Ch.156Fleet Battle (3)

Cult and Star Union.

Two races with nothing in common: one that developed civilization through psychic powers, and the other a mechanical race born from the extreme advancement of mechanical engineering.

Though they couldn’t look more different from each other, in this moment they seemed similar.

Because they were both pouring all their strength into killing each other.

Torpedo-like projectiles shaped like elongated ovals resembling pointed thermometers flew chaotically through space. Controlled by androids and moving in groups, they resembled schools of fish underwater.

The Cult ships counterattacked against the swarm of torpedoes rushing toward their prey. The vessels changed formation from diamond-shaped to hexagonal and emitted purple psychic power.

Like fishermen catching fish with nets, the psychic power nets enveloped the torpedoes, triggering a series of powerful explosions.

As a massive fireworks display unfolded in silence, the mechanical fleet maneuvered around to approach the Cult warships. The Cult, remaining vigilant, blocked the approaching cyborg vessels.

And I was right in the middle of the battlefield.

Narrowly avoiding remote-controlled torpedoes and psychic heat rays.

‘Right!’

My faithful secretary, my auxiliary organ, warned me of danger. Connected to the ship, I quickly twisted the hull to avoid a torpedo flying in from the right.

Four cyborg warships were targeting me.

‘Activate Psychic Cannon.’

While maintaining speed, I activated the escort ship’s guns, the Psychic Cannons I had used for my preemptive attack against the Star Union fleet. Six Psychic Cannons spewed fire toward the enemies.

The cyborg vessel that had been following closely behind me didn’t expect me to have six gun ports and was shot down without being able to dodge. Seeing this, the remaining three ships each found their own way to avoid my attack.

‘Not bad skills. Except for one.’

Two ships dodged by evasive maneuvers, but one chose to reduce speed to slip out of my attack trajectory. This might have been a good strategy if I were the only enemy, but here, there were many blind attacks.

As I expected, a heat ray from somewhere pierced through the cyborg ship that had reduced its speed. Flames erupted from the large hole in the hull, and it oxidized with a chain of explosions.

‘Good. Things are going smoothly.’

Getting the two forces to clash was my intention, but I didn’t expect them to enter into a chaotic battle so quickly. An unexpected boon.

‘At this rate, I can easily move on to the next phase.’

My ultimate goal is to cut off the enemies’ pursuit and safely escape from this star system.

I could escape while the enemies are fighting each other, but there’s one problem. If the pursuit resumes after the battle ends, it will be troublesome.

Star Union will never forgive me for causing them such tremendous damage. Not until they’re convinced I’m “dead.”

So I plan to show them that I’m dead.

By letting them see the explosion of a ship that I and my companions have already left.

‘Let’s wait just a little longer until the right opportunity comes.’

I sharply turned the fast-moving hull upward. For a normal aircraft, this would have put considerable strain on the hull, but this ship is essentially an extension of my limbs.

When I made this abnormal movement, the torpedoes following me momentarily lost their target and collided with other ships or floating debris.

The cyborgs also tried to turn upward to follow me, but they were much slower than I was. I performed an evasive maneuver behind them while simultaneously firing the Psychic Cannon.

Clusters of psychic power resembling bullets struck the mechanical vessel. The ship that took six energy shots at once split into four pieces. Numerous androids and cyborgs could be seen flailing as they were ejected into space.

True to Star Union’s weak sense of camaraderie, no ships came to rescue them. The remaining cyborg vessel ignored its dying comrades in the zero-gravity space and fired torpedoes at me.

[Zzzz z zzz(Hold on tight, everyone)]

With the distance too short to avoid everything, I sharply turned the ascending hull and dove downward.

Just before colliding with the torpedoes, I tilted the hull at an angle. The torpedoes rushing to destroy me passed by with barely a paper’s width of clearance.

I wouldn’t let the torpedoes that failed in their attack adjust their trajectory. Five of my Psychic Cannon ports were already targeting them. The torpedoes vanished in purple flames.

‘One shot left for you.’

The remaining cannon was reserved for the cyborg vessel that had fired torpedoes at me. The purple energy shot collided with the side of the warship. Purple and red flames erupted from the impact point, and the cyborg vessel lurched violently.

The finishing blow came not from me but from another Cult ship. A heat ray flying from a distance swept away the enemy.

“As expected, your gaming skills haven’t gone anywhere.”

“Of course. I’ve faced so many enemies like this.”

I’ve fought fleets in games dozens, if not hundreds of times. I’ve had my fair share of blood-boiling battles with top-ranked players too.

‘Come to think of it, I probably have more experience fighting fleets.’

Not just Megacorp and Space Dog, which encourage mercenaries and ship operations, but races like Star Union and Outspacer also operate large fleets in the later stages. Cult is slightly different because their unique quest system allows individuals to become extremely powerful.

Being their enemy, I had no choice but to fight fleets as well. I remember struggling to gather new traits for this purpose.

‘Space combat is completely different from ground combat.’

Traits that are very useful on land can be useless in space.

‘Even for me now, that’s true.’

Many physical traits can’t be properly used, and the same goes for parasitic traits and nest-related traits.

Since I’ll likely have more space battles in the future, I need to collect traits useful for space combat beyond Nightmare Horizon.

‘There’s still so much to do.’

