The nickname of Walter, the head of the St. Kay family, a member of Noble Capital, is 'Geek'.
Current Megacorp CEO Akira Eugene is also treated as something special, but the context in which Walter is called a weirdo is slightly different.
There are two main reasons why he is treated as a weirdo.
First, Walter did not undergo any genetic modification while working for Noble Capital. Although he was aided by superior weapons and precise mechanical devices, his body was pure.
Just as the people of the Eugene family believed in bloodline, he believed in the purity of the 'human body' itself. Although St. K's itself has a rather conservative tendency, there are few people who avoid body modification as much as Walter.
He's strange enough up to that point, but here's an element that makes him even more unique.
His hobby is hunting monsters, even extremely dangerous monsters.
Usually, the head of the Noble Capital family enjoys hunting as a sport or entertainment, but they do not go out hunting monsters like Walter. This is because the death of the head of the family has a serious negative impact on the family. In fact, wasn't the reason the Edgerton family was pushed out by T&C because they lost their head?
Even though he knows this, Walter goes out hunting only the most dangerous monsters with his bare body without any genetic modification. If he wasn't a skilled hunter, he would have died at least dozens of times. Of course, in the eyes of other Noble Capitals, he is bound to be a crazy and eccentric person.
What was interesting was that because he enjoyed hunting, he had good relationships with other Noble Capitals.
He just enjoys catching monsters and is not interested in taking their genes. Therefore, all the rare and strong creatures he catches are sold to other families.
In fact, Walter had aspects similar to those of a bounty hunter, but paradoxically, thanks to this tendency, he was not checked by other family heads. Except for St. K, the rest of the families had no particular reason to dislike him as he regularly supplied them with rare creatures.
The second reason why he was called an eccentric was that despite his unusual personality, he got along well with other family heads.
Lee Dan-ah of Noble Capital is now meeting another monster.
A reception room installed on Akira's flagship 'Heavenly Sword'.
A middle-aged man with black hair and an old man with bleached-white hair are sitting at the table in the middle.
Unlike a middle-aged man with a thin physique, the old man's body was at a level that could be described as sturdy. He was more than twice as tall as a middle-aged man, and his limbs were full of muscle and were as thick as the thighs of an adult man.
The man with a body so well maintained that it was difficult to call him an old man was none other than the eccentric Walter St. Kay.
"T&C's matriarch asked me. "Noble Capital's genetic modification technology can create perfect meat, but do you know why everyone is obsessed with meat from live animals?"
He picked up a piece of steak in front of him with his fork.
"He said taste is information. "When we enjoy meat, we are not simply eating it to satisfy our sense of taste, but rather eating the 'information' itself contained in the meat."
After saying that, he took a piece of steak and put it in his mouth.
"Meat that came out of a factory an hour ago or meat that was raised on a ranch for ten years tastes the same, but we don't feel that way. "Because the intangible value attached to the eating experience of meat raised on a ranch can never be replicated."
"Did that kid say that?"
In response to the middle-aged man's question, Walter nodded while chewing the meat.
"Experience determines the essence of things. "Isn't that a very Saddam-like thing to say?"
"Right. It's something he enjoys talking about. "On a business level."
At Akira's cynical reaction, Walter lightly snorted and swallowed the piece of meat.
"Like I said before, preparations are complete."
"It's fast. very good."
"'The best game hunter.' "I wish I could pay for 10 Giga Crackers."
Last time at the Dispute Resolution Team building, Walter made a deal with Akira. Since then, Walter has done one preparation.
That is, moving 10 Giga Crackers to a specific star system.
No matter how much Walter was a gin and the head of the family, it was quite a burden to use 10 of the Giga Crackers, which were the source of the family's finances, for personal reasons. Akira would never have done such a thing if he had not invested a huge amount of personal funds to make up for the damage.
"Why are you asking me to move there? "Is he related to Vortex One?"
"no. "This guy is scarier than Vortex One."
"…Are you serious?"
Walter, who had finished his steak, frowned at the unbelievable story.
Vortex One cannot be caught using normal methods. They are monsters so powerful that at least two families, Noble Capital and Prime Capital, must exert all their might. Walter, who had attempted to hunt Vortex One a long time ago and barely escaped, knew that fact well.
Something scarier than those monsters. I had no idea what kind of creature it was.
"Nothing like cancer. "As far as I know, he is the second most dangerous being in the universe."
The second most dangerous being.
It was a subtle expression, but the modifier made Akira's words sound more realistic. Walter with appetite quenched his appetite and crossed his arms.
"Hmm."
"It will be more interesting to see this."
When Akira snapped his fingers, a woman dressed in black appeared from somewhere and handed Walter a small chip and a computer pad. When Walter inserted the chip into the pad and activated it, a huge amount of data was output as a hologram.
"That's a lot. "There is no way such a being was not known until now."
"We took control of the information in the Megacorp database. "The heads of other families don't know."
It was blatantly saying that they were monopolizing information, but Walter didn't bother to point it out. Because other families are doing similar things.
"He will definitely come to that place. "It will appear soon, so be prepared."
"What is the basis for your confidence?"
"I know him well. "If he is in his current state, he will most likely try to capture Vortex One."
"Hmm. exactly?"
Since the contract was already signed, it didn't matter how Akira knew. He didn't inquire further and focused on the hologram's data.
Looking at the data alone, it was something that could be called 'the second most dangerous entity in the universe.' What this means is that it is not the end just because GigaCracker deployment is complete. Much more preparation is needed.
Moreover, we have to calculate that Akira might be wrong just in case.
As an excellent hunter, he knew very well that the prey does not always do what the hunter wants. There is a strong possibility that this will happen again, so we must prepare for unexpected situations.
Now that business is over, I don't have time to stay here. He glanced at the hologram and shut down the pad.
"If you notice anything strange or have any questions, please contact me."
With those words, Walter left the living room.
Even after sending the guest away, Akira did not get up.
'Moffak. This time you will never be able to escape.'
He knew that hunting Vortex One was part of the evolutionary path from Ascension to Ascension.
So this time he decided to set a trap for Aimov. This means deploying 10 Giga Crackers near where Vortex Ones live.
'If you put insurance on it…'
I had suffered great humiliation after leaving it entirely in the care of my pet Black Gallagon before. I have no intention of repeating the same mistake.
"Code Black."
"yep. "Akira."
"Tell the butler to follow Walter and apply."
"All right."
Akira thought, even sending his shadow to the butler.
'If it's Walter, even if he can't kill Moffak, he can cause great damage.'
Walter St. Kay is one of the NPCs he trusts. Except for the personality that refuses genetic modification.
How could he possibly be that old even though he is 120 years old? Other family heads do not have a single wrinkle on their faces even at that age.
Even though Walter is very healthy, as he refused the genetic modification procedure, there are clear limitations unless he benefits from the technology. If I hadn't been stubborn and talked about the purity of humans, I would have hunted a lot more powerful enemies.
'That's why I sent it too.'
Neither he nor the hunters under his command underwent genetic modification. That means that even if they die, there will be no benefit to Aimov.
'Even if Walter fails to kill him, it doesn't matter.'
Considering Walter's skills and personality, even if he couldn't kill him, he would still cause a lot of damage.
The moment it becomes weak, Akira plans to descend on the spot himself. Since there is a signal chip in the butler's heart, it is not difficult to fly to where it is.
Just like he did in the game, this time he repays him in the same way.
Akira laughed quietly in the richly decorated living room.
–
"No new energy reaction in the system. "There is no pursuer."
[Zuzuzu (Good)]
"Where do we go now?"
Gigacracker's situation room.
PS-111, connected to hundreds and thousands of cables, asked me.
'Now that I'm an adult, there are a few places I can go, but…'
Originally, I had a set place to go. These are the most efficient places to fulfill the evolution conditions.
However, it took an illusion I saw while evolving to go directly there.
'I need more time.'
Anyway, it is not easy for rankers to threaten me once they have the Giga Cracker. I wonder if they set a trap properly and target me as a group.
While I was thinking about it, I saw Adhai lying face down inside the situation room.
It was preening with its red wings neatly folded and gently scratching itself with its horn. It must have sensed my gaze along the way, as it gently waved its tail and cleaned its wings more diligently.
[Zeuuu (Aadhai)]
｢Big Adult｣｢Why?｣
When I called, he looked at me with his beautiful amethyst-like eyes shining.
[Zuzuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzu (Would you like to go to a bird's nest after a long time?)]
｢Nest｣｢Nest?｣｢Really?｣
It seemed like he wasn't expecting what I said at all. The startled guy got up from his seat.
｢Really?｣｢Really?｣
[Zu (Yes)]
｢I｣｢Young compatriots｣｢I want to see you!｣
Currently, the tracking of the enemy has been cut off. It wouldn't be a bad idea to stop by the planet where Aadhai's group migrated.
'It would be nice to go to the place where the friends of No. 26 are, but it would be difficult.'
Planet PH-101, where he previously gained the power of the Sea Demon and communicated with several bubble amoebas.
It is a planet designated as a sacred place by cults, so it is difficult to take the Giga Cracker there. If that happens, the cults will never stay still.
"I want to see the babies too!"
Luckily, No. 26 didn't seem to be dissatisfied with seeing Aadhai's group. In fact, the thought of seeing small blue gallagons made me feel happy.
When I finally looked at Heavenly Mother, she responded by shrugging her shoulders.
'It's decided.'
[Zuuuu zzuzu zzu zzuzu (to the place where Aadhai's people are)]
"I understand."
After giving a short answer, the guy lowered his head. The light escaped from the guy's red eyes.
PS-111 was able to move its body freely while operating a normal ship thanks to several modifications to its mechanical parts. However, it was difficult to control the Gigacracker in the same way as it was much larger than a regular ship and had many facilities to manage.
"Then, we will prepare for a faster-than-light voyage."
[Zuzuzuzu (please ask)]
His voice came out from the computer in the situation room, mixed with several other voices. This phenomenon occurred because the ship AI was synchronized and used as an auxiliary brain.
[Zuzuzu (wait a minute)]
｢Huh?｣
[Zuzuzu zuzu (I have something to tell you)]
I called the Mother of Heaven as I took the heads I had put in the situation room back into the hallway. Returning to her griffon beast form, she followed me as I walked across the ruins I created while moving.
"It's a problem if the body is too big."
[Zuzuzu (yes)]
I'm glad that Giga Cracker is big and strong. With that in mind, I took her to the cargo hold.
｢So what do you want to talk about?｣
[zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzu zuzu (I think I need to change my immediate goal)]
｢Goal? Weren't you aiming for ascension?」
[Zuzuzu Zuzuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzu (I used to say that, but now I'm holding off)]
She tilts her head as if she doesn't understand what I'm saying.
[Zuzuz, zuzuzu, zuzuzu, zuzu (I had visions even when I was an adult)]
｢You mean past memories that you said you saw before? Have you seen it again this time?」
[Zuzuzuz Zuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzu Zuzuzu Zuzu ZuzuZuzzu (This time, it's not a memory from the past. Another 'me' appeared and tried to kill me)] ｢What?
｣
I I explained to her in detail the vision I had seen.
Pain that felt like fantasy and reality that happened in the space where I really lived.
'I' who asks me to choose whether to kill myself or be killed by myself, etc.
She had serious eyes and listened to everything from beginning to end without saying a word. Even after the story was over, she was lost in thought for a while before opening her mouth.
"…How do you plan to check? I haven't gotten to that stage yet."
[Zuz, zuzu, zuzu, zuzuzu (to ask other players)]
"Other players? Are you going to go on a player hunt?」
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzuzu (no, first, let's start with this guy)]
「This guy?」
As I said that, the genetic essence that had been stored in my body for the longest time pulled out.
The second player I successfully hunted, and the one who had already killed two other rankers.
A cult ranker who was Muriel's supporter and enemy of the Heavenly Mother.
The being broke the cocoon around my stomach and legs and fell to the floor.
"■■ Ugh, Mr. Amov. Did you call me?"
Inmyeonchung, reborn with the genes of cult player Jason, bowed his head to me.
-x-X-x-
｢…It's even more hideous now that it's an adult.｣
Heaven's Mother was disgusted when she saw the human face with Jason's face.
She had also seen human insects several times in games, but seeing a 3m-sized insect monster in real life seemed burdensome.
'Then shall we begin?'
I used the 'mimetic organ' to ask Jason in a human voice.
"What level of quest did you clear?"
"I cleared level 10 and was working on level 11."
The cult has its own unique system called 'Quest'. The quest consists of a total of 12 stages, and rewards are provided for each stage cleared.
The armor and weapon Jason brought with him when fighting me was the 'Dragon Slayer Set', a reward for clearing level 10. So I expected it to be somewhere around that point, and it was like that.
'It takes quite a while to break from level 11.'
Anyway, if you have cleared up to level 10, you are quite close to the ending. So, there is a high possibility that you have had a similar experience as me.
"Have you ever seen a vision of your time as a human while clearing a quest?"
"yes. "I watched it every time I cleared each stage of the quest."
"You mean things that happened in the past?"
"That's right."
It was as expected. Just as I had seen things that had happened in the past, he also had the same experience.
"Was there anything strange about the vision? "Only bad memories are listed or there are distorted parts."
He paused at my question. Jason's face distorted eerily. It seemed like he was recalling a bad memory.
Inmyeonchung, who had been answering obediently until now, hesitated for a moment before answering.
"There was no distortion in the memory shown by the vision. "It was all exactly like what I experienced."
"Then it must have been an unfortunate memory."
"yes. My father, who was drunk, always called me a faggot. My mother and I could not resist my father in any way. "I just got beaten by my father every day."
Unlike his wrinkled face, Jason spoke in an extremely dry tone. Heavenly Mother, who was listening next to her, frowned. From what he was saying, Jason didn't seem to have had a very easy life either.
"In addition to that, I also saw memories of being alone because I couldn't adapt to school, and memories of having to return to my hometown because I failed to get a job."
The memories he talks about are all from his time as a human.
'Similar to me.'
"Is that the end of the fantasy? "Anything other than memories of being abused?"
"no. "When I cleared level 10, I saw another vision."
"Another fantasy?"
Jason's distorted face slowly began to straighten.
"The vision started and I woke up in front of my room. "I was standing there with the body of a cult."
A situation where you are standing in front of your room in reality with a body acquired in this world. It's the same as when I saw 'me' in reality.
"I opened the door and the real me was there."
"What did you do with him?"
"I killed it."
He calmly says that he killed his real self. Just like his voice, his expression seemed very comfortable.
"Killed him?"
"In reality, I lived a failed life. But here I am different. Women who live with only one thing in mind: perfect looks and powerful strength that everyone looks up to. That's a lot more valuable than 'Jason Turningham'!"
He speaks passionately as if he is completely intoxicated. It's the first time I've seen him this excited since he became a human being.
'You seemed to have a strong ego.'
This was something unexpected. Even before he died, he did not give up his arrogant attitude. Of course, I thought that would be the case in real life, but I never thought he would be such a self-loathing person.
'Is this a reaction to the bad reality?'
The Antler Cult is the highest noble within the empire. In addition, he was a priest, a key position in imperial power. So, he was able to let Muriel into a sacred place that no one could enter.
'It's a life that completely contradicts the miserable reality.'
That's why he chose to kill his human self.
In that respect, Jason and I have something in common. Loathing the real me.
I almost killed myself in my fantasy. I was able to stop because something was blocking me at that time, otherwise it would have probably eaten me.
'Heavenly Mother didn't like the past that much either.'
If she increases her level of deification in the future, she may have experiences similar to ours.
'Is the purpose of fantasy to force us to remain in this world?'
I wonder if they are intentionally emphasizing only the negative aspects of reality to prevent us from returning to reality.
'So did Jason and the other factions see hallucinations that were different from ours?'
Cynthia, whom I met at the Space Fortress, said that her goal is to see the ending and return to reality.
That means that she and those in her faction have a lot of regrets about reality.
'Is it because their reality is not as unhappy as ours?'
So is the vision they saw different from ours?
While I was lost in those thoughts, Heavenly Mother, who had been watching our conversation from the side, opened her mouth.
｢I have something to ask.｣
"…."
｢You chose this world because reality is painful, so why did you cause pain to others?｣
"Answer her question."
Since it is like a part of my body, it only obeys my commands. Only after I prodded did Jason break the silence.
"Because it works."
"What?"
