Chapter 65 – Everything According to Plan
Chapter 65 – Everything According to Plan
Three steps were enough.
One. Send the Aerial Mothership.
Two. Eliminate the Nest.
Three. Recover the Nest Mana Stone.
Having collected the Nest Mana Stones so quickly, I headed to the Dungeon Entrance and began registering the patterns of the new dungeon.
Sua, who had just come out from exploring a dungeon, watched my work with interest.
“Is it a new dungeon?”
“Yes.”
“The first one was a forest… and the next was a desert… so will this one be a snowy mountain?”
Sua’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
I laughed at her words.
“A snowy mountain… hahaha. At this rate, Ms. Sua, I think you’ll never guess it.”
I teased her with a mischievous joke.
Her lips pouted at my words, and seemingly driven by stubbornness, she began throwing out various guesses.
“Then maybe it’s somewhere like a swamp?”
“Not at all.”
“Or perhaps a jungle…?”
“Hmm… that’s more cliché than I expected, Ms. Sua.”
Since she looked funny, I kept teasing her, leading Sua to wrap her head in deep thought, looking more serious this time.
“Um… come to think of it, you said this dungeon focuses on aerial combat, right?”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Then could it be the ocean? Like the vast open sea…?”
“Oh.”
“Right?! Right!”
Sua shouted triumphantly.
I laughed once more.
“It’s similar, but no.”
“Aw, I feel like I’m right!”
As expected of a Water Ability User, she seemed fixated on the ocean.
“It is the ocean, Siwoo!””
“I told you it’s not.”
“Liar.”
“I am a liar, but it’s not the ocean.”
“You said ‘oh’ earlier. Isn’t that because I got it right?”
“No, it’s just that your line of thinking was in the right direction.”
“Which means the ocean is the right answer, right?”
After shouting that it must be the ocean for a while, Sua eventually grew tired and asked me back with a sullen expression.
“Is it because you don’t want to take me with you?”
“Haha, no way.”
“Then let’s go together.”
She declared it firmly. Now it was my turn to be flustered.
“Uh…”
“What? See. You really do hate it.”
As I hesitated, Sua made a face as if she were about to cry. Feeling that she was misunderstanding, I decided to explain a bit.
“The place we’re going this time is really difficult; are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“I’ve always been okay with that.”
“No, more than being difficult, it might be quite uncomfortable.”
“I’m used to discomfort.”
“No… that’s not what I mean.”
I explained to her gently.
If she truly accompanied me this time… we would be forced to live together in an incredibly cramped space, to the point where issues like invasion of privacy would arise.
Since they were a man and a woman, my point was whether Sua would be okay with such a situation.
Her answer was somewhat unexpected.
“Th-then, is Siwoo okay with it?”
“I don’t really mind. In fact, it would be great if Ms. Sua came.”
It was true.
This expedition required a significant expenditure of Mana, and if she came, I could at least save on the cost of water. As for the discomfort, I was used to it from long years of living through the Apocalypse.
However, Sua’s face somehow flushed at my answer…
“Then I’m okay too.”
She answered cautiously that she would go with me.
* * *
Meanwhile, after sending Sua back.
I began preparing to summon the machine that would be the core of this operation and one of the main pillars of My Faction in the future.
‘The main material should obviously be Mithril…’
This was because weight was a critical factor for this machine.
‘And the outer shell will be Adamantite…’
At the same time, it was a machine that couldn’t afford to give up on defense. I also made the large single horn on the head out of Adamantite.
The reason was that I might use it someday.
The six legs were made of aluminum and steel.
Mithril would have been better, but there was no need for it, and due to the machine’s design, the legs were weak and broke often, so I wanted to treat them as consumables.
‘Is this enough?’
Once I had established the general shape—.
Whoosh—
I began to draw up and imbue Mana.
Rumble—!
Once the machine was summoned.
“It’s a rhinoceros beetle?”
Seongjae, who was passing by, made a comment.
“Brings back… old memories.”
The same went for Deokchan.
Their observations were accurate.
A black outer shell, a large single horn rising like a helmet, and six legs—this machine looked like a rhinoceros beetle to anyone.
“What on earth is this used for?”
When Deokchan asked.
“Ah, this.”
I grinned. Then, I moved toward the wide-open maw of the beetle and began to enter the interior.
“This is how you ride it.”
Because this was a means of transport.
* * *
The name of the beetle-like machine was the ‘Armored Transport Plane’.
Unlike its interior, which was as spacious as a 40-seater bus, it was surprisingly a Large-Class rather than a Super-Large Class.
