Chapter 45: The Monster "Rain Croix"

Found it.

“Level 2 Combat Readiness.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”

The situation was far from ideal. The target was located southeast of The Tree, just 30 kilometers away. The Swift solar-powered reconnaissance drone had captured footage with its panoramic camera: a whale-like sea beast was attacked from below. Ringo, monitoring the situation, immediately alerted Commander Eve, who, alarmed by the proximity, moved The Tree Fortress to a heightened state of alert.

“Sisters, head to the secondary command center. Ringo, you’re with me.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”

While recalling the surveillance Swifts, preparations were made to deploy attack drones. At 30 kilometers, the target was well within range. Microwave power transmission wasn’t an option due to insufficient infrastructure and equipment, but the proximity allowed for the use of battery-operated weaponry.

“Ma’am Commander, Level 2 Combat Readiness is complete.”

“Okay.”

Eve rushed into the command center with Ringo in tow. Any location could technically serve as her command post, but commanding from the dining hall just didn’t feel appropriate.

“Display the visuals.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”

A cascade of windows popped open, displaying live footage transmitted by the Swifts. The scene showed a pod of sea beasts being slaughtered.

“Whoa... What the hell is this?”

A massive creature moved with unnatural agility for its size. Analysis data from the footage began to display.

“Estimated length: 80 meters. Excluding the tail: approximately 60 meters. The creature closely resembles a crocodile. It swims by undulating its body and tail. Here’s its predatory behavior.”

The footage showed a pod of sea beasts leisurely swimming. A smaller individual in the center of the group was targeted first. As a shadow appeared below it, the predator surged upward, jaws wide open, clamping down on its prey. The beast leapt at least 3–4 meters out of the water before the attack concluded. The term bitten apart fit perfectly.

Caught in the predator’s powerful jaws, the sea beast had no chance to resist as it was torn apart in a single bite. Chunks of its head and tail spilled out from either side of the enormous jaws. The predator’s massive body splashed back into the ocean, sending waves of blood-tainted water spraying in all directions.

“Whoa...”

This horrifying reality was unfolding just 30 kilometers away.

“Starting analysis. Defining various analyzer functions and methods. Beginning calculations.”

Ringo, with her near-limitless computational power, analyzed the footage thoroughly.

“Analysis complete. First of all, this large creature is scientifically impossible.”

“Huh?”

“With its predicted mobility, no known biological structure could withstand such activity.”

The issue was the predator’s feeding behavior: surging upward from beneath, jaws wide open, and tearing its prey apart.

“A body of that size would be unable to endure the water resistance involved in such movements. Calculations show its muscles would tear, its skin would peel, and its bones would shatter.”

“...Continue.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. None of the known biological tissues could achieve the required durability. For this to be possible, its skeleton would need to be made of titanium alloy and its muscles reinforced with carbon nanotubes. However, such a composition is nonsensical. Previously analyzed tissues showed no such specialized molecules or structures, suggesting an unknown mechanism is at play.”

“So, basically, we’re talking about some kind of magical fantasy power?”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. The creature’s structure appears to be enhanced by an unknown method.”

In the footage, the massive predator was finishing off its carnage, biting into the last sea beast’s head. Blood gushed out, signaling the prey’s death. However, it appeared uninterested in consuming this final kill. Instead, it used its short limbs to interact with its surroundings, seemingly confirming its position.

“What’s it doing?”

“It doesn’t appear to be playing, so it likely has a purpose.”

“It’s hugging it now.”

“...There’s some activity around its lower body. The visuals aren’t clear.”

Eventually, satisfied, the predator moved away from the carcass and began drifting alongside it, as if following the current.

“...Is it sleeping?”

“Its activity level is decreasing. However, this situation isn’t favorable. The current it’s in flows toward The Tree’s reef region.”

The massive creature drifted slowly with the waves. At this rate, it would reach The Tree Fortress in about four hours.

“It’s heading our way... Ugh, no choice, huh?”

Eve sighed.

“Ringo, Level 1 Combat Readiness. If it moves away from The Tree, we’ll only track it. Set up a defensive perimeter with a 5-kilometer radius and an attack radius of 10 kilometers. If it breaches the attack radius, begin firing. Use the fortress’s 150mm smoothbore cannons.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. Level 1 Combat Readiness initiated.”

“Also, we’re naming this creature Rain Croix from now on.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. Rain Croix, huh? That’s a niche reference.”

Ringo obediently updated the strategic monitor marker to display Rain Croix, despite finding the name a bit lengthy.

“Well, it looks like we’ve got about two hours for now. Good thing it’s still morning. I’ll rest for a bit and call the sisters.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”

“Rain Croix has breached the attack line.”

“Commence combat.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. Engaging.”

At Eve’s command, Ringo immediately fired the 150mm smoothbore cannon. The projectile, traveling at approximately 1,000 m/s, was within precise targeting range for Ringo’s computational abilities.

The shell was an armor-piercing round. After a 10-second flight, it struck Rain Croix’s torso.

“Hit confirmed.”

The shell, weighing 60 kilograms and traveling at 800 m/s upon impact, released its kinetic energy, lifting Rain Croix’s massive body momentarily. A shockwave displaced seawater, creating an enormous spray.

“Assessing damage.”

The Swift overhead captured multiple angles of the impact. Even as the spray settled, Rain Croix’s condition remained unclear.

“Damage undetectable.”

“What?! After all that?”

The cannon round had undoubtedly hit, lifting the enormous creature out of the water, yet no visible damage was apparent.

“Displaying footage.”

The moment of impact replayed in slow motion. The shell, descending in an arc, struck Rain Croix’s torso at an angle. At that moment, a ripple of light spread across its skin from the point of contact.

“This ripple appeared at the moment of impact, spreading across Rain Croix’s body almost instantly.”

The shell, however, disintegrated like brittle sugar, failing to penetrate the creature’s skin. Shattered fragments dispersed into the water, creating another spray as the creature’s massive body bounced slightly from the transferred energy.

Still, there were no visible injuries.

“Rain Croix in sight, swimming.”

Amidst the splashes, Rain Croix began swimming swiftly beneath the surface, circling the drifting sea beast carcass.

“It’s moving over 50 km/h. No damage is confirmed.”

“It shattered an armor-piercing round head-on? If it deflected it, I could blame the angle…”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. The current armor-piercing rounds appear ineffective. They can push it back slightly but aren’t capable of destruction.”

Rain Croix’s circling slowed. Its behavior suggested caution, likely startled by the sudden attack. However, it remained close to the sea beast’s carcass.

“It almost looks like it’s guarding the body…”

“Ma’am Commander, should we continue the attack?”

“…Yes. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this resilient. If we can drive it away, that’d reduce the risk. Continue the attack. Stick with armor-piercing rounds for now.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”