Ch.162Clue (3)

“H-h-h, Captain? AAAAARGH!”

“Sh-shit, everyone retreat!”

“H-h-hiiiiieek!”

The cyborgs who had gathered in the control room at the captain’s command screamed in terror as soon as they saw me. Unlike some cyborgs, they hadn’t modified their eyes, so they immediately recognized what I was.

‘Sometimes it’s better not to know.’

The cyborgs who saw me reacted in various ways.

“P-please spare me, please spare me, please spa—GACK!”

First were those who lost their will to fight. They fell to their knees, begging until their hands were raw, before I ripped out their throats.

“Fuck! You Star Union traitor! I’ll execute you myse—AAAAARGH!”

Then there were those who directed their anger at the captain who had betrayed them. They rushed toward the captain only to be sliced in half by the bone blades on my back.

And finally.

“Everyone take cover!”

“We need to subdue it!”

A small number of cyborgs maintained their fighting spirit and attacked me. They hid behind computers and machinery in the control room to launch their attacks.

Pulse gun rounds loaded with depleted uranium rained down on my body.

Each time they hit, the outer skin—no, the “scales” beneath my fur—rippled like waves, absorbing the impact of the bullets.

「Synthetic Scales: Replaces outer skin with synthetic scales. Allows hardening of specific areas using synthetic scales.」

Currently, my entire outer skin has been replaced with tiny scales. This is thanks to the new trait “Synthetic Scales” that I gained from devouring the Screamer.

The true value of this trait is the ability to harden vulnerable areas. When physical impacts occur, I can rearrange the scales in that area to temporarily enhance my defense significantly.

‘With this trait, I can protect tentacles or auxiliary organs of monsters.’

In my current Hunting Aspect state, my auxiliary organs are covered with carapace making them sturdy, but that’s not the case in my normal state.

I approached the cyborgs while taking their bullet rain head-on.

“F-fuck! Our attacks aren’t working at a—GACK!”

“Everyone retreat! RETREEEEAT!”

The cyborg who had been bravely firing bullets at me despite my approach was butchered by the four bone blades under my jaw.

The other cyborgs tried to escape while their comrade was being killed. My tail lashed out toward those who turned their backs to flee.

“AAGH!”

A cyborg who was relatively close was struck by my tail and sent flying into the wall. At least he died without suffering, which could be considered fortunate.

“L-let me go AAAAAAAGH!”

A cyborg caught in the pincers at the end of my tail struggled, but soon screamed as the pincers tightened.

These pincers had crushed even the Screamer’s metal skeleton. There was no way a cyborg could withstand them.

After spitting out bodily fluids mixed with organ fragments, the cyborg went limp and died. I carelessly tossed the corpse aside and pursued the fleeing cyborgs.

“W-wait wait wait wait, AAAAGH!”

“H-hiiiek, s-stop… *cough* *hack*!”

By the time my Hunting Aspect ended, most of the cyborgs inside the hull had been eliminated. Except for a few.

‘I need to implant parasites.’

The maximum limit of “Parasitic Swarm,” enhanced by the Type effect, is 10 people. Since one was already inside the Sky Mother, I left only 9 survivors.

“G-guh, I-I will serve the new master.”

The cyborgs controlled by parasites knelt before me in the control room, which had become a sea of blood.

There were two reasons I kept them alive.

There are still many androids and drones remaining on this ship. They’re needed to neutralize all of them. My children and I could go around destroying them, but there’s no reason to waste energy on things that won’t even yield genetic essence.

‘And they can be used as insurance when the Star Union comes after us.’

To deceive pursuers, the captain and other ship executives need to remain alive. The other side might try to check the biosignals of the captain or high-ranking crew members.

‘With this, preparations for taking over the ship are complete.’

Perhaps because I’ve become much stronger than before, taking over the warship didn’t take long. Apart from encountering the unexpectedly powerful Screamer, everything went smoothly without major variables.

‘Come to think of it, the Screamer provided more immediate benefits.’

Besides getting clues about the Star Union player, I was able to secure new genetic essence.

In the game, Screamers are classified as machines rather than organisms, so they don’t yield genetic essence.

However, the modified Screamers on this ship were different. Since they were made using Hulk Mutants as materials, I was able to obtain several types of genetic essence.

‘Getting the Coldblood trait here was lucky.’