"If you have power, isn't it natural to use it? "If you use this power, you can get what you want at any time, so why should you care about other people's pain?"
"Have you ever thought about using that power to protect those who love you?"
"Everyone still loves me, so why would you do something like that? Well, it's a bit of a shame when the bitches you worked hard to raise die, but it's not a big loss. "You just have to grow it again."
"What do you value the lives of those who sacrifice themselves for you?"
"It's a toy. "I am the owner of the toy."
The Mother of Heaven fell silent at Jason's brief words. I was so dumbfounded that I was speechless.
"Rather, I just don't understand you. Why do you insist on coexistence?"
As she just stared at him in silence, Inmyeonchung asked her a question in return.
"…They are not just NPCs. They are residents living in another world. If you're going to live and adapt to this world, don't you naturally have to hang out with them?"
"Adapting to this world and treating NPCs as human beings are two different things. Even if they are really alive, I have no obligation to help them as I am a strong person."
"You think this is reality, but you treat all other creatures as slaves… I don't understand." "
But didn't you also keep Wolff as a pet toy? "Being worshiped as a god by them."
"I was trying to protect them!"
"Me too. My power alone is beneficial to the empire. "I only received a small compensation for it."
Their argument ran parallel.
The same thing is that both Jason and Heavenly Mother chose to adapt to this world rather than reality.
But the process was completely different. Jason chose to abuse and dominate other beings, and Heavenly Mother tried to live in a relationship with the Wolfs.
"I heard that the reason the Coexistence Faction failed was because of people like you who are overly obsessed with NPCs. If it wasn't because stupid Muriel failed, you too would be my last name…"
"Stop."
"!"
Jason tried to cross the line, so I forced him to be quiet.
"Heavenly Mother is my precious friend. "Don't insult her."
The guy looked at me with puzzled eyes and lowered his head.
"are you okay?"
"…That damn bastard, he hasn't changed even after becoming an Inmyeonchung."
The Mother of Heaven glared at the Inmyeoncheong whose mouth was blocked and immediately sighed.
"It would be nice if you beat me up, but if you do that, you'll probably die, right?"
"There's no problem with hitting me if you want. "Because it can be played anyway."
"You're being very harsh when you say that?"
Contrary to what she said, she flopped down on the spot, as if she had no intention of punching Inmyeonchung. There was still irritation in his amber eyes, but he seemed calmer than before.
After seeing that she had calmed down, I loosened the restrictions so Jason could speak again.
"I heard that there are people who aim to achieve the ending. Do you know about them?"
"yes. "They call themselves 'returners.'"
"And I talked about the 'coexistence group' a little while ago. They are people who, like you, chose to remain in this world, right?"
"It's very different from us, but I think our goals are similar."
The returning faction's goals are clearly different, and the coexistence faction is similar to Jason's faction, but has a big difference in direction.
The reason why the three factions cannot coexist is because there is a significant difference in perception between reality and the world of space survival. There may also be differences between factions even in fantasies that contrast them sharply.
We need to know what the difference is in order to understand why illusions exist and how they affect us.
'And you will also be able to know whether the illusion is dangerous or not.'
The idea that we need to see the ending to find out why we fell into this world remains unchanged.
However, if I did not decide it on my own but was guided by something, I would never follow it.
'I guess I'll have to find another way instead.'
"This is the last question. "Do you know where the members of the Returning Sect and the Coexistence Sect are?"
After hearing my question, Jason gathered his thoughts for a moment and then answered.
"I know of three in total, two from the return faction and one from the coexistence faction."
"say it."
"4th place outspacer player, 7th place cult player, 22nd place cold blood player. The first two are the returning faction, and the cold blood player is the coexistence faction."
"4th and 7th? "Those two are returnees?"
"yes."
I know both of them well.
'For some reason, there are only a handful of picky ones left.'
The 4th place ranker is the best player in Outspacer and is skilled at controlling a huge amount of volume very well. He knows as much in-game information as I do.
'And 7th place.'
Jason called his name, as if he knew him. The name 'Beomho' doesn't fit with the cult, so it's probably his real name. As far as I know, 7th place was the only Korean among the cult rankers.
'He was the most annoying member of the cult.'
Among the cult rankers, the one with the highest ranking is 2nd. Since the ranking is lower than that, it is easy to think that the skills are lacking, but that is definitely not the case.
'Second place is rather easy because it is a simple and ignorant style.'
On the other hand, Beomho, ranked 7th, was the one with the most sense and strategy among the cult members I know. If you look at his fighting sense and sense of game planning, he is better than me. So, if you fight in this world, you really have to risk your life.
'The two returnees are having a hard time in their current condition.'
Since neither of them are very smart, there is a high possibility that they have already noticed my presence.
In particular, the 4th place knows that Outspacer is included in the evolution conditions for Aimorph. As long as I'm in this world, I'm sure I'll be fully prepared for someone coming to take my life one day.
'Then what's left is….'
A cold blood player from the coexistence faction.
"Where is number 22?"
"I do not know."
"You don't know?"
"I missed 22nd place and only caught his colleague. All I know is that Number 22 is hiding somewhere in the Empire."
The territory of the Cult Empire is wider than Megacorp. Many star systems are the territory of the empire, but saying that they are hidden somewhere is the same as saying that they do not know.
"Since the location of the tiger is unknown, I can only tell you the location of number 4."
'…It became annoying.'
It is not easy to fight 4th place without knowing the location of 7th place. Since the two are from the same faction, the possibility of them being together cannot be ruled out.
What if the two of you come out together to catch me?
'That's it.'
Even if I take all the Gallagons and the Giga Cracker, I will definitely lose.
As my worries deepened, Heavenly Mother stood up.
"I have something to tell you."
"Huh?"
"…There is a way to know the location of number 22."
"What?"
"Instead, promise me one thing."
Her amber eyes looked at me, shining like lanterns.
"When you meet her, don't attack her right away, but start talking to her."
"She might attack from over there first?"
"She probably won't because she's a coward. If you find it hard to believe, I will try to convince you first."
Judging by her tone, she seemed to know the 22nd person. No, it seemed like a closer relationship than just acquaintances.
'But I don't know if that will still be the case now.'
The Heavenly Mother has been in the cult shrine for a long time without meeting other players. It seems like she met No. 22 a long time ago, but will they still be able to maintain the same relationship as before?
I thought for a moment and only half agreed to her request.
"I will try to have a conversation. If it is judged to be even slightly dangerous, it will attack immediately. Because I have a lot of kids to protect. "You can't leave behind anything that could cause harm."
"…Okay."
"If I decide it's not dangerous, I won't kill you, I'll just subdue you."
"huh. "Thank you."
She realized my intention and expressed her gratitude. If you subdue her without dying, you can use the symbiotic spores to treat her. Just like you did when you first met her.
'The next place to go has been decided.'
The next place to go after the nest where there is a flock of Aadhai.
Number 22 is a hidden cult empire.
-x-X-x-
It was 15 years ago that Heavenly Mother came to this world.
And the first time I met my deceased husband, 'Father Earth', was 10 years ago. Even after she formed a relationship with the Earthfather, she interacted with players for some time.
However, she was already tired of the endless struggles between players. The relationship didn't last long. Perhaps this was planned from the moment she decided to share her fate with the inhabitants of this world.
However, that does not mean that there were no players who had a close relationship with her. There was one player who used to go with her before she went into exile.
That being is the 22nd ranked cold blood player. Because he wasn't in the top 20, he didn't get to see the ending.
The time when the Heavenly Mother met the 22nd was 10 years ago, not long after she met the Earth Father.
At that time, she was said to have been wondering whether to help the still inexperienced 22nd or stay with Father Earth.
So, after I got married, I lost contact with the other players, but I stayed in contact with No. 22 for about a year more. At some point, the 22nd place stopped contacting them, so the relationship ended there.
She said that the device she used to contact No. 22 was left in a place known only to her. To reactivate the device, Heavenly Mother returned to the continent of Seintopia02 on planet PH-101.
This was possible because she gained wings upon reaching the advanced level of deification and gained the ability to travel at faster than light speeds, similar to mine. Moreover, since it is small in size, it would not be difficult to enter the planet's interior while avoiding the cult's surveillance network.
Before leaving, she said it would probably take about a week. In the meantime, the kids and I decided to wait on the planet where the Gallagon group was staying.
