Ch.349Secret (2)

“It’s been a while.”

This is the first time since I devoured Jason on that ice planet.

Back then, I fused one of two traits with a player perk to create a new Mark of the Mighty trait. That’s how I created “Color of the Deep.”

‘Back then too, it required traits with different characteristics as materials.’

I chose “Hallucination Flames,” a psychic-related trait, over “Space Bacteria,” an infection-related trait, to create Color of the Deep. If I had chosen the former, I would have created a completely different Mark of the Mighty.

‘This time I need to choose between a physical trait and a nest-related trait.’

The former is “Three Heads,” a reward trait I received when evolving into an adult, and the latter is “Smog Tower,” a general trait.

Just like before, they’re completely different types of traits. Since I can’t predict what the result will be, I need to choose carefully.

‘I hope I get a trait similar to Alshas’s perk.’

He could create duplicates that could use all the abilities of the original body. If I could get that ability in my current situation, I could use it for various purposes.

‘Which one should I choose to get something similar to the original?’

Among the materials, Three Heads belongs to physical traits. It’s thanks to this trait that AMorph adults can have multiple heads.

The left and right heads are controlled by the central head but can also move independently. This characteristic might be reborn as a trait that creates “new AMorphs.” It would have an effect similar to Alshas’s perk.

‘That would be great, but there’s a problem.’

The issue is that Three Heads is not an easy trait to obtain.

To get Three Heads again, I would need to target an AMorph adult or a specific type of Voltex One.

Meeting an AMorph adult would be like catching a star in the sky. Even excluding that, targeting a Voltex One with three heads wouldn’t be easy either. That creature is more dangerous than Ring of Agony, so it would be difficult to defeat even now.

‘If I use it as material here, it will take quite some time to get it again.’

Just as “Essence Harvester’s Jaw” was upgraded to “Harvester’s Maw” when I grew into a subadult, Three Heads can also be fused with other traits to become more powerful.

The fusion traits created with Three Heads are quite powerful, so it’s somewhat regrettable to consume it here.

‘On the other hand, Smog Tower doesn’t have that risk.’

This trait, which spreads toxic fog in the nest, isn’t particularly important to me at this point. Also, the trait itself isn’t difficult to acquire again.

However, there’s a high probability that it’s far from the result I want. Like Color of the Deep.

Jason’s original ability was to expel a special substance from his body to create golden forms. If I had used Space Bacteria as material then, I might have gotten a similar trait.

‘If Smog Tower is the material, will it create a trait that strengthens nest battles?’

I haven’t had much use for my nest recently, but there’s no guarantee that will continue. Since I’ve turned key points of the Cult Empire into wastelands, I’ll likely have more battles against multiple enemies in the future.

Additionally, I need to be mindful of battles with the mass-producing Outspacers.

‘I can’t guess what the result will be.’

A fusion of a trait that spreads toxic fog in the nest and an ability to create duplicates.

Perhaps it will be a trait that creates duplicates or something similar, but only limited to the nest.

The black slime in the nest is all organic matter generated from my body. It’s not impossible to use this to create new organisms.

However, if my guess is correct, its versatility would be quite limited.

If I can’t use the nest, I can’t use the Mark of the Mighty. It would be useless in situations where I can’t rely on the nest’s power, like when fighting against fleets or in outer space.

‘Should I consume a hard-to-obtain material to get a trait similar to the original?’

Or should I choose a trait that’s easy to obtain but with unpredictable results?

Among all the Marks of the Mighty I’ve obtained so far, none have been completely useless. Each has its pros and cons, so I don’t think I’ll suffer a big loss no matter what the result is.

I continued to ponder while comfortably lying on the hangar floor.

After spending a considerable amount of time reviewing what to use as material, I was finally able to decide.

‘Let’s use Three Heads.’

Even if the material is rare, it’s not as rare as the perk.

Looking at the players I’ve met, they all had perks with different effects. Even if I fight and defeat other rankers in the future, the probability of acquiring a perk that creates duplicates is extremely low.

It’s irrational to give up the possibility of getting the desired perk because the material is valuable.

‘Plus, there’s the versatility issue.’

As was the case this time, situations where I can’t rely on the nest might occur more frequently in the future.

I’m already in a situation where I can freely fly through space, and enemies will attack from various environments.

If it combines with Smog Tower and truly becomes a trait that can only be used in the nest, its versatility will naturally be lower.

‘Of course, I still don’t know if Three Heads will meet my expectations.’

It’s better to choose the option with at least some possibility.

“Are you sure you want to select ‘Three Heads’ as material? This choice cannot be undone.”

‘That’s fine. Confirm.’

“You are a target for the Trait Enhancement System. Would you like to use the system?”

Conveniently, there are quite a few traits among those I have that are currently unnecessary.

‘Grip Strength, Chitinous Skin, Wings, Beast’s Claws, Improved Salivary Glands, Enhanced Digestive Fluid Secretion. Let’s go with these six.’

After completing the settings for the trait enhancement materials, the Mark of the Mighty system activated.

“Fusion of ‘Alshas (Olivia Greene)’s perk and ‘Three Heads’ trait. ‘Quantum Mid⫓◯⫦∬⫓Trait Enhancement System intervention!”

“Trait modification in progress”

“Evolved into ‘Hydra Division’ trait!”

