Chapter 490

"What on earth happened?!"

"I believe I can take control of the situation."

High above the Yurgian Continent's ground, thousands of feet in the sky, one could witness a remarkable sight: a river suspended amidst the clouds.

One might dismiss this as sheer nonsense, but, in fact, there existed a river within the continent whose waters defied gravity when blended with specific materials that resisted freezing in cold air. This alchemical concoction would manifest as a dense, somber cloud, appearing poised to release rain at any moment. However, the natural elements and compounds that had been dissolved and mixed had the unique ability to preserve the water's buoyancy and prevent it from falling as rain.

This exceptional occurrence was sporadic, confined to a limited area. Yet, when it did manifest, it created a river of clouds that gracefully wove its way around the entire continent for decades. Consequently, the continent's inhabitants developed sophisticated technology to deploy substantial equipment in the skies above, enabling them to observe their world with unparalleled precision.

The visionary behind this phenomenon and the inventor of this groundbreaking technology was none other than the same individual who uncovered the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone and the revered God of Alchemy, Eva van Hoenheim. All this knowledge was meticulously documented within Eva van Hoenheim's Book of Theories.

Presently, Evanov had seized control of both the ground-based and cloud-based observation equipment linked to the river of clouds above. The observation apparatus, initially under the dominion of those Parasol ruffians, had been ingeniously wrested from their control by Davey, effectively severing their grip over Raccoon City. Thus, when Eva endeavored to infiltrate their system through the city, he successfully gained access and assumed command.

All these monumental changes were orchestrated by a single individual. Once shrouded in darkness and dread, the city was overrun by perilous mutants and the infected. But what had transpired since then was nothing short of a miracle. Mutants were no longer in sight; in fact, the sole survivors were the resilient wild animals that had endured the calamity wrought by the infected mutants who once roamed the city's streets.

Upon receiving Leon's report regarding the city's remarkable transformation, Evanov promptly sought out Senior Corporal Ocean, convincingly urging him to dispatch their personnel to the city. It didn't take long for their team to reach the city center, and soon thereafter, Evanov effectively took charge of the ground and cloud-based observation equipment.

Evanov was currently searching for their benefactor, Davey, who had begun to act independently after the city's recent debacle.

"Sir Evanov, who is he, exactly?" Senior Corporal Ocean inquired.

"To be honest, I don't know him all that well myself. I only had a brief interaction with my brother. However, compared to his rather unpleasant personality, it's clear that he is a kind and righteous person," Evanov replied.

"I understand that, but..." Ocean hesitated.

"Senior Corporal Ocean, I can vouch for his character as well. However, Sir Evanov, wouldn't it be wiser to focus on finding a cure instead of seizing control of the observation equipment?" another voice chimed in.

"That? Miss Lisa Cer is already working on that. She's the foremost authority in biotechnology. My interference would only hinder her progress. It's best for me to focus on what I do best," Evanov explained.

"Still..." Ocean expressed his concerns.

"I may still be an inexperienced newcomer," Evanov admitted.

It seemed quite astonishing to hear a young man refer to himself as a newcomer, especially considering he had bypassed numerous security measures established by various countries to assume control of the observation equipment.

After hearing Leon's words, Ocean could only sigh, saying, "To be honest, even after hearing that, it's something I find hard to believe. I mean, who would believe that a single person managed to eliminate all the infected in the entire city single-handedly?"

Suddenly, Evanov, who was operating the equipment, exclaimed, "Ah! I've received a response. I'll transmit the video."

At that very moment, a brilliant light emanated from the large crystal ball in the room, projecting images onto the wall opposite it. The video displayed countless infected and mutants.

—Rooooooooooooooar!

Thud!

The infected mutants stood still and roared, not moving from their place as if they had lost their purpose.

Thud!!!

The ground resounded with a deafening crack as a colossal monster, comprised of sinew and flesh, emerged from beneath the earth.

"Titan..." Ocean and Evanov both swallowed hard as they witnessed the scene.

Titans were an adversary even their most formidable weapons couldn't contend with. In fact, just five of these behemoths together could obliterate small and medium-sized cities. They were the epitome of malevolence. Not only were conventional weapons and attacks ineffective against them, but titans also possessed a wide range of mobility and activity. The worst part? Their insatiable appetite was otherworldly.