Since it was hollow inside, much like the medium-sized Magitech Armor, its actual size was calculated to be smaller based on external dimensions.
‘Well… maybe that’s a relief.’
Since I was still short on Mana, even a single Aerial Mothership was taxing for a Super-Large Class. Especially for this operation.
I called Sua and showed her the Armored Transport Plane.
“This operation will be conducted from here.”
In my heart, I wanted to travel in my flagship, the Aerial Mothership, but the Mothership was packed tight with machinery inside.
That made sense. It had an enormous amount of work to do, from flying itself to maintaining Interceptors and providing Mana.
‘Well, maybe it’ll be different at the Behemoth class…’
I felt a bit disappointed, but I simply hoped something would change in the next tier of aircraft.
Meanwhile, Sua looked confused after hearing my words.
“From here… inside this?”
“Yes. It’ll be uncomfortable, right?”
Sua’s pupils began to shake.
“If you don’t want to, even now—”
“No, I’ll do it! I will! I’m doing it!”
She was suddenly overflowing with motivation.
Having received Sua’s confirmation.
I began to explain step-by-step to Deokchan and Seongjae, who were nearby, while showing them the Armored Transport Plane.
This was because the machine was practically unfinished.
Deokchan looked somewhat suspicious at the mention of living with Sua in such a cramped space. It was a bit embarrassing since he didn’t say much, but as I continued to explain, his expression improved.
A space the size of a 40-seater bus. It was enough to build things inside.
I divided that space and…
Requested two small Private Quarters, one bathroom, one kitchen, and finally, a space to be used as a situation room and living room.
“So it’s like… a giant camper van?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“But this is a transport vehicle? Are there no parts that fold or anything when it moves?”
Meanwhile, Seongjae seemed to have other questions.
Funny enough, it was the same question he had asked in my previous life.
I demonstrated that there were no problems with the machine, and we all boarded to take a lap around the castle.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The legs moved completely independently of the interior…
And it began to move at a considerable speed.
“At this rate, it could hit 80km/h.”
“Wow, if we had a few of these, work would be much easier.”
In terms of cars, it wasn’t that fast, but the interior was as wide as a bus.
Also, since it was a machine that moved on legs, it was far more useful in rough terrain where there were no roads. The more the roads were destroyed, the more this transport shone.
‘Well… I won’t let the roads be destroyed this time.’
Thanks to the Worker Bugs repairing them, cars would be used inside the faction where roads were intact, while the Armored Transport Plane would be sufficient for the exterior where roads were gradually being destroyed.
Meanwhile, Seongjae and Deokchan were chatting excitedly about the new kind of work.
“I’ll modify it to be no less than a luxury home!”
“I wonder if there’s room for USB ports?”
“Then I’ll leave it to you!”
Having entrusted the beetle to the two of them, I decided to move on to the next task immediately. There was one more machine needed for this operation.
* * *
The collection of Aetherium was different from everything until now. To be more specific, it was not a resource that could be gathered by Worker Bugs or Rough Terrain Pioneers.
In other words, a dedicated collection machine was needed.
‘I can make this one a bit cheaper, right?’
While preparing for aerial combat, I had been using Mithril—which wasn’t common to begin with—recklessly, causing my stock to plummet.
‘What materials should I use…?’
It needed to be a material that was lightweight yet highly elastic…
Fortunately, Humanity had plenty of suitable materials.
“Vinyl would be good.”
There was no need to overthink it. I went to the Small Production Facility, received vinyl, and ordered the production of the new machine.
[Repeat Production Order: Collector]
[Materials Used: Vinyl]
[Target Quantity: 0 → 40]
Clank! Hiss! Clank!
The units soon began to be produced.
“What is this now?”
“Pufferfish?”
“Is it a pufferfish?”
Everyone was confused once again.
I waved them off. Sua, who was directly participating in this operation, looked particularly curious.
“You’ll find out later.”
It wasn’t a machine with a complex structure anyway.
I decided not to bother explaining.
* * *
For the next few days, I spent my time busily.
Since this operation might take some time, I had already distributed tasks to various people in advance.
For instance, since I had to take the Aerial Mothership for this operation, I told Choi Yongjin not to go too far and just patrol.
While Choi Yongjin regretted the absence of the Aerial Mothership…
His eyes sparkled upon seeing the Armored Transport Plane.
“Could… I get some support with this?”
“It’s difficult right now.”
The battlefield utility of the Armored Transport Plane was top-tier.
From temporary barracks for soldiers to mobile command posts and supply delivery, it was a tool with immense potential if one set their mind to it.
So, in my heart, I wanted to provide it to him immediately. But I couldn’t recklessly increase the number of Large-Class machines when I was already short on Mana.
