Ch.235Labyrinth (1)

AMorphs can establish a limited number of nests, but the installation itself is relatively straightforward.

Compared to Outspacers, whose nest-building conditions are extremely demanding, AMorphs have virtually no restrictions.

However, while setting up a nest may be simple, properly nurturing one requires AMorphs to consider various factors.

Evolution stage, available energy, environmental compatibility, and more – many conditions must align to establish a large-scale nest.

And right now, I’ve met all the conditions for creating an optimal nest.

There’s a lake where the injured Gallergorns have gathered. Using water allows me to spread mucus quickly and easily.

Not only that, but the walls of this cavern where I stand are flowing with tremendous psychic power.

Dragon nests are built in areas with highly concentrated psychic power. Thanks to this, there’s an abundance of elements to supply nutrients to the mucus that leaves my body.

After instantly turning the lake black, I attached symbiotic spores to the fallen Gallergorns.

Some were so severely injured that I threw them into the lake-turned-nest immediately after implanting the symbiotic spores. Nel Germa was among them.

“Black kin” “Nel Germa” “Nest” “Defense” “Failed”

[Zzzzz zzzzzzz (It’s okay. Don’t worry about it)]

He had suffered a severe wound to his abdomen, exposing his internal organs. If he weren’t a Gallergorn with such a robust physique, he would have died long ago from such an injury.

But not everyone was as tenacious as him.

“Great Elder” “Kin” “Dead”

Adhigh projected thought waves while standing before a Gallergorn corpse drawn by him. His deep sorrow echoed throughout the cavern.

‘Many have died.’

After counting the injured Gallergorns as I moved them, I found only 13 adults had survived, including Nel Germa. Four White Gallergorns and nine Green Gallergorns.

Most of the Gallergorns we had worked so hard to obtain had met their deaths.

[Zeuuuu zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz (Adhigh, check if the hatchlings are okay)]

Since the Gallergorns sacrificed their lives to protect the nest, the young ones should have survived. They must be hiding, waiting for the nest to become safe again.

Showing Adhigh that the Blue Gallergorns were alive would be much better than words to comfort him in his shock over losing his kin.

“Understood”

“Great Adhigh” “This way”

A Green Gallergorn who was less injured left the open space with Adhigh.

‘I never expected this to happen.’

The greatest trophy from hunting Odd Grad was actually the Gallergorn pack. I had planned to lead them in attacking apex creatures or space fortresses on other planets.

But those Screamers outside have completely ruined my plans. Even if the hatchlings remain, it will take considerable time to raise them.

‘You dare touch my Gallergorns?’

It’s been a long time since I’ve been this angry. My blood is boiling as much as when my evolution was interrupted during the game.

Those disgusting heaps of scrap metal – I absolutely cannot let them go like this.

‘There’s only one way to kill them all.’

I lay down on the lake now filled with sticky black liquid. As my auxiliary organs beneath my chin touched the lukewarm mucus, my senses shifted downward dramatically.

My consciousness leaves my body covered in heavy carapace and hard scales, merging with this massive cavern and wide lake. My senses expand even further, following the passages connected to the cavern.

How can I explain this feeling? It’s similar to when sensation returns to your body as you wake up. Actually, there’s not much difference. My consciousness has transferred to the nest, making the lake my heart and the black mucus my limbs.

In the past, I’ve connected with nests in various locations like Megacorp research vessels and space cities. This was to observe and plan where to fight enemies, when to strike, and where to lure them.

This time is no different.

After successfully linking with the nest, I began to carefully examine the structure of the Gallergorns’ home.

I can feel what’s happening throughout the network of passages that spread like an ant colony. Blue Gallergorns trembling despite being as large as Adhigh. Adhigh relieved after confirming the survival of the hatchlings and eggs. And the completely empty caves.

‘I don’t need to see everything.’

I turned my senses away from Adhigh and focused on the entrances in the cliff.

There are four entrances in total, including the cave we entered. There were several other holes, but they were all fake entrances with blocked midways.

Following my will, the mucus composing the nest rapidly extended toward the passages connected to the cliff entrances. With abundant elements to maintain the nest, the expansion speed was tremendous.

At this rate, all passages leading to the entrances will be completely covered in mucus within a few hours.

After disconnecting from the nest, I called No. 26 and PS-111.

[Zzz zzzz zzzz zzzzzz (I’m going to lure the enemy here and eliminate them)]

I plan to sweep them away at once in this natural labyrinth. For that, I need the kids’ help.

“How do you plan to handle their self-destructive attacks?”

“I think they probably won’t use those.”

They might self-destruct outside, but the possibility is low once they’ve entered the nest. If they had intended to do so, they would have already launched suicide attacks to bury the dragon’s nest.

There’s one reason they haven’t:

‘Gallergorn genes.’

As PS-111 said, Pyrrha Eleven needs genetic information to produce mutant Screamers. Not just any creature’s genetic information, but high-grade genes from Seed Demon-level beings.

This can’t be manufactured on a ship, so they need to acquire it externally, and there’s no place more attractive than a Gallergorn nest. Even if their self-destruction tactics succeed, if all the Gallergorns are buried, the Screamers gain nothing.

Moreover, they’ve already fought me once. They know very well that I won’t die even if the cliff collapses.

Therefore, they’ll try to subdue me using other means instead of self-destruction.

