Chapter 169

“…Jason, please provide a detailed observation of the surroundings detected on the radar.”

[Confirmed, Commander Edu. Deploying observation drones.]

Drones emerged from the ship and descended beyond the hazy vapor.

moments later, the scene we’d seen earlier became more vividly projected on the bridge’s screen.

– Keee!

A pack of Cryptids were baring their teeth at each other and repeatedly engaging in bloody combat.

– Krrr….

– Kyaaa!!

Unending cries resounded, and when one creature’s throat was finally severed after a fierce struggle, another would immediately lunge at the survivor. This cycle repeated endlessly.

Like gladiators in the Colosseum, they continued their ceaseless struggle.

“Hhhaa…”

“…So noble.”

“That’s right.”

My friends murmured in awe at the sight of their fierce struggle, but I noticed something different from what they did.

It was their outer skin.

“Hmm…”

“Sis? Is something wrong?”

“I see something peculiar.”

“Peculiar?”

“Yes, something about these creatures in the pack.”

Cryptids are known to have their skin color and texture change depending on their living environment and various factors.

Well, honestly, the reference book doesn’t provide detailed explanations, so their settings seem like a patchwork of other SF monster concepts. Still, the setting exists.

This setting helps distinguish named enemies with special gimmicks or events from generic Cryptid packs through their skin and coloration.

“…? What’s the issue with that?”

“A lot of issues.”

Though easily overlooked because they are monstrous, Cryptids are far from simple and ignorant beasts.

Even if an individual is weak, they instinctively know that killing or eating each other within the same pack weakens their collective power.

Therefore, barring cases where packs belong to different groups or have lost control, it’s almost impossible for them to harm their compatriots while under group control.

“Well, there are instances of cannibalism within packs, but these occur only in some extreme situations.”

“Right. But sis, maybe unexpected problems arose causing this conflict?”

“You’re right… but…”

As Sita said, unexpected issues can always arise, and this applies to Cryptids too.

The most representative scenario within a pack involves two Queens emerging in a pack and dividing the group, leading to a power struggle with possible bloodshed. In the latter case, the group losing control leads to a chaotic situation devoid of unity.

However, this fight had several questionable aspects.

“There are quite a few strange aspects.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, if they were fighting for leadership, there should be distinct factions, but that’s not the case here, right?”

“Hmm…”

After hearing my words, Sita focused on the screen.

Nodding after observing the fierce battle among the Cryptids:

“Indeed, everyone else seems like an enemy except for oneself.”

“Right? And it also doesn’t make sense that they’re not under control, see there?”

I pointed to a corner of the screen.

Atop a hill slightly away from where the brutal battle was taking place floated a grotesque lifeform. Its shriveled body hovered defying gravity and resembled a human figure. Six bony hands were folded on its chest.

The elite Cryptid commander, a Brain entity rated at hazard level 9.

“Is that a Core Enemy?”

“That’s right.”

A Core Enemy, also known as a Head Type, acts as the Cryptids’ commander.

As long as that entity exists, it’s implausible for the nearby Cryptid pack to be out of control.

Hence, the second case is also invalid.

That leaves only the scenario of intra-group cannibalism, but even that had issues.

‘Too broad, too many.’

The cannibalism here was far too extensive for it to merely be accidental.

Cryptids, when such situations arise, prioritize sacrificing lower-level entities to preserve their primary combat strength.

Thus, if cannibalism is unavoidable, the lower-hazard Cryptids generally become the sacrifices.

However, this ongoing bloodbath made no such basic distinction.

Additionally, even after toppling their opponents, no signs of nutrients being absorbed from the dead ones were visible.

‘There’s no purpose.’

There’s always a purpose and reason behind any action.

But in this case, the Cryptids’ actions seemed purposeless, only processes unfolding without end.

As these doubts circled my mind, I took a deep breath and gathered myself.

‘I’ll have to check it out directly.’

“Let’s investigate further and establish a plan. Jason, record their positions and move deeper into the area, will you?”

[Confirmed, Commander Edu. Advancing slowly.]

…

Surrounding the Cryptids’ territory, we made an astonishing discovery—senseless bloodbaths scattered across their domain.

“Sis, that makes six locations now.”

“Indeed…”

“How will you proceed, Edu?”

Nisia’s question.

I could see my friends, Mili, and Sita looking at me.

“Hmm.”

After collecting my thoughts for a moment:

An obviously unusual movement.

