CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 203: FISHMAN RACE WUWUWU, AWOO APPEARS!_2

[When the Fishmen were summoned for the third time, it was already towards the end of the war. Having learned from the previous two attempts, Luwaka decided this time to keep away from the ocean and human cities and dispatched the third Fishmen army deep into the desert.]

"? Wait, what are they going to the desert for!"

[Deep within that desert often appears a mirage, sometimes inside the mirage there’s a mountain called Penglai that exudes an immortal aura. Creatures lucky enough to see this high mountain can enter the mirage and reach Penglai. It is said that deep within this mountain called Penglai, there is an elixir that grants immortality. Even the Demon King, if killed by a Hero, can revive once after consuming it.]

"Already preparing for defeat, right? Dispatching Fishmen to the desert, is there really no one left to use?"

[Over a hundred thousand Fishmen set off in grand fashion. Under the scorching heat and blazing sun, the Fishmen quickly lost mobility due to lack of water. Along the way, many Fishmen turned into grilled fish, as they continued onward carrying their comrades who had already become grilled fish. By the second week, two-thirds of the Fishmen army had decreased in number and encountered vultures in the desert. The remaining Fishmen already lacked any resistance, and after struggling, they all became prey for the desert vultures.]

[The desert vultures designated the day they encountered the Fishmen army as Thanksgiving Day. Surely, Heaven sensed their usual hunger, so it sent fish carrying grilled fish directly to their door, solving their hunger issues.]

"..."

Shami closed the [Glorious Records of the Fishman Race’s Extinction].

"Forget the earlier matters, let’s focus on researching how to revive the Fishmen."

Shami looked into the conditions required for reviving Fishmen.

[Revival conditions: Fish affected by magic pollution; Demon King’s Power]

It seems quite straightforward since they’re ordinary creatures. But what exactly does fish affected by magic pollution mean?

Upon seeing magic, Shami knew who to contact.

He reached out to the Magical Girl.

"Magic pollution?"

Saili, sitting at her room’s windowsill reading a Magic Book, closed the book and looked out the window. From her vantage point, she could see the inn where Shami stayed.

They were now communicating through rings.

"Generally, mages using magic do not cause pollution to nature."

The Magical Girl thought for a moment and added.

"However, manufacturing Magic Crystals can indeed cause pollution. Magic Crystals come in two types: native and artificial. Native Magic Crystals are naturally imbued with magic power, while artificial Magic Crystals require human infusion of magic power. On the market, artificial Magic Crystals are more common because there are specialized factories producing these products."

The Magical Girl seamlessly started explaining to Shami.

"There are many types of artificial Magic Crystals, such as Recording Crystals used for recording, Broadcasting Crystals for communication, Storage Crystals for storing items, etc. These all require the infusion of corresponding magic power to create. Among them, there’s a special crystal—a combat-oriented artificial Magic Crystal, the most common being the explosive Bomb Crystal. Though small in size, its power is significant, serving as a vital substitute for gunpowder."

"During the manufacturing process, a lot of magic power needs to be infused into the crystals and they are later polished and ground, leaving behind plenty of crystal residue with magic power. When these crystal residues come into contact with water sources, soil, or trees, they cause what’s known as magic pollution, where the concentration of magic power exceeds normal levels, altering the local environment."

"Hence, unused Magic Crystals are usually collected and dealt with by specialized mages. Magical Girls can earn extra credits by collecting Magic Crystals and eliminating magic from them in the suburbs during their free time."

"Got it, similar to batteries."

Shami clapped his hands.

"Ah, close enough."

The Magical Girl nodded.

"Is there a place nearby that’s been polluted by magic?"

"There is. The western part of Saint Karno City has many Magic Crystal refineries. Although they seem compliant on the surface, many engage in shady practices to save costs. A bit farther west, there’s a concave lake reportedly used by the factories to secretly dump crystal residues."

"I understand."

Shami decided on his destination.

"Are you free now? Let’s head there together."

"Hmph, Shami, do you think Magical Girls are always available, just waiting for your invitation?"

Standing by the window, the Magical Girl quickly moved to the dressing table and spun in front of the full-length mirror, checking herself out.

"Did you reach out to me, or did I reach out to you?"

--

"Isn’t it just the two of us?"

At the designated meeting spot, the Magical Girl Dammy raised an eyebrow and glanced at the golden-haired girl next to Shami.

Why is this bothersome Elf here too!

"Oh, I thought it might come in useful to have Lureya later."

"So what are we doing, then."

The Elf Maiden muttered, glancing at the Magical Girl.

"Morning~ Saili~"

[Elf Master friendly greeting.]

The Magical Girl managed a faint smile, swallowing her complaints.

"Morning."

The three of them set off heading to the outskirts in the western part of Saint Karno City.

These days, they’ve all been staying in the southeast part of Saint Karno City, rarely visiting the west. Now they discovered a different scenery altogether.

As bustling as the southeast, yet here there were many more factory-like buildings, making the overall environment resemble an era of magic combined with industry.

Leaving the city, following a path, the three soon arrived at their destination.

It was a small concave lake, but the sign by the lake indicated it was well over 300 meters deep.

A lake deeper than 6 meters is considered a deep lake, and this lake likely surpasses the depth of some seas, resembling a recessed, hollow spike on a plain over 2000 meters in altitude from a topographical view.

Truly suitable for dumping industrial waste residues.

The three moved forward to see this lake’s surface. Compared to the lakes in the southeast, this lake was far from clean, its bottom invisible, and its colors transitioning from transparent to green, then ink-like.

"Such a deep lake."

Lureya muttered.

"This is what I’ve been talking about."

The Magical Girl spoke at the lake’s edge.

"Lureya, jump in and catch a fish for me, will you?"

Understanding, Shami nodded, gesturing to the blonde girl beside him to take action.

"Alright!—What a joke, this lake clearly looks packed with nasty stuff, an Elf Maiden would never jump in there!"

"You have self-cleansing, right? Maybe you can purify the surrounding water?"

"Definitely not, self-cleansing also requires Spiritual Power, and it looks like this lake is affected by magic pollution, who knows what monsters are in there."

The Elf Maiden, relying on the Elf Race’s intuition, guessed quite a bit.

"Shami, you don’t plan on eating the fish from here, right? You might mutate into a bizarre creature."

"Of course not."

Seeing neither willing to act, Shami could only grab a fishing net, preparing to fish some out of the lake.

Utilizing his [Villager · Fishing Skills · Max Level], it didn’t take long for him to successfully catch a palm-sized small fish.

The fish was entirely red, similar to regular fish, like a red koi, struggling in the fishing net.

After some thought, Shami decided to handle it himself.

Claiming to be the Demon King, it would be illogical for a mere fish if there was any magic pollution radiation upon contact.

[Species: Fish]

[Status: Affected by magic pollution]

Great, meets the conditions to become a Fishman.

Holding the red fish in his hand, Shami infused his magic power into it.

In the next moment, the red fish in his hand emitted a colorful glow, as if it had swallowed a neon light, opening its fish mouth.

"Ah woo woo, ah woo..."

"The fish started talking!"

"Don’t panic, it’s the Fishman I just revived."

Shami explained.

At the same time, information from the Demon King’s Detection came from the fish in his hand.

[Name: None]

[Species: Ordinary Creature·Fishman Race]

[Current Form: Piranha]

[Level: 1]