Ch.30Shell (1)

# Space Survival, an SF game, doesn’t have many fantasy elements, but there are a few exceptions.

Notable examples include the Cult, called space elves who use powers close to magic; Voltex One, a psychic life form; and Gallergorn, the space dragon. All have strong fantasy characteristics.

While there are other creatures that can use psychic powers, these three species are unique in that they use psychic power like “magic.”

‘They could be compared to elves, demons, and dragons respectively.’

Gallergorn, nicknamed the dragon of space, is so rare and few in number that ordinary players rarely encounter one.

Because of this, many beginners mistakenly think they actually look like dragons, as their nickname suggests.

‘In reality, they’re completely different.’

While they share dragon-like features—a massive reptilian body, wings on their back, and horned head—they differ in having tentacle clusters where a mouth should be.

Gallergorn feed on blood and psychic energy, so their oral structure consists of tentacles rather than a typical animal mouth.

Another difference is that while dragon colors typically represent their nature, Gallergorn colors indicate their growth level.

The “Gallergorn’s Claw” trait Siheyon Yujin gave me contains White Gallergorn genes. White represents the middle stage—equivalent to the juvenile stage for AMorphs.

‘I’ve never obtained Gallergorn’s Claw this quickly before.’

Even Blue Gallergorn, the hatchling stage, requires at least a subadult to hunt without difficulty. White Gallergorn is two levels higher, so it’s even more challenging.

The fact that I’ve obtained Gallergorn genes is incredibly exceptional.

‘I don’t know where she got such a rare genes, but..’

I’m just grateful.

The next trait I received after Gallergorn’s Claw was “Camouflage Skin.”

This ability is truly remarkable—perhaps even more powerful than the Gallergorn trait Siheyon Yujin gave me.

‘Honestly, I’m more curious about where she caught a Giant Chameleon than the Gallergorn.’

Giant Chameleons are herbivores, so their combat ability isn’t impressive. Even an AMorph Morphlet can hunt them without much difficulty.

The problem is that finding one is extremely difficult.

Giant Chameleons create special magnetic fields from protrusions on their skin surface.

This magnetic field makes them undetectable by equipment or traits. My auxiliary organs, electronic devices like cameras, psychic powers—nothing works against them.

Since you can only see Giant Chameleons with the naked eye, finding one is like catching a star from the sky.

One might think you could just search for them, but their habitat is unknown. With thousands of planets in the game, how would you know where to look?

I’ve only acquired Giant Chameleon essence three times while playing as an AMorph, which says it all.

As an AMorph, I can’t even buy genes since they can’t be traded. To get essence, I have to hunt directly and obtain it through predation effects.

Of course, you can trigger predation effects by consuming large samples or eating already dead corpses. The problem is that the acquisition rate is too low to be efficient.

So grinding it out personally is the best method.

‘Thanks to that grind, I gained valuable information, so it might be worth it.’

I know something about Camouflage Skin that even rankers don’t know.

That you can fuse it with Mimicry.

When the two are combined, they become a completely new trait.

No one else knows this fact, so I was the only one in the game who possessed this fusion trait.

The name of the trait created by fusing Mimicry and Camouflage Skin is Mimetic Organ.

It’s a trait that makes others “perceive” me as the victim I’ve devoured.

The mechanism is somewhat complex, but to explain it simply:

First, the Mimetic Organ analyzes the genetic information of the prey victim. Then it emits special pheromones created from this analyzed information across the skin surface, disrupting the senses of other creatures.

As long as other creatures are within my pheromone field, they perceive me as the victim. Plus, the Mimicry effect remains, so I can imitate the victim’s voice as well.

The pheromone field is quite generous, so the effect works even at a distance.

It’s truly a trait optimized for infiltration, ambush, and chaotic battles.

‘Well, it has significant drawbacks too.’

While it seems like a cheat trait, it has considerable disadvantages.

First, Mimetic Organ doesn’t actually change my body. Since it deceives creatures with pheromones, cameras and other machines that aren’t affected by pheromones will capture my true form, and mirrors will reflect my actual appearance.

The mimetic effect itself isn’t perfect either. It copies the victim’s appearance, but can’t portray complex emotional changes beyond simple actions.

