｢I can fluffy too!｣ ｢Slow｣｢Me｣｢Much｣｢Fast｣ ｢If I study, I too will become fluffy quickly.｣
No. 26's acquisition of the ability to fly was a completely unexpected change. It swam smoothly as if the hangar was an ocean.
"Isn't it amazing? Isn't it amazing?」 [Zuzuzuzu (Amazing)]
As I admired him, his body lit up as if he was in a good mood. The arm-shaped tentacles frequently changed shape depending on the owner's mood. It becomes the shape of a hand, then into the saw blade tentacles it was before, and so on. Each tentacle transformed at a very fast rate.
'That seems like a new ability.'
Originally, there were tentacles responsible for mutation, but not all tentacles could be changed like now. The speed of transformation also increased dramatically, to the point where the shape could change rapidly according to the flow of emotions.
'The ability to transform and fly all tentacles.'
At first glance, it may not seem very helpful, but in fact, it is not. Number 26 is the least mobile among us, but that weakness has been compensated for. The ability to change the shape of the tentacles also has potential.
｢Me too!｣｢Me too｣｢I'll show you｣ [Z(Yes)]
When I nodded, it spread its wings. Aadhai takes flight with his chubby body. It was quite cute, but the guy's attitude was so serious that I didn't laugh.
"Open" "Yes."
Number 26, who was leisurely floating inside the hangar, lightly touched the switch next to the door. Aadhai nodded at me and walked out of the gigacracker.
'What are you trying to show me?'
Has this guy's flight ability been enhanced, similar to No. 26? Or have I gained a new kind of power?
I followed him out into space.
A pantheon of stars spread out like a vast ocean. In the center, a rose-colored nebula burns like a bonfire.
Under the stars, Adhai stood on a giga cracker.
｢Star Power｣｢I got it｣ [Zuzu (Really?)] ｢Previous｣｢Cannot be used｣｢But｣｢Now｣｢It is possible｣｢I'll show you｣
The guy who said that concentrated with his wings spread. The white scales with red patterns turned red like when using red armor.
'Has the Red Armor range increased… huh?'
The red color of the wings and patterns gradually changes. The light, a mixture of red and purple, reminded me of the color of the nebula observing us from afar.
'Dark purple light, and…'
I have felt this flow of energy before, making my auxiliary organs and my whole body tense.
Od Grad, an evil tyrant who oppressed A'dhai's compatriots in the past and was A'dhai's father.
It was very similar to the last attack he made before he died.
'Star Flame!'
Adhai lifted his head upward as if to confirm that my prediction was correct. The chubby guy's body suddenly became thin, and an energy sphere was launched from the tentacle in its mouth.
The purple sphere continued to fly without stopping. In the direction the sphere was facing, there was a group of rocks floating in space.
The moment the small sphere launched by Aadhai collided with a group of rocks, an intense flash of light flashed. A huge explosion swept through the rock swarm like a shining sun. Rocks ranging from as small as tens of meters to as large as several kilometers were swallowed up by the purple energy explosion.
After the light went out, all that remained was a very small amount of rock fragments.
It was so destructive that it was hard to believe it was created by a sphere smaller than the guy's head. For now, we shot it at a group of rocks as a test, but if we shot it at a dwarf planet with a diameter of hundreds of kilometers, we would get similar results.
'The power itself is the same as the Star Flame I know.'
Red Gallagon's 'Star Flame' has about 0.8 times the power of Gigacracker's Ion Cannon. You might think it looks weaker than a super weapon, but that's definitely not the case.
'Because they become speakers.'
Unlike the Cosmic Bolt, which takes a long time to charge, and the Ion Cannon, which charges quickly but requires a long rest period after firing once, Star Flame has no limitations.
The only drawback is that the brilliance of the heat ray is so clear that it can be seen even from a distance.
'The problem is that Aadhai's Star Flame is in the form of a sphere.'
Moreover, its size is as small as a small gym ball used when exercising. In that case, it would be nearly impossible to avoid even ships equipped with cutting-edge detection capabilities.
'I don't know if it's like that because it ate Vortex One, or because it's a mutation.'
Perhaps the former merely served as a kind of awakening opportunity, and the latter may be correct. The psychic breath it uses is not in the form of a purple heat ray, but in the form of small energy bullets.
｢Big adult｣｢Strength｣｢Similar?｣ [zu zuzu zuzuzu (I think I'm stronger)] ｢Really?｣｢Really?｣ [zu zuzuzu (yes, you did well)]
The guy who heard my praise started jumping around on the outer wall of Giga Cracker. My once plump stomach had suddenly become slender.
'…Is energy consumption the problem instead?'
If you lose weight just by shooting it once, you won't be able to use it anytime like Red Gallagon in the game. To be precise, the continuous shooting itself is possible, but its power will be significantly reduced.
'I have to see it as a secret trick.'
In fact, it is a very big benefit since you are carrying a small gigacracker with you.
'Everyone gained a lot from hunting Vortex One.'
Now, if PS-111 succeeds in safely transferring Isabelle to a new body, all the goals I have planned will be achieved.
[Zuzzuzuzu(Then shall we go back)] ｢I｣｢Big Adult｣｢Together｣｢Flying Game｣ [Zuzuzuz(Flying Game?)]
Aadhai came running next to me. I think you want to spend some time flying with me.
'I think PS-111 will need more time.'
It wouldn't be a bad idea to fly around Giga Cracker with him to help digest the food.
"Why are you two playing alone?"
At that time, number 26 came out of the hangar. It swam through the weightless space, flapping its fins and tentacles.
｢Little adult｣｢Food｣｢Storage｣｢Storage｣｢Don't you?｣ ｢The little one will eat it too, so do it together.｣ ｢I｣｢Busy｣ ｢Storage is more important than play.｣ ｢No.｣｢Play｣｢ "More" "It's important" [zuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu (let's both stay together and then go in)] "Okay." "This is" "It's not it."
Aadhai didn't seem to like the size 26. However, to make No. 26, which is not yet familiar with it, fly as desired, you must practice consistently.
'You won't like it because Aadhai is so fast.'
Here, it is right to consider No. 26.
[Zuzuzuz (I'll help you)] ｢Good!｣ ｢Wait｣｢Me｣｢More｣｢Teach me well｣ ｢I'll learn from the big baby.｣ ｢Me｣｢Flight｣｢Skill｣｢Excellent｣｢Me｣｢Study ｣｢Teach me well｣ [zuzu zuzuzu (that's right)] ｢This way｣｢Fly｣ ｢Yes.｣ ｢Pain!｣｢Why｣｢Hit me?｣ ｢It's a mistake.｣
So, after enjoying the flight under the pretense of practice for a while, we returned to the hangar.
"Are you here?"
As soon as I entered the hangar, a familiar voice greeted me.
'Finally successful… huh?'
When I looked at PS-111, I was taken aback for the first time since I saw the changes in the kids.
His impression was very different from what I saw before I fell asleep. Until yesterday, the metal shell was filled with muscle and flesh, giving the legs and torso some volume, but now that wasn't the case.
Like other mutant screamers, its body was so thin that its metal skeleton was exposed. It was as if almost all of the flesh inside the body had been removed.
But the reason I was really embarrassed wasn't just because of his condition.
"I ended up using more than planned during the experiment. sorry."
The guy was holding a 'lump' with a familiar face with his claws.
"sorry. Help me. I won't do that again. Please kill me instead. Please don't cut that part…."
The identity of the mass was Alshas, with only the head and part of the upper body remaining.
The guy, who had life support devices connected to every part of his body, was unconscious and kept mumbling apologies.
"I thought you told me to leave the hair on?" "The head was not touched." "okay? "But why is it in that state?" "I was shocked to see the body being mutilated. "We've given you the right amount of tranquilizer, so you'll be fine soon."
Among us, he is smarter than anyone else when it comes to genetic manipulation and biotechnology. Besides, there's no way a guy whose brain was half a computer wouldn't have known Alshas would react like this.
'Half experiment, half revenge?'
PS-111 did not remember Isabelle, but she seemed to care for her quite a bit. Perhaps it is a reflection of the unconsciousness of its true original, 18th ranked Penelope.
In that case, it is understandable that Alshas was made like that. This guy is the enemy who enslaved Isabel, who could be said to be his younger sister, and caused her death.
'It's a little different than I thought, but I still saved it.'
