Ch.175Screamer (2)

I hurriedly threw the Screamer’s head with my combat hand.

Then I hugged No. 26 and curled up my body.

｢Big baby?｣

No. 26 sent a wave of confusion, but I didn’t answer.

It was already too late to escape the blast radius. This was the only way to save No. 26 from the explosion.

‘Damn it!’

Thanks to the ‘Bone Beast’ trait, my body’s defense had increased dramatically, but No. 26 didn’t have that advantage. Being a Sea Demon, it probably wouldn’t die from the Screamer’s self-destruction, but critical injuries would be unavoidable.

‘Please hang in there.’

I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the imminent baptism of flames.

Several minutes passed like that.

‘Huh?’

｢Big baby, what’s wrong? Are you angry?｣

No matter how long I waited, the pain of my entire body burning never came. There was only the cold air in the ice corridor.

I opened my eyes and checked the Screamer.

“PS-111. Additional damage has occurred due to external impact. Current damage report: 87% damaged.”

The Screamer, embedded in the ice wall, merely muttered mechanically while bleeding white blood, making no attempt to respond.

‘What’s going on?’

Only then did I realize that this Screamer was somehow different.

While Screamers are controlled by machines, they are fundamentally beings that operate based on living organisms. Only androids can survive with just their heads remaining.

‘It doesn’t seem to be an android though.’

I focused on my auxiliary organs to examine its appearance in detail. It had much more vitality than an android.

Androids engaged in espionage might imitate humans well, but there would be no reason to give such functionality to a Screamer.

｢I feel stuffy.｣

While I was examining it carefully, No. 26, who had been in my arms, slipped out. Then, seemingly noticing the Screamer stuck in the wall, its body flashed brightly.

｢Waaah! My friend is hurt!｣

“PS-111. Advising the Main Controller: Hostile organism detected, please retreat.”

From my experience, the darker No. 26’s body color glowed, the worse its mood was. I knew this for certain because it turned to a purple-tinged pink whenever I was seriously injured.

No. 26, its body color slightly darkened, extended its tentacles and pulled the Screamer out of the wall.

｢Friend, are you okay?｣

“Reporting to the Main Controller: Currently 0.5% recovery in progress.”

When No. 26 placed the Screamer on the floor, six spider-like metal legs protruded from the Screamer’s neck area. Seeing its appearance, I immediately thought of the alien creature’s manifestation from a classic sci-fi horror movie set in an Antarctic research base.

The grotesquely shaped Screamer head diligently moved its metal legs and stood before No. 26. It looked as if it was trying to protect No. 26.

｢Friend!｣

“Hostile organism poses a 95% threat to the Main Controller. Eliminating.”

No. 26 seemed confused, not knowing what to do between me and the Screamer.

‘How is this even possible?’

The situation was so beyond common sense that even I had difficulty understanding it immediately.

｢Big baby, I think my friend is hurt.｣

[Shh (Quiet)]

｢Okay.｣

My emotions must have been conveyed through the wave, as I unintentionally spoke coldly. No. 26 shrank like a child who had secretly brought home a puppy.

‘…Let’s examine this calmly.’

While it’s fortunate the Screamer didn’t self-destruct, the situation isn’t exactly good.

That’s because No. 26 acted independently for the first time since meeting me. And it wasn’t just playing or eating food—it had caused a major incident.

‘It hid a dangerous element from me.’

If the Screamer had harmed No. 26, it might not be here now. No, even Adhigh Orr might not have escaped serious injury.

I should obviously scold it, but there was something I needed to consider first.

I looked at No. 26, emitting a pink light in the darkness.

While it was clearly shrinking from my anger, it wasn’t immediately abandoning the Screamer.

This meant it might have developed compassion.

As an AMorph, I inevitably have to take the lives of other organisms. That’s the only way to evolve and survive. None of my companions are unaware of this fact.

The exception is the Sky Mother, but she has a goal: to kill her enemies and comfort the souls of her family.

Anyway, because everyone understands my nature, I was able to come here to the dragon’s nest with them.