This place, which Adhaj calls 'the White Stone', was once a planet included in the Gorgon Swarm's area of activity.
The Gorgon Swarm wandering through space was an object of fear for ships, so no one deliberately visited this star system itself. Since no one visits the star system, no one knows whether such a planet exists.
'Even if you know, it won't be easy to enter.'
As can be seen from its nickname "white stone," the entire surface of the planet is covered with ice. The average temperature is much lower than Adhaj's hometown, so it seems impossible for life to survive.
However, if you go down through the thick ice layer, a completely different world unfolds. An ecosystem in which life can live is formed beneath the ice layer due to the geothermal heat emitted by the planet. There was a lake large enough to be called an ocean, and some of the creatures found on ice planets also inhabited it.
Thanks to the psychic power that also flowed from the area around the geothermal area, the Aadhai group settled down safely.
This underground world is the new kingdom of the Gallagons.
And now the master of the kingdom is moving to defeat foreign enemies.
"Goooooooooo!"
A huge creature with the head of a mammoth and the body of a cross between a bear and a gorilla roars.
Two pairs of 6m long tusks flew towards my abdomen at lightning speed. My wing arms and fighting arms reacted quickly and grabbed its tusks.
This ignorant predator fighting me is very strong and has great weight. He took full advantage of his strengths and tried to push me away by putting his weight on his tusks. That caused my legs to take a step back.
But there is something he is mistaken about. That my strength is stronger than that guy's.
I strengthened the four arms holding the tusk. The muscles in my arms swelled up greatly.
Soon, its body slowly began to rise upward.
"Goooh?"
When the body is lifted up with the tusks held, the animal becomes embarrassed. Living in this underground world, he would have never encountered an enemy stronger than himself, so it was bound to be that way.
"Gooooh!"
My arms are gripping the tusks so tightly that I cannot escape. It knew that too, so instead it swung its developed front paw widely.
Those front paws, which resemble those of a bear, are like living battering rams. Just as that awesome weapon was about to hit my wing arm, the two necks on either side of my head wrapped around its arms.
The two heads at the end of the long neck opened their mouths wide and bit into the animal's shoulder and nape, respectively.
"Goooooooo!"
｢Grrrrrr｣
The animal howls, unable to bear the pain of its flesh being torn apart. Through its two mouths, its flesh and blood seep inside its shaggy fur.
I almost got drunk on the sweetness, but I calmly gave the next command. The tentacles on the central head shook and emitted unique waves.
[Zuzuzuz (It's now)]
The waves spread widely and reached the ice ceiling covering our heads. The gallagons that were hiding themselves hanging from the ceiling spread their wings all at once.
The breath of Belmarg, the White Gallagon Sha with a thin and long physique, struck the back of the beast I was holding. The purple heat rays burned his back, but the wounds were not serious.
Next, the breath of the green-scaled Gallagons poured out from all over and attacked him. A few shots hit my arm, but it didn't cause much pain.
"Gooooh! GOOOOOOOO!"
However, there was no significant damage either. It seemed like the vague pain stimulated my anger.
This is because the body of the guy facing me continued to swell.
'this.'
The teeth embedded in the guy's shoulder and neck slowly came out. Its muscles swelled and its skin became thicker, so I couldn't bite it any longer.
In just a few minutes, it doubled in size. The guy who was now big enough to make eye contact with me tried to push me away again. My foot took another step back.
'I thought it would be big because it was big, but this…'
It was much more powerful than the Apex creatures I knew. The size, strength, and fighting spirit could not be compared to the creatures in the game. Like the 'Ice Horror' I caught before in Dragon's Nest.
'Should I use the symbol of hunting?'
I was thinking about taking out the card I hadn't used yet when a red light flashed behind it. Adhai flew in like a flash and hit the guy's right leg.
With the acceleration added to the horns protected by 'Red Armor', the destructive power was truly terrifying. His legs, which were as thick as my tail, turned into rags.
"That's it!"
The furry predator fell to the floor, screaming.
The venom still didn't go away from Hana's eyes. The trunk, resembling an elephant, stretched out and aimed at Adhai's back.
The sharp teeth on the tip of the nose fly in to slice the Red Gallagon's attractive tail. To prevent this, my two heads grabbed its long nose.
"Gooooh!"
When he missed Aadhai at the perfect time, he got very angry. It raised its two front paws upward and hit the ground hard. The ground shook as if there had been an earthquake and my body was tilted to one side.
Because of that, the arms holding the tusk lost strength, and the tusk pierced my chest without any hindrance.
No, it almost pierced through.
"Guh?"
It might have been dangerous if its tusks had grown to match its body, which grew larger each time it became angry. Because that wasn't the case, its tusks only managed to break off part of my thoracic carapace.
After correcting my lopsided posture, I put all my strength into my arms and gave him a big push. The giant monster, which was 40 meters tall, was pushed back significantly.
After increasing the distance between me and the guy, I used a 'variable biological weapon'.
The body part to change is the head. The carapace of my head mutated into a shape similar to Ice Horror's head.
The only advantage is that it is heavy and sturdy, but that alone is enough. Three biological hammers hit him hard.
"Gwag?!"
The guy who had been hit on his remaining leg, abdomen, and head vomited blood violently. Perhaps because of his sense of direction, he stumbled and fell backwards.
"Aadhai's group!" "Attack!"
The moment I heard Aadhai's thought wave behind me, I quickly fell down. I see dozens of psychic breaths flying over my back. At the end is food that cannot move.
"Goooooo!"
｢Strength｣｢More｣｢More!｣｢More!｣
The thickness of the purple breaths gradually became thicker as if Aadhai's encouragement was effective. Green Gallagon, White Gallagon, and even Adhai, who participated in the hunt, poured out their dragon's breath with all their might.
and.
"Geoooh…"
The beast that had given Gallagons and me a hard time groaned with its miserable appearance.
Its name is Giganterium. It is an Apex creature that is strong in land combat.
It is immune to various poisons and techniques related to mind control and physical bondage, and its physical abilities are also extremely excellent. In addition, it has the characteristic of growing larger in size and increasing strength, defense, and speed every time it gets angry, making it quite difficult to deal with.
'It's especially notorious among cults.'
Since there is no way to block its movements, close combat is forced, and as you can see, it is an Apex that specializes in close combat. You can't beat him with any amount of skill.
Even if you try to catch it with a psychic attack from a distance, it is not easy to break through because its hide is so hard. Ranged attacks are counterproductive because they only provoke anger without killing the person.
As can be seen from these characteristics, it is a very difficult enemy even for Gallagon.
In fact, before Adhai and I came back, the Gallagons were having a hard time because of that guy. Ham Ort came forward and tried to chase him away, but failed to kill him every time.
'It has to be that way.'
It was already a very difficult enemy, but the Giganterium in front of me was outside the standard.
As far as I know, the size of Gigantherium is between 8m and 10m. Even if I'm angry, I've never seen anyone go further than 20m.
However, that monster is only 20 meters long before it gets angry. The tusks are more than three times as long. When you get angry there, it becomes so big that it is at the same eye level as you.
Looking at that, it is clear that even Ham Ort is an opponent that is difficult to beat.
'The place isn't that good either.'
Since this is an underground space beneath the ice layer, it is an unfavorable environment for Gallagon. It's difficult to fly, and Black Gallagon's unique ability, 'Maelstrom', is also sealed.
'It's such a monster, but I somehow won.'
I looked at the Aadhai and Gallagons gathered around the Giganterium.
This attack plan was not planned by me, but by Adhai. I just acted as bait. The ones who defeated the powerful enemy were not me, but the dragons of the underground kingdom.
'A remarkable guy.'
Among the gallagons, I see one with his head held high and his wings spread. It's a strange feeling to see this guy planning a strategy alone and hunting down powerful enemies with his compatriots.
At that time, I made eye contact with Adhai. The guy flew in front of me.
｢Adult｣｢I｣｢Did you do well?｣
[zuzu zuzuzuzu (very good)]
｢Yes｣｢Na｣｢Daughter of the Star｣｢Excellent｣
The boy was diligently wagging his tail as if he liked my praise. When I saw the smooth tail without any blemishes, I couldn't help but want to poke it with my finger.
｢Big Adult｣
[Zu (Huh?)]
At that time, he called me.