It's a strange situation where a promise is neither broken nor kept, but I don't want to scold him for this. Since I was the one who handed Isabel over to that guy in the first place, I guess I have some responsibility as well.
Moreover, it is not very important what Alshas thinks or what pain he has suffered. One way or another, the process is different, but it's going to go into my stomach.
'If he comes back to his senses, we'll interrogate him. If not, we'll just eat him and turn him into a human being.'
I decided in my mind what to do with the guy and looked back at PS-111.
"Seeing as you returned Alshas, I guess Isabelle is complete?" "Yes, but." "huh?"
The red camera lens wandered in the air and was tilted to the side.
"what's the matter? Did you really fail?" "The body is complete, and the brain transplant surgery was successful." "however?" "…." "Is something wrong?"
Even though I kept asking, he didn't open his mouth. The camera lens that replaced the eye kept blinking.
'Is this your first time seeing such an attitude?'
Since its face is originally covered with metal skin, it is difficult to read its emotions. But not like today.
The guy is very anxious.
"Don't worry if you run into trouble. "We will help you."
The guy who stayed silent for a long time finally opened his mouth.
"'Little brother' is refusing to wake up for unknown reasons." "refusal?" "yes. "The adaptation test, immune response check, and reception of vital signs were all confirmed to be normal. As a result of this, there was an 88% probability that my younger brother chose to fall asleep on his own."
Isabelle sleeps in her new body and does not wake up.
Something happened that I never expected.
-x-X-x-
Immediately after hearing PS-111's story, I headed to the modification factory where Isabelle was located.
A remodeled factory is a facility created by integrating unnecessary facilities such as medical rooms and cargo bays. Before going to Berzan 02, PS-111 and I worked together to make it. The original purpose was maintenance and repair of the PS-111 and MPS series, but I had no idea it would be used like this.
As I passed through the wide corridor and arrived at the remodeling factory, I saw mini screamers running around busily.
Among the mess of wires, mechanical parts, and living things' blood and flesh, there was something I had never seen before.
'It', sleeping with numerous wires and cables connected, looks completely different from a regular screamer. Even when compared to its creator, PS-111, it looks nothing like it.
First of all, the body type is like that.
While PS-111 and the Mutant Screamers basically had a human head, a spider-like body, and a scorpion's tail, that one was closer to a snake or centipede.
Its long, snake-like body was covered in alloy and shined in chrome color. The length is about 8m. Since PS-111 is about 7m long, excluding the tail, it can be said that their body lengths are similar, like twins.
The body connected by nodes gradually became thinner towards the tail. There was a white blade attached to the end of the tail, and it looked like it had been transplanted from Gallagon's claw sword.
Each segment had a pair of thin arms covered in alloy scales. Perhaps because they were made from cult body parts, each one had a different length and thickness. The only thing that is similar is that they each have a total of four hook-shaped fingers.
When I turn my gaze to the front of the long body, I see the face of a familiar woman. It looked almost identical to the face of PS-111 next to me, except that his eyes were closed.
The appearance of a woman's head on the body of a snake or centipede was reminiscent of the mythological half-human, half-dead creatures Medusa or Lamira.
In a way, this may be true. Because they were cursed by the devil of the universe, they lost their bodies and were reborn in a new body.
Isabelle, a Coldblood ranker and PS-111's twin sister.
He is currently sleeping in an artificially created body.
"You haven't woken up since the transplant was completed?" "yes. "I tried stimulating it by randomly giving electrical signals, but it's still in that state." "what's the matter?"
A familiar wave came from behind.
Heavenly Mother heard me moving and came to the renovation factory. She assumed the form of a griffon beast and was startled to see Isabelle sleeping.
｢That, really?｣ "That's right. "It's Isabel's new body." "…It's a bit hard to say this now, but I don't think they'll like it that much." "We built it to be able to survive in a variety of environments. "As a result of the simulation, it was confirmed to have high strategic efficiency."
She looked at me with complete disagreement.
To be honest, Isabel's new body wasn't bad. It's true that PS-111 looks sturdy, as it says.
'It seems to be based on ice horror and mixed with the characteristics of various Apex creatures.'
If you only look at what you see, the body shape imitates the 'Ice Horror' and the numerous arms imitate the 'Ring of Agony'. It even had Gallagon's claw sword attached to its tail. It is presumed that it may have taken the characteristics of the strongest being among the enemies it faced.
'I like the look of it too.'
The neatly arranged metal scales had no blemishes on the surface, and the body was also smooth. It was a bit annoying that the lengths between the arms were different, but that can be adjusted later.
'Well, this is just my opinion, so I can't generalize.'
As the Mother of Heaven responded, not many women like snakes or centipedes. It is even rarer for someone to be happy about their body turning into a centipede-shaped monster.
It is true that Isabelle is unlikely to calmly accept her new body, but that is not the problem now.
"Survival doesn't seem like a problem. "What does that girl say?" "I don't know what Isabel thinks yet. "I'm not recovering from my sleep." "Maybe it's because of my body?" "It's probably not that. "Because he never woke up after being transferred to a new body." "…He didn't wake up at all?"
It remains in this state even after the brain and body parts were transplanted, so it is still unknown what he thinks of his new body.
'The cause is unknown, but we have to wake him up somehow.'
The reason he saved Isabelle by transferring her to a new body was to make her a companion who will continue to be with him in the future. Although he has organized information about the rankers he knows and left them in a file, it is too much of a waste to give up like this. The ability to read someone else's information has endless possibilities for use.
'And it's not good for it to continue like this.'
That centipede-like screamer body was also the first PS-111 made. There may be errors or problems that he didn't find. The longer the child sleeps, the bigger the problem becomes.
'I can't come this far and lose him.' "What about creating a new body and moving it?" "Continuing to perform brain transplants over a short period of time is risky. The probability of failure is estimated at 72%, and the probability of side effects occurring after successful transplantation is 67%." "good. "And what about drugs?" "I have tried all the drugs placed on Gigacracker."
Although Gigacracker is not a warship, it is a very important ship to Megacorp, so it is equipped with various drugs inside. If you have drugs that aren't here, you can get them in the solar system or at Megacorp's space city-level structures.
As my worries deepened, the griffon beastman tapped me.
"for a moment. "It may not be a physical problem." "What do you mean?" "Mental factors may be preventing awakening."
She looked at Isabelle with serious eyes.
"I saw several patients who had successful surgeries but failed to recover because they lost the will to live." "Isabelle wishes for death? "I have a chance to be with the family I lost, but will I really do it?" "Take a look at the situation until you summon Vortex One. Damn…hehe, you sacrificed your life on purpose because you were afraid that Alshas would fight us." "That's right." "That kid still doesn't know that we won. So, there is a possibility that he gave up everything." "You mean he gave up his life to avoid harming us?"
Heavenly Mother nodded silently.
'Considering his personality, it's a reasonable inference.'
Isabel's love for her family was so deep that even while she was a slave, she saved the 40 compatriots left behind by her older sister. She will try to avoid at all costs the possibility of antagonizing her sister due to a defective contract. He might have thought that if he died and disappeared, everything would be easily resolved.
In fact, there were some parts that weren't explained, but it wasn't at a level that I couldn't understand.
However, if it is truly a mental problem that prevents him from waking up, things get complicated.
'Among the psychic power techniques, I have to use the mind control technique.'
There are only two people here who have the skill to control minds, me and Alshas.
'No Alshas.'
He's out of his mind because of PS-111. There is no guarantee that the orders I give will be properly carried out. Even if you try it after infecting it with parasites, the risk is too great.
However, planting parasites in the head of Isabel, who became a Screamer, is also problematic. The enhanced parasite gnaws away at the opponent's brain and replaces it. What I need is a colleague who thinks for himself, not a slave controlled by parasites.
'how will we do it.'
I looked down at Isabelle, who had her eyes closed. The guy with the same face as PS-111 seemed very comfortable despite the situation. It was as if he was asking me not to wake him up.
Next to the sleeping Screamer were No. 26 and Adhai. Adhai seemed to be curious, so he walked around in circles and tapped Isabelle's arms with his front paw. Number 26 approached the face and caressed the surface with its tentacles.
｢Feeling｣｢Unique｣｢Sick Child｣｢Similar｣ ｢My friend's family also ate a lot, so I grew up well.｣ ｢Sick Child｣｢Family｣｢What I got｣｢Different｣｣But｣｣｢Feeling｣｢Same.｣
As I watched the three of them, an old memory suddenly came to mind.
