Infinite Evolution Hunter - Chapter 168

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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168
Goodwill from an unknown entity with no strings attached? Could such a thing truly exist?
Moreover, though I’d only glimpsed it briefly, the Ark’s technology far surpassed anything on Earth or Telus.
While I couldn’t afford to be needlessly suspicious, the opacity of his intentions troubled me—and caution never hurt.
“Brixel, what’s your true purpose in helping these refugees?”
“Purpose? Does one need a reason to help people? I too am fleeing from the Destruction God, so I help others as I survive.”
“…”
“Lee Ji-seok, I understand your suspicion of someone who appeared so suddenly. Then allow me to ask you—are you Earth’s representative?”
“…I am not.”
“We have no intention of forcing anyone to leave. If those who wish to come are willing, we welcome them with open arms. But if no one desires to go, we will simply cross into another dimension. Could you convey our intentions to Earth’s people?”
“Understood. Please wait at this location. I will contact you through this.”
I handed over a communication device Jae-in had created and returned to Earth to formulate a strategy.
* * *
“What in the world is happening?!”
Brixel’s face, which had maintained a doll-like composure before Lee Ji-seok, twisted grotesquely.
“Multiple Legion Commanders arrived, and they even made contact with the Lich?! How is that possible?!”
“This human called Lee Ji-seok proved quite formidable.”
Exbog, Brixel’s subordinate, answered. He was a giant exceeding three meters in height.
“So what?! That skeleton Lich just needs a little preparation, and one strong human is worthless! Don’t you understand that?!”
“Could it be that the Lich never came to this place…?”
“I can’t fully trust a demon, but he honors his deals. If he said multiple Legion Commanders and the Lich encountered Earthlings, then this planet should already be destroyed and that damned Administrator’s forces should have withdrawn.”
“However, Earth remains intact and the Gate still exists. What will you do?”
“The Gate is dangerous, but we lack resources to reach the next supply point. We have no choice.”
Brixiel’s eyes gleamed with determination.
* * *
Since the Ark was positioned closer to the Moon than Earth, I first returned to the Lunar Base, then traveled to the World Tree through its Gate.
“Hunter Lee Ji-seok, I’m relieved to see you safe.”
Director Baek Young-shin greeted me first as I entered the conference room, with dozens of national representatives or their delegates seated behind him.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Hunter Lee Ji-seok, I’ve been holding them back, but I’m afraid it’s reached its limit. Would you explain what happened up there first?”
“Yes.”
I stepped onto the podium and relayed Brixel’s proposal to them. As the representatives heard my account, they began speaking over one another.
“Refugees… Is there any nation not suffering from refugee crises now? It’s actually welcome news that they’d accept ordinary people, not just Hunters.”
“Are you suggesting we send Earth’s citizens to a place we don’t even know?”
“Well… wouldn’t it be wise to conduct an inspection first?”
“An inspection? Have you already forgotten the Angel incident? We cannot be deceived again. We must expel them immediately.”
“However, Brixel’s approach isn’t entirely wrong either. If we can escape, we should. Do we possess the strength to fight the Destruction God? Every year brings stronger enemies.”
“Don’t we have S-rank Hunters?”
“There are barely twenty high-tier S-ranks among them. Are you suggesting we stake the fate of billions of Earthlings on their shoulders?”
As always, the world’s leaders could not reach consensus. Yet their curiosity about this new entity remained unanimous.
“The Angel incident was a painful mistake. However, look at Tellus. The beginning was rough, but now isn’t it a fine ally that accelerates our technological development several times over? Shouldn’t we make good allies again this time and fight our common enemy together?”
The U.S. Secretary of Defense’s words were the deciding blow. It was quite unexpected to hear him speak this way—a man who would normally shout about preemptive strikes with veins bulging in his neck whenever meetings convened.
“He’s a devout Christian believer. The Ark saving people—that’s a sweet story to him.”
“After what happened with the Angels?”
“Isn’t that just how religion works? You can’t understand it with logic.”
I exchanged a glance with Director Baek Young-shin and sighed together in exasperation.
Once the decision was made, we invited Brixel to the Lunar Base. He flew in a straight line from the Ark’s deck to the Lunar Base without even a spacesuit.
We received him at the Earth Garden without any escort.
“Brixel, I’m Baek Young-shin, temporarily serving as Earth’s representative. Welcome to the Moon.”
Director Baek Young-shin, who managed the World Tree Academy, had the greatest influence in the World Hunter Association, so he took on the position of chairman of the Association with this opportunity.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“I hope you’ll visit Earth as well, once we know each other a bit better.”
“I look forward to that day.”
Even at the implication that we couldn’t bring him to Earth yet, Brixel smiled gently.
Seeing Brixel’s doll-like face and smile, Director Baek Young-shin felt goosebumps rise on his neck, but he didn’t show it and guided him to his seat.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Baek Young-shin broached the main topic with Brixel.
“First, I thank you for your generous offer to accept refugees. Could you open the interior of the Ark so Earth’s residents can board with peace of mind?”