｢Big Adult｣｢Hunting｣｢Gun｣｢I set it｣｢Bait｣｢Very｣｢Important｣
[zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzuzuzuzu zuzuzuzuzu (You guys are the ones who caught him)] If you
don't have ｢Big Adult｣｢ ｣｢People｣｢I'm hurt｣｢So｣｢San｣ As
the guy bobbed his head slightly, the Gallagons around Gigantherium all retreated.
｢Big adult｣｢Head｣｢I need it｣｢I will give in｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (Give me your head?)]
｢Yes｣
This time it was a hunt for them. So I deliberately didn't use the symbol of hunting and just focused on the role of bait, but I never thought he would come out like this.
'I said I'd give you something.'
Dozens of purple eyes were looking at me with a bright light, so I had no choice but to refuse. After petting Aadhai, I approached the Giganterium.
"That…"
The persistent vitality has now become poisonous. The Giganterium, completely devastated, is gasping for breath and hoping to die quickly.
I bit the guy's head with the center head. The jaw tightened and the teeth penetrated the hide and skin and sank into the skull. The guy twitched once and then went limp.
After killing the Giganterium, I tightened my neck and pulled back the head I was holding. Its neck trembled and was pulled out along with part of its spine.
The other gallagons seemed to be very interested in my meal, and their eyes were fixed on my head and mouth.
'then.'
I swallowed the warm, steaming head under the Gallagons' gaze. The spine and pieces of flesh were eaten by the heads on both sides.
'The characteristics won't appear anyway…'
｢Predation effect activated!｣
｢Gr?｣
A translucent text box that appears as soon as the food passes down the throat.
The head next to me, licking the dripping blood, clearly expressed what I felt.
-x-X-x-
'Hmm.'
This time, I focused on helping Aadhai hunt. So I didn't even use the symbol of hunting. I never thought I would get the trait, but the results were unexpected.
'Furthermore…'
｢Successful acquisition of the 'Tyrantroid' genetic essence.｣
｢Taken away 'Tyrantroid' among the biological characteristics of 'Giganterium'.｣
｢Would you like to apply 'Tyrantroid'?｣
Among the numerous characteristics I never thought I would get this.
The name of the trait obtained by preying on Apex creatures is 'Tyrantroid'.
At first glance, it may seem like a physical trait or internal organ-related trait, but this trait is an environmental adaptation trait.
By default, Gigantherium's body contains organs that help it acquire and utilize energy effectively even in limited situations. Tyrantroids are special chemicals secreted by this organ. Thanks to this substance, it can survive in any environment without major limitations.
What is important here is that this substance is related to its fighting ability. It's all thanks to Tyrantroid that it grows bigger every time it gets angry.
'Now, the characteristics I will use are also the same.'
Tyrantroid is a type of trait that significantly changes the body, similar to 'Bone Beast' or 'Hunting Symbol'. However, it is similar to the 'Revenant Agency' in that it only activates conditionally.
'It's easier to activate than the Revenant Agency.'
There is only one condition for activating Tyrantroid. It is activated automatically when a major injury is received to the body. With this trait, as the injury becomes more severe, strength and energy output increase significantly and the body becomes massive.
However, in return, the movement becomes as slow as a slug. The larger the body, the larger the area it can be hit by, but the slower the speed, which can be said to be a fatal flaw.
'Of course, this is only when limited to this one characteristic.'
It is very powerful when combined with the Bone Beast, whose carapace becomes hard as it grows larger, and the Revenant Engine, which is conditionally activated only when very seriously injured. Should I call it an Aimov-style bamboo spear?
The unfortunate thing is that this combo assumes injury. If you are unable to suppress the enemy during the time the characteristics are activated, you will be at a great disadvantage. At the very least, there must be a means of allowing the body to recover quickly from injury or remove the lowered speed penalty.
'I currently have two means of recovery.'
It is 'regenerative power' and 'the hand of a predatory leech'. The predatory leech's hand requires you to grab the enemy yourself, and the regenerative power has a limited recovery speed. Playback isn't bad, but it's not perfect.
This is not a game, this is reality. If you die, it's over. This combo is sealed until the shortcomings can be sufficiently compensated.
'Well, it's still better than nothing.'
I feel good because I received a gift I didn't expect at all.
｢Why｣｢Not moving?｣
｢Big adult｣｢Head｣｢When I eat｣｢Sometimes｣｢That way｣
｢Taste｣｢Impression?｣
｢Maybe｣
'Ah.'
Feeling the waves of thought coming from all over, I turned off the semi-transparent text box.
In the darkness, purple eyes resembling amethyst were shining and looking at me. It seemed like he was waiting for me to finish eating the head.
[Zuzzuzuzu (I ate it all)]
After hearing what I said, Adhai cut off both arms of Giganterium with the tips of his wings using Red Armor.
Giganterium's body looks like a mix between a gorilla and a bear, so its arms are quite developed. As a result, the severed arm alone was quite large. Because the arm length alone reached 10m.
Aadhai placed a large piece of food on the floor and sprayed thought waves at his compatriots.
"Big adult," "Reward," "The end," "We too," "Let's eat." As soon as the
thought wave spread, the Gallagons began to rush into the arms.
First, the white gallagons cut off the fur and skin with their sharp claws and inserted the tentacles around the mouth inside. Adhaj peeled off the skin so that other gallagons could eat it easily and then participated in the feast.
The Green Gallagons, which were relatively weak, stuck their tentacles into the wounds made by Aadhai and the Gallagons and sucked the blood.
The gallagons had different green and white scales, but their tentacle colors were the same. Each time the purple biological straws embedded in the arm wriggled, the size of the arm decreased in real time.
There are a total of 10 gallagons that Aadhai brought here. There are three White Gallagons and seven Green Gallagons. As the 11 Gallagons, including Adhai, sucked blood furiously, Giganterium's two arms quickly became mummified.
｢Taste｣｢Excellent｣
｢Delicious｣
｢Not enough｣｢Food｣｢More｣｢Need｣
After finishing the short meal, the Gallagons raised their heads. The Green Gallagons, who were still young, looked towards Giganterium's body as if they were lusting after it.
Seeing that, Aadhai kicked the ground hard with his back foot. The gallagons flinched as the sharp sound of the impact rang out.
｢Food｣｢Nest｣｢I will take it｣｢Eating｣｢Now｣｢End｣ ｢
Great Adhai｣｢Mal｣｢Following｣
At the queen's cool threat, the Green Gallagons hastily bowed their heads. Adhai, who warned his greedy compatriots, cut off Giganterium's healthy left leg.
｢Sha Belmag｣｢This｣｢Companion｣｢Nel Germa｣｢Give me｣
｢Great Aadhai｣｢Consideration｣｢Thank you｣
The skinny white gallagon Shah Belmag bent his front legs and expressed his gratitude to Aadhai.. While Adhaj stood proudly with his head raised, Shah Belmaag took the gifts bestowed by the queen.
'So, did you say that Nell Germa was incubating an egg?'
Nell Germa, the White Gallagon who helped us the most in the past at the Dragon's Nest.
It laid an egg just before we arrived and is now incubating the egg in the nest.
Originally, Adhaj planned to bring Nel Germa, with whom he fought and worked well, on the hunt instead of Shah Belmag. However, because the situation was like this, Shah Belmarg participated in the hunt on behalf of his wife.
'It's Gallagon's breeding.'
I'm not a Gallagon fan, but it's a pretty interesting topic. Even in the game, it was not revealed how Gallagons reproduce.
'If I think about it now, it may have not been implemented.'
Like most VR games, Space Survival also contains a significant amount of sexual content. Physical interactions between players, sexual services provided by NPCs, etc.
In Space Survival, as a game that paid a lot of attention to the implementation and setting of the ecosystem of NPCs, the reproductive activities of wild animals were implemented.
'Not everything, though.'
In the case of creatures in which the male and female have a good relationship or have strong maternal love and nurturing is an important factor, reproductive activities are depicted. For example, the crystal wing that I hunted in the dragon's nest was one of the species that embodied reproductive activities.
However, this detail became a hot topic in the public in a negative way and ultimately influenced the deliberation.
'It didn't pass the review because of its sensationalism.'
Since it wasn't officially released in Korea, I had no choice but to get the foreign version and enjoy it. This is while relying on the translation function provided by the VR device itself.