Normally, I would have spent a long time gathering traits needed for hunting an Apex. But with them compensating for my weaknesses, there’s no need for that.

But if No. 26 starts feeling the preciousness of life, it would greatly hinder my hunting activities. Especially if the one who handles psychic power best among us drops out, hunting Gallergorn would become extremely difficult.

‘Moreover…’

The problem doesn’t end there.

No. 26’s impulsive action might be evidence that it’s growing. This means such incidents might happen again in the future. The smarter it gets, the more conflicts we’ll have.

It’s not just No. 26. Adhigh Orr might become similar as it grows. Adhigh is even younger than No. 26.

‘This isn’t a problem I can solve by being forceful here.’

I need helpers to compensate for my weaknesses, not slaves. To maintain a positive relationship with them in the future, I need to be more considerate.

‘The first step is crucial.’

Just as a child’s growing sense of self makes them want to break free from parental oversight, I know better than anyone that conflicts with parents at this stage can last a lifetime.

Regardless of the circumstances, scolding No. 26 is inevitable, but I need to choose my words carefully so it understands well.

After organizing my thoughts, I spoke to No. 26.

[Do you know how dangerous that is?]

｢Is my friend dangerous?｣

[If that thing goes boom, we all get hurt]

｢Really? More dangerous than boom-boom?｣

[Yes]

No. 26’s body turned pale after hearing that the Screamer was more dangerous than a plasma launcher.

It’s not a lie. The Screamer’s self-destruction I witnessed looked at least 20 times more dangerous than a plasma launcher. Of course, I wouldn’t die, but there’s no need to mention that.

｢I don’t want Big baby to get hurt!｣

[I don’t either. So trust me and help me]

｢Okay…｣

Seeing it trembling like when it was experimented on by Megacorp researchers, I felt increasingly sorry. But I steeled my resolve.

[Where did you bring it from?]

｢I saw it when eating the big bad one. It said it was in a lot of pain, so…｣

Come to think of it, I had discussed Screamers with the Sky Mother earlier today.

While tearing through the insides to eat the heart, she discovered partially digested Screamer remains. Based on the remains collected, the Ice Horror had eaten at least 10 Screamers.

The Sky Mother said that judging from the damage patterns, they were either eaten or crushed by the Ice Horror before they could self-destruct.

‘They had the same composition as the Screamers that caught the Winterwalker.’

Because of this, we concluded that Star Union was secretly conducting Screamer development experiments on this planet. They probably pitted them against powerful predators like Ice Horrors or Winterwalkers to test their combat capabilities.

[One more thing]

｢Yes.｣

[Why did you save it?]

｢Well…｣

No. 26 hesitated without answering my question.

If No. 26 answered that it did so out of pity, it would be very problematic. That’s not something I can suppress.

‘Don’t get impatient.’

Being forceful would backfire. I waited patiently.

After staying quiet for a moment, it sent me a cautious wave.

｢It smelled like my kind from the first time I saw it.｣

[Your kind?]

｢Yes. My friend said it was hurting, so I brought it to make it not hurt.｣

Now that I think about it, when I was hiding, No. 26 had offered something for the Screamer to eat.

[Can you try again?]

Hearing my wave, No. 26 extended its tentacles. Like when using its “Binding” technique, purple thread-like substances emerged from the tentacle tips and plugged into the metal holes at the back of the Screamer’s head.

The Screamer’s eyes rolled back, and mechanical sounds flowed from its mouth.

“PS-111. Po, po, po, power charge confirmed to have increased from 5% to 6, 6, 6%.”

｢Hurt friends get better when you feed them.｣

Seeing this, I roughly understood the situation.

‘Bubble Amoeba, or Sea Demon genes were incorporated.’

This also explains why the Screamer can move and live with just its head.

The two slime-like creatures can move or shrink the location of vital organs like the brain as desired. Thanks to this characteristic, Sea Demons can survive with just a fraction of their body remaining.

‘It compressed only the necessary organs and put them inside the face.’

If this Screamer has Bubble Amoeba or Sea Demon genes, it’s not impossible.