“Of course. The Ark welcomes all people.”
Brixel readily agreed.
Within days, a large multinational Ark delegation consisting of twenty people was assembled. Though called a delegation, its actual purpose was to inspect the Ark.
The delegation included myself, Bae Na-young, and Amy, an S-rank Hunter from the United States. Three of Earth’s strongest forces were included. If combat broke out, this team could handle anything.
“Long time no see~”
Amy greeted me warmly.
“Amy, how have you been?”
“I’ve been great~ I heard you became a king of another country~?”
“It just happened. I don’t think I’ll do it for long since it’s annoying.”
Making small talk, I followed the delegation and Brixel.
“I must take my leave. From here on, Krendit will guide you.”
At the stairs leading down into the Ark’s interior, Brixel assigned a guide and departed. His attitude suggested there was nothing to hide or worry about.
“Greetings. I’m Krendit, and I’ll be showing you around the Ark today. Please follow me.”
Krendit was a neatly dressed Goblin. The fact that diverse races lived together without discrimination was a positive aspect.
What I had seen before was only an extremely small part of the Ark.
The Ark’s interior stretched endlessly, and life force emanated from all directions. The population density rivaled Earth’s major cities.
The delegation stood with gaping mouths, marveling at the vast interior of the Ark.
Krendit took his time showing us around in detail.

“I never imagined expanding space like this. Where could the magic circle be…?”
Bae Na-young glanced around busily.
“Since the Ark must drift through dimensions, it has established a closed ecosystem and achieved complete self-sufficiency. All resources, including water, circulate internally without a single drop wasted. You might say it’s a miniature Earth.”
A colossal creature that resembled a monster in appearance was plowing the fields.
In the fields and orchards, palm-sized fairies and bees flew about working. It was the pinnacle of environmental purity, with no pollutants whatsoever.
“I notice the workers and non-workers are separated. Is there a class system?”
One member of the delegation observed the field workers with an uncomfortable gaze. People dressed entirely differently were sitting in chairs, idling.
“Ah, those working there aren’t people. They’re golems created by Brixel.”
“Those… aren’t people?”
Their expressions were blank, but their movements were so fluid that they’d been mistaken for humans. To me, the absence of life force made them immediately recognizable. What was visible was something resembling a soul near their chests.
“They’re golems animated by magic. Because of them, life here is always abundant. Only those who wish to work need do so. If you don’t wish to, you needn’t work—that is the paradise of the Ark.”
At Krendit’s proud words, the people examined the golems once more.
The number of residents was countless, yet the golems outnumbered them.
“What are these used for?”
One member of the delegation pointed to hundreds of larvae consuming leaves and fruit. Each one was roughly the size of an adult’s arm, and they came in various colors.
“Ah, food supplies. They grow quickly and taste excellent—a fine source of meat.”
Krendit licked his lips as though he’d spotted something delicious.
All members of the delegation tried to hide their expressions, but most suppressed the urge to gag.
“Oh, now that I think about it, it’s already mealtime. Shall we go? I’ve prepared dinner.”
“…”
After seeing the larvae just now, no one felt like eating, but considering it would be impolite to refuse, they all followed.
A long table that could seat all the delegation members was laden with various unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, and roasted larvae.
“Ugh…!”
Even roasted, the larvae’s vibrant colors hadn’t faded. One delegation member sitting before a hairy larva covered their mouth.
“Please, do sit down.”
Krendit sliced the larva with a large knife as though carving meat. I’d expected it to burst, but the flesh was firm, cutting cleanly like pork or beef.
Larva steaks were placed on everyone’s plates, and they all stared silently at the chunks before them.
Since no one reached for their food, I was the first to cut into the larva meat like a steak and eat it.
“…It’s delicious? The aroma is wonderful.”
It had the texture of well-marbled beef with a distinctive fragrance that cut through any richness.
“Ah, you have a refined palate! Larvae fed on fruit carry that fruit’s aroma in their flesh. Each larva was fed different fruits, so the flavors vary. Please, do try.”
Was this like green tea pork belly?
Watching me eat, Bae Na-young and Amy each cut a piece and put it in their mouths. At their surprised expressions, the others followed suit with the larvae.
The larvae tasted better than expected, and the fruits and vegetables were equally fresh. I’d harbored prejudices about the taste of produce cultivated in the isolated Ark without sunlight, but those doubts vanished after the meal.
After dinner, the delegation presented Earth specialties as gifts, and the Ark prepared gifts in return.
Given the Ark’s immense size, we spent several days within it.
The Ark was so vast it was better called a drifting planet than a ship. Villages clustered to form cities, and there were several such cities. Transition magic circles were positioned throughout, allowing travel to various parts of the cities.
The people appeared happy, and the environment was pristine.
“As a final request, might I ask you to undergo a mental evaluation?”
Baek Young-shin asked Brixel carefully.
It wasn’t something I could request in an equal relationship, but if this didn’t work, the refugees’ relocation would be virtually impossible.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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