Ch.177Antlion Pit (1)

‘Could it be a Gallergorn?’

I sensed faint psychic power from the intruder.

However, if it were a Gallergorn, it wouldn’t move this quietly. I lay back down on the nest to investigate further.

After confirming that my auxiliary organ under my chin was linked to the nest, I focused my senses on a specific point. I channeled all my physical senses toward the source of the vibration.

Sound, smell, the flow of special energy. My auxiliary organ, highly enhanced thanks to the nest and various characteristics, absorbed these three elements. My AMorph brain quickly interpreted the refined information sent by the auxiliary organ.

‘Small but refined footsteps. Soldiers. Metal smell. Slightly different. Tools made of special alloys mixing several metals. And well-concealed psychic power.’

When I put it all together, there was only one answer.

‘Cult regular army, warrior division.’

Though I couldn’t be certain due to the distance, they appeared to be quite skilled. Judging by their equipment and movements, they were superior to the mothership division warriors I encountered at the Cult sanctuary.

‘Temple Guardians, or perhaps the Priests of the Eye of Revelation. And this one at the front…’

The one who unleashes psychic power when destroying obstacles blocking the passage. An extraordinary individual.

At first, I thought they were using psychic power tools to break through blocked passages, but looking again, that wasn’t the case. He was concealing his psychic power and only briefly unleashing it when necessary.

‘He’s the most proficient psychic power user I’ve ever seen.’

Of all the beings I’ve encountered, only two were highly skilled with psychic power. One is No. 26, and the other is Code Black, Yugin’s shadow whom I fought at the T&C Special Trade Center.

Yet this being easily surpasses both of them with his skill.

‘At this level, he’s almost on par with a Black Gallergorn.’

A Cult elite force including a powerful individual who puts me on alert. The group, which had been moving together, split into three at a fork in the road.

I couldn’t relax just because the enemies had split up. All three groups were heading toward the nest.

‘They’re looking for us.’

Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to force their way through blocked ice passages.

“What’s wrong?”

Sensing my change in demeanor, PS-111 questioned me.

“There are Cult intruders. Judging by their direction, they’re heading this way.”

“I cannot detect them, but if that’s true, they’re likely a Cult group established in Black Gallergorn’s territory.”

“What?”

Hearing this, I felt my heart sink.

For a Gallergorn, territory is a kind of hunting ground. It’s extremely important not only for hunting prey but also for adults to train hatchlings in hunting.

The fact that Cult members are allowed in such an important place means that the Gallergorn and this Cult group are in cahoots.

An unidentified powerful Cult member and a Black Gallergorn, who holds an upper-middle position among apex predators. Fighting both simultaneously would be impossible in my current state.

“Did the Black Gallergorn send these Cult members here?”

“It’s possible, but also possible that it didn’t.”

“What does that mean?”

When I questioned the ambiguous answer, he began to explain in detail.

“According to reports from other intermediate terminals, the Gallergorn pack is currently in a state of division.”

“Division? Wait, is this a succession battle for leadership?”

“Correct. The second-ranked White Gallergorn has challenged the Black Gallergorn.”

“The White Gallergorn challenged? That’s strange. It can’t possibly win unless it grows into a Black Gallergorn.”

The power difference between a White Gallergorn and a Black Gallergorn is like heaven and earth. A Black Gallergorn is powerful enough to kill five White Gallergorns simultaneously with ease. Other Gallergorns know this gap and never follow a White Gallergorn until it grows into a Black Gallergorn.

“That would normally be the case, but the White Gallergorn continues its challenge while leading numerous Gallergorn pack members.”

“Let’s skip that for now as it’s not important. What’s the relationship between the succession battle and the Cult group?”

“The second-ranked pack is hostile toward the Cult group. There have been observations of Gallergorns supporting the challenger attacking the Cult.”

“Hmm.”

Hearing his explanation, I think I understand the situation. Though difficult to comprehend, the intruders and the Black Gallergorn have an ambiguous relationship.

“The Black Gallergorn isn’t helping the Cult. They’re just coexisting for some reason, not as close as I thought.”

“Correct. The Cult groups have also not taken actions to help the Black Gallergorn.”

Still, I can’t be certain. The fact that our location has been exposed means we’re in danger regardless.

After disconnecting from the nest, I woke everyone up. I explained the situation to the tired-looking group.

“A Cult warrior division? Why would they come here?”

[Zzzzz zzzzz (I don’t know why)]

“…With a Black Gallergorn-level powerhouse involved, it won’t be easy to face them. We need to leave this place.”

After hearing the situation, Sky Mother suggested leaving the nest.

As she said, the Cult member who put me on alert is stronger than a priest, and he’s accompanied by dozens of excellent Cult warriors. She likely means we should retreat and then decide whether to fight based on the situation.

“Kin” “Smell” “Similar” “Danger” “Very” “Dangerous”

Detecting the approaching psychic power, Adhigh Orr agreed with Sky Mother. The way he nodded his four-horned head looked quite anxious.

“PS-111. Do you have any information about the Cult group’s abilities?”

