direct advice to the Commander-in-Chief until now.

It was because he trusted that the man would handle things well on his own.

However, this was an exceptional situation. And exceptional situations required exceptional measures.

‘Just this once, I’ll cross the line.’

Jayden steeled his resolve.

* * *

Meanwhile… the Pacific Ocean.

The fleet causing the anomalous phenomenon was cruising.

Using the Observation Ship, I shook my head as I watched the Monsters approaching once again.

“These guys really don’t know when to quit.”

Roughly estimating, it seemed like every Monster within a 300km radius had been knocked down. Perhaps because of the Mutant, the Monsters kept swarming in steadily.

Well, it didn’t really matter.

“Rai! I’m counting on you again!”

“Yes, Boss!”

I simply had to operate my fleet and Rai.

Rai, in particular, had learned about Artifact Creation Methods while we stayed briefly in Incheon.

Having been a blacksmith from the start, he quickly acquired the new techniques and was now running the ship’s Artifact workshops with the assistance of Deokchan and Seongjae.

And this was very important for him… because his ability was to create afterimages of things he had personally crafted.

And right now…

“Shipping the product!”

Going beyond a simple Kukri.

Kwakwakwakwang!

He was leaving behind afterimages of the Artifacts he had created.

Furthermore, with the supporting fire of the Stealth Interceptors and the artillery barrage of the Photon Destroyers, the Monsters were being obliterated.

Seongjae was admiring the fleet’s firepower.

“This is basically a Monster eraser.”

Seongjae had no idea that someone on the other side of the planet was feeling exactly the same way.

* * *

Meanwhile. A few days later.

Jayden was facing the Commander-in-Chief of the Western National Guard.

“Dr. Jayden.”

“Yes.”

“Could you explain exactly what this means?”

“It means exactly what it looks like. If the entity crossing the Pacific is a person, we must absolutely…”

“No, I understand your point. However, I find this matter quite surprising. You are someone who usually never adds such commentary…”

Jayden felt a sense of firmness in the Commander-in-Chief’s words.

“Yes, but given the situation, I felt it was necessary.”

Jayden nodded awkwardly. The Commander-in-Chief gave a suspicious smile at Jayden’s behavior and shook his head.

“Then let me ask. Dr. Jayden. Didn’t you estimate last time that a single red dot represents six thousand Monsters?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Then, estimating the speed of the moving object in this photo, would it be fair to say that this something is… removing approximately 100,000 Monsters every hour?”

“I believe it’s even more than that.”

At those words, the Commander-in-Chief shook his head.

“Then… Dr. Jayden. Have you heard about the newly reorganized Western 1st Regiment?”

“Yes, isn’t it the undisputed strongest unit in the West, consisting of the most powerful Ability Users and equipment?”

“Correct. Currently defending the Sierra Nevada mountains, which serve as the border of California… I pride myself on it being not just the strongest in the West, but the strongest unit on Earth.”

He then looked Jayden straight in the eye.

“It is the biggest reason we are still alive today, even though those damn Easterners gave up on us.”

“I am always grateful for your hard work.”

“I am merely doing what must be done, Dr. Jayden. Anyway, do you know how many Monsters it would take for the Western 1st Regiment to be annihilated?”

“…I don’t.”

“It is top secret, but I will tell you. Approximately 80,000.”

“I-is that so…?”

“Yes. And I don’t mean 80,000 per hour; I mean that if there are simply 80,000 Monsters, everything in the West will be completely smashed.”

Jayden’s expression turned pale.

“But Dr. Jayden, you estimate that this thing is removing 100,000 Monsters per hour. At 100,000 per hour, that’s 2.4 million a day. In a week, it would easily exceed ten million.”

The calculation was precise.

Jayden’s face went white at the Commander-in-Chief’s words.

He had just learned the concrete figures of how his family, home, car, and workplace—and indeed the very city he lived in—could be wiped out.

It wasn’t surprising.

The Commander-in-Chief looked at Jayden and spoke.

“So, is there any evidence that this is a human?”

“There is none.”

The Commander-in-Chief added quietly.

“Dr. Jayden. Because of the achievements you’ve made so far, I will let it slide this time. But from now on… I will not accept such ‘advice’ anymore.”

Jayden lowered his head once more.

“Of course, if that object really is human… you are right. Naturally, joining that power would be the best path for you, me, our families, neighbors, friends, and everyone. But there’s no way this could be huma—”

Just as the Commander-in-Chief began to gently admonish Jayden, someone suddenly knocked violently on the door.

Bang bang bang!

It was the Commander-in-Chief’s intelligence officer.

“What is it?”

“Commander-in-Chief! A communication from Apoin. Right now, the Lord of the Magitech Legion is crossing the Pacific!”

Upon hearing those words, the Commander-in-Chief and Jayden…

“…”

“…”

Simply stared at each other in silence.