Titans were ferocious creatures not particularly inclined to bite and infect others with parasitic eggs, but they excelled in using their robust bodies to crush and demolish objects. Bizarre and outlandish stories about titans abounded in this world. Some tales even spoke of these titans leaping into the sky to snatch cargo planes carrying explosives and gunpowder before hurling them away like shot puts.

With the titan's sudden appearance, a creature capable of instilling fear and terror with ease, swarms of mutants began to pour out, converging on a location as if they had received a command.

"Which direction... My goodness, it's here!"

"Their numbers?! How many are there?"

"Please wait!" Evanov, though visibly pale, continued working without pause. He adjusted a dial and made some changes on the control board.

Beep... beep...

The room resounded with the noise of working machinery as numbers began to print out in front of them.

"There are 40,000... Given their current pace, they will likely reach the vicinity of the city within half a day, at most. Parasol is deliberately targeting us..." Evanov remarked.

"Oh... my God..." Ocean mumbled, fatigue etched across his face.

Bzzt... bzzt...

Then, at that very moment, the observation equipment picked up a faint sound.

"What... What the hell, Sir Evanov! Perhaps those Parasol rascals have taken control of the station..."

"No! It's being disrupted by a powerful burst of electromagnetic waves..." Evanov responded.

The people in the room, who had been urgently shouting, froze in their tracks. This was because something massive had just appeared directly in front of the observation equipment in the sky.

Vwoooong!

Whatever had passed by was so immense that it left them both trembling with fear and petrified in place.

"Just now, that thing..." Ocean began, his voice quivering with shock.

As for Evanov, he broke out in a cold sweat. In contrast, Leon's face brightened, and he exclaimed, "Davey!"

Bzzt!

At Leon's exclamation, the images that had been plagued by static interference returned to their pristine, clear state, once again projecting the scene of the infected. Relief washed over them when the colossal presence vanished.

However, they were now faced with the sight of countless mutants and infected individuals advancing toward the city.

Shiiiiiing...

A slender beam of light descended to the ground, accompanied by a faint, high-pitched noise that resonated in their ears. From the point where the thin beam of light landed, concentric waves of the same radiant glow rippled out several times.

"What on earth is that...?"

Shiiiiiiiiing... Baaaaaaaang!!!

In that instant, the beam of light that had been silently emitting waves earlier vanished. Shortly thereafter, a resounding boom echoed, and the image projected by the observation equipment darkened, abruptly shutting down.

"What... What happened?"

"It... It shut down. The immense energy has damaged the equipment," Evanov explained, visibly shaken.

He swiftly manipulated the crystal ball to access another observation device situated elsewhere.

"Thank goodness! The primary power source was destroyed, but the backup power remains intact! I'll transmit the video."

With his remarkable skills, Evanov managed to switch to another observation device and restore the video transmission in about thirty seconds. However, the scene that greeted him left him wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

Ocean was equally astonished. "Hey, Sir Evanov. What we're seeing in that video..."

"We're observing the same location as before."

The scene displayed on the wall portrayed a scorched earth, with molten lava flowing and consuming everything in its path. The region previously overrun by mutants had transformed into a nightmarish landscape.

"What in the world..."

"That enormous dragon by Davey's side... It's undoubtedly something he unleashed," Leonhard helplessly mumbled.

Then, not long after...

"Did you say a dragon?! Such creatures can't exist...!"

"He referred to himself as an outsider. Perhaps what the God of Alchemy, Eva von Hoenheim, wrote in his Book of Theories is true. That there are countless dimensional lines in existence..." Evanov offered.

Nevertheless, Ocean remained silent. It was as though he still couldn't fully fathom the scene he had just witnessed. Simultaneously, he felt a profound sense of relief knowing that a man named Davey was on their side. He understood that resisting would be futile if such a colossal force capable of causing such immense devastation had allied with Parasol.

***

Unlike Rinne's composed and expressionless countenance, Perserque displayed an oddly rigid expression.

"There's something peculiar about this continent," she remarked.

"It's because there's no mana here."

"It's as if I'm missing a sense of stability or something..." Perserque added.

This continent had thrived solely through the use of alchemy and technology, without assistance from external forces. Since this world lacked mana, Perserque, who had arrived here for the first time, felt an eerie discomfort.

"I don't want to linger here for too long," Perserque stated.

"We'll return once we've dealt with things."

Davey regarded the Yurgian Continent as a significant client. He would find it bothersome if some foreign element interfered with his crucial trading partner, wouldn't he? He had already pinpointed their location following a conversation with Dr. Fraun. Ever since that exchange, he felt the Princess of the Abyss was challenging him, attempting to lure him to her location.

