Chapter 25: Bombing, Making Clothes

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Bombing, Making Clothes

The order was given.

To the sound of the helicopter’s whirring machinery, the missile launchers below slowly deployed.

Two missiles, carrying the Aura of death, screamed forth and plunged precisely into the nest that Seraphina Sullivan had already bombed once.

And the broodmother that had just returned to it.

BOOM—!!!

An explosion a hundred times more powerful than Seraphina’s grenade erupted, and the entire factory disintegrated in the blaze.

The shock wave shattered every window within a several-hundred-meter radius as a mushroom cloud of smoke and dust billowed into the sky.

The sudden explosion behind Seraphina sent her stumbling. Her bicycle’s handlebars twisted violently, and she nearly toppled, bike and all, into a drainage ditch by the road.

She propped herself up with one foot to steady the bike, looking back in astonishment—

On the distant horizon, a massive fireball was rolling and rising. The thick smoke formed a menacing mushroom cloud, and even from several kilometers away, she could feel the tremors from the shock wave.

’This level of explosion... is definitely not something a regular Player can do!’

Seraphina’s pupils contracted slightly. ’Could it be the military faction in this dungeon?’

She suddenly remembered the helicopter she’d seen flying toward the nest earlier.

A guess surfaced in her mind: ’Could my bomb have alerted the military, leading to such a devastating strike?’

GRUMBLE—

A sudden, intense pang of hunger struck, interrupting her thoughts.

Seraphina clutched her stomach, surprised to find this hunger was even more intense than the exhaustion she felt after using her [Clothes Making] Skill.

She immediately understood—it was a side effect of the [Body Transformation Pills] still actively modifying her constitution.

’I need to get back and replenish my Energy quickly...’

Seraphina wasted no more time. She got back on her bike and pedaled furiously in the direction of the crane.

The wheels crunched rapidly over the gravel road, the sound seemingly echoing her accelerating heartbeat.

At that moment, Seraphina had no idea what a terrifying order the soldiers on that helicopter had received just a few minutes prior:

"Survivors outside the base have exhibited unknown mutations and possess strange Power. If encountered, capture for research. If they resist, their bodies may be brought back."

She was even more unaware that she had just had a close brush with the Reaper.

If she had left a few minutes later, she likely would have entered the military’s reconnaissance range.

But now, her mind was completely filled with thoughts of getting back to her makeshift safe house, having a huge meal, and then studying the new physical Ability she had acquired.

The tall silhouette of the crane finally appeared in her field of vision.

Seraphina breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to sprint the rest of the way, she suddenly heard the familiar sound of rotor blades overhead.

She snapped her head up to see a military helicopter streaking across the sky from the opposite direction, the barrels of its guns glinting coldly in the setting sun.

Seraphina instinctively slammed on the brakes and quickly dove under an abandoned truck on the roadside.

Only after the sound of the helicopter had completely faded did she cautiously poke her head out.

’Something’s not right...’ She frowned, alarm bells ringing in her head. ’I have a bad feeling about this!’

The hunger pangs returned, interrupting her dangerous train of thought.

Seraphina shook her head, deciding to get back to the safe house first and figure things out later.

She jogged forward, pushing her bicycle, glancing warily at the sky from time to time.

When she finally climbed into the crane’s operator cab and locked the door from the inside, Seraphina was finally able to relax completely.

She eagerly took out the food she had prepared from her Space.

She started stuffing it into her mouth ravenously.

In between chews, she gazed through the window toward the still-smoldering nest in the distance, a faint sense of unease creeping in.

The dangers of this dungeon, it seemed, were far more complex than just parasitic monsters.

She didn’t want to focus too much on the problems of the dungeon world.

It was better to think about herself.

Seraphina leaned against the cab window, gazing at the city skyline as it was gradually enveloped by twilight.

She took a small bite of a compressed biscuit, her expression slowly becoming resolute.

"Since Mission Two is already complete, there’s no need to risk contact with the military in this dungeon," Seraphina muttered to herself while chewing on the biscuit.

’Sometimes my ideas are just too naive. This is the apocalypse; who would believe an outsider with no identification? Wouldn’t I just be walking right into a trap?’

Seraphina shook her head, lamenting her previous naivety.

It just went to show how well her country had protected her; her first instinct in trouble was always to run to the government for help.

’I wonder what methods the nations in the real world will come up with to survive once they realize the apocalypse has begun.’

’Right now, the most important thing is to hoard supplies, and...’

Her gaze fell on the pile of metal materials in the corner.

After the past two days of practice, she was more and more convinced that the [Tailor] Profession had enormous potential.

Especially the [Making Clothes] Skill, which had seemed to be of dubious value.

’Although I can only keep one Skill for the next dungeon...’ Seraphina frowned, having clearly given the matter a great deal of thought.

’I definitely have to choose [Quick Sewing]. My [Worker] Talent has no combat Ability, so I can’t pass up a Skill that’s useful for both combat and support. But the special Effect of [Making Clothes] is just too good to give up...’

She suddenly sat bolt upright, a sharp glint in her eyes. ’In that case, while I’m still in this dungeon, I’ll make as many special outfits as I can and stockpile them!’

This decision made her buzz with excitement.

Seraphina quickly pulled out the various materials she had collected: metal plates, plastic sheets, waterproof coatings... and even a few pieces of fireproof fabric she had swiped from a fire station.

"Eldoria is actually pretty good."

She mused while organizing her materials, ’Few Players, the parasitic monsters don’t dare come out during the day, and so many readily available resources...’

Thinking of this, she completely dismissed the idea of leaving Eldoria Town.

Rather than venturing into unknown territory, it was better to make the most of this familiar "hunting ground."

Before night fell completely, Seraphina raced against time to begin her "clothing production project."

She took out the materials she had found earlier and started using [Clothes Making].

One by one, special garments with various functions began to take shape:

An [Insulation Suit] made from fireproof fabric.

A [Heated Vest and Thermal Underwear] set, mixed with cold-resistant materials.

After finishing each item, she carefully tested its Effect, then cautiously stored it in the safest corner of her Space.

’Once I’m out of this dungeon, or if I enter another natural-disaster-type apocalypse dungeon, these will be priceless lifesavers.’

Seraphina looked at her creations with satisfaction.

Her happiness didn’t last long, however.

Her stomach started to GURGLE GURGLE again.

Seraphina shook her head helplessly. "Another reason not to choose the [Making Clothes] Skill is the after-Effect. It’s too draining and consumes too much food."

She grabbed a piece of chocolate and popped it into her mouth, then looked out the window.

Under the moonlight, Eldoria had become a paradise for the parasitic monsters.

Perhaps because of the daytime bombing, the parasitic variants in Eldoria Town had become extremely active.

Seraphina thought, ’I wonder how Nicholas Jensen is doing! I hope he makes it through the night safely.’