In any case, Gallagon was a creature that could be described as breeding, so many people had high expectations. There was also a ranker who infiltrated Gallagon's nest to check for himself, but ultimately failed to find out.
｢Big adult?｣
[Zu (Huh?)]
｢Nest｣｢Let's go back｣
I was lost in old thoughts for a moment, but Adhai's thought wave woke me up. The other Gallagons were preparing to return with their wings spread.
'I should go back first.'
I picked up a Giganterium corpse that was missing everything from head to limbs. I held the corpse tightly to my body with my tentacles and spread my wing arms. I flapped my wings as big as my body and flew upward with the gallagons.
The underground caves and passages where Giganterium took refuge were relatively narrow places in this underworld. It wasn't wide enough to feel narrow if me and the 11 gallagons flapped our wings at the same time.
However, once you leave the relatively small caves and narrow passages, a completely different world unfolds.
As I exited the underground passage following the 11 Gallagons ahead of me, my vision suddenly cleared up. There was a space so large that it would be more appropriate to call it an underground world rather than a cavity.
The ceiling, made up of a thick layer of ice, could easily be called a second sky, and a vast land spread out beneath it.
When you actually see the ice ceiling, not just a description, you get a feeling similar to the sky. The reason is because of the microorganisms on the outer part of the ice layer. These moss-like creatures emit light and heat from their bodies whenever they ingest and digest food. When viewed from a distance, it looks like a star in the night sky.
It looks like gallagons flying under the starlight densely packed in the frozen sky. It was a beautiful sight that I had never seen or seen anywhere else where I lived.
If you look down, you can see plants densely located between a few meters and tens of meters high on the underground land. Wild animals wander among plants with a unique appearance that is a mixture of mushrooms and rainbow grass.
The journey with the space dragons was not long. After passing through the forest of plants, we were greeted by a canyon with thick steam rising.
That place, where steam is spewing out due to geothermal heat, is the new palace of the Gallagons.
As we entered the canyon, there were numerous caves. As we entered the largest cave among them, the black dragon Ham Ort greeted us.
｢Ham Ort｣｢Great Aadhai｣｢Hunting｣｢Success｣｢Congratulations｣
｢Yes｣
Aadhai nodded to Ham Ort, who bowed in a polite manner.
It's been a while since I last saw Ham Oort, and it looks quite different since the last time I saw it. All the scars on the scales disappeared and the body grew slightly larger.
'I think I've gained a bit of weight because I'm living in a good environment.'
That doesn't mean you're fat. As anyone would guess, she was the mother of Aadhai, and her unique, alluring beauty still remained. Its obsidian-colored scales shined smoothly, and its four legs and long body were full of life thanks to its strong muscles.
The horns were not completely regenerated and were still unbalanced, but they had a wild feel that contrasted with the sleek body, giving it a unique charm.
Ham Ort, who greeted Adhaj, also slightly bowed his head to me.
｢Thank you｣
[zuzu zuzuzu zuzu (I didn't do anything)]
｢Adhai's companion｣｢Thanks to you｣｢Kingdom｣｢I wasn't hurt｣ ｢Companion
｣｢No｣｢Not yet｣
｢Big baby, I had a good time.?」
At that time, a large pink creature appeared from inside the cave. The being holding a bunch of small Blue Gallagons was number 26.
"You didn't get hurt this time?"
[Zuzuzuzu (of course)]
"Good job!"
He brightened up as if he was happy that I came back without any injuries. Thanks to the 25m long luminous body, the dark cave became bright in an instant.
｢What is it?｣
｢Amazing｣
｢Again｣｢Again｣
The cubs that were being hugged by No. 26 and absorbing psychic power touched the cub's body with their front paws as if they were curious.
I placed the corpse of the Giganterium on my back in front of Ham Ort.
[Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzuzu (this. What Aadhai got)]
｢King of Beasts｣｢Corpse｣｢Why?｣ When
the guy tilted his head and expressed a question, Aadhai who was next to him answered on his behalf.
｢Young kin｣｢Feed｣｢Growth｣｢Nutrition｣｢Need｣
｢Great Adhai｣｢Mercy｣｢Thank you｣
When Adhai said that he brought it to feed his compatriots, Ham Ort gently waggled his tail. Anyone could see that they were parents who were proud of their daughter's growth.
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu (Is there anything else to catch?)]
｢There is｣｢Just｣｢Kingdom｣｢Rest｣｢Need｣
[Zuzu zuzuzu (I guess so)]
Anyway, I have to stay on this planet for at least a week. There's no need to be in a hurry.
Now that the hunt is over, it's time to take a break.
-x-X-x-
The day after I hunted Giganterium, I left the nest alone.
Ham Ort said he didn't really need me on any other hunts. It is said that Aadhai's skills are at a level that will allow his compatriots to return safely.
Adhaj leads the group out hunting, and No. 26 is busy playing with the young cubs.
I didn't know about them because they weren't specifically described in the game, but I was quite curious about the Blue Gallagons. Except when I was consuming energy or sleeping, I kept wandering around looking for new interests. It would be okay if you only wandered around the cave inside the canyon, but it was a problem because some people tried to come out.
Between the canyons flows an acidic river boiling due to geothermal heat. Unlike white or green gallagons, blue gallagons have weak scales, so they can suffer serious injuries if they fall into the water.
Because of this, the Gallagons in charge of childcare were having a hard time taking care of the playful pups, but it is said that the arrival of No. 26 put them at ease.
He used his newly acquired mutant tentacles to satisfy the curiosity of the Blue Gallagons. Dozens of tentacles constantly transform into new types of toys, so even young Gallagons are bound to be satisfied.
'As a bonus, it also supplies psychic power.'
Adhai No. 26 Since both of us are busy, I am going to go to PS-111 by myself today.
After getting out of the canyon, I flew in the opposite direction from where I came yesterday. Below, plants resembling oyster mushrooms tens of meters in size were visible.
I adjusted the position of my wing arms to lower my altitude and used my fighting arms to tear off the end of a strange-looking plant. And then he poured the crushed lump into the center's mouth.
'hmm.'
It looks like a mushroom, but the taste is completely different.
To put it specifically, it feels like eating fruit mixed with almond milk and soy milk. The taste itself is not bad, but the texture is poor because it is too watery.
'But it's still rich in nutrients.'
I've seen gallagons feed their babies this plant in addition to their psychic powers, and I understand why.
The environment here is very different from where they stayed, so it is not easy to raise the chicks properly. Fortunately, there is plenty of nutritious food around, so it is unlikely that any chicks will have difficulty growing.
'I hope they like this taste.'
After tasting the oyster mushrooms that tasted like almond milk, I used my fighting arms and legs to tear off handfuls of other plants around me. It moved leisurely, showing the two heads on either side a taste.
As it moved so slowly, at some point frost began to form on its wing membranes and carapace. Looking down, there were fewer and fewer living plants, and icicles bigger than me were hanging from the ice ceiling.
Unlike other areas, the ice layer around here is thin. The reason is related to the artificial structure visible in the distance.
A broken tower rises from the frozen, lifeless land.
The identity of that structure, which is tilted like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is a Screamer support ship obtained after defeating Pyrrha Eleven. This is what happened when I crash-landed on this planet after fighting the Gorgon Swarm. The rear part is completely destroyed, and holes so large that they cannot be repaired can be seen throughout the exterior walls.
The support ship, which had completely lost its function, was shining on its own as its owner came to visit after a long time.
I went into the open aft section. When I went inside, the lights that were still intact flickered. It looked as if it was welcoming me into the room.
'He probably already knows.'
Immediately after the battle with the Gorgon Swarm, PS-111 converted this damaged support ship into a kind of communications relay. So that when we get new ships or mechanical structures in the future, we can manage them effectively.
In the end, his judgment was correct. Gigacracker, which cannot land on a planet, stays in orbit around the planet by remote control. Otherwise, he would have had to remain in space to manage Gigacracker.
I folded my wing arms, lowered myself, and crawled inside the tilted structure. I went downstairs, thinking I was in the situation room, but the light cut off midway.
'Isn't it the situation room?'
The passage below was completely dark. I checked the information board for the location just before the lights went out.
'It's a production compartment.'
Now that I think about it, this place where I am is near the storage area where the genetic samples and frozen containers were. My guess is that this is where screamers are made using materials stored in storage.
