Astral Online: Cursed by the Demon Lord to Become the Strongest Beautiful Girl, I Rapidly Grow and Dominate with Cheat Skills Despite Being the Weakest Profession - Chapter 197
Chapter 197: An Underground Plan
The sea was filled with massive hostile monsters, locked in a fierce struggle with other creatures battling against them.
I, El Aurum, watched the intense combat below without much thought.
I was high above them, several hundred meters in the air, in a secluded space shielded by a barrier called the ?Hide Barrier?, which protected me from the lashing rain and wind.
I gazed down, absentmindedly, at the monsters wreaking havoc in the real world and the monsters I’d created to act as humanity’s defenders.
“Heh, what a farce.”
The words escaped my mouth, tinged with self-mockery.
Why did I call it a farce? Because both sides, after all, were born from ?Astral Online?.
The creatures, programmed into two opposing roles, one to kill and the other to protect, fought in this surreal battle.
Ahead of me, a crab-like monster effortlessly defended itself. Its massive claws blocked bites, its powerful legs broke through entanglements, and it took down enemy after enemy without breaking a sweat.
Neither “King Shark” nor the “Kraken” could stand up to the “Increasing King Crab”. Yet, each time it felled an enemy, there was a sense of pride to its stance. I couldn’t help but wonder why.
When I created it, I hadn’t assigned any values to its personality parameters. So, theoretically, emotions should be impossible for it.
“…I would prefer it if irregularities like this didn’t arise, but since it’s not displaying any hostility, perhaps it’s best to simply observe for now.”
As I watched the crab deliver a clean uppercut to a shark, I mentally started compiling the next steps on my to-do list.
The plan after this was to reveal to the media and on social media that I was the one who created this massive crab to save humanity from its crisis, solidifying people’s trust in me.
Once that was done, I’d need to proceed with preparations for that particular matter.
“The judgment from above has passed, and humanity will take the next step forward. For that…”
I stopped myself before voicing one part of the plan, pursing my lips as I furrowed my brow.
There was so much that needed to be done. I couldn’t afford to rest if I wanted the plan to succeed.
After all, if things continued as they were, this world would be doomed sooner or later.
Then, a voice interjected.
“A monster seeking humanity’s destruction, and another defending it. Quite the cinematic spectacle, don’t you think?”
A sudden voice came from behind.
Turning around, I saw a suspicious figure standing there, dressed in a black, wizard-like robe and wearing a mask.
The figure was about 170 centimeters tall, and their voice was altered by the mask, making it impossible to determine their actual age.
I couldn’t even tell if they were male or female.
I felt a little annoyed at having my solitude interrupted by this thoroughly disguised person, and replied with a hint of irritation in my voice.
“What brings you all the way out here, Zadkiel?”
One of the chosen angels, not yet revealed to the world as one selected by me, a god.
At the mention of their name, Zadkiel responded.
“The tasks on the other side have reached a break. Then, Metatron asked me to come check on you.”
“A break? Does that mean you’ve found a lead on the ‘Evil God’ lurking in that world?”
“…No, unfortunately, we haven’t even managed to catch a hint of the Evil God.”
“I see…”
“For now, what we do know is that they seem to be using Iblis for something.”
“…Iblis, the girl with angelic wings but without an angel’s name.”
A gray angel, whose existence even I had only learned of a few days ago.
Given that she calls Sora Kamijo her partner, it’s almost certain that the Evil God is involved.
(The Bringer of Darkness… how detestable…)
I frowned slightly, hiding the disdain simmering inside.
I suspected the Evil God’s influence when the Helheim began targeting beta players to bolster their forces.
During the Great Calamity of Pride, ?Belial?, that angel tried to eliminate the ?Dragon Shrine Maiden?. Later, when the timeline for Belial’s revival was accelerated, I felt a rare surge of urgency.
As Sora ventured toward the underwater temple, they encountered someone who attempted to assassinate the songstress and sabotage the quest. It can truly be said that there is no benefit at all.
Leaving her unchecked is far too dangerous.
(…But from the reports I’ve received, Iblis is unpredictable. Her location remains a complete mystery. For now, the only pattern is that she only appears before Sora-sama…)
Yet, placing elite guards near her to handle Iblis if she appears is exceedingly difficult.
After all, she’s constantly alert, using her perception skills to monitor her surroundings. Having an angel nearby might only make her suspicious, which would be troublesome.
For now, the angels guiding and overseeing humanity, including Zadkiel, are not yet meant to step into the public eye.
(…It’s about time.)
I shifted my gaze away from Zadkiel and looked once more at the massive crab-like monster, the ?Increasing King Crab?, on the shore.
It seemed to have won its battle and looked satisfied, as if fulfilling the role it had been given—to protect humanity.
Reports from my messengers across different regions also arrived, confirming that the crabs had defeated the other giant monsters that appeared in foreign lands.
After confirming victory across all fronts, I snapped my fingers.
With that, all the monsters that had finished their battles dissolved into particles of light and disappeared without a trace.
I glanced at Zadkiel, who was still lingering there.
“You haven’t left yet? If you’re done here, get back to your duties. I still have to address the world about the situation with these giant monsters.”
“…Actually, before I go, I have one message from the commander, Metatron, who’s conducting investigations elsewhere,” Zadkiel said.
“A message from Metatron?”
I frowned slightly in puzzlement, and Zadkiel shrugged.
“They asked me to remind you that even though you’re a god, your body is still that of a child, so don’t push yourself too hard.”
“…Tell them that’s unnecessary. Unlike humans, as a god, I don’t have a ‘fatigue’ parameter.”
“I see. But knowing them, they’ll only worry more if you say that.”
“Then let them worry.”
I replied coolly, dismissing their concern without hesitation.
Zadkiel let out a deliberately exaggerated sigh.
“If you’re that firm, then there’s no need to worry, is there? I’ll tell Metatron you’re doing just fine.”
“Yes, and please let me know immediately if there’s any news on the Evil God. Also, tell Metatron that we should have a meal together if he learns anything.”
“Understood. I’ll pass that along.”
With that, Zadkiel turned away from me and disappeared.
Alone once more, I touched the empty space before me, listening to the sound of rain, and opened the administrator interface.
Through a shortcut, I displayed a single image.
“…Sora.”
The image showed a silver-haired girl, sleeping peacefully on her sister’s lap.
As a faint prick of pain pierced my chest, I murmured softly.
“If you knew the truth, would you be happy like those people…?”