178
-x-X-x-
"Just now, what was that?"
"There wasn't just one demon with three heads, was there?"
In a short time, two people fell victim to unidentified enemies. Since they were prepared to target only one of the three-headed demons, there was no avoiding the shock.
"…You stored information about that creature, didn't you?"
One member nodded silently in response to Alia's telepathy.
Rather than fighting cults or regular forces of other factions, the Temple Guardians primarily fought against monstrous beings larger than them, or wicked entities like the followers of the Vortex Order. It was common for them to fight beings from other dimensions without leaving behind corpses or traces when they died.
Therefore, members of the Temple Guardians are trained in special psychic power techniques.
One of these techniques is called 'Memory Storage Technique', similar to the ability of memory transference. It involves digitizing memories that are perceived or felt, akin to the ability of memory transference. Even if someone is ambushed, if a fellow member trained in memory storage technique records it and communicates it to other members, the same situation can be prevented from recurring.
"Everyone, stand by."
"I will transmit the stored memories."
While other members maintained vigilance, a member trained in memory storage technique sent the image of what happened to Brentz to Alia.
In front of Alia, who received the memory information through the telepathic link, the recent events unfolded like a video.
Brentz picking up the corpse of a baby monster from the ground. Between his legs, something vague could be seen amidst the mist.
It appeared to be a woman's face, as if a drop of white paint had fallen on black paper.
However, it wasn't the typical appearance of a human that she knew. The pupils and sclera were all black without distinction, and the lips were as red as if soaked in blood.
Except for the eyes, it was clearly a beautiful face, but Alia felt only creepiness and discomfort.
Though it resembled a human in appearance up to the head, it was not so below the neck. It was similar in form to a spider. Of course, this was a metaphor; in reality, it was a truly horrific sight.
She, or rather 'it,' seemed to have been hiding beneath the ice floor, low to the ground. It had waited in ambush until the members were off guard.
The pale face of the monster emerging from the ground quickly reached behind Brentz's ear. Brentz is still unaware of the creature's presence.
And the monster opened its blood-red mouth.
Its jaw split open, stretching wider than the length of its own face. Inside were triangular teeth resembling saw blades, densely packed.
The creature with the grotesque mouth clamped down on Brentz's neck.
Blood gushed out, and his neck was severed very easily. The creature held Brentz's severed neck and quickly retreated.
It was only then that the members, belatedly aiming their weapons, were seen. Amidst the frantic movements of the user of the memory storage technique, Alia noticed something.
Bilone's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Amidst the distraction caused by the spider monster killing Brentz, another monster must have abducted Bilone.
Then, the spider monster disappeared into the darkness of the corridor, blocking attacks from the members, along with Brentz's severed neck.
The video ended there.
Alia, experiencing a headache brought on by the side effects of accessing the information stored in the memory storage technique, pondered.
\Those who just attacked are definitely not to be underestimated.\
The appearance of the two monsters was clearly coordinated. While the baby monsters drew attention, the one with a human head quietly lurked, waiting for the moment when they let their guard down.
Another one waited, seizing the moment when the members' attention shifted elsewhere.
In other words, the intelligence of the monsters the Temple Guardians faced was quite high. Their exceptional physical abilities were just a bonus.
\These fragments came off the creature during the attack.\
\This is…\
The tissue brought by the member was so bizarrely fused with black flesh onto what seemed like metal shards.
\A fusion of metal and organic matter.\
Not many entities have the capability to create such items.
"StarUnion."
Before coming here, she had heard rumors that the three-headed demon might be related to the StarUnion.
The three-headed demon was said to be a new biological weapon created by the StarUnion, which escaped from their control during experiments and infiltrated the territory of the Cult Empire. Recently, there had even been armed conflicts between the Empire and the StarUnion attributed to the three-headed demon.
\No, that's an exaggeration.\
Alia shook her head, dismissing the fantasies in her mind.
"Let's think about its identity after we capture it."
After sharing the information created through memory storage technique with the members, Alia reported to Jason via telepathy.
"…Brentz and Bilone died because of it?"
"Brentz fell in battle, and Bilone was captured by it while moving. We should track her down now…"
"No. Tracking is prohibited. Bilone's fate is sealed anyway. You might just end up annihilated if you follow. Return here."
"Excuse me?"
"Just knowing that it's not alone is a huge gain. So come back."
Bilone was still connected via soul link. They couldn't just abandon her, waiting for the rescue from other members.
"She's our comrade! We can't just leave her knowing she's still alive."
"I don't want to lose you, Alia."
"What on earth is it? Doesn't the High Priest know? Why won't he tell us?"
"…"
Jason fell silent under Alia's intense telepathy. The turmoil of his lover's mind was transmitted to her clearly.
\Well, I thought she might break if I talked, but whatever. Just back off after hearing this.\
After confirming the telepathy sent by him, Alia could only be astonished.
***
｢Hey big baby, our friend's here.｣
"You did well. How's your body?"
[Kirik, compared to the previous model, has much more organic movement possible, Kirik, but durability is low.'
"That part seems like it needs to be supplemented by ingesting metal.
[Blood Liver, Kirik, if you give me more, it's possible.'
"No."
I rejected PS-111's request outright. There were only 7 left, having already consumed one. Even if Blood Liver was the only top-grade equipment that could be mass-produced, it wasn't something you could find just anywhere. It would be even harder to obtain more until we conquered the core planets of the StarUnion.
"We need to conserve them since there are many formidable enemies on this planet."
It's only been two days since I arrived here, and already encountering an Apex, a Black Gallagon-class skilled Cult, was a situation I faced. No matter how numerous the cards are, they're insufficient.
[Request persuasion to the main controller for 'Amorph'….'
｢If Big One says no, then it's a no.｣
Even the attempt to ask Number 26 for a favor was thwarted. PS-111 hung its head low.
\Still, gaining a useful ally is a profit.\
I looked at the disappointed creature.
PS-111's appearance had changed a lot since our first encounter. The human woman's face with white skin remained the same, but everything below the neck was completely different.
Red tubes and mechanical devices reminiscent of Blood Liver, black flesh obtained by consuming tooth fairies. Metal and organic matter mixed to create a new body.
To put it bluntly, it resembled a spider with a human head. There were four pairs of legs on each side of the body, and energy absorption devices from Blood Liver could be seen intermittently between the black skin on the torso.
However, few would think of a spider upon seeing it. The eight legs varied in length and shape, more akin to human arms and legs grotesquely elongated.
Different types of feet were attached to the elongated legs. One type resembled a hook with five fingers, while the other had sickle-shaped claws resembling scythes. Either way, they seemed effective in tearing apart the opponent's body.
Despite the varying lengths of the eight legs, it moved very naturally from the beginning, as if it had always been like that.
\It looks like a creature from some sci-fi movie or horror game.\
From my perspective as a monster enthusiast, its appearance was enough to pass. At least it looked much better compared to screamers or hulk mutants that seemed to have been made by an incompetent special effects team.
\I'm not sure if the Cultists think the same way.\
Most likely, they would have been frightened seeing PS-111 emerge from underground. Looking at the scars on its body, it was evident that the cultists had attacked frantically even in that brief moment.
"Wouldn't eating the remains of the Ice Horror increase its defense?"
[Kirik, there's a 72% chance of that.'
"Good."
Nodding, I accepted the Cultist's head it offered.
[Why do you need the head?'
"Because it might come in handy later."
I put the head with goat horns into my mouth and chewed. The unique fruity taste of the cultists filled my mouth. It was a taste of orange with a hint of lemon added.
The skin, facial muscles, horns and skull, and even the brain were crushed finely and swallowed down the throat. Along with it, the genetic components of the Cult were quickly absorbed.
Eventually, one of the human-faced insects on the back of my head rapidly shriveled, and a new face grew in its place.
The newly grown face looked exactly like the face of the Cultist I had eaten, except for being very pale, like the other human-faced insects.
The newly transformed individual opened their eyes. They immediately understood their situation and blinked rapidly.
[What… is this?!'
"Quiet."
The five human-faced insects growing on my head were all bound by my will. If I told them to be quiet, they had to close their mouths, and if I told them to speak, they had to obey.
"In any case, soon you'll be able to make as much noise as you want."
That was the purpose they were brought here for in the first place.
I sent a signal to the Adhai hiding nearby.
[ZZZZ ZZ ZZ (Is the enemy coming?)'
｢They're coming｣ ｢The number is｣ ｢Twelve.｣
[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Are there any enemies as strong as the small adult?)'
｢The enemy｣ ｢Strength｣ ｢Small adults｣ ｢Comparison｣ ｢Low.｣
The group containing the Black Gallagon-class strongman stopped immediately when another group was attacked. Whether they were about to move again after assessing the situation or were staying put at the rear was unclear.
The group attacked by PS-111 and the Mother of the Sky also changed their movements. Instead of heading towards my nest, they changed direction and moved towards where the other group was.
The group acting independently was the only one coming towards us.
\So far, everything is going according to plan.\
By now, the Mother of the Sky should have arrived at the nest with the captives. The plan was for PS-111 to cut the throat of one Cultist while she distracted another, allowing her to be kidnapped.
