Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 425: Underwater City 'Atlantis' (1)

The ‘Millennium Conch’.

If one were to choose the most practical method to reach Atlantis, this was undoubtedly it.

There were certain preparations to be made initially, but with the ‘Spear of Atlantis’ in hand, everything was essentially resolved.

“So, we just ask it a question, and it gives us the answer?”

Chun Yoosung asked skeptically.

“Of course, the mystical Millennium Conch answers all.”

“This is ridiculous. It feels like some kid’s prank.”

“Hey, if you don’t believe me, go ahead and try.”

Urged on by Jinhyuk, Chun Yoosung reluctantly spoke up.

“Tell me the way to Atlantis.”

Then—

The ‘Millennium Conch’ began to vibrate.

“Only the noble and strong may enter. You don’t qualify.”

The voice was dry, almost mechanical.

Yet, it had an uncanny ability to irritate its listener.

“W-what did you just say?”

Chun Yoosung’s expression crumpled.

To be told he wasn’t noble by a shell lying on some beach was downright insulting.

“Pffft! Oops… I didn’t laugh! See? Look at my serious face.”

Jinhyuk struggled to contain his laughter.

‘Grit!’

Grinding his teeth, Chun Yoosung asked again.

“Tell me the way to Atlantis. Now.”

“No. You’re unqualified.”

“…”

‘Srrrng!’

The air filled with tension as Chun Yoosung unsheathed his sword.

But just as he was about to swing—

[Destroying the ‘Millennium Conch’ will result in penalties.]

A crimson warning message appeared.

Based on his extensive experience in the Tower of Trials, ignoring a red status message always led to dire consequences.

“Tch!”

Chun Yoosung reluctantly sheathed his sword.

“Hmph. It seems the noble and powerful me must be the one to handle this.”

Alice von Ataraxia confidently stepped forward.

“Speak. Where do these lowly fish dwell?”

The head of Ataraxia.

One of the absolute rulers of the Tower, possessing both honor and strength, had spoken.

However—

“I don’t know.”

The same dry voice responded.

Still devoid of any emotion.

“A-are you saying even I’m unworthy?”

“No entry for little kids.”

“L-little kid?”

“Yep. Seven-year-old. Judging by your reaction, I hit a nerve. But hey, it’s true.”

“Aaaaaah! Not only does that idiotic saint belittle me, now even this cursed shell is treating me like a child?! If I could regain my full power, I’d…!”

Enraged, Alice stomped around furiously.

As expected, the ‘Millennium Conch’ was an absolute headache to deal with.

It wasn’t outright unhelpful, but it didn’t give clear answers either.

And with penalties in place, threatening to destroy it wasn’t an option.

Not unless you had something that could override the penalties.

Jinhyuk glanced at the ‘Spear of Atlantis’ stuck in the sand.

‘If not for this, I’d have wasted so much time gathering materials.’

Wolyoung was scouring the island’s interior for the necessary components, but who knew how long that would take?

“‘Millennium Conch’, we’re not going to enslave or harm the merfolk. In fact, we’re here to help them.”

Jinhyuk made one last attempt.

“For the sake of stopping the Kraken… so everyone on this floor can survive. This meeting must happen.”

“You…”

A mechanical voice came from the ‘Millennium Conch’.

“Are too ugly.”

“…”

This damn thing…

Jinhyuk barely kept his composure.

His lips formed a smile, but his eyes were far from amused.

“F-for the record, I think the Contractor is quite handsome…”

“Your standards are off. I agree with the Conch.”

“Hyung… you’re, uh… manly. Yes.”

“Hahaha. Oppa isn’t really a pretty-boy type.”

Various opinions flew in, most of them less than flattering.

Of course, Jinhyuk had expected as much.

“Goguma.”

“Moogi!”

“Eat it.”

“Moogi!”

Like a predator pouncing on its prey, Goguma lunged at the ‘Millennium Conch’.

“If you eat me…”

‘Crunch. Crunch!’

Goguma mercilessly cracked the shell and bit into the gem inside.

At that very moment—

‘Ding! Ding! Ding!’

[‘Millennium Conch’ has been destroyed!]

A crimson status window filled the sky.

The ‘Millennium Conch’ was a sacred entity worshipped by an entire race.

Destroying it meant turning that entire race into enemies.

—

“What have you done?! Didn’t you say we needed the merfolk’s help?!”

Chun Yoosung shouted in shock.

“I was trying to, but it kept provoking me.”

If it had just provided the location, none of this would’ve happened.

There was no time to waste on endless Q&A sessions.

“Honestly, don’t you feel better too?”

The twitch at Chun Yoosung’s lips said it all. He couldn’t hide his relief.

“Fine, but what happens now?”

What happens now?

[The ‘Merfolk Race’ of the 29th floor has turned their wrath toward the Veteran Corporation!]

That’s what.

‘Bubble. Bubble.’

Dozens of bubbles began rising from the ocean.

Not one or two, but many.

Judging by the aura of mana, they were furious.

Soon, dozens of merfolk surfaced.

“You humans… You’ve crossed the line for the last time!”

An exquisitely beautiful merfolk shouted, fury blazing in her eyes.