At the dragon’s nest, I can acquire traits needed for space combat.

Planets where Gallergorn live usually host various beasts and predators. There are many creatures with traits like space flight, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to eliminate them first and collect their traits when we arrive.

While I was thinking about this, Adhigh Orr called me.

“Great One” “I” “Battle” “Participate” “Wish”

The guy is begging to go out. Seeing the ships constantly exploding outside, he seems to want to join the fight.

“I” “Flight” “Fast” “Enemy” “Slow”

[Zzzzz zzzz zzz(Sorry, but not this time)]

Although Adhigh is small and agile for a Gallergorn and would fight well out there, it’s too dangerous here. One mistake would be irreversible.

‘It would be a big problem if we can’t return before changing ships.’

He can detect the psychic power flowing through my body or No. 26’s, so he could easily find me even if I move to another ship. The problem is that the enemy must not know that I’m abandoning this ship.

If the enemy sees Adhigh boarding another ship, they might become suspicious.

[Zzzz zzz zzz(Let’s play together next time)]

“Disappointment”

While comforting Adhigh whose wings drooped, I continued moving the ship.

The battle situation changed as Star Union ships successfully approached the Cult. This was because the Imperial Mothership’s black hole shells, which posed a high risk of friendly fire, had been sealed.

The cyborg ships fired torpedoes at close range or rammed into Cult vessels.

Ramming tactics in the space age might seem primitive, but they’re quite effective against Cult if well-prepared.

The excellent defensive capability of Cult ships comes from their psychic power shields. What if you neutralize those shields?

The front sections of the cyborg ships approaching the Cult were all glowing white. These were APD drones, defensive equipment used to counter psychic power.

If you attach a bunch of those and ram into a Cult ship, you can temporarily nullify the shield at that point.

After that, it’s easy.

‘Since Cult ships have lower durability compared to Star Union.’

Every time a cyborg vessel collided with a Cult ship, purple light flashed and then faded. Cult ships with nullified shields were inevitably torn apart by those thorn-like gun emplacements.

The Cult ships appeared flustered by this sight, but none attacked rashly. Unlike cyborgs with almost no sense of camaraderie, the Cult hesitated to fire for fear of involving their allies.

While carrier-based aircraft provided cover, other Cult ships quickly distanced themselves. Those that couldn’t became cosmic dust at the hands of the cyborgs.

Finally, unable to watch its kind being slaughtered, the Imperial Mothership moved to the front.

I retreated, blending in with the withdrawing Cult ships.

That beautiful diamond-like absolute weapon has hundreds of Psychic Cannons mounted on it. An enormous number of purple energy shots flew toward the cyborgs.

While the front might be protected by APD, the sides and rear are not. Cyborg ships hit by dozens of energy shots were shattered.

Some reckless cyborgs tried to implement ramming tactics against the Imperial Mothership.

‘How stupid.’

The Imperial Mothership not only has stronger shields but also extremely durable armor, making it difficult to destroy with such tactics.

As I expected, all their attempts failed. Several more ships tried to attempt it but quickly stopped.

‘The commander is restraining them.’

The cyborg fleet suddenly split in multiple directions and flew toward the Cult fleet in the rear. Their plan was to eliminate the supporting ships before dealing with the Imperial Mothership.

Cyborgs charging like mad dogs, refusing to give up; Cult trying to maintain distance for long-range combat.

Both sides seemed evenly matched, but that wasn’t actually the case. The cyborg side hadn’t yet used their trump card.

‘It’s about time to change ships.’

The moment a cyborg rams into me will be my opportunity to switch vessels.

I stopped my evasion-focused movement and actively went on the offensive. I fired energy shots indiscriminately, regardless of whether the target was Cult or cyborg.

After destroying several ships this way, I could feel the cyborg side taking notice of me. At the same time, No. 26 sent me a wave.

“Big Baby, that big ugly one over there seems to be doing something.”

[Z(Really?)]

“Should I stop it?”

[Zz zz(No, leave it be)]

What No. 26 mentioned was probably the enemy flagship attempting a precise scan of me. By now, they must know.

That a cyborg who sent them strange messages is aboard this bio-ship. And that this ship is the root cause of this situation.

A subtle wave lightly brushed over my body. The precise scan must have been completed.

After that, the enemies’ attacks became much fiercer than before. As many as ten ships were following me to mark my position.

‘Come on, ram into me quickly.’

As I deliberately dodged torpedoes by a hair’s breadth while taunting them, the cyborg ships seemed properly provoked. They ignored the Cult carrier aircraft that were keeping them in check and focused solely on chasing me.

And finally, the opportunity I’d been waiting for arrived. I could sense a cyborg ship charging toward me from far away.

‘Less than two minutes left.’

I urgently moved our position near a location other than the reactor. Except for the cyborg, McKay, whom I’d been holding onto.

“Hey, hey? Take me too…”

His final cry was buried in the living wall and couldn’t be heard.

Having successfully relocated, I quickly deactivated “Nightmare Horizon.” As my body, which had been fused with metal, separated and fell to the floor, I activated the “Organic Evolution” trait.

The special state I was trying to transform into this time was…

‘Clever Weakling!’

As soon as the trait activated, my body rapidly shrank.

Simultaneously, the ship shook violently.