This also explains why No. 26 and the Screamer, with completely different communication systems, can communicate with each other.

“Power charge 10%. Will utilize for biological function supplementation.”

When it opened its mouth to speak, I felt a very subtle flow of waves. To No. 26, it probably sounds much more awkward than Adhigh Orr speaking.

From No. 26’s perspective, it’s a fellow creature that’s badly hurt and can’t speak properly, so it must have seemed much more pitiful.

‘It has deep kinship.’

The situation is much better than I feared, but there’s still a problem.

‘The same thing could happen when meeting other Screamers.’

It wouldn’t be good if No. 26 hesitates every time we encounter new model Screamers that have received Bubble Amoeba or Sea Demon genes.

[There might be many more friends like this in the future]

｢Really?｣

[If those friends attack me, I’ll be in a lot of pain]

｢I like friends, but I hate it more when babies are in pain!｣

Understanding my meaning, No. 26 startled and puffed up its body. Seeing its paper-white body, the possibility of another impulsive action seemed low.

‘This should be fine.’

I sent a wave containing a warning as a final touch.

[I have a responsibility to protect my family. You understand my feelings.]

｢Yes. I do.｣

[Tell me if you see a new friend. Understand?]

｢I understand…｣

Seeing No. 26 looking dejected made me uncomfortable, but it couldn’t be helped. It’s definitely not good to have such unexpected situations when fighting dozens or hundreds of Screamers.

After finishing my warning to No. 26, I turned to the Screamer that was glaring at me.

‘Next is how to deal with this.’

I picked up the Screamer, which only had its head left, with my finger.

It had metal legs on its face until just now, but its appearance had changed. Tentacles and protrusions I hadn’t seen before were now protruding near its cheeks and jaw. Moreover, flesh had grown on the broken and severed tubes, transforming it into a semi-organic form.

‘Self-repair function?’

The creature that had just consumed psychic power from No. 26 was probably using that energy to heal its body.

“Threat detected from hostile organism. Initiating counterattack.”

｢Friend! Big baby is my kind! Don’t do that!｣

As the now even more grotesque creature resisted by poking my finger with its metal legs, No. 26 intervened.

“Main Controller’s order confirmed. Ceasing counterattack.”

The Screamer immediately stopped resisting at No. 26’s words. Perhaps due to sharing genes, it seemed to recognize No. 26 as a superior.

｢Friend. You have to listen to Big baby. Okay?｣

“Reclassifying hostile organism. Classification as Sub-Controller complete. Access to internal database confirmed.”

After completing its adjustment, the Screamer folded its metal legs and looked up at me obediently.

“Greetings, Sub-Controller. How may I assist you?”

Originally, I had planned to eat the Screamer after scolding No. 26.

However, seeing how submissive it was to No. 26, my thoughts changed slightly.

‘I can extract information.’

I activated the voice mimicry function, one of the mimetic organ trait effects.

“Who are you?”

“My code name is PS-111. I am a PS-class intermediate terminal model that commands lower Screamers on behalf of the Main Controller.”

The Screamer with only its head remaining, PS-111, was an individual that played the role of a field commander.

“Surprising. Screamers shouldn’t have commander units?”

“That was true for old models. The former Main Controller ‘Pyrrha Eleven’ pointed out the limitations of those models and, with the Supreme Controller’s permission, began developing a new model, ‘Mutant Screamer’.”

“What limitations?”

“The vulnerable durability of organisms synchronized with Screamer machines, low psychic power resistance, and insufficient tactical thinking.”

The three things it mentioned are chronic weaknesses of Screamers.

‘They were system-limited problems, but this is reality.’

Using Hulk Mutants as materials could dramatically improve the performance of the non-mechanical parts. Adding psychic power abilities would be a bonus.

The issue is tactical thinking, but this is understandable too.

Screamers, being close to a penal unit, are not allowed free thought and action. So they probably chose this method of mixing in superior individuals in a limited way to assist.

“I see. So you’re a commander-class Mutant Screamer.”

“Correct.”

“Pyrrha Eleven, you said? Why was the Main Controller changed?”

