Chapter 767

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 767: A Great Story (7)

"Oh, my god."

It was a sight that chilled the heart of even Yeongwoo, who had just passed through a black hole.

It was the scene of metal chunks containing actual Katangdal scattering and flying amidst the sandstorm of Planet Sanmie.

"Hey, you do have a way to resolve that, right?"

When Yeongwoo asked the exchange employee this, the employee, who had been pouring out some alien language into the communicator near his arm, lifted his blank face.

-W-we're trying!

"What, just trying? Then why are there emergency codes set up? You said 02 is the metal typhoon."

Didn't that mean they had experienced a similar situation before and had countermeasures in place?

At that, the employee who received Yeongwoo's question answered with a very perplexed expression.

-While this kind of problem does occur occasionally, a typhoon containing Katangdal is a first.

"A first?"

While Yeongwoo's mouth gaped open, Sanmie's emergency response finally began.

Kwiaaaak!

The ground split open in various places across the exchange, and massive mechanical arms sprang out from within.

"What is that?"

It was a moment that offered a glimpse into how the scale of Sanmie's Metal Exchange was far larger than it appeared.

Because there were over twenty mechanical arms—large enough to snatch up an average spaceship—just within the immediate line of sight.

Clank!

There were a total of two types of mechanical arms pulled out above the ground.

One was a type with an elongated sprayer attached, and the other was, at a single glance, a device meant to filter out the metals riding the typhoon.

Because a gigantic iron plate shaped like a ladle was attached to the end of the mechanical arm.

"What are they trying to do? Don't tell me they're just going to ignorantly scoop up the metal with that ladle?"

No sooner had Yeongwoo said this than the mechanical arms began to extend their ladles toward the metal typhoon.

And around this time, the mechanical arms holding the sprayers fired something in the direction of the metal typhoon.

Piaaaaaat!

It looked like some sort of energy wave, and it could be clearly seen that the movement of the metal typhoon momentarily slowed down, as if it had the effect of suppressing the target's energy.

Kwaak!

It was also at this moment that the absurd ladles in question boldly entered the metal typhoon.

It was exactly the method Yeongwoo had been worried about.

'Still, they must be doing that because it succeeded before, right? For one, the movement of the metal fragments did actually slow down.'

Following that, the metal bodies moving along with the typhoon were blocked by the ladles and produced a tremendous screeching sound of friction.

Kwagigigigit!

And then.

Kwangit! Kweeeek!

From a certain point, an unusual sound began to ring out.

"What was that just now? Something went wrong, right?"

At the point Yeongwoo asked this, the expressions of the exchange employees were already unreadable.

Because.

Tatat!

They were already in the midst of running away toward the dome-shaped structure in the distance.

"What..."

While a flustered Yeongwoo stood blankly in place watching the backs of the employees, disaster finally struck.

Kwiaaaak!

With a deafening sound, the ladles that had been thrust all over the metal typhoon began to rip apart.

Then, even the fragments of the ladles that had been shredded to pieces were incorporated into the metal typhoon.

Kwaaaaaaah!

The metal typhoon began to rage fiercely once again.

Perhaps deciding they had no other options, the Sanmie side retrieved the mechanical arms that had been pulled outside, one by one.

"Don't tell me they're giving up?"

As Yeongwoo asked this out into the air, a mechanical voice from inside the Keniscita answered instead of Sanmie's exchange.

「It seems to be because of the Katangdal included in our goods.」

Mushio had explained in place of the fled employees.

"Could it be, were those ladles earlier made of normal metal and not Katangdal?"

「Katangdal is far too expensive, after all. Still, as a collector prepared for the metal typhoon, it would have been made of high-grade alloy... yet it tore like paper regardless. As expected of Katangdal.」

It was a moment that revealed once again the reason why the Katangdal content determined the tier of a spaceship.

"What do we do now? Do I have to leave my money in the typhoon and leave just like this?"

Yeongwoo looked helplessly at the metals fluttering in the air, before his eyes soon changed.

"Are you crazy? I can't do that."

At that, Mushio, who had somehow detected his muttering, asked from inside the spaceship.

「But there are no alternatives.」

If even the navigator who had served a Great One said there was no alternative, it was likely true.

However, if you change your perspective on anything, doesn't the problem sometimes become completely different?

"Alternative? If the goal is to calm that typhoon, you're right that there's no alternative."

「Yes, therefore...」

"But by causing a new problem, we can change this worst-case scenario into the lesser of two evils."

「...?」

It was a statement that made absolutely no logical sense.

Mushio wandered, unable to find the words to say in response, and in the meantime, Yeongwoo continued with his next line.

"Those things are riding the typhoon right now, but essentially, aren't they just metallic bodies?"

「They are also Katangdal fragments.」

"Fragments? Then what were they before they became fragments?"

「That would be...」

Mushio, wracking his brain following Yeongwoo's words, soon gaped his mouth wide open.

「...A spaceship. It would have been a spaceship that was smashed to pieces by the Captain's bombardment.」

"Exactly. So wouldn't it be possible to shoot them down again? We strike that typhoon with the naval guns and smash the metals into the ground."

「.......」

Mushio once again could not find anything to say.

But after pondering it carefully, it seemed like a plausible idea, so he pointed out the next step.

「If we carry it out as you say, a bigger problem will arise. Sanmie's Metal Exchange will suffer a massive blow.」

To this, Yeongwoo made a terrifyingly calm face.

"That's the 'new problem' I mentioned earlier. But that problem is much smaller than the problem of potentially losing all my money."

「But the issue of compensation...」

Mushio, who had unconsciously tried to raise a common-sense objection, soon shut his mouth.