Coldblood is a race that combines reptilian human base with beetle-like insect features. Judging by their appearance, they seem like an NPC race, but they’re actually one of the playable races.

Despite their frightening appearance, they’re highly intelligent and have a tragic background setting, which gave them something of a cult following.

According to the lore, Coldblood once competed with the Cult for supremacy in space, but by the current timeline, they’ve completely fallen. They gained power by making a contract with Voltex One, but in exchange, the fate of their entire race was mortgaged.

‘Now they’ve been reduced to cultists worshipping Voltex One or slaves sold to other races.’

Players who choose Coldblood aim to liberate and save their suffering kin.

‘Someone in the community once called it a dinosaur version of Exodus.’

Anyway, because of this setting, Coldblood are scattered throughout space in small numbers. Without luck, you might only encounter them much later when you can freely travel through space.

So I thought I’d only get their traits much later.

‘There were many Coldblood on the labor supply ship too, I wonder why.’

All the internal organ-related traits I obtained came from Coldblood.

I don’t know if Coldblood genes play an important role in Screamer development, or if the labor supply ship I ate happened to have many Coldblood aboard.

‘Whatever the cause, it benefited me in the end.’

Synthetic Scales that can protect weaknesses, and “Revenant Organ” which can be used as a trump card in critical moments, were unexpected gifts.

‘Though there are slightly disappointing aspects too.’

While I gained several additional traits from eating the Screamers, the rest were all traits I already possessed.

Usually, Hulk Mutants are synthesized with different genes, but these Screamers weren’t. They were all composed of identical genes, like clones.

‘Perhaps they were deliberately standardized for use as Screamer material.’

Because their genes were identical, their appearance and taste were also the same.

‘…Thinking about it makes me feel disgusted.’

The taste of the Hulk Mutants used as Screamer material was truly terrible. It made me want to open my jaw and scratch the inside of my mouth with my claws.

Based on my experience so far, organisms with multiple combined genes tended to taste better. Siheyon Yujin was like that, and so were the knights of House Egerton.

But this time, that formula was broken.

‘It tasted awful.’

It was similar to when I once squeezed a handful of toothpaste into my mouth and then drank orange juice. More precisely, it was like that with added salt.

I understood why Adhigh had been scratching his tentacles with his front paws. It definitely wasn’t a taste I’d want to experience often.

‘At least the caloric content was high.’

Though the taste was terrible, the energy contained was insanely high, befitting a Hulk Mutant. Even now, I felt completely full.

‘With this level of satiety, even after the Hunting Aspect ends… ah, it’s ending now.’

Speak of the devil.

Smoke began to rise from my body as my physical structure started to change. The Hunting Aspect effect was ending.

My body, which had grown to about 8 meters long including the tail, returned to 5 meters. The elongated fur shortened to match my body size, and the bone blade arms protruding from my back rapidly shrank.

Eventually, the bone blade arms detached from my skin like dead skin cells and crumbled. The same change occurred with the bone carapace covering the auxiliary organs under my jaw.

After all the changes were complete, I hurriedly stuffed the cyborg corpses in the control room into my mouth. This was to satisfy the hunger that always follows the end of the Aspect.

But something was strange.

‘I’m not that hungry?’

I did feel hunger more intensely than usual, but not enough to lose my mind. This level of hunger could be quickly satisfied by eating just a few cyborg corpses.

‘Is this also due to the Cunning Weakling effect?’

As expected, after devouring three cyborg corpses, the side effects of the Aspect were immediately alleviated. Perhaps this special state, specialized for survival, also drastically reduces energy consumption rate.

‘I thought it was bad because combat power decreases…’

Being able to use the Hunting Aspect without looking back was a merit. Moreover, it seemed to synergize well with traits that consume large amounts of stored energy.

‘For example, God’s Whip.’

“God’s Whip,” which I obtained from devouring the Cult’s orbital weapon “Lightning God,” is the most powerful ranged attack I possess.

Unlike the original, it doesn’t have the limitation of once every 14 days, but instead its power is reduced to less than two-thirds, and it consumes an enormous amount of energy.

But what if I entered the Cunning Weakling state? I could use God’s Whip more freely than at other times.

While I couldn’t spam it, it would be a godsend for me, who lacks ranged attack options.

It’s just a shame that I can’t operate that way in my normal state yet.

‘No need to feel disappointed. I can get it later.’

