Ch.362The Devil of the Volcano (1)

We stayed in our new hideout for 24 hours without going outside.

Originally, we planned to stay briefly, but it was decent enough to serve as a base. So we rested and made it our nest.

The massive tunnel, naturally formed by flowing lava, was covered in black slime. The walls and ceiling were lined with hardened slime intertwined like blood vessels, while the floor was filled with liquid. The steam-filled tunnel reminded me of an ancient swamp.

Despite all the steam, the temperature wasn’t particularly high. This was thanks to the “Environmental Dominator” trait that allowed me to regulate the temperature and environment inside the nest. With the cool air throughout the nest, everyone could rest comfortably.

After everyone had rested together, I brought up the topic of our next moves.

“Superior AMorph hunting, eliminating the Returners’ equipment manager ‘Salman,’ and crafting your personal equipment. Those seem to be your three main objectives.”

The Sky Mother summarized what I had mentioned.

“The point is, you want to discuss which to prioritize first?”

[Yes]

She thought for a moment before speaking.

“I think PS-111 and I should move separately.”

[Separately?]

“I need tools to make my equipment.”

[PS-111 could help with that part]

“If you need any equipment, I can craft it for you.”

PS-111 flicked his hook-like claws, displaying confidence. But the Sky Mother shook her head.

“While PS-111 can process the materials as you said, we need precision equipment for assembly and manufacturing.”

[Really?]

“Since Salman is in charge of the Returners’ equipment maintenance, he must have repair facilities. So PS-111 and I can infiltrate secretly and use them.”

When I thought about it, it wasn’t a bad idea.

They don’t know yet that we’ve sneaked in here. That might actually work to our advantage for infiltration.

Besides, she’s a Volf ranker who can freely shift between phantom beast and beastkin forms. She must have carried out numerous infiltration operations in enemy territory.

With her skills, she shouldn’t have any difficulty infiltrating with PS-111.

[Will you be okay?]

“I’ve infiltrated patrol ships while piloting a Heavy Walker, so don’t worry.”

And so, the Sky Mother and PS-111 were designated as the infiltration team.

[The rest will hunt with me]

“Hunting with big baby, good.”

“New prey” “Taste” “Don’t know” “Curious”

No. 26, floating above the swamp, lit up his body like a lamp to express joy.

True to his curious nature, Adhigh Orr seemed more interested in eating unfamiliar creatures in a strange place than in the hunt itself.

Isabelle, coiled up beside us listening, asked me a question.

“Are you going after the Magmasaur right away?”

[No. We’ll catch other creatures]

“Other creatures. ‘Elemental Hodger’ or ‘Pyromancer’?”

[That’s right]

As she said, I planned to target those two creatures before the Magmasaur. They’re both dangerous AMorph creatures with useful traits.

I was slightly surprised that she knew so much despite not being an AMorph player.

“I’ve been to volcanic planets several times because of my sister.”

That immediately made sense.

‘Gallergorn inhabit volcanic planets too.’

Her twin sister Penelope is a well-known Gallergorn enthusiast. As far as I know, she analyzed Gallergorn ecology, including their prey and predators. Much of what’s known about Gallergorn in the game was discovered by Penelope.

‘She must have had a tough time.’

Having to visit all sorts of dangerous planets because of her sister, despite not particularly liking Gallergorn herself.

As if confirming my guess, Isabelle glanced at PS-111 with her beautiful sapphire-like eyes. If my thoughts were correct, I could sense complex emotions in her gaze.

After looking at her sister, now completely transformed, she turned her attention back to me.

“Which one will you hunt first?”

[I’m planning to go after the Pyromancer first]

“What about the ranker?”

[He’ll be last]

I’m thinking of dealing with Salman when we take on the Magmasaur. Isabelle rested her head on her coiled body and said:

“So you plan to intervene during their fight. Just like in the game.”

Since Salman is after the same target as me, it’s a good opportunity to take advantage. I can let him attack the Magmasaur first, then ambush at the right moment.

‘Plus, I can observe his perks beforehand, which is even better.’

Anyway, now we had our plan sorted out.

I left the nest with the others. Sweltering heat and hot volcanic ash greeted us.

“The base is in that direction, right?”

“Correct.”

As the Sky Mother was about to leave with PS-111, I remembered something just as I was about to tell her to be careful.

[Wait]

“?”

I stopped her and extended my combat arm. An enhanced parasite emerged from the hole in my arm and crawled onto my finger.

Seeing this, she widened her amber eyes.

“A parasite? Why suddenly this?”

[For communication]

It’s difficult to communicate effectively when separated. If something happens to her, I would have no way of knowing.

‘But with the parasite, that won’t be a concern.’

She can carry the enhanced parasite and implant it in a human at the base when she needs to send a message. When she speaks to the infected human, the parasite will transmit the signal to me.

