Ch.214Trap (3)

I confirmed the dead Hellside Hornet and retrieved my bone scythe arm.

Blood and brain matter flowed from the hole pierced between its two compound eyes.

Maggot-infested brain matter, an insect’s head. Though these were all revolting elements, from an AMorph’s perspective, they just looked like delicious prey.

Even for someone like me who likes monsters, the visual was overwhelming, but I paid no mind and pulled off its head.

‘I should be grateful I’m an AMorph, I suppose.’

The Hellside Hornet was disgusting while alive, but it became even more horrific in death.

There are two useful traits I can acquire from it.

‘Those sturdy arms and the ability to produce maggots.’

Both are excellent traits on their own, but when made into fusion traits, they become even stronger than the originals.

The Hellside Hornet’s scythe can be fused with the “Essence Harvester’s Jaw” trait. The scythe attached to the arm transforms into a fang-like structure.

According to the lore, the blade portion of the fang is densely packed with monomolecular saw teeth that can destroy any armor. It can even easily tear through an Ice Horror’s head carapace.

Not only do fangs form, but the oral structure also changes significantly from its current shape. This allows me to cut an opponent’s neck with the scythe fangs and immediately absorb them.

‘That’s why it’s advantageous for large-scale harvesting.’

This is arguably the most necessary trait right now as we face an upcoming war with the Gallergorn.

‘If I think about the future, the ability to produce maggots isn’t bad either.’

The maggot generation trait can be fused with “Human-Faced Beast.” When combined, it transforms into a trait that creates fly monsters with sentient heads. Just as I can only create 5 Human-Faced Beasts, I can only separate 5 human-faced flies from my body.

The ability to emit paralyzing sound waves remains intact, allowing for much more versatile operations than before.

‘But I can’t use it against Gallergorn.’

Since Gallergorn have no ears, they aren’t affected by paralyzing sound waves. So this will only be useful later.

‘…Well, if I’m unlucky, I might not get either and end up with something like robust vitality instead.’

Insect-type and plant-type creatures commonly possess the “robust vitality” trait.

No matter how much the Hunting Emblem increases predation success rate, the traits I can acquire are random. There’s always a chance of drawing a blank.

‘Enough idle thoughts, let’s eat quickly.’

Adhigh Orr is waiting beside me, wondering when I’ll eat. He looks like he wants to jump right into the appetizing pool of blood but is holding back because of me.

‘Now, where should I start?’

I prayed for a good trait and put the Hellside Hornet into my mouth.

‘Mmm.’

As I chewed its head with my bifurcated jaw, I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

The creature looked disgustingly repulsive to anyone. Its taste was as intuitive as its appearance.

‘Sweet.’

Sweet enough to melt my tongue.

If I were to compare the Hellside Hornet’s head to real-world cuisine, it was like chewing on a large caramel made of Nutella.

‘Though much sweeter than Nutella.’

The light brown and yellow mucus mixed in its brain matter tasted like highly concentrated chocolate jam as soon as it entered my mouth. Plus, the hard carapace typical of insect-type creatures gave the pleasure of crunching on crackers.

‘It’s an unhealthy taste.’

True to the distinctive flavors of Apex creatures, its head left a strong impression on me. While other creatures’ meat had flavors that matched the concept of a meal, this one felt more like a snack.

Normally I would have swallowed it in one gulp, but due to its addictively sweet taste, I kept it in my mouth longer than usual. I swallowed the creature’s head, which had completely liquefied without any fragments or pieces.

Immediately, several translucent text boxes appeared before me.

「Great One」「I」「Meal」「Possible?」

[Zu Zuzu Zuzu Zuzu Zuzu (Yes? Eat. It tastes very good)]

After receiving my permission, Adhigh Orr, who had been waiting beside me, plunged his tentacle bundle into the blood pool and gulped it down. Leaving him to enjoy his meal, I checked the contents of the text boxes.

「Predation effect activated! Successfully acquired ‘Contaminated Worm Host’ genetic essence.」

「Stole the biological trait ‘Contaminated Worm Host’ from ‘Hellside Hornet’.」

「Can be fused with previously possessed ‘Human-Faced Beast’.」

「’Transcendence’ material list (New!): Contaminated Worm Host, Tetanus Vine, Tooth Fairy Nest, Human Sacrifice, Red Acid (not acquired)」

‘…I didn’t expect this.’

It’s been a while since I received a message related to the ‘Transcendence’ system—the system that combines multiple traits to create a ‘Unique’ trait.

I had completely forgotten about it since it hadn’t appeared for so long.

‘So Contaminated Worm Host was the key trait.’

When I acquired Tetanus Vine, Tooth Fairy Nest, and Human Sacrifice, no such message appeared.

‘A new unique trait, huh.’

So far, I’ve created unique traits using the transcendence system twice: “Perfect Organism,” which allows me to use the Hunting Emblem, and “Horizon of Nightmares,” which corrodes spaceships and turns them into bio-warships.