As the trait effect was applied, changes occurred in my body.

Two long necks sprouting from what would be the shoulder and collarbone area in humans, with heads at the end of each. A purple sheen began to flow on the surface of those areas. It looked like purple electricity was flowing, but I didn’t feel any particular pain.

‘What a strange feeling.’

“Grrrr?”

“Grrrk?”

Perhaps feeling the same as me, the heads on the left and right tilted curiously.

I checked the text box for the new Mark of the Mighty, “Hydra Division.”

“Hydra Division: Split your heads to create duplicates that can act independently for 60 minutes. Up to 2 duplicates can be created, and they share some of the original body’s physical characteristics in a limited way.

*Shared elements: Physical body, special defense, internal organs, environment adaptation-related traits

*Warning: If a duplicate dies, it cannot be regenerated for 30 days.”

‘Looking at the description, it seems to be as I expected.’

I had anticipated that it would create duplicates using the heads, and that’s exactly what happened.

However, unlike Alshas, it’s disappointing that the duplicates can’t use all the abilities possessed by the original body.

‘Plus, the number of duplicates is limited to 2.’

In some ways, it could be considered a downgraded version.

“Grrrr…”

“Grrrk? Grrrr?”

‘I’m not talking about you two.’

The left head lowered its head apologetically, as if reading my thoughts. The right head tilted its head curiously before copying what the left head was doing.

‘Come to think of it, they seem to have gotten smarter.’

Originally, the two heads were intelligent enough to assist me during combat. However, they weren’t at the level of expressing emotions so richly as they are now.

‘But they’re not beyond my control either.’

Rather than developing self-awareness in body parts, it seemed closer to an improvement in brain performance from a functional perspective.

‘Let’s try an experiment.’

I used Hydra Division while looking at the left head with its purple sheen.

As the trait activated, the purple sheen surrounding the left head and neck began to intensify. Eventually, it transformed into a purple jelly-like texture, separated from my body, and fell to the floor.

And I almost collapsed as well. It was partly because my balance was disrupted due to the missing neck, but there was another reason.

‘The energy consumption is enormous.’

Although not as much as when using the Black Devourer Cannon, a considerable amount of energy was consumed. If 26 and Adhigh hadn’t stuffed Ring of Agony meat into my mouth while I was asleep, it could have been dangerous.

While I was regaining my posture, the purple jelly on the floor was gradually increasing in size.

“It” started at about 15m and grew vigorously until it became a massive monster about 50m in size.

Its form was quite similar to an AMorph adult. Except that it had only one head and was about 10m smaller and more slender than me.

‘That’s because unique traits aren’t applied.’

Unlike me, who appears massive due to muscles, scales, and carapace, its body was much more slender.

It was clear from the fact that it had a regular tail instead of a bio-cannon on its left tail, and the absence of corrosive tentacles made the back plate area look slim.

That appearance is similar to my form in the game.

After the form was complete, its body color changed to black like mine. The black carapace and scales gleamed with a purple sheen.

“Grrrrrr”

The “left head” with its new body growls. Since it can’t share psychic-related traits, the monster’s tentacles weren’t transplanted either. It probably can’t communicate like me.

‘So how do I control it?’

As I was looking at it, the “left head” approached me and licked me with its extended tongue. Like a pet dog wanting affection from its owner.

‘An AMorph showing affection.’

It’s cute, but not what I was hoping for in the current situation. Just as I was thinking I should push it away, the auxiliary organ under my jaw tingled. Then, a strange sensation I had never experienced before took hold of me.

I can sense an AMorph with two heads in front of me.

At the same time, I can see the “left head” glowing softly with a purple sheen.

Like an insect seeing the world through compound eyes, two images are penetrating my mind.

‘The two bodies share sensations…’

“…two AMorphs?”

At that moment, a thought wave flew from the doorway connected to the corridor.

There stood Sky Mother in the form of a griffon Volf. Her captivating amber eyes, filled with bewilderment, were directed at me and the “left head.”

‘What a peculiar feeling.’

I’m seeing her with the head of my main body while simultaneously sensing her presence with another body.

Since the “left head” has no eyes, it detects the other party with the auxiliary organ under its jaw. The feeling is similar to when entering the hunting emblem state.

In other words, the divided me is recognizing the griffon Volf’s existence from two angles, through two different sensory organs. Since becoming an AMorph, I had never experienced such an unfamiliar sensation until now.

The one who made me feel this freshness approaches the griffon Volf.

“Huh? W-wait? Excuse me?”

“Grrrrrr”

And it licked her with its long tongue while opening its mouth. The golden fur covering her body stood on end like a startled cat.

“……”

[Zuzu (Stop)]

“Grrrr?”

Even without sensing it through the auxiliary organ, it was easy to tell that she strongly disliked it. When I sent a signal to stop, its tongue froze in the middle of licking Sky Mother’s head.

‘Back away.’

I carefully moved the “left head” backward, just like when I first awoke as an AMorph hatchling.

[Zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu (I’m not used to it yet)]

“Don’t ever do this again.”

[Zuzuzuzu (I’ll be careful)]

“I came to see what you were doing, and what is this?”

Sky Mother, soaked in AMorph saliva, sighed deeply while shaking out her fur.

It seems it will take some time to get used to the new trait.