Or if the situation becomes too dangerous even for that? Then she can kill the parasite.

[Not a bad idea, right?]

“…That’s exactly the kind of thinking I’d expect from you.”

After I explained my idea, she sighed heavily. Then hesitantly took the parasite.

[It’s a delicate creature, so handle it carefully]

“……”

The parasite, now on the griffon beastkin’s arm, wriggled.

The black, eel-like worm moved and slightly touched the fur near her collarbone. At the creature’s playful gesture, her fur stood on end.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I can keep it.”

“That would be better.”

I had hoped the Sky Mother would take it, but she quickly handed the parasite to PS-111 at his offer.

“Please don’t worry. It will be much safer inside my body.”

PS-111 gently held the parasite with his hook-like claws and brought it to the lower part of his body. With a metallic sound, a panel opened underneath, revealing a storage space about 70cm long.

Inside were pieces of Voltex One’s flesh and Dreadsong’s hide. Among the items, digestive organs could be seen wriggling.

[You already have a lot in there, won’t it be uncomfortable?]

“I can accommodate parasitic organisms as well.”

PS-111 calmly placed the parasite inside his belly and closed the metal panel.

‘Well, it should be fine.’

Unless he gets cut in half, the parasite won’t die.

With that, the Sky Mother and PS-111 departed toward Salman’s base.

I moved with the remaining companions toward where the Pyromancer might be.

‘Let’s start by looking for a lava lake.’

Actually, the Pyromancer is a nomadic predator. It doesn’t stay in one place for long, constantly moving around to hunt.

The reason I’m heading to the lava lake is because its prey roams there.

Vulcarox, which rolls in lava and rocks to harden its body, and Lava Raptor, which hides in lava to ambush them. These are all creatures the Pyromancer enjoys eating.

It wouldn’t pass up a place that’s essentially a buffet, so I plan to wait there and catch it.

I flew low along the path of lava spread across the black earth. Isabelle, flying beside me, asked:

“I was going to ask earlier, wouldn’t the Elemental Hodger be easier to find?”

[Because it’s a territorial animal?]

“Yes. Those porcupines mainly live in volcanic craters.”

[That’s exactly why]

“?”

[Salman’s subordinates are searching for the Magmasaur]

“Ah, I see.”

Understanding my intention, Isabelle nodded in agreement.

It would be troublesome if we ran into them while wandering around the volcano.

“Big baby, what’s a porcupine?”

[It’s a small creature with spines on its body]

“Spines?”

[They’re similar to these, but thinner and smaller]

I pointed to the horns on my head, and No. 26 lit up his body in understanding.

“So it has pointy appendages! Similar to humans!”

There are many other differences, but I decided to stay quiet as it would be complicated to explain.

“This” “Appendage” “No” “Horn” “Appendage” “Different”

“Horn? What’s a horn?”

“Horn” “Male” “Symbol” “Horn” “Size” “Important”

“Is it good if the appendage is big?”

Adhigh Orr, flying alongside us, approached my central head. Then he gently stroked my horn with the tip of his tail before pulling away.

“Very” “Very” “Important”

“……”

I could feel Isabelle looking at me with a strange expression. Again, I had nothing particular to say.

We continued following the lava flow while chatting. What started as thin as a protruding vein on skin gradually widened until it was broad enough to be called a river.

And at the end of the river was a vast lake of fire.

The lake was constantly boiling due to heat and gas rising from below. At its edge, I could see a group of Lava Raptors hiding with only their forked tails exposed.

Outside the churning lava were the Vulcarox they were targeting, wandering about.

Vulcarox don’t form herds except during mating season. So the large bronze bulls moved with considerable distance between them.

Around the bulls were scaled rats about 60-70cm in size. These creatures circled around the bronze bulls before climbing onto them to gnaw at the protruding rocks.

The name of these small monsters is Stoner. They primarily feed on rare minerals and rocks. Due to this habit, they have a symbiotic relationship with creatures that cover themselves with lava and stones.

For instance, when too much lava and rock accumulate on a Vulcarox’s body, it hinders movement, but Stoners regularly remove this excess. The Vulcarox are aware of this benefit, so they don’t react much even when Stoners bother them.

‘Looks like the Pyromancer isn’t here.’

If it were present, the area around the lake wouldn’t be this peaceful.

‘The prey is abundant. Let’s wait here.’

Just as I did on Askha44, I put the others inside the mouths of each of my heads. Then I jumped right into the middle of the lava.

The lake was deep enough to submerge my body when lying down. Feeling the heat enveloping my entire body, I kept my heads slightly above the surface. If there were alligators living in fire and magma, they would probably look like me right now.

‘Alright. Now…’

There’s only one thing left to do.

Wait until the ‘new prey’ arrives.