In the past, Mutant Screamers invaded the Dragon's Nest and Aadhai's compatriots died. His mother, Ham Ort, was there to help him, who was in a state of self-destruction because he could not protect the group.
'And there was also No. 26.'
At that time, I saw No. 26 sitting between Ardhai and Ham Ort, connecting them with tentacles. The two just remained silent without any conversation.
'The next day, Aadhai recovered right away.'
I passed it over without thinking about it at the time, but why am I thinking about it again now?
'If you look at it that way, Adhai, who hated Ham Oort, was also appeased by No. 26.'
When viewed objectively, it is difficult to say that No. 26 is eloquent. It is true that it possesses intelligence that far surpasses that of a typical Sea Demon, but it is not human. The way we understand and convey certain concepts are very different.
Moreover, persuading a creature that is completely different from yourself is usually not an easy task. Unless they used some kind of method I don't know about, it's close to impossible.
'Unless it has the ability to directly affect the mind.'
Coincidentally, number 26 is an outstanding psychic power user among us. Even though I have the upper hand in destructive power and output, he is far superior in precision and delicacy. To the extent that it is possible to read another person's thoughts or change their thoughts using psychic power.
I called number 26.
[Zuzzu zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu (Can you feel Isabelle's thoughts?)] ｢Yes.｣ [Zuzzu zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzuzu (Can you check what I'm thinking right now?)]
At my request, the guy put his tentacle to Isabelle's forehead. The tentacles glowed a light purple color, and the color of its body kept changing.
"They say it's scary and lonely. But I guess I want to be alone." [Zuzu (Why?)] "I don't know. "I just need to be alone."
Although it was possible to read emotions, it seemed difficult to explain them properly. If the hypothesis presented by Heaven's Mother is true, Isabel's feelings would be too complicated for him to understand.
I asked the tentacled guy an important question.
[Zuz zusss zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (You've helped Adhai and Ham Ort before, right?)] ｢ Before? ｣｢little adult｣｢me｣｢I helped you｣
He waved his tentacle as if he remembered No. 26, who had encountered Adhaj's thoughts.
"that's right! I helped you before.｣ [zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzu (Do for me what you did back then too)] ｢Do you want to reconcile with your friend's family, too?｣ [Zu (Yes)] "Please do me a favor too."
PS-111 came between us.
"My brother maintains a deep intimacy with my original. "There is an 82% chance that my presence will help persuade them." [Zuzzuzuzuzu (Can both be possible?)] "I don't know if it will work, but I'll give it a try!"
When No. 26's permission was given, PS-111 went and lay down next to Isabel's head. With the same faces facing each other, it felt like looking in a mirror.
I was about to join them, but Heavenly Mother sent a thought wave to me.
｢Amorph.｣ [Zu(Huh?)] ｢I don't know how I will connect with her, but if I can tell her….｣
She said, her amber eyes shining.
"Just tell me this. You've worked hard so far, so please don't give up here." [Zuzuzu (Okay)]
Rather, that is what I want to say. It took a lot of effort to save him. I will definitely receive compensation for going through all this trouble.
To do that, you have to get it out of that head somehow.
"Then are you going?"
As I got closer to the head of the center in front of Isabel and PS-111, No. 26 came into the center. Three thin tentacles protrude from its pink body and move strangely.
No. 26's tentacle touched the monster's tentacle on the back of my head. Its tentacles gently intertwined with my bundle of tentacles.
Is this what it feels like when your lover gently kisses your neck?
The moment I thought it was a strange, tickling feeling, the sensation in my body quickly disappeared. The feeling was similar to when I linked with the nest. My mind and senses travel across the monster's tentacles to No. 26's body. As I passed the guy's body and reached Isabel's forehead, my vision went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, there was a city in front of me.
'here is?'
I thought it was real, like when I saw a fantasy, but it wasn't. Ivory-colored buildings designed in geometric shapes were something I had seen not long ago.
I am now in the middle of a metropolis of cults.
'Is this Isabel's memory?'
When I bent my neck, I saw a small arm on my chest. Seeing that the head on both sides was still intact, it seemed as if the adult Amorph body had entered the guy's memory.
'It seems to have gotten a little smaller in size, though.'
I, who boasted a size larger than most buildings, have now become so small that I have to look up at them. I swung my tail over the sidewalk block, but it had no effect.
'Is this because it's someone else's memory?'
After briefly checking, I looked around. It was clear that it was a big city, but strangely there were no cults to be seen.
'Where is PS-111?'
If he succeeded in entering Isabel's mental world, he would most likely be here somewhere.
As I was trying to find him, I saw a group of people running between the buildings. They were the Coldbloods, a race with a reptile-like head and humanoid body.
'how will we do it.'
After thinking for a while, I decided to follow those cold bloods first.
As I went through the buildings to follow them, the scenery suddenly changed.
The once healthy big city suddenly became a ruin. When I looked up at the sky, I saw various warships and imperial carriers floating there.
There were corpses strewn across the broken road. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the corpses of cold bloods and cult members wearing dragon uniforms.
'…Is this really possible?'
When I looked at the faces of the corpses and looked up, I saw someone fighting in the distance.
Two cults were fighting fiercely against one Coldblood.
I know who the two cultists are and who is fighting them.
'18th ranker, Penelope.'
This memory I am looking at is the memory of the day Isabelle's twin sister died.
-x-X-x-
Jason, a male cultist with deer antlers on his head, leaps into the air. The black ax in his right hand moves with an eerie light.
The target of the ax blade is Coldblood in front. This is Penelope, a reptilian person who is taller than Cult and has a mature appearance.
She extended her hand toward Jason. A small machine resembling a spider protruded from inside the sleeve.
The identity of the machine is 'Blood River'. A mechanical vampire flies in to bite Jason's neck.
Suddenly, the male cult member frowns as Star Union's only weapon flies towards him. The ax changed direction and hit the Blood River.
But now it's a trick from the opponent. The Blood River, which was split exactly in half, was empty. What Coldblood threw was a replica.
Penelope, deceiving her enemy, launched herself backwards. As she was doing somersaults, she suddenly held a remote control that resembled a lighter in her hand. When the button was pressed, the sand exploded and a real Blood River sprang up.
If Jason had been alone, he would have been on the defensive here. But he has friends.
A rainbow-colored bullet flew from somewhere and hit the Blood River. Just like Jason, Cynthia, a female cult member with deer antlers, is supporting him from the rear.
After neutralizing the Blood River with Color Bomb, she created a purple spear and threw it at Penelope.
Pain Spear, which weakens the opponent's healing effect, flies towards Coldblood's legs. Penelope twisted her body in the air and narrowly avoided the spear of pain.
As she lands on the ground, Jason lunges at her like lightning. The black ax 'Condemn' is plunged into Coldblood's chest. The sound of cutting air was heard, and the front of Penelope's clothes was slightly cut.
Jason didn't stop there, but slightly squeezed and unclenched his left hand. Then Penelope's body flinched. It was either gravity control or bondage, but it was impossible to confirm.
Cynthia did not miss the opportunity to have her colleague tie up her enemy. She blows out a color bomb.
It was truly a moment of desperation. At that time, a new variable appeared on the battlefield.
A short Coldblood jumped out of a nearby building. The guy threw something in front of the trajectory where the colored bomb was flying. A purple shield emerged from the hexagon-shaped plate and collided with the energy bullet.
At the moment of impact, the plate was reduced to powder, but at the same time, the trajectory of the color bomb was also distorted. Coldblood achieved his intended goal, and Isabel took out a pistol from her arms.
It was not a futuristic design like a plasma pistol or laser pistol, but a hand-fired pistol that would have been used during the Renaissance. Additionally, the entire gun was made of jewels, making it more of an ornament than a weapon.
An old-fashioned pistol in the space age. Even if you shoot Jason, it won't even make a scratch on the Black Gallagon's armor he's wearing.
However, when Jason saw that Isabel had pulled out a gun, he quickly rolled to the side to avoid it. Immediately after that, a gun clicked and the floor Jason was standing on turned to mushy mud.
'It's the power of Vortex One.'
That gun that Isabel took out looks like something she received through a contract with Vortex One. Like the curved sword he used to summon the 'Ring of Agony'.
Thanks to Jason's escape, Penelope was freed from her restraints and moved to Isabelle's side.
"…are you okay?" "Thanks to. thank you."
They were twins in the real world, but here they look completely different.
