The Bermuda Hive looked as if it had directly transported a gate blockade from another world.
Even the arrangement of the barricades was identical to those used in the present-day Earth.
This was the strategy outlined in the “Monster Gate Response Manual” created by Hunter Han Siwoo.
Parang remembered it well, as it was a part she found amusing.
First, encircle the gate with a thick steel primary barricade, stacking reinforced rubber panels around it for potential emergency reinforcement.
Second, construct pathways for monsters to emerge from in all four directions, and the ‘external team’ consisting of low-grade hunters and conventional firepower will focus-fire on monsters exiting through the narrow pathways.
Third, around three to four high-grade hunters would wait atop the barricade, swiftly eliminating any high-risk monsters that the external team couldn’t handle.
Fourth, this process would be repeated in shifts until the gate closed.
It was clearly “that setup” that Parang had grown weary of watching.
And the viewers, who were dozens of times more accustomed to gate suppression than Parang, also recognized this familiar arrangement.
However, they were too overwhelmed to give it much thought.
In front of them, the sight of the Bermuda Hive left the viewers in utter shock, their mouths agape, unable to even think of closing them.
The gate, with a diameter of 700m, was continuously spewing out large and small monster fish, and new gates of varying sizes appeared and disappeared around it every few seconds.
Most of Parang’s viewers were hunters, so they quickly grasped just how insane the sight before them was.
In fact, if a regular person were to witness this, the conclusion would likely not differ.
There was information Parang had mentioned on her broadcast a few times.
“I don’t know how long these things have been around. They were there when I first entered the sea too.”
The hive and the objects had existed for quite some time.
“The hive is impossible to destroy. To be precise, physical intervention is impossible. You can’t tear off a piece, and even inserting a syringe is impossible.”
Destruction is unfeasible. Parang had shown this directly.
So, that thing.
That thing cannot be destroyed and will forever coexist with humanity on this Earth.
A 700m gate that cannot be destroyed, endlessly, until this ocean is filled with unknown giant monsters—or even once it’s filled, it will continue.
Infinitely, infinitely existing, spewing out evil.
Like the existence of gravity, like the reflection of light.
As if it were a natural phenomenon governed by an insurmountable cosmic law.
What can such insignificant beings as humans do in the face of this massive disaster?
The expressions of those watching the broadcast quickly hardened.
The ocean is dangerous.
This is not a joking matter or a half-serious warning.
The ocean is terrifying.
It’s a different kind of fear than the sudden emergence of a gross monster fish.
It’s fearful, horrifying, yet there is nothing they can do. They can’t even muster the courage to attempt anything.
Now, an indelible, solid image had been imprinted in their minds.
Every time they look at the ocean from now on, they will occasionally recall, sometimes vividly, the undeniable disaster that undeniably exists deep within.
It’s suffocating. Their chests feel tight.
It feels like they can’t just sit back and do nothing. They must do something, anything, to deal with this threat.
But what?
How?
What are they pondering? There is no answer.
They could do nothing.
From the very beginning, from the very start.
Until the end of this world, they would be unable to do anything.
“Hmm…”
Watching the chat stream slow down, Parang stroked her chin.
She thought that since these viewers had been watching her broadcast all this time, they might be somewhat ready to accept it.
But it seemed it was still a bit too early for them.
Parang knew well how they felt right now. She vividly remembered her own feelings the first time she saw this.
In some way, it is true that she had guided the viewers to feel that way.
But to leave it at that wouldn’t sit well with Parang.
Of course, she wanted people to be afraid of the ocean and to be vigilant, as that was her intention, but ultimately, what she wished for was the happiness of people.
This had always been Parang’s belief. It was also the reason she had saved Shin Yuna without the slightest hesitation.
She had no desire to see people floundering in fear that they couldn’t articulate.
Thus, rather than saying “the ocean will kill me!!”, she preferred “it’s safe on land,” as that is closer to her intention.
It’s a similar yet distinctly different stance.
So, it was only natural that Parang felt the need to reassure them.
If she hadn’t thought of a way to do so, she wouldn’t have come here in the first place.
So, what method did Parang have in mind?
What else but the straightforward approach.
The simple method to weaken the fear of “an absolute force against which one cannot resist” is to show that humans can do something against it.
It would be even better if the visual effect were striking.
And coincidentally, there is a perfect companion who satisfies both conditions.