\Our response will depend on how the enemy comes out.\
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ (Well done. Wait until I give the signal.)'
｢Understood.｣
After ending the conversation with Adhai, I turned my gaze to Number 26, who was beside me.
It was unleashing the vast psychic power he had accumulated within his body.
The massive psychic power emitted by Sea demons affects other psychic beings. Abilities that require precise control of psychic power, such as telepathy or soul links, are restricted.
Since entering the underground, one of the three divided groups has been coming towards us. They aim to remove obstacles that hinder them.
\Of course, it's a trap.\
The groups coming here now don't know if there's been a change in the operation. This is because telepathy isn't working smoothly due to the psychic power emitted by Number 26.
"If all the groups coming here are annihilated, the enemy will move too."
There are two actions the enemy might take. Either the Mother of the Sky will rescue the captives she's caught. Or…
\They'll come to directly remove the obstacles hindering the flow of psychic power.\
And whatever choice the enemy makes, the outcome will be the same.
Right now, where I stand, in this place with the hard exoskeleton of the Ice Horror and its remaining bones, I intend to engage in battle with the enemy.
[ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ (Then let's get ready.)'
｢Yeah.｣
[Understood, Kirik.'
[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ (If they suddenly move from their side, proceed as planned.)'
[Confirmed. Don't worry.'
I, along with Number 26 and PS-111, entered the skeleton of the Ice Horror, which lay overturned.
The intruders who foolishly attacked me.
Their future holds only two possibilities.
Either they die and become genetic essence, or they become my slaves.
\Either way.\
Their essence will be mine, regardless.
***
"Is this it? Looks like animal bones."
Leading the third team of the Temple Guardians, Kryssian marveled at the giant creature's bones.
The place they stood was a partially collapsed underground chamber. Despite the vast space, the bones of the creature exuded a tremendous presence.
"Psychic power is emanating from inside the bones. I'll investigate."
"Selene, keep sending telepathy to Jason and Alia."
"Understood."
The Cultists present here couldn't properly use telepathy and soul links. It was because of the massive psychic power emanating from inside the bones.
Unless Jason and Alia, who were powerful psychic users, directly sent telepathy to them, there was no way to communicate with the outside.
Until the cause of this mysterious energy emission was removed.
"What kind of creature emits such powerful psychic power?"
"Could it be the carcass of an Arcane Orca?"
"A creature that flies through space died under the ice?"
"It doesn't look like a fossil."
While the members were carrying out their mission, Kryssian examined the bones and exoskeleton.
The light made from glowing gems illuminated the bones. They gleamed white, smooth without a trace of flesh.
"It's strange. If a creature of this size died, the surrounding ecology would have changed."
Predators approaching to eat the creature's flesh, the massive gases and bacteria from its decay. Yet, none of these traces could be found. The giant creature's bones were clean, as if someone had thoroughly wiped them clean.
"And these traces. There was clearly a battle."
Kryssian thought as he touched the broken skeleton. There were many oddities to consider if it was assumed that they were defeated and eaten by the triple-headed demon.
Despite being several times larger than this giant creature, there were no traces of it entering and leaving this chamber and the connecting passage.
"Since I can't contact the other members…Tsk."
As he clicked his tongue in frustration, he heard the voices of the members who had entered the bones and exoskeleton.
"Kryssian, come over here!"
"What's going on?"
Following the voices of the members, Kryssian ventured inside and was taken aback by the scene before him.
Between the white skeletal frame, there was a dark purple wall.
The wall was densely engraved with geometric patterns, and its surface was irregular and very rough. Unlike other bones on the ground, which were different from the wall, sharp spikes of the same dark purple color protruded from the wall. It seemed more like the exoskeleton of some giant creature rather than a wall.
There, five pale faces were embedded.
"Uhh, plea…please, help!"
"Ahhhh! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
"It hurts! It's too painful! Somebody, please help!"
"Ughhh…."
"Get us out!"
Surprisingly, they were all Cultists' faces. Although I didn't know how they were embedded in the wall, all five of them were alive. They were pleading for help, shedding tears and snot.
Despite experiencing countless battles, Kryssian had never seen a wall with only faces embedded in it. The sight was truly something out of a nightmare.
"What…what on earth happened here?"
"The…the psychic power is emanating from behind this wall."
"Darn it! We need to break this wall right…huh? Wait a minute, I've seen that face somewhere."
Kryssian thought one of the five faces looked familiar.
"You, are you Brentz?"
"Wha…Kryssian! It's me, I'm Brentz!"
He was so pale that I didn't recognize him at first. The one embedded in the wall was Brentz, a Temple Guardian who had come in here with us.
"Weren't you supposed to go with Alia? Why are you here…?"
"I don't know! Damn it…I lost consciousness and woke up here!"
"I'll get you out right away!"
Kryssian approached the wall with the faces.
Then, the voice of Sele, who was in charge of communication outside the skeleton, was heard.
"Kryssian! We just received a telepathy from Alia! Brentz and Bilone have fallen in battle!"
"Huh?"
Hearing that, Kryssian and the members looked at each other.
Brentz was right in front of them. He was only sticking his head out of the dark purple wall.
"Ignore that voice! It's Alia's mistake! I'm still alive! I'm alive, I tell you!"
Among the Temple Guardians here, Alia holds the highest position. She is the third most skilled member of the Temple Guardians overall.
Wouldn't such a remarkable person be able to ascertain whether her comrades are truly dead or not?
Kryssian and the members began to distance themselves from the wall bit by bit. Seeing this, Brentz, with only his head protruding from the wall, cursed vehemently.
"You damn Cult bastards! Do you think you'll get away unscathed?!"
With tears of blood streaming from his eyes, his cursed appearance was like a demon itself.
Kryssian was certain. That wasn't Brentz; it was something disguised as Brentz.
"Everyone, be careful…"
"K-Kryssian!"
Upon hearing the startled voice of the member, Kryssian turned his head to look at him. Like him, the members who had experienced various battles were gaping, as if they had seen something incredibly surprising or frightening.
Then Kryssian felt a sharp pain. His gaze lowered.
"Huh?"
A spike that should have been fixed to the ground was impaled into his abdomen. His blood and pieces of his entrails flowed over the thick, dark purple spike.
He felt his strength drain from the legs that were standing on the ground. His wavering gaze turned towards the wall in front of him.
Faces embedded in the wall came into view.
They were smiling, their lips stretched upward.
"Hehe, caught you."
Finally, he realized.
The face he saw wasn't Brentz. And what was in front of him wasn't a wall either.
'It'—the thing that impaled Kryssian with its horn—began to reveal itself above the ground.
-x-X-x-
"Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…."
Selene, a warrior of the Temple Guardians, ran across the icy passageway.
'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!'
The silence spread throughout the passageway spoke volumes about the fate of her comrades.
Other members of the squad had sacrificed themselves to save her, a practitioner of memory manipulation. Despite knowing that the enemy could consume souls.
'I never imagined such monsters existed in this world!' She recalled the sight she had just witnessed as she ran.
White skeletal structures rising several times the height of a cultist. Initially, she mistook them for giant creatures resurrected in skeletal form.
It didn't take long for her to realize that something had flipped the bones and carapaces of giant creatures. Among the bones stood the heads of her comrades.
The first cultist she spotted was their leader, Krissian. He was impaled on the horn protruding from the monster's head. Below, a pointed snout resembling a theropod's was adorned with what she presumed to be the legs of a squad member, twitching.
The surreal sight left her and her comrades staring blankly. Soon, with eerie sounds, the twitching legs that struggled to escape stopped moving.
It was the sound of their comrades' deaths that snapped her and her squad back to reality. The sharp clang of weapons being drawn echoed alongside savage cries.
It was the sound that accompanied every hunt for monsters.
The Temple Guardians had come prepared with top-of-the-line gear to capture the demon with three heads. Demolishers capable of manipulating matter to destroy it, Champion Shields combining psychic power and ether for exponential defense, Dragon Scale armors forged from the gallagon's scales, weapons honed with White Gallagon claws, and more.
As one of the Empire's elite forces, the Temple Guardians had the best equipment. And those who wielded that equipment? They were the best of the best.
If the enemy had been just the bone-flipped monster, they wouldn't have fallen so easily.
There was one reason the situation unfolded differently from their expectations.
Contrary to their expectations, it wasn't just one enemy.
As the giant monster rose to its feet, other monsters hidden beneath it emerged.
A creature with a human head and a spider's body, and another with a slender tentacle on a pink balloon-like body.
The spider creature absorbed the Champion Shield composed of composite energy. Whenever its hooks scratched the shield, its energy dissipated in clumps.
The bone-flipped monster targeted only weakened guardians. It was incredibly agile for its size.
Whenever it moved, comrades were either impaled on horns or crushed under its massive feet.
And finally, the pink balloon monster. It didn't move as agilely as the others, but it possessed terrifying abilities.
It was the most powerful psychic user among the many monsters she had seen.
Though not as potent as the young priest Jason, it was enough to overwhelm those present.
Communication with the outside was nearly impossible due to the pink balloon monster.