Now that he was here, he had no intention of retreating. Even if it was a trap, he wasn't one to shy away from a challenge. Who was she to set a trap in front of someone like Davey?

Vwooooooooooong!

[Contractor. We've reached the coordinates you provided.]

"Just make a nosedive. Let's give them a warm welcome," Davey declared.

A glint of excitement flashed in Megalodria's eyes upon hearing Davey's command. In response, he promptly spun his body and descended at breakneck speed.

"Clean up the vicinity and then return. I'll handle the rest," Davey instructed as he grabbed Perserque and secured her back and thighs before leaping off.

"Kyaaack!" Perserque yelped as they plummeted to the ground.

Davey held her even tighter, a sinister smile creeping across his face.

[5th Circle Gravity Field]

[Gravity]

It was a magic that amplified the gravitational force acting on Davey several times over, consequently accelerating their descent. As the speed surged, Perserque trembled like a leaf in the wind.

Vwooooooooong...

Davey only found satisfaction when he observed Perserque clenching her eyes shut as their bodies neared the ground. It was then that he unleashed the power of the 7th Circle High Reverse Gravity.

With this 7th Circle magic, which granted complete control over gravity, their precipitous descent came to an abrupt halt, leaving them suspended in mid-air. Before them lay an enormous cave.

"I've heard that fashion trends tend to repeat. Does this also apply to architecture? Is it the latest trend to have eco-friendly buildings?" Davey quipped, his laughter resonating as he peered into the vast cave nestled amidst rocky terrain and encircled by yellow boulders.

His words were met with silence, yet he remained undeterred. Davey was certain they had arrived at the right place, thanks to the foul odor emanating from within the cave—a stench unique to the formidable power of the Princesses of the Abyss.

"Let's move, Rinne!" Davey signaled to Rinne, who was gracefully descending behind them with her wings spread.

He raised his head and conjured hundreds of luminous spheres, scattering them throughout the cave.

These numerous spheres of light served not only to illuminate their path but also contained low-level magic spells. A slight disturbance could trigger these lower-level spells to transform into something perilous, something unprecedented on the entire Yurgian Continent.

'Let's start with a bang!'

[3rd Circle Electric Field]

[Instant Transformation Magic]

[EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse Effect)]

Alchemy was a technology that harnessed electricity in conjunction with innovative materials. This was precisely why Davey had devised a plan to dismantle all electronic devices and equipment reliant on electricity and electrical signals right from the outset.

Ping...

Sparks began to emerge from the luminous spheres Davey had distributed throughout the cave earlier.

This particular magic had been imparted to him by Odin. However, the individual who suggested the alterations and enhancements to the skill was none other than Eva van Hoenheim. Moreover, it was Eva who advised Davey to employ this magic if he ever had the opportunity to visit the Yurgian Continent, as it could have a substantial impact there.

Booom!!! Boom!!!

Davey unmistakably sensed a disturbance originating from the cave's depths after the electromagnetic waves, a consequence of the earlier magic, had radiated out. The faint tremors he had perceived in various parts of the cave had ceased entirely.

"Davey, Rinne has detected that the vibrations, similar to those generated by the cargo plane, have ceased," came the report.

"Right."

'You have to abandon any thoughts of running away.'

After exchanging pleasantries, Davey ventured deeper into the cave, flanked by the last two remaining luminous spheres from the hundreds he'd conjured earlier. These orbs served as radiant light sources, illuminating a passage extending at least tens of meters in front of them. The brightness they emitted was so intense that it felt as if sunlight had invaded the cave.

Davey pressed on until he reached an entrance that was unmistakably man-made. The gap between the doors was so narrow that a person couldn't possibly pass through, but it allowed the spheres of light to proceed.

Upon seeing Davey raise his head, Rinne promptly approached, wielding her crowbar to pry open the entrance. The massive steel doors, towering several meters in height, gradually swung open. However, a peculiar aroma began to waft out.

"Ugh?!"

At that very moment, Davey noticed Perserque, still perched in his arms, recoiled. Even Rinne, in the midst of opening the massive doors, froze in place. The scent, while faint, was utterly disagreeable.

Davey gently set Perserque down and was about to create a breeze to disperse the lingering odor when Rinne, who was still clutching the crowbar and pushing open the door, suddenly collapsed.

