Chapter 2407 - ESM 74

The sleeping consciousness gradually awakens.

The light of the red light installed on the ceiling of the storage compartment, the regular sound of the engine and the sound of breathing on both sides of my head. Among the subtle stimuli that existed before I fell asleep, small and heterogeneous ones were mixed together.

What woke me up was the sound of something heavy stepping on a metal floor.

'Who is it?'

I opened my eyes to check for the intruder.

The first thing I saw was MCAE (Multipurpose Construction Auxiliary Equipment), which resembled the construction machinery that appears in classic science fiction strategy games. It seemed like they were moving minerals, as they were carrying large chunks of minerals on the thick mechanical arms.

In front of him stood two beings wearing spacesuits that covered their entire bodies. When they saw me open my eyes, they quickly bowed down.

'They are coldbloods.'

It seems they came to transport food for the mountain crawlers. The Coldbloods who politely bowed to me left the storage compartment with MCAE.

'I woke up.'

I close my eyes, but there is no sign of sleep. I feel refreshed, so I guess I should just get up now.

I lie down and activate the semi-transparent text box.

Due to this battle, many changes were made to the text box. This is because, in addition to handing over the 'Revenant Organ' to the Heavenly Mother, it also preyed on and fused various characteristics during the battle.

'Well, there wasn't anything that I thought was extremely useful…'

I also gained a few useful characteristics, such as 'Hiveformer'.

'It's a disturbance needle. It's been a while since this happened.'

'Disturbance' is a body-related fusion characteristic that can be created by feasting on cyborgs and metallic gremlins.

When this property is applied, saliva is created in the body that can be emitted by imitating the electronic signals emitted by the ship. One of the heating spikes on my back has been changed to one for the Disturbing Needle trait.

If you have a jamming needle, you can spy on the communications of ships nearby and intervene. To confuse the enemy camp by sending distorted communications. That is the reason for the existence of Hangjaengchim.

'It wasn't a very good trait to begin with.'

In the game, it was implemented to make enemy ships disobey player commands with a probability. It was difficult to use it in practice because success and failure depended on probability. There are many good features such as 'hijacking' and 'radiation disruption', but there was no need to use them.

The good news is that the penalty has disappeared as we move to reality. As long as you get close to the ship, you can eavesdrop on or disrupt communications going to and from that ship.

'If I had gotten it earlier, I would have put it to good use.'

There is no particular need at this point.

This is because neutralizing enemy communications is fully possible with the abilities of 'Messenger of Chaos' or No. 26. Additionally, since the 'hijacking' characteristic has been secured during battle, there is less reason to use the disruption needle.

'Instead, I have a friend who will use this more usefully than me.'

PS-111, dedicated to hacking among us. I'm thinking of handing over the interference needle to this guy.

Originally, I was thinking about hijacking or radio interference, but after thinking about it again, I think this would be better.

'The ability to operate machines doesn't have much of an advantage for him.'

PS-111 is still capable of breaching all security systems if it approaches an enemy line.

Rather, the ability to intervene in the enemy's communication network and disrupt communication is more suitable. You can use the 'stealth maneuver' I gave you before to secretly infiltrate the ship and then operate it by preventing it from contacting the outside world.

'Let's hand over the disturbing needle to him.'

The next useful characteristic obtained after the Disturbing Needle is the psychic ability related characteristic 'Ultra Control'.

Originally, it was a trait that could be obtained by eating Deer Antler Cult, but I was lucky enough to obtain it by feasting on shadows.

The effect of Ultra Control is mind control. This is a trait that allows you to control a specific target for a limited time.

Unlike the Antler Cult, which has no time limit on control, restrictions have been added, but it remains a powerful trait. When infiltrating enemy territory, it is very effective to use a combination of the three, 'Mimetic Organ', 'Parasite', and Ultra Control.

'furthermore….'

Ultra Control is one of the materials that can be fused with a unique characteristic. I floated the unique characteristic synthesis formula of the transcendental system.

｢'Transcendence' ingredient list: Inorganic Digestion, Reaper's Maw, Bone Beast, Infernal Vision, Ultra Control｣

Although it was unlocked early, it is a synthetic formula that was not completed for a long time due to the difficult ingredients required. Since you have gathered all the ingredients, you can fuse whenever you want.

I feel like I want to merge right away, but I can't.

'Harvester's Maw. This is the problem.'

As may be the case with other characteristics, once the Harvester's Maw is lost, it is not easy to restore it. This is because this trait can only be created if you have the 'Essence Harvester's Jaw', which can only be obtained from an Amorph subadult or a special Outspacer.

'It is close to impossible to obtain a subadult in its natural state.'

The only possibility is an out-spacer, but even this is not easy. Although it has preyed on several outspacers so far, the essence harvester's chin has not opened.

Either the 4th place intentionally created it without that characteristic, or they didn't send me an entity with the characteristic. The reason is unknown, but it is certain that he did it because he was wary of me.

Of course, collecting genetic essence is as important for Outspacer as Amorph. There is no way to give up the ability to efficiently collect essence.

They just didn't send it to deal with me, and there must be an entity dedicated to collecting essence. Only by secretly targeting when it is hunting a rare creature will you be able to snatch the Essence Harvester's jaw.

'Even so, it's hard to get it for the time being.'

If you consume the Reaper's Maw, you lose the ability to obtain genetic essence by consuming enemy heads. If you want to eat the genetic essence of your enemy, you must eat the corpse whole.

'Instead, you can get unique characteristics, so it's not a complete loss.'

The unique characteristics obtained through the transcendence system all had outstanding power. No matter what type of characteristics it will have, the performance itself will be impeccable.

'This time, I can't guess by looking at the ingredients.'

There is a mix of properties that change the structure of the body, properties that strengthen the body, and properties that manipulate energy such as psychic power or heat. Unlike before, I have no idea what kind of concept the outcome will be.

'It's time for a new unique characteristic…'

Arcane Orca's energy manipulation ability surpasses that of No. 26. And the most powerful weapons I have are all ones that use energy. In front of Arcane Orca, it is virtually useless.

'You'll have to see the Black Devourer Cannon and Complex Spectral to see for yourself.'

There is a possibility that even this will not work properly. If that happens, you'll have to rely solely on your physical abilities, and having a new unique trait will be of great help.

However, in this case, you have to give up the opportunity to obtain the genetic essence. Because I have to bring the body to Aadhai.

'It would be great if the Harvester's Maw effect was inherited as the only trait, but it would still be difficult.'

I looked at the text box and looked at the number of different cases for a while, but I still couldn't find an answer.

'There's still more time left to fight Arcane Orca.'

I don't even know where it is yet, so there's no need to make a decision early. After much deliberation, I withheld my choice.

After completing the inspection, I stood up. As I was about to go to the situation room where the kids would be, the door inside the storage room opened.

"Are you awake?"

The identity of the visitor was PS-111, the Mother of Heaven, who returned in the form of a griffon beast, carrying a hologram regenerator on her back.

"We have completed estimating the target's action radius based on the information provided by 'Middle Baby'." [Zuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzu (Huh? Already? Didn't I say it would take a few days?)]

Heavenly Mother tilted her head at my question.

"Today is the third day since this guy started analyzing." [Zuzu (3rd day?)]

For a moment I thought it was a joke, but the look in her eyes told me it wasn't. I fell asleep for not just one day, but three days. I guess the mental fatigue from the large-scale battle was greater than I thought.

'For some reason, I felt refreshed when I woke up.'

It's worth it since I slept for 3 days.

[Zuzuzu zuzuzu (wake me up midway)] ｢It's okay. "I deliberately didn't wake you up because you looked tired." "I'll show you the completed simulation of the action radius."

PS-111 placed the hologram player brought from the situation room on the floor and connected it to the wire taken from the body. Then, a map with a blurry image was output from the player.

"There are a total of 42 places where the 'Arcane Orca', an unspecified dangerous creature, is believed to have appeared. Among these, there are five star systems where Arcane Orca is expected to reappear within 60 days: ZP-02, OT-20, Zer-11 conflict zone, U-08, and Dar-Kissos binary star system." 'ZP-02?'

Among the places PS-111 mentioned, ZP-02 is a place I know.

'This is where Star Union's huge factories are located.'

Approximately 10% of Star Union's warships come from ultra-large space factories located in the ZP-02 star system. If Arcane Orca had appeared there, it would have been subdued long ago.

