EP.8 The Death of Galecus (1)

 

– Brrrr –

 

As Parang dove into the sea, the broadcast screen naturally transitioned to her perspective.

 

And everyone who had almost given up on the broadcast was astonished.

 

“Let’s continue with the explanation. The main purpose of today’s broadcast is to inform you about the dangers of monster fish, which are the deep-sea giants that have become grotesque due to the influence of underwater gates.”

 

Her breathing was steady, her pace was appropriate, her pronunciation was clear, and her voice was soft yet audible.

 

The person who couldn’t even greet properly was now showcasing exemplary speaking skills as soon as she entered the water.

 

What the heck, why is she suddenly speaking so well?

 

“To convey the dangers of monster fish, it’s best to face them directly and show what they are. Today, I’m going to catch Galecus, a monster fish that caused a major incident and is familiar to you all.”

 

─Galecus? That huge thing?

 

─She’s going to catch that?

 

─How is she even talking underwater?

 

ㄴ She said it was a skill.

 

A semi-transparent display device was fitted over her left eye to view the chat. She had worn it as soon as she received it, initially trying to gauge Shin Yuna’s combat power but failing.

 

With this device, she could scan the chat even underwater, and thanks to her superhuman dynamic vision that only manifested underwater, she could read the rapidly scrolling chat messages.

 

“Yes, that’s right. That huge thing, I’m going to catch it today.”

 

─Do you even know where it is?

 

“Of course, I know where it is. I wouldn’t have come down here otherwise. Oh, and don’t bother sending donation messages; I’ve turned them off.”

 

Then she positioned her body vertically and began diving at an insane speed.

 

Her depth was being detected by sonar equipment and displayed in real-time on the broadcast.

 

200, 260, 300, 350…

 

As the depth changed rapidly, the viewers were left in awe.

 

On the screen, all sorts of fish, corals, rocks, and unidentifiable objects appeared and disappeared at an incredible speed.

 

─Is she really swimming?

 

─I think I’m getting seasick.

 

─Did anyone else see that just now?

 

─There were thousands of things that just passed by, what are you talking about?

 

At a speed of 30 meters per second, or 108 km/h, she was diving.

 

In just 20 seconds, she reached a depth of 800 meters, the monster fish layer.

 

The view, once filled with rocks, stones, and fish, had transformed into the characteristic deep blue void of the monster fish layer.

 

This was the depth where Yuna had encountered Galecus.

 

“We should be able to find it here.”

 

She dives at that speed and says, ‘We should be able to find it here’?

 

What kind of broadcasting equipment is she using? How is it possible to transmit high-quality footage from 800 meters underwater?

 

─ Shin Yuna probably made it.

 

─’S-rank production hunter’ lol.

 

─So how is she going to find it?

 

“I am precisely at the coordinates where Yuna saw Galecus. It’s a skill called ‘Route Setting.'”

 

─What kind of overpowered skill is that?

 

“I’ve lived underwater for years. You end up learning various skills whether you want to or not.”

 

─This is basically underwater mapping, damn.

 

─Now that you mention it, that’s insane.

 

Mapping. A skill that prevents you from getting lost in a dungeon. Just having this skill makes you a valuable asset.

 

Parang intended to reveal her full strength.

 

Given her objective, she couldn’t afford to be seen as just a ‘slightly strong hunter.’

 

She needed to be perceived as the ultimate underwater powerhouse, far beyond human capabilities, so people would recognize the strength of the sea monsters she hunted.

 

‘Ah, you need to be at that level to deal with those creatures,’ they would think.

 

The more she demonstrated her power, the more the sea would be imprinted as a dangerous place in people’s minds.

 

However, the chat’s reaction was still lukewarm.

 

Galecus was nowhere to be seen on the screen.

 

─But it doesn’t seem to be here.

 

─For real. I don’t even see a shadow.

 

─Why would a fish stay still underwater? Of course, it would move.