This creates a severe uncanny valley effect. Even the most oblivious person would feel discomfort and unease when sharing a space with me.

It also shares drawbacks with Mimicry: I can’t speak long or complex dialogue during the mimetic effect, and if I eat a new victim, I can’t portray the previous one.

‘Despite the clear drawbacks, it’s still a trait with more potential uses.’

In the game, Mimetic Organ was one of my signature traits. I know exactly how to use it.

The last remaining trait is X-ray Vision.

While the first two traits are exceptional, X-ray Vision is a more subtle trait.

‘It’s a good trait, but…’

In Space Survival, X-ray Vision is just a name—it’s subtly different from what we understand in reality.

‘It’s closer to a kind of super-spatial perception ability.’

Rather than actually seeing what’s behind walls, it’s more like an ability to “reconstruct” what might be there by synthesizing information from surrounding environments and elements.

However, since this reconstruction effect is almost identical to reality, it was named X-ray Vision. In a way, it’s similar to future prediction abilities.

Up to this point, it might seem familiar.

It’s similar to the AMorph’s Hyper-sensory trait.

‘Hmm. It would have been a good trait if not for AMorph, but that’s unfortunate.’

Since AMorph’s Hyper-sensory is almost a superior version of X-ray Vision, the latter is like a chicken rib—hard to throw away but not much meat on it.

‘Still, X-ray Vision counts as a psychic type.’

While not immediately useful, it’s a valuable psychic-related trait. Plus, I can use it for fusion later, so it’s better than nothing.

The trait inspection is complete. The text window has been waiting for my response.

I accepted all trait applications.

「’Gallergorn’s Claw’ trait has been applied.」

「Can be fused with existing ‘Psychic Organ’ trait.」

「’Gallergorn’s Claw’ and ‘Psychic Organ’ traits have fused. Evolved into ‘Monster’s Tentacles’ trait!」

「Monster’s Tentacles: Inherits and enhances the existing ‘Psychic Organ’ trait. You can use psychic power.

*P.S.: The power of the dragon must be used with caution.」

「’Camouflage Skin’ trait has been applied.」

「Can be fused with existing ‘Mimicry’ trait.」

「’Camouflage Skin’ and ‘Mimicry’ traits have fused. Evolved into ‘Mimetic Organ’ trait!」

「Mimetic Organ: You can imitate the appearance of hunted victims. Limited to once per day.

*P.S.: The human body is the warmest place to hide.」

I was surprised by the translucent text windows appearing rapidly.

‘Monster’s Tentacles?’

Before I could question it, my body began to mutate. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pull at the back of my neck along with an itching sensation throughout my body.

Small tentacle clusters rapidly grew longer. Perhaps due to the rapid growth, my head felt heavier, and I could feel the tips of tentacles on my shoulders.

Tiny holes were forming in the chitinous exoskeleton covering my body. Someone with trypophobia would probably faint if they looked at my skin through a magnifying glass.

A membrane-like substance formed over the perforated holes, making my exoskeleton appear engraved with geometric patterns.

Since this wasn’t an evolution to the next stage, the mutation ended quickly.

I touched the octopus-like tentacles that had extended. They looked identical to the tentacles on a Gallergorn’s mouth.

As far as I know, Gallergorn don’t have psychic organs. And the tentacles on their mouths can’t be acquired as a trait. It would be like trying to get fingers or toes as a trait for humans.

‘…I don’t understand why, but I’ve clearly gained a better weapon than just claws.’

An unexpected result, but not a bad one.

‘The Mimetic Organ should be as I expected.’

Finally, X-ray Vision was applied, but I didn’t feel any particular change. Still, thanks to it, I’m not far from acquiring a psychic-related type.

‘Now I have 4 psychic-related traits.’

Predator Sense, Humanity, Monster’s Tentacles, and X-ray Vision—that makes 4. If I evolve to juvenile stage, I’ll receive “Psychic Resistance” as a perk, making it 5.

In other words, I just need one more to secure a psychic-related type.

Thinking about this, something came to mind.

I looked at No. 26, who had fainted and fallen asleep.

