Chapter 82
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Chapter 82: The Characteristic Coordinates of "Home"
“Not bad, not bad.”
“Munch… munch…”
Trilobite licked his lips, savoring the delicious experience that the “insect meat” brought him.
Although Trilobite used to enjoy trying new foods, like cicada larvae and other treats, he felt a bit of resistance towards the “bean bug,” such a large insect.
Even though he knew it would taste great when fried, a part of him held back, making it hard to fully enjoy the meal.
Now, since he was no longer human, Trilobite found himself unbothered by all kinds of strange and unusual insects!
Everything in the world that moved and emitted “red” or “orange” energy was delicious!
“Oh man, thinking about that made me hungry again.”
“Although there was food in this swamp, the portions were too small; since I gnawed on one of those double-finned fish, they seemed to have gotten clever and stopped coming out.”
“I couldn’t dig through the mud faster than they could.”
“If I went outside the sludge, there might be bigger predators waiting for me, so I’d better be cautious and stay within the mud!”
If it were truly the Devonian period through the Carboniferous period, that “1.7 meters” of Trilobite wouldn’t stand a chance.
At that time, larger and stronger creatures like the ichthyosaurs had already appeared, and facing them wouldn’t bode well; besides, this world didn’t appear to be identical to Earth.
It seemed more like a unique realm where all Paleozoic creatures coexisted.
Although Trilobite hadn’t encountered any formidable foes yet, what if?
“If I ran into creatures like the Deinosuchus or the Theriodont, I’d be finished.”
“Maybe there were also things like the mighty crocodile or planted dragon?”
“Although the chance was slim, it was better to be prepared!”
“Anyway, I needed to dig a tunnel quickly and get to the next lake.”
“There should be plenty of delicious treats there.”
With that, Trilobite tirelessly wriggled forward; the sludge seemed to hold together thanks to the root systems of some “ferns,” so after the Giant God dug a tunnel, it didn’t collapse.
He moved farther and farther away from the original “lake.”
The voice of the System Lady had vanished, and now he couldn’t even feel her “aura.”
For some reason, Trilobite felt a bit reluctant.
“Humans really were social animals.”
“Now I didn’t have a computer or a phone, nor Wi-Fi; aside from tasting food, I still needed someone to talk to and chat with.”
“Young lady Trilobite could only touch and feel, but she couldn’t really talk with me, sigh…”
As he missed the System Lady, Trilobite glanced at his “inventory.”
This time, the “gift” he received from the System Lady, aside from the comforting warmth that felt like a super refreshing “hot bath,” were the items in his inventory.
“This gift… hmm… it was quite nice.”
Looking at the new “Skill” he had acquired, he felt cheerful.
"Ah, maybe it shouldn’t be called a ‘Skill’; perhaps it should be considered a ‘virtual item’?"
【Special Data: Geological Magnetic Field Characteristic Memory – Themis. (Copiable and giftable by the original holder; each copy costs 100 Magic Power points.)】
【Description: Any location’s magnetic field characteristic differs due to geological structures and mineral distribution, forming a unique fingerprint-like feature.】
【With magnetic sensing organs, one can detect a specific location’s magnetic field regardless of distance. Many long-migrating Birds and fish navigate this way.】
【Usage: No active use required. You permanently know the distance and route to "Themis." You may also copy it for others needing direction to "Themis."】
"Actually, that’s pretty good."
"So the lake and surrounding area are called ‘Themis’—like the female titan from Greek myths?"
"A fine name indeed."
"This works like a map’s coordinate origin. I can mentally chart the surroundings based on it."
"Hmm, quite useful."
"And it can be copied for others?"
Trilobite wondered why anyone would want coordinates.
He casually asked…
"Who would want it?"
【Ding——!】
The system’s alert chimed.
This system could be oddly literal sometimes.
—-
"Mayday! Mayday!"
"We are Ranger Ark Iyangden, under dual pursuit by Outer God and chaos!"
"The Blood Octopus Outer God approaches!"
"Damn it!"
A Warrior in battered armor shouted into the comms device aboard a fish-shaped leviathan.
More fish-shaped giants trailed behind, most spanning over three hundred meters—comparable to Ford-class carriers but bulkier. Their three-dimensional fish shape granted greater interior space than any aircraft carrier.