The only possible gains from this—stronger individuals gained from accumulated experience or a few named entities—

‘Wait, named?’

A sudden thought struck me.

Named Cryptids.

A term for those monsters who have survived long and accumulated much experience.

Among these were some terrifying creatures whose combat strength rivaled or exceeded that of a Queen.

My mind gradually cleared.

The scattered puzzle pieces began to fit together when evidence supporting my hypothesis appeared.

“Ugh, it’s completely soaked in blood.”

Jenny winced as the screen showed a crimson ground, littered with Cryptid remains, with insect-like creatures hustling about.

Harvesters.

The Cryptids’ worker type, tasked with collecting all materials that could contribute to the pack’s nourishment.

At that moment, my certainty solidified.

“Hmm, so that’s what it was.”

“Edu?”

“That reaction… it seems like you’ve caught on to something.”

Nisia tilting her head, Edward’s measured expression.

I nodded to both of them and replied.

“Yes, these creatures seem to be artificially creating named beings.”

“Named? Isn’t that the term for especially powerful Cryptid regulars?”

“That’s right, Clarissa.”

The most basic condition for creating named entities: experience.

They simulate this by having the creatures endlessly fight and kill each other. The fallen are collected by Harvesters, processed into nutrients, and reused.

A massive named entity production facility.

And this kind of thinking isn’t something a regular Cryptid Queen could come up with.

‘Possibly someone like me, or someone with AOE knowledge and a modern gamer’s mindset.’

A smile arose involuntarily upon analyzing the enemy.

Even if it’s slightly unsettling that they might be from the same place I am, it’s clear they’re not normal given their determination to mass-produce named Cryptids.

Then there’s no need for me to hesitate, right?

“Jason, descend to the ground.”

[Confirmed, Commander Edu. Commencing ship descent.]

Simultaneously answering, Jason descended rapidly towards the surface, the distant ground drawing near quickly.

“Edu? What are you going to do?”

Jenny’s question.

“We’ve figured out what the enemies are planning, so now we need to take action.”

“Take action?”

“Yes.”

An accidentally discovered Cryptid named entity production factory.

Sorry, but I didn’t authorize any such factories.

“Release the collection.”

…

– Chirrup, chirrup.

– Chirrup.

The Harvesters moved busily, their antennae wiggling.

A Cryptid resembling a moth hovered nearby, flapping its wings as it oversaw the Harvesters.

The lower-tier commander of the Cryptid group, the Pheromone entity.

Following the Queen’s command, it continues to recover the remains of what the Queen terms “dropouts” from the group.

A long procession.

Despite the monotony of the task, the Pheromone entity diligently follows the Queen’s orders because they are her commands and her will.

The Pheromone briefly lands on a nearby rock after a long period of wing-fluttering to rest.

– …

While resting, the Harvesters continue working diligently.

Suddenly, the ground trembled.

– ?

The Pheromone flinches at the unexpected vibration.

Before it can react, a sharp tearing sound is heard from behind.

Shiiiiing!

Something streaks through the air at great speed.

Moments later, it strikes the center of the Harvester cluster and explodes with a dazzling flash.

– !!!

Startled, the Pheromone hurriedly tries to take off.

But it was a mistake.

Shiiiiing!

Pak!

The Pheromone’s vision tumbles towards the ground accompanied by a sharp tearing sound.

Kerbam! Kooowaaang!

Consecutive explosions rip through the center of the Harvester group it was overseeing, causing them to burst into flames as they carried nutrients.

The Pheromone struggles to move its head to look behind it.

Through the thick fog, blue lights emerge.

Ethereal lights resembling Will-o’-the-wisps, flickering faintly.

Slowly increasing vibrations and ominous metallic grinding sounds are heard.

As the heated engine emits black smoke and the treads quickly rotate, the figure presses forward.

– !!!

Amidst the acrid smoke, iron legions appear.

Upon seeing this, the Pheromone struggles desperately but soon realizes its futility.

Its torn-off wings were destroyed in the first bombardment, and more than half its torso is missing.

The endless treads move closer.

Kriiick!!

Crunch!

[First Armored Legion is moving. Advance, annihilate all enemies for the commander!]

The Invader legions that instantly shattered the Cryptid convoy.

Watching this, Edu raised his voice.

“Alright, blow up all the remaining bodies! Then let’s move!”

[Instructions clear. Advance toward victory for the commander!]

Continuous gunfire and heavy vibrations echo through the ground as the steel army pushes through the Cryptids’ domain.