 

As a side note, there are fish that stay still, and they can be quite dangerous.

 

“Monster fish as large as Galecus have very long activity cycles. It couldn’t have gone far, so we’ll definitely find it.”

 

Parang continued her explanation without pause.

 

“Galecus amplifies the small amount of light it emits with its glass-like scales. And those scales tend to fall off quite easily…”

 

When Parang clicked on the light at her navel, fragments that shone brightly like pieces of a mirror in the sea became visible.

 

“Like this, it sheds scales along its path.”

 

The fragments were strewn along the path the monster fish had taken, forming a long, shining trail. A shining road, indeed.

 

“The longer Galecus’s scales have been detached, the less they reflect light. So, the scales over there are the ones that fell off recently.”

 

After finishing her explanation, Parang began swimming at an incredible speed.

 

She even encountered a Bellua along the way.

 

─What was that long thing that just passed by?

 

─I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who saw that, crazy.

 

“Bellua Maria. Commonly known as Bellua. It’s the most common and well-known monster fish. I won’t catch it today, but I will someday.”

 

─Everyone’s freaking out, and she’s like, ‘I’ll catch it later.’

 

─Lol, she’s hilarious.

 

Time passed, and lo and behold, the silhouette of Galecus appeared in the distance.

 

Just as when Yuna had discovered it, it stood alone in the void of the deep sea, like a high-rise building.

 

─She really found a fish in the ocean, damn.

 

─Wow, it’s still stunningly beautiful.

 

─Is that really a monster fish?

 

“Yes, that’s the monster fish Galecus. It looks to be about 70 meters long… It seems to be the same one Yuna saw.”

 

─How does she plan to catch that thing?

 

─It looks like stabbing it with a spear wouldn’t even draw blood.

 

That was something to be demonstrated now. Parang didn’t bother to answer.

 

“As I mentioned earlier, Galecus drags its prey to ‘its nest’ to kill it. It also uses mental attacks, so we need to be cautious.”

 

─But why was Yuna affected? An S-rank should have some mental resistance skills.

 

─For real. Even if she’s a crafter, an S-rank should be resistant to most attacks, right?

 

“That’s because Yuna looked at Galecus directly and for a long time underwater. In fact, those who watched through the screen had no issues. If even one of these conditions isn’t met, it’s just a pretty fish.”

 

─Then why is the streamer okay?

 

Parang glanced at the display in front of her.

 

[Skill, ‘Waterproof Sanity’ is activated.]

 

“I’m an underwater hunter. My mental skills activate underwater, making them extremely powerful. You can consider me immune to most mental attacks.”

 

An interesting fact, the more restrictive and demanding a hunter’s skill conditions are, the exponentially stronger its effects become when fulfilled.

 

The condition ‘can only be used when fully submerged in water’ was quite challenging.

 

‘That’s a benefit, isn’t it?’

 

Of course, Parang saw it differently.

 

Being in water made her skills stronger. She interpreted it in the best possible way.

 

─If you get dragged into the nest, is there no way to survive?

 

At some point, the chat stopped mentioning A-rank artifacts. As always, the essence of internet broadcasting is ‘entertainment.’ The viewers found the current situation incredibly fascinating and entertaining.

 

A place they’ve never been, inhabited by monsters. Showing it live was already exciting, but catching the monster? They couldn’t look away.

 

Then, a lightning bolt struck Parang’s mind.

 

‘Isn’t this a chance to show how strong I am?’

 

The faster the decision, the better.

 

So, Parang’s next statement was enough to shock everyone.

 

“Surviving after being dragged into the nest… For an average hunter, encountering it would mean instant death, and if dragged into the nest, they’d already be a corpse.”

 

“But, if you all want, we’ll take a look around the nest before hunting it today.”

 

─?

 

─??

 

─?

 

─?

 

─How did that conclusion come about?

 

─?

 

─’Let’s give it a try’ mode activated, lol.