There was a clear difference between Penelope, who was tall and had a mature body, and standing next to Isabelle, who had a small body. Also, unlike Isabel, who has blue eyes and scales, Penelope has red eyes and white scales.
From the looks of it, he looked like a completely stranger, but not as much as his eyes. Seeing how they understood each other just by looking at each other, their feelings seemed to be no different from when they were twins.
"Damn Vortex One." "Be careful. Jason. "It would be best not to get hit without my protection." "I know."
Jason and Cynthia also clung close to each other like twin sisters. When Cynthia raised her hand, a hemispherical protective shield surrounded them.
The lull that occurred after the battle ended quickly ended. Both sides entered into battle again.
I thought as I watched the four people fighting.
'I remember where Jason and Cynthia are.'
What kind of perks do they have?
'If you fight without knowing it, it can be quite threatening…'
Isabel has the ability to read other people's information. Since Isabel's side has the upper hand in information, they will not be easily defeated.
'And I can guess what Penelope's perk is.'
When fighting me, Jason summoned a golden figure to fight. That ability is a privilege that he stole by capturing the Cold Blood Ranker. This ability is the source of my 'color of the abyss.'
The ranker who was killed by the bastard and had her privileges taken away was Penelope.
'If you have a perk similar to the color of the abyss, I don't think you will lose easily.'
In my case, the colors of the abyss only affect organic matter, but her perks may not have such limitations. If that were the case, then the cult warships filling the sky wouldn't mean much.
'Besides, to rob the privilege, you would have to take his own life.'
If the imperial carriers floating in the sky use Cosmic Bolts, Jason will easily win, but then the perk cannot be taken away. However, the Twin Coldbloods are not easy to catch directly.
'But the fact that we still won….'
That there is still something I don't know.
Meanwhile, Penelope, who was engaged in close combat with Jason, used her special privilege.
Her eyes, which resembled those of a snake, changed from red to gold, and her body secreted a golden liquid that looked like melted gold. The golden liquid melted the clothes she was wearing, leaving her naked in an instant.
Cynthia, who saw this, quickly moved using the levitation technique and stood in front of Jason.
The liquid that flowed from Penelope's body gathered in the air as if it had an ego and became a large bubble. The bubble, inflated to its limit, exploded above the enemies' heads.
Thanks to deploying the shield at the right time, Jason was safe.
"Tch."
Penelope, who had failed in the surprise attack, clicked her tongue slightly. As if in response, Jason, who was inside the shield, opened his palm. Five-colored rays of light emanated from his palm.
Penelope saw that and quickly raised her hand. Then, golden bubbles scattered in the air gathered together and covered her naked body. The color bomb strengthened by the special effect was blocked by the golden liquid that protected its owner.
Isabel, behind Penelope, pulled out a pistol containing the power of Vortex One. The point where the gun is aimed is the floor where Jason and Cynthia are standing. The floor, which had previously turned into mud, now turned into a sandy quagmire.
Cynthia grabbed Jason and used the levitation technique to fly upward. Penelope's golden bubbles followed behind them, but they were all blocked by the hemispherical shield.
In that state, Jason stretched out his hand on Penelope's head. The floor around Penelope cracked, probably because gravity control was used.
Penelope, protected by the golden liquid, seemed fine, but Isabelle was not. She quickly distanced herself from Penelope.
Jason smiled even though the attack didn't work. As if he wanted this situation.
"Isabel!"
Penelope, seeing the corners of Jason's mouth rise, urgently shouted. At that moment, a small-sized projectile flew from the sky.
The object flew at a speed so fast that even my senses could not detect it and tried to pierce Isabelle's abdomen. This would probably have happened if Penelope hadn't pushed Isabel away in a hurry.
"Whoa?!" "sister!"
Penelope, whose abdomen was pierced by a projectile, vomits blood and collapses.
Isabel quickly pulled out the cylindrical object she was wearing around her waist and threw it onto the sand. A crunching sound was heard, and a red mist rose from the object.
"Fuck! "It's Red Mist's hallucinogenic pheromone!" "Chloe! "Shoot now!" "shit! "It's mine, so don't shoot!"
Immediately after Cynthia shouted, a small projectile flew from afar and narrowly grazed Isabelle's neck in the fog.
'What about that?'
The projectile that tore through the sky blue scales and fell to the ground was a bullet. The warhead was made of a metal similar to obsidian, and the rest was made of golden metal.
'…It's a bullet made of star pearl and nova metal.'
Nova Metal is a rare metal used to make strategic weapons such as Raijin or Imperial Mothership. Starpearl is a much rarer metal than that.
The only people who can turn such metals into bullets and use them are rankers.
'It was 3 to 2.'
Outside the battlefield, an unidentified enemy is targeting the twins.
"sister! Wake!" "…cough."
While the red fog covered Isabelle, she helped Penelope, who had fallen. As they run away, the surrounding scenery becomes blurry like fog.
Before I knew it, I was inside a dark building. When I saw the collapsed walls and the holey ceiling, it seemed like it wasn't far from where the fight took place.
Inside the collapsed building, Isabelle was checking Penelope's wounds. The man's hands and hem of his clothes were stained with golden liquid and blood.
It was all flowing out of Penelope's abdomen.
"Because of me, my sister…"
The panicked girl tried to stop the bleeding from her sister's wounds. But Penelope's condition only worsened.
"Please God, not just my sister! Please, just my sister…." "Isabel." "Gye, contract! Even if we make a contract…" "Isabel!" "!"
Isabel paused as the dying Penelope raised her voice. She stroked her brother's blue-scaled face with her bloody hands.
"There are still people we have to protect. "They won't survive if we're both gone." "sister! My sister is more important to me! "I would rather lose my sister…!" "You don't think so. I know."
Even as blood continued to ooze from her abdomen, her voice did not waver at all. When I just heard the voice, it seemed perfectly fine, but it wasn't.
Now she is delivering a final message to her only family.
"Protect them." "…." "go. hurry. "They will be here soon."
After saying that, she stood up. The red eyes turned golden again, and the scales of the entire body were covered with golden liquid.
"sister…!" "go!"
Isabel had no choice but to follow her sister's roaring screams.
A loud explosion is heard behind the guy running out of the building. As Jason and Penelope's shouts intertwined, the scene before my eyes changed.
Isabelle, covered in wounds, is kneeling in a ruined alley. The Antler Cult was looking down at him with an arrogant attitude.
"You bothered us with your pointless resistance." "…Stop talking bullshit and kill me."
With a look of annoyance on her face, she packed the pistol powered by Vortex One in her arms.
"Kill me? Are you going to abandon your sister and die?" "…What do you mean?"
When Isabelle asked, Cynthia opened her mouth as if to be kind. "Your older sister, 18th ranked Penelope, was only suppressed, not killed." "!" "Of course it depends on what you do."
Cynthia bent down and brought her face closer to Isabelle. And he whispered softly like a tempting snake.
"Please join me, or rather, our return group. Then your sister will live." "…."
Isabelle, who was looking at Cynthia with a blank expression, eventually lowered her head.
That was the end of Isabelle's memories.
When I opened my eyes, a familiar-looking crypt greeted me.
Overall, it was similar to the crypt that Isabel had built in Berzan 02 to hide Coldblood slaves.
However, her memories were sitting where the mud wall should have been. As if running a projector, the unfortunate events she had experienced were being played over and over again on the surface of the wall.
In the middle of the movie theater of memories, Isabel was sitting alone.
-x-X-x-
Isabelle sits in the crypt and watches the video with empty eyes.
The guy's appearance was a little different from what I remembered.
It clearly had the same appearance as Coldblood with a short stature, but it seemed as if an image of a woman had been printed and overlaid on top of it.
"Aimov."
A person with a mixture of coldblood and human female appearance turns his head towards me.
Isabel's strange appearance, and even recognizing me. This place was a different space from the world of memories I had seen so far.
'Maybe it's a world created to confine itself.'
Penelope was injured while fighting an enemy. She ran away leaving her sister behind. And even being tricked by Cynthia into cooperating. The fragments of memories shown on the walls of the crypt were all unhappy memories.
In other words, this is a nightmare world that instills guilt and forces atonement.
The guy who was looking at me looks behind me.
"…and my sister."
When I turned my head, there was a strange being there. Unlike me, which was only reduced in size, PS-111 had changed quite a bit. The image of Penelope, a human, was overlaid on the appearance of the Mutant Screamer.