Its immense psychic power flowing through its body blocked psychic abilities such as telepathy or soul-linking.
To the cultists, psychic power was like limbs.
Even though they were Temple Guardians, it was impossible to unleash their full potential with restrictions on psychic power usage.
Her comrades struggled to avoid the monsters while attempting to counterattack.
However, such a counterattack proved futile as the number of standing members rapidly dwindled. The creatures seemed to move as if they had completely penetrated the characteristics and weaknesses of the Temple Guardians' equipment.
The spider creature nullified the Temple Guardians' shields, while the giant creature attacked. Whenever one tried to evade the giant creature, the pink balloon creature restricted the movement of the members.
Even when members wielding demolishers attempted to shoot, it was to no avail. The creatures always managed to avoid the demolishers, even if they endured other attacks.
They displayed a synergy beyond that of Temple Guardians who had trained for over several decades.
The result was a massacre.
Those who had always hunted monsters were now prey, slaughtered in turn.
The spider creature gouged out cultists' entrails with its hooked claws, while the pink balloon creature levitated the members with psychic power and then tore off their limbs.
And the sight of the giant creature swallowing the still-living cultists.
Perhaps Selene would never forget that sight until her dying breath.
When the group was reduced to only five members from twelve, Selene's comrades shouted at her. They told her to flee, being the one who had mastered memory manipulation.
To prevent the deaths of those present from being in vain, Selene had to survive at all costs. Knowing this, she abandoned her comrades and fled.
"I've stored all the memories. If I can just deliver these to Jason…!"
She continued to attempt telepathy as she ran. As the distance from the creature increased, its power weakened. Perhaps if she went a little further, she could transmit these memories to her comrades.
"!"
At that moment, amidst her sprint, she heard a sound. She quickly activated the Champion Shield strapped to her wrist.
"Who's there?"
Holding the faintly glowing gold Champion Shield, she looked around.
Thinking she might have misheard, the sound came again. Amidst the sound of wind blowing through the passageway, there was something mixed in.
"Damn it! Who's there?…."
Her eyes darted frantically. All she could see was her distorted reflection in the ice. The distorted faces of the cultists seemed to mock her, as if her comrades were laughing at her.
You too will soon join us.
Temple Guardians learn not to waver even in dire situations against monsters.
But today, was it because of the situation or some unknown factor? She couldn't gather her thoughts like a rookie heading into her first battle.
"Damn it! Who are you, come out!"
She lost her composure, screaming like a wounded beast. In response, a sound seemed to echo as if answering her cry.
The sound was similar to the one heard when a flag flutters in the wind.
Only then did she realize what the sound she had heard was.
It was the sound of a creature flapping its large wings.
And unlike just a moment ago, the sound was much closer. Almost as if it were coming from directly above her head.
"...."
Her gaze slowly rose upward.
There should have been nothing there except ice.
But hanging upside down with green wings, a creature looked down at her.
Her violet eyes met the creature's gaze, and she reached for her blade. Before her hand could touch the hilt, the creature's wings spread wide. In that instant of realization, she felt her strength drain from her body. The world she saw flipped, and a familiar ankle came into view.
Selene's mind plunged into darkness.
***
｢Prey｣｢Escape｣｢Block｣｢Success｣
[ZZZ ZZZ (Well done)]
Adhai, who had returned to tidy up the fleeing prey hiding outside, came back. A cultist torso hung from her back. Seeing her bloodied body, it was clear she had been hit with extreme force.
'No apparent injuries.'
She had completely mastered the combat method of rushing with psychic power enveloping his body.
'Impressive lad.'
I patted the head of the combat-trained Adhai and lifted the cultist's body on her back with corrosive tentacles.
'All 12 of the intruders here have been dealt with.'
Although my tooth fairies had initiated the start of battle, it was my first time fighting directly.
Their abilities were as I had expected, but there were a few surprises.
'The equipment is better than I thought.'
My gaze shifted to the equipment the cultists had brought. Dragon Scale armor, Champion Shields, swords forged from Gallagon, and even demolishers. All were high-priced weapons.
I picked up a weapon resembling a dart gun among the scattered weapons on the ground.
It may look unimpressive, but it was a powerful weapon capable of destroying even the toughest materials, as evidenced by the hole it made in the Ice Horror's carapace, which was broken by No. 26 with all its might.
Special defensive measures are required to defend against demolisher attacks. I don't have such defensive measures yet.
'And this sword is quite expensive too.'
The white weapon strapped to the cultists' waist was a blade made by shaving the claws of a White Gallagon. It creates a psychic blade that can strike enemies from a distance. It has the same effect as the Gallagon claw that Si-hyun Yujin drew from her palm during our previous fight.
People with such good equipment wouldn't come here for no reason. I woke up the faceless beings attached to the carapace.
"What brought you here?"
"T-That's…!"
The five faceless beings struggled not to speak, but it was futile.
The faceless beings on my body were all reconstituted from Amorph's body. Just as my arms and legs obeyed my commands, they couldn't refuse my orders.
In the end, they spilled everything.
Their explanation was not lengthy, but it contained very important information.
What they came to catch, and who was leading them.
If I hadn't checked it now, it could have been crucial information that could put everyone in great danger.
'The young priest is targeting me.'
He was the one who argued for sending an Imperial flagship and fleet to combat the three-headed demon that appeared on the planet called Saegil 08, which the cultists call PH-101.
When the plan failed and he lost influence in the Imperial Council, he reportedly came here leading the Temple Guardians to make up for the failure.
What does that mean?
'The player who sponsored Muriel.'
The one who judged him as a Black Gallagon-class powerhouse was the player. And it was a player with much stronger power than Muriel.
If the opponent is a player, the plans I've made so far need to be revised.
'They must know about me.'
If they are rankers over there, it was obvious what precautions to take when fighting against Amoph.
'It's impossible to deceive them with parasites or faceless beings once the enemies join.'
The original plan was to lure the enemies into the joint where the Ice Horror was. The joint was so weakened that it could collapse at any moment due to extensive damage to the walls and ceiling.
My plan was to collapse the walls and ceiling there and bury all the enemies under the ice above. Even if the enemies were strong, there was almost no chance of surviving under several hundred meters thick ice.
Would a Black Gallagon-class powerhouse survive depending on what psychic power technique he possesses? If he survives, I planned to launch a coordinated attack with the children to subdue him.
'But if they consider me an enemy…'
Since they would know that I set a trap, the chances of them moving according to my intentions are low. To deceive them, I need to think harder.
'…It's fortunate that I know now.'
As soon as I heard the explanation, I slightly modified the original plan and called PS-111.
"A variable has arisen. Take the children and go to the location I mentioned first."
[Understood.]
It prepared to leave with No. 26 on his back and Adhai.
｢Big one, see you later.｣
[ZZZ (Got it)]
After bidding farewell to the children, I quickly moved to the nest. On the way, I didn't forget to put the auxiliary device on the ground to monitor the movements of the enemies.
'The distance is getting a bit tight.'
There were only a few minutes left until the remaining two groups gathered in one place. The group attacked by PS-111 and the Mother of the Sky were moving around in extreme caution, so they hadn't joined yet.
'If I stop by the nest and then go, it'll be too late.'
I have to attack from behind before the enemies join.
I stopped in the middle of the passage and pressed the auxiliary device against the ice, trying to link it to the nest's substation under my chin.
The nest was expanding on its own, and this area was already stained black. Although no spores had appeared yet, the nest's mucus had spread here and solidified, so it was possible to send a signal at least.
'She'll notice it right away if it's her.'
Feeling around the ground with the auxiliary device, I found a place to link while the stem of the nest, which had just begun to spread, touched the auxiliary device.
I felt a part of my senses pouring onto the ground, and the wide corridor began to feel like my body. It was a successful link with the nest.
'Good.'
I detonated a few spores inside the nest. In response, two objects lying in the marsh began to react. Soon, one of the objects started moving in this direction with the other.
The Mother of the Sky, who captured prisoners, must have read the signal I sent.
While maintaining the link, I double-checked the passages in this underground space. There was no sign of movement from the enemy player and his group.
While keeping an eye on them, the Mother of the Sky appeared. She was holding a female cultist in her beak.
The lower part of the cultist's neck, where I had broken the bone when capturing her, showed no movement. The Mother of the Sky must have known that the Imperial armor had life support functions, so she took such measures.
I carefully avoided the cultist's gaze so as not to be detected. If No. 26 were present, it would be different, but without him, I had to be cautious with the soul link.
｢What happened? This wasn't part of the plan, was it?｣
[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ (The plan changed)]
I explained to her the things I heard from the faceless beings. Flames shot from her pumpkin-colored eyes as she understood my wavelength.
｢He's here?｣
[ZZZ (Yes)]
｢…We can't afford to miss him.｣
[ZZZ ZZ (Of course)]
We can't just let a player, especially one who knows about me, go like this. We must capture him by any means necessary.
｢What are we going to do?｣
[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (First, take care of the subordinates)]
The subordinates brought by the player are armed with weapons made from Demolishers and Gallagon's claws. They are formidable enemies who can inflict fatal injuries on me, so I cannot afford to be complacent.