An arrow, brimming with water-elemental energy, was already nocked and aimed.

It looked like they were about to unleash a storm of arrows on the shoreline.

“If it’s a fight, just say the word. I’ll wipe you all out.”

Alice summoned her spears.

Lee Tae-min and Yoo Yeonhwa prepared themselves to move at any moment.

But—

“No. Killing the merfolk is out of the question.”

The ‘Millennium Conch’ was one thing, but harming the merfolk would plunge the Veteran Corporation into a full-scale war with their race.

To quell the merfolk’s rage, they needed a compelling “reason.”

For instance…

Presenting the long-lost royal spear of their queen.

‘Thunk!’

Jinhyuk pulled the ‘Spear of Atlantis’ from where it was embedded in the sand.

“…!? W-wait. Cease fire!”

The merfolk who was about to give the attack command froze.

There was no way they wouldn’t recognize it.

How could they not?

This artifact had enabled the merfolk to rule the 29th floor in ancient times.

Just as Alice sought to restore the honor of Ataraxia and Chun Yoosung desperately yearned for a single victory, the spear represented the greatest desire of the merfolk.

Though it was a one-time-use degraded version, good acting would make that irrelevant.

“Are you still going to attack us?”

“H-how… how do you have that…?”

“Does it matter how I got it? Shouldn’t you lower your bows now that you’ve seen it?”

“…Stand down.”

“Captain?”

“That’s an order!”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

At the female merfolk’s command, the others lowered their weapons, their hostility abating.

Good. Now they could finally have a proper conversation.

“I admit, our first impression wasn’t great, but let’s clear up these misunderstandings.”

“Do you think we’ll just overlook the destruction of the ‘Millennium Conch’ as a misunderstanding?”

“This was the fastest way to contact you. Besides, you attacked us first—an arrow from one of your merfolk hit us during our voyage.”

“That’s because we thought you might be allied with those who enslaved us.”

“Exactly. That’s the misunderstanding I’m talking about.”

Jinhyuk had no intention of dwelling on minor past grievances.

What mattered was the future.

“What do you want?”

“I wish to meet your queen.”

“That’s an unreasonable request.”

“If you want the spear, unreasonable is what you’ll have to deal with.”

“…Fine. But only you may go.”

“Contractor! You must refuse those terms!”

Alice immediately objected to the idea of Jinhyuk going alone.

“It’s fine. I was planning to go alone anyway. The rest of you should head to the guild fleet—or rather, assist Teresa.”

By now, the allied guild fleets were likely engaged in a fierce battle with Gigantdalos.

The Gandhara Guild, one of their strongest allies, was in disarray due to the conflicts involving Casey and Judro.

And with Nirasha now dead, their organizational structure had completely collapsed.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll return before the Kraken shows up.”

Jinhyuk gave a reassuring smile.

—

‘Bubble!’

A pair of seahorses encased in bubbles pulled a grand chariot.

“Humans can’t breathe underwater. Ride this, and it will help you. But these creatures are very temperamental, so…”

“Yeah, yeah. Good, obedient creatures.”

Jinhyuk stepped onto the chariot and pulled the reins.

Effortlessly.

The seahorses responded to his touch, swaying left and right, even playfully wiggling their bodies like puppies.

“…”

The merfolk stared, their jaws dropping in astonishment.

Of course, they couldn’t have known that Jinhyuk had mastered every mount in the Tower of Trials through ‘Mentra Taming’ and ‘Resonance’.

Thus, Jinhyuk and the merfolk began their journey.

The view shifted rapidly as the seahorses sped toward the deeper parts of the ocean.

After about 30 minutes, the leader of the merfolk spoke.

“You’re not an ordinary human, but you seem… reckless.”

“Hmm. Reckless, you say?”

“Yes. What if this is all a trap? What if we’re not going to Atlantis but some random abyss? What if we kill you here and simply take the spear?”

That would be an option, wouldn’t it?

“If you think you can manage that.”

Jinhyuk released a fraction of his mana.

‘Whirr…’

The aura of ‘Grave of Swords’ and ‘Blood Demonic Energy’ radiated forth.

A dense, ominous energy filled the water, unlike anything they had ever encountered.

In an instant, the atmosphere froze.

The merfolk, who had tried to assert dominance, found themselves unable to breathe properly.

Perhaps he had frightened them too much.

To lighten the mood, Jinhyuk changed the subject.

“No need to be so scared. I’m not looking for a fight. By the way, I still don’t know your name.”

“Repetia Ann Drakaonmia Te Artanmir,” the merfolk leader replied.

A name unnecessarily long and overly elaborate.

“Are all merfolk names that long?”

“To convey nobility, suitable titles are required.”

“And your queen’s name…?”

“Yes. Her Majesty is Matametio Le Paladion Dria Ca Masiastirs VII.”

Wow.

That was excessive.

How could anyone remember something like that?

Maybe someone like Chun Yoosung could, but most people would forget it instantly.

“It’s too long to remember. Can we shorten it in our own way?”

“Humans often struggle with our names. What do you propose to call us?”

A name that sticks after hearing it once… while still capturing the essence of the merfolk.

An idea struck Jinhyuk like lightning.