‘I never imagined it was a Sea Demon.’

Many marine life enthusiasts have tracked Sea Demon ecology, but no one has discovered how they are born. Everyone, including myself, accepted it as a game mechanic.

At least until today.

‘Could it be that mutant Bubble Amoebas evolve into Sea Demons?’

Except for size, they look similar and have similar ecologies. And while Sea Demons are fearsome creatures called tyrants of the sea, they don’t eat Bubble Amoebas.

Perhaps they’re related species.

Whether No. 26 is a Sea Demon or a mutant with the potential to evolve into one is very important in the current situation.

‘…Sea Demons have a psychic-related trait.’

A trait called “Terror of the Deep” that drives people within a certain range insane. It’s similar to Red Mist’s hallucination trait, but with an incomparably wider range and as a passive trait that’s always active.

It’s a very powerful trait, but Sea Demons are dangerous monsters that require multiple rankers to hunt, so obtaining the trait isn’t easy.

‘In a way, it’s as rare as Gallergorn’s Claw.’

And a being that might possess that trait is right in front of me. In a state much weaker than a Sea Demon.

‘No.’

After a brief consideration, I firmly shook my head.

It’s not certain that No. 26 is actually a mutant that could evolve into a Sea Demon. Even if it is, there’s no guarantee the predation effect would activate.

‘…And I have morals too.’

While hunting and evolving alone is enjoyable enough, traveling with another being is also a new experience.

A hunter must always seek learning. One must have an open mind to accept everything, which broadens perspective and leads to strength.

I stroked No. 26. It’s a useful being that helps me. I intend to help it as much as possible until my life is in danger.

Putting aside thoughts of No. 26, I went to the cockpit and switched from manual to automatic navigation.

「Please set your destination.」

‘Destination, huh.’

When I pressed a button on the panel with my small hand, several candidates appeared as holograms.

The default setting was some planet under Megacorp control, which was the original target of Eusung’s research vessel.

‘There’s no need to go there specifically.’

Megacorp planets have large military forces deployed. Depending on the planet, the details vary, but in my current state, confronting them is impossible.

‘What’s the closest place from here?’

I searched my memory for places we could go. Then I spotted a familiar location.

‘T&C Special Trade Center.’

A massive space colony floating in space—a place I know well.

‘This should be good.’

It was a famous place in the game where many players gathered for trading. As a place where all kinds of genetic essences converged, I visited it regularly.

‘I got a lot of hate because of that.’

I was notorious as a cowardly morph bastard, but what could I do? That’s just how AMorphs are. If they were so upset, they could play as AMorphs themselves.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t eat another AMorph.

Anyway, a colony where diverse species gather would provide good nutrients for my growth.

「Resetting course to T&C Special Trade Center. Time remaining until arrival: 3 hours.」

Three hours. I decided to rest a bit before arrival.

Although I’d replenished energy through meals, I’d used a lot of mental strength fighting consecutively.

I went to the bed and lay down beside No. 26. Stroking it as it nestled into my arms, I gradually drifted off to sleep.

–

Star Union’s capital planet, Jax-01.

Rain contaminated by black smog—without a trace of light—pours down.

Following the falling raindrops reveals factories ceaselessly spewing exhaust.

Everywhere on the planet, all you see are factories, smog, and photographs attached to every building.

A photo of a man with mechanical eyes, arms crossed, and a solemn expression is attached to homes, commercial buildings, and factories alike.

The man in the photo is Jubaka, the Grand Marshal of Star Union and the father figure to all cyborgs.

Cyborgs walking the streets salute whenever they see the photo, but no one finds this strange. It’s natural here in Star Union.

Amid this bizarre landscape, there was one building without a photo.

A place that looked abandoned.

Underground, there existed a facility unknown to the cyborgs.

Contrary to the dark atmosphere above ground, a medical room—spotlessly clean—contained a medical capsule.

The capsule, resembling a pure white coffin, slowly opened with a mechanical sound.

As soon as it opened, a snow-white arm shot out from inside.

“Huh! Cough, cough…”

The arm belonged to a woman. With black hair and a slender figure, she rose, coughing.

