Ch.268Harvest (2)
by fnovelpia
–
Kesha Arma’s First Command Center.
Unlike its plain cylindrical exterior, the interior was extremely luxurious.
At the heart of this steel fortress, adorned with expensive luxuries and strict security—a dual nature—was a massive bath.
Montana Martio’s mornings always began there. Soaking in hot water after waking up was one of his pleasures. Dozens of concubines attended to him.
While leisurely enjoying their service and contemplating who to spend the morning with, an android from outside the bath approached him.
“Master. Urgent report.”
“What is it?”
“The guests staying at the Second Command Center tried contacting the mercenaries guarding their goods but received no response.”
“I delegated auction item management to the deputy chief. Go ask Kadun.”
“We haven’t been able to reach Kadun since yesterday.”
“No contact?”
Montana pushed away the attending concubines and questioned the android.
“You said the mercenaries guarding the goods aren’t responding?”
“Yes.”
“Have you tried contacting the storage facility guards?”
“None of them are answering.”
“……”
Hearing this, Montana felt himself snap fully awake.
“Contact the military port immediately and have them check if there’s any problem with the underground storage.”
“Understood.”
“And prepare to move immediately if there’s any issue.”
“I’ll relay that to each command center.”
Everything had been fine until yesterday. The auction items had been safely transported, and the guests were satisfied with his services.
But suddenly, as morning arrived, things were turning strange.
‘…No. It’s probably nothing.’
Cartels that manage space fortresses and operate hundreds of ships are extremely rare. The Martio Cartel ranks among the top of such major cartels. Even among Space Dogs, few dare to challenge them.
Moreover, Montana enjoys the protection of Megacorp’s Noble Capital and Cult Empire nobles. He’s essentially a warlord recognized by the major powers.
It’s inconceivable that anyone would dare to attack the fortress he controls.
‘Perhaps it’s just a communication equipment issue.’
Reassuring himself, he left the bath.
–
‘Is this the end?’
I set down the empty freezer container on the floor. Inside the vast underground structure, broken containers were scattered everywhere.
These were all remnants left after I, No. 26, and PS-111 had devoured their contents.
‘Since there were so many stored creatures, I gained quite a few traits.’
Even after the Hunt’s Emblem ended, I gained numerous traits from consuming dozens or hundreds of creatures.
‘Thanks to that, I unlocked two more synthesis formulas.’
One was a unique trait requiring multiple physical traits, while the other needed nest-related and psychic-related traits. Currently, I can only create the former, as I haven’t gathered all the materials for the latter.
‘I need to catch a Red Mist.’
Red Mist is an apex predator living on jungle-type planets. It’s as challenging as an Ice Horror. Going after it without proper preparation would likely result in getting killed instead.
‘I’ll target that later.’
For now, thanks to securing multiple traits, I can create two unique traits.
I immediately displayed the fusion formulas available for creation.
「’Transcendence’ Material List: Reinforced Skull, Gallergorn’s Horn, Spine-Hair Shooting Tail, Protein Assimilation, Cluster Skin Tissue」
「’Transcendence’ Material List (NEW!): Reinforced Large Tail, Bioelectric Discharge Tube, Explosive Fluid Launcher, Destructive Sound Wave, Spore Cannon」
‘I’m not sure what the first one will produce, but I think I know about the second.’
Traits created through the Transcendence system didn’t exist in the game. So whenever I obtain a new unique trait or token from a powerful enemy, I often find myself contemplating.
However, looking at the newly unlocked fusion formula from the underground storage, I could somewhat predict the result. Judging by the materials, it was clearly a unique trait related to ranged attack methods.
Indeed, a new organ had formed in my body. With the “Explosive Fluid Launcher” and “Spore Cannon” traits reflected, two elongated barrel-like structures resembling bio-cannons were added to the carapace covering my back.
When I stretched my neck downward and lowered my head, I felt my back stretch taut as the barrels protruded and aimed forward. If I applied force now, spores filled with dangerous substances would be fired.
‘It works well with the Acidic Fungal Gland.’
In the game, I often used the combo of throwing fungi and spraying explosive fluid on top. Similar to firing white phosphorus rounds, it’s effective against both machines and ordinary creatures.
Moreover, now that the acidic fungi have transformed into a breath form, it should be even more powerful.
Besides that, the “Destructive Sound Wave” trait is quite useful too.
Unlike the paralyzing sound wave of the face-worm, this is an aggressive trait that purely destroys opponents with sound waves. Though it has weaknesses like low destructive power and strict usage conditions, it’s a versatile attack that works equally well against various types of enemies.