A being who was neither a human nor a Coldblood nor a Mutant Screamer spoke.
"'Little brother'. It's all over. Alshas was defeated, and all elements that could harm my brother were eliminated." "…." "So you can come out."
Isabel shook her head at PS-111's words.
"Why didn't I know about it earlier? "My sister is already dead." "I am not dead." "Maybe I just didn't want to admit it. "My sister died because of me, so I'm trying to avoid responsibility." "According to confirmed memory information, it is force majeure." "I lied to myself because I wanted to live alone about such topics." "no. "You did your best."
PS-111 continued to try to persuade him, but it didn't reach him.
'Isabel feels guilty just by looking at the listed memories.'
Among the numerous pasts, only the extreme parts that can cause pain to oneself are repeated. Since the owner of the space wants to abuse himself, it is understandable that PS-111's words will not be heard.
As long as the conversation itself doesn't happen, they won't listen to anything we say.
'I need to relieve my guilt.'
Since we got a glimpse into Isabelle's mind, the reverse could also be possible. Using PS-111's original, Penelope's memories, would be a great help in removing his guilt.
'The problem is that PS-111's memory is almost completely lost.'
In the past, it was heavily damaged while fighting Ice Horror. Thanks to No. 26, he was able to barely recover his brain, but in the process, most of his memories were lost and a new personality took over. Since Penelope's memory itself is limited, I don't know if it can be used to convince Isabel.
'but….'
I looked at PS-111 trying hard to persuade Isabelle.
The guy didn't give up and was trying to convey what he felt after seeing Isabelle's memories. As if that was the only means of conveying one's feelings.
'The heart.'
Suddenly an old thought comes to mind.
My mother was a very cold person. Even before my accident, my mother never once said she loved me.
I once asked my father about this when I was young. At that time, my father said that there are things that can be conveyed even if they are not expressed in words. My mother says she loves me on the inside, even though she's not good at expressing it.
I think it is true that my mother cared about me just as my father said. Because you continued to pay the expensive hospital bills. However, it took quite a long time to understand my mother's feelings.
'If you think about it, the relationship between Ardhai and Ham Ort was also like that.'
Ham Ort deliberately chose to abandon Adhai in order to save him from the evil black dragon. Because of that, Aadhai lived with resentment towards his compatriots for a long time.
Although I heard the truth later, the resentment was not easily resolved. Even considering that Gallagon is a being that cannot lie, it is not easy to understand.
No. 26 solved a problem that took a long time to solve by sharing memories and minds.
'What she needs may be her feelings rather than words.'
If PS-111's emotions were directly connected, it would be a great help in recovering Isabel.
I called PS-111.
"Isabel doesn't listen to anyone. So let's change our approach." "I can't give up on my little brother. I don't want my brother to suffer. "We need to continue the conversation to wake up my brother."
PS-111 was always machine-like and cold-hearted, but that wasn't the case now. The guy is getting nervous now.
I calmly scolded him.
"I never said I was giving up. "I said let's change our method." "What method do you mean?" "You have to tell him your feelings directly like No. 26 did." "I am a mutant screamer. My emotions are nothing more than a product of many complex factors and chemical reactions. "I can't meet your expectations at all."
I know it without having to say it.
This guy is in a much more confusing form than Isabel. Because it is a being created through a complex process, it is a mixture of various selves.
'That's why now is your chance.'
Among the images of self realized in a mixed state, Penelope's latent consciousness is also included. Since his ego is influencing his thinking, it will be easy to convey his feelings to Isabel.
"Furthermore, I am a combination of machine and organic matter. Most of my thinking is driven by AI. The same goes for emotions." "Well, you'll find out when you try it yourself." "It is a meaningless act." "It's not something that requires a long time anyway, so there's no reason not to do it." "That's true."
When I refused to give up my opinion, PS-111 eventually nodded.
"What should I do?" "Let's try it like we did outside. "Put your foreheads together."
PS-111 approached his brother and put his head close to him. Even though Penelope's afterimage was blurred, no emotion appeared on Isabel's face.
When their foreheads touched, the image overlaid on their bodies shimmered like water droplets on the surface of the water.
"…."
Isabelle still shows no reaction.
Instead, the walls of the crypt responded. Memories that were repeatedly projected onto the wall began to noise and slowly changed into something else.
Memories of the past that were sharp as a razor blade become blurry like fog. Clusters of light of various colors fill the empty space.
As if reflecting the man's mental state, the dark crypt quickly turned into beautiful colors. The guy's eyes moved slowly, following the brilliant light.
The light filling the wall was not fixed but constantly moving. It was as if there was fog or a mosaic and nothing was clearly visible, but strangely enough, I could clearly feel what was being conveyed.
It was 'thank you'.
Thank you for living without giving up.
A tribute to the efforts made so far to preserve the legacy left by her sister.
Lastly, I would like to praise my family for believing and waiting for me to return someday.
The numerous mosaics painted on the walls conveyed only one message. That was in complete contrast to the past that had tortured him until now.
It is also what Isabel needs most.
"…."
A single tear rolls down the guy's expressionless face like a doll. As expected, connecting emotions with PS-111 was effective.
"I, I, everything…."
The guy who was quietly shedding tears opened his mouth.
"If only I had noticed a little sooner, if I had been stronger…"
As the words continue, the space becomes distorted again. A shadow falls on the beautiful ball of light. What used to look like a mosaic becomes clearer and tries to return to the dark past.
The guy's guilt and PS-111's emotions are clashing.
"I could have avoided my sister suffering…"
No, rather, guilt is consuming PS-111's message.
Looking at his reaction now, if I make a mistake, PS-111 becoming a mutant screamer may be added to the bad memories he had.
'That's annoying.'
If things continue like this, Isabel will be completely buried in a mental prison filled with guilt.
The problem is that PS-111 no longer has the means to pressure Isabelle.
'I have to convince him now.'
While PS-111 is biding his time, we need to destroy his prison cell.
I approached the twins, who were pressing their foreheads together.
"Isabel." "I was always the problem. "Because I'm not better than my sister…" "You're right."
As I affirmed that he was self-harming, the memories playing on the wall became clearer. PS-111 also trembled in embarrassment.
'I can't back out now.' "PS, if you had prepared more, you wouldn't have lost Penelope." "!" "But we can't change the past now. Your sister became a mechanical creature, and you became a similar creature. "Cynthia, who deceived you, is already dead."
As soon as Isabelle closed her mouth, the atmosphere in the crypt quickly calmed down. Pitch-black darkness covers his mental world.
"by the way. The guys who turned Penelope into a screamer are still alive and well. They are happy to see their successful research results. "How happy will I be now that I have a good sample?" "…."
I don't know what the head of Star Union, the head of the Star Union involved in the production of PS-111, and the matriarch of Megacorp Garmelda, are actually thinking.
But that doesn't matter here.
"While you are here, they will try to retrieve PS-111 somehow. I don't want to lose him, but I don't know what's going on in the world. "What would you do if they took your sister away?" "…stop." "The culprit who pushed your sisters into hell still remains outside. But will you be here? "If they dissect and torture your sister, will you regret it?" "stop!"
Isabel screams as if she can't listen anymore. Every time the guy's shout echoed in the crypt, the dark memories cracked.
"Why are you giving up here? Is it because PS-111 is not the kind of sister you want? If not, why don't you try to protect your family?" "Damn you Morph! "What do you know…!" "The only thing I know, Isabel, is that you deserve to be happy." "what?" "Erase everyone who stands in the way of you and your sister's happiness. All those who bully your sister and those who insult you. "Be happy on their corpses." "I-I'm happy…." "You've worked hard so far. "Don't give up here."
The moment I finished speaking, the memories on the wall shattered like glass breaking. At the same time, the entire crypt in which we were standing shook violently.
"…Amov is right. "I have work to do." "Little brother?" "Sister, in reality, in this world, and here…."
Isabelle, with the light in her eyes now back, looks at us.
"Thank you for loving me."
With those words, the prison of nightmares collapsed.
Consciousness returns, as if slowly waking up from a deep sleep. My consciousness is transferred to Aimov's body, and the shell of my body slowly comes to life. Starting with the auxiliary organs sensing the smell of blood flowing in the manufacturing plant, the senses are felt in that order, followed by the large head and long neck.
'When I linked to the nest and released it, my senses returned quickly, but not this time.'
I don't know if it was because I had grown bigger, or because my entire consciousness had entered another being's body, but my recovery was slow.
