Ch.176Screamer (3)

Adhigh and the Sky Mother, who had just woken up, stared blankly at the Screamer with only a head remaining, PS-111.

“Everyone, look! This is my new friend!”

“Pleased to meet you, wild creatures. I am PS-111. I now serve Main Controller ‘Sea Demon’ and Sub-Controller ‘Unidentified Aggressive Space Morph.’ I look forward to working with you.”

“Don’t call it Unidentified Aggressive Space Morph, just call it AMorph for short.”

“Confirmed. Changing Sub-Controller’s code name.”

The Sky Mother’s jaw dropped as she saw the human woman’s head introducing herself while perched on No. 26’s body. Her gaze wavered before settling on me, silently asking if what she was thinking was correct.

‘Yes, what you’re thinking is right.’

Unlike her shocked eagle face, Adhigh kept tilting his head as if something seemed off.

“Elder” “I” “question”

[Zzz (What is it?)]

“That one” “speech” “strange”

Adhigh immediately noticed that the wavelengths PS-111 was emitting felt awkward.

[Zzz zzzzzz zzz zzzz (It’s because its body is sick)]

“Wounds” “many?”

[Zzzz (Probably)]

I don’t know what PS-111 originally looked like. The Screamer I hunted was a lower-grade S model, so it would look different from its original form.

‘Whatever the case, having only a head left must be a critical injury.’

Of course, PS-111 likely doesn’t feel pain from the injury. Thanks to Sea Demon’s genes, it can relocate vital organs. While it appears to be just a head on the outside, inside it probably contains the brain and basic digestive organs.

However, explaining this to Adhigh seemed too complicated, so I decided to let it go.

“That one” “injury” “serious” “pitiful”

[Zzz zz zzzzzzz zzzz zzzzzz (You’re the elder, so help it a lot)]

“I” “elder?”

I didn’t ask directly, but it’s highly likely. According to game settings, Screamers have a life expectancy of less than a year.

PS-111 is a new model Screamer, but even so, it’s unlikely to have a long lifespan. At most, it wouldn’t survive more than a few years.

Anyway, after hearing my words, Adhigh seemed fascinated by seeing a creature younger than himself and scurried over to No. 26 and PS-111.

“Wild creature exterior analysis results: 78% match with ‘Green Gallergorn.'”

“Little baby, be nice to friend.”

“Hurt child” “pitiful” “help”

“Friend must be nice to little baby too. Understand?”

“Following Main Controller’s orders, reclassifying ‘Green Gallergorn (78%)’ as Sub-Controller 2 ‘Little Baby.’ Pleased to meet you, Little Baby.”

“Hurt child” “speech” “strange” “I” “education” “possible”

“Yes! Little Baby good!”

“Thank you for your support, Little Baby.”

The sight of three uniquely distinctive monsters conversing amicably was surprisingly interesting.

Adhigh, in particular, showed a markedly different attitude than he had with the Sky Mother. He was being gentle and affectionate toward PS-111.

‘Does he feel responsible after seeing a creature younger than himself?’

Or perhaps he identified with it because he judged it to have physical defects similar to his own.

As I was watching them get along pleasantly, the Sky Mother called to me.

“What’s going on? Is it actually possible to tame a Screamer?”

[Zzz zzzzzz zzzzzz (I didn’t do it)]

She seemed unable to comprehend the existence of a friendly Screamer. Since they only appear as enemies in the game, her reaction is understandable. I had similar thoughts myself.

I summarized what had just happened for her.

“No. 26 took control from that new model, mutant Screamer, you say?”

[Zz (Yes)]

“A Screamer that uses psychic power. Just as you said. Someone is compensating for the Screamers’ weaknesses.”

She sighed, agreeing with my reasoning.

“Cloe Garmelda. I can pretty much guess who it is.”

“Probably Rank 12.”

Among the Megacorp rankers, there was a player who focused on weapon development. A specialist in rare equipment production who provided weapons to players hostile to me.

