Ch.147Omen (2)

Bombing the “holy sites” defined by Cult priests and prophets.

It’s not impossible, but it’s not something commonly done.

No, to be frank, it’s extremely rare.

This is because holy sites are planets designated by prophets after spending a very long time interpreting passages mentioned in the “Providence,” which the Cults consider sacred.

Providence is like a scripture and code that encompasses the Cult’s past, present, and future.

That’s why holy sites mentioned in Providence cannot be carelessly touched.

Even if they might pose a potential danger to the Empire.

‘That’s how it’s supposed to be, anyway.’

Even the most devout believers occasionally face moments when they must compromise between faith and reality. The same applies to Cults.

In extremely exceptional cases, special measures are taken regarding holy sites, one of which is when an entire planet is being eroded by contaminants.

Jason had targeted this point, strongly pressuring the Cult Council and Senate to approve the purification mission. Cynthia, who belongs to the Prophets’ Assembly, also provided support by claiming there were errors in the existing interpretation of Providence.

The purification order that violated Providence could be implemented because the three major power institutions of the Cult Empire—the Council, Senate, and Prophets’ Assembly—were mobilized.

If the purification order had proceeded normally, it wouldn’t have become an issue like now. Even Jason’s opposition would have lost grounds for criticism if the contaminants most feared by the Cult Empire were eliminated.

But the purification mission failed, and the Imperial Mothership and its fleet were annihilated.

Since the Empire suffered tremendous losses, Jason and Cynthia, who pushed for the purification mission despite violating Providence, found themselves in an awkward position.

Even if things somehow work out and the pressure on Jason decreases, it’s nearly impossible for him to regain his former power.

The long-lived Cult species is inherently conservative, except for those who have migrated to other factions. They will never forget Jason’s mistake.

‘Besides, the real big problem is something else.’

Cynthia said Jason had gone into seclusion to avoid the Council’s summons, but Cloe could easily guess what he was doing.

‘Seclusion my ass. He’s probably preparing to run away.’

Anyone who has played Space Survival for a while knows.

Sending an Imperial Mothership to a holy site is something a non-Cult player might do.

The 5th-ranked AMorph probably knows who attacked him, or will likely find out soon.

In other words, that infamous Morph-eater’s next target is Jason.

‘That one would chase you to the ends of the universe.’

Cloe knows this well from experience. Not knowing he was ranked 5th, she once interfered with his evolution and nearly quit the game due to his retaliation.

She knows Jason had a similar experience. He had to post an apology on the community, suggesting he suffered even worse than she did.

‘…Should I run away too?’

While Cloe was lost in thought, one of the silent Monoliths began to emit light.

It was Jubaka’s Monolith.

“What happened to the related records if the fleet was annihilated?”

“Related records?”

“Just because they were annihilated doesn’t mean everyone died, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“In military terms, annihilation means losing combat functionality to the point where a mission can no longer be carried out. It’s hard to believe there were absolutely no escapees just because the mothership fleet was completely destroyed.”

Among those present, Jubaka is the only one with a military background. He is the Grand Commander of Star Union and the Commander-in-Chief of the Mechanical Fleet. He accurately understood what Cynthia meant.

Cynthia responded to Jubaka’s words.

“Of the 50 ships in the mothership fleet, only one returned. Even that was half-destroyed with 80% of the crew dead, returning on auto-navigation. The captain of the Imperial Mothership ‘Judge of Damos08’ died, and only 20 people survived in escape pods.”

“What caused the half-destruction?”

“According to the investigation, it was due to dark matter from the Cosmic Volt reversing and exploding after being hit by an unidentified energy projectile.”

“What did the surviving crew say?”

“……”

Cynthia suddenly fell silent at Cloe’s question. It was the first time she hesitated after answering everything so readily until now.

“What did they say?”

“…They said it was a three-headed demon that wielded lightning.”

“Uh…no way?”

“Пиздец (Damn it)!”

A three-headed demon. Cloe knows well what that nickname means.

“He’s already evolved into an adult?”

“If he’s an adult, it makes sense that the mothership fleet was annihilated.”

True to their late-blooming nature, AMorphs become extremely powerful in later stages. An adult AMorph can fight and subdue elite armies and elite fleets.

Moreover, considering it annihilated the Imperial Mothership and its fleet, it might have secured multiple unique traits.

“If it’s an adult AMorph, we’re in danger too. You know that, right?”

“Tch, I’ll contact the old man.”

“And Cynthia. Can you show us the footage of him now?”

“The quality isn’t good, but…”

“I don’t think this is the time to worry about video quality.”

“Alright. Please wait a moment… huh?”

“What’s wrong… oh?”

While the three were talking, one of the Monoliths lying on the floor rose into the air.

Soon, the Monolith glowed, and an old man’s voice echoed throughout the dark chamber.

“It’s been a while.”

Like the saying “speak of the devil,” the new participant was the person Cloe usually called “old man.”

“It’s been a long time. I hope you’ve been well, Akira Yujin.”

It was Akira Yujin, the CEO of Megacorp and the ancient king of Earth.

‘Now I’m feeling better.’