“As this was handled by another intermediate terminal, my information is limited. Based on the limited information, the user’s psychic power is estimated to exceed that of a Cult Empire priest. Therefore, I recommend escape.”

PS-111, with only his floating head, also chose the path of escape.

“We should punish all the bad guys who harm our family!”

Only No. 26 suggested fighting rather than fleeing.

He has a strong sense of responsibility to protect his family. He would likely sacrifice his own life to protect those here.

After everyone shared their opinions, they all looked at me, silently indicating they would follow my decision.

‘What should I do?’

Though most opinions favored escape, I couldn’t make a hasty choice.

They had pinpointed our underground location from a distance and were tracking us. This suggests they possess some means of tracking.

‘Running to another location won’t help.’

We won’t be safe unless we eliminate their tracking means or delay them. What if they’re planning to drive us into a trap? Then we’d be walking right into the enemy’s trap.

‘There’s another problem too.’

Adhigh Orr and Sky Mother are vulnerable to cold. If a snowstorm hits again after we go to the surface, their combat effectiveness will drastically decrease.

‘On the other hand, fighting here?’

Fighting the enemies underground also has pros and cons.

The advantage is that I’ve laid a nest, so I can actively utilize nest-related characteristics. I can fight with the support of the nest, like when I fought Muriel.

Also, the others are familiar with the surrounding geography, so combat won’t be greatly hindered. The pitch-black darkness is a bonus.

‘But there are disadvantages too.’

In this underground space, it’s difficult to use my “Bone Beast” and “King of Monsters” transformation abilities. Unless it’s a very spacious cavern like where I fought the Ice Horror, my movements will be quite restricted.

‘And the ice ceiling is unstable due to the fierce battle with that creature.’

If there’s more impact, the frozen plain above might collapse entirely. While I could withstand the collapse of a hundreds-of-meters-thick ice ceiling in my transformed state, the others couldn’t.

‘No, wait.’

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.

After frantically thinking and quickly formulating a plan, I finally made my decision.

[Zzzzz zzzz (Let’s catch them here)]

“Will that be okay?”

Sky Mother’s thought wave carried deep concern. She must be worried since she knows we’re in a situation with no way back.

After making eye contact with everyone, I quickly explained the plan I had just devised.

“Wow! Hunting prey with big brother after so long! Fun!”

“Agree” “Exciting”

“…That devilish personality hasn’t changed.”

“An interesting plan, but not without risk. We need a way to increase the probability of success.”

[Zzz zzz zzz zzzz zzz zzzz (I have something to say about that. Follow me)]

I picked up PS-111 with my fingers. Then, after grabbing my backpack containing weapons, I left the nest.

“You said you wanted to consume Blood Rivers earlier, right?”

“Correct. With three, I can restore and enhance my combat functions.”

I took out one inactive Blood River from my backpack.

“It’s hard for me to fully trust you. And this Blood River is something I need too.”

“But one is not enough. Constructing a body with Blood River characteristics requires a large amount of organic resources.”

“Can’t those resources be supplied by living organisms?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Instead of answering, I activated the tooth fairy nest. Small flesh-eating fleas crawled out from the holes between my waist and back plate.

“I’ll supply the resources needed for your body modification.”

“I judge this to be a very efficient energy supply solution.”

PS-111 expressed admiration.

I handed the Blood River to him.

He opened his mouth wide like someone with a dislocated jaw. Thin tubes protruding from his mouth wrapped around the Blood River and pulled it inside.

“Kirik, Blood River, absorption complete, kirik, organic matter for body structure reconstruction, kirik, absorption, initiated, kirik.”

PS-111’s body, having consumed the Blood River and tooth fairies, began to twist.

Watching him transform into a much more grotesque form than before, I smiled.

–

A group was moving through a frozen structure filled with cold air.

Despite the extremely low temperature, they wore only scaled bodysuits. The reason for their light armor in such a harsh environment was that they were highly skilled psychic power users.

If someone sensitive to psychic power were present, they would notice a faint purple aura surrounding their bodies.

Ivory bodysuits, various horns protruding from their temples.

The identity of those walking through the frozen underground passage was the Temple Guardians of the Cult Empire.

Only warriors proven to have exceptional skills within the Cult Empire can enter the Temple Guardians. Their role is to escort important figures or eliminate threats to the empire’s security. The only group with greater military power than the Temple Guardians in the empire is the “Eye of Revelation” priest division, an affiliate of the Prophet Council.

Such remarkable individuals were advancing with rigid faces.

“Elijah, do you think Jason distrusts us?”

“No idle chat during missions.”

When Elijah, the leader with yak horns, pointed this out in a cold voice, the member closed his mouth. Though it wasn’t appropriate behavior during a mission, Elijah didn’t press the issue further.

She too harbored considerable dissatisfaction with the situation.

‘I know the three-headed demon is dangerous, but…’

After descending underground with Gallergorn’s guidance, Jason had been more tense than she had ever seen him. Even she, Jason’s personal bodyguard and lover, had never seen him like this.