From the very beginning, this Planetary Ship Captain had no intention of doing anything like compensating Sanmie's Metal Exchange for damages.

Therefore, Mushio also agreed with his master's thoughts in a cold-blooded tone.

「Theoretically, there seems to be no reason it wouldn't work. If consecutive strikes are made at precise points, a significant portion of the metal mixed in the typhoon will become buried in the earth.」

Of course, the fact that this earth was the very ground where Sanmie's Metal Exchange was built was ignored.

"Good. Earth, you heard that too, right? Tell the Deputy to open fire right now."

At that, Earth spoke to him through his consciousness, as if waiting for this.

○ Even if you hadn't said it, I figured that crazy conclusion would come up, so I've been relaying it to the Deputy for a while now.

'Then we can just start the bombardment right now.'

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

○ And the aftermath? I don't know about anything else, but firing naval guns is apparently an act that heavily provokes the Hezara Galaxy.

'Is that what the Deputy said?'

○ Yeah. He says nine times out of ten, Hezara's central government will react.

If Mantero, the avatar of common sense, said so, it would truly turn out that way.

Because of that, Yeongwoo felt relieved.

'That's great. I'll be able to complete the great story the black holes ordered.'

○ ...?

'Eventually, I have to assault a public official here at least once. If I can recover my money and also summon angry public officials, there could be nothing better.'

The bombardment of Sanmie was confirmed.

Subsequently, as Yeongwoo looked up at the sky, Earth, catching on to his intention, warned him in advance.

○ We won't go as far as using the Planet Hunter, but the firepower will still be massive. If you don't want to turn into ashes, you'd better evacuate that spot.

To this, Yeongwoo looked behind him and said.

"It'll be an opportunity to verify firsthand just how tough triple-layered Godial armor is."

Then, the quick-witted Mushio swiftly opened the outer plating of the spaceship and said.

「The Deputy has permitted the bombardment faster than expected.」

"He's the kind of guy who would crash a spaceship into Pahalufe if he's in a rush. He was probably mentally prepared early on."

As Yeongwoo threw his body inside the Keniscita with these words, Earth, having confirmed this, reported on behalf of Deputy Mantero.

○ Bombardment commencing.

Just as Yeongwoo had said, Deputy Mantero had followed the order without a hint of hesitation.

Gooooo...!

Through the sharp noises of the boisterous metal typhoon, a certain vibration of an entirely different depth slowly spread outwards.

And then, soon enough.

Kwaaaaaaaaat!

The inside of the dark red clouds flashed for an instant, and all sorts of colored laser bombardments rained down upon the Metal Exchange.

Tatatatang...!

Following that, the ballistic missiles received from Chancellor Herisa pierced through the clouds and delivered the follow-up strikes.

Peopeopeong!

Along with a vibration that seemed to shake the earth's axis, hazy dust rose up before being swept away by the typhoon.

And at this time, the Keniscita, which had been left behind amid all types of artillery fire...

"Crazy."

...was on standby in its place without a single scratch on its outer plating.

-This is the capability of the spaceship serving the Captain. Destruction is nearly impossible.

"Nearly? Then in what situations can it be destroyed? Do Godial spaceships have to collide with each other?"

-It is incredibly difficult for such a situation to occur, but that is also a possibility. However, as the Keniscita is made of triple-layered Godial, it would be the winning side even in that scenario.

"Then what on earth can smash triple-layered Godial?"

-It is hard to imagine. For I, too, have never experienced facing the 'Great Dragons' or challenging a Transcendent.

"You mean we have to consider levels up to the realm of the unknown. It's virtually close to invincible."

-However, it is purely physical strength; this armor does not block mental damage as well, so shooting it down is not impossible.

"True, if the pilot loses their mind, the ship would crash as well."

-In fact, in wars where Great Ones participated, there have been cases where spaceships were shot down by sheer presence. Even though some of them had mental shields installed.

"What... the Chairmen don't just kill people with their gazes, they also bring down spaceships?"

-Of course, not every Great One can perform such a marvel, but on the flip side, it is not an impossible feat either.

"How was the gaze of the Black Flash? You said you fought in three wars alongside him."

At Yeongwoo's question, Mushio spoke evasively.

-I have never witnessed a scene where the Black Flash shot down a spaceship with his presence. But as he was someone who favored the sword so much, it might just be that he didn't bother doing such a thing.

"Then who did that kind of thing in the war? You said that because you saw the sight yourself, didn't you."

When Yeongwoo asked this, Mushio cleared his throat and spoke a single name.

-The Decider, Dau Syke.

"Dau Syke?"

-He is the strongest existence among those whose martial prowess I have seen with my own eyes.

Considering he shot down spaceships with his presence, how could he not be?

"But wait. The Decider? What does he decide?"

At that, Mushio gave a tremendous answer.

-He is called that because he decides the life or death of the opponent he faces.

"Insane."

In short, didn't that mean he was an undefeated legend?

With this, Yeongwoo couldn't help but compare him to Chairman Dogo, the strongest person in the world he had experienced.

The one born on the battlefield, the Master of the Hundred Thousand Sword Mountain, the King of Destruction Dogo.

Then would Dau Syke truly still be 'The Decider' even in front of the Chairman?

"......."

As Yeongwoo was once again spreading the wings of his imagination inside his head, Mushio Tarae shook his head from side to side.

-In this universe, there are bound to be things that can never be known.

"It's probably something I shouldn't try to know."

The moment Yeongwoo replied like this, the barrage of bombardment that had been loudly battering the outside ceased.

Then, Earth made its presence known once again.

○ Hurry up, go out and check.

'You mean to see if my money is buried well in the ground?'

○ No. To see if the exchange employees are still alive.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]