"I think we should leave this place out as expected. Even if an Arcane Orca appears there, it will be difficult for us to catch it." "Is that so?" [Zuzzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (Then should we search the remaining 4 places?)]

Surprisingly, there were not many candidates to investigate. Of course, there is no guarantee that traces of Arcane Orca will be found here.

Then PS-111 spoke.

"I recommend two of these: Jer-11 Conflict Area and U-08." [Zu Zzu (Why?)] "Hamilton the Strong said that the number of pirates dealing in rare creatures visiting Jer-11 has increased over the past three months." "Who is Sechan Hamilton?" "He is a pirate infected by 'Aimorph' in Asuka 44. "Before going to LV-06, I received information about the pirates' movements from him." ｢Aha.｣

PS-111 looked at me with eyes made of red camera lenses. I felt like he wanted a compliment for some reason, so I stroked his hair with my fingers.

"thank you." [Zuzuzuz zuzuzuz zuzuz zuzuzuz (I understand Jer-11. Then why did you recommend U-08?)] ｢That was decided by me. "There is a planet inhabited by Wolf natives in U-08."

The Heavenly Mother pointed to a spot on the hologram as if she was familiar with U-08. There was a small planet there that had a similar image to the cult's sacred planet I had visited before.

"I got information about Arcane Orca from the natives here in the game, so I'm going to check it out." [Zuzuzu (I see)]

I looked down at the result of Mutant Screamer and Gryphon Wolf's combined efforts. While I was asleep, the plan progressed quite a bit.

'I've decided what to do first.' [Zuzuzu zuzuzzu zzuzuzu (then let's start from these two places)]

The Jer-11 conflict zone, a lawless area where pirates roam freely, and U-08, home to the Wolf natives. Those places depicted as holograms are where we must go.

'ah.' [Zuzzu zuzuzu (just a moment before that)]

I brought my snout closer to PS-111, who was disconnecting the wires connected to the hologram generator. The auxiliary organ under the chin gently wrapped around the nape of the guy's neck.

[Zuzuzu Zuzu (I have something to give you)] "Is it a gift?"

Perhaps because I had had a transplant before, I noticed it right away. PS-111 stroked my accessory organ around my neck with its claws.

"New gifts are always welcome."

After a while, the genetic essence in my body transferred to the new owner's body.

-x-X-x-

｢Species: Unidentified hostile space creature Status: Adult (transcendence level 2)

Goal: Survive (successfully evolve 4 times).

Possessed characteristics (13 body series / 7 psychic series / 5 infection series / 10 special defense series / 9 nest series / 7 internal organ series / 4 environmental adaptation series / 3 multidimensional organisms / 8 space monster series) Dog)

① Body-related (type in effect): claws, reinforced hind legs, beast carapace, heated spine armor, teeth grip strength, enhanced eyesight, warm skin – Flesh-related fusion characteristics: regenerative power, mimicry organ, bone beast, reinforced monster wings, Insomnia Host, Harvester's Maw, Hijacking

② Superpower-related (types being applied): Humanity, Dragon's Heart (only), Clairvoyance, Ultra Control – Superpower-related fusion characteristics: Predator sense, monster's tentacles, Dark Veil

③ Infection-related (Applying type): Contaminated Blood – Infection-related fusion characteristics: Parasitic Colony, Gremlin Moss, Acidic Fungal Gland, Corrupt Fungal Organ

④ Special Defense-related: Pain Reduction, Resistance, Disease Resistance, Complete Immunity, Mental Defense, Stealthy Maneuver, Gamma Ray Resistance, illusion of hell – special defense fusion characteristics: protective color, refractive shell

⑤ Nest-related (type in effect): expansion enhancement, smog tower, master of the environment, swamp creation, unclean mixture, poison enhancement, hiveformer – nest-related fusion characteristics: Symbiotic spores, ghost nest

⑥ Related to internal organs (type being applied): Strengthened endoskeleton, strengthened toxic secretion glands, superior homeostasis, hunger, bioelectric discharge tube – Fusion characteristics related to internal organs: Berserker synapse, ultra jelly

⑦ Related to environmental adaptation (Types being applied): Inorganic digestion, Medusa organ (only), Tyrantroid, Warp creature

⑧ Multidimensional organism: Bio-plasma synthesis, colony consciousness terminal – Multidimensional organism-related fusion characteristics: Deep space plague

⑨ Space monster (only): Complete organism, Nightmare Horizon, Organic Evolution, Great Infector, Herald of Pandemonium, Complex Spectral Body, Variable Bioweapon, Black Devourer Cannon Mark of a Formidable Enemy : Marauder's Amorphous Polyhedron (Dice of the Void), Colors of the Abyss, Appearance Dominator, Starlight Coordinates, Hydra division possession type (6) – Physical enhancement type, superpower enhancement type, infection enhancement type, nest enhancement type, internal organ enhancement type, environmental adaptation enhancement type Specialization possible type (2) – Special defense enhancement type (9/16), Multidimensional Creature Enhanced Type (3/4) Space Monster (Only) Type Stage: Stage 2 (Number of characteristics required to achieve stage 3 8/12) (Reward: Essence rearrangement, Double Helix Monolith) *Incomplete characteristics (7) Dog) Gills, Giant Creature, Natural Healing, Saw Blade Tentacle, Mimicry, Catfish's House, Demon Machine

**Token of Incomplete Strong Enemy (0) – Obtained by: None Available System: Unique attribute synthesis, attribute enhancement ｣

-x-X-x-

Today's universe is governed by Megacorps, Star Unions, and Cult Empires.

Numerous intelligent beings spread across various planets lead their lives under the protection of the three great powers.

However, not everyone welcomed the rule of the great powers.

Space Dog, who operates outside the bounds of the law, the Vortex One cult, who operates in secret in the shadow of a cult empire, etc. These are all people who have chosen to break away from the existing order. They live in hiding on planets unknown to anyone, or they use ships as their mobile residences to constantly roam the universe.

In that respect, the Jer-11 conflict zone can be said to be a unique type. This is because AG-01, a planet located within the star system, is pursuing a separation movement against its owner, Noble Capital T&C.

There was a reason why T&C, which had the largest number of colonies in Megacorp, could not organize them quickly. This is because forces that do not like TNC secretly supported AG-01's activities. In particular, it was an open secret that the separatists were supplied with weapons from Star Union.

It did not take long for the chaos that started on one planet to engulf the entire star system.

That's how the 'Zer-11 conflict zone' was born.

As time passed, the problem of the disputed area became worse rather than being resolved. TNC was also neglecting the disputed area issue due to various political reasons.

As a result, Zer-11, especially AG-01, the center of the conflict, became a crucible of chaos. Separatist terrorists and cartels instigated by upper capitals waged war every day. When residents died, new criminals took their place.

And today, AG-01 is completely devoid of ordinary people. The only ones left are criminals or those with a criminal mindset.

Jeff, a reporter who came to AG-01 two years ago, was one of the latter.

Now he is sitting in an old bar in the middle of the city.

It was a store with nothing good to see, including tables with a strong smell of cheap synthetic liquor and mold growing on the walls and ceiling. Even in the city of outlaws, it was difficult to find a store of this low quality.

Jeff also doesn't like this store. I've been visiting this place every month for two years, but I've never once felt anything good about it.

The reason why he was killing time in a store where it was difficult to find even a single customer was simple. This is because you have to meet someone while avoiding other people's gaze.

And the person I was waiting for just entered the store. He was a man whose entire body was drenched, like a rag soaked in water. The man looked around and found Jeff and approached him.

Instead of greeting him, Jeff nodded. The man hesitated and then sat down across from Jeff.

"Um, what is that thing…?"

Jeff took a palm-sized case from his pocket and placed it on the table. The man quickly tried to pick up the case but stopped. This is because Jeff also took out a laser pistol.

"That side first." "Oh, yes, that's right!"

The man took out a small terminal from his pocket and handed it to Jeff.

"Well, the movements of the recently arrived cubs are strange. "We've already met 20 times this month alone." "Which cartel do you belong to?" "Well, you can check the file yourself, so please…"

A man trembling and begging. Even as he spoke, his eyes were only focused on the case.

But Jeff had no intention of granting his request yet.

"If you don't answer properly, I'll pretend it never happened. I ask again. "What cartel do you belong to?" "Shi, Shino, Shinoni! It's the Sinoni Cartel!" "Sinoni?"