'Are you trying to modify your body again?'
There are no more genetic samples left on this ship.
'Let's go first.'
After crawling down a little further, I grabbed the half-open iron door with my wing arm and opened it. As I went inside, leaving the falling ice cubes behind, I was greeted by an unstable blinking light.
The atmosphere inside the production room was very gloomy.
All of the plywood on the ceiling and walls had been peeled off, exposing steel frames and pipes, and frozen wires were tangled in a mess on the floor.
In that bizarre space, production facilities that had been restored in a somewhat clumsy manner were moving around. The noise made by the steel meeting each other and the sparks flying from the joints connected to the pipes made this place even more eerie.
There was a guy in the middle of a space that looked like a mad scientist's laboratory.
Its body, which resembles a spider scorpion and is 7 meters long (excluding its tail) and covered in a hard metal carapace, exudes quite a sense of intimidation.
Additionally, eight legs extend from the body. At the end of it were various weapons.
Some hands looked like human hands with only the fingers replaced with hooks, and some arms had long blades resembling machetes instead of hands. All of the arms had thorns measuring tens of centimeters protruding from them.
It had a body that seemed to specialize solely in cutting, tearing, and destroying living things, but ironically, its face was completely different.
The head on top of the large body was the pale, chrome face of a woman. The cables hanging down like hair and the four cable strands under the bright red eyes and chin are a bit strange, but they look attractive enough.
The beautiful woman's face turned 180 degrees to face me.
"Are you here?"
PS-111, with cables connected to its neck and back, looked at me and greeted me.
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu (I thought it was being remodeled?)]
"No. "I came here for an experiment."
[Zuzu (experiment?)]
I approached him, being careful not to step on the wires and cables lying on the floor. In front of him was a being that he seemed to have seen many times before.
'This?'
"This is a remote control model. "I made it based on ingredients obtained from Giga Cracker and indigenous creatures living in the area."
The guy who sensed my question answered it on his own. I thought I came here to modify my body, but I was wrong. This guy was building the Screamer's body based on the Screamer production drawings on the ship's computer.
'Besides, this…'
It looked very different from the screamers I had encountered. Rather, it feels similar to the early PS-111. Only the face and body parts are made, but when everything is completed, it will look very similar to this guy.
[Zuzuzuzuzuzu (remote control model?)]
"Yes. "If I had a body I could control remotely, I would be able to do more than I can now."
After speaking, the guy lowered his head towards the Screamer body.
PS-111 brought his head close as if he was about to kiss a face that looked exactly like his. The cable under the chin moved on its own toward the cable in Screamer's body.
A small spark flew as its cable connected to the cable of Screamer's body. Screamer's body trembled as if it had been hit by an electric shock.
When PS-111 hit its head, the Screamer's body opened its eyes. The red camera lens that served as the eye blinked a few times and then turned towards me.
"How do you feel about the coordination being completed?"
"Coordination complete. How is it?"
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzuzuzu (They made this so quickly?)]
"This is thanks to reverse engineering my body structure and cloning my cellular tissue. "I believe that if we have the appropriate equipment and time, we can further improve the level of completion here."
Although he spoke humbly, I couldn't help but be surprised.
Screamer development itself is a long-term project that takes several weeks or more, even for games. This is reality, so it will take several months, even years.
Even if such a Screamer was an unfinished replica, the fact that it was created in such a bad environment was amazing.
[Zuzzu zuzu zu zuzu zuzu (I don't think I have an ego)]
"Yes. Because the ability to carry out independent operations is unnecessary, the ability to think independently is not given. "It only works with the electrical signals I send."
"There is no need to carry out independent operations."
[Zuzu Zuzuzu Zuzu Zuzuzuzu (
I guess that's because it's a remote control model)] It looks like a Screamer, close to a terminal that only moves when under its control. Since it says the same thing as the main body, it appears to only function when synchronized with its mind.
Of course, it is still difficult to call it a screamer, but it is still a prototype. As time passes, there may be many screamers with performance comparable to the PS-111.
[Zuzuzuzu Zuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzuzu (Amazing. So, is this complete?)]
"It will take more time to complete."
"Wow, until it's finished? It takes hours and hours and more."
[Zuzuzuzu (also great)]
"No."
"Oh no, that's right! Thanks for the compliment! You are so nice…."
"Check for error in voice synchronization module. "There needs to be more coordination."
The guy suddenly went into tune again towards the runaway clone. Mechanical arms located throughout the production room moved according to the owner's will and began to modify the body of the 'remote control model'.
As I watched it, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
'Double Helix Monolith', a space monster type level 2 reward.
This is a perk that allows you to transplant up to two general characteristics, excluding unique characteristics, to a friendly creature.
Since receiving the perk, I haven't been able to test how it works. That's because I don't know what side effects there might be.
But what about the screamer he made?
Wouldn't it be an appropriate test subject?
'not bad.'
Since this is a screamer designed and managed by PS-111, you will easily be able to see how the characteristics I have given it work. Even if side effects occur, it can be discarded, so the risk is low.
'It would be a waste to lose one trait.'
Still, it's better than having other kids suffer.
After organizing my thoughts, I spoke to PS-111.
There is one thing I want to experiment with.
-x-X-x-
"Are you trying to see if you can implant biological traits into my remote control model?"
[Z(Yes)]
"You can experiment on my body."
PS-111 pointed at himself with a claw. I shook my head, indicating that I couldn't do that.
[Zuzzuzu Zuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzuzu Zuzu Zuzuzu Zuzuzu Zuzu (There may be side effects. If something goes wrong, you may have to throw away your body)] "Do you mean
side effects?"
Not all characteristics are advantageous to Aimov.
'Energy absorption', which changes the mouth and digestive system so that it cannot absorb purified water, or 'dwarfization', which fixes the body size as small as a human. In addition to this, there are many other characteristics that work against it.
In fact, there is no problem with these characteristics themselves. Energy absorption, dwarfing, and dwarfing are all useful characteristics to their original owners. It's just that it doesn't suit Aimov.
In other words, it is only beneficial to me, and there is no guarantee that it will be good for No. 26 or Aadhai. This also applies to PS-111.
"Obviously, if there is severe heterogeneity in genetic structure, transplantation is difficult. "We believe it will be useful in checking the compatibility of remote control models."
He nodded, probably thinking that PS-111 wasn't that bad.
After receiving his permission, I extended my fighting arm toward the remote control model. The inner palm of the four fingers opened and symbiotic spores popped out.
Targets that can be transplanted with traits are 'friendly creatures'. Based on my experience so far, I believe that the target with the symbiotic spores is friendly to me.
Spores slithered and attached to the Screamer's body, which consisted of only the face and upper body. Spores similar to ticks with short legs seeped into the underdeveloped upper body.
Then the Screamer body synchronized with PS-111 stuttered and shouted.
"Check for this foreign body. check."
'It's not like it's a machine, right?'
The only mechanical parts of the artificial body he created are the face and parts of the brain and skeleton. The rest consisted entirely of tissues or organic matter cultured in this facility.
Fortunately, when I placed the auxiliary organ under my chin, a text box appeared.
｢Double Helix Monolith activated!｣
｢You can select the characteristics to be transplanted.｣
'Good.'
So what characteristics should we transplant?
It goes without saying, but characteristics that I use often or that are essential for my survival are not allowed. Traits that are assumed to be useful are, of course, exceptions.
'If the results are good, I have to pass it on to the kids.'
Likewise, special defense-related characteristics are also excluded. Since you haven't acquired the type yet, you can't waste it.
'If the characteristics are suitable for the experiment….'
It is better to be able to check the results quickly without being useful. That way, we will be able to analyze any changes in PS-111 in a short period of time.
After thinking for a while, I chose 'Body Crystallization', a general trait in the environmental adaptation series.
Body crystallization is a property that temporarily hardens the body's carapace. However, since its solidity level is not that high and it has a higher-level compatible characteristic called 'variable biological weapon', it is not a very necessary characteristic.
｢Would you like to select the 'Body Crystallization' trait?｣
'Yes…huh?'
When I selected OK to the last question in the text box, the heads on both sides began to move on their own, out of my control.
The heads that approached the artificial body opened their mouths wide. A long, thick tentacle that looked like a tongue was sticking out from inside. Two tentacles covered in black slime gently wrapped around the artificial body.