Dealing with them becomes extremely difficult if they are directly commanded by the player.
'So, we need to strike before they gather.'
I looked down at the cultist captured as a prisoner.
Originally, I planned to use the cultist to instill fear by stripping her skin in front of the enemy. But the situation has changed, so I might need to slightly change the plan.
'If they're players, they won't fall for it naturally.'
What about those who haven't joined yet?
I reached out to the paralyzed cultist.
-x-X-x-
In the vast expanse of space survival, various intelligent species coexist, giving rise to all sorts of creatures. From beings resembling wild animals on Earth to horrific monsters straight out of a horror movie, to even divine entities that evoke cosmic awe. Among these creatures, some possess special abilities. They mimic sentient beings.
One prominent example is the Red Mist, a predator. With its jaguar-like appearance adorned with red fur, it emits an irresistible hallucinogenic pheromone, rendering defenses useless. After spreading its hallucinogenic pheromone, it mimics human speech to entice and deceive players. It mimics the conversations and movements of players based on specific algorithms, making it quite realistic. Escaping the hallucination itself is challenging, and coupled with its ability to mimic companions, players unaware of the Red Mist's nature can easily fall prey.
'It's not for nothing they call it the apex predator of jungle planets.'
In the early days of the game, its nickname was "Space Predator."
As time passed and experienced players increased, fewer fell for the Red Mist's tricks. No matter how advanced AI may be, it still feels awkward from a human perspective.
'But what if the deceiver is human?'
If you pretend to be a fellow player, knowing their equipment and preferred tactics from yesterday's gaming session, can you really avoid being deceived?
In essence, the best deceiver of humans is another human, particularly one who knows their opponent well.
And I'm probably the one who deceived others the most in the game, the Amorph.
'So, shall we begin?'
With all preparations complete, I approached the enemy group. As I drew near, they halted their movement.
'Indeed, the Temple Guardians.'
Their skills are considerable. Since coming to this world, few have anticipated and prepared for my approach.
I heard the sound of Galagon's claw-made blade being drawn and the sniper's loading their Demolishers, but there was no chatter. They're probably fiercely discussing their response via telepathic link.
'Alright.'
My task here isn't to sneak up on the enemy but to sow distrust among them. Beyond the junction of the wide ice corridor, I slightly parted my lips. Near my throat, in a region akin to where a human's thyroid gland would be, lies a special organ.
It's the "Mimicry Organ," an organ that activates within me due to the characteristics of the Eidos Device. It resets with each absorption of new genetic material, enabling me to mimic a new voice.
The "weapon" I used to deceive and consume countless prey is once again activated.
"Help me!"
A woman's voice flowed from my lips.
It's the voice of the cultist who fell victim to the Adhai after fleeing from the communal area where the corpse of the Ice Horror was found. After receiving the corpse from the Adhai and taking a bite, I used it for the mimicry organ.
There's a reason why I chose this cultist.
'She seemed quite important.'
Other members bought her time to escape safely. Seeing that, there's a high likelihood she employs psychic techniques related to information transmission. Wherever you go, the credibility and importance of a statement rise depending on who the speaker is. If a person is deemed important enough for comrades to sacrifice themselves for, then surely, there would be considerations on the other side about what to do.
"What's this?!"
"It's Selene!"
As I anticipated, they began to falter upon hearing the voice.
"Everyone, hold on!"
At that moment, a woman shouted with a bold and firm voice. Judging solely by the voice, she seemed like the leader of that group.
The cultists, who were previously hesitating, collectively ceased their movements. Then followed the silence. They must be communicating via telepathy.
'Indeed.'
When I mimicked the voice of the cult, or rather Selene, two main actions could be taken on their side upon hearing it: rushing to aid me or preparing to attack, suspicious of my intentions.
For them, there shouldn't be an option to retreat as I'm an immediate threat that needs to be dealt with.
However, they didn't choose either option. They maintained vigilance while communicating telepathically instead of verbally.
What does this signify?
'I've already heard about this, haven't I?'
The highest-ranking figure here, the cult priest.
It's evident that he, with considerable experience in Space Survival, had explained to them about me.
'If someone knew me, they wouldn't come here at all.'
Because who knows what traps I might have laid. Besides, this is reality. If either I or the enemy player dies, that's it. Even if their skills are impressive, can they really venture forth so easily?
I don't think so.
'But they're exploiting that fact.'
The cult player wouldn't approach out of fear of traps. Even knowing that I'm nearby.
It's highly likely that he had assessed how far my nest had spread after hearing news of the initial attack. His decision to halt the advance was probably due to realizing the disadvantage of fighting from the nest.
His safe option would be to recall his subordinates first. Then, he could alter his strategy and move accordingly.
His intent was clear as his subordinates began to move again. Their steps seemed slightly resentful, indicating dissatisfaction.
'It's inevitable.'
Not knowing unless one experiences it isn't unique to humans. Cultists are no different.
Moreover, they are part of the Imperial Guard, one of the empire's finest army units. How frustrating must it feel to abandon such honorable individuals, unsure if they are enemies or allies?
'Time to drive the wedge.'
I put down the female cultist I was holding against the wall.
Because the Mother of the Sky had broken her neck, she was paralyzed. It made the "operation" easy.
I turned her head to face me. Her pupils dilated significantly, filled with disbelief as if she couldn't trust the reality before her. The moment she saw me, the movements of the members who were gradually distancing themselves from me came to a halt.
"What's this?!"
"It's Alia! Can you see her now?"
Soul Link is a very powerful technique. In a battlefield where information is life, there's nothing as crucial as having a broad perspective. Moreover, if one can instantly confirm the view of allies whenever desired, executing strategies would be much smoother. Thanks to this technique, the cultists not only excelled individually but also displayed dominance in teamwork.
Now, let's consider the opposite scenario. What if that information is incorrect? Suppose what I'm seeing differs from reality?
"She's still alive!"
"Selene rescued her!"
I looked down at the cultist, sweating profusely while leaning against the wall. She seemed to realize what I was about to do, as her pupils shook frantically. I silently asked her,
"What do I look like to you?"
Ranker Jason, ranked 10th, had a deep-seated enmity with the Amorphs. He was a concept player based on the so-called 'lookism'. His playing motto was to kill ugly aliens and enslave the less ugly ones. This kind of play style wasn't particularly special. In Space Survival, there were all sorts of eccentric players, and many enjoyed similar plays in other games too.
What made Jason, a 'normal' concept player, famous was that his tormenting of monster players went beyond the norm. There were quite a few players who couldn't bear his torment and quit the game.
In fact, such a type tends to make a lot of enemies, but what allowed him to thrive was his fans who followed him. Jason was an internet broadcaster who made Space Survival his main content, so he had quite a lot of followers trailing after him. With his followers, Jason wielded considerable power even in the game.
Because of this, even among monster players, it wasn't easy to challenge him as a ranker. One might suggest waiting for him to be alone, but Jason was also a ranker ranked 10th. He was by no means an easy opponent.
Originally a 'human-centric' concept player, he chose the cult because the cult race had good performance. Good performance meant even if he lacked skills compared to other players, he wouldn't easily fall prey.
Thus, as he indulged in all sorts of villainy while enjoying the game, one day, his end came. The one who became the worst race as a ranker. The one who prompted former adversaries to form an alliance and put a bounty on him. The 5th-ranked Amorph ranker began targeting him.
For over half a year, that fellow followed him every day, ridiculing him with bizarre tactics. Especially the incident where the fellow, hidden, ambushed him as he tried to enter the character's dormitory to end the game, was enough to become a urban legend in the community.
Due to the Amorph, two clans created by his followers were destroyed, and his relationship with the rankers he was close to fell apart. Eventually, Jason, unable to endure, publicly wrote a letter of apology in the community, bringing the incident to a close.
Afterward, as soon as he entered the gaming world, it all became a thing of the past. But the time he spent in the world of Space Survival was not insignificant. Now, I thought it was forgettable.
Until I came here, or rather until I met him, I thought so, but I was mistaken. The telepathy coming from him awakened deeply buried nightmares.
"Jason! Are you seeing this too? Look at Bilone's eyes! Both of them are alive, not dead!"
The telepathy sent by his lover Alia truly annoyed him. He knew too. The Soul Link doesn't deactivate until the subject dies or the user cancels it. In Bilone's eyes, who was kidnapped by him, the image of the female cultist who was still alive was seen.
One of the twelve sent to exclude factors causing psychic power impairments was Selenne. She was a member who learned memory retention techniques. Normally, she was someone who should be protected at all costs.
But Jason, who had suffered terribly from the Rank 5 Amorph, knew better. "It's a trap."
The cultist seen through Bilone's eyes. She seemed to be severely injured and unable to move properly, desperately calling out to her comrades.
In the darkness, her face wasn't clearly visible, but when her voice was heard alone, she seemed pitiful as if she might collapse at any moment.
"Bullshit! That disgusting Rank 5 Amorph…!"
Seeing his performance, it felt like past traumas were creeping up on him.