“Organic Evolution,” which adapts my body to situations, was provided as a reward for unlocking Transcendence Level 2, so I got that for free.

In other words, I currently have 3 unique traits. I also have 2 traits obtained as tokens from powerful enemies, but these aren’t classified as unique traits, so they’re excluded.

‘Come to think of it, if I get a unique trait this time, will that make 4 in total?’

When I acquire 4 unique-grade traits, my “Space Monster” type will advance from level 0 to level 1. What reward I’ll get when the Space Monster type reaches level 1 is currently unknown.

‘A type that requires 4 difficult-to-obtain unique traits.’

I suspect there might be changes comparable to evolution.

‘I can’t get it right now anyway.’

“Red Acid,” the last item on the material list, is a trait obtainable from the Glacier Fiend. If I had acquired that trait during my last hunt, I might have used the transcendence system right away.

‘Or maybe not? I don’t have enough traits.’

Currently, I only have enough traits to maintain my type.

This material includes the newly acquired Contaminated Worm Host and Red Acid, making 4 infection-related traits and 1 nest-related trait. If I thoughtlessly use them as materials for a unique trait, I’d be throwing away 2 types: infection and nest enhancement.

‘I’ll need to gather more traits before combining them.’

After the fight with the Gallergorn, I should consider hunting Glacier Fiends or Hellside Hornets in groups.

Having lost interest in the transcendence system, I chose to fuse the Contaminated Worm Host with the Human-Faced Beast trait.

「’Contaminated Worm Host’ trait has been applied.」

「Can be fused with previously possessed ‘Human-Faced Beast’.」

「’Contaminated Worm Host’ and ‘Human-Faced Beast’ traits have fused. Evolved into ‘Human-Faced Insect Host’ trait!」

「Human-Faced Insect Host: Creates flying creatures with the effects of the ‘Human-Faced Beast’ trait. Up to 5 flying creatures can be created and can only survive within a 200m radius of the host.」

「*P.S.: The dead have no voice. Therefore, they have no rights.」

As soon as the trait was applied, my body began to change. The Human-Faced Beasts, part of my Hunting Emblem, shifted position to my head carapace. The five faces began to twist violently.

The faces embedded in the carapace split vertically, and insect legs and wings sprouted from inside. The bug monsters wriggled like butterflies emerging from cocoons. As they contacted the cold air, their moist bodies dried and hardened. Along with this, their crumpled wings spread wide.

Their bodies after eclosion looked similar to Hornetlings. Six legs with sharp claws, two wings, and a body that resembled a mix between a mantis and a fly—all matched the characteristics of Hornetlings.

The differences were that they were larger than Hornetlings, and instead of wasp-like heads, they had sentient heads. They looked like enlarged insects wearing human masks.

“?!”

“■!”

“■■ ■■!”

“■■!”

“■■■!”

The awakened insects—no, Human-Faced Insects—were horrified at the sight of their own bodies. They retain some memories of their originals. Realizing they had become insects must have been quite a shock.

Shortly after the Human-Faced Insect Host was applied, the Hunting Emblem effect ended. My body shrank again, and the bone scythe arm on my back crumbled to dust.

Along with this, the nest for the Human-Faced Insects moved from my head carapace to my back. Instead of human masks attached to my form, five large tumor-like nests took their place. From now on, that would be the home of the Human-Faced Insects.

“■■■ ■■ ■■!”

The Human-Faced Insect with Jason Tunningham’s face shouted something. It was glaring at me with fluid flowing from its eyes.

Human-Faced Insect Host is a trait that exists in the game as well. Of course, Jason must have realized what had become of him.

And how much more miserable he would become.

‘But that doesn’t mean I’ll show mercy.’

I might replace others with different genes when they’ve served their purpose, but not Jason. He can never be freed until I die.

Ignoring his protests, I called the Human-Faced Insects back. They immediately obeyed my command upon receiving the special wavelength I sent. The Human-Faced Insects, who had been crying and wailing just moments ago, instantly became blank-faced and returned to their nests.

After completing the trait application and demonstration, I turned to look at Adhigh Orr. Having already neatly emptied the blood pool, he was now using his tentacles to clean the blood from his front legs.

‘His wings seem to have changed a bit.’

Apart from the red wave patterns on his body becoming larger and more elaborate, there were no other changes. There were no signs of him evolving into a Black Gallergorn.

‘Maybe eating Apex creatures isn’t the condition?’

He did change, but it wasn’t as dramatic as last time. Even though the Hellside Hornet might be slightly lower in rank than the Skywhale, they’re both Apex creatures, so I’m not sure what’s going on.

‘It doesn’t seem to be due to insufficient quantity.’

[Zuzu Zuzu (How do you feel?)]