Moreover, they even live nearby!
Taking advantage of the chaotic atmosphere, Parang quickly texted Diego.
Parang: It’s about time you come out
Parang: .
Parang: .
Parang: .
Parang: .
Parang: .
Unfortunately, Diego, encased in metal, couldn’t check his phone, so she decided to send messages at regular intervals.
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
Two quick taps, a brief pause, then three fast ones again.
It was the prearranged signal.
Before long, a mysterious figure appeared on Parang’s broadcast screen, wearing a deep-sea pressure suit.
The viewers, who had been gloomy with indescribable emotions, shifted their attention to the new figure.
– Who is this?
– What is it?
– Is it a monster fish??
“Monster fish? That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
Well, it might be a bit easy to misunderstand.
In fact, Parang had attempted to attack when she first met him. Of course. When a 500m giant appears right in front of you, it’s hard to think of it as human.
This time, it was agreed that he would appear in his usual size to ease the viewers’ shock.
Let me introduce him. This is Diego Lopez Martin. My… um, acquaintance. We met another person the other day, right?”
– Oh
– The mood is weird
– I want to see Gyo-soon again after so long
‘He does have good visuals, that’s for sure.’
A massive gate submerged in the deep sea and a deep-sea diver floating beside it.
There was a heavy, gloomy, yet somewhat mysterious and nostalgic atmosphere that Parang, wearing her full-body suit, could never hope to embody.
‘Should I wear that next time?’
Parang was babbling some ridiculous thoughts.
Anyway, they had to do something. After briefly introducing Diego, Parang got to the main point.
“Alright, everyone. I know how you feel looking at that huge gate. I’m a hunter too, and you probably are hunters as well. If you think back to your experiences facing gates, you might feel a sense of dreary fear. But…”
Parang’s expression turned serious.
“But I don’t want you all to just fear the ocean, or the monster fish, and ruin your day. I just want you to feel how safe the ground you stand on is and stay there.”
In fact, her expression had always been serious. Her intentions had not changed.
“So today, I hope you can see what we can do and not tremble in fear too much.”
Parang nodded at Diego.
He returned the nod, then began to move towards the hive alone.
“We’ll observe from a distance.”
Parang stretched back, moving to a position where Diego appeared tiny.
– You can’t even see him
– The leader must have something in mind
Before long, as Diego moved further away, even his shrunken figure became invisible.
Thinking it was enough, Parang sent a signal through text.
Kuuuuuung—
With a sound that seemed to shake the ground from afar, Diego began to enlarge.
10m, 20m, 50m.
– Wow, what is that growth?
– It is indeed huge
– What’s the record height on the ground?
– 67m 38cm in Korea
– How do you know that so precisely? LOL
– It’s me
– Whoa
60m, 67m 38cm, 100m.
– Oh
– Ohhh
– What is this?
150m, 200m, 300m… 500m.
Having grown to his maximum size, Diego loomed next to the gate and looked back at Parang.
“Tada! How’s that?”
– Tada? For real?
– How tall is he???
– He looks about 500m
– What happened to the 67m 38cm?
– LOL, I’m dead
The human brain is quite fickle; no matter how immense something is, if there is an opponent to compare it to, it tends to downplay the original.
In reality, both the original and the opponent are remarkable and impressive.
That’s precisely the case now.
The 700m gate is undoubtedly terrifying, but with a 500m figure standing next to it, it somehow seems… manageable.
With just that, Parang achieved her original goal.
But she didn’t intend to stop there.
Gwoooooo—
Suddenly, Diego hunched down as if gathering strength.
Then, the area trembled, and a monstrous roar filled the air.
– Huh??
– Huh???
– Excuse me???
Countless large and small monster fish, estimated to be in the thousands, were drawn towards Diego as if being sucked in.
“Now, this should give you some peace of mind!”
Parang flashed a confident smile.
Of course, Diego’s abilities aren’t limited to just enlargement. He has other skills as well.
The monster fish, rushing towards him like a tidal wave,
Bang!! Boom!! Bang!!
All exploded in a gruesome manner.
Blood, flesh pieces, magical stones, and white light littered the surroundings.
Parang swam hard, trying not to get dragged in.
“If only I could identify the targets, this would be a fantastic skill!!!”
Yet, a smile remained on her face.
She instinctively felt it.
That today, what she instilled in people was not just fear.
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