When a familiar name came up, Jeff scratched his short-bearded chin.

Recently, I heard that a pirate group called the Shino Family, or the Shino Alliance, is active throughout the universe. Normally, it is rare for the Space Dog Cartel to link up with each other, but the Shino Alliance is a large organization with as many as six cartels united into one.

Shinoni is one of the cartels that joined the Shino Alliance.

"Last time, I said that a lot of smugglers came in and out. "Did they also meet with the separatists?" "Uh, well, I'm not sure about that. "I don't think we met back then."

Shinoni is a group of pirates who are notorious for smuggling dangerous creatures.

However, there are no particularly rare creatures living in Jer-11. Same goes for AG-01. He might have changed his business to human trafficking, but there is nothing particularly fun about the Shinoni he knew here.

'Is this a new funding source for the separatists? It seems like those bomb bastards have run out of credit lately. Or…' "And that."

While he was lost in thought, looking at the terminal in his hand, a man's voice woke him up.

"Well, one of the guys I know lives in a sewage treatment plant. He's a friend who talks a lot, so he's called a talker, but sometimes he goes out and picks up useful things…" "That's okay. "Get to the point first." "Yes, yep. Two days ago, in the early morning, a talker saw something above the treatment plant. It is said that a huge dragon with wings disappeared while flying in the sky." "A dragon with wings? "Aren't you seeing the wrong pirate ship?" "Oh, no! "You know there are no boats floating around there!"

Jeff narrowed his eyes at the man's words.

When you think of a winged dragon, one thing comes to mind. Gallagon, the space dragon, a being that only comes down in legend among sailors.

Of course, Jeff knows it's not a legend. If it were a fantasy entity, it would not have existed in the Megacorp genetic database.

As far as he knows, Gallagons do not inhabit the Jer-11 star system.

"You saw a dragon in the sewage treatment plant?" "Yes, yes. you're right." "You can't see anything clearly up there even during the day because of the fog, so how are you supposed to see it at dawn?" "yes? Uh, well…" "I came here to buy information, not to listen to bullshit."

Seeing him trying to get up and pack his case again, the man hurriedly spoke.

"Uh, shadow! "I saw a shadow reflected in the fog!" "shadow?" "The shadow was so large that it obscured the entire sewage treatment plant! I received the file that was filmed and recorded, right? "It's in there!"

The man shouted, pointing his finger at the case Jeff was holding.

In this city overrun with criminals, manipulating photos like that is not a problem. However, the probability that the man in front of me would do such a thing was slim.

'A dragon with wings.'

The Shinoni Cartel and Gallagon suddenly appear.

It was far from the information Jeff wanted. This is because he came here to cover the corruption of separatists in the first place.

However, the experience I gained while working as a journalist for a long time is telling. What that man said should not be taken lightly.

'I'll have to check.' "Well, I told you everything I know. So please…"

It wasn't the information I wanted, but it was still worth investigating. Jeff opened the case and took out a pill.

"I'll read the rest of 'Smile' after seeing the contents." "Well, that is!" "If you don't like it, quit." "Oh, no!"

Jeff threw the pill on the table and the man swallowed it hungrily.

A moment later, his body collapsed onto the chair. A strangely happy smile appeared on his face.

"Then I'll contact you later."

Jeff got up and left the drugged man alone.

As he left the store, heavy rain greeted him. The rain was so great that it could be said that the sky was falling. Despite the pouring rain, people walked around without using umbrellas.

In AG-01, there are only a handful of days a year without rain. This is because after TNC started neglecting the planet, there was a problem with the terraforming machine and the precipitation was completely messed up.

Is that all? Facilities for treating waste and wastewater were also poorly managed and were extremely underdeveloped. Even now, the streets were full of unpleasant moisture and odor caused by rain and garbage.

"…Tsk."

Two years had passed and Jeff clicked his tongue at the smell that he still couldn't get used to. He took out an electronic cigarette that was stronger than the smell and put it in his mouth.

'It's not long now.'

The reason why the renowned Daily Mars reporter stayed on this shitty planet for two years was because the reward was that attractive.

This coverage was commissioned by Prime Capital's Zhao family. The Zhao family said that if things went well, they promised to give him the position of head of the reporting team at the Daily Mars Titan branch.

There isn't much left until that dream comes true.

'We must persevere until the end.'

After finishing his cigarette, Jeff put on the hood attached to his clothes. He, like everyone else, blended into the street where it was pouring heavily with rain.

–

"Hey, you talker. Are you going out today too?"

The man who was called a loudmouth answered the voice from behind him without even turning his head.

"If you want to make a living, you have to work." "Anyway, you fucking diligent bastard." "Hey, let's go together too." "If you're going to follow me, take a mask, a flashlight, and a bag."

In the sewage treatment plant located underground, two vagabonds headed toward a passageway leading to the ground.

The high-tech facility once managed by Noble Capital has now become a den of vagrants. The computer that was still alive was automatically managing it, but that was it. No one knows when it will stop, and no one cares.

The same goes for the hallway the two walked down. Instead of surveillance cameras and security androids, the place was filled with garbage and dirt, so it was safe to say it was a ruin.

"I saw it a few days ago, is that true?" "of course. "You saw the picture too." "It was so fucking dark I couldn't even see clearly." "It's dark, Niimi. You can see it clearly just by looking at it. You know that weakling? "He said there was someone who wanted a photo I took." "Someone asked for a picture of me looking like an asshole?" "okay. "You son of a bitch."

The two left the hallway and came up to the ground while chatting.

Contaminated water that had not been properly purified was collected on top of an abandoned sewage treatment facility.

Due to the continuous rain, the water volume had increased so much that it looked like a reservoir. Of course, you can quickly tell that this is not a reservoir by looking at the tremendous stench that can be smelled from afar, the gas and toxic fog on the surface of the water.

As soon as the two got on the ground, they immediately put on masks covering their noses and mouths and prepared for work.

"You're lucky. "The rain has stopped." "Good. Then let's start right away…"

The tramp who came up with me slipped from his seat while talking.

"Fuck you!" "Be careful even if it doesn't rain. "If you make a mistake and fall into that area, you're screwed." "…It sucks from the beginning."

The man cursed and used the light of the flashlight to check the substance on his shoes. The shoes were covered with a pitch-black substance reminiscent of tar, and an unusual substance that could not be distinguished as liquid or solid.

"what's this?" "Then I go first."

While the man was examining the substance on his shoes, the talker went about his business.

His job is to search for corpses abandoned near the contaminated water pool. In AG-01, hundreds of casualties occur every day for various reasons, such as deaths due to terrorism, victims of crime, etc. Even in cities with wealthy people, people die frequently.

And the bodies dumped here are usually unrelated criminals. If you search the corpses, you can pick up things like cheap drugs or a laser pistol. If you're lucky, you can rip parts off the cyborg's corpse.

Amidst a thick toxic fog, the braggart moved forward, relying on his mask and flashlight.

"Oh, we found a body."

Soon he found a body lying on a pile of garbage filled with sewage. When I hit the corpse with my foot, the corpse catfish that were attached to it ran away.

"Let's see." There is no pistol… aha! You bastard, you left the medicine behind. good."

The loudmouth let out a small cheer. It's a cheap drug, but it's not a bad start. He took the case containing the drugs and continued to look around.

"oh! Fourth body. "Are you lucky today?"

Today the profits were better than usual. As the fog thickened, his old backpack gradually swelled.

As I was enjoying my new loot, I heard the sound of waves lapping behind me.

I looked back to see if there was a man with me, but there was no one there.

"Did I hear it wrong?"

After brushing it off as a minor issue, he tried to focus on his work again. Unless his ears heard the sound of water again.

"what?"

I heard it clearly this time. The loudmouth hurriedly illuminated the surface of the water with a flashlight. All I could see was eerie black darkness. It was impossible to see what was underneath the dirty sludge.

'Could it be a corpse catfish?'

Big talkers have been here hundreds of times. Until now, I have never seen a creature bigger than a corpse catfish.

However, the problem was that the sound of water I heard this time was something different. It was a sound made when something much bigger and more massive than a genetically modified catfish or something was moving.

Suddenly he remembered what he saw here two days ago.

A shadow so large that it covered the entire polluted lake appeared and disappeared.

'The dragon is here?'