This didn’t look good to the Temple Guardians. It felt as if he doubted their abilities.

The Temple Guardians are a group that hunts monsters harmful to the empire. Having captured hundreds or thousands of monsters, they can be called experts in monster hunting.

Of course, the enemy is a formidable foe who annihilated the Imperial Mothership and its fleet. Probably one of the five most dangerous beings the Temple Guardians have ever faced.

But all the Cult members present were prepared to fight to the death.

‘Jason must know this.’

That wasn’t all. Her lover had made an incomprehensible request to the Temple Guardians.

‘Commit suicide if we’re about to lose?’

He seemed not to imagine at all that the Temple Guardians could win against the creature.

Additionally, he even specified a concrete method of suicide. He said that if they were to die fighting the creature, they must never leave their heads behind.

He went so far as to tell them that if they were about to die, they should concentrate their psychic power on their brains and make them explode.

‘Why?’

In Cult society, suicide is generally taboo unless it’s self-sacrifice for a special purpose. Taking one’s life for personal reasons is considered rebellion against the implementation of the great “Providence.”

She asked separately via telepathy, but he didn’t explain. He just said to commit suicide, claiming they wouldn’t understand even if he told them.

With a priest, who could be considered the most honorable person in the empire, behaving this way, even the proud Temple Guardians’ morale was bound to drop.

Despite being divided into three groups of twelve each due to the fork in the road, the members’ discontent didn’t easily subside. Although Elijah gave a brief warning, hostility toward Jason’s rude behavior remained in the members’ eyes.

“Elijah! Movement detected ahead!”

At that moment, the member in charge of reconnaissance shouted loudly. Everyone drew their weapons.

“……”

“……”

Though they moved quickly in silence, constant conversation was taking place in the mental world connected by telepathic links.

‘Jackstal, Nesian, take the ceiling. The enemy might attack from above.’

‘Stavran, Vilone, take the front, Brentz and I will take the rear.’

‘Tern, something’s interfering with the telepathic link. Check it out.’

‘Got it.’

Normally, warrior division members can use telepathic links, but they rely on helmets designed to amplify psychic power.

However, Temple Guardians are trained to communicate with each other without special tools. This is to avoid being caught off guard during combat.

Moving with perfect coordination, they entered a cavern of considerable size. It seemed unremarkable except for four paths leading out of it.

‘Which way should we go?’

‘Due to radio interference, I can’t map the underground cavern.’

‘The enemy must be nearby. Everyone be careful.’

They advanced slowly, scanning their surroundings with weapons drawn. As they crossed the cavern and approached the four paths, Elijah sensed something strange.

‘Huh?’

A feeling that something was qualitatively different from before. She looked around but saw only ice and rocks blackened by darkness, nothing special.

But as a veteran warrior, Elijah pondered why she felt this way.

And soon after, she derived an answer.

‘The smell!’

This cavern had a different smell from the ice passage they had been walking through. Something unknown was mixed in the air.

Realizing this, Elijah urgently sent a telepathic message.

‘Everyone, activate your dragon scale armor…!’

Just as Elijah was about to give the order, dozens of movements were detected around the ground where they stood. And from the ground, monstrous creatures the size of a Cult member’s face sprang up all at once.

“Ambush!”

“Everyone respond!”

The members immediately counterattacked the small monsters flying at them. Spears and longswords cut through the air and monsters, while arrows and bullets pierced the monsters’ heads. With responses as fast as lightning falling from the sky, dozens of monsters were quickly dispatched.

‘What are these creatures?’

‘Jason said they’re offspring of the three-headed demon.’

Hearing this, one guardian picked up a monster corpse. The monster looked similar to a beetle covered in black carapace, with human-like teeth densely protruding around its face.

The guardian clicked his tongue at the disgustingly hideous appearance.

“Damn, what a horrific form…”

About to curse briefly, he stopped speaking. Through the shared vision of the soul link, he saw something behind him.

Beside his shoulder.

“Kigik.”

Where there should only be deep darkness, there was a snow-white face.

‘Be careful!’

“Huh?”

“It,” resembling a human female face, opened its mouth wide like a snake. Inside its bright red mouth were hundreds, thousands of teeth densely packed.

The sound of bones being crushed near his ear. That was his last memory.

“Brentz is down!”

“Begin counterattack!”

The monster with a human female head and a giant insect body grabbed Brentz’s head and began to flee. Moving with bizarre movements on multiple legs, it crawled along the wall and disappeared into one of the four passages.

“Kigik, kigik, kigik, kigik, kigik, kigik, kigik.”

From beyond the dark passage, only the creature’s mocking laughter eerily echoed.

“Damn it! I’ll chase after it! Everyone regroup!”

“Um, Elijah? Vilone is missing.”

“What?”

Hearing this, Elijah quickly checked the soul link.

The member was right.

One of the remaining 11 soul links was moving abnormally fast.

While Brentz was being attacked, Vilone, who was guarding the front, had been abducted.

‘Could it be?’

The three-headed demon they were targeting.

That demon has allies.

In this frozen maze, they are not alone.