Her name was Siheyon Yujin.

Or more precisely, her “clone.”

As the “shadow” of House Yugin, Siheyon Yujin was incredibly strong, with few enemies to match her, but she wasn’t always like that.

In the days before her genetic modifications were complete, she had taken out insurance for the future.

She had arranged for a clone to replace her if she died.

In Megacorp, human cloning technology was a kind of taboo. So she had hidden her clone in an enemy nation of Megacorp.

“I never expected to become a clone…”

Siheyon looked down at her body. Her skin was white and smooth like a newborn’s, with a sleek figure. Though beautiful, it felt alien to her.

Inevitably so, as some of her original genes hadn’t been updated in the clone. All the genetic abilities she had possessed—Gallergorn’s Claw, Red Mist’s hallucination ability, and countless others—were all lost.

She didn’t know how long it would take to recover the genes she had lost because of that monster. It was as good as a major setback to her grand plans, and she gritted her teeth.

“…That damn bastard, next time we meet, I’ll rip out his brain.”

Siheyon Yujin’s eyes were deeply stained with vengeance.

–

At a time when light sleeps and starlight awakens, the port district of T&C Special Trade Center was still bustling.

Workers in coveralls, businessmen in suits, alien tourists—all kinds of sentient beings were busily moving about under the bright neon signs.

Carpenter, who worked in the port district, was also working overtime.

During his break, while reading a web novel on his small terminal, his communicator lit up.

Beep

「Hey, Carpenter. Busy?」

“Howard? What’s up?”

「A Megacorp escape vessel just came in.」

“Where from?”

「Control tower tried contacting them but got no response. Seeing it’s set to automatic navigation, there might be a problem.」

“Probably more parentless brats. I’ll check it out.”

「It’s in Sector 7.」

Going to the location his colleague indicated, Carpenter spotted an elaborately decorated escape vessel. Whistling at the small spacecraft that clearly had money lavished on it, he remarked:

“Well, wonder which young master has run away this time.”

This place occasionally received escape vessels carrying upper Capital heirs trying to run away. Convinced this was another such case, Carpenter knocked on the vessel’s door.

“Anyone in there? Come out please.”

After waiting a moment with no response, Carpenter sighed and took out hacking equipment. Connecting a cable to the terminal beside the door and operating the device, the escape vessel’s door opened easily.

“What were you doing with all the lights off?”

The inside of the escape vessel was pitch dark without a single light. Turning on the lantern attached to his safety helmet, Carpenter looked around the interior.

“Where did they go?”

There were signs someone had been there—liquor bottles on the floor, a broken cockpit—but no people in sight.

“Huh?”

Something sticky clung to the sole of his shoe. Checking the floor, he found a strange liquid pooled there.

“What is this?”

While touching it with his hand, liquid dripped from above. Following the falling liquid, Carpenter’s gaze moved upward.

“It” was on the ceiling.

–

“Hey, where did Carpenter go?”

“Oh? I heard he was leaving early today.”

“Really? The guy who said he needed to earn money to buy a house is leaving early?”

“Yeah. There he goes.”

Howard turned his head at his colleague’s words. About 20 meters away, he could see Carpenter walking.

“Hey, Carpenter!”

“……”

When Howard called out, Carpenter stopped in his tracks.

Coincidentally, he was standing in a dark alley where the streetlight didn’t reach. It was so dark that despite the short distance, his upper body was hidden in shadow, not even an outline visible.

‘Why is that guy standing in a place like that?’

Howard suddenly felt strange looking at Carpenter. Clearly it was him based on his gait and clothes, but somehow it felt like looking at a different being.

“Hey, weren’t you working overtime today? Just leaving?”

“Yeah. Busy.”

“Won’t the workshop manager say something?”

“Yeah. Said I could go because I’m busy.”

After saying that, Carpenter disappeared into the darkness of the alley. Strangely, as soon as he vanished, the unpleasantness Howard had been feeling in a corner of his mind completely disappeared.

“…Damn, does that guy always talk like that?”

“Leave him be. Must be on his period. Hehe.”

Howard returned to work with his snickering colleague.

The next day, Carpenter didn’t come to the port district.