If the owner of the shadow is nearby, you must run away immediately.

The brat hurriedly went back the way he came. A sickening sensation every time you take a step, a faint sound made by the waves shaking. Nothing had changed, it was the same, but he was feeling completely different now.

Every element here was putting pressure on him.

"hey!"

At that moment, the chatter stopped at the sudden sound of a voice.

"Where are you?"

It was clearly the voice of the tramp he had brought with him. I don't know exactly where it is, but it sounds pretty loud so it's close by.

There's no particular sense of camaraderie with outcasts, but in situations like this, it's much better to have someone you know by your side. And what if, by chance, a monster really appears in front of them? It takes two to increase the survival rate at least a little.

Instead of calling the talking man, I walked in the direction of the voice. This is because I didn't want to draw the monster's attention by making a noise.

While I was walking carefully, the sound of water passed by my ears again. He almost screamed as he turned on the flashlight.

'You crazy bitch?!'

This is because a pitch-black figure stood tall above the contaminated water.

"…."

The hair on his entire body stood up all at once, and the teeth above and below clashed with each other. Due to the immense fear, my body went out of control for a moment.

After a while, he realized that the target was not a monster.

Looking at his clothes that had become shabby due to the black contaminated water and his body shaking every time he breathed, the other person was a vagabond just like him. He was standing with his back turned to the talker, with only his upper body exposed.

"You damn bastard! "I thought you were going to freak out!"

The loudmouth walked towards the tramp, swearing harshly. The tramp who heard the sound moves his body and tries to turn around.

At that time, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

"Where on earth has this brat gone?"

It was the voice of a colleague who had been calling him earlier.

"uh?"

That means that the person in front of him is not someone he knows.

Seeing the being who had completely turned his body, the talker opened his mouth.

Just before the scream passed through my throat, 'it' rushed forward.

–

"Ha, this guy is real."

The man called several times, but there was no answer.

Although the toxic fog that spreads here blocks the light, it does not block the sound. There is no way the loudmouth could not have heard his cries.

Then there is only one answer. The loudmouth abandoned him and went back to the sewage treatment plant first.

"That fucking bastard is going home alone, damn it."

Men don't have much experience climbing onto a sewage treatment plant at night. If they wander around alone and get lost, they have to wait until morning.

Moreover, raindrops started falling from the sky again.

"Fuck, I came here for no reason."

The man decided that there was no reason to be here anymore and walked into the underground passage.

That's why he never noticed that the water behind him stirred and then calmed down.

-x-X-x-

Approximately 80% of the humans living in AG-01 are homeless.

There are two options given to them. You can either sneak into an unmanaged facility or live on the street.

In that respect, Jeff can be said to be quite lucky.

This is because he owns a house thanks to subsidies from Daily Mars and credit obtained through drug dealing here. His home is in an apartment located on the outskirts of the old commercial city of AG-01.

From the safety of his home, Jeff was verifying information he had obtained using drug dealers. In a dreary room without any decoration, a small hologram player was simultaneously outputting records such as photos and videos. Jeff carefully examined the hologram material.

"It's a pandering between Shinoni and separatists."

In the holographic video, neatly dressed men and those wearing shabby clothes and carrying weapons were shaking hands. Among them, the neatly dressed men are members of the Shinoni Cartel.

Until now, the biggest ally of the separatist forces was the Star Union. Megacorp-hating thugs secretly provided weapons to the Separatists. Without that, it would have been cleared out long ago by the T&C fleet remaining in the system.

'I expected to find new reinforcements, but it's the Shino Group.'

Recently, Megacorp and Star Union are going through the process of peace negotiations with each other. Naturally, the amount of weapons sent by cyborgs is decreasing.

Because of that, the separatist forces were being pushed back, but now it looks like they have found a new partner.

'If it were any other pirate, I would have just overlooked it…'

The story is different when it comes to the Shinoni Cartel, a member of the Shino Group.

As far as Jeff knows, Sino Group has been active for less than a year. In that short time, they have grown into a huge cartel, competing for first and second place among the Space Dog cartels.

However, little information is known about their identities. The details of who organized the group and where its headquarters are are all kept under wraps. Even members of the organization only knew about the cartel they belonged to and rarely knew about the group as a whole.

However, everyone who is interested in pirates assumed that the Shino Group must have received support from someone.

But here Jeff reveals that the Shino Group is related to the separatist forces of Xer-11? The name Jeff will forever remain in the Megacorp press.

It's a fun thing to think about, but there's no need to get excited already.

Jeff looked away from the hologram and looked at the window. The sound of cascading rain hitting the thick window soothed his mood.

'The problem is what did those terrorists give as bait?'

He thought while listening to the sound of rain.

To write an article, the causal relationship must be clear. If you just throw things around like common idiot reporters, you will end up being treated like trash.

What did the separatist forces promise the Sinoni Cartel? There must be an answer to this question.

'The only thing the separatist forces can give is people.'

The easiest thing to obtain in AG-01 is none other than humans. Because wherever you go, there are people everywhere.

However, there are many better places to kidnap people. Things like the Wolf native village in the cult territory, the Megacorp colony, etc. There is no reason to come here.

'If you're not human…'

He manipulated the terminal and flipped through the video.

The next thing that came out was a photo.

The photo showed a large shadow reflected on the hazy fog. This photo was taken by a vagabond living in a sewage treatment plant.

"It might have something to do with this creature."

Jeff received this photo from a druggie informant yesterday. When I first received it, the photo was in really bad condition, but thanks to using several editing programs, I was able to get the current result.

He frowned as he looked at the photo.

"No matter how you look at it, it's not Gallagon."

Jeff has never seen the real Gallagon. Instead, I saw several eyewitness accounts of Gallagon. So we know roughly what the creature looks like. The Master of Shadows looked nothing like Gallagon.

"And this is the head, right?"

Jeff used a terminal linked to the hologram to enlarge a part of the photo.

A long three-pronged shadow protrudes above what is assumed to be a wing. If that is a head, it means that the owner of that shadow has a total of three heads. No matter how you look at it, it is far from a normal creature.

"Three heads, unless you're a Hulk mutant…no. for a moment."

At that moment, Jeff felt the puzzle that had been scattered around his head coming together.

'Originally, this place was intended to produce the Hulk mutant.'

Jer-11 is known only as a human resource production area in the world. However, Jeff knows about the secret of this place.

Originally, all three colonies on Jer-11, including AG-01, were biological weapons testing sites. It was a place prepared by TNC to develop the Hulk mutant without the Eugene family's knowledge.

However, the secret project was canceled midway due to a sudden separatist movement.

Thanks to bribing a soldier from the security team, Jeff was able to access the data left behind by researchers at the end of the project. The researchers took only the important experimental data and left the test subjects and samples behind.

'The security team is managing it, but the situation there is not good either.'

Because they do not receive proper support from TNC, they are using pirates as mercenaries. It is not at all strange that the managed Hulk mutant experiment secretly escaped.

'It's clear that the Separatists brought in the Sinoni Cartel in exchange for the Hulk Mutant.'

Maybe it's even possible that the two forces are planning to link up and attack the laboratory where the samples are stored. T&C's defense force is guarding the lab, but with the power of the Shino Group, it won't be difficult to break through.

After occupying the lab, the Sinoni Cartel can take the Hulk mutant test subjects, and the Separatists can take the genetic samples.

"I guess I'll have to meet the guy who took the picture."

Jeff manipulated the terminal and sent a message to the drug dealer who had obtained the photo from the bum. I was planning to meet in person the tramp I had photographed through him.

I sent you a message telling you to come out and give you drugs, so you will receive a reply right away. When I met him during the day yesterday, I only gave him one pill, so he must be anxious by now.

After making contact, he looked out the window. Steam generated by the non-stop rain was enveloping the entire apartment.

Now it won't be long before we see this scene. Of course, I am not disappointed at all.

With that thought in mind, he looked down at the terminal again.

"what?"

The reply from the guy who was definitely supposed to come. Still hasn't come.

'Did you get the medicine somewhere else? Why do not you answer?'

After that, I waited for about 30 more minutes, but there was no reply.

"…You damn bastard."

I'm just about to put the last piece of the puzzle together, but I never thought the bully would be so uncooperative. Jeff was annoyed.

He let out a small curse and started to get dressed. Since the drug dealer didn't contact me, I had no choice but to go to the sewage treatment plant and check.