‘That’s settled. If I just complete these, I can evolve into an adult right away, but what should I do?’
The remaining condition for evolving to adult stage is obtaining two more unique traits. If I use the system right here, I could evolve immediately.
‘The problem is time….’
The communication devices dropped by the mercenaries during the container raid rang several times. They were confirmation calls from clients who had entrusted them with guarding the goods. Since the owners of the communication devices had all ended up in the stomachs of me and No. 26, they’ll come to check in person.
In other words, there’s not much time left before we engage in all-out war with the fortress’s pirates.
Every time I’ve used the Transcendence system to create unique traits, my body has always entered a cocoon. There’s a high possibility that will happen again, so I should postpone obtaining unique traits.
‘I’ll open the loot boxes later.’
After checking the text boxes, I turned my attention to No. 26 and PS-111.
No. 26 hopped over to me.
「Big one! Look!」
It concentrated with a grunt. One tentacle from its body began to wriggle and change shape.
After a moment, the tentacle transformed into a different form. Six appendages and an organ resembling a mouth formed at its tip. The shape resembled my “Corrosive Tentacle.”
「I’m just like big one! Right? Right?」
[Zzzzzz (Indeed)]
Though I’d seen it earlier, it was still impressive.
‘I didn’t expect it to gain mutation abilities.’
The food from the storage facility had promoted significantly meaningful growth in No. 26.
Its body size had increased dramatically. The limit of its potential body size had expanded to a maximum of 25m. Its skin had thickened considerably, and its fins and tentacles had become much more robust.
But the biggest change was the tentacle mutation ability it just demonstrated.
‘Feeding it the Faceless was the right decision after all.’
The “Faceless” is a carnivorous snail with hundreds of teeth, possessing a rare trait called “Mimic Organ.” As the name suggests, it can freely change its body. It usually disguises itself as terrain features like trees or rocks, then reverts to its original form to attack when prey comes close.
Before coming to this fortress, I had eaten a Faceless captured by pirates at the slave market planet and gained the Mimic Organ. Thanks to that, I was able to complete the “Herald of Chaos” trait.
‘Tsk. I was happy to see it on the storage list.’
The Mimic Organ is a useful trait. Originally, I had intended to eat the Faceless myself.
If not for a sudden thought.
Sea Demons have a trait that changes their skin to a coral-like form. It’s so perfect that it’s invisible to the naked eye and requires special detection equipment to see.
‘Sea Demon’s camouflage trait and Faceless’s mimic organ. Could similar traits have synergy?’
Unlike in the game, new abilities might emerge. To test my hypothesis, I gave the Faceless to No. 26.
And my prediction was correct. No, it gained power far beyond what I expected.
「Yap!」
The mutated tentacle resembling a corrosive tentacle now changed into an arm shape with hook claws.
As you can see, not just the exterior but the entire internal structure changes completely. It’s truly a level of change that deserves to be called “mutation.”
‘For now, it can only change one tentacle, but…’
If the hundreds of tentacles it possesses could each transform into different weapons or bodily organs, its combat power would skyrocket.
‘No. 26 getting stronger benefits me too.’
I stroked it to convey my approval. It bounced in place, making its body sparkle. It seems quite happy about gaining a new ability.
“You must be pleased.”
PS-111 approached the joyful No. 26.
[Zzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzz (Your changes aren’t bad either)]
“A valid observation, but it falls short of expectations.”
As before, PS-111 showed unexpected ineptitude in applying characteristics of living organisms.
‘To be precise, the results of application are hit or miss.’
It achieved meaningful results when absorbing genetic samples or consuming equipment. However, when eating living organisms, its body structure didn’t change perfectly as intended. There were either defects or transformations that fell far short of PS-111’s expectations.
‘This time was relatively successful though.’
The positive change in PS-111’s body was one thing: spines containing neurotoxins had formed on all its leg carapaces. If it wishes, it can also fire these toxic spines. It’s a useful bodily organ for subduing enemies alive.
‘Still seems unsatisfied though.’
Since I gave the Faceless to No. 26, I had nothing else to offer it. PS-111 knew this and didn’t demand other food from me.
‘Still, I’ve met evolution conditions, and the growth of No. 26 and Sky Mother is encouraging.’
I don’t think I’ve achieved such significant results since capturing the Gorgon Swarm. Coming to Kesha Arma was worthwhile.
‘By the way, Sky Mother is taking longer than expected.’
She was supposed to come here with Adhigh after completing her divine stage advancement. Several hours have passed, and she hasn’t arrived, so it seems to be taking longer than anticipated.