After alleviating the side effects of the Hunting Aspect, I stood up. Just then, the Sky Mother entered the control room with the children.

「You went on quite a rampage. How are the side effects?」

[Zzzzzz zzz zzzz(It’s an unexpected boon)]

She had been hiding with the children in a corner of the ship, preparing for the possibility that I might go berserk.

I briefly explained the effects of Cunning Weakling to her. She nodded in admiration.

「It’s definitely a good trait. The range of applications is unusually wide.」

[Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzz zzzzzzzz(It compensates for many weaknesses during infiltration)]

「Good for backstabbing players. They won’t know about this.」

She’s right. As far as I know, there are no traits in the game that artificially change the size of an AMorph. If I don’t know about it, there’s a high chance others don’t either.

The enemies have built powerful forces capable of operating fleets and orbital weapons. Since I’m not yet strong enough to subdue them with my power, I need to respond with infiltration and deception tactics.

While discussing my traits with her, No. 26 and Adhigh approached.

「Big one. Don’t you need to eat more?」

[Z zzzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzz(I’m full, so you two eat)]

No. 26, understanding my wavelength, extended his tentacles toward the corpses. Adhigh was about to follow No. 26 to eat but suddenly looked at me and came closer.

[Zz zzzz(What’s wrong?)]

「Great one」「previous」「different」

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz(You’re saying I’m different from before?)]

「previous」「ugly」「now」「attractive」「incomprehensible」

Adhigh wagged his tail while sending thought waves. His gaze was directed at the scales beneath my fur.

「now」「good」

‘It must be because of the scales.’

Adhigh usually tells me I look cool, but my appearance itself is quite different from a Gallergorn. My gliding membrane can hardly be called wings, and the carapace or outer skin on my body is far from Gallergorn scales.

The change from skin to scales seems to have appealed to Adhigh’s taste.

He looked at me for a moment, then nodded his head in satisfaction before going to No. 26’s side.

Seeing this, the Sky Mother commented:

「How adorable.」

Meeting her crescent-shaped eyes made me feel somehow embarrassed.

[Zzzzzzzz zzz zzzzzzzz zzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz(Stop with the unnecessary comments. Don’t you need to eat?)]

「As you know, eating cyborgs doesn’t help me. It’s better for the children to eat them.」

Like me, she can only grow by consuming the flesh of powerful enemies. Her growth will probably stagnate until we reach the dragon’s nest.

‘We’ve already taken care of all the troublesome ones anyway.’

Since I’ve roughly finished reviewing the Cunning Weakling trait, it’s time to move on to the next step.

I nodded to the children who were eating and left the control room.

The time has finally come to devour this Ship No. 98.

–

“What exactly is your intention?”

“What do you mean?”

“That Cult! We have mountains of preparations to make for our cause, yet we’re on a treasure hunt because of what that person said!”

Minseok Yujin, the butler of Siheyon Yujin, was displeased with his master who sat with a composed face.

After the failed assassination of Akira Yujin, Siheyon Yujin’s actions were full of things Minseok couldn’t understand.

They should be recruiting the elders of House Yujin remaining on Earth and building an anti-Akira force as quickly as possible, yet here they were, leisurely drifting through space.

Originally, Akira Yujin wasn’t very active outside. He spent most of his time on Earth except for CEO duties that absolutely required his presence.

The reason they had staked everything on the plan to destroy the T&C Special Trade Center was because it was one of those rare occasions when he ventured out.

“The civil war has made it easier to plan an assassination! So why are you saying we can’t do it!”

“I’ve told you that we don’t have the power to eliminate Akira right now.”

Siheyon Yujin spoke dismissively. She always said the same thing whenever Minseok protested.

That killing Akira was impossible.

She had infiltrated the flagship of House Yujin herself to assassinate Akira. Minseok could believe that much. The evidence was the Code Blue dagger she had brought back.

But the problem was what came after.

“Are you still saying Akira subdued the Shadow? That’s impossible!”

As Siheyon’s closest aide, Minseok knew well how powerful the Shadow was. And how powerful Siheyon was at full strength.

That’s why he couldn’t believe her claim that she had been subdued by Akira and barely escaped.

“I can’t believe it. No matter how I think about it, there seems to be a reason I don’t know.”

When Minseok continued to express disbelief, Siheyon’s eyes narrowed.