He took the terminal and laser pistol and left the house.

When he left the apartment, a terrible raindrop greeted him. Jeff put on his hood and walked out onto the flooded street.

The sound of raindrops hitting the hood and the sound of water every time I took my steps stimulated my hearing. It was a sound he always heard every time he walked down the street, but Jeff felt a vague sense of discomfort.

Soon he realized the identity of the discomfort.

'Why is there no one?'

The streets, which were always full of people, were empty. It wasn't just quiet. There were no people in sight at all.

It seemed like there was no one even in the store. This is because the lights were on and there was no sign of popularity at all.

"…."

This is the first time I have seen something like this in two years of living. Jeff pulled out the pistol from his waist. Then, feeling very nervous, I entered a nearby store.

A song that is long out of fashion is playing through the speakers. There are only traces of people, and no actual guests or owners are visible.

"W-what is this?"

Jeff was horrified to see a suspicious black liquid on the floor of the store.

At first I thought it was sewage that had flowed back, but it wasn't. Rather than water, it had a texture closer to tar that would come from a factory or something. Not only did it look good, but it also smelled really bad. Every time I took a breath, it felt like there were pieces of glass stuck in my nose and throat.

When he realized that the liquid covering the store was dangerous, he quickly ran out.

'What the hell is going on?'

It is not normal for other stores on the street to be in this situation as well. This is a problem that can only be solved by the large cartels or TNC that dominate the streets.

The moment he came out with that thought in mind, Jeff froze.

A street where there was no one before entering.

In a place that looked hazy due to steam, hundreds of black figures suddenly appeared.

They looked as if they had risen from the ground and stood motionless in the rain that spread like a curtain.

Jeff, overwhelmed by the strange atmosphere, could not lift a finger.

Black figures approach him who cannot move. Strangely enough, there was no sound at all while I was treading water.

And even though he couldn't see clearly because of the steam, Jeff could feel that they were watching him. The gazes sent by the unknown beings were extremely ominous and creepy.

"Fuck it!"

Jeff barely came to his senses and fired his laser pistol at 'something' that was creeping closer. A red bullet left the muzzle and hit a black seal.

There was a sound of a leather bag filled with water bursting, and the black figure's head exploded.

A normal human being would have just collapsed, but the reaction of 'something' was completely different. Things like worms protruded from the torn neck area and lumped together into a head-like shape.

The beings lurking in the white vapor were not human.

'We have to run away!'

When he realized that fact, he forced his loose legs and started to run away.

Jeff runs to his house with all his might. There was no sound of footsteps following.

But he kept running. Because I felt his cold, sticky gaze on the back of my neck. 'They' didn't give up.

He ran all the way to the apartment and immediately ran up to the house. As he walked up the stairs, out of breath, a familiar smell passed his nose. It was the foul smell I had smelled in the store earlier.

He climbed up, almost crawling on all fours, entered the house and immediately closed the door.

As soon as I locked the lock, there was a strong impact on the door. The door shook as if two or three adult men had struck at the same time.

After the door shook loudly a few times, silence came.

Even if the knocking on the door stops, you can't feel relieved. I couldn't see it or hear it, but I could feel it.

That 'something' is waiting behind that door.

'I need help too. right now!'

Finally, Jeff took out the terminal. It was to call the person who had purchased it in advance.

'I can't die here!'

I rotted here for two years for credit and fame. If he dies here, all the work he has done so far will end in nothing but trouble.

But this time, his intentions were not fulfilled. I tried to activate the communication function of the terminal, but the machine was completely unresponsive.

"Why is this again…."

Just as he was about to shout that he was not listening, Jeff felt a shock.

It wasn't the shock that made the door ring like it did just now. What he felt was a slight vibration coming from his toes.

"…."

Now I felt the vibration again. This time, the sound was deeper than before.

Jeff slowly turned his head.

I see a window full of water droplets. The vibration rings again. The collected drops are falling down.

The scenery seen between the water marks was no different from before I left the house.

Except for one thing.

A black shadow was cast on the white curtain created by rain and steam. A black figure wriggled with vibrations that shook the room, or rather the entire apartment.

The moment he encountered it, Jeff realized why the tramp called him a 'dragon'.

He did not call it that with the intention of referring to any creature or specific being.

What he wanted to talk about was the incomprehensible existence.

That being outside was neither Gallagon nor the Hulk Mutant.

Jeff, who saw the 'dragon' hand approaching, covered his eyes with both hands.

-x-X-x-

Intelligent groups in Space Survival have a common system called 'conflict'.

As the size of the faction a player belongs to grows, the probability of conflict occurring on planets and star systems occupied by the faction increases.

Then, at some point, a conflict event suitable for each race occurs.

Representative examples include the colonial independence movement in the case of Megacorp, the slave revolt in the case of the Cult Empire, and the uprising of clones in the Star Union.

In addition, similar events exist for Wolff and Space Dog.

Although the names and contents of each are different, once a dispute arises, it must be stabilized.

Otherwise, the conflict will intensify into a rebellion and ultimately become independent as an NPC force.

This is my first time in the Xer-11 system, but I have visited other conflict zones several times. I know how to infiltrate.

However, this time we need to move more cautiously than other times.

This is because the battle with the rankers has just ended. It's obvious that they're still wary of me, but if I'm discovered before I can find traces of 'Arcane Orca', it'll be quite a headache.

Because the colony could be destroyed by the rankers' attack. AG-01 is the target chosen after taking all these factors into consideration.

First of all, this place is the closest to the star among the colonies in the star system. If Arcane Orca was truly active in Zer-11, there is a high probability that its records remain here. And AG-01 is the place with the most conflict in the system.

The rulers of Zer-11 are busy dealing with pirates and separatist forces.

Even if I secretly open a nest, they won't notice at all. In any case, it was not difficult to infiltrate a planet with a weak surveillance network.

In addition, the fact that the terraforming machine was broken was an unexpected good news. It wouldn't be easy to find myself hiding from the incessant rain and storm.

After infiltrating safely, the first place I set foot was a city's sewage treatment facility. Although it was a facility that played an important role in residential areas, it was neglected.

There were no managers or security guards, and it was overrun with homeless vagabonds and drug addicts. Various pollutants, large amounts of moisture, and numerous organisms that serve as nutrients.

'It's a very suitable environment for nesting.'

After sending PS-111, which came down together, to another location, they immediately planted a nest on top of the sewage treatment facility.

The black mucus produced in my body grew into a huge nest by sucking in the contaminated water. And for the first time in real life, I was able to taste the power of the 'Hiveformer'.

Unlike other traits, nest-related traits are not easy to use unless the conditions are met.

Because without a nest, it is useless. Instead, this nest series becomes stronger if there is a nest.

The Hiveformer is a trait that demonstrates this characteristic very well. When you acquire the Hiveformer trait, a swarm of worms will be created in the nest at regular intervals.

Hiveformers, which are dull black in color, are responsible for intercepting prey that enters the nest or breaking down the corpses and converting them into an energy source for the nest.

As the name suggests, it can be said to be a creature that grows and manages its nest.

The Hiveformer created by Outspacer, the original owner of the trait, has considerable combat power, but this is not the case with Aimorph. Hiveformers born in Amorph's nest are as weak as Megacorp's corpse catfish.

However, their true value is revealed when a large number of them gather together and steal the enemy's skin.

I looked down at the numerous bums standing near my feet. At first glance, they seem like humans as they stand motionless on the black slime.

However, if you look closer, you can see something thin wriggling under the thin skin. Their true identity is not vagabonds, but a colony of worms covered in human skin.

The hiveformer enters the enemy's body and eats the flesh first. Then, when only the skin remains, it covers it up and disguises itself as the creature.

Although it looks similar to a parasite, it is actually very different. This is because you are not controlling a living creature, but are merely moving around while wearing the skin of a corpse.

Since the body and skin are moved like a puppet, unique abilities or characteristics cannot be used.

'That doesn't mean it's bad at all.'

Unlike parasites, which are limited to the creatures they can inhabit, hiveformers are not limited to the hides they can use as hiding places.

Any creature can do this as long as there is a hole for them to fit in and meat to gnaw on. Even Apex creatures.

'and….'

I lowered my body and lowered my head toward the floor. Black slime can be seen continuously absorbing rainwater.