He was certain. The owner of that voice was already dead, and Bilone, linked by Soul Link, was in a state infected by parasites.
If he went to save her like this, he would suffer immense damage from the cult controlled by him. In the game, he even controlled NPCs to detonate warships.
"He can mimic the appearance of the opponent exactly. Moreover, he can also absorb memories."
"…What about Bilone? Is she being controlled too?"
"Yeah. His parasite is controlling her."
"I've never heard of such a monster existing."
Naturally, it could only be so. Even in the game, the true nature of his transformation technique was never fully revealed. It was speculated that the transformation was a fusion attribute made through a very rare combination or obtained as a reward from Vortex One hunting by Outer Spacer players.
Regardless of the identity of that transformation, there were no monsters or players using parasites and transformation techniques like that, except him. He may have a pathological dislike for Rank 5 Amorph, but he admitted his skill was remarkable.
Honestly, when it comes to utilizing abilities, there might not be much difference between him and the 3rd or 4th rankers.
"…But I know this fact."
They are not the Temple Guardians here. They only encountered him through information, and this is the first time they have directly confronted him.
The expertise gained from facing countless monsters was now working against them. He was a creature that could not exist when they saw him.
Who would think that the true power of the monster that annihilated the Mob Jam Corps lies in the deceptive tactics using parasites and transformation?
"I'll say it again. Alia. Give up and come over here."
"Jason…."
Alia hesitated.
He must have aimed for this too. Weakening Jason's command and sowing discord between his subordinates and him.
He sent telepathy to his lover again.
Was it his earnestness that reached her? Just as she was about to coax her subordinates and move again.
An anomaly occurred in the shared sight through the Soul Link.
Selenne seemed startled as if she had discovered something. Behind her, a monster revealed itself in the darkness.
"What's that?"
With an eagle-like head, pumpkin-colored eyes, and a lion's body with golden fur, the newly appeared monster was a griffin named Hwansu, who had learned divine transformation.
"Why is that Wolf, who learned divine transformation, here…?"
The griffin approached closer and closer to the shared sight. Its sharp beak gleamed threateningly as Selenne suddenly stood in front of it with her arms outstretched.
As if it couldn't pass until it killed me.
That sight was the decisive blow.
"Damn it! It's no use anymore! Lady Alia!"
"…Jason, I'm sorry."
"Wait! Everyone, wait! It's a trick! Crazy! Don't go!"
Jason urgently sent telepathy, but there was no response. Alia and her subordinates had severed the telepathy link.
Instead, in her sight connected through the Soul Link, she saw the backs of the members rushing out quickly.
They, who were running through the corridor, stopped simultaneously.
What stood before them were Selenne standing intact and Bilone leaning against the wall. The griffin Wolf that was there just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.
But the members, Alia, and Jason connected through her sight could feel it.
That 'thing' in front of them wasn't a cultist.
Alia's transmitted sight through her eyes trembled slightly. It reflected her bewildered feelings in her pupils.
Alia's sight read the movement of 'it's' mouth.
It was saying this.
What do I look like to you all?
-x-X-x-
I've never seen myself transform and use a mimic organ. A mimic organ is an organ that emits pheromones from numerous crevices on its surface, disrupting the senses of other organisms. However, as the producer of pheromones, it has no effect on me.
Therefore, I don't know how my activated mimic organ appears to others. Judging by the reactions of others, the mimic organ seems to evoke subtle discomfort. It's as if something non-human is mimicking a human appearance.
Initially, it might not be noticeable, but using the mimic organ repeatedly eventually makes others feel uneasy, unless they are fools. Once the other party starts to suspect, the effectiveness of the mimic organ greatly diminishes. Just like how the once terrifying Red Mist, now becomes a mere tale of the past.
'But it's too valuable to discard like that.'
I devoted much effort to overcoming the drawbacks and peculiarities of the mimic organ. I practiced my vocalizations and gathered information about potential targets for transformation. Through numerous trials and training sessions, I became quite adept at convincingly impersonating even unfamiliar subjects, like now.
'Why is everyone acting like this? I just asked for some help.'
The group of Temple Guardians spread out in the street, eyeing me with tension as they cautiously gripped their weapons. Those wielding Gallagon's Claw took a step forward, while those with Demolishers aimed at my head from behind.
'What's going on?'
'…'
Every time my voice resonated through the corridor, the members' gazes wavered. While my voice might sound like that of a comrade, the cult's inherent sensitivity rejected it. The being before them wasn't 'Cult Celenae'.
'What's the matter?'
When a cultist aiming at my head asked, the female cultist beside her spoke up while keeping her gaze on me.
'…We'll subdue first, then verify.'
As the only one among the group with yak horns on her head, it was evident that she was the leader of this group. Like her subordinates, she seemed confused when she first laid eyes on me, but now she appeared composed.
Following the leader's command, the cultists began to approach me gradually. Three cultists with Demolishers aimed at my head or upper body.
'Hmm, interesting.'
The reason they aimed above my head was simple. They didn't see me as Celenae. They probably thought I was displaying hallucinations.
Beings capable of producing high-level hallucinations like Red Mist or Sea Demons can even deceive senses. They can die from hallucinations without physical harm. However, the hallucinations presented by the mimic organ are not at that level. They must have realized that my presumed hallucination ability hasn't reached the realm of sensory control. Even amidst their fear of me, they must have telepathically discussed how to handle the situation.
'Not a bad response, but…'
Unfortunately, it's not the best response. The mimic organ's effect is to replicate the appearance of other intelligent beings through pheromones, not physically transform my body. So what happens to parts of my body, like corrosive tentacles? The answer is simple."
'It's not visible.'
The corrosive tentacles extending from my back were already above the heads of the cultists wielding Demolishers. They were completely unaware of what was above their heads.
"…"
The cultists with Gallagon's Claw fixed their gaze on me as they approached. They extended their hands with the Champion Shield activated, intending to cast the psychic power technique 'Restraint' to block enemy movements.
At that moment when all the cultists present focused on me, the corrosive tentacles struck the cultists from behind.
"Huh?!"
"Ambush… Ugh!"
With six appendages on each tentacle spread wide, they grabbed the upper bodies of the cultists. Meanwhile, the mouths inside the appendages swallowed their heads.
The mouths of the corrosive tentacles were filled with sharp teeth. Even if they wore sturdy reinforced armor like Dragon Scale, they couldn't withstand the prison of razor blades closing in from all sides.
They couldn't even scream and just slumped over, their upper bodies contorted in death.
"This… darn it! He's hiding his body, so be prepared!"
As soon as the cult leader shouted loudly, the cultists approaching me hastily raised their shields, taken aback.
Unfortunately, the plan to sweep away the enemies with a tail strike was thwarted. Although the cultists were hit by the tail I used to sweep, the damage wasn't significant as they blocked it with their shields.
'Not bad.'
Presumably, that leader seemed to be the most skilled among the Temple Guardians present here. Perhaps ranking within the top five in the Temple Guardians in terms of skill?
'It worked out better this way.'
It would have been dangerous to join forces with the cult players. I charged forward, maintaining the mimic organ.
The goal was to retrieve the Demolishers from the cult warriors moving back. As soon as they saw me rushing, they hurriedly backed away.
My massive body trampled over one of the Demolishers resembling a small cannon. The cultists who successfully retrieved the two Demolishers managed to evade my attacks by rolling.
It was a bold move, almost worthy of praise if they were allies. Despite not being able to properly perceive my overall appearance, they managed to estimate my size and evade.
Two cultists, halfway up, immediately aimed their Demolishers at me. Seeing their fluid movements, it was clear they had considerable experience.
However, the problem for them was that they were facing me.
As the tooth fairy nest near my waist burst, black carnivorous fleas swarmed out. Their target was directly the faces of the cultists aiming the Demolishers. With teeth resembling human teeth, the tooth fairies latched onto the cultists, gnashing at them.
'Argh, get off!'
'Go away… agh!'
Amidst the cultists whose vision was obscured by the palm-sized carnivorous fleas, I swung my tail towards them. It was to clear out both the cultists with Demolishers and the tooth fairies in one strike.
However, this time, my intentions were blocked. The enemy leader, the cultist with yak horns, rushed in and struck my tail with the Champion Shield she held in her hand.
'Hmm?'
Normally, she should have been knocked away, but surprisingly, she succeeded in changing the direction of my tail. The pincer at the end of the tail struck an empty space instead of the target.
The wall of the ice passage vibrated significantly due to my attack. The cult leader, without any hesitation, struck down my tail with the axe she held in her other hand.
"Oh, dear."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine!"
"Everyone, prepare your formations!"
Feeling the pain emanating from my tail, I immediately retracted it. Seeing the damaged section where her axe struck, I realized her axe was a weapon I knew well. It was one of the rewards a cultist receives upon clearing Quest Level 10.
'The Dragon Slayer quest, was it?'
The axe's name was 'Condemnation.' In the lore, it was an axe forged from the horn of a Black Gallagon, part of the Dragon Slayer set. Most likely, it was given to that woman by a player who had come here.
'Annoying.'
