Chapter 1329: Spreading the Information

Fiona’s expression gradually became more serious.

"The Deep Sea Apocalypse..."

She repeated the name quietly, as if trying to understand the weight behind it.

After everything she had experienced since the Global Awakening began, Fiona had already learned that every apocalypse was dangerous in its own way.

The Zombie Apocalypse had transformed ordinary humans into countless undead creatures.

The Vampire’s Rise had introduced powerful bloodline creatures that could grow stronger by feeding on others.

The Dragon Awakening had brought ancient dragons and other terrifying beasts into the world.

The Abyssal Invasion had opened a path for demons and monsters from another dimension.

And now...

The Anima Civilization had apparently known about another catastrophe long before any of them had even awakened.

Fiona turned toward the holographic projection.

"Avalon."

[ Yes, Administrator? ]

"What exactly is the Deep Sea Apocalypse?"

Avalon remained silent for several seconds.

The holographic projection changed.

The enormous map of the Floating Island disappeared, replaced by a rotating image of the planet...

Just like that, Fiona stared at the familiar blue planet.

Then she noticed something strange.

The oceans began expanding.

At first, the change was barely noticeable.

The water level slowly rose along the coastlines.

Then it continued rising.

She understood what was happening...

Cities disappeared beneath the waves... Entire islands vanished.

Coastal settlements were swallowed one after another.

Rivers overflowed and merged with the surrounding seas.

Eventually, enormous portions of the continents disappeared beneath the water.

"This is..." Fiona felt dread just watching this...

The simulation continued as the image got closer and closer.

Here, she saw the water kept rising as the ountains became isolated islands.

Former cities became underwater ruins.

Roads disappeared beneath the ocean.

Entire countries were gradually cut apart by the expanding seas.

"What happened?"

[ According to the surviving Anima records, the Deep Sea Apocalypse is a global hydrological catastrophe. ]

[ Its primary characteristic is the rapid and sustained increase of sea levels across the planet. ]

Fiona stared at the simulation.

"So the world gets flooded?"

[ Correct. ]

She frowned.

"How high does the water rise?"

The projection zoomed out.

A scale appeared beside the planet.

Fiona’s expression slowly changed.

"That’s..."

She couldn’t even finish her sentence.

Avalon continued.

[ The exact final sea level cannot be determined because the original records contain multiple projected scenarios. However, the lowest recorded estimate indicates that approximately 71% of the world’s currently habitable landmass would eventually become submerged. ]

Fiona’s mouth fell slightly open.

"Seventy-one percent?"

[ Correct. ]

She immediately thought about the survivors scattered across the world.

Shelters...Cities... Military bases... Guild territories... Agricultural zones...

Everything they had spent so much effort building.

Most of it would eventually disappear beneath the ocean.

But something else caught her attention.

The simulation suddenly changed.

The ocean itself began glowing red.

Fiona narrowed her eyes.

"What’s that?"

[ The second stage of the Deep Sea Apocalypse. ]

The surface of the ocean began to churn.

Something enormous moved beneath the water.

At first, Fiona thought it was simply a large creature.

Then the creature rose.

Its body emerged from the ocean.

It was massive and far larger than any creature Fiona had encountered during the Zombie Apocalypse.

Its body was covered in thick scales, while enormous tentacles extended from its back.

Then another creature appeared.

And another... and another.

Soon, the simulation showed thousands of creatures emerging from the depths.

Some resembled enormous fish.

Others had elongated bodies covered in armor-like shells.

There were creatures with countless limbs, creatures resembling giant serpents, and enormous predators capable of swallowing entire ships.

Fiona stared at the projection.

"...Deep sea creatures?"

[ Correct. The rise of the oceans is only one component of the Deep Sea Apocalypse. ]

[ The second component is the emergence of previously inaccessible marine ecosystems and the creatures inhabiting them. ]

Fiona couldn’t help but frown as she imagined this happening now...

"So the creatures living in the deepest parts of the ocean will come to the surface?"

[ Mutated Creatures. ]

"How strong are they?"

The projection changed again.

A massive creature appeared above the others.

Its body was longer than a modern warship.

Its mouth alone was large enough to swallow several vehicles!

Then, a comparison scale appeared beside it.

Fiona slowly swallowed.

"That’s huge..."

[ This is a Class-III Deep Sea Predator based on surviving Anima records. ]

"Class-III?"

[ The Anima Civilization categorized Deep Sea creatures according to their physical strength, environmental adaptability, intelligence, and evolutionary potential. ]

Fiona immediately became interested.

"So there are different classes?"

[ Correct. ]

The holographic display changed again.

Several silhouettes appeared.

[ Class-I creatures possess biological characteristics comparable to ordinary awakened beasts. ]

[ Class-II creatures possess significantly greater physical strength and environmental adaptations. ]

[ Class-III creatures are capable of destroying conventional military installations and surviving extreme environmental conditions. ]

Fiona’s eyes widened...

"Seriously... Is there a Class-IV?"

Then, the next silhouette appeared.

It was enormous.

Even in the simulation, the creature’s size was difficult to comprehend.

[ Class-IV creatures possess destructive capabilities comparable to high-level strategic weapons. ]

Fiona’s expression stiffened.

"Strategic weapons... Wait... That’s not the limit is it?"

[ Class-V. ]

[ Class-V creatures were considered catastrophic entities by the Anima Civilization. ]

Fiona remained silent.

"How many Class-V creatures were there?"

Avalon paused.

[ The surviving records indicate that the number of confirmed Class-V entities was seven. ]

Fiona’s eyes widened.

"Seven?"

[ Correct. ]

"...What?"

[ Direct confrontation was determined to be strategically inefficient. ]

Avalon continued displaying the records.

[ The Anima Civilization suggests to prioritize evacuation, environmental adaptation, aerial infrastructure, autonomous defense systems, and the construction of artificial landmasses. ]

Fiona’s gaze slowly moved toward the massive map of the Floating Island.

It suddenly made sense.

The enormous artificial island, the atmospheric regulation system, the water purification facilities, the agricultural sector, including military infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, and many others...

Well, even the command-class Mech.

None of it had been designed simply to build a better civilization.

They had been preparing for survival in a world where the land itself could no longer be trusted.

"So that’s why they built the Floating Islands."

[ Yes... The Floating Islands were designed to function as mobile terrestrial habitats capable of remaining above the rising oceans. ]

"Interesting... Shane and others must be informed about this." Fiona muttered as she opened the Guild Chat without hesitation.