The moment an auxiliary organ was placed there, the scope of consciousness expanded widely in an instant. And with that, my vision split into a thousand pieces.

It felt like I was looking at multiple monitors stacked on a wall. By linking with the nest, you can now share the hiveformer's field of vision.

I maintained that state and focused my attention on the guys. Then one of the tramps at his feet moved forward slowly. It crawled like a snail and tightly held on to the human I had captured.

'I didn't know you could control it like this.'

In the game, only very basic commands could be given. All they had to do was increase the number or gather at a specific point. It was unimaginable to be asked to hold on to someone like this now.

There is a disadvantage that commands can only be given by linking to a nest, but that is not a big problem as it was always the same.

'Thanks to you, the number of ways I can use it has increased.'

For example, the vagabonds here, the original plan was to keep only a few and use the rest as nesting material. Because the shell of a human being, or even a drug addict, is not very suitable for combat.

However, since it is possible to give detailed instructions to the hiveformer, there is no need to use it only as a consumable. Using people disguised as vagabonds would help us find people who handle information.

Having built a nest in a sewage treatment facility, I spread black slime into the sewer pipes connected to the facility. At the same time, hiveformers were sent up to a nearby city.

While the black slime engulfed the city, the hiveformers picked out useful humans. The human captured by the Hiveformer is also a result of the search. If you see him holding a laser pistol, he is most likely a member of the city defense force or a pirate.

'He's a human worth opening his head to.'

I lifted my head and disconnected from the nest. The tramp, whose stomach was filled with worms, continued to hold on to the human.

As he stretched out his fighting arms, the Hiveformer immediately released his restraints. After completing its mission, it moved to take care of the nest like any other hiveformer.

I picked up the guy who broke the apartment and took it out.

"Hee, hee hee."

The guy had been smiling ever since. When I saw my eyes opened, I felt like I had completely lost my mind.

'I didn't do anything in particular.'

Other than knocking down the wall of the apartment to get him out, he didn't pose any threat. I just didn't know that I was going to lose my mind over this.

'Well, it doesn't really matter.'

I put the man down and called my little friend who came here with me. When the head on the left opened its mouth, a monster resembling a woman's head with metal legs crawled out.

This is MPS-03, a mini screamer that I made together with PS-111. I usually took model 5 with me, which was designed for communication and hacking, but not this time. MPS-05 is not here because Heavenly Mother took it with her.

"Please check again this time."

"wonderment. check. check."

After hearing my request, the guy raised his metal leg and took a saluting stance. The left head bent its neck down to help the guy go down easily. MPS-03 crossed over to the man, diligently using several metal bridges.

"Machine parts. check."

"Hehe, hehehe…."

The guy on the man's shoulder stretched out his metal legs. A dish antenna protruded from the end of the leg and began scanning the man's face.

'I'd be in trouble if I heard something in my head like last time.'

Before coming here, I asked PS-111 to give the Mini Screamers the ability to detect electronic devices. This is to prepare for cases where rankers plant traps on the bodies of their subordinates.

Because it would take a long time to modify them all, detection functions were added only to models 3 and 5. That part that looks like an antenna from the leg of MPS-03 is the result.

While he was checking, I turned my head and looked at the apartment where one of the walls had collapsed. Inside, black mucus can be seen flowing back up.

The hiveformers moved along the slime and collected things that could be used as nutrients. While looking inside the building, the room where the humans lived that I had taken out caught my eye.

'huh?'

An unexpected object was placed next to the collapsed rubble. I used the small arms near my chest to clear away debris and pick up items.

'It's a portable hologram playback device?'

It's a fairly expensive piece of equipment, but I never thought I'd see it in a place like this.

"wonderment. doesn't exist! doesn't exist!"

At that time, the inspection of MPS-03 was also completed. I transplanted parasites into a man. After swallowing an eel-like parasite, he trembled for a moment and then calmed down.

"I was holding something interesting."

"Yes…"

"Explain who you are and what you did."

"yes. My name is…."

Even if you are insane, you cannot refuse the parasite's orders. The man who introduced his name as Jeff slowly answered my question. And as the story progressed, I couldn't help but be surprised.

"This is where the Hulk mutant was developed?"

"yes. The Noble Capital T&C family was secretly trying to develop the Hulk Mutant. Colonies belonging to the Jer-11 system have test sites built by T&C."

Jeff's occupation was a journalist. He is also a reporter with enough reputation to work at the request of Prime Capital's Zhao family. Is that why? He knew more information than he thought.

"Then is there a laboratory on this planet that stores genetic samples?"

"yes. T&C's security team is guarding the genetic samples and Hulk mutant specimens."

What is important is that a large number of genetic samples and test subjects remain here.

"It seems like it could be useful."

"thank you."

I quenched my appetite as I watched Jeff bow his head.

I need to see if I can secretly take those samples.

-x-X-x-

"When the hell is this rain going to stop?"

A research complex attached to a commercial city.

The security team members responsible for the security there were looking out the window from inside the high guard tower.

"These T&Fucks, they have so much credit, they don't even fix the terraforming machine." "Noisy. "You bastard." "No, isn't it? It's already been 4 years since I've been here, and there's not a fucking day when it doesn't rain. Fucking T&C bastards." "Is this guy drunk? "Drink in moderation."

The teammate who was swearing took off the hip flask from his waist and put it in his mouth. Every time his neck moved, the strong smell of alcohol wafted through the air.

"Ugh, I like it when drug addicts take advantage of it." "why? "Will you give it to me too?" "go away. "You weakling."

The security team member looked at his colleague with a pitiful expression as he drank cheap synthetic alcohol mixed with drugs. He clicked his tongue and took out a metal bar from his pocket.

"You crazy guy, you don't even need guidance or medicine." "hey. What you're drinking is a drug that makes even your mom sell it, but it's cigarettes. Cigarettes that are officially verified and sold." "What is verification? "Both drugs are the same."

Both are soldiers, but one drinks alcohol while on duty, and the other smokes a drug-laced electronic cigarette. It was a common sight seen at the security tower of the research complex.

"You know what? "Those pirates who came in recently brought a lot of Wolff slaves." "Wolf? "Fuck, what's so good about hairy, smelly bitches?" "hey. "Once you taste those thighs and waist, you can't forget them?" "Ugh, just thinking about it makes me sick. Cyborg bitches are better. "They still look like people." "Crazy, what good are those smelly oil cans?" "What does he not know? Separate the top and bottom, front and back…."

The security guard, who was drunk on the drug contained in a cigarette and spouting obscenities, suddenly stopped talking.

"People stop talking. "What happened back and forth?" "…."

He took the cigarette out of his mouth and walked closer to the window. And I shined a flashlight outside the window.

All that was visible in the space illuminated by white light was rainwater and darkness that spread like a curtain.

"what's the matter?" "I think I just saw a big shadow."

The research complex is surrounded by open fields with no buildings around. If you are on top of the guard tower, you can clearly see with the naked eye who is coming in here.

"There are minefields everywhere. Did you see it wrong?" "is it?"

The moment he took another cigarette, light flashed outside the window. This was followed by an intense roar.

"uh? "Is it true?" "huh?" "Who is there really?" "what?"

The security guard who was drinking pointed to the window covered in raindrops.

A flash of light flashes again just in time.

The darkness cleared for an instant due to the lightning that struck the field.

It was a brief moment, but the two saw it clearly.

The image of hundreds, if not thousands, of humans standing on a field.

"Holy shit, none of the landmines exploded, right?" "doesn't exist."

The fields surrounding the research complex are littered with mines and combat drones. Inside the complex, anti-ship anti-aircraft guns are placed throughout the complex to prevent enemies from invading through the air. Only the soldiers guarding the research complex know the safe route.

"…is it outside the boundary?" "Fuck, it's dark so I can't see anything."

Even if I put my face close to the window, it was so dark that I couldn't see clearly. The two quickly put on the helmets they had taken off.

When the heat-sensing camera attached to the helmet activated, things that had been hidden by rain and shadows began to appear clearly. They were surprised when they checked the field through the camera.

"what? "Where has everyone gone?" "It was definitely there?"

When the camera turned on, the thousands of people who had been standing on the field motionless were gone.

Where they were, only black water that looked like a shadow remained.

–

The time when the security team members at the research complex security tower were embarrassed by an unfamiliar visitor.

In the security team leader's room inside the complex, a secret transaction was in full swing.