On the second day after stopping the Imperial Mothership’s attack, I finally recovered enough to move around like before.

On the first day, I just slept without moving. When I woke up in between, I ate the food brought by No. 26, Adhigh Orr, and Sky Mother to satisfy my hunger, then went back to sleep.

Thanks to resting like someone with a bad cold, I was finally able to get up.

No. 26 and Adhigh, who had nursed me devotedly all day, collapsed as soon as they confirmed I was back to normal.

No. 26 collapsed from exhaustion, while Adhigh was truly in critical condition. Despite having broken ribs and wings from the previous attack by Hond Gigante, he continued to bring food.

I quickly attached symbiotic spores to them and moved them to the underground nest. Although more than 80% of the nest collapsed due to the battle with the Imperial Mothership, there was still enough space for No. 26 and Adhigh to lie down.

After placing food nearby for when they wake up hungry, I was now moving with Sky Mother.

“The closest crashed ship is the one over there.”

“Seems so.”

She’s right. Beyond that forest, I can faintly smell the heat-scorched alloy plates from the auxiliary engines.

We’re currently searching for Cult ships that crashed after being hit by my psychic breath.

Most of the crashed ships fell into the sea or on other continents, but some fell on Saintopia02 continent where we are.

‘I have something to experiment with.’

Whether severely damaged ships can still be dominated. If domination is possible, I could consider them as targets for assimilation.

‘Originally, I planned to leave on the deep-sea research facility.’

The research facility is made of black silver and is enormous. If the black silver effect remains after my assimilation, it would be a great asset when fighting potential Cult enemies in space. Its massive size would also make it much easier to manipulate enemies on board.

‘Of course, there are disadvantages too.’

Larger size means increased target area. In fleet battles, increased target area is often more of a disadvantage than an advantage.

Although I can enhance the ship’s durability, that doesn’t mean it won’t take any damage at all.

The black silver material is also a double-edged sword. I don’t know how it might restrict me when using my psychic breath.

‘On the other hand, Cult ships are more suitable for combat.’

I already experienced this when I seized the Space Dog’s ship.

I actively used the ship’s weapons while defending against the Metallic Gremlin attack.

And that was just a trading vessel, not a combat ship. If I assimilate and dominate a Cult warship, it would be much stronger.

‘Well, I still don’t know how damaged it is or if assimilation is possible.’

Sky Mother’s eyesight is even better than mine. She might already be able to see the crashed ship.

“Can you see what the ship looks like?”

“It’s mostly buried in the ground from the crash, so I can only see a little. From the part above ground, the damage doesn’t seem too severe.”

“That’s good.”

I glanced at Sky Mother running beside me.

Golden fur reminiscent of a ripe barley field. Though now sleek and beautiful with a glossy sheen, I remember how she was covered in soot while nursing me.

Like No. 26 and Adhigh, she also did her best to ensure my survival.

‘…I should repay her later.’

I know her actions were due to our contract. But that doesn’t negate the fact that Sky Mother nursed me.

I plan to give her appropriate compensation when the opportunity arises.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t apologized yet.’

I tried to eat her for failing to protect Adhigh, but it was a misunderstanding.

It was Adhigh who acted impulsively because he felt he was falling behind No. 26 and Sky Mother; she wasn’t at fault.

I wanted to apologize, but with everything that happened, I haven’t had the chance yet.

“The ship is just ahead. As you probably know, there seem to be some survivors.”

“Wait. I have something to say first.”

“Something to say?”

I stopped my rapidly moving legs and stood in place. When I suddenly stopped, she also stopped running.

She tilted her head with its elegant eagle-like features. Looking into her amber eyes, I said:

“About what happened with Adhigh before.”

“Huh?”

“I misunderstood. I want to apologize.”

“Uh. Uhh?”

She blinked at my apology. As if not understanding what she heard, she asked again.

“What did you just say? Say it again.”

“I’m sorry for not trusting you.”

Sky Mother opened her beak wide at my repeated apology.

“I judged hastily. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

“Honestly, I can’t believe this. Can you say it one more time?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

She seemed to understand I was sincere and stopped teasing me. She looked into my eyes seriously.

“Alright. I’m not sure if I’m in a position to accept an apology, since I did fail to protect Adhigh. So I’ll apologize too.”

“Understood.”

“Then we’re done with this.”

“Good.”

When I nodded, she sighed.

“Wow. I never thought I’d hear an apology from the Morph-eater, even in the game. I can’t believe it.”

She shook her head in what might have been admiration or mockery.

I was about to point out that I’d never done anything to her in the game that warranted an apology, but I let it go.

‘Well, I was in the wrong.’

While thinking this, my auxiliary organs detected movement. Regular footsteps, tense heartbeats, a unique smell of sweat mixed with metal.

Combining these, it wasn’t difficult to identify the enemy.

[Zzzzz (Enemies)]

“Indeed.”

Sky Mother, who noticed slightly later than me, looked between the trees.

“Cult survivors. The number is…”

[Zzzz (Six)]

“Except for the Purple Spraygun, their weapons are crude.”

[Zzzzz Zzzzz (Shouldn’t be difficult)]

They’re suitable opponents to loosen up my body after a day of rest.