'This?'
"This abnormal tongue phenomenon occurs."
"This abnormal tongue phenomenon occurs."
The body wrapped in tentacles and PS-111 showed the same reaction. Both of them trembled and repeated that something unusual had occurred.
｢The 'Body Crystallization' characteristic has been lost.｣
｢Infusing the characteristic. It is expected to take 5 minutes to complete."
'…It'll be okay, right?'
As if reading my thoughts, a text box came to mind. The tentacles reentered the mouth, and control of the heads on both sides returned to their original state.
The body wrapped around the tentacles was covered in black slime, similar to when I evolved. However, the size of the cocoon was small, perhaps because the entire body was not reconstructed like mine.
Once the trait-infused body entered the cocoon, PS-111 returned to normal. The guy, who looked fine as if he had suffered a convulsion, blinked his eyes with camera lenses.
[Zuzuzu (Are you okay?)]
"A very complex chemical reaction is occurring in your body. Additionally, incredibly precise genetic rearrangements are occurring."
[Zzzzzzzzz zzzzz zzzzzzz (it will take about 5 minutes to complete)]
"Even though I can sense that it's in sync, I can't control it."
[Zuzuz zuzu zuzu zuzuzuzu (that's how it feels when evolving)]
"It's an interesting sensation, so I'll record it."
He thought the variations in the remote control model were very interesting.
The mechanical arms in the production room followed the guy's will and collected samples of the mucus that fell on the floor. Meanwhile, the main body used its claws to dip the slime scattered on the floor and even tasted it.
Not only that, he tried to touch the cocoon, so I stopped him. Aimorph's cocoon is vulnerable to external attacks. A remote control model wrapped in a thinner film would be much more easily damaged.
After 5 minutes, the cocoon's mucus dried up. The Screamer's body, which had completed its transformation, moved, tearing the crumbly membrane.
"We have confirmed that high-level coordination has been implemented. "We will save this data and refer to it in future model development."
"See High-Order Coordination Development Dog Development."
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu (There will be a new ability to use. Check it out)]
"Yes."
"yes."
The main body and the unfinished clone answered simultaneously. The two screamers blinked their camera-lensed eyes and bobbed their heads.
As if looking into a mirror, their actions were the same but the results were different.
Granule-like things sprouted on the skin of the neck and upper body of the remote control model lying on the floor. The particles, which looked like water droplets at first, grew larger and covered the skin. It looked like scales made of cubic.
'Has it been applied?'
When Aimorph activates body crystallization, it does not appear that way, but instead is covered with a shell that feels similar to obsidian. I touched the material covering my skin with my fighting arm.
'It's solid.'
Only the appearance was different, but the feeling itself was the same as when using body crystallization.
[Zuzu (What do you think?)]
"A substance that promotes crystallization has been secreted in the upper body. "It is understood that the secretory organ in question was created through genetic mutation of an existing organ in the body."
[Zuzuzuz (What are the side effects?)]
The guy bent his neck about 200 degrees on the spot. The remote control model also twisted its neck in the same way. There was only a crackling sound, like stones hitting each other, but no major damage.
"The crystallized material hardens into thin scales, so there is no problem moving it."
That's good news. This means that the characteristics being transplanted are applied to some degree in accordance with the body of the creature.
'Let's try one more experiment.'
The double helix monolith can have up to two characteristics transferred.
The next option I chose was 'Neurotoxin Gland', a body-related fusion trait.
There are two reasons. The first reason is to check to what extent the characteristics are applied to the body.
For example, if a creature that only lives in water is given wings or the ability to breathe fire, how will it be reflected? It would be nice if it were applied in a meaningful way as it is now, but on the contrary, it could be applied in a way that becomes an obstacle to the transplanted organism.
'The body created by PS-111 is unfinished and has no resistance to poison.'
Its main body has been strengthened by combining the genes of various organisms, so it has immunity to various types of poisons.
But that's not the case with replicas. If you receive a transplant in that state, you need to check whether the immune system against neurotoxins will also be applied, or whether it will just develop poison glands that will cause harm to the body.
'And the second.'
Because the neurotoxin itself is no longer useful to me.
Since many of the enemies encountered after becoming a semi-adult were resistant to poison, there were fewer opportunities for neurotoxin to be active.
'I wrote it for a long time.'
Neurotoxin glands, a fusion trait I got from the research vessel I first opened my eyes to. Thanks to this characteristic, I have overcome many crises.
Now is the time to let go of that grateful trait. I transplanted the neurotoxin glands into a remote control model.
After going through the same process of wrapping the clone in a cocoon, it was time for PS-111 to check himself again.
The guy who was about to check another body blinked a few times and shook his head.
"Chemicals that cause paralysis spread throughout your body and you cannot move."
[Zuzu (Really?)]
"Glands that secrete toxic substances have developed in the body, making detoxification impossible. "This remote-controlled model cannot be used until we build an immune system that neutralizes the venom."
The neurotoxin glands that had helped me for so long also helped me when I left.
'Unlike AimoF, it is not applied completely organically.'
When using body crystallization, it changed the shape into thin scales instead of a carapace, but it did not give it poison glands and an immune system against the poison. The latter of these seemed to be because it required the creation of at least two independent organs in the body.
'The results of the experiment are too few.'
Remote control models with paralyzed bodies can no longer be tested.
"It's an interesting experiment. It is believed that it will be useful in producing and improving remote control models. I suggest more experiments."
He spoke as if he had read my thoughts.
'What we need are the characteristics to be used in the experiment and…'
His and my head turned at the same time. At the end of our gaze, there was mechanical equipment working hard inside the production room.
[Zuzuzu zuzu (What more do we need?)]
"We need minerals around here that can be used as materials for biological tissue, skeletal tissue, and mechanical parts."
[Zuzuzu (Okay)]
I have decided what to do for the rest of my vacation.
Time passed so quickly and already 10 days had passed.
Three days later than the scheduled date, the Heavenly Mother arrived at the new Dragon's Nest.
"and. "I'm speechless."
The Mother of Heaven, who came to the broken Screamer support box, opened her mouth when she saw me and PS-111.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzu (After experimenting, this is what happened)]
｢…This is a screamer, right?｣
[Zuzuzu (for now)]
Currently, there were 5 mini screamers in this production compartment.
No, as she said, it is a bit absurd to say that she is a screamer. That's because a creature with a woman's head and eight metal legs would not be called a Screamer.
"This is a model created in the most efficient form for gene transfer experiments. "They consume less energy and have excellent survival."
"Great!"
"Great!"
Mini-screamers with PS-111 faces all said the word 'excellent' in unison. This is because various functions, including the language module, were simplified to fit the feature transplant experiment.
'I was inspired by the PS-111 when I first saw it.'
"and! "There are a lot of little friends!"
Number 26, who came with Heavenly Mother, seemed to like the mini screamers.
｢Little friends, they are the same as their friends!｣
｢Body｣｢Nothing｣｢Does it hurt?｣
"It is normally like this."
Perhaps because he was remembering the first time he met PS-111, he gently picked up the Mini Screamer with his tentacles. Adhai, who was next to him, tapped the mini screamer with his front paw, his eyes filled with curiosity.
Sky Mother saw the mini screamer climbing up the bodies of No. 26 and Aadhai, and pinched the corners of her eyes with one hand.
｢…I feel like throwing up.｣
"This is the best result of me and Amov's collaboration. "Please reconsider this statement."
"public! inventory!"
"public! inventory!"
｢Collaboration?｣｢Work?｣｢Result?｣
｢Little friend is cute!｣
As PS-111 said, thanks to that form, we were able to conduct several experiments in a short period of time.
Of course, it is not completely clear how the transplanted characteristics are applied or what side effects there are. Still, it is enough to know what to watch out for when transplanting it to children.
'It also helped PS-111.'
Those five mini screamers have at least one of my characteristics implanted into them. This is thanks to using the symbol of daily hunting to collect the characteristics and hit them as is.
'From my perspective, they are not very good characteristics.'
However, not from PS-111's perspective. This is because each of the five animals has different characteristics and PS-111 controls them all at the same time. Contrary to appearances, the specifications per individual are not bad, so it will be a great help to their activities.
Anyway, Heavenly Mother must have returned too.
When I say short, it's short and when I say long, it's time to end the long 10-day break.