That was why I had delayed its production until now.
Instead, when I told him I would hand one over as a top priority once full-scale production began, Choi Yongjin was overjoyed.
I also decided to lend him a One-Horned Dragon. Since it was a One-Horned Dragon made with a Speed Artifact, it could provide some level of aerial support, even if it wasn’t on the scale of an Aerial Mothership.
“What is it?”
“Hmm… it’s nothing.”
Choi Yongjin made a meaningful expression while looking at the One-Horned Dragon.
But for now, I decided to leave him be.
Additionally, looking at the analysis of the Shadow Essence, which was taking longer than expected, I felt a bit gloomy and longed for the Advanced Research Facility. Of course, it was a problem that would be solved soon anyway.
‘I need to get back quickly.’
Once this operation was over.
* * *
As time passed…
The modification of the Armored Transport Plane was completed.
Finally, it was the day the operation commenced.
I asked Sua.
“Did you pack everything?”
“Yes. Somehow, I feel like it’ll be much more comfortable than usual.”
She seemed happy.
Having always operated primarily by camping outdoors, she seemed delighted to have a proper place to sleep, even if the structure was similar to a camper van.
‘I thought she’d be uncomfortable being alone with me, so that’s a relief.’
Thinking lightly of it, I headed toward the Dungeon Entrance.
Rumble—
I confirmed the Aerial Mothership floating above us.
And I began preparing for teleportation.
Although I had sent an Observation Probe in advance, unfortunately, it wasn’t a place where a probe could easily survive.
Thus, I had no choice but to move by fixing the coordinates almost randomly.
I grabbed a handful of high-purity Mana Stones…
And first moved myself and the Armored Transport Plane.
“Ugh…”
As expected of a Large-Class. Mana drained away in chunks.
Sua, who had moved using her own Mana without burden, looked at me with worried eyes from beside me.
Siwoo, are you okay?”
“I-I’m okay.”
I couldn’t afford to struggle this much.
Because… the Super-Large Class.
The Aerial Mothership still remained.
* * *
Looking at Siwoo, who was inhaling breath with a pale face, Sua couldn’t help but worry.
Siwoo, are you okay?”
“I-I’m okay.”
Knowing well how much Mana is used when passing through a Rift, Sua was worried about Siwoo, who had to move these massive machines.
The only thing she could do was move as many small pieces of luggage as possible.
“Now, let’s rest for a bit—”
It was the moment Sua began to speak.
“No.”
Siwoo had a determined expression.
He poured a massive amount of Mana Stones into his mouth and—.
Crunch!
He chewed them.
“…!”
It was when Sua looked at Siwoo with a bewildered expression.
“For about 30 minutes, I might lose consciousness.”
“What?! What on earth does that mean?”
“I’ve issued all the orders, so nothing dangerous will happen.”
Siwoo grinned.
Sua looked outside and gasped in horror.
Whoosh— Flash!
The Aerial Mothership had entered the dungeon.
“My, my goodness…”
“Then… I’ll see you in a bit.”
With those words, Siwoo lost consciousness.
* * *
“Siwoo!” Siwoo?!”
Sua called out to Siwoo in a state of panic. However, he was experiencing a blackout due to extreme Mana depletion.
Fortunately, Sua had gained enough experience. She soon realized that Siwoo’s condition was not that serious.
“Th-thank goodness…”
It seemed Siwoo had a precise grasp of his own limits. Having seen ordinary people fall into critical states due to Mana exhaustion while training them on the battlefield, Sua felt nothing but awe.
“Seriously, he’s an unbelievable person.”
Using her water ability, she dampened a towel to cool down his overheated body and briefly checked the outside.
“As I thought, it’s because of the Aerial Mothership…”
But only then did Sua notice something strange.
“Wait, hold on?”
A place with a pink atmosphere and condensed white clouds.
“There’s… no ground here?”
There was no ground, but—.
“Kweeeeeek!”
Numerous Aerial Monsters were surrounding them.
It seemed Siwoo hadn’t rushed for no reason.
“W-what! How can we handle this many monsters—”
Just as Sua was panicking.
Clank— Clank-clank-clank!
The Interceptors began to launch.
And the battle commenced simultaneously with the ignition of the engines.
Boom!
The monsters were cleared away in an instant.
“My, my goodness…”
Seeing Siwoo, who carried out everything according to plan even while unconscious.
“Siwoo… are you really human?”
Sua could only look at him with an absurd expression.
1 Comment
Login Required
You must be logged in to comment on this chapter and rate the novel.
Login to rate this novel
Code: ?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”UTF-8″?>