Treasure Hunter 2

The Seeker Eye detects minerals within the asteroid and marks them, then two mining shuttles excavate and recover them.

A routine operation as usual—but this time was different.

"Damn, this is beyond expectations!"

As Glen said, rare minerals were being unearthed one after another.

"Seeker Eye to Big Bear, we've detected signal No. 1524 on this asteroid. Estimated reserve: approximately 30 tons."

"Number 1524, huh! That's an ultra-rare find—ultra-rare indeed! Mike, dig into the asteroid marked by Seeker Eye. Andy, rendezvous with Mike's first shuttle—transfer the ore onto your ship!"

"Holy Bell, copy that."

The rare metals unearthed one after another were steadily loaded onto Big Bear and Holy Bell.

After ten days of continuous mining, of course, it wasn't feasible to keep going without sleep.

Alyssa from the exploration vessel Seeker I, Merry S. and the operators of the mining vessels Randy, Allen, Mike, and Todd all needed rest. Maintenance and part replacements for the mining vessels, which were digging through hard bedrock and extracting rare metals, were also necessary.

Glen appeared to be thoroughly prepared for this mining operation, overseeing work with a calm and composed demeanor, while Karen was fully dedicated to backing up the mining vessels and was not participating in the actual work.

Still, profits are expected to be more than sufficient.

Even with ample time for work, the Yatagarasu, Fukubuki, and Phantom remain on alert, and the Holybell has no rest when operations halt.

Among them, the issue lies with Ira, who operates the Phantom alone.

Since it was impossible for Ira to stay awake and active nonstop for ten days alone, Marks or Madelia, Milina or Celia would take over the Phantom during Ira’s breaks, ensuring there were no lapses in vigilance.

Maintaining this arrangement while moving locations, the group steadily advanced deeper into the asteroid belt.

It was on the seventh day since mining operations had begun.

It was during their work deep within the asteroid belt—so far in that even cosmic pirates dared not venture.

On board the Seeker Eye, searching for asteroids containing rare metals.

"…Merry, I picked up an unusual signal that isn't from an asteroid."

Alysa, operating the exploration radar, called out to Merry, who was piloting the ship.

"Got it. …What is this?"

Merry, checking the monitor at the pilot's station, tilted her head in confusion.

The area displayed on the monitor showed scattered signals completely different from those of an asteroid.

While the radar readings indicated a surface similar to rock, the interior showed entirely different readings—certainly not mineral reactions typical of rare metals.

"Seeker Eye, this is Big Bear and Yatagarasu. We've detected a region with signals that aren't from an asteroid. We'd like to investigate."

Glen halts the two upon receiving Alisa's report.

"Wait—first send the data! We'll assess it here."

Alisa, following Glen's instructions, transmits the data to Big Bear and Yatagarasu.

Syunosuke and the others on Yatagarasu review the data sent from Seeker Eye.

"This doesn't look like an asteroid at all. Could it be the alien jellyfish?"

Seira answers Syunosuke, who tilts his head in thought.

"No, there are no signals resembling those of an alien jellyfish. It doesn't appear to be an alien whale either."

Indeed, the communication signals characteristic of alien jellyfish have not been detected.

"Big Bear to Crow, Syunosuke, what do you think?"

"We're not getting any clear readings either. It doesn't seem to be the alien jellyfish we were concerned about..."

"There's something troubling me. Syunosuke, can you and Seeker Eye head out for the investigation together?"

"Understood. Yatagarasu and Seeker Eye will proceed, with the flagship accompanying."

"Understood. We'll be counting on you."

Yatagarasu and Seeker Eye moved deeper into the asteroid belt for the investigation.

Syunosuke guided Yatagarasu forward while checking the data being transmitted from Seeker Eye.

The asteroid density in this region is indeed extremely low, yet another kind of reaction is densely concentrated here.

" You'll be able to confirm it on the camera monitor shortly."

As Seira switched the bridge monitor, Shinosuke also switched the monitor at the pilot's station.

"What is this?"

The monitor displayed an object encased in what looked like rocky material—visually, it was completely indistinguishable from an asteroid.

However, data from the Seeker Eye indicates it is made of a different substance.

"Shinnosuke-sama, look at this!"

Milena notices the anomaly on the monitor.

Though it appears like an asteroid, it is actually something entirely different—an extraterrestrial creature with a rocky exterior, a space whale.

Shinnosuke and the others stare at the monitor, stunned.

"Could this be... a space whale's corpse?"

Numerous dead space whales drift through this region of space.

In effect, it was a graveyard for space whales.