The effect of Condemnation was simple. It significantly enhanced the wearer's physical abilities to Gallagon-level. The problem was that this enhancement effect was no laughing matter. Just by seeing the damage caused to my tail by the Champion Shield earlier, one could tell.
'…Now there's one more reason not to delay.'
I couldn't be sure when the cult players might change their minds and come here. Seeing that woman wielding Condemnation meant there was a high chance the opponent was wearing the Dragon Slayer set. That meant it would be difficult to fight even against such an annoying opponent.
Before I knew it, I charged towards the cultists who had formed their formations.
One of the warriors aimed his Demolisher at me and fired. The characteristic blue energy projectile of the Demolisher flew towards my head.
I quickly turned my head, but the back-of-the-head armor was grazed slightly as it passed. True to its nature as a weapon that disintegrates matter, the area hit by the projectile evaporated on contact.
Ignoring the attack, I charged forward to crush the cultist with the Demolisher. Seeing that the cultist didn't stop even after being hit, he flew aside in panic.
"Where?"
I swung my corrosive tentacles towards him.
"Crack!"
The circumference of my tentacles was as thick as a log. No matter how sturdy the other side's armor was, it couldn't absorb all the impact. The cultist hit by the tentacles vomited blood and writhed on the ground.
As another tentacle flew to finish him off, another cultist intervened. The cult warrior leaped high and swung a white sword made from Gallagon's Claw at my tentacle. As the hook scraped against the glass window, a sinister sound echoed, and sparks flew from the tentacle.
With synthetic fibers covering every part of my body except the armor, I boasted high defense. Thanks to the small scales on the surface of the corrosive tentacles absorbing the impact, there were only minor scratches.
However, that didn't mean it didn't hurt. I sliced the cultist inspector who landed after being hit by the tentacle with my combat arm.
"Let… let go of me!"
Before he could exert force with the arm holding the knife, I exerted pressure with my hand. It made a sound similar to throwing a water balloon from the top of a high-rise apartment. Warm juice flowed profusely between the four long fingers.
I casually flicked my hand and brought down my head towards the cultist who had fallen earlier.
"Ah, ah!"
He tried to crawl away somehow, but it was already too late. His lower body was completely crushed by the Demolisher along with my head.
"Damn it!"
Other cultists spat curses as they watched their comrades die, but they didn't rush in recklessly. Instead, they played the card of psychic power attacks, unique to cultists rather than engaging in close combat.
Two cultists with goat horns spread their hands wide, aiming at me simultaneously. Instantly, my body felt as heavy as soaked cotton.
'Gravity control, huh?'
A psychic power technique manipulating gravity, it belonged to a control skill with considerable versatility. It was similar in position to the 'Restraint' favored by No. 26.
The floor where I stood cracked, and my upper body unknowingly tilted downwards. While the cultists with goat horns blocked my movements, one cultist with ram horns and the leader unleashed psychic power attacks towards me.
The warrior's attack was a psychic whip, while the leader's shot resembled a purple spear.
The Pain Spear boasted high penetrating power as a psychic power technique, and the effectiveness of the psychic whip varied greatly depending on the user's skill level. Both were techniques I encountered when fighting against the Eugene family's shadow, Code Black, in the space city before. Those techniques that had put my life on the line were now flying towards me again.
'But…'
The purple whip struck my combat arm, and the long spear pierced through my head armor. The synthetic fibers covering my arms peeled off, and there was a hole in my head.
'I'm much different now than I was then.'
It was the 'Psychic Reflection Glove,' a characteristic I gained from devouring the Swamp King. Its effect was to reflect 30% of the damage received from psychic attacks.
As the whip and spear struck, seemingly reversing time, they began to fly back towards the cultists.
"What?!"
"Oh, no!"
The leader quickly raised the Champion Shield, while the ram-horned warrior rolled his body to the side. That choice determined their fate.
"Crack!"
True to its high penetrating power, the Pain Spear pierced through the Champion Shield, but it only grazed the leader's left arm.
But the ram-horned warrior wasn't so lucky. The reflected psychic whip struck his bowed torso mercilessly.
"Ugh!"
From his left armpit to his chest, he screamed in agony. Witnessing his pitiful state, the goat-horned cultists' eyes wavered.
Seizing the opportunity, I cast 'Watcher of Dread' on one of the cultists in the midst of casting gravity control.
The eye-shaped patterns on my head armor glowed ominously.
A downgraded version of the abyssal fear, the Watcher of Dread showed terrifying illusions to one opponent. It was very effective when used in situations where the enemies were confused, like now.
The color drained from the face of the cultist under the influence of Watcher of Dread.
"Aaah! No! Please, forgive me! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, hey! Snap out of it!"
With both hands clutching his head, he hesitated to sit down on the spot. The weight pressing down on me became lighter.
I lifted my head and aimed the tip of my nose at the remaining goat-horned cultist. He snarled at me, but there was nothing he could do.
I widened my lower jaw. A rapidly growing green lump shot out from inside my throat.
The horrifying mass filled with deadly fungal spores aimed straight for the goat-horned cultist's palm. Though within the area where gravity was manipulated, it couldn't fly far, but it didn't matter. As long as it made contact with any part of his body, it would be enough.
And the fungal spores touched the enemy's right hand.
"This is mu… ugh, aaahhh!"
As the fungus began to corrode, his hand quickly melted away. The ivory armor tried to recover somehow, but the lost hand couldn't be restored.
Even losing his right hand in an instant, someone who could maintain their composure was not abnormal among ordinary creatures.
Finally free from gravity control, I looked at the last remaining leader.
"Urgh, ugh, ugh…."
"Heeeyy! Senior! Please don't hit me! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Ugh, ugh, ugh…."
"…."
Her eyes quickly swept over her panicked comrades. I felt the pressure in her right hand, which held the Judgment.
The cult leader seemed determined to bury herself here.
'Not running away?'
Her heartbeat was still intense, but compared to a moment ago, she seemed somewhat calmer. There was no fear in her gaze as she stared at me.
Rather, there was a sense of relief.
"Wait, could it be?"
Seeing her like that, I realized why she was acting this way.
'The player sent telepathy!'
She must have asked to delay because she was going to arrive. Maybe when the cultists' tactics changed earlier, it was a signal that the player was coming.
I scanned the vicinity with auxiliary devices. There was still no sign of any particularly powerful energy flow.
'…I need to move.'
This wasn't the right place to fight him. I turned and retreated.
As if my prediction was correct, the cult leader didn't chase after me. Instead, she attended to the injured.
'She's finished anyway.'
I still had one more trap up my sleeve. Although I acquired the characteristics a long time ago, I never had a chance to use them.
If it goes off, that woman dies.
I ignored the leader and ran along the dark corridor.
"…Damn it!"
As the guy's presence was no longer felt, Alia sat down on the floor. There had been several instances where her life was at stake while fighting strong monsters.
It was natural for the Temple Guardians to step in only when monsters appeared that were difficult to subdue by conventional means. But today's opponent was the most terrifying she had encountered.
Her lover, Jason's words were true. He was a monster so terrifying that even being called a demon wouldn't be an exaggeration.
From what she saw, the true power of the 'Three-Headed Demon' was its outstanding stratagems. He fought several steps ahead of her, a veteran member.
Even now, it's the same. He could have killed her, but he chose not to and retreated. He must have foreseen that her lover would come here.
"He is a threat to the Empire."
After tending to the injured, Alia approached Bilone, who was leaning against the wall.
Bilone knelt before her. With his neck paralyzed, his eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face.
"Jason said he's being controlled but…"
Bilone must return alive for the sake of Alia, no, for the sake of the Empire's security. She was the one who survived the longest by the side of the 'Three-Headed Demon'. Until she extracted the necessary information from her head, she couldn't let her die.
Sensing the affection in Alia's gaze, Bilone spoke.
"L-Lady Alia, I-I'm sorry…."
"It's because you're useful to the Empire. There's no need to apologize."
Though Alia spoke coldly, Bilone's reaction was peculiar.
"I-I'm s-sorry… I-I'm sorry, I-I'm so-orry! Ugh!"
"Huh?"
Bilone continued to retch, then dropped his head.
"Hey? What's wrong…?"
The moment she approached Bilone, she suddenly raised her head.
What used to be Bilone no longer resembled the person Alia knew. Vines grew from every hole in her eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and face. The moment she saw this, telepathy flew into Alia's mind.
'Fuck! It's tetanus vines! Alia! Get back!'
"What?"
Before Alia could understand what her lover meant, Bilone's head exploded. Pieces of red vine turned into small fragments and flew towards Alia.
"What's happening…?"
Alia wiped off the vine pieces and unknown red liquids from her upper body. She looked down at the headless corpse with a horrified expression.
Red vines writhed like worms inside the cleanly severed section of the neck. Seeing this, Alia felt a sudden itchiness on her left shoulder.
"Why all of a sudden…? Ugh?"
She thought the wounds from the battle with the monster had healed, but they hadn't. The itching was brief, and soon, severe pain began to spread from her shoulder to her entire upper body.
"Ugh, ugh?! Aaaah!"
It was as if countless bugs were crawling inside the veins beneath her skin. She clawed at her torso as if tearing it apart.
