As evening approached, numerous conversations flowed inside Elvira’s bunker.
Halfway through, Xiao, who had just woken up, joined the discussion, allowing it to progress more seriously.
Of course, that eyeball dominated the conversation, but they weren’t limited to just that topic; they also engaged in lively discussions about other themes.
For example, Kang Yuri’s skill.
Waterproof Sanity.
Surprisingly simple to acquire, despite its catastrophic effects.
[Acquire through Scroll]
[Completely shatter your mind underwater, then eliminate the target to acquire]
[Completely shatter your mind underwater, then escape from the target to acquire]
[Completely shatter your mind underwater, then restore your mental state to acquire]
Naturally, simple doesn’t mean easy.
Regardless of which of the three methods, it implies that Kang Yuri’s mind was completely shattered at least once…
Various hypotheses were exchanged regarding this.
The most likely was that the eyeball was involved.
It couldn’t possibly be elimination or escape, so the only option left was mental restoration.
However,
“So, does that mean someone was there who maintained their sanity and was able to restore a shattered mind?”
Certainly, there are Hunters in Slayers specialized in healing or purification, but not one who could take on a monster capable of breaking the system window.
“Han Siwoo could have done it.”
“That doesn’t add up. Irrespective of ability, it doesn’t explain why Marian was in that state.”
“That makes sense, too.”
Then, the remaining possibilities indicate that Kang Yuri’s mind was destroyed before the creature became active.
“Could there be a monster capable of that?”
“Who knows…”
A second possibility suggested that among the numerous Monster Fishes, one could have shattered Kang Yuri’s mind, and then after a rollercoaster of events, a shattered Kang Yuri defeated that creature.
In this case, Waterproof Sanity would be acquired, and her mind would automatically restore.
However, there’s a minor issue: a creature capable of ‘completely’ shattering someone as powerful as Kang Yuri doesn’t exist according to Oceanos.
In reality, that is a minor issue.
Every day, about five new species of Monster Fish appear.
Just because Oceanos isn’t aware of them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If it’s the doing of an undiscovered Monster Fish, it sounds plausible.
In addition, various discussions circulated about Kang Yuri’s corpse, Marian’s recovery potential, the next Hive exploration schedule, and future plans.
#
Then, at night.
Parang lay quietly in bed with her eyes closed.
‘Preparation…’
Preparation to defeat that massive eyeball.
What Oceanos desperately needs.
There aren’t many ways for Hunters to grow stronger in this world.
Due to its nature, Parang and her companions had even fewer options.
Since Parang reincarnated into a novel that doesn’t involve “status” like health Lv1, strength Lv1, agility Lv1, skill Lv1, etc., she lacked those elements.
Such commonplace calculations are non-existent in this world.
Moreover, skill enhancement isn’t possible.
Once you acquire Waterproof Sanity, that’s it. Skills don’t level up to Lv2, Lv3, or anything like that.
Therefore, there must be limitations to growing stronger.
Hunters get stronger by acquiring new skills or increasing the proficiency of existing ones.
Either way, it’s a path that is difficult for Oceanos, who has already reached the pinnacle.
Skills can’t be acquired endlessly on a whim.
Waterproof Sanity serves as a prime example.
Once acquired, you can no longer even glance at other mental barrier skills, imposing a powerful limitation.
In this manner, there are dozens, if not hundreds of clashing skills in this world.
And those at the peak of specific fields, like Oceanos, have already coordinated their skills to prevent collapse, maximizing their abilities.
Hunters like that are referred to as ‘completed.’
As for skill proficiency, well…
They’ve practically reached the top.
To the extent that the bubble chain explosion Parang occasionally uses is a combination of three Hunter skills.
All of Oceanos possess this level of skill effectiveness.
So that’s a pass, too.
The last remaining options are ‘equipment’ and ‘items.’
The most popular method of power-up, with the highest potential, and essentially the main route for growth.
While there is undoubtedly a ‘maximum point’ for growth related to skills, there’s none for equipment.
The output of every piece of equipment a Hunter uses is fundamentally determined by “how much mana stone can you grind into it?”
If the quality and size of the ground mana stone are good, the weapon’s quality naturally skyrockets.
Theoretically, if you grind enough mana stones, you could create a weapon capable of splitting the Earth in one strike.
This expression is a parody of Archimedes, famous for Eureka, and is commonly used when discussing the infinity of equipment in the Hunter industry.
Why has the importance of equipment grown so much in this world…?
Why? Because the protagonist, Hunter Han Siwoo, is a ‘manufacturing’ Hunter.
Well, anyway.
The point is that when Oceanos decided they needed to become stronger, it was essentially their almost only option.
If you exclude that…
‘…No, let’s put that on hold.’
Parang shook her head.
If the situation escalates to the very last, last moment, she might consider it, but it’s not something to discuss right now.
‘By the way, equipment…’
There are three essential elements needed to create equipment: materials, mana stones, and craftsmen.
The higher the level of equipment you want to create, the exponentially greater the difficulty of securing these three elements—no need to even mention that.
However, fortunately, Oceanos has already resolved the mana stone issue.
Down there in the sea, there are thousands of tons of usable mana stones piled up.
The difficulty of acquiring materials is relatively easy.
Just 3 kilometers down, top-grade materials are swimming around, fresh and ready, with the dragon’s mouth flinging all around.
Thus, what remains is the craftsman.
This part is the most troublesome.
Is there even a craftsman capable of creating equipment that can outmatch that ‘existence’ seen in her memories?
Parang fell into deep contemplation.
#
“Huheeek!!!”
Shin Yuna sniffled in her workshop.
‘Ugh, did I set the air conditioning too high…’
Perhaps she had collapsed from being overly immersed in work.
But still!
For Yuna, sacrificing her own well-being was always on the table!
“Huhee… hu, huhehhehehe…!!”
She took three steps back with a dazed giggle.
In front of her was a hovercraft submarine.
A sleek, streamlined body. A dazzling brass hue. Elegantly adorned, with valves and pipes that serve no purpose.
A traditional 2-meter cannon barrel, and gears that don’t seem to have any function.
Her masterpiece, Nautilus No. 3, ready for launch.
She had collapsed immediately after completing it, causing her to lie around groaning in bed, delaying the launch just a bit, but nonetheless!!
Finally, she was ready to set sail into the sea—what a joyous occasion!
Yuna grinned broadly, stepping back to grab the lever attached to the wall, pulling it down with all her might.
And then, with a rumble like heavy steel in motion, the floor began to open.
Beneath the split floor, the surface of the flowing water appeared.
The East Sea.
Next, Yuna quickly twisted the gas valve next to the lever and pressed the buttons repeatedly.
Then, with a screeching metallic sound,
Boom-!
The submerged submarine was released, falling directly below.
With a grand splash, the submarine sank beneath the surface.
Having confirmed that, Yuna hurried back to her previous tank.
She donned a full-body pressure dive suit and jumped in.
Welcoming her was a gigantic desk-like instrument panel.
Knocking on the control panel, a screen twice the size popped up from the tank’s bottom.
Just as the submarine grew larger, the control panel grew larger, and the screen expanded.
The spark ignited within Yuna was suddenly larger, hotter, and wilder than ever before.
Eventually, the screen turned on, merging with the control panel.
According to Yuna’s operation, the submarine slowly started to move forward.
What expanded in Yuna was an overwhelming fighting spirit.
After indulgence, she hadn’t slept properly.
A storm was brewing.
“It’s all over…!!!”
Yuna’s justified anger was about to engulf the Hunter Association.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
