Chapter 146 – Latent Power

Even while Arks were being built all across the globe…

“Will this amount of troops be enough…?”

I was in the midst of preparing for the next battle.

Of course, I had gathered all the knowledge. And most of the powerful Villains and Monsters, the sources of that knowledge, had already been eliminated.

However, I had not yet gathered all the materials for the Dimensional Barrier, which would bring this situation to an end.

Various mineral materials such as Adamantite, Mithril, and Aetherium were mostly obtainable on time. The problem was the High-Rank Nest Core. And that was something that could only be obtained from a Giant Nest.

Fortunately, in most cases, there was no reason for me to step in personally.

The Siberian Giant Nest, which possessed the Productivity Essence and was the most active in spawning Monsters, had long since been eliminated.

Furthermore, I had personally removed most of the things that posed an actual threat to humanity, such as the North American Giant Nest.

Therefore, there was no need for me to personally visit the nests located in places like Africa or South America.

[2nd Fleet, reporting vital energy. Currently heading toward the Giant Nest…]

My other fleets, including the 2nd Fleet led by William, were making the rounds in my stead.

“The problem is the last remaining Giant Nest…”

I examined the location shown by the Assistant AI.

The location of that nest was, incredibly, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

“An underwater nest, huh…”

It was embedded deep within the seabed.

* * *

What I stood to gain from eliminating the Pacific Nest this time was not simply a High-Rank Nest Core.

Pre-Apocalypse, it was said that maritime transport accounted for a staggering 90% of global shipping. And such maritime transport was currently at a complete standstill. Logistics were blocked.

Of course, Armored Transport Planes were still crossing the Pacific daily, carrying large quantities of goods. But it was a fact that the transport volume was insufficient compared to the past.

‘If I resolve the maritime transport… the cohesion of my faction will grow stronger.’

And modern container ships were enormous things, no less so than the Behemoth-Class.

For example, a Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier was not only nuclear-powered but also carried 5,000 crew members and featured immense amenities such as swimming pools and movie theaters.

On top of that, it did not neglect its primary duty; it was a monster capable of launching 12 aircraft per minute.

It was practically on the level of my Assault Landing Ship.

Yet, the displacement of such a Nimitz-class was about 100,000 tons. In comparison, modern container ships easily exceed 200,000 tons.

The Republic of Korea, in particular, was a maritime power whose constructed and operated container ships always topped the charts in terms of loading capacity and displacement.

‘The normalization of maritime transport is essential.’

Of course, there wasn’t much time left until the Predation Day—.

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-91]

‘Since it takes at least two to four weeks from Incheon to California…’

If I could manage just a few shipments between Incheon and the Western Alliance before then, it would certainly provide effective help to the speed of Ark production.

Therefore, the Pacific Giant Nest had to be eliminated as quickly as possible.

“I didn’t think this would be helpful.”

I smacked my lips while looking at the numerous machines derived from the Swimming Essence I had picked up for free in Vietnam.

* * *

The blue ocean.

And my fleet flying above that sky cast an even darker shadow upon the deep blue sea.

Looking at the center of that ocean through the Observation Ship, I muttered,

“Is it around here…?”

I gauged the location of the seabed Giant Nest.

“Shall we get started?”

For this operation, I increased the number of Assault Landing Ships to three.

Unlike my flagship Assault Landing Ship, the two additional ships had no amenities. They were packed entirely with machines—literally just for landing.

Of course, the Photon Destroyers and Aerial Motherships were with them as well.

This time, however, they were for escort.

This was because Photon Weapons were not suitable for use in water. They heat the air to the point of scorching; firing them into water would likely only create steam, leaving the Monsters intact.

It was a matter of poor compatibility.

Consequently, their role was limited to ensuring that no Aerial Monsters approached the vicinity.

Instead, I relied on other machines. I began rapidly deploying the Submersible Patrol Craft, which looked like blobfish and had been used since long ago.

Whish—

The blobfish-like craft began dropping from the three Assault Landing Ships. They began scouring the underwater area, quickly clearing the vicinity.

Slash! Clang!

“Good.”

As usual, they were exerting powerful destructive force.

But… perhaps it was because this was the vast Pacific Ocean.

“The firepower is lacking…”

Something was missing.

‘That’s why I prepared this.’

The Submersible Patrol Craft were merely basic underwater combat units that my Legion could produce. This time, I began deploying the Super-Large Class Submersible Escort Ships derived from the Swimming Essence.

Whish—

Thump— Thump! Thump!

The machines dropped refreshingly into the sea.

The Submersible Escort Ship was a higher-tier machine than the Submersible Patrol Craft, with a body shaped like a long eel and numerous blade-like fins on both sides.

“Now, let’s see the performance.”

The results of deploying the Submersible Escort Ships appeared immediately.

Swoosh! Crash!

It was as if someone had pulled the plug on the Pacific Ocean’s bathtub.

A vortex of blades began to spin!

Slash!