"Aaah!"
Unable to scratch due to the protective effect of the ivory armor, she began to remove the reinforced clothing and scratch. The delicate flesh quickly turned into a bloody mess.
Was it because of this? She hadn't noticed thin vine-like things wriggling inside the wounds where blood flowed.
Finally, she understood why Bilone had ended up like that. And what her own fate would be.
"AAAAH!"
"Alia!"
In the midst of fading consciousness, she heard her lover's voice. Despite the immense pain, she ran towards the direction from which her lover's voice came.
Was it due to instinct driven by love, or was it because of the commands of the entities crawling inside her body?
Whatever it was, she didn't know.
"Fuck…."
Once again, she heard incomprehensible words. The moment she heard those words, Alia no longer felt any pain.
To be precise, she didn't feel any sensation other than pain.
"Amorphhhhh! You damn son of a bitch! Because of you, my Alia died!"
She couldn't understand what her beloved boyfriend's words meant.
Couldn't blame her.
Even if she was a cultist, without a head, she would die.
-x-X-x-
In the tunnel, echoing like a cry, the enemy's shouts were heard. The emotion contained in his voice was solely one, intense rage.
'Alright.'
With that, the possibility of the enemy retreating decreased. The enemy player would never consider going back until they've killed me.
"Amorph"
The opponent was the third player I encountered after Muriel and the Mother of the Sky. Unlike when facing Muriel, I had limited information about the enemy.
It was going to be a tough fight.
'Not that I'm planning to lose, though.'
I ran across the solid ice, reassessing the cards I held.
The tetanus vine I had prepared to ambush the enemy had just been used.
The tetanus vine is a characteristic infection related to a motif of carnivorous plants often seen in classic horror movies. Its method of infection is similar to using parasites.
Within my combat arm, there is space where parasites and tetanus vine seeds can inhabit. Just as parasites can emerge from small holes in my arm when needed, tetanus vine seeds come out from holes inside my palm.
The difference is that unlike parasites that enter the opponent's body automatically, the tetanus vine cannot. It exists in seed form within my body, so I have to inject it directly into the opponent.
Once inside the opponent's body, the tetanus vine, which consumes nutrients, grows at a very fast rate. It fully matures in as little as 5 minutes, or at most 10 minutes, and then prepares for reproduction.
'It becomes a human bomb right away.'
The tetanus vine, spreading through the bloodstream, explodes itself when a new host appears nearby. It's akin to cutting a branch of a plant and planting it in the ground, resulting in new growth.
Of course, it's obvious, but the host dies during the explosion process. It's no different from a grenade detonating inside their body.
Thanks to these characteristics, I often used parasites and tetanus vines together for large-scale skirmishes or surprise attacks shortly before a battle.
Many players with experience fighting against me have often killed players controlled by parasites as a precaution.
So, the cult players chasing after me won't be fooled anymore.
'It served well as a provocation and bait.'
Aside from the tetanus vine, among other hidden cards, there are the Bone Beast and Revenant Organs I acquired recently.
Both traits play a crucial role in Amorph's battles. They are traits I frequently used in the game.
The Bone Beast can be thought of as a combination of the effects of "King of Monsters" and "Symbol of Hunt" that I obtained.
Of course, it doesn't become significantly stronger like when using King of Monsters or Symbol of Hunt.
The effects of the Bone Beast can be summarized into two major aspects: enlargement and reinforcement of defense.
Since it's a trait made from the Giant Creature trait and Bone Axe trait, it inherits both effects.
When the Bone Beast trait is activated, my body becomes slightly larger than when using the Giant Creature trait alone. Currently, my body length is around 28m, and it increases by about three times from here. Of course, as the body grows, so does the strength.
Up to this point, it's similar to a regular enlargement, but there's an additional aspect in the Bone Beast state.
That is, a hard bone glove is added to the surface of the body. It's similar to when using Symbol of Hunt, where exoskeletons grow all over my body. With thick gloves and additional spike-like bones, I can collide with opponents of similar caliber and deliver blows.
'But there's no increase in speed, though.'
It's disappointing to think that the speed doesn't increase when using Symbol of Hunt, but rather decreases.
'If it's as good as the Symbol of Hunt, then that's a problem, too.'
Expecting the same level as a transcendent trait gained through the transcendence system for a Bone Beast trait that's merely a 'fusion' trait is excessive greed.
Although it's not at the level of Symbol of Hunt, a powerful Bone Beast saved as a hidden card. It can be used when facing enemy players. Plus, I currently possess the special state trait, King of Organic Evolution, which allows me to transform.
'Thanks to consuming Ice Horror, I have abundant energy.'
The energy to sustain the Bone Beast is sufficient due to the situation where a creature several hundred meters in size is inside me. Let's use King of Monsters, which consumes extreme energy, depending on the situation.
'And the Revenant Organs.'
As the name suggests, the Revenant Organs are traits related to resurrection.
'It doesn't really bring back the dead, though.'
This fusion trait, made from the "Ghost State," functions differently from other traits.
Most of the traits I possess are either constantly active like passive traits or provide special effects when activated.
In contrast, the Revenant Organs only work conditionally.
Although not visible, there's a very small secretion organ attached to my heart. If the conditions are met, this organ activates on its own and secretes special hormones into my heart.
Even for someone like Amorph, who can actively regulate activities within the body, the Revenant Organs were uncontrollable. It's a trait that, like in the game, only operates when conditions are met.
And that's not all. The effectiveness of the Revenant Organs varies depending on how powerful I am and "what state I'm in."
If I fail to meet these conditions properly? Even if I activate it, it's useless.
'Plus, the cooldown is incredibly long.'
Due to these difficult conditions, there are hardly any players in the game who have properly utilized this trait. At most, it was players like me and the 4th Outspacer Ranker who enjoyed this trait.
'But when they see me now, there's no joker card like this.'
If properly activated, the Revenant Organs are a powerful weapon that can immediately turn the situation around. If used well, it can seriously give cult players a hard time in battle.
'Then let's prepare from the Divine Spectre…'
While checking my last options, I felt a familiar yet strange sensation in front of me. Countless images appeared and disappeared in front of me as if the video speed was doubled.
At the same time, the auxiliary organ under my jaw trembled.
'An unknown danger is approaching.'
[■■■■■■ is targeting my ■■■■.]
'Predator Sense!'
As I ran through the corridor, I quickly pressed my body to the ground. A sinister energy mass barely grazed my back and the exoskeleton above my neck. When the energy bullets hit the corridor wall, the spot where they hit evaporated with a sinister sound.
"Fucking Cunt! Where do you think you're running!"
Angry voices from behind. They were cultists. Then, I felt ominous energy bullets flying towards me.
'Tch!'
The cultists protecting the player had fired demolishers at me.
The demolisher bullets were precisely aimed at my auxiliary organs. They knew that was my weakness.
I quickly covered the auxiliary organ part with my combat arm as I turned my head to the side. Most of the energy bullets missed, but not all of them; a few struck my arm.
[Pain Nullification Activated!]
The synthetic scales and exoskeletons around my wrist melted like ice on a hot plate as soon as they came into contact with the material fired by the demolishers.
'So this was the reason for the ambush.'
Because of my size, it wasn't easy to avoid small energy bullets. That's why I decided to ambush them before they could shoot demolishers from over there.
I raised only my upper body, turned my head backward, and exerted force on my tail to strike the ceiling of the corridor. As the collapsing ceiling fell backward, I ran again.
Unable to shoot demolishers due to the ice and rocks covering the corridor, the enemies fired psychic techniques at me. Gravity control and restraints poured behind my back, but I was a step faster.
Some of the psychic techniques hit the tip of my tail, but Swamp King's pincers are attached to my tail. As the defense against psychic attacks is the best on my body, I was unharmed.
'But the coordination is unusual.'
The cultists who entered the underground space of the ice plain divided into three groups and aimed at me.
I fought directly with the other two groups, excluding those protecting the players. Except for the cult leader killed by tetanus vines, there were no particularly impressive individuals among the rest.
However, the movements of those attacking me with the enemy players were distinctly different. The coordination was smooth, as if their heads were connected as one.
'But it doesn't seem like a buff technique.'
Given the situation, there is one technique that comes to mind.
Among the top psychic power techniques, there is a technique called 'Ultra Control.' It's a crowd control device that completely controls the mind of a specific target.
It has a similar effect to parasites but can be manipulated more finely, and the victim cannot resist.
'And there's no time limit.'
Unlike Amorph, who needs to constantly replace parasites, once Ultra Control is activated, it won't be released until either the user or the victim dies.
The drawbacks are that it doesn't work well against enemies prepared for psychic attacks, and only one person can be controlled at a time.
'So it's highly unlikely….'
Or it could be a unique bonus effect possessed by him. It might be a trait that gives a wide range of buffs to other cultists.
I heard a rumbling from behind as I ran.
It was the sound of cult players breaking through the collapsed corridor. Then, the footsteps of many cultists moving vibrated the corridor.
But it doesn't matter. I've reached my goal.
