“What is that?”
“Experts? Experts! Where are the experts!? Who can tell me what on earth this thing is!”
“VOMIT—”
“......”
With the current state-of-the-art satellite imaging technology, the captured photos were remarkably sharp. Particularly noteworthy was the fact that the Shoggoth's physical proportions were far from modest. When this grotesque entity materialized on the screen, even though it was viewed through the barrier of the display, the sight of this severely contorted being, entirely defying human notions of aesthetics, caused an unsettling reaction in everyone, with some individuals unable to contain their urge to vomit.
Several leaders from more than a dozen major countries around the world convened a video conference. This was a procedure and standard response established by nations in the wake of the mysterious events. It served as a means for them to come together and discuss matters whenever such a crisis involving mysterious occurrences affecting both humanity and the planet took place. Regardless of their ongoing activities, leaders from various nations had to gather, collaborate, and share intelligence for the purpose of making timely decisions and adjustments. Even the once-arrogant United States supported this proposal and actively contributed to the exchange of information.
Suppressing the urge to vomit, the leaders of these nations all had pale faces. However, as there were other world leaders visible in the video, they refrained from displaying such indecorous behavior by retching.
“Ugh, I can’t take it anymore!”
The President of the United States, caring little about losing face, exclaimed and immediately grabbed a nearby bag to vomit into. Following his lead, the female Chancellor of Germany also bent over and started to vomit. Even though they were separated by screens, the leaders of various nations sensed a strange odor wafting through.
There were more experts outside the continent of Antarctica, and when someone inquired about what this creature could be, experts from all over the world immediately began analyzing the situation. In just a few minutes, based on the geographical location of Antarctica and the nauseating form of this entity, they concluded that it was most likely a manifested creature from the Cthulhu mythology, known as a Shoggoth.
Upon learning of this revelation, leaders from various countries displayed expressions of confirmation, as such nauseating and maddening creatures were indeed prevalent only in the Cthulhu mythology.
“There’s such a creature underground in Antarctica!”
“Previously, intelligence came from the Antarctic research station, suggesting the existence of a mountain underground in Antarctica taller than Mount Everest. There have been suspicions that ancient extraterrestrial beings, the Elder Things from the stars, may be present beneath Antarctica. This underground scientific expedition was precisely aimed at searching for these Elder Things, hoping to acquire some technology from them.”
“Now that a Shoggoth has appeared here, it confirms the presence of the Elder Things beneath Antarctica.”
“But what about the members of the scientific expedition? Why haven't we seen them? Could something have happened to them?”
The Italian Prime Minister's remarks left the leaders engaged in the video conference speechless. All of them harbored desires for otherworldly technology, speculating that even a single breakthrough in reverse engineering could potentially ignite a technological revolution.
“Pope Francis I of the Vatican has conveyed a message. He claims to have received divine guidance, facilitated by Sister Mirda's powers. According to the Lord's revelation, this event is intricately tied to the Norse Aesir and the enigmatic Outer Gods!”
Suddenly, Italy's Prime Minister chimed in again. Since the Vatican was located in Rome, the Italian Prime Minister was the first to receive a message from the Vatican.
“Norse Aesir? Outer Gods?”
Many leaders from various countries appeared perplexed, unsure of how this could be related to Norse mythology. As for the Outer Gods, they had already learned from experts on the Cthulhu Mythology that these malevolent entities were considered Outer Gods, in simple terms, foreign gods.
Meanwhile, the leaders of countries with Christian beliefs seemed invigorated, displaying expressions of delight as they prayed to Christ. In a situation where they knew nothing, the fact that they could receive divine revelation was indeed significant. The presence of an angel left by Christ in the mortal world had profound meaning. Finally, as ordinary humans, they had the opportunity to connect with the supernatural and commune with the divine.
On the other hand, the leaders of China and Japan underwent a visible change in demeanor. They remembered the words of the ancient Chinese immortal who had mentioned that various major pantheons were interconnected through culture and that they were often in opposition to one another in the realm of the mystical. Western countries, who believed in Christ, had received support from their revered Son of God, and this posed a significant disadvantage for China and Japan.
Quickly, the leaders of China and Japan dispatched envoys to seek out the old immortal and the Shinto priest, hoping to gain some assistance from them.
“Quickly look, those people are from the expedition to Antarctica's underground!”
While many world leaders were deep in thought, someone suddenly shouted. On the satellite screen, not far ahead of the Shoggoth, several dots appeared, and they were the group of explorers sent to the underground of Antarctica.
Seeing that these explorers were still alive, the leaders of various countries were overjoyed. It was highly likely that these explorers had discovered some valuable technology or something else beneficial to modern science and humanity beneath Antarctica. Therefore, the immediate priority was to ensure their safety.
“I suggest dispatching fighter jets immediately. Even if our missiles can’t kill these monsters, we need to temporarily halt them to rescue these explorers!” exclaimed the President of the United States, standing up with excitement.
Compared to various incomprehensible aspects of the supernatural, the United States placed a higher value on science and technology. Only by finding more advanced technology could the United States continue to maintain its supremacy.
Other countries shared a similar perspective. Even though the existence of the supernatural had been proven, the theorem that science and technology were the primary productive forces remained unchanged. While nations pursued the supernatural, they were unwilling to abandon technology.
“Seconded!”
“Seconded!”
“......”
The leaders of various countries quickly agreed to the suggestion made by the President of the United States.
Meanwhile, at the southernmost tip of South America, the American military base swiftly went into a state of readiness. Multiple fighter jets were armed with air-to-ground missiles, and at the commander's command, they took off rapidly, heading toward the Antarctic continent.
The United States was the only country capable of conducting global strikes, as well as the only country able to launch attacks from its major bases worldwide at any given moment. This was a capability that no other country possessed. Although the aircraft and missile assistance were still being provided by the United States in this operation, the rest of the world would bear the costs of this military operation.
"WHOOOOSH—”
Over twenty fighter jets took off from the base. While their numbers were not substantial, their purpose was not to eliminate the Shoggoth; instead, it was to create an opportunity for the Antarctic expedition teams to escape.
A Hollywood-style global rescue operation was unfolding in reality.
“Report! Cthulhu has entered the Antarctic region, and it will soon make landfall on the Antarctic continent!”
At this moment, the monitoring personnel issued an alert.
“Contact that expedition team and urge them to move faster. Also, ask them what they've encountered beneath Antarctica,” the President of the United States said with a clever idea.
The other leaders of various countries brightened up.
Indeed, it was a good idea to inquire whether the expedition team had found anything useful. If they had, the rescue operation would proceed as planned. However, if they had discovered nothing beneath the Antarctic continent, it would be regrettable, and the leaders of various countries might have chosen to abandon them.
In the current circumstances, it was not worthwhile to mobilize excessive resources and power to save these people, especially with the terrifying Outer God about to make landfall on the Antarctic continent. In this crisis where the fate of humanity and the Earth hung in the balance, humanitarian considerations were nonexistent!
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m