And the Monsters began to be helplessly shredded, swept away by the vortex.

However, the seabed nest was located far too deep.

The average depth of the Pacific is nearly 4km, and the Mariana Trench, famous for being the deepest place in the world at 11km underwater, was also located in the Pacific.

It was a widely known fact that this depth was enough to completely submerge Mount Everest.

And while not as deep as the Mariana Trench, the location of the seabed nest was nearly 7km deep.

Thus, I let out a sigh.

“This… is going to take too long.”

The machines were doing their best.

But the problem was… the firepower was far too insufficient.

If I just waited, I would eventually reach the bottom. But I didn’t have the time to just wait around.

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-91]

Especially since there was already a time limit. I felt like recovering the Pacific even a single day sooner.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me from the frustration.

“I didn’t realize not being able to use Photon Weapons would be such a disadvantage.”

Photon Weapons were powerful weapons that could be used universally regardless of compatibility—except in special cases like this.

There was a reason my future self had made them the mainstay.

And the same went for my current self.

Most of my upgrades that enhanced firepower, such as the Laser Essence or Rate of Fire Essence, were linked to Photon Weapons.

“I need some other way…”

It was then, as I looked around the Bridge. I locked eyes with Sua, who had been staring intently at me.

In that moment, we read each other’s minds.

“Siwoo-oppa!”

“Can you do it?”

“Yes!”

There was no need for further words.

If underwater combat was disadvantageous, then we simply had to make it not underwater combat.

Through Sua’s power.

Whoosh—

As she drew up a massive amount of Mana.

Swoosh—

The Pacific Ocean began to split.

* * *

Watching that sight, I was momentarily lost in emotion.

How long had it been since Sua played such a pivotal role?

In truth, she, who hadn’t even been my comrade, was initially barely capable of killing a single Monster. Since I had no memory of meeting her in the previous timeline, she likely died shortly after.

But this time, she did not die.

Instead, she achieved various results, such as creating fog or causing waves at the Han River bridge.

Recently, there hadn’t been many situations where she could be greatly active.

Still, she was practically essential. Without her, there was no one I could trust to fill the water within the ships.

Sua had been doing her job quietly and steadily, but—.

Swoosh—

This time was different.

As if carving out the middle of the Pacific, she was creating a massive hole in the center.

All the way to the bottom of the Pacific.

Looking at the Giant Nest situated upon the sticky mud far below, I grinned.

“Sua, you did great.”

Hummm—

“Now, just hold it for three more seconds.”

Of course, even three seconds weren’t necessary.

Boom!

The barrels of my Photon Destroyers simultaneously unleashed Pillars of Light.

* * *

The Pacific Monsters were annihilated.

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-67]

And as the Monsters died, the Final Predation Day was moved forward.

But I was not worried.

“This is actually what I wanted.”

If that thing came sooner, I could end the situation that much faster. In any case, the production of the Arks was proceeding even faster than before.

Especially—.

Bwaaaaang—

Along with that loud ship horn.

And under my command—.

“Ah, Lord.”

The man who could handle shipping better than anyone else in the world.

“I am truly glad that the shipping business can start again.”

The third-generation chaebol, Gwak Sangyong. He was a man whose livelihood had been shipping since before the Apocalypse.

And that wasn’t all.

Beep-beep—

His Apoin was ringing busily.

“KMM Copenhagen. Just departed.”

“KMM Dublin. Departure preparations are normal.”

They were his executives.

Furthermore, the KMM Copenhagen and KMM Dublin were both among the largest container ship classes in the world, capable of transporting approximately 24,000 containers in a single trip.

Yet, even that was only a tiny fraction of the fleet he possessed.

“I shall show you the potential of the Republic of Korea’s maritime transport.”

He grinned.

* * *

After that, there was nothing left to worry about on Earth.

Every time a container ship left Incheon Port—.

“Where is all this volume coming from?”

“All of that is Adamantite?”

“There’s Aetherium too!”

“My god… those are all Artifacts?”

The Western Alliance and Vietnam were floored by Incheon’s economic power, but thanks to that, the Ark production capacity now went beyond just carrying all of humanity.

We had Arks to carry various assets, as well as separate Arks for various animals and plants that would not survive the soon-to-accelerate Pollution.

“At this point, it’s practically an Ark itself.”

Meanwhile, I managed to gather all the materials for the Dimensional Barrier just in time. The first effect of the Dimensional Barrier was to strengthen all Mana Facilities, reducing the Pollution in the areas where the facilities were located.

With this, it seemed possible to preserve various cultural assets that we had struggled to protect until now. I took one last look at the war situation and leaned back in my chair.

“Now, I’ve done all the preparations I can.”

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-2]

Now, the countdown to the Final Predation Day had begun. This was something I hadn’t experienced even in the previous timeline, but I had no worries.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

There aren’t many easy things in the world.

However, I had the conviction that if I put in the effort, I could achieve it.

“Because the future me did it.”

And conviction.

That was a luxury rarely found in this world.