Davey could see Rinne's fallen form quivering. Her blue eyes displayed an array of texts and numbers, as if to convey her current condition.

"D-Davey... D... d-d-d-detected... ab... ab-ab-ab-abnormalities in... sensory circuits..."

Davey slowly approached the trembling Rinne and placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Hmph?!"

Simultaneously, Rinne's body convulsed as she gazed up at Davey. Judging by her condition, it was evident that she found herself in an exceptionally dire situation, as if she had been stimulated by something, rendering her highly sensitive.

Upon seeing Rinne gasp and drool while staring at him, Davey couldn't help but furrow his brow. This was highly unusual. On the other hand, Perserque, who had initially appeared fine, also suddenly collapsed and gasped loudly, her face reddening.

"This... This insolence... What on earth did they put into my body..." Perserque sputtered.

Just as Davey was about to approach her, Perserque shouted, "Don't come near me, Davey!!!"

"What's wrong?" Davey inquired.

"All... All of the senses in my body have been am-amplified... if you touch me now, then..."

Davey's expression grew tense. These words implied that all their bodily sensations had exceeded the normal range, rendering them extraordinarily sensitive. Clearly, this phenomenon was brought on by the strange and unpleasant odor that had emanated when the doors opened.

The fact that it affected Rinne, a golem, and someone like Perserque meant only one thing—this was the power of the Princess of the Abyss.

As if poised to respond to Davey's murmur, a voice emanated from behind him. "How does it feel? It's quite a novel and exhilarating sensation, isn't it?"

"Hnghhh..."

Observing Perserque and Rinne quivering and groaning, unable to move independently, left Davey's expression cold. When he turned his gaze in the direction of the voice, he found a woman clad in an explicit and provocative outfit who was eyeing him.

Davey, who was still standing, frowned when the strange woman reached out and gently touched his chin. She couldn't help but giggle at his reaction to her impure touch.

"It's incredible, right? With all the senses in your body heightened, even a simple touch becomes excruciating. That's the nature of having an exceptionally sensitive body."

She continued to speak calmly, "You've picked the wrong fight, arrogant human. I am one of the Abyss's sources. Even if countless beauties like you come to me, you'll never reach my level."

Davey's eyes narrowed upon hearing her words. There was a strong likelihood that this Princess of the Abyss remained unaware of his battle with Sleesia. Well, it wasn't surprising; after all, there were numerous Princesses of the Abyss, weren't there?

"You seem to be in pain. Would you like some assistance?" the Princess of the Abyss inquired with a playful tone.

Then, she released more of her power.

"What on earth... What have you done to me?!" Perserque shouted in alarm.

She giggled in response to Perserque's outburst. "I simply placed a curse on you—a curse that heightens the sensitivity of your entire body. Of course, I can adjust the level of sensitivity and the area it affects as I see fit, anytime and anywhere."

Unlike the other Princesses of the Abyss, this one appeared to be a mischievous child who enjoyed playing pranks.

"No one can evade my curse, for I am the curse itself. By the way, your reactions are quite amusing, aren't they? My initial plan was to eliminate you, as you were disrupting my work, but after witnessing your responses, I might just keep you as my playthings."

She didn't seem particularly interested in the fact that Perserque was the being the Abyss was searching for. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Davey after making her statement. With an alluring and seductive smile, she caressed his cheek this time.

"How does it feel? Overwhelming, isn't it? You must feel as if all your senses have come alive, and your body is heating up, right? Humans are truly fascinating creatures. Tell me, how does it feel? You look absolutely delectable. If you become my plaything, I promise to show you the pinnacle of pleasure. They say humans experience pleasure when a man and a woman mate, don't they? But if I tweak your senses a bit and touch you, you'll undoubtedly experience the most intense pleasure..."

Davey regarded the Princess of the Abyss with a resolute and unwavering expression. After a moment of silence, he reached out and grasped her hand.

"Huh?" The Princess of the Abyss' eyes widened in surprise.

A Princess of the Abyss specializing in curses—a wicked and cruel facet among the already malevolent realities that existed.

"Hey."

Everyone fell silent when they heard Davey's words. Perserque and Rinne, shaking and drooling while gritting their teeth, gazed at Davey with pleading expressions.

The fact that this curse could affect anyone, including a biological golem and a demon lord, indicated its extensive and all-encompassing nature.

"This thing. Teach me this curse."

'Let's share the good things, okay?'