 

─What kind of conclusion is that, lol.

 

The chat exploded in an instant.

 

─Isn’t that too risky? What if something goes wrong;;

 

Naturally, there were concerns. She was talking about walking into the monster’s nest on her own.

 

However, thanks to her well-established image as a ‘professional underwater hunter,’ such opinions were few.

 

It showed how much they trusted Parang’s bold claims.

 

And Parang was a genuine pro harpooner who could live up to their trust.

 

“I’ve been inside Galecus’s nest a few times. It’s quite beautifully decorated, so it’s worth a look.”

 

Half true. Galecus’s nest was disgustingly revolting. With her tension eased, Parang’s playful side emerged.

 

─Am I the only one who doesn’t understand what she’s saying?

 

─I understood but didn’t understand.

 

─I didn’t understand but understood.

 

─Is this person even human?

 

Indeed, Parang had already reached right in front of Galecus.

 

At this distance, she could throw the harpoon and hit it.

 

“But first, we need to provoke it a bit. If we let Galecus lead us to its nest, it will take too long—”

 

Parang gripped the harpoon, the S-rank artifact, and assumed a javelin-throwing stance.

 

On the screen, the tip of her harpoon aimed at Galecus was visible from the corner.

 

─Is she really going to throw it?

 

She was.

 

“Anchoring.”

 

As she uttered the skill name in that stance, something astonishing happened.

 

The water in a long, narrow cylindrical space from Parang to Galecus disappeared.

 

“It’s a skill called Anchoring. It makes thrown attacks effective even underwater.”

 

─ What kind of skill is that?

 

─ You need to be at this level to be a fisherman, huh?

 

─ The skill is so bizarre.

 

“It’s not my skill. It’s embedded in the harpoon.”

 

─ Wait, the weapon has a skill embedded in it? What kind of artifact is that?

 

“Yes. Yuna made it for me.”

 

─ Must be S-rank.

 

─ Definitely S-rank.

 

─ So it’s S-rank.

 

The reaction was one of acceptance.

 

It was a masterpiece Yuna had poured her heart into. It couldn’t be anything less than extraordinary.

 

And Parang had been asked by Yuna to promote this harpoon.

 

“It’s like the underwater version of the ‘Sure Hit’ skill that long-range hunters use.”

 

─ Now that you mention it, it makes sense.

 

─ Wait, she embedded ‘Sure Hit’ into an artifact?

 

─ What kind of hybrid skill is an underwater ‘Sure Hit,’ teacher…

 

In truth, Parang didn’t fully understand what ‘Sure Hit’ was. She was just reciting the prepared lines. This showcased Yuna’s foresight.

 

In any case, the promotion was successful, so it was all good.

 

Parang threw the harpoon into the cylindrical space created by Anchoring.

 

Even a casual throw would be immensely powerful, given that an S-rank artifact was being thrown underwater by Parang. The small hole in the water expanded into a massive tunnel as the harpoon passed through.

 

– Bang–!!! –

 

The harpoon was thrown with incredible speed.

 

And in an instant, it flew and—

 

– Thunk! –

 

The harpoon embedded itself deeply into Galecus’s body.

 

The creature, which had been completely still, twitched.

 

It seemed to move, then began to writhe madly, emitting a light several times brighter than before.

 

Parang’s eyes widened.

 

“Oh, right.”

 

The creature’s frantic thrashing lit up the deep sea as if a light had been turned on.

 

“Yuna! Mute the broadcast! Now!!”

 

And then, ‘it’ began to scream.

 

ㅡㅡㅡㅡ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The sound was like hundreds of people wailing together, mixed with the sounds of ship horns, wind, and waves.

 

It was a cacophony of all those sounds forced together. Even Parang winced at the bizarre noise.

 

The chat, which had been scrolling rapidly, paused for a moment.

 

“Gasp… Gasp… What was… that… just now…”

 

Yuna, in the control tower, was gasping for breath.