I broke through the half-collapsed, narrowed corridor and entered the wide chamber.
In front of me, a white skull spanning hundreds of meters is visible. It's the tomb of Ice Horror, where I lured and fought the cultists before.
As soon as I entered, I quickly turned my head and prepared for the next attack.
The long tentacles covering from the back of the head to the neck of the giant monster moved towards me. Violet energy beams emanated from the tip of my tail gathered towards the head through the synthetic scales.
A large sphere with a diameter of 6 meters, larger than my head, was formed at the tip of my snout. The sphere, burning with violet flames from the inside out, flew towards the corridor where the enemies were rushing.
The perfectly round sphere turned into a line as straight as the horizon. Although thinner, its destructive power remained the same.
The mighty force that even battleships couldn't withstand, the Psychic Breath, tore through the underground chamber's corridor and advanced.
But this time, the desired result didn't happen.
The violet spear flying through the ice corridor stopped abruptly in mid-air. Then, the line turned naturally, as if it should have been that way from the beginning.
The manipulated Psychic Breath wasn't aimed at the cultists but at me.
'Damn it!'
I quickly pulled my tail forward and raised the pincers. The fierce Psychic Breath collided with my pincers.
[Pain Nullification Activated!]
'Oof!'
Due to the tremendous impact, my tailbone almost broke. I used my combat arms to hold the pincers like a shield and block the Psychic Breath.
Thanks to the psychic reflection gloves applied to the pincers, the Psychic Breath started reflecting again. Due to the successive reflections, the violet energy beams lost their target and flew around, hitting nearby areas.
The wide underground chamber received a huge shock and shook again. Cracks in the ceiling and walls grew to an unprecedented size.
Giant ice fragments fell from above like icicles, revealing the enemy players and cultists.
'Annoying.'
A cult player wearing black full-body armor with deer antlers muttered irritably. He carried a small silver stick at his waist and an axe, 'Condemnation,' on his back, which the female cult leader was holding bare.
As soon as I saw him, I knew. He was a cult player who targeted and found me.
In front of the player stood 11 cultists, all armed like other Temple Guardians. They wore ivory bodysuits and wielded Champion Shields. Six of them held Gallagon's Claw Swords, while five held Demolishers.
At first glance, they didn't seem different from other Temple Guardian groups, but I quickly noticed something odd about them. Their eyes were cloudy, like those of madmen, and their breathing patterns were identical, without any variation among the 11.
Moreover, being able to detect psychic powers as an auxiliary device, I could see it. Each of the 11 cultists had a purple stem attached to their foreheads, all connected to the players and linked to the back of their necks.
"That damn Amorph -bastard, because of you, my Alia died. Damn, it was so difficult for me to target her…!"
A player with a ruggedly handsome face spat out curses. Treated as nobility in the cult society, the deer antler cultist spoke like a thug, but the cultists in front showed no reaction.
Seeing that, I was certain. I knew what the enemy's special ability was.
'Enhancing the effects of psychic power techniques.'
Just now, the reflection of my Psychic Breath and the purple stems attached to the cultists' foreheads. They both seemed to derive from some ability.
'Reflection and Ultra Control are evident.'
The reflection ability is probably Reflection. Originally, it was a technique that only reflected physical attacks, but for some reason, it can now reflect psychic attacks as well.
Ultra Control, too, originally had the characteristic of controlling only one person at a time, but he is controlling 11 people simultaneously.
Given that, it's highly likely that the enemy's special ability greatly enhances the effects of psychic power techniques.
The reason I speculate this is because it felt similar to me.
'Of course, I can't jump to conclusions.'
What's important here is that they can also reflect energy-based attacks. If that's the case, executing my plan becomes much easier.
I opened my mouth to buy time to prepare for the next move.
"It's because of me. I can't understand."
"You can't understand? You implanted Tetanus Vines, and she got completely messed up!"
"I could have healed her, but you killed her."
"What other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Or do you have traps or nests set up around here? Or maybe that Wolf slave of yours."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think I wouldn't know? That Griffin Wolf, you ate it, right? Ha, whatever. First, deal with yourself, then think about it."
As soon as his words ended, the cultists in front of him raised their weapons. The Demolisher, aimed at my auxiliary device, seemed like it would fire energy at any moment.
But I was also ready. I lowered myself to the ground, bringing my upper body as close to the floor as possible. The Inmansoos on my back were preparing to attack.
Inmansoos* are positioned on the back when not transformed into symbols of hunting. Due to their body structure, to attack smaller enemies like this, I had no choice but to lie down like this.
[* TL/N- Well I too do not understand this word but it was like this in the raws I'll make the PR do some research on it and he'll change it.]
[PR/N- "–"]
'Fire.'
The Inmansoos unleashed their sonic attacks. The small monsters in the shape of cult heads emitted sound waves towards the cultists holding Demolishers.
'Tsk.'
The player lightly clicked his tongue as he watched. The cultists controlled by him quickly avoided the attacks, but they couldn't all dodge. Three cultists holding Demolishers were paralyzed by the sonic attacks and collapsed to the ground like boiled dolls.
'Seems like they can't reflect sound waves.'
I stored that fact in the corner of my mind. Meanwhile, my body moved diligently.
The tip of my tail aimed at the cultists who had evaded the sound waves. As I spread the pincers at the end of my tail, the thorns packed inside shot towards the cultists.
'Here we go.'
Anticipating this, the cultists holding Champion Shields moved agilely. Approaching the Demolisher gunners in an instant, they used their shields to block the thorns.
Then, other cultists cast Gravity Control on me. The gravity around the space I was standing in changed drastically, putting pressure on the entire chamber.
It seemed like the cultists had unleashed all the limiters with Ultra Control, and the output was tremendous. I was forced to keep my head down, unable to do anything but drive it into the ground.
"You acted like a jerk in reality, and you're doing the same here. Know that you'll never get away with it."
Despite the lackeys casting Gravity Control, bleeding from their eyes, noses, and mouths, the player paid no attention at all. Seeing him act so cockily, I struggled to say a word.
"You thought you could mess with me like this?"
"This damn Amorph -bastard, catching you was easier than I thought, huh?"
"Is that so?"
"Still, Alia, she was a decent one. Thinking about it pisses me off again."
As he irritatedly gestured, a cultist with a Demolisher fired an energy blast at my head. Part of the tentacles of the monster, struck by the energy blast that dismantled everything, was cut off.
[Pain Nullification Activated]
'Ugh!'
"Does it hurt? You little piece of crap."
Unintentionally, a scream escaped my lips due to the pain beyond imagination. Seeing this, the player chuckled.
"You know, the longest I've tortured someone like you is a year? Let's see how much longer you can hold out."
The player seemed pleased at the thought of torturing me.
But there's one thing he doesn't know yet.
I'm not just sitting still because I'm afraid of him or because I have no way to fight back. While he's off guard, the preparation for his trait is complete.
"Forget… everything I've said."
"What?"
Instead of answering, I raised my head slightly.
And then, I opened my mouth wide. From the moment I fired the thorns, the power of my brain's preparation surged from my chest. The massive energy, dormant in my chest like a beast with a collar, received the signal and surged forth. A brilliant golden beam, illuminating the dark underground chamber, the Divine Spear, erupted from my mouth.
"What?!"
The player, seeing this, was startled, spreading his arms. It seemed he intended to deploy Reflection, as he did when blocking Psychic Breath.
However, the Divine Spear I fired flew towards the wall far above them, not towards him. It created a huge hole in the ice ceiling, powerful enough to destroy an imperial battleship.
The remaining energy spread through the underground chamber like lightning in the night sky, traveling along the ice walls and ceiling of the chamber.
As a result of being hit by the Divine Spear, the underground chamber shook as if there had been an earthquake.
"Ha, hahaha! You crazy bastard! That missed!"
As the power of the brain was expelled, I felt my strength drain from my body. Seeing me drop my head, the player grinned.
"Missed, did it?"
Well, did it really?
"Anyway, your lightning attacks won't be able to block… huh?"
The player, who was mocking me, fell silent. It was understandable.
The vibrations occurring within the chamber were abnormal.
"I never aimed for you in the first place."
He probably doesn't know why I fought here in the first place. When I first entered, I should have been wary after seeing the corpse of the Ice Horror behind me.
Fighting the Ice Horror, the place was in a precarious state. Above our heads lay a vast expanse of ice several hundred meters thick.
The reason this underground world had been sustained was simple. There hadn't been an impact large enough to upset the balance.
But since I started fighting the Ice Horror, that precarious balance had been completely shattered. The ice walls, like the mythical Atlas supporting the giant ice masses, were all a mess, and the ice ceiling above our heads had cracks larger than the intact areas.
In such a state, using the Divine Spear was impossible to endure.
"First, let's deal with your lackeys here and then leave."
"This damn bastard?!"
The startled player spat out curses and tried to use Reflection, but it was woefully inadequate to block the massive ice chunk descending upon him.
Watching him exerting all his effort to block, I drew the next card.
'Now's the chance.'
The bone beast, turning Amorph into a giant monster. Its trait was activated.
Within the collapsing chamber, my body began to grow rapidly.