‘I’ll wait one more hour and then go check… huh?’
While thinking this, my auxiliary organs detected a change in the air. Someone was lurking near the entrance of the underground storage, quite far from our C sector.
Before entering, I had eaten all the guards and mercenaries at the entrance. The owner of those footsteps must be an outsider.
‘We’ve been caught.’
Unable to contact the mercenaries and guards, they must have come to check. Soon after, the small footsteps increased to dozens, hundreds.
[Zzz zzzzzzzz (Are you all full?)]
「Yes. I’m full.」
“My internal energy is in an overcharged state.”
[Zzzzz (That’s good)]
We’ve eaten our fill.
Now it’s time for some proper exercise.
–
“No life signs detected in the vicinity.”
“Safe to enter.”
“…Alright. Let’s go in.”
The pirates entered the underground storage, led by androids equipped with thick gloves and heavy front shields. Tension was evident on the faces of the dozens of pirates.
“Hey, is it true the deputy chief is screwed?”
“I came to the Martio Cartel because I heard it was good, but what the hell is this?”
“My brother went to the hospital and hasn’t been in touch. Could it be related to this?”
“Everyone shut up and maintain vigilance.”
Despite the orders from newly appointed officers, the pirates’ morale remained low. Their mood worsened considerably as soon as they entered the corridor leading to Sector A.
“Holy shit…”
The 1-meter thick double shielded door greeted the outsiders, damaged beyond recognition. The door looked as if a paper bundle had been torn apart.
Even the drug addicts commonly seen in Kesha Arma couldn’t imagine the storage door ending up like that.
The bigger problem was that whatever had reduced the shielded door to that state was likely still inside the storage.
The urge to flee crept into everyone’s minds, but no one ran. If anyone showed signs of fleeing, the androids would immediately turn them into a sieve.
The pirates swallowed hard as they passed through the damaged shielded door and entered the corridor leading to Sector A’s security office.
“Vibration detected ahead.”
“Presumed enemy movement.”
“Prepare to engage. Prepare to engage.”
As they approached the security office, the androids at the front simultaneously emitted warning sounds.
Flashing lights, metal corridors with traces of destruction everywhere, and loud mechanical sounds—every element intensified their anxiety.
The pirates gripped their weapons with trembling hands. Despite having expensive Cult psychic shields attached to their arms, they felt no reassurance.
Just as the pirates and androids completed their battle preparations.
A thumping sound came from beyond the corridor.
At first, it was just a subtle vibration felt at the tips of their toes. It gradually grew until it not only shook the entire corridor but made even the fine hairs on their skin tremble.
But the tense moment didn’t last long. The entity causing this vibration soon revealed itself before them.
“Monster?!”
“F-fire!”
It wasn’t clear who gave the order, but it didn’t matter. Even without orders, the frightened pirates would have opened fire anyway.
「Grrrrrr」
The monster was massive enough to fill the wide corridor. This terrifying being charged forward, ignoring the barrage of fire.
A thick snake-like appendage protruding from its back struck the androids at the front.
Although the shields held by the androids were durable enough to withstand plasma rounds, it meant little when the main body took a direct hit. The expensive robots were slammed into the wall, still clutching their sturdy shields.
“R-run away!”
“Don’t run, you bastards!”
The officers shouted angrily, trying to prevent the pirates from fleeing, but to no avail.
As the pirates turned to flee, the monster, which had been dealing with the androids using tentacles protruding from its back, opened its mouth wide toward the escaping pirates.
“Everyone be careful…!”
Pirates with good instincts shouted upon seeing this.
Before their shouts ended, something incredibly intense burst from the monster’s mouth.
「■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!」
The sound wave that turned the android in front of the monster into a pile of scrap metal spread through the corridor walls.
Pirates fleeing and those standing in front of the monster were instantly reduced to bloody pulp by the overwhelming sound.
“What’s happening?”
“I can’t hear anything!”
Pirates who luckily escaped the sound wave’s range staggered and muttered. Having completely lost their hearing, they were bleeding not just from their ears but also from their eyes, noses, and mouths.
For the pirates who had instantly lost their major sensory organs, fortunately or unfortunately, their time of suffering was not long.
“R-run…”
A pirate staggering right in front of them turned into bloody pulp in an instant. Blood and flesh splattered onto the comrade standing behind him.
“Hiiieek?!”
The monster, which had crushed the pirate with its thick foot in a manner that could only be described as atrocious, extended its muzzle toward him.
The monster’s mouth opened wide.
The blood-covered pirate screamed, but no sound could be heard.
His eyes, too, could no longer see anything.
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