Chapter 53 - As If Nobody Else Is Here

Editor: Bubbles

Proofreader: XavierForest

Author’s Note: Starting from this chapter, the World Wide Telephone – in other words, what can be heard by all special ability users worldwide – will be quoted in [ ]

The daily conversations of the sea monsters that take place over a short distance will be quoted in 【 】

As alluring as the boiling, completely-natural underwater hotpot sounded, reality remained bleak: in order for seawater to exceed 400ºC without turning into steam, immense pressure must be involved. The location of Cayman Trough was about 5000m below the surface, which wasn’t much for sea monsters— however, it would be a completely different situation for Xia Yi.

And the most important thing was…

【Where is Cayman Trough? Where the earthquake was last time?】

【No… It is in the Atlantic Ocean…】

More specifically, it was in the Caribbean— a good halfway around the world from the East China Sea! Even when there were planes and cruises, Xia Yi had never travelled that far before. Just how long would it take them to swim there in the ocean?

None of these sea monsters had any sense of direction!

Xia Yi glanced at the frozen ball he’d created, figuring that it would be best if he could hide it somewhere. Hypothetically, he could find an uninhabited island and freeze the bundle in a cave that was both dark and damp enough that the ice would remain frozen even after many days… Ok, when one put it that way, it certainly started to sound like The Count of Monte Cristo .

It wasn’t a bad idea; if there was a suitable place, then Xia Yi could freeze the area into a frozen world like that of Narnia. As long as the ice didn’t melt, those boxes and bottles of fruit powder and effervescent tablets would basically be stored in a giant fridge. Though the humidity of the environment might cause them to turn into juice, they definitely wouldn’t go bad in the next two-or-so years.

Overall, it was quite a good plan— and as for what to do two years later? Well, regardless of how many effervescent tablets Xia Yi could find, they all had an expiration date. After a certain amount of time, the compositions of vitamins would lose their effects!

【An uninhabited island? Dark and cold? Always covered in snow?】

After listening to Xia Yi’s request, Siren didn’t miss a beat in saying,【Let’s go to Antarctica!】

【…】

【Or the Arctic?】 Greenland is nice too!

For the first time, Xia Yi became actively aware that there were some gaps in his communication with Siren…

But he’s a merman, so he has to be fundamentally different from humans… Wait, no, the issue is more about the sea monsters’ lack of a sense of distance.

Frankly speaking, humans were in a similar way before the apocalypse hit: they would call on their phones, joking about attending Paris Fashion Week during the day then rush to Canada that same night.

Today, humans had completely lost the privilege of travel that could be planned then executed at the tip of a finger and without care to the miles covered beneath their feet.

Luckily, he hadn’t forgotten common geographical knowledge. Trying his best to recall the world map, Xia Yi figured that the Bohai Sea laid above the East China Sea, and further up was the Korean Peninsula, and then the Sea of Japan…

That’s it! The small islands near Russia or Hokkaido would all be suitable. Or they could go a bit further south from there since they didn’t technically need to be in the Arctic Circle. As long as the cave was deep enough, or maintained a year-round temperature of 10-or-so degrees Celsius, then he could freeze layers of ice starting from the entrance. The entire cave would thus turn into a giant igloo.

— However, Xia Yi, you have to remember to go back and get it! Lest in a few centuries or millennia, the new humans or other intelligent life forms discover a strange and unnaturally-formed igloo. After much protection and extraction, they’ll find nothing but effervescent tablets and fruit powder wrapped in a shirt! Ok, well, perhaps it’ll be of some help to the study of carbon-based intelligent life forms’ diets. =__=

In the meantime, the Beijing base had already expanded their order-control into Tianjin. Though thievery and murder still flourished in the dark, there were no longer blatant robberies in public and private locations. Despite the fact that, in these times, anyone could start a force of their own merely with knives, pipes, and a few hundred people, the human heart remained skeptical and selfish— all of these ‘forces’ were nothing more than a gathering akin to loose sand.

And most importantly, the fundamental knowledge of science and technology was still guarded by the country.

Unlike its Western counterparts, China had very few privately-owned research academies; the few ones it did have were mostly centered around health and cosmetic products. Nowadays, it was those who were physically strong that had a better chance of survival— the ones who spent their days holed up in laboratories and facing chemical beakers were a whole different story. Even if they were able to stabilise their lives and safety, the issue was that they couldn’t survive on the things they possessed alone. Without the right knowledge, many of them were unable to even extract clean water. On the other hand, the country had begun developing soilless farming techniques, as well as managing all of the emergency supplies.

Ruffians who were dissatisfied with the rules and order followed the refugees and began to make their way towards the southeast.