“Last time, Muriel mentioned two sponsors. One was a Cult player named Jason, and she said she didn’t know the other one.”

[Zzzzzz (That’s right)]

“And you speculated that person might be from House Garmelda.”

[Zzz zzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz (Are you suggesting they’re the same person?)]

She nodded.

“There are only two rankers skilled in equipment production. Since the first-ranked one is already dead, only the 12th remains.”

[Zzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz (From what I know, Rank 12 was male?)]

“In the game, people can choose whatever gender they want. We can’t know if that’s really true.”

[Zzz (True)]

It’s a valid point. Just because something was true in the game doesn’t guarantee it’s the same here.

‘I need to be careful about this.’

Even though I’ve been in this world for over half a year, I sometimes still base my judgments on the game.

I myself am an element that deviates from the principles of the Space Survival world, yet I keep thinking this way. If I continue like this, I might end up in trouble.

‘I need to keep all possibilities open. Be careful.’

I reminded myself internally as I continued my conversation with the Sky Mother.

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz zzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz (If there’s a connection between Muriel’s helper and the Screamer developer, that creature becomes more important)]

“We’ll need to investigate more to know for sure.”

[Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz (Its former Main Controller might know something)]

If we capture PS-111’s former Main Controller, ‘Pyrrha Eleven,’ we might be able to extract more information.

‘But timing is the issue.’

I’m debating whether to strike and capture it before or after dealing with the Black Gallergorn.

If the new model Screamers are connected to players, then their commander, Pyrrha Eleven, likely is too. It could spy on my battle with the Black Gallergorn and transmit that information to players.

‘But targeting the Screamers first isn’t easy either.’

In other circumstances, prioritizing Pyrrha Eleven would be advantageous, but the situation isn’t favorable.

I’ve already confirmed that Gallergorn are moving abnormally. If I rashly go searching for Screamers and run into a group of Gallergorn, I risk creating a two-front battle. Based on the combat power of the Screamers I’ve fought so far and the information provided by PS-111, the enemy is very powerful. While estimated to be weaker than the Black Gallergorn, it’s still not an easy opponent.

Fighting both enemies simultaneously would be suicidal.

‘Should I try to benefit from their conflict? No, I know too little for that.’

I should probably get more information about Pyrrha Eleven from PS-111 before making a decision.

‘Until I’m certain, I’ll focus on preparing for the Apex hunt first.’

Capturing predators on this planet to gain useful traits will help me fight effectively against anyone.

‘Plus there’s unlocking the Sky Mother’s Wendigo transformation ability.’

As I was organizing my thoughts, No. 26 and PS-111 approached us.

“Question for the Main Controller: What species is the animal beside you?”

“Wild…?”

“Detecting psychic power similar to Gallergorn. Estimated to be a highly intelligent being.”

“Friend. This is Middle Baby.”

“Information unclear. Search for creature ‘Middle Baby’ yields 0 results.”

While the Sky Mother looked dumbfounded at being treated like a wild animal, I briefly explained about her to PS-111.

[Zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzz zzzzzz (She’s an Incarnate Volf, a Volf with transformation abilities)]

“A mutant Volf with metamorphic characteristics. Updating internal database.”

“Middle Baby is a great baby who punishes bad guys well. Be friendly.”

“Reclassifying as Sub-Controller 3 ‘Middle Baby.’ Pleased to meet you, Middle Baby.”

“…Y-yes.”

The Sky Mother seemed perplexed by the surreal situation of exchanging greetings with a Screamer through Sea Demon’s mediation. Ignoring her attitude, the beast and the synthetic creature went back to Adhigh.

“Detecting special metal devices from Little Baby.”

“Don’t touch that. Big Baby brought it.”

“Elder” “friend” “both” “can use” “hurt child” “check” “want?”

