Ch.334Legion (2)

The red jewel Beryan02’s Aur System Surveillance Bureau was located nearby.

The Surveillance Bureau was an organization overseeing the safety of the entire star system. As such, it was always busy without a moment’s rest.

But today was different.

The entire bureau was on high alert due to an unexpected emergency report.

“B-Beryan02 has confirmed traces of bio-portals everywhere!”

“Outspacers are pouring out!”

“We’ve lost contact with the Water Fortress!”

“Rescue requests are flooding in! What should we do?”

Every situation room in the bureau was overwhelmed with incoming reports. The interior was so packed with psychic images projected by Cults that it was difficult to even see each other’s faces.

The Bureau Chief, receiving reports from his subordinates, wished this crisis was just a dream.

Despite his long career in various key positions throughout the Empire, he had never faced such a serious situation.

The Outspacer invasion of Beryan02. A catastrophe that would go down in history.

“Bureau Chief! What should we do?”

“Please give us orders!”

“……”

The Knowledge Managers were waiting for commands, but the Bureau Chief couldn’t speak hastily.

Currently, the Providences and Innovatives were in sharp conflict in the Imperial Congress. If he, a supporter of the Innovatives, mishandled this, it could become a major problem.

Of course, he couldn’t remain silent forever.

“F-first, ensure the Governor’s safety…”

“Please wait a moment.”

A familiar voice interrupted him. Turning his head, he saw the silver-haired female Cult he had met recently.

“Captain Alshas?”

The figure who appeared in the situation room was Captain Alshas of the Imperial Mothership “Defender of Beryan02.”

“I barely escaped just before disaster struck the Water Fortress.”

“What about the Governor? More importantly, is Elder Kixos safe?”

“I’m sorry. They were taken directly by Providence.”

“This can’t be!”

Upon hearing the tragic news, the Bureau Chief nearly collapsed. Kixos, leader of the Innovatives, was his political mentor. Naturally, he was deeply shaken by his death.

“Bureau Chief, we don’t have time for this. If we make a mistake, we might lose Beryan02.”

“Y-you’re right! We need to mobilize the fleet immediately…!”

Just as the Bureau Chief gathered himself to give orders, Alshas moved closer.

“You seem to be struggling. Let me help you.”

“What…?”

She suddenly whispered in his ear. He tried to push Alshas away, but his body wouldn’t move.

Simultaneously, the situation room before his eyes rapidly darkened. Yet no one else seemed to notice the sudden darkness.

The Bureau Chief realized.

Alshas had cast “Ultra Control” on him—a technique that dominates the mind.

‘Why is this happening?’

Though he couldn’t understand the situation, there was no one here to answer his questions.

“Good. Striking when the guard is down really works well.”

Seeing the Bureau Chief turned into a living puppet, Alshas slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

Ultra Control doesn’t work well on those with powerful psychic abilities. If he hadn’t been in a state of panic, he wouldn’t have fallen for it.

‘Now, let’s deploy the elite fleet.’

“Prepare the elite fleet under the Surveillance Bureau for deployment. We will strike the enemies at the Water Fortress.”

“Understood!”

Alshas issued orders to the Knowledge Managers through the Bureau Chief’s mouth.

‘Morph scum. You’re finished now.’

With the 4th ranker Empress’s legion, plus the elite fleet of the Surveillance Bureau and the Imperial Motherships.

Even if the 1st ranker were here, they could never win.

Certain of victory, she laughed silently.

–

In Space Survival, there are two species that use “Genetic Essence” as their primary resource.

Outspacers, who absorb genetic essence to grow as a swarm, and AMorph, who devour essence to continuously evolve themselves.

The former is modeled after the monster race “Zer*” from classic strategy simulations, while the latter is based on the space monster “Al*en” from classic creature films.

In fact, if we consider their inspirations, both originated from insectoid alien species in famous SF novels. So one might think they’re similar.

But in reality, they’re completely different. Their characteristics made from genetic essence differ, as does their gameplay.

Unlike AMorph who fight and evolve alone, Outspacers focus on upgrading their swarm rather than individual units. The strength of their legion depends on how you design the components of the swarm.

For instance, units that directly engage in combat are evolved to inflict more damage on opponents, even if their survivability is somewhat lower. Units responsible for command are specialized to better support their kind.

The same applies to these wasp-like flying monsters, “Collector Bugs,” now swarming toward me. Their role is to collect essence under the queen’s orders. They’re specialized for quickly moving around the battlefield, taking lives, and harvesting their essence.

“Ssssssss”

“Ssssss”

Numerous Collector Bugs cling to me, spewing powerful stomach acid. My sturdy carapace begins to melt little by little. The same carapace that barely takes damage from plasma weapons.

‘They’ve mixed Metal Gremlin genes with acid-spitting creature genes.’

In terms of power, it’s much weaker than my acid breath. But with so many acid-spewing units, they pose a significant threat.

‘I can’t leave them be.’