Everyone’s thoughts were of a similar fashion: the mountains would be suitable for agriculture, the villages would provide the seeds, and there would be plenty of river and fountain water. There, one had no need to be worked to the bone by government-assigned jobs, nor were they restricted to pitifully-small amounts of rations.

Not even the army could prevent occurrences like these from sprouting up around the country. After all, the number one priority remained getting the cities in order. While they could forcefully oppress the rebels, they would just cause more trouble and disturbance in turn.

There were mountains of work to be done: cleaning the rubble and trash from the streets, manually spraying anti-epidemic medications, re-registering all of the residents’ information— the jobs were endless. The sheer amount and complexity meant that almost nobody had the time to spare a glance at the traumatised Special Ability Team.

“Professor Lin, do you not have a single objection about our report?” The General slammed a hand onto the table, yelling as the Logistics Team held him back by the collar.

He couldn’t fathom why the Academy of Science didn’t have any issues in accepting what was stated in their report.

“Huh? Oh! Thank you for going through all the trouble!” The old professor bore a solemn expression, clearly half-heartedly throwing out a statement of gratitude out of habitual manners.

“You… No, I mean, why aren’t you doubting our words? We’re literally talking about a sea monster that can raise waves over ten metres high and stir up a whole tsunami?” Perhaps there was something wrong with Captain Hao today, but he was insistent on getting an answer.

“Just to be clear, what kind of tsunami is only ten metres tall?!” The old professor scoffed— that’s more like a tsunami-themed ride in an amusement park. “According to the Genesis World Record, the largest tsunami stood at a height of 500 metres…”

Bang!

Several ability users who were eavesdropping outside all stumbled and crashed their heads into the door.

Second Lieutenant Captain Hao was stunned and at a loss for words for a number of beats before he finally said, “B-but no matter how high it is, it’s still an unscientific fact!”

“The siren? When Western researchers named this sea monster, they already had such a guess. Though being able to stir up waves is indeed bizarre, at this point, we even have special abilities! Stirring up waves is not so strange!”

“What about the merman?” Captain Hao hadn’t forgotten the feeling of his entire worldview and beliefs crumbling before him.

“Now that’s indeed a worthy discovery. Although, myths of mermaids, or merpeople in general, have been prevalent across the globe. Even the United States of America, which doesn’t have much history in comparison, has had legends about underwater people… so it’s not as far-fetched…” Remarked the old professor. Suddenly, he looked up as if remembering something. “Ah! Though I don’t believe you guys will encounter those sea monsters, I’ll still give you a rundown just in case. Otherwise, you’ll all be too scared to do anything again and the Chairman will blame me for neglecting my duties!”

“Pl-please go ahead!” Beads of sweat started to form on Captain Hao’s head. Before the apocalypse, he’d been a mere policeman; he hadn’t specialised in criminals nor heavy armory and just so happened to have the experience of military training, his expectations for the future having been nothing beyond theft, arguments, and drunkards. He wasn’t even experienced in looking at the crime scene of a murder, but ever since the apocalypse had started, he’d suddenly become the Captain of the country’s most important Special Ability Team. The amount of pressure weighing on him was insane— and now he found out that what he’d met wasn’t even the scariest thing out there, that there was something far more terrifying than that hell.

“Previously, the world unanimously agreed on Phorcys being the most dangerous sea monster on Earth.”

“The one in the Sea of Hellish Algae…” All the special ability users were familiar with this creature.

“I forgot to mention it last time, but you guys should have definitely heard of the Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantics!” Professor Lin flipped through his documents again. “Since the 19th century, at least two thousand people have died or disappeared in it. Usually, this is broadly explained to have taken place in Bermuda, however the more specific location would be ‘the western Atlantic’, or in other words, ‘the Sargasso Sea’.”

The old professor wiped his glasses on his clothes, simultaneously ignoring the special ability users’ dumbfounded looks. “Can you imagine it? Since before the 17th century, there had been legends of a ‘Sea of Hellish Algae’, where plants would come alive to eat people. By the 19th century, long past the Age of Exploration, humans had modernised travel methods with ships and planes. Yet there continued to be a string of strange disappearances. Out of these tragedies, 50% of them were completely unexplainable by science. Amongst them were cases like a lost hot air balloon and its rider reappearing after thirty-six years of disappearance; a supposedly-vanished ship returning in pristine condition with all of its passengers gone; sailors who were presumed to have drowned being rescued by passing ships decades later, not only resurrected, but also able to recall their life stories… It’s absolutely absurd! And the most peculiar thing is that recently, as we further develop technology with devices to detect infrasonic and ultrasonic waves, these mysterious events have rapidly dropped in frequency… but to this day, we have no idea whether these occurrences had to do with Phorcys, and if they did, how was Phorcys achieving all this?!”

Waking from his essentially-petrified state, Captain Hao could feel his worldview completely disappearing.

