Ch.178Antlion Pit (2)

“What was that just now!”

“Wasn’t there supposed to be only one three-headed demon?”

In a short time, two people had fallen to unidentified enemies. Having prepared only for a single three-headed demon, they couldn’t help but be flustered.

‘…You stored information about that thing, right?’

One member silently nodded in response to Elijah’s telepathy.

The Temple Guardians typically fight enormous monsters or evil beings like the Sect of Voltex One rather than regular forces of the Cult or other factions. When fighting non-human entities, it’s common to die without leaving behind a body or any trace.

That’s why members of the Temple Guardians learn a special psychic power technique.

This technique, called ‘Memory Storage,’ is similar to thought photography—the ability to digitize memories of what one has seen or felt. Even if someone falls to a surprise attack, if a comrade trained in Memory Storage records and shares it with other members, they can prevent the same situation from happening again.

‘Everyone stand by.’

‘I’ll transmit the stored memory.’

While the other members maintained vigilance, the one trained in Memory Storage sent the images of Brentz’s demise to Elijah.

Through the telepathic link, the events that had just occurred unfolded like a video before Elijah as she received the memory information.

Brentz picking up the corpse of a baby monster from the floor. Between his legs, in the mist covering the ground, something pale white can be seen.

It looked like a drop of white paint on black paper—it was a woman’s face.

However, it wasn’t the typical human appearance she knew. The pupils and whites of the eyes were uniformly black, and the lips were blood-red.

Except for the eyes, it was certainly a beautiful face, but Elijah felt only creepiness and disgust.

While the head still had a human form, below the neck was different. It resembled a spider. Of course, that was just a metaphor—in reality, it was a horrifically grotesque appearance.

She, or rather “it,” seemed to have been hiding in the ice floor beneath the low-lying mist in the cavern. It had been lying in wait until the team members lowered their guard.

The monster’s snow-white face quickly rises up behind Brentz’s ear. Brentz still completely unaware of its presence.

Then the monster opens its bright red mouth.

Its jaw separates as its mouth stretches wider than the length of its face. Inside were densely packed triangular teeth resembling saw blades.

With its hideous mouth open, it bites into Brentz’s nape.

Blood spurts out, and his neck is easily severed. The creature grabs Brentz’s severed head and quickly retreats.

The memory shows the other members belatedly aiming their weapons. As the viewpoint of the Memory Storage user moves frantically, Elijah notices something.

Bilone is nowhere to be seen.

While the spider monster distracted them by killing Brentz, another monster must have abducted Bilone.

Afterward, the spider monster blocks the attacks from the members with its body and disappears into the darkness of the passage, taking Brentz’s severed head with it.

That’s where the vision ends.

Feeling a headache—a side effect of accessing Memory Storage information—Elijah thought:

‘Those creatures that just attacked are definitely not to be taken lightly.’

The behavior displayed by the two monsters was clearly teamwork. While the baby monsters distracted them, the monster with a human head quietly hid, waiting for them to lower their guard.

The other one waited for the moment when the members’ attention was diverted elsewhere.

In other words, the monsters the Temple Guardians were facing had remarkably high intelligence. Their exceptional physical abilities were just a bonus.

“This is a fragment that broke off from the creature’s body during the attack.”

“This is…”

What the member brought was too bizarre to be considered a piece of flesh. It looked like a metal fragment, but black flesh was fused with red metal, stuck together.

‘A fusion of metal and organic matter.’

There weren’t many factions capable of creating such things.

‘Star Union.’

Before coming here, she had heard rumors that the three-headed demon might be connected to the Star Union.

The rumor suggested that the three-headed demon was a new biological weapon created by the Star Union that had escaped control during testing and hidden in Cult Empire territory. The recent armed conflict between the Empire and Star Union was supposedly because of this three-headed demon.

‘No, that’s too much of a stretch.’

Elijah shook her head to clear away the speculation.

‘Let’s think about its identity after we capture it.’

After sharing the Memory Storage information with the members, she reported to Jason via telepathy.

