Ch.226Memory (3)

The conversation with Ham Oort lasted quite a while.

He knew more about Odd Grad than I expected.

‘I guess that’s natural since he was his companion for so long?’

Anyway, the information I got from him can be summarized into two main points.

‘A ring that manipulates emotions and precognition.’

According to him, Odd Grad carries around a mysterious ring. He couldn’t remember exactly when it appeared, but he was certain that Odd Grad acquired it after becoming the leader.

And because of that ring, Ham Oort realized too late that something was changing in him.

‘Gallergorn can’t lie.’

Since they communicate by expressing emotions through thought waves, they have no concept of lying. They might convey incorrect information due to misunderstanding or ignorance, but intentional deception is impossible.

That’s why Gallergorn inherently trust others of their kind.

Ham Oort said he didn’t notice anything strange about Odd Grad at first. Even though he became more violent, Ham thought it was due to the pressure of leading the pack.

But that wasn’t it.

He accidentally witnessed Odd Grad killing one of their own kind.

The victim was Odd Grad’s first companion and the oldest female White Gallergorn in the pack. Odd Grad ruthlessly disposed of the one who had been with him the longest.

The aging companion managed to cut off his tail before dying, causing the ring attached to his tail to fall off momentarily. Ham Oort, who was secretly watching, caught a glimpse of the emotions of his most beloved leader in that instant.

He was out of his mind with inexplicable rage and desperation. The magnificent black dragon Ham knew was gone, replaced by a tyrannical madman.

With his tail cut off, Odd Grad put the ring on his front paw and calmly lied to his kind the next day. He claimed the old White Gallergorn had been killed by a Sky Whale attack.

‘A ring that distorts emotions.’

It’s equipment that doesn’t exist in the game. What would be the point of a ring that hides your emotions?

Besides, it wouldn’t be particularly useful for creatures like Gallergorn, for whom emotional expression is crucial. Such a tool would be unnecessary for Gallergorn who deeply trust their own kind.

‘Except for beings who can read the future.’

From Adhigh’s case, to grow beyond a White Gallergorn, one must prey on other White Gallergorn.

Therefore, the process of advancing from White Gallergorn to the next stage naturally leads to combat with the pack leader or war with other packs. White Gallergorn who survive such conflicts become Black Gallergorn and either compete for leadership or establish their own packs.

That’s the Gallergorn’s ecological cycle.

Actually, the Gallergorn’s growth process wasn’t clearly explained in the game. I only learned about it for certain after coming to this planet and witnessing Adhigh’s transformation firsthand.

‘Since he can see the distant future, he must have foreseen the leadership competition.’

There were no other Gallergorn packs on this planet besides Odd Grad’s. The only way for a White Gallergorn to grow was to kill the leader.

‘It’s impossible for a regular White Gallergorn to defeat a Black Gallergorn.’

Only a being capable of becoming a Red Gallergorn could defeat a Black Gallergorn.

‘He used his ability to read the future to eliminate potential threats to his position in advance.’

According to Ham, Odd Grad periodically killed Hatchlings and abandoned eggs outside the nest, claiming he was culling the weak to manage resources during times of hunger. This probably explains why Adhigh was driven away.

‘Without the ring, he couldn’t have gone this far.’

What would happen if the other Gallergorn learned that he killed his own kind just to save himself? What about a mother like Ham Oort who lost her child because of him?

‘They would never forgive him.’

At this point, the ring is the only thing maintaining his dominance over the pack. If the ring disappears, the collapse of his pack is just a matter of time.

‘That’s enough about the ring.’

Next is his precognition. During our conversation, I gathered some interesting information about his abilities.

Odd Grad always sleeps before making important decisions for the pack. When he wakes up, he immediately makes decisions that all his companions seem to understand.

‘So sleep serves as a catalyst for his ability to see the long-term future.’

It’s unclear whether sleep itself triggers the ability, but we can assume that precognition is only possible when his body is in a stable state.

‘He can’t see the distant future when he’s not in a stable condition.’

Even after seeing the future in his dreams and taking action, he doesn’t know how the future might change in the meantime. Naturally, he would act to avoid the foreseen future, but to clarify this, he would need to observe the future again.