When I was finally able to move my central head, I opened my eyes.
I thought I would see No. 26 and Aadhai as usual, but no. As soon as my senses returned, the first sight I saw was something completely unexpected.
"Pinche puta (God damn you bitch)! "Where did you hide my pistol?" "Ke, kehe! "I don't know…"
A Screamer with the body of a centipede and the face of a human woman is holding onto the limbless Cult. Isabel, who had acquired a beautiful new body, was strangling Alshas with several arms.
"Little brother, your body is not yet fully coordinated, so please refrain from making extreme movements." ｢My friend's family is strong!｣ ｢I'm sick｣｢Isn't it?｣｢Suddenly｣｢I'm healthy｣
PS-111, who had just woken up like me, wriggled his long body and tried to stop his rampaging new brother. Behind them, No. 26 and Adhai are watching in amazement.
"Aimoff, what on earth have you done?"
As soon as the Mother of Heaven woke up, she opened her beak wide as she saw Isabel causing trouble.
I answered her question briefly.
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzzu zuzuzuzu (I told you not to give up as I asked)] ｢No matter how you look at it, it doesn't seem like that's all you said?｣
Other than that, he didn't say anything special.
It's just a reminder that he has work left to do. He will remain by our side until he fulfills his duty.
The duty of revenge.
-x-X-x-
Isabel, who was strangling Alshas until the life support device attached to her body sent a danger signal, soon lost consciousness. This is because it was not long after the brain transplant, so his physical condition was not normal.
"I confirmed that the signals sent from my younger brother's brain were amplified more than necessary. They turn to external support systems until they can stabilize themselves."
PS-111 began tuning Isabelle's fallen body by connecting cables and various electronic devices.
I passed out shortly after waking up, but I'm not particularly worried. If the tuning process is successful, you will wake up again.
'good. then….'
I pointed the tip of the snout at Alshas lying on the floor.
The pistol that Isabel used until she fainted.
It probably refers to the weapon used to fight enemies in past memories. It is presumed that Cynthia took it with her after tricking him.
Jason said that Cynthia took care of the equipment of the rankers she hunted. And so far, he has hunted at least two rankers with Jason.
'I wasn't carrying any weapons when I fought in the space fortress.'
There was no way I would have just thrown away the equipment I got from Isabelle, Penelope, and other rankers. It's probably hidden somewhere.
And there is someone in front of me who can know that place.
The guy who came back from the dead felt my gaze and stiffened. When I brought my head closer, it started shaking.
"We still have some calculations to make, right?" "I really don't know anything. Oh, really! Please believe me!"
Given the circumstances, it is highly likely that Cynthia was the one who enslaved Isabel. And at some point, Alshas took over control of Isabel from Cynthia.
There was no way Cynthia, who was acting as a double spy, would entrust the management of Ranker to someone she did not trust. Even if they are colleagues from the same faction. If they are close friends, they would know where Cynthia hides the equipment she acquired.
'Now that I look at him, he seems to be in good spirits.'
Since the conversation is going well, there doesn't seem to be any problem in taking out information.
"Cynthia, who entrusted Isabelle to you. "Tell me everything you know about him." "Si, Cynthia? "He's just my colleague, all I know is…" "If you don't know anything, there's no reason for you to be alive." "…If I tell you, will you save my life?" "okay. You won't die. "I promise."
Heavenly Mother, who was helping PS-111 take care of Isabelle, glanced at me. The look in his eyes asked if this was the beginning again.
"Should we change seats?" "Yes…hiik?!"
I picked up Alshas with my fighting arms.
｢Where is the big baby going?｣ ｢Me｣｢Together｣｢Go｣ ｢Wait a minute. The coldbloods Isabel brought with them haven't eaten yet. Can you two help me?" "Are you humans with so many appendages hungry?" "Cute dwarf." "I'll help you." "Instead of what we eat, you can go to the restaurant and bring us the leftover food." "Yes."
Number 26 and Adhai, who were following me, left for the restaurant to bring food to the 40 Coldbloods.
'Now that I think about it, I need to think about what to do with the 40 people.'
You can't keep burning it on a giga cracker. We need to put them on a safe planet so they can survive on their own.
'It's a safe place.'
They know a lot about us. If we happen to come into contact with other rankers, information about us may be leaked.
Therefore, it is not a matter of being safe. It's a good idea to move to a planet that other players don't know about.
'Shall we send it to the dragon's nest?'
A frozen underground kingdom ruled by Ham Ort on behalf of Adhaj. It's a planet that doesn't appear in the game, and to get to the underworld, you have to go down through a thick layer of ice. Even if another ship accidentally discovers the planet, it is not easy to check the underworld.
'The basement under the ice isn't a bad place for Coldbloods to live.'
Plus, it will be safer than any other planet since it will be protected by the Gallagons. It's a thought that came to mind in passing, but it seems surprisingly good.
'It couldn't have happened in the first place.'
It's hard to believe when you look at Aadhai, but gallagons are very vicious. They are hostile to all creatures other than their own group. It is not a creature inspired by Western dragons for nothing.
Of course, I am considered a member of the Aadhai group. If you ask Ham Ort to protect the Coldbloods, he will most likely listen.
'You could just entrust it with helping incubate the eggs or raise the Blue Gallagon.'
I will have to talk about this with Heavenly Mother later.
After organizing my thoughts, I took Alshas and moved to the hangar.
"Let's start with Cynthia first."
After arriving at the hangar, I asked Alshas some questions.
He answered as best he could to satisfy me. I couldn't find the slightest trace of mocking me in Berzan 02.
Moreover, he must have really wanted to die, so he told everything about not only Cynthia but also his colleagues. Thanks to this, I was able to learn a lot of interesting facts.
'The 4th and 7th places joined forces.'
As I guessed when Alshas received support from Outspacer, Outspacer ranker and 7th ranked cult ranker Beomho were in a cooperative relationship. Outspacer and the cult are incompatible, but it was unclear what cooperation was received in return.
According to him, Beom-ho persuaded No. 4 to join the same team.
'More than that, it's been over 30 years since the 4th person came to this world. 'It's a big deal.'
The 4th place player in the game was the type that steadily grew its colony and overwhelmed the opponent. Outspacers are a race that is weak individually, but quickly becomes stronger when large numbers of people gather together. 4th place can be seen as having a play style that best matches their race.
Since it has grown steadily over a long period of 30 years, the size of the colony is likely larger than expected. Additionally, it is said that the Outspacer player ranked 37th has also joined the 4th ranked colony.
Since the two rankers have joined forces, they may be able to take down the cult empire once and for all.
'I too have become something other than the standard, but I have to be careful.'
There will be perks based on the genetic essence accumulated over 30 years, so if you are going to fight, you must do your best.
'Anyway, this confirms who the returning members are.'
Alshas said that, excluding himself, two outspacer rankers, and Beomho, there are two more rankers. Of the two, Wolf Ranker said he was in charge of managing the faction's equipment.
"If you say Wolf Ranker, do you mean 9th place?" "9th place is dead. "The person who manages our equipment is someone else."
9th place is the highest ranking among Wolf Rankers. Unlike the Heavenly Mother, who is good at fighting while transformed, he is the type that prefers to fight using a fleet in his beastman form.
Seeing that he declared that he was dead, I think he might have been killed by the returning faction.
"Where is he hiding?" "It's in Asuka 44 in the Dorane star system. "It is an unknown volcanic planet." "It's a volcanic planet."
I tried to make Wolff-specific equipment for Mother of Heaven, and it just turned out well. Since you have already obtained the most important material, Vortex One's body, you can obtain the remaining mineral materials there.
'It wouldn't be a bad idea to stop by while I'm looking for Isabelle's pistol.' "good. I knew Wolf Ranker's location. "Where did the other one go?" "Well, well, I don't know the details. All I know is that I went to do something else under Beomho's instructions."
He added hastily, scratching the hangar floor with his combat claws.
'It looks like Beomho is taking on the role of brain.'
I expected that to happen.
He is good at outwitting the enemy by utilizing various variables. He could be said to be similar to me in that he enjoys using unusual tactics.
"Where is the tiger's stronghold?" "My friend is always wandering around, so I don't know where he is right now." "What are his perks?"
Alshas answered my question hesitantly.
"Well, I've never had a deep conversation before…" "Really?"
The answer I received was that I didn't know, but I wasn't particularly disappointed.