“…You’re saying Brentz and Bilone died because of it?”

‘Brentz has fallen, and Bilone has been captured and is being moved. If we track them now…’

“No. Tracking is forbidden. Bilone is already as good as dead. Following them could lead to total annihilation.”

‘What?’

“Just knowing there’s more than one of them is an enormous gain. Now come back here.”

Bilone was still connected through the soul link. Elijah couldn’t just abandon her when she might be waiting for rescue from her comrades.

‘She’s our comrade! I can’t just leave knowing she’s still alive.’

“I don’t want to lose you, Elijah.”

‘What exactly is this thing that you’re so afraid of? You know, don’t you, High Priest? Why won’t you tell me?’

“…”

Jason fell silent at Elijah’s intense telepathy. She could feel her lover’s conflicted emotional state.

“Sigh, I thought telling you would only break your resolve, but fine. Just promise to retreat immediately after hearing this.”

After receiving Jason’s telepathic message, Elijah could only be shocked.

–

“Big baby, a friend has come.”

“Good job. How’s your body?”

“Kirik, much more organic movement possible compared to previous model, kirik, but durability is low.”

“You’ll need to consume metal to compensate for that.”

“Blood River, kirik, possible if you provide more.”

“No.”

I flatly refused PS-111’s request.

Having already used one, I have seven left. Even though Blood River is the only mass-producible unique-grade equipment, it’s not something you can get just anywhere. It’ll be difficult to obtain more until we attack Star Union’s core planets.

‘We need to conserve them since there are many powerful enemies on this planet.’

It’s only our second day here, and we’ve already encountered one Apex and a Cult with Black Gallergorn-level skills. No matter how many trump cards I have, it’s not enough.

“Requesting ‘AMorph’ to persuade main controller…”

“If big baby says no, then it’s no.”

26 thwarted the attempt to ask on PS-111’s behalf. PS-111 hung its head dejectedly.

‘Still, gaining a useful companion is a benefit.’

I looked at the clearly disappointed creature.

PS-111’s appearance had changed significantly since our first encounter.

It still had the face of a human woman with snow-white skin, but everything below the neck was completely different.

Red tubes and mechanical devices reminiscent of Blood River, black flesh obtained from consuming the tooth fairy. Metal and organic matter had mixed to create a new body.

To describe its appearance simply, it resembled a spider with a human head. It had four pairs of legs on each side of its body, and energy absorption devices from Blood River were visible between gaps in its black skin.

However, few would think of a spider when looking at it. The eight legs varied in length, and their shape was closer to grotesquely elongated human arms and legs rather than spider legs.

At the end of each extended leg was a differently shaped foot. There were mainly two types: one with five hook-like fingers, and another with a long sickle-shaped claw reminiscent of a blade. Either type seemed effective for tearing apart opponents.

Although all eight legs were of different lengths, which seemed like it would limit movement, the creature moved as naturally as if it had always been that way.

‘It’s like a creature from a sci-fi movie or horror game.’

By my standards as a monster enthusiast, its appearance was definitely passable. At least it looked much better than a screamer or Hulk mutant created by an unskilled special effects team.

‘I wonder if the Cult members thought the same.’

They must have been terrified when PS-111 suddenly emerged from hiding underground. The wounds on its body showed that the Cult members had frantically attacked in that brief moment.

“Wouldn’t eating the Ice Horror’s remains increase your defense?”

“Kirik, there’s a 72% probability of that.”

“Good.”

I nodded and took the Cult head that it handed me.

“Why do you need the head?”

“It’ll come in handy.”

I put the head with goat horns into my mouth and chewed. The Cult’s distinctive fruity flavor filled my mouth. It tasted like orange with a hint of lemon.

Skin, facial muscles, horns, skull, and brain are all finely ground as they go down my throat. Along with them, the Cult’s genetic components are rapidly absorbed.

Soon, one of the human-faced parasites on the back of my head rapidly shrank. And in its place, a new face grew.

The newly grown face looked exactly like the Cult I had eaten. The only difference was that, like the other human-faced parasites, it was very pale.