I spin once in the air with hundreds of Collector Bugs attached to my body. The impact causes the bugs to fall off.

“Get away!”

“Sss?!”

No. 26’s tentacles fly toward the fallen Collector Bugs. Tentacles sharpened like hedgehog spines pierce through the bugs.

Dozens die instantly, but there are far more remaining. Newly appearing bugs fill the places of their dead comrades.

They seem to have judged No. 26 more dangerous than me, as they attack his tentacles.

“Ah! It stings!”

[Zz zz (Shrink yourself)]

The Sea Demon with raid boss-level strength also has very high defense. But these creatures are melting even my carapace, which is harder than his. It won’t be easy for him to endure.

Moreover, these creatures are like organic machines without self-awareness. They’re not greatly affected by “Deep Sea Terror.” There’s no reason for him to enlarge his body.

Hearing my words, he reduced his size to 10m. Meanwhile, I struck the approaching Collector Bugs with my corrosive tentacles. Some were devoured by my tentacles, while others turned into quartz chunks due to my “Medusa Organ.”

“Flies” “Many”

“More like wasps than flies!”

“Wasps. Presumed ancestor of the Earth carnivorous insect ‘Devil Bee.’ Last recorded discovery was 400 years ago.”

Not just me, but Adhigh Orr, Sky Mother, and PS-111 are also busy reducing the enemy numbers.

Adhigh uses his wings, reinforced with “RedArmor,” like twin swords to cut down Collector Bugs. Those lucky enough to avoid his attacks cling to his rear. They’re targeting his hind legs or tail where RedArmor isn’t activated.

Just as they open their mouths lined with sharp teeth to spray acid, carnelian-colored particles appear from somewhere and envelop them. Enemies touched by the particles are crushed in mid-air like cans in a compactor.

Behind them was Sky Mother with her carnelian wings spread wide. After rescuing Adhigh from danger, she lured the enemies to the opposite side.

“Ssssssss”

“Ssss”

Hundreds of flying monsters spray acid at the flying griffon.

Even for a ranker, it’s impossible to completely avoid acid sprayed from all directions. Her golden fur blackens where the acid hits.

PS-111, above my head, comes to her aid. He swings his hook claws, implanted with Gallergorn’s talon blades, creating blade winds, while firing matter-decomposition bullets from the muzzle at the end of his long tail.

Outspacers can’t use psychic power, but all units have a certain level of resistance to it. However, their thin wings don’t share this resistance.

Collector Bugs, with their wasp-like body structure, become extremely sluggish if even one wing is damaged. I and No. 26 handle the enemies that PS-111 has slowed down.

My large tentacles and his pink tentacles dance across the sky like at a ball. Sometimes my corrosive tentacle appendages bisect the bugs, sometimes his pink saw-like tentacles grab and crush the enemies.

‘Our coordination is good, but…’

We’re killing dozens every second. Yet they show no sign of decreasing.

‘That pit.’

I glare at the pit that formed where Alshas’s mansion once stood. Bugs are still endlessly pouring out from there. Surely there must be a bio-portal summoning them below.

‘Either destroy the portal or…’

That monster carrying Alshas and Isabelle. It’s been bothering me for a while.

‘It’s a design I’ve never seen before.’

Its body is wrapped in small, thin tentacles. Each tentacle ends with an eye. Whether they actually function as sensory organs or not, each eye blinks and moves constantly.

It’s a type of unit I’ve never seen in the game. It’s unclear what genetic essence was applied or what abilities it possesses.

Considering its developed detection organs and position at the rear, there’s a high possibility that this unit is the queen.

While I was briefly observing it, 3m stakes flew at me from the ground.

The 30m giant monsters, “Stake Worms,” that appeared smashing through the mansion, are busily bombarding me.

Stake Worms are among the few units in the legion that utilize energy. However, they don’t directly expel energy like I do.

Instead, they continuously circulate massive amounts of energy within their bodies. Using the force generated, they fire bio-projectiles called “Bio Piles” outside their bodies.

The problem is that these organic stakes have incredibly high penetration power. They’re useful against heavily armored enemies or battleships.

In other words, they’re quite troublesome for me, flying around in heavy armor.

‘This won’t do.’

As time passes, more units will cross through the bio-portal. I need to do something, whether eliminating the queen or destroying the bio-portal.

‘I’ll have to use the Color of the Deep.’

For Outspacers, who are essentially an entire species of living weapons, there’s no more lethal weapon than this.

[Zz zz zz zz zzzz zz zzzzzz zzzzz (All of you go to the ground and handle those creatures)]

“What about you?”

[Z zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz (I’m going to sweep away the Collector Bugs)]

With so many Collector Bugs around, our allies might get caught up if I’m not careful. Since I’ll be alone, I decided to send everyone to the ground.

“Alright. I’ll check on the Coldbloods while I’m down there.”

“Great One” “Be careful”

Right after they left, I activated the Color of the Deep.