For example, if I foresaw myself dying by getting hit by a car.

I would avoid the car and stay away from the road, but if a building suddenly collapsed next to the sidewalk, I would still die. To avoid this, I would need to observe the future again to see that I would die crushed by a building after avoiding the car.

‘Simply put, I just need to succeed in luring him.’

It means he can’t see the future while fighting me.

‘To draw him in, I’ll need to appear weakened.’

It’s not impossible, but it’s not an easy path either. There are too many dangerous variables.

‘…I need to steel myself.’

After quickly organizing my thoughts, I asked Ham Oort another question.

[Did you notice anything strange when fighting him?]

“I don’t understand. Please explain in detail.”

[Like him anticipating and avoiding attacks]

“I was completely overwhelmed. Resistance was impossible.”

[I see]

Actually, just blocking his long-term future observation ability is a significant achievement. Like the “Predator Sense,” it helps counter immediate dangers but can’t change the structure that creates the danger in the first place.

‘I’ll have to confirm the rest when I face him directly.’

[One more thing]

“Ask away.”

[This isn’t a question this time]

“?”

There’s one last thing I need to confirm before putting my plan into action.

[I’ll do whatever it takes to kill Odd Grad]

“I agree.”

[Are you willing to risk your life?]

“For the daughter of the meteor, to save my kind, I’ve made my decision. My life doesn’t matter.”

His answer was immediate. I couldn’t sense any hesitation in his thought waves.

Based on this response and our conversation, he seemed to have stronger kinship bonds than most Gallergorn.

‘He’s not the type to easily abandon his child.’

I’m not a Gallergorn, but I could clearly understand what feelings he held for Adhigh. His attitude toward his daughter might be ambiguous, but he wasn’t cold-blooded enough to kill her just because she was born physically weak.

‘There seems to be more to the story.’

I don’t necessarily need to know that part. It’s an issue for Adhigh and him to resolve between themselves.

‘I’ve checked everything I needed to.’

[That’s all I wanted to ask. Go back and rest]

Ham Oort nodded to me and turned around. Before entering the nest, he looked in the direction where Adhigh had disappeared.

The kids hadn’t returned yet. He stood for a moment, gazing beyond the forest, then entered the nest.

[Bring me a few pieces of food]

“Fine.”

[And while you’re at it, bring me the equipment backpack from inside]

“…Do I look like your mother?”

Sky Mother grumbled but still fulfilled my request. She went into the cave and came back with the backpack, which she handed to me.

“I think we’ve gathered enough information. What are you planning to do next?”

Since she had been listening to my conversation with Ham Oort, she probably thought the same as I did—that all that remained was to fight Odd Grad.

‘Though we seem to have different ideas about how to fight.’

I would have answered at any other time, but not now. It could influence the future that Odd Grad sees.

‘The battle with him has already begun.’

[You will never be disappointed]

“…Huh?”

She tilted her head, not understanding my words. When I maintained my silence without further explanation, she didn’t press the issue.

Gallergorn eating outside the nest, Sky Mother going in and out of the cave to take care of Ham Oort.

Everyone eventually went inside the nest, but I continued waiting outside for them.

Even as I waited, various plans and strategies kept forming in my mind, one after another.

This is a plan I’ve never attempted before, either in this world or the real one. I need to be extremely cautious.

After quite some time, they returned.

“Great One, I’m back.”

“Why is Big Baby sitting outside alone?”

“He was waiting for us to return.”

‘Looks like she was persuaded well.’

Adhigh had seemed depressed earlier, but seeing the strength in her wing movements now, her mood seemed much improved. Thanks to No. 26’s consolation, I suppose.

‘He’s a thoughtful one.’

Despite his childish speech, his words and actions sometimes touch my heart. Moments like these make me grateful I didn’t eat him when we first met on the research ship.

He’s a good kid, but from now on, I’m going to do something terrible to him. Not just to No. 26, but to Adhigh, PS-111, Sky Mother—everyone here.

[Ham Oort, come out]

“Great One?”

“I think Big Baby wants to make peace.”