The new human-faced parasite opened its eyes. He immediately understood his situation and widened his eyes.

“W-what is this…?!”

“Be quiet.”

“!”

All five human-faced parasites growing on my head are bound to my will. If I tell them to be quiet, they must close their mouths; if I tell them to speak, they must speak.

‘You’ll be able to talk as much as you want soon enough.’

That was the purpose of bringing him here in the first place.

I sent a wave to Adhigh Orr, who was hiding nearby.

[Zzz (The enemies?)]

“Coming” “Number” “Twelve”

[Zzzzzz zzz zzz zzzz zzz (Are there any enemies as strong as an adult?)]

“Enemy” “Strength” “Small adult” “Comparison” “Low”

The group with the Black Gallergorn-level warrior stopped moving as soon as another group was attacked. He seemed to be staying in the rear, waiting to see how the situation developed before moving again.

The group attacked by PS-111 and Sky Mother had also changed their movement. They had been heading toward my nest but changed direction and were now moving toward where the rear group was located.

Only one group was moving independently—those coming toward us.

‘So far, everything is going according to plan.’

By now, Sky Mother should have arrived at the nest with the prisoner. The plan was for her to abduct a careless Cult member while PS-111 beheaded another.

‘How he responds from here will determine our next move.’

[Zzzz zzz zzzzzz zzzz (Well done. Stand by until I give the signal)]

“Understood”

After finishing my conversation with Adhigh Orr, I turned my attention to No. 26 beside me.

He was freely releasing the massive psychic power he had accumulated inside his body.

The immense psychic power spread by the Sea Demon affects other psychic creatures. It restricts the use of abilities that require finely controlled psychic power, such as telepathy or soul links.

Since entering underground, one of the three divided groups has been coming this way. They’re coming to remove the obstacle interfering with them.

‘Of course, it’s a trap.’

The group heading here now doesn’t know about the change in plans. They can’t use telepathy effectively because of the psychic power No. 26 is spreading.

‘If the group that comes here is annihilated, he will make his move.’

He has two options: either rescue the prisoner captured by Sky Mother, or…

‘Come personally to remove the obstacle interfering with the flow of psychic power.’

And regardless of what he chooses, the result will be the same.

I plan to battle him here, at this location where the Ice Horror’s hard carapace and bones remain.

[Zzz zzzzzz (Let’s prepare)]

“Yes.”

“Kirik, understood.”

[Zzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzz (If they make any sudden moves, proceed as planned)]

“Confirmed. Don’t worry.”

I entered inside the skeleton of the collapsed Ice Horror along with No. 26 and PS-111.

These intruders who foolishly challenged me.

They have only two futures left:

Either die and become genetic essence, or become my slaves.

‘Either way.’

Their essence will become mine, without exception.

–

“Is this it? Looks like animal bones.”

Krisian, leading the third Temple Guardian group, quietly marveled at the giant creature’s bones.

They were standing in a half-collapsed underground cavern. Despite the space being hundreds of meters in radius, the monster’s bones commanded an overwhelming presence.

“The psychic power is flowing from inside the bones. I’ll investigate.”

“Selene, keep trying to send telepathy to Jason and Elijah.”

“Understood.”

The Cult members present couldn’t properly use telepathy or soul links due to the massive psychic power emanating from the bones.

Unless powerful psychic users like Jason and Elijah directly sent telepathy to them, there was no way to contact the outside.

Not until they eliminated the cause of this mysterious energy.

“What kind of creature emits this level of psychic power?”

“Could it be an Arcane Orca’s corpse?”

“A creature that flies through space died under ice?”

“It doesn’t look like a fossil though.”

While the members carried out their duties, Krisian examined the bones and carapaces.

A light made of luminous jewels illuminated the bones in the darkness. The bones, reflecting the light with a white glow, were smooth without a trace of flesh.

‘Strange. If a creature this size died, the surrounding ecology should have changed.’