These vessels shared key traits: streamlined hulls, towering dorsal spines, and bow sections featuring massive eye-like portholes plus mouth-like structures for close combat.
Personnel and cargo access points sat near the abdomen’s rear, resembling a fish’s posterior opening.
They truly mimicked colossal fish.
"Ranger Ark Iyangden" referred not to one ship but the entire fleet of hundreds. During non-combat periods, cables linked the vessels into a single entity.
For combat, resource gathering, or dispersal, Ranger Ark would separate.
Its inhabitants weren’t bizarre beings dwelling in Primal Mud or etheric liquid—just ordinary humans.
Minor variations existed in their hair color, eye color, skin tone, or facial features compared to other worlds’ residents. Yet these were mere subspecies-level differences.
The disparity was probably smaller than that between Caucasians and Mongolians—too subtle to cause face blindness.
In fact, the “Ranger Ark” did not always drift in the etheric liquid; it was the indomitable spirits of the already destroyed “Bubble Worlds.” The original worlds of the Ark’s inhabitants had been destroyed by chaos, and the Time of the End had arrived.
The remaining humans used remnants of fallen deities to forge large ships capable of enduring the etheric liquid, beginning their exile in the “cosmos.”
They were fortunate—at least their technology level remained relatively high, enabling them to build such massive vessels to escape.
Those from lower-tech worlds likely couldn’t even flee!
Yet escape didn’t guarantee safety.
Though “Primal Mud” offered abundant energy everywhere, without the grand ecological cycle inside “Bubble Worlds,” life on the Ark was one of extreme material scarcity.
Every resource was precious beyond measure.
Take the captain’s clothes: passed down for two generations, over thirty years, still patched and worn.
Drinking water came solely from recycling, while much of their food was starch produced by arcane devices.
Protein came from insects bred on waste.
As for hunting…
Only the most twisted, vicious creatures survived in the etheric liquid. Hunting them demanded heavy sacrifices, and captured prey required extensive “ordering” before becoming edible.
Still, these hardships paled against greater threats.
The true terrors were the fearsome “Ether Dragons” prowling the etheric liquid, the annihilation-driven chaotic demons, and the roving Outer Gods!
Ether Dragons were manageable—mere distorted beasts driven by instinct. With sufficient understanding and caution, they could be avoided.
But Outer Gods and chaos were different!
Chaotic battleships cruised the etheric liquid with endless brutality, seeking to destroy every Ark!
The Outer Gods behaved like lunatics, attacking often not from hunger, but for amusement!
For instance, earlier…
Several chaotic battleships pursued the Ark fleet Iyangden, initiating boarding actions.
Yet this great battle drew three wandering blood octopus Outer Gods.
On a whim, they obliterated the chaotic battleships, while the “Ranger Ark Iyangden” purged the boarding chaotic demons.
Before they could “process” captives, the blood octopus Outer Gods whimsically “played” with the Ark fleet.
“Little fishies! Bug-piloted little fishies!”
“Chase them! Smack them! So fun! Hahaha…”
“So happy! So amusing!”
Three “twisted” beings with writhing, membranous tentacles pursued the “Ark fleet” relentlessly.
This wasn’t hunting—it was play.
Like a cat toying with prey.
“This can’t continue!”
“We must seek aid from other ‘Ranger Ark worlds’! Otherwise…”
“Ah—!”
“Boom—!”
A violent tremor shook the fleet.
One blood octopus Outer God had “descended” above them, churning the etheric liquid with its tentacles. Terrible vortices spun all ships, its distorted laughter making sailors’ heads pound!
“Is there no way out?”
Despair spread amid the Outer Gods’ madness; Ark Iyangden’s destruction loomed.
But then…
“Perhaps there is!”
A gentle yet sly female voice echoed through the cabin.
Hearing it, all turned in surprise.
Their shock soon became elation.
“Wise Lady Arachne, do you have a solution?”
The captain pressed urgently.
“Hmm…”
Lady Arachne chuckled softly.
“I only said perhaps.”
“But since it costs nothing, it’s worth trying.”
She dragged a low-level demon bound like a dumpling from a corner.
“Gaah—! Gaah—!”
The demon roared, sensing its doom—futilely.
“Swish—!”
A blade flashed!
To all’s astonishment, Lady Arachne lifted the demon’s skull.
“Blood sacrifice for the Giant God! Offerings to the divine throne!”