"Do you want me to disable the lab's security system?"

Empty alcohol bottles and trash rolling around on the floor, weapons and armored suits that had been left unattended for a long time and accumulated a lot of dust, and even luxurious mahogany desks and furniture that didn't match.

In an ironic space where clutter and luxury coexist, a middle-aged man was talking on the phone with his feet up on the desk.

"yes? Oh, I'm not saying I'm rejecting it or anything like that. "There are a few things to consider."

The man's name is Alex. He is the head of the security team, one of the pillars that protects the research complex.

"I don't have jurisdiction over everything at the research institute. Because permissions are limited. yes. yes. As you said, we need some time."

After TNC ceased interest in the conflict zone, most of the soldiers in AG-01 became corrupted. The main focus was on drugs, and there were many cases of secretly selling the remaining equipment on the planet to enrich one's own pockets.

In reality, they had become no different from pirates, and this was especially severe for Alex, the head of the security team. This is because they trafficked high-value materials such as genetic samples and confidential information left behind by T&C managers. This was possible because, thanks to his position as a team leader, he could freely enter and leave the closed laboratory.

Even now, he is trying to sell important information at his workplace.

"And after that, my position will be in trouble again… Ah! I'm glad you understand. haha. Then, I will send you the map and security code in advance. Hahaha, sure. yes. yes. "I'll see you in two days."

Alex continued with a gentle smile until the end of the call. However, when he put down the communication device, the smile on his face was completely gone.

"Crazy guys. You want me to disable the security system? "You're not afraid of pirate topics."

He clicked his tongue as he looked at the turned off communicator.

The person who had just contacted him was an executive of the infamous Shino Group. He had contacted the security team leader to rob the research institute.

He had committed illegal acts more than once, but handing over the entire research institute was a completely different story. No matter how indifferent TNC is to this place, it is unlikely that he will allow the research center to be destroyed.

If they know that this base has been robbed, they will never let the pirates go. No matter how powerful the Shino Group is, it is Noble Capital, which wields absolute influence in the universe. If TNC begins his bloody revenge, the Shino Group will collapse in an instant.

"Well, it has nothing to do with me."

Alex smiled and turned on the computer on his desk.

The pirates offered huge credits to buy the lab's security information. The reward he received for handing over the map and security code of the research complex was more than what he had earned in his entire life.

With that much credit, you can make a living for the rest of your life even if you immigrate to a cult empire.

"It worked out better. "I can't just do this forever."

It is an open secret that separatists carry out terrorist activities with support from Star Union. However, recently, there has been an atmosphere of reconciliation between Star Union and Megacorp. If a peace treaty is signed between the two powers, there is a high probability that Jer-11 will be stabilized.

'Then I'm screwed.'

When TNC returns, all the security officers here will be reduced to employees. The security team leader who has a lot of hammocks will receive a much more terrible punishment.

So, it is to his advantage to shake it off and run away now. The pirates will take care of the traces he left behind.

However, if there was one thing that was lacking, it was networking.

"It's a bit unfortunate that my connection with Daily Mars is fading away."

He recalled a famous reporter with whom he had a good relationship not long ago. We have been doing business for approximately two years as a customer who mainly purchased data left behind by T&C administrators.

It's never a bad thing to become friends with reporters wherever you go. This is especially true if you are a reporter sponsored by Prime Capital. Alex knew that too, so he paid quite a bit of attention to his relationship with the other person.

If he leaves here, that good relationship will disappear completely.

"Tsk, I can't help it."

There was a lot of investment in the relationship with the reporter, but it would be difficult to maintain it any further than this.

Alex gave up and decided to take care of what needed to be done right away. He activated the communicator and contacted his subordinate on the security team.

"Has Safe Route been updated?" "The update has already been completed and we are checking it before handing it over to the system management team." "So you haven't sent it to the management team yet? Send it to me before you pass it on. "I have something to review." "All right."

After a while, a file arrived from my subordinate. The security team leader, who confirmed this on the computer, immediately copied the safe route to his personal computer.

"Oh, and just what happened to my security code renewal?" "It is scheduled to be processed within today." "Put it off a little longer." "After three days." "yes? Then, you have to get approval from the management team…" "Changing the security code too frequently can be a security problem. So I think it would be a good idea to extend the renewal cycle." ｢Uh, well, still….｣ "Hey. What if terrorists attack while the security code is being updated? "Are you going to take responsibility?" "Oh, no! "I will update in 3 days!"

Alex instructed to postpone the security code renewal date and ended the communication.

'good. Maps and codes have all been processed.'

The management team may find this strange, but don't worry. They are so corrupt that they bring women to work and have parties. I won't care at all whether the code changes or not.

All that remains is to send the pirates the safe route map and security code needed to access the complex. Alex manipulated the computer and transferred the file.

Then suddenly the light blinked.

"hmm?"

AG-01 has had bad weather for several years due to a broken terraforming machine. Occasionally, electricity supply becomes unstable due to strong storms.

So I didn't think it was a big deal, but immediately the light started flashing again. The light, which had been blinking uneasily, soon went out completely. At the same time, the computer that was transferring files also stopped working.

"Uh, wait…holy shit!"

The transmission was cut off at the last minute. Alex, who watched this with his own eyes, hit the desk hard with his fist.

After a while, emergency power came on and the computer turned on again. I tried to transfer the file again, but this time there was a problem. However, the file was not sent because there was a problem with my communication network. I tried to contact my subordinate through a communicator, but it also failed.

'It's like this Nimiral terraforming machine!'

I need to send it to the pirates quickly, but the communication status is like this. If he continues to delay sending it, they will find a route other than Alex.

If that happens, the compensation he will receive will also be reduced.

'…are you going to let something like that happen?'

Alex got up and grabbed his weapon and computer.

If you go to the management team, there will be a way to send the file to the outside world. Wearing a reinforced suit, he left the room.

-x-X-x-

The sound of water colliding with metal resonates within the dark complex.

Alex, who had just left the security team building, walked towards the management office where the system management team was staying.

"Damn it. "How did you manage it so that the whole complex looks like this?"

There were emergency lights on inside the building, but not at all outside. Buildings and metal structures that would normally be brightly lit were all immersed in darkness.

'Why is there so much fog again?'

I have been working at the research complex for a long time, but this was the first time the fog was as thick as today. It was so thick that it was difficult to see anything even if it passed several meters in front.

Buildings without light, endless rain, and thick fog. It seemed as if the entire complex had fallen into a huge swamp. The only source of light on the way here was the light from his reinforced suit.

"I can't even see these idiots."

There are thousands of humans in this complex, including his subordinates. Alex turned on the heat-sensing camera built into his helmet and looked at the tall guard tower.

People can be seen moving inside. They swayed violently as if they were dancing, but then stopped.

'You idiots.'

How many drugs did it take to have a reaction like that even though the entire tower was immersed in darkness? He clicked his tongue as he looked at the guard tower, then moved again.

Every time I took a step, the heavy mechanical sound and the sound of water splashing on the floor tickled my ears.

The reinforced clothing he is currently wearing is a high-grade reinforced clothing provided to team leader-level personnel. Thanks to its high-performance detection function, it can sensitively detect surrounding sounds and movements.

Thanks to you, I was able to find out. That he was the only one walking down the street in the rain.

Of course, that didn't mean there were no people at all. Thanks to heat-sensing cameras, people could be seen moving around inside the building.

Even now, the people at the windows of the building are clearly visible. Some ran wild like the guards in the guard tower, while others just stood still.

I tried to ignore it like I did before, but suddenly a strange thought occurred to me.

A person standing motionless in a place where there is no light, as well as a person twisting his or her body as if dancing in the dark. It was too strange to dismiss it as simply a reaction to drug addiction.

And it's hard to explain in words, but I felt an inexplicable eerie feeling every time I saw them. It wasn't the feeling I got when I saw my colleagues or subordinates. It only looked like a human, but it seemed like there was something completely different inside.

'…It must be an illusion.'

It is true that the soldiers at the research complex are corrupt, but that does not mean that the security system is a mess. There are numerous mines and combat drones around the complex, and there are many powerful anti-aircraft artillery batteries inside the complex. Also inside the building are thousands of humans armed with reinforced suits.

It is absolutely impossible for an outsider to infiltrate this place without encountering any resistance. Anxiety is just an illusion.