Carnivores approaching to eat its meat, massive gas and bacteria from the decomposing corpse—he couldn’t find traces of any of these. The giant creature’s bones were clean as if someone had meticulously stripped off all the flesh.

‘Plus these marks. There was clearly a fierce battle, but…’

Krisian thought as he touched the broken skeleton. There were too many strange points to believe it was defeated and eaten by the three-headed demon.

The demon was several times larger than this giant creature, yet there were no traces of it entering or leaving the passages connected to this cavern.

‘Can’t contact the other members… tsk.’

As he clicked his tongue in frustration, he heard the voices of members who had gone inside the bones and carapace.

“Krisian sir, please come over here!”

“What is it?”

Following the members’ voices inside, Krisian was shocked by the sight before him.

Between the white bones was a dark purple wall.

The wall was densely engraved with geometric patterns, and its surface was very uneven and bumpy. On the ground in front of the wall, unlike the other bones, were spikes of the same dark purple color as the wall protruding from the ground. It resembled the carapace of some large creature more than a wall.

And embedded in it were five pale faces.

“Uuugh, s-save me!”

“Kyaaaaaaah! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!”

“It hurts! It hurts so much! Someone help me!”

“Huuuuhuhuhuhu…”

“Get us out of here!”

Surprisingly, they were all Cult faces. Somehow embedded in the wall, all five were alive. They were crying and begging to be saved, tears and mucus streaming down their faces.

Despite having seen all sorts of things, Krisian had never seen a wall with only faces embedded in it. The sight was terrifying enough to make one fear seeing it even in dreams.

“W-what in the world is this?”

“T-the psychic power is flowing from behind this wall.”

“Damn it! Break the wall immediately… Wait, that face looks familiar.”

Krisian thought one of the five faces looked familiar.

“You, are you perhaps Brentz?”

“Huh? K-Krisian! It’s me, me! Brentz!”

He hadn’t recognized him at first because he was so pale. The one embedded in the wall was Temple Guardian Brentz, who had entered here with them.

“Weren’t you with Elijah? Why on earth are you here…?”

“I don’t know either! Damn it… When I woke up after losing consciousness, I was here!”

“I’ll get you out right away!”

Krisian approached the wall with the faces.

Just then, they heard the voice of Selene, the communication officer outside the bones.

“Krisian sir! I just received telepathy from Elijah! She says Brentz and Bilone have fallen in battle!”

“Huh?”

Krisian and the members looked at each other upon hearing this.

Brentz was right in front of them. Only his head was sticking out of the dark purple wall, but still.

“D-don’t listen to that! Elijah made a mistake! I’m still alive! I’m alive!”

The highest-ranking person among the Temple Guardians who came here was Elijah. She was the third most skilled in the entire Temple Guardian organization.

Would someone so remarkable fail to determine whether a comrade was truly dead or not?

Krisian and the members slowly backed away from the wall. Seeing this, Brentz began to rage.

“Damn you Cult rats! You think you’ll be safe?!”

His appearance, crying tears of blood while cursing, was like a demon incarnate.

Krisian was certain. That wasn’t Brentz, but something taking Brentz’s form.

“Everyone be careful…”

“K-Krisian sir!”

Hearing a startled member’s voice, Krisian turned to look at him.

Like him, the members who had survived countless battlefields had their mouths wide open. As if they had seen something extremely surprising or frightening.

Then Krisian felt a sharp pain. His gaze moved downward.

“Huh?”

A spike that should have been fixed in the ground was embedded in his stomach. His blood and pieces of his intestines flowed down the thick dark purple spike.

He felt the strength leaving his legs. His wavering gaze turned toward the wall in front.

He could see the faces embedded in the wall.

They were all smiling, with the corners of their mouths pulled up high.

“Hehe, caught you.”

“Hehe, caught you.”

“Hehe, caught you.”

“Hehe, caught you.”

“Hehe, caught you.”

Only then did he realize.

The face he saw wasn’t Brentz. What was in front of him wasn’t a wall either.

The “thing” that had gored Krisian with its horn began to reveal itself from the ground.