‘Whatever they do, their actions are meaningless.’

There’s no better place for an AMorph to fight than a maze full of dark, narrow passages.

I explained to No. 26 and PS-111 how we would fight.

The Screamers who dared attack the dragon’s nest will pay a heavy price.

–

“Enhanced detection equipment capability application complete.”

“Newly acquired ‘Gallergorn’ and dangerous creature ‘Hellside Hornet’ biological characteristics reflection complete.”

“Long-range attack means improvement needed.”

Numerous Screamers prepared for battle in the frozen forest. Due to recent consecutive battles, their numbers had been reduced significantly to 100 units.

A total of 209 units were deployed for the Gallergorn nest assault and Special Target A destruction mission.

189 S-models and 20 PS-models were deployed, with 90 S-models and 10 PS-models remaining. More than half had ceased functioning.

Yet the android Pyrrha Eleven of the Machine Committee didn’t give up. This was because the remaining 100 units had been dramatically enhanced by compensating for previous weaknesses.

Thanks to genetic information supplied through broken Screamer remains and ship drones, the remaining 100 Screamers were very different from before.

While all Screamer models typically had eight legs, the 100 units present here had varying numbers of legs. Some had 16, others had 12.

The biological tissue parts were far more horrific than the metal skeleton parts. Some units had red flesh that rapidly expanded to cover tubes and skeletons, while others had long, sickle-like claws protruding from various parts of their bodies.

Among the 100 units, no two were identical, but they shared one common trait.

Their appearance was as horrific as if shaped by a demon from hell.

While they looked monstrous from a human perspective, Pyrrha Eleven saw them differently. These 100 units were perfect combat weapons optimized for slaughter and massacre.

Among them, a PS-model with eight large eyes on its body relayed Pyrrha Eleven’s orders.

“Deploy detection units.”

Ten S-models with large mechanical parts embedded in their bodies leaped toward the opposite cliff. Previously, they would have fallen straight into the river flowing between the cliffs, but not now.

As the Screamers spread their legs, wide membranes unfurled between them. They glided like flying squirrels and landed at the cave entrance located on the opposite cliff.

“Begin detection. Track life responses.”

When the 10 models opened their mouths, ultrasonic waves flowed out and entered the cave. This was an ability gained by absorbing the genetic information of Cave Ghouls that inhabit beneath the ice terrain of this planet.

“Confirmed four entrances connected to the nest.”

“Combat units. Deploy in phases.”

Twenty grotesquely modified S-models and two PS-models moved as one team. Outside remained two PS-models responsible for relaying to Pyrrha Eleven.

Four teams entered the entrances one by one, slowly and in sequence.

Outside, PS-005, compiled information flowing from the commanders who had entered and issued instructions.

[Team B entering.]

[Team C confirmed fork in the road. Moving right.]

[Team D confirmed chamber. Gallergorn living traces confirmed.]

[Team E confirmed life response 220M ahead. Combat ready.]

“Team E conduct life response tracking. Team D requested to track living traces.”

Although powerful psychic power emanates from the Gallergorn nest, there was no major problem with their communication. This was because they were communicating using their own psychic circuits by applying Seed Demon genes.

Ten minutes after entering, Team E reported that they had eliminated the enemy.

“Special Target A’s parasite confirmed. Sample collected and transmitted.”

“Confirmed.”

PS-005 waited for a small drone to bring the genetic sample. However, even after waiting several minutes, no drone appeared.

“Request confirmation from Team E. Sample transport drone has not arrived.”

“Dispatched 5 minutes 45 seconds ago.”

Five minutes is more than enough time for the drone to have appeared. PS-005 commanded again.

“Please recheck the entry route.”

“Checking… anomaly detected.”

“Request report on anomaly details.”

“The passage… *static*, changing, *static*, re-exploration req… *static*”

“Circuit anomaly detected. Check other teams.”

“Team B no anomalies.”

“Team C no anomalies.”

“Team D no anoma… life response confirmed 100M ahead. Combat rea… *static*”

After Team E, Team D was also experiencing static.

Having never experienced this before, PS-005 couldn’t help but be perplexed.

Their communication circuit doesn’t use conventional mechanical devices. Since they communicate using bodily organs, it shouldn’t malfunction.

He hurriedly reported to Pyrrha Eleven while simultaneously issuing commands typical for such situations.

“Team D? Report again.”

“*static*, no prob, *static*, confirm, *static*”

“Team D. Circuit anomaly detected. Please reconfirm.”

“Confirmed. No circuit anomaly but new problem detected.”

“Please report.”

“Nest structure change confirmed.”

“Team E entry route change confirmed. Initiating re-exploration.”

While communication returned to normal, the subsequent reports contained incomprehensible information.

The nest structure had changed? Unless it was a living organism, that would be impossible.

However, after hearing the following reports, PS-005 had to revise his judgment.

“Team B life responses detected from all directions.”

“Team C life response detected 50M ahead… correction. Life response simultaneously observed 10M to the right.”

“Team D currently observing terrain changing. Exploration function ineffective.”

“Team E life responses detected from all directions. Unpredictable. Unpredictable.”

“Unpredictable. Unpredictable. Unpredictable.”

All PS-models were saying it.

The passages they were standing on, the massive Gallergorn nest, was alive.