Beomho is a player with similar tendencies to me. I had already expected that even if they were from the same faction, they would not share their information.
"You're following someone you don't know anything about. "You trust people more than I thought." "That's not it." "No?" "Beomho knows a way to return us to the real world. That's why I also follow the cause of the returnees." "If there's a way to bring them back, do you mean the ending?"
Alshas shook his head at my question.
"It is impossible to see the ending the way it is in the game." "It's impossible. "How do you know that?" "Before the Return Sect was created, Beomho attempted the final mission with other rankers but failed. 9th place was also dead at that time."
Now that I think about it, I once heard a similar story from Heavenly Mother.
In the past, several rankers, including first place, challenged the final mission.
At that time, they used some method to meet the conditions for challenging the mission. Looking back, I think each ranker used the perks they received.
But they failed, and I heard that the conflict between rankers began after that.
"That's an interesting story. "What way do you want to see the ending?" "I don't know that either." "You don't know?" "The only person who perfectly knows the method is Beomho. "Because it would be difficult if the plan were leaked." "It's not wise to lie to me." "Well, it's not a lie! Beom-ho tells me parts of the plan whenever necessary, so I know very little!"
I have several ways to detect someone else's lies. You can use parasites or make them into human face bugs.
There is no way Alshas, a ranker, wouldn't know that, so he wouldn't lie or try to deceive.
However, apart from not lying, there is one question.
'I don't think either Cynthia or Alshas would trust others easily.'
Cynthia was a double agent, and Alshas is selling out his colleagues to survive. It will not be easy to gain trust from these people.
'Or is there some other factor?'
There may be something about Beom-ho that Alshas himself is not aware of. Things like perks or brainwashing-related techniques that I don't know about.
'I don't know what it is, but I need to be careful.'
First of all, I confirmed all the important things.
I asked him the last question.
"Have you ever had a vision while clearing a quest?" "yes?" "They say that the closer you get to the ending, the more your memories of the real world appear as illusions. "Who did you look like in your fantasy?"
The guy who heard me was silent for a moment and then opened his mouth.
"I became what I was when I was human. "I killed the incarnated enemy of the cult in this world, in my mansion."
He was the opposite of Jason. This is because Jason had a vision of killing 'his former human self' in the body of a cult.
"At what point did that happen?" "Why are you asking that?" "I don't think you're in a position to ask questions." "…I saw it when I cleared stage 10 of the quest."
Jason also said he had a vision in level 10. Only the choices were different for both, but the point in time when they saw the illusion was the same.
"After that?" "According to the words of Beomho and the 4th Empress, they say that from then on, they have visions of returning to life in reality." "Real life?" "They said they were preparing us so we could adapt safely."
I asked the question without much expectation, but the answer was unexpectedly interesting.
Three of the members of the Returning Sect saw visions related to reality. There is almost certainly a connection between factions and fantasy.
'Furthermore, they said that fantasy plays a role in helping people adapt to reality.'
Perhaps, as you get closer to the ending, the fantasy you see changes depending on the identity you have decided on. If you choose the human form, you see life in the real world, and if you choose this world, you see life in space survival as a fantasy.
'We'll have to talk about this when Isabel wakes up.' "good. "There is nothing more to ask." "Is that so?"
I got enough information to be helpful. I got up.
Alshas, who was lying in front of me, looked up at me with expectant eyes.
"Hey, you promised, right? "If you answer the question, they will save your life." "okay." "Okay, then I'll just go."
Having lost all of his limbs and part of his lower body, he crawled towards the remaining airship in the hangar.
I blocked the guy who was crawling like a slug with my fighting arms. He forced a smile and tried to slide off to the side, but I was faster.
I picked it up with four long fingers. And the head in the center opened its mouth wide. When he saw my mouth wide open, his complexion suddenly became pale.
"Sa, you promised that you would save me!" "okay. "I promised." "I will never mess with you again! "I won't go against Amov's wishes!"
I brought the rest of his body to my mouth. The guy hanging on to my finger was trying his best to get away.
'It's meaningless, though.' "Well, please send it to me! Lord, I don't want to die!" "You don't die." "yes?" "The form and character will be a bit different." "Seo, really?"
I meant it when I said I would save him.
However, I don't know when he might betray me if I leave it like this, so I'm just trying to take 'some action'.
"Kyaaaaah! Hey, I hate human beings! I don't like it! "Please don't do this!"
It jumps around like a fish in the water. But there's no way a guy who couldn't run away even if he had arms and legs could run away now.
The face, which was very beautiful as expected from a cult, was stained with tears, saliva and other secretions. The dignity of the ranker who was mocking me in Berzan 02 was gone.
I threw him into the wide open mouth.
"Si, I hate it! "I don't want to die like this…"
As I closed my mouth, the screaming stopped. The sweet scent spreads to every corner of your tongue, palate, and teeth. It was a scent that made you feel good, like eating cool peppermint candy.
It would be nice to keep it in your mouth, but you can't do that forever. I passed what was Alshas down my throat.
and.
"Predation effect activated! Succeeded in stealing 'Alshas' (Olivia Green)'s privilege! ｣ ｢Can be fused with the possessed 'Three Heads' and 'Smog Tower'. Please select a characteristic. The result of your choice is influenced by the characteristics of the material used." "PS: You are at a crossroads of important choices. Please choose carefully. ｣ ｢Time remaining until attribute selection: 24:00;00｣ ｢Eligible for use of the attribute enhancement system. Do you want to use the system?"
A text box seen in the Dragon's Nest in the past.
A new 'mark of a strong enemy' awaits my choice.
-x-X-x-
Among the strong enemy token materials, 'Ghost Nest' is changed to 'Smog Tower'.
Until now, the Strong Enemy's Mark has always been made using normal traits as materials, but Ghost Nest is a nest-related fusion trait.
Since it is a trait that has never been used yet, some people have asked what it is.
It was obtained when receiving creatures from Alkadi in Berzan 02. The characteristic effect was set to show illusions to multiple enemies through the fog in the nest.
This characteristic will likely be used later, not this time.
-x-X-x-
'long time no see.'
This is the first time since they ate Jason on the ice planet.
At that time, I created a new powerful enemy badge trait by fusing one of the two traits with the player perk. The 'color of the abyss' was created using such a method.
'Even back then, we asked for ingredients with different personalities.'
I created the color of the abyss by choosing the latter between the infection-related trait 'Space Bacteria' and the supernatural power-related trait 'Illusion Flame'. Perhaps, if the former had been chosen, a completely different type of sign of a powerful enemy would have been created.
'This time, you have to choose between body-related traits and nest-related traits.'
The former is 'Three Heads', a reward trait received when evolving into an adult, and the latter is the general trait 'Smog Tower'.
As before, both are completely different personality traits. You cannot predict what the outcome will be, so you must choose carefully.
'I would like to see characteristics similar to Alshas's perks as much as possible.'
He was able to create a clone that could use the original's abilities. If you obtain that ability in the current situation, you will be able to use it for a variety of purposes.
'What should I choose to be similar to the original?'
Among the ingredients, three heads belong to physical properties. It is thanks to this characteristic that adult Aimorphs can have multiple heads.
The left and right heads are controlled by the central head, but they also move independently. These characteristics may be reflected and reborn as characteristics that create a 'new Amorph'. It has a similar effect to Alshas's perk.
'That would be really nice, but there is a problem.'
The point is that three heads is a trait that cannot be easily obtained.
To get the three heads again, you'll need to target an adult Aimorph or a specific type of Vortex One.
First of all, meeting the adult Aimorph is truly like picking a star in the sky. Even if we exclude the former, it is not easy to target the latter, that is, the three-headed Vortex One. It's a more dangerous creature than the Ring of Anguish, so it's hard to win even if you fight it now.
'If I use it here as an ingredient, it will take quite some time to get it again.'
Just as the 'Essence Harvester's Jaw' received as a semi-adult was upgraded to the 'Reaper's Maw', the three heads also merge with other characteristics to become a more powerful characteristic.
The fusion characteristic created with three heads is quite powerful, so it is a bit disappointing to use it here.
'On the other hand, smog towers don't have that risk.'
This trait of covering the nest with toxic fog is not a very important trait to me at the moment. Also, the trait itself is not difficult to reacquire.
However, there is a high probability that it will be far from the result I want. Like the colors of the abyss.
Jason's original ability was to eject a special substance from his body to create a golden shape. If I had used space bacteria as a material back then, similar properties would have emerged.