“I am your master. You haven’t forgotten that fact, have you?”

“……”

Minseok closed his mouth. Seeing this, Siheyon abruptly stood up.

Minseok flinched at the movement but didn’t avert his gaze.

“I’ll ask one last time. Answer carefully.”

“……”

For a very brief moment, his hand moved toward his pants pocket before stopping. Siheyon didn’t miss this.

“Minseok Yujin. Whom do you serve?”

“…The rightful heir of House Yujin, Siheyon Yujin.”

I serve the rightful heir of House Yujin, Siheyon Yujin.

At first glance, it seemed like a declaration of loyalty to her, but Siheyon noticed that he had deliberately chosen an ambiguous expression.

This was because she was Siheyon Yujin and at the same time not Siheyon Yujin.

In other words, Minseok was saying that his loyalty was to the “original” Siheyon Yujin, not the “clone” standing before him.

Siheyon understood this but didn’t point it out. Or more precisely, she couldn’t point it out.

“Go back. I have things to do.”

“…Yes.”

Minseok seemed to realize today wasn’t the day and didn’t protest further. He barely bowed and was about to leave the office.

As he grabbed the doorknob to leave, he muttered quietly:

“…And keeping a rival by your side. What are you thinking? Tsk.”

Left alone in the office after Minseok’s departure, Siheyon slumped into her chair. She muttered to the empty air:

“That was an ugly display.”

Then, a metal suit standing in the corner of the office moved. The bizarre design, mixing features of power armor and a walker, was 2.5 meters tall and as black as the space outside the spaceship.

Moreover, this metal suit covered the entire body like the power armor worn by House Egerton’s Silver Lion Knights. This thing, resembling a Star Union android rather than a human, spoke in a voice mixed with mechanical sounds:

「No. It was a more informative scene than I expected. I learned a lot of information I didn’t know.」

“What a morbid taste you have, Lila Chamberlain.”

The identity of the person in the black metal suit was Lila Chamberlain, the former general manager of the T&C Special Trade Center.

“Seeing that you have the leisure to acquire information, the inside of the suit must be quite comfortable.”

「Of course. Not having to sleep, eat, or do anything—it’s wonderful.」

A mechanical voice contrasting with the calm tone. Currently, her vocal cords were completely damaged, making speech impossible without mechanical assistance.

Infected with a virus so lethal that even genetic manipulation couldn’t heal her, she wouldn’t survive for even a few seconds without that life support suit.

And Siheyon, who had provided the suit to Lila, essentially held her lifeline.

“I misspoke.”

Yet Siheyon was the one bowing her head. Seeing this, Lila continued with interest:

「You’re more interesting than I thought.」

“What do you mean?”

「From what I know, those who undergo the Shadow procedure all become mentally unstable. Blood-thirsty killers, warmongers, extreme obsessive-compulsives, and so on. You’re no exception, of course.」

“Thanks for the compliment.”

「The you I’ve seen is, how should I put it… less Noble Capital-like than Akira Yujin. Both in your attitude toward the butler just now and your attitude toward me.」

“I did so because it was necessary. Taking what you want by any means necessary—isn’t that the operating principle of Noble Capital?”

「Hmm, I wonder.」

Lila didn’t seem to believe her, but Siheyon was sincere. In her heart, a goal she couldn’t tell others was rapidly growing.

A goal unique to “her”—neither Siheyon Yujin’s nor Minseok’s.

But there was no need to discuss that here. Siheyon changed the subject.

“Anyway, you must have a reason for seeking me out.”

「Ah. I forgot.」

Lila opened the backpack attached to her suit and took out a white mechanical device. It was a drone, half-destroyed and no longer functional.

「I found it while scouting outside. It was about to be destroyed, mixed in with a cloud of rocks, so I retrieved it.」

“This is a Star Union drone. Why is it here?”

Seeing the number 98 engraved small on the drone’s surface, Siheyon felt a strange sensation.

She had a strong premonition that very important information was contained in that drone.

“Were there any other drones?”

「They all seem to have been destroyed by the rock cloud.」

“I need to check if the data information is damaged.”

「Is that okay?」

“There might be important information.”

She pulled a cable from the office desk and connected it to the drone.

Soon, broken holograms began to appear above the desk.

“!”

「T-this is?」

And after confirming the contents, both of them could only be shocked.