「Feeling」「Good」

[Zuzu Zuzu Zuzuzu (Do you feel any stronger?)]

「Pattern」「Changed」「Strength」「Difference」「Unknown」

He seemed to notice that his patterns had changed but wasn’t sure if he had become stronger.

‘We don’t have time to experiment.’

It’s been a little over a day since we left the nest. We don’t know how Odd Grad’s group will move, so staying out any longer isn’t good.

「Pattern」「Beautiful」「Good」

He might not know if he’s stronger, but he seems to like his beautifully transformed wings and tail.

‘Nothing to be done. I’ll stick to the original plan.’

I thought feeding him more Apex creatures might make a difference, but there was no impressive change. If a White Gallergorn appears in Odd Grad’s group, I’ll have to attack it to evolve him.

‘Then let’s go back… ah.’

Come to think of it, there’s one last thing to take care of before leaving.

[Zu Zuzuzu (Are you hungry?)]

「Slightly」

[Zuzuzu (That’s good)]

「?」

He tilted his head in confusion.

There’s a place nearby where we can fill our stomachs adequately—the Hellside Hornet’s food storage.

‘It would dislike wasting precious food too.’

I took Adhigh Orr to the creature’s food storage.

–

“Ugh!”

Falling to the floor with impact, Colin Russell, a subordinate of Siheyon Yujin, let out a pain-filled groan. On the day marking two weeks of being trapped in a cocoon hanging from the ceiling, he was finally able to escape.

Even for Colin, who had undergone intensive military training, the past two weeks had been truly nightmarish.

His unit, responsible for supplies in Siheyon Yujin’s expedition team, was attacked by a giant insect-like monster. The creature brought him and several of his subordinates to this cave.

He thought it would kill them immediately, but it didn’t. Instead, it kept them trapped in cocoons made from mucus secreted from its body.

He and his subordinates were relieved to have survived. They thought they could escape somehow since they weren’t killed right away.

However, this was a terrible misjudgment. The reason the monster kept them alive was due to its unique eating habits.

It pickled his subordinates one by one and ate them. Every three days, the monster would sprinkle some of its digestive juices on the cocoons. The subordinates trapped in the cocoons had their entire bodies dissolved in excruciating pain.

Once the subordinate—or rather, the food—was completely dissolved, the monster would stick its head into the cocoon and suck it all up.

Colin and the survivors trapped in cocoons couldn’t see this spectacle, but they could hear it vividly.

The sound of a person slowly dissolving alive, and then the sound of the monster sucking up the human who had completely turned to liquid.

All his subordinates went insane, but Colin, having received high-level training, couldn’t afford to lose his mind even if he wanted to. Even if he wanted to give up and commit suicide, it was impossible.

The cocoon not only confined them but also functioned as a primitive life support system. Those trapped in it couldn’t even die.

But Colin didn’t give up. He scratched at the cocoon with his fingernails without rest. Even as blood flowed and all his nails fell out, he didn’t stop.

As a result of not giving up in this living hell, heaven gave him an opportunity.

On the 14th day of his imprisonment in this living hell, an earthquake occurred in the cave. The insect-like monster left to investigate the earthquake.

This was his last chance to survive. From the moment he could no longer hear the creature, he frantically scratched at the cocoon. Not only did his nails fall out, but his fingers broke, yet he didn’t give up.

And finally, he tore through the cocoon and could breathe outside air again.

“Cough! Cough…”

Colin, barely managing to get up, coughed violently.

His current condition was very poor. His body was extremely emaciated, with just enough nutrition to barely maintain life, and both his hands were completely ruined.

Despite this, he was exerting superhuman strength with the sole determination to escape.

He rummaged through the scattered luggage and victim remains around him, gathering a flashlight and reinforced suit.

Even if he escaped, he would freeze to death immediately without a reinforced suit. After quickly preparing for escape, he ran hurriedly toward the cave exit. When he was captured by the monster and brought to the cave, he had memorized the location.

Thanks to this, with just the light from his flashlight, he could navigate through this maze-like place without getting lost.

‘Just a little more!’

After running for some time, he could see a faint light in the distance. That place was the only exit from this hell.

He ran with every ounce of strength he had left. The last time he had run this desperately was long ago when he stole a Gallergorn egg and fled.

Even then, he had nearly died hundreds of times, but he survived.

Today, too, he would survive.

He cleared away the vine stems blocking the cave entrance. Ice-cold wind greeted him. This was the outside he had constantly wished for during the past two weeks.

The place hadn’t changed at all from before he entered.

White snow, a sky so dark it was impossible to tell day from night, densely packed trees, and even a huge rock.

‘Rock?’

Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen that rock before entering here.

Had the monster brought it to hide its shelter, or had it rolled down from the mountain during the recent earthquake?

The answer was neither.

Because rocks don’t move.

“Huh?”

What stood before him wasn’t a rock. The being he had mistaken for a rock pounced on him.