No wonder Professor Lin was completely unsurprised by the report on the sighting of a merman and the stirring of a miniature tsunami!

Honestly, in comparison to the thing that had lurked in the Bermuda seas for centuries, how strange was a siren that could do nothing but bring in winds and churn waves?! Travelling through time, vanishing people, and resurrection— did magic really not exist in this world?!

— Of course, the reality is that you humans are thinking too much about this!

[Phorcys, I’m coming to see you! And I brought you water from around the Rock Islands 1 The Rock Islands of Palau, also called Chelbacheb, are a collection of several hundred small limestone or coral uprises in the Southern Lagoon of Palau between Koror and Peleliu, now an incorporated part of Koror State. !]

The giant octopus that was still in the Pacifics was using two of its tentacles to hold one of its treasures – a large brass bottle – while another tentacle firmly blocked the mouth as it happily swam through the ocean with its ‘gift’. Frankly, the distance between them was far for the sea monsters because they couldn’t fit through the Isthmus of Panama 2 The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. and had to go around the tip of South America, near the Antarctic circle, and finally make their way into the Atlantic Ocean.

[Really? Make sure you don’t take a wrong turn into the Caribbean this time, Abyss!]

[Why would I?! Last time was because Thaumas insisted on detouring to Cayman Trough for food.]

The sea turtle that was floating and sunbathing on some random patch of ocean let out a ‘hmph’. This was the downside of the World Wide Telephone: there was no way to speak ill of anyone behind their back. Of course, the sea monsters had no way of knowing that countless special ability users were currently listening in on their conversation.

[Abyss, why haven’t there been any planes or ships passing by me? It’s been many days.]

[Uh… there might not be any more in the future either.]

[Why?]

[Don’t know. That’s just what Siren said to Thaumas…]

[Wait, I’m gonna stop talking. I see a boat— woah, it’s been years since someone dared to row a boat here! Oh no, they’re already entangled in algae… That’s so stupid!]

The octopus grabbed a passing fish and stuffed it into its mouth, speaking slowly, [Take your time playing, I still have a long while before I reach you.]

In the waters up north, where the warm and cool currents mixed, schools of little fish darted about, gathering together and splitting apart. Xia Yi was getting dizzy from all the movement when he happened to hear Abyss’ voice. He then fell into deep thought for quite some time before asking, 【Do sea monsters eat humans?】

Shocked, Siren stared at Xia Yi with a perplexed and strange expression.

【Eat humans like how spider crabs do?】

【No, nobody eats humans!】The merman’s reply was immediate this time. 【Because they are too small, with too many bones, and are hard to find.】

【…】Xia Yi wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he was supposed to give to such a statement.

Then the unknown species, Phorcys, really just wanted to play? What kind of hobby was that? Teasing passing ships and people— what was its point? Having no idea that Phorcys’ Sargasso Sea was the Bermuda Triangle area, Xia Yi voiced his confusion directly.

Siren’s answer was also very direct, so much so that Xia Yi couldn’t understand what he meant.

【Of course it will not eat humans! Phorcys is different from the rest of us. It cannot eat anything.】

Ok, major discovery: there’s a sea monster that can’t eat!!

This was something that even Xia Yi and his self-defined logic found unbelievable.

Scattering the little fish with his silver tail, Siren came close and wrapped his arm around the neck of a dazed Xia Yi. A smile with unknown intentions lingered on his lips.

【However, I can try…】

With that remark, Siren bit down on the back of his treasure’s neck. Xia Yi jerked at the sudden assault, twitching slightly in the water. The bite wasn’t very harsh, but it wasn’t light either— and it drew blood. The faint sensation of pain shot down his spine like an electric tingle, causing his body to freeze.

It was true that all animals knew their spine to be a fatal weakness! An assault there could cause the prey’s immediate death or the loss of their ability to fight back. What ensued was an overpowering sense of instinctual panic, paralysis, and fear!

Siren paused when he felt a hint – though very subtle – of the luring scent that pulled at his sensibility.

No, resist, must resist, this is not food… This is my important… what I can never lose…

【Siren?】Xia Yi was confused. What was this all for? Was he really planning to eat humans?

It just so happened that, at this very moment, a sound wave echoed from somewhere far away.

[By the way, where’s Siren?]

[I’ll tell you a secret— Siren found a mating partner!]

Oh piss off, today will be the day when it’s no longer a secret anymore!

[Eh? Is it also a mer?]

[It has to be!]

Xia Yi promptly grabbed Siren’s arm— he could swear that something wasn’t right with Siren’s reaction just now!

1

The Rock Islands of Palau, also called Chelbacheb, are a collection of several hundred small limestone or coral uprises in the Southern Lagoon of Palau between Koror and Peleliu, now an incorporated part of Koror State. 2

The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America.