'If Smog Tower is the material, does it come with properties that strengthen nest fights?'
There has been no use of the nest recently, but there is no guarantee that will be the case in the future. Now that the base of the cult empire has been devastated, there will be a lot of fighting against multiple enemies in the future. In addition, you have to pay attention to the battle with outspacers in the volume war.
'But I can't guess what characteristics will come out.'
It is a fusion of the ability to spread toxic fog over the nest and the ability to create clones.
Maybe it's a trait that creates clones or something similar, limited to nests only. The black mucus in the nest is all organic matter produced by my body. It is not impossible to use this to create new organisms.
However, if the speculation is true, its versatility will be greatly reduced.
If you cannot use the nest, you cannot use the Strong Enemy Token. In situations where you cannot borrow the power of the nest, such as when fighting against a fleet or in outer space, it is useless.
'Should we obtain properties as similar to the original as possible by consuming materials that are difficult to obtain?'
Or should we choose a characteristic where the ingredients are easy to obtain but the results are unpredictable?
Among the tokens of powerful enemies I have obtained so far, there has never been a case where they were completely useless. Since each has its pros and cons, it is unlikely that there will be a big loss no matter what the outcome is.
I lay down comfortably on the hangar floor and continued to worry.
It was only after examining what materials to use for such a long period of time that I was able to decide.
'Let's use three heads.'
Even if the materials are rare, they are not as valuable as the perks.
Looking at the players I've met so far, they all had perks with different effects. Even if you later fight against other rankers and win, the probability of obtaining the perk to create a duplicate is extremely low. Therefore, it is irrational to give up the possibility of obtaining a desired perk just because the materials are precious.
'Plus, there's the problem of versatility.'
This was the case this time as well, but in the future there may be more frequent situations where you cannot rely on the nest. I can already fly freely in space, and enemies will also attack me in various environments.
If it is combined with Smog Tower and it turns out to be an attribute that can only be used in nests, it will naturally be less versatile.
'Of course, I don't know yet whether three heads will be a characteristic that meets my expectations.'
It is better to choose the one with better possibilities.
"Do you really want to choose 'Three Heads' as your material? Once you make a choice, there is no going back." 'It doesn't matter. check.' ｢Eligible for use of the characteristic enhancement system. Do you want to use the system?"
As it happens, there are quite a few of the characteristics I have that are currently unnecessary.
'Tooth grip strength, chitinous outer shell, wings, claws of a beast of prey, improved salivary glands, and enhanced secretion of digestive juices. Let's make it 6 like this.'
Once the characteristics-enhancing materials were completed, the Strong Enemy Mark system was activated.
｢A fusion of the perks of 'Alshas (Olivia Greene)' and the 'Three Heads' trait. 'Quantum ⫓◯⫦∬⫓intervention in the characteristic enhancement system!｣ ｢Improvement of characteristics｣ ｢Evolving to the 'Hydra Splitting' characteristic!｣
As the characteristic effect was applied, a change occurred in the body.
In humans, it has a long neck that extends from the shoulders and collarbone and two heads at the end. A purple sheen began to flow on the surface of the area. It looked like purple electricity was flowing through it, but I didn't feel any pain.
'It's a strange feeling.' ｢Grrr?｣ ｢Grrr?｣
The heads on my left and right tilted their heads as if they were feeling the same way as me.
I checked the text box for the new strong enemy's badge, 'Hydra division'.
｢Hydra Fission: Divide the head to create clones that can operate independently for 60 minutes. Up to two clones can be created, and they share limited physical characteristics of the original. *Shared elements: Physical body, special defense, internal organs, characteristics related to environmental adaptation *Caution: When a clone dies, it cannot be regenerated for 30 days."
'Looking at the explanation, it seems to be as I expected.'
I expected that the heads would be used to create clones, and that was indeed the case.
However, it is unfortunate that unlike Alshas, the clone cannot use all the abilities of the main body.
'In addition, the number of copies made was limited to two.'
In some ways, it can be seen as a deteriorated version.
｢Grrr….｣ ｢Grr? Grrr?」 'I'm not saying anything to you.'
The left head read my thoughts and lowered its head as if apologizing. The right head tilted its head, saw what the left head was doing, and followed suit.
'Now that I think about it, I think I've become a bit smarter?'
Originally, the two heads were intelligent enough to assist me during battle. However, it was not at the level of expressing emotions as richly as it is now.
'That doesn't mean it's out of control.'
It seemed closer to an improvement in brain performance in a functional sense rather than a body part gaining an identity.
'Let's try an experiment.'
I used Hydra Cleavage while looking at the left side of the head with a purple sheen.
As the characteristic was activated, the purple glow surrounding the left side of the head and neck began to gradually become darker. Eventually, it turned into a purple jelly-like texture and separated from my body and fell to the floor.
And I almost fell to the floor too. Although the balance of the body was broken due to the loss of the neck, the real reason was different.
'The energy consumption is enormous.'
Although not as much as when using the Black Devourer cannon, a significant amount of energy was consumed. It would have been dangerous if No. 26 and Adhai had not stuffed the meat of the ring of agony into my mouth while I was asleep.
While I was adjusting my posture, the purple jelly that fell on the floor was gradually increasing in size.
'It', which started out at about 15m in size, grew rapidly and soon grew into a 50m in size giant monster. Its shape was quite similar to that of an adult Aimorph. Except that it only has one head, is about 10 meters smaller than me, and makes me feel dwarfed overall.
'It's because the unique characteristics are not applied.'
Compared to me, who felt massive thanks to the muscles, scales, and carapace, his body was much slimmer.
It was also clear that the left tail had a regular tail instead of a biological cannon, and that the carapace was thin because it had no tentacles.
That appearance is similar to my appearance in the game.
After its shape was fully formed, its body color changed to black like mine. The black carapace and scales were shiny with a purple sheen.
｢Grrrrr｣
The 'left head', which has acquired a new body, growls. The monster's tentacles were also not transplanted, as they could not share any supernatural traits. It's probably impossible to have a conversation like me.
'Then how do you control it?'
As I was looking, the 'left head' came up to me and stuck out its tongue to lick me. Like a pet dog that wants to be loved by its owner.
'Aimorph's cuteness.'
It was cute, but not what I wanted in the current situation. The moment I thought I had to push him away, the auxiliary organ under my chin tingled and rang. Then, a strange sensation that I had never experienced before took hold of me.
I feel a two-headed Aimorph in front of me.
At the same time, the 'left head' is visible, shining softly with a purple luster.
Two images are penetrating my mind like an insect seeing the world through compound eyes.
'Two bodies share a sense…' '…There are two Amorphs.'
At that time, a wave of thoughts flew from the door leading to the hallway.
There stood the Mother of Heaven in the form of a griffon beast. The captivating amber eyes are filled with confusion and are looking towards the 'left head'.
'It's a strange feeling.'
Along with seeing her with the head of the main body, I am also feeling her presence with another body. Since the 'left head' has no eyes, it senses the other person with an auxiliary organ under the chin. It should be seen as similar to when entering the representational state of hunting.
In other words, I, split in two, recognize the existence of the Gryphon beastman from two angles and two sense organs. This is the first time I have felt this unfamiliar since I became Amorph.
The person who made me feel fresh approaches Gryphon Wolff.
"uh? Now, wait? Are you there?」 「Grrrrr」
Then he opened his mouth, stuck out his long tongue, and licked her. The golden fur that covered her body stood up like a startled cat.
｢….｣ [Zuzu (stop)] ｢Grrr?｣
Even without necessarily feeling like it was an auxiliary organ, it was easy to see that she really disliked it. When I gave the signal to stop, his tongue stopped licking the Mother of Heaven's head.
'Step back.'
I carefully moved my 'left head' back, just as I did when I woke up as an Aimorph hatchling.
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (I'm not used to it yet)] ｢Don't do this again.｣ [Zuzuzu (be careful)] ｢I came to see what you were doing and this is what happened.｣
Sky's mother soaked in Aimorph's spit. He sighed deeply and straightened his fur.
It will probably take some time to get used to the new characteristics.
-x-X-x-
In the previous Fine Secret (1), 'Ghost Nest' was changed to 'Smog Tower' among the materials for synthesizing the new 'Formidable Enemy Mark'. The Strong Enemy Mark must use general characteristics as materials, but Ghost Nest requires nest-related fusion characteristics. Because it is.