After deciding like that, Alex moved again. I forcibly suppressed the rising anxiety. However, I couldn't help but walk faster without realizing it.

Soon, I saw a rectangular building with no windows in the distance.

That building is the management office that stores various data of the research complex. It is equipped with its own power supply system and communication network to prevent data damage caused by terrorism.

Alex approached the door and entered the security code.

"Alex, a member of the security team. Approved."

A short message came out from the terminal next to the door, and the thick alloy door opened.

｢Phew.｣

Alex entered the management center and let out a short sigh. I don't know if it was my anxiety or the humid air, but the inside of the suit suddenly became unpleasantly damp.

It would be nice to at least take off the helmet, but the job isn't over yet. Alex manipulated the terminal on his wrist to display the internal map.

｢Beep｣

His location was circled on a holographic map. The place he needs to go is the information processing room located on the second floor. You can use the communication facilities there to transmit files to pirates.

'good. Then let's go…huh?'

The sound of sticky water that rings as soon as you step on the hallway. When I looked down, the floor was a sea of water.

'What is this?'

It wasn't rainwater because the liquid stuck to the surface of the suit and dripped down every time it moved. It seemed like sewage backed up after a power outage.

"…shit!"

It was fortunate that I couldn't smell anything thanks to the helmet. Alex cursed softly and walked towards the second floor.

'Is it here?'

When he arrived at the information processing room, he entered the security code and entered.

Inside, there were larger computers wearing reinforced suits. Even though the lights were turned off, just like outside, the light from the computers made it possible to see everything inside.

The computers all appeared to be working fine. Alex walked over to a random computer nearby and checked it.

"The communication network is normal."

He pulled out a wire from the computer, connected it to the terminal in the armored suit, and transferred the data.

'it's okay!'

The amount of data being transmitted and the remaining time were displayed inside the visor. The transmission will be completed successfully in one minute.

Sasasak

Just as I was trying to relax and feel at ease, I heard something coming from inside. Alex quickly got up.

"Who is there?"

The only answer that came back was a mechanical sound made by a computer.

｢I heard wrong….｣ Sasasasak ｢!｣

The second time I heard it, it became clear. That was not a sound made by a person. When I checked the holographic map, there was a new triangle mark that I had not seen before.

There must be someone else in the information processing room.

｢….｣

Alex, very nervous, entered the machine forest. The closer I got to the triangle mark, the faster my heart beat.

If you pass by the computer in front of you, you will see an unidentified intruder. He strengthened the hand holding the weapon.

As soon as he crossed the last obstacle, he pointed his gun forward.

But there was nothing there.

"what?"

The triangle on the map was pointing ahead of him. But when I looked around, all I could see were computers, wires, and small external terminals.

'for a moment.'

He was staring at the floor and was startled by a sudden thought. His head slowly rose towards the ceiling.

｢?!｣

There, a woman's head was hanging upside down. The 'thing' with bright red eyes as if a blood vessel had burst was glaring at him.

When Alex was taken aback by the appearance of a completely unexpected being, 'it' opened its mouth wide.

"-!" ｢Ugh?!｣

Alex flinched back due to the sudden pain he felt in his ear.

I felt an intense pain in my ear, as if I had been stabbed by an awl. Something came out of my ear and ran down the back of my neck.

Alex roughly took off his helmet. When I looked at the speaker part inside the helmet, it was completely black and covered in blood.

'Holy shit!'

Even though I was clearly swearing with my mouth, no sound was heard at all. It was clear that his hearing had been damaged.

At that time, something the size of a human head passed by in front of me. As soon as I saw it, I immediately fired my Gauss rifle.

Light flashed from the muzzle, the computers lined up fell, and electric lights sparkled.

'I will kill you!'

Losing his mind, he threw away his broken helmet and chased after the unidentified being. The triangle mark on the holographic map moved quickly.

A woman's head can be seen moving among the broken machines, her hair flowing. It moves so quickly thanks to the multiple legs protruding from under its head.

It wouldn't have been easy to track him if he was naked, but he was wearing advanced reinforced clothing. Alex used his enhanced physical abilities to destroy computers and follow the signal.

'Gotcha!'

Just before 'it' escaped through the vent on the wall, a tungsten bullet fired from a Gauss rifle hit its leg. The main body disappeared into the vent, dropping the broken leg fragments.

Unfortunately, I missed, but I just had to chase it anyway. Thanks to the building map, I can clearly see where that vent leads.

'I wonder if I'll miss it.'

Alex returned to the entrance of the information processing room to go to the room connected to the vent. The moment he opened the closed door, he couldn't help but believe his eyes.

'What is this?'

There was a thick fog in the hallway I had passed just a few minutes ago. It was the fog I saw outside.

And something stirred beyond the thick fog.

'helmet!'

His instincts cry out. That fog, no, that gas is very dangerous. Alex quickly found his helmet to avoid the gas.

"manager."

A familiar voice suddenly sounded. Alex was surprised when he saw those who appeared with him.

"You are here. manager." "I've been looking for it for a while."

The identity of the owner who made the voice was a subordinate who was supposed to be in the guard tower. Armed with reinforced suits, they are calling for Alex.

It was just as Alex remembered. He was holding a Gauss rifle ready to fire, but he carefully lowered the gun.

"It's dangerous here." "We need to get out of here quickly." The subordinates standing in the fog and urging.

Alex also let his guard down and followed them out of the information processing room.

"The situation is not good because of separatist terrorism." "They even dragged the Shino Group into it." "The others are taking their time, but I don't think they can last much longer." "This way."

As I followed my men down, something strange occurred. Clearly, the location of the information processing room was on the second floor of the management office. It only takes a few minutes to get out of the management center.

But now they just kept going down the stairs. The subordinates seemed not to have noticed this incident and continued their conversation naturally.

"■■, ■■…?"

I tried to call my subordinate to stop, but my voice didn't come out. No, to be exact, the voice came out of my mouth but I couldn't hear it. The hearing that was damaged because of 'that' earlier did not come back.

"Why are you doing that?" "I don't have time for this. "We have to go quickly." "…."

Come to think of it, both he and his subordinates are wearing reinforced clothing. On the way here, I listened to the heavy sounds of machinery and footsteps. There are three beings wearing reinforced suits here right now, so it can't be this quiet.

", ■■■, ■■?" 'What are you, you guys?'

The subordinates who were ahead of Alex's question stopped.

"I don't have time for this." "We have to go quickly."

Their heads turn slowly. You can see faces with their eyes obscured by the visor attached to the helmet.

"There is no time." "Pali, ri, go, ya, hap, ni, da."

The familiar faces of his subordinates crack. Like glass about to break, cracks spread across my face and body. You can see something black boiling and shaking through the gap.

"U·ri·wa·ham·ke·ha·ra." "U·ri·wa·ham·ke·ha·ra."

The guides of hell hiding inside the shell attacked Alex.

–

"danger. Removed."

MPS-03, hearing the screams coming from downstairs, crawled out of the vent. As soon as it came out it checked the broken leg.

"Damage, minor. Temporary restoration, possible."

PS-111 and 'Aimorph' were given two abilities when producing MPS-03.

One is a sonic attack ability created by applying the genes of cavegoyle, which mainly lives in ice caves and underground. This ability, which Aimoff called a 'destructive sound wave', can easily damage the hearing of even heavily armored enemies.

The remaining ability is 'heat release'.

MPS-03 picked up the broken piece of leg with its thin, long legs reminiscent of a spider's legs. When I put it on the broken part and held it still, the part started to turn red.

"Restoration, complete. complete!"

The Mini Screamer shook its legs, which were joined together using high heat, a few times. It's not perfect, but there was no problem moving around.

"work. check. check."

MPS-03's mission was to transfer some of the data stored here to the terminal received from Amov. The obstructionist who intervened along the way has been dealt with, so you must return to your mission.

It crawled on its metal legs and started copying data again.

After that, about ten minutes passed. All data requested by Amov was copied. MPS-03 put the external terminal in its mouth and tried to go out.

While crawling towards the door, it suddenly seemed to think of something else and stopped in front of a computer.

"intruder. "Computer, use."

I know that the other person entered here by entering a security code.

This building is an important place that handles various types of information. You need to check what the other person has done.

"Usage history, purpose, confirmation. check."

Maybe this information will also be helpful to Amov.

After checking all the computers used by the saboteur, MPS-03 left.