“Due to internal data damage caused by the attack of a Level 7 dangerous creature ‘Ice Horror’, the system was initialized. At that time, a Level 8 ‘Sea Demon’ was registered as the new Main Controller.”

Hearing this, I had a guess.

‘No. 26’s psychic drill.’

When that tremendous psychic power tore apart the Ice Horror’s insides, this creature must have been affected by the aftermath.

I asked again.

“Let’s move on to the next question. The genes in your body. Explain what organisms they’re from and who manipulated them.”

“The genes applied to my body…”

PS-111 listed in detail the biological information in its body. As expected, it contained a small amount of Sea Demon genes.

‘Coldblood genes are unexpected though.’

Both the Screamer I met last time and this one had a high proportion of Coldblood genes.

While it’s true that good traits can be obtained from Coldblood, they’re not powerful enough to disrupt the balance. There’s no need to put them in Hulk Mutants used as Screamer materials.

‘Is there something I don’t know?’

While I was thinking, the Screamer continued speaking.

“In total, there are 5 types of genes injected into my body. The genetic manipulation was handled by Research Director Cloe Garmelda and Chief Researcher Lee Zhao.”

“Wait. Garmelda and Zhao? Could they be from Megacorp families?”

“Yes. The two researchers are individuals belonging to Megacorp’s Noble Capital and Prime Capital, respectively.”

Only after hearing its words did I realize my suspicion was correct.

Star Union’s Grand Marshal, Megacorp’s Noble Capital Garmelda, Prime Capital Zhao.

All three are leaders of Megacorp and Star Union. It’s a situation where the heads of groups at war with each other are colluding.

‘Most likely players.’

I looked down at PS-111 on my palm.

I had obtained almost all the information I could from it, with only the most important question remaining. I intended to decide its fate based on the answer.

“What’s the possibility of the former Main Controller, Pyrrha Eleven, seizing control?”

“It’s impossible unless the system is initialized and the firewall is disabled.”

“Can other intermediate terminals change the Main Controller like you did?”

If this were possible, I could turn the Screamers made by my enemies against them. It would not only help with hunting Gallergorn but also be a great asset when fighting players later.

However, PS-111’s answer negated my expectation.

“Control transfer due to damage is no longer possible.”

“Why?”

“Before I broke free from Pyrrha Eleven’s control, I reported the possibility of this error occurring. By now, the vulnerable parts of the control system would have been improved.”

This means it’s no longer possible for No. 26 to take over other commander Screamers like PS-111.

‘Then is it beneficial to eat it?’

The creature on my palm, as if sensing my thoughts, added more information.

“However, I can access the channels used by lower units, S models.”

“You mean you can spy on other Screamers’ operations?”

“Not just spy, but also exert limited control over S models.”

“Limited control?”

“I can seize control by physically contacting the Screamer machine.”

The Screamer machine refers to the scorpion or spider-shaped mechanical device that envelops the organism that becomes a Screamer.

True to Star Union’s nickname as a penal unit, all of a Screamer’s bodily activities are controlled by the Screamer machine.

So what it’s saying means it can manipulate the Screamer’s actions themselves.

‘The expression “physical contact” is concerning though.’

Screamers cannot be controlled by my parasites or human-faced beasts. Enemy players would know this too.

‘If I exploit that aspect…’

I can strike at parts they don’t expect.

“Last question. Is there a possibility that Star Union will track you?”

“It’s impossible for them to find me.”

“Impossible?”

“The signal chip in my body was destroyed by the Ice Horror’s attack. I am officially processed as discarded.”

I placed my auxiliary organ against its cheek. The four long auxiliary organs caressed the Screamer’s smooth face.

‘I don’t feel any special signals.’

Just to be sure, I checked if there were any electromagnetic waves leaking out, but felt nothing.

‘There’s no risk of being tracked.’

I mentally reviewed the conversations we’d had so far.

The benefits of keeping it alive versus the benefits of eating it. Which was better was clear.

“You seem useful.”

“I’m glad to be of help.”

With that, PS-111’s fate was decided.