Instead of answering their questions, I called for Ham Oort again. After a moment, Ham Oort and Sky Mother came out of the nest together.

[Ham Oort has caused discord in my pack]

“What?”

“Great One, what do you mean?”

“Big Baby?”

Everyone was shocked by my unexpected behavior. Ham Oort, however, showed no particular reaction.

His gaze briefly turned to Adhigh. For a fleeting moment, the image of the small Gallergorn born of a star was reflected in his amethyst-like eyes.

After taking in his daughter’s appearance one last time, he turned his gaze back to me. There was no emotion in his eyes as they met mine.

He was already fully prepared. I extended my wing-arm and grabbed him by the neck.

“Hey! Wait a minute…”

[Therefore, I will kill you and eat your flesh]

Sky Mother reached out to me, realizing I was seriously trying to eat Ham Oort. Before she could intervene, I opened my jaw wide.

Just as my bifurcated jaw was about to swallow Ham Oort’s head.

“Great One, stop!”

My body was pushed sideways by a strong impact. The shock was so powerful that it made my entire body vibrate, causing me to lose my grip on Ham Oort.

“Daughter of the meteor?”

“Great One, I have something to say, please wait.”

It was Adhigh who attacked me.

Seeing the red markings on her head, she must have used the Red Gallergorn ability, “Red Armor.”

‘I was going to teach her that later.’

I had planned to show her how to effectively use Red Armor for both offense and defense, but being the smart one she is, she figured it out herself.

While Adhigh stood between Ham Oort and me, Sky Mother also jumped in front of me.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

[I’m just protecting my pack. Don’t get in my way]

“Are you serious?”

[If you interfere, I’ll remove you]

I mercilessly swung my tail. Startled, she planted her feet firmly on the ground. My tail struck the earth violently, shattering it.

“You crazy AMorph bastard, you’re insane!”

Since she couldn’t use “Ice Wraith,” I retracted my tail and opened my mouth wide. Acidic fungal masses spewed from inside my throat, flying toward her.

At that moment, the flying fungus stopped midair.

“Big Baby, what’s wrong?”

No. 26, who had used binding on the fungus, asked me. His wavelength clearly conveyed his concern for me.

Instead of answering, I called for PS-111.

[Help me attack them]

“Attack command rejected. Cannot harm the Main Controller.”

[Then start with the others]

PS-111 rarely showed a troubled attitude at my words. He shook his head with an expressionless face.

“Impossible. Currently, ‘AMorph’ is in a state of clear mental derangement resulting in loss of judgment. I recommend you take rest.”

After saying that, he stood beside No. 26 and opened his mouth at me. It was as if he was ready to fire a Demolisher if necessary.

‘As usual, this machine doesn’t know its place.’

Contrary to his analysis, my mind is perfectly sound. I am deliberately acting to alienate everyone while in my right mind.

I’m implementing this plan based on the extremely rational judgment of trusting everyone who has come this far with me.

‘Still, I’m glad they made the right choice.’

I turned my head and looked at each of them. None of them supported my sudden outburst.

That’s natural. My current behavior was clearly an attempt to turn against the pack.

‘Good.’

[Since everyone in the pack has betrayed me, I will leave]

“Wait!”

[I’ll also take back the parasite in your head]

“Wait… ugh!”

Following my will, the parasite in Sky Mother’s head emerged through her eye socket. Since her nostrils disappeared when she transformed into a Wendigo, it had to come out through another opening.

She staggered from the unpleasant sensation of the parasite leaving. As I retrieved the parasite, I also grabbed the bag containing my equipment.

“Big Baby, really? Are you really leaving?”

“Great One, you’re joking, right?”

[I have never lied to you since we first met]

They should understand what my words mean.

‘They’d better.’

Having completed all preparations, I spread my wing-arms. The membrane above my head, as vast as the night sky, revealed itself, and my body rose toward the heavens.

As I flew away, no one followed me.

The sight filled me with a small sense of relief and bitterness simultaneously.

‘No, this is how it needs to be.’

I shook my head as I passed through the dark clouds.

The stage that Odd Grad wanted has been sufficiently set.

Now it’s time for me to lure him into my trap.