 

Thanks to her quick action, Galecus’s scream was broadcasted for only about 0.5 seconds.

 

Nevertheless, the aftermath was significant.

 

─What was that sound just now?

 

─What the hell was that?

 

─What was that?

 

─My ears, damn it.

 

‘I forgot to warn them.’

 

She should have known, or rather, she did know. She should have warned Yuna in advance.

 

Galecus would remain in that state for the next two minutes.

 

─Why is it going crazy just because it got hit by a spear?

 

‘Hmm, that statement could be misleading.’

 

Parang narrowed her eyes slightly.

 

Though muting the broadcast couldn’t be undone, it was put on hold for now.

 

And soon enough,

 

─Oh, where’s it going?

 

─Where’s that thing headed?

 

─Where’s it going now?

 

Contrary to its previous upright position, Galecus began swimming rapidly towards the deeper waters.

 

Its swimming technique changed from the stationary, upright position to the typical swimming style of a regular fish.

 

In other words, it was writhing as it descended.

 

Parang made an OK sign with her hand and waved it in front of her eyes.

 

Then she retrieved the harpoon, diving straight down to follow Galecus. As expected of an S-rank artifact, it flew right into her hand as soon as she reached out.

 

Meanwhile, Yuna unmuted the broadcast.

 

“Ah, ah, can you hear me now? I think an explanation of the recent events is necessary.”

 

─Yes

 

─We really need it

 

─What just happened?

 

“As you can see, Galecus has started to flee, so I’ll explain as we follow it.”

 

Parang increased her speed, intending to swim alongside Galecus.

 

“Right now, I’m heading towards Galecus’s nest. It perceives me as a threat and is fleeing to its nest.”

 

─So you need to be at this level to be considered a threat by a monster fish…

 

The way she’s calmly talking while swimming at this speed is surreal.

 

As she said, Parang’s depth was rapidly increasing.

 

“The expected diving depth is around 2 kilometers. That’s the usual depth where these creatures build their nests.”

 

─2 kilometers, seriously?

 

─2 km, damn.

 

─But why is it making such a fuss over a single spear wound?

 

─Yeah, with that huge body.

 

─From a distance, it didn’t even look like it got hit.

 

“Ah, I’ll explain that as we go.”

 

Having caught up with Galecus, Parang slightly reduced her speed to swim alongside it.

 

Then, like a curator, she slowly pointed to the spot where she had thrown the harpoon.

 

“This is the hole I made with the spear earlier. If you look closely here—ah, this might be a bit gross.”

 

She then inserted her hand into the hole and pulled it apart.

 

A thick, white, viscous liquid began to ooze out from inside.

 

─What the heck is that?

 

─I’m starting to get more scared of the streamer than the monster fish.

 

ㄴ You’re quick to notice.

 

“This liquid that’s oozing out is Galecus’s eggs. I hit the egg chamber precisely, so it feels an extreme threat and is fleeing to its nest. Ah, and the way to distinguish between male and female or pregnancy is…”

 

─I’m seriously starting to get scared of her. Is she even human?

 

─I’m really sorry for making fun of her for stuttering on land…

 

“And since the goal is to drive it to its nest, I adjusted the force just enough to puncture the egg chamber. If it had burst completely, it would have gone berserk and attacked.”

 

─So it wasn’t a random throw.

 

─She’s being ruthless to a fish, lol.

 

─Wait, that’s the size of the hole from just that?

 

Parang remained calm, even reading the chat directly now.

 

“So, someone asked, ‘What was that sound just now?’ It’s Galecus’s unique ‘threat behavior.’ When attacked, it makes that sound to disorient the attacker and then quickly flees to its nest.”

 

She continued to chat, showing off its eyes, fins, and even taking a few scales as souvenirs.

 

“Oh, we’ve arrived.”

 

A massive shape began to appear faintly in the distance.

 

“It’s the nest.”