“Absorbing that device would help with faster recovery…”

The three monsters huddled together and began chattering in thought waves and wavelengths. Watching them getting along so well despite having just met, the Sky Mother shook her head.

“…You have a knack for picking up strange monsters.”

[Zzzzzz (I know)]

“I thought I was used to this sort of thing.”

She muttered quietly that other players would go crazy seeing this combination, but I didn’t bother responding.

After talking for about an hour, the three fell asleep again. Even the Sky Mother, apparently quite tired from the consecutive battles since midday, quickly fell into slumber.

The only ones awake in the nest were me and the Screamer with only a head, PS-111. It swam through the swamp covering the nest floor and approached me.

“AMorph. Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I have things to think about.”

Earlier, before sleeping, I had planned to examine the newly opened ‘Trait Enhancement’ system.

Since No. 26 had secretly slipped out of the nest, I couldn’t check it then, so I planned to look at it now.

After sending PS-111 away, I was about to bring up the translucent text box when the creature continued floating in front of me.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Yes, AMorph. According to information obtained from Little Baby, that 70L tactical backpack belongs to you. Is this correct?”

What it pointed to with its small metal leg was the backpack containing equipment I had secured from Muriel.

Inside that bag, which Adhigh usually carries on his back, are the ‘Golden Spear of Shaman’ and eight ‘Blood Rivers,’ unique-grade weapons from the Star Union.

The ‘Shapeless Polyhedron of the Plunderer’ that I obtained from killing a player has the effect of consuming unique-grade equipment and converting it into inherent traits. Thanks to that, I’ve already absorbed Cult’s orbital weapon ‘Lightning God’ and gained the trait ‘God’s Whip.’

The Golden Spear of Shaman and Blood Rivers might also be used for consumption, which is why I’m carrying them.

“Yes, those are mine. Why do you ask?”

“I need three of the metal mechanical devices ‘Blood River’ inside. If I absorb those devices, I can expect a dramatic increase in combat power.”

“Absorb?”

“Upper-level entities above intermediate terminals are granted extensive self-repair authorization to respond to enemies’ concentrated attacks. Therefore, when necessary materials are secured, they can be used for repairs.”

Hearing its words reminded me of the Screamer that killed the Winter Walker on the ground. It tried to eat the corpse to replenish needed energy.

‘So it can consume equipment as well as meat or psychic power.’

It seemed PS-111, like me, could eat metals, weapons, or equipment and utilize them. Its superior entity, Pyrrha Eleven, probably has the same ability.

“Why are you only telling me this important information now?”

“According to information obtained from Main Controller ‘Sea Demon’ and Little Baby, this location is not safe. To protect the Main Controller, I must restore combat functions as quickly as possible.”

I stared intently at PS-111. Judging by its appearance, it didn’t seem to be deliberately withholding important information.

‘Even if it wanted to hide something, it wouldn’t bring it up now.’

While the creature didn’t appear to be lying, I couldn’t simply hand over the Blood Rivers.

Besides not knowing how it would change after absorbing powerful unique-grade equipment, I only have eight Blood Rivers.

‘And three of them is practically half.’

Since I need them to fight the Black Gallergorn, I must decide carefully.

As I was contemplating what to do, my auxiliary organ beneath my chin detected a very faint vibration.

‘What was that?’

A vibration flowing in from quite a distance away. It felt different from an earthquake.

With a bad feeling, I lay down and linked my auxiliary organ to the nest.

My senses spread throughout the entire underground space through the swamp water covering the nest floor. Cold ice walls, cool air flowing through passages, holes created by my fierce battle with the Ice Horror.

As my senses swept through the vast underground space beneath the ice plain like a licking tongue, I detected another vibration.

With a thudding sound, the pile of ice and rocks blocking the passage suddenly disappeared. And following it, the flow of psychic power and the lingering resonance of metal weapons.

Realizing what these meant, I jumped to my feet.

‘Enemies!’

Multiple psychic power users had entered this underground space.