Ch.365The Devil of the Volcano (4)

Finding a place where a Pyromancer might frequent didn’t take long. Not far from the lava lake, I discovered a location where numerous creatures had gathered.

‘I’m surprised to find it so quickly.’

Volcanic planets, like ice planets, have extremely harsh environments. Most creatures, with few exceptions, wander endlessly in search of food.

Areas like lava lakes are spaces where many wanderers rest briefly. Pyromancers frequently visit lakes to hunt animals that come to rest.

Outside of such spaces, it’s very rare for creatures to gather. I thought it would take time, but my expectation was wrong.

“Why would they gather in a place that’s not particularly suitable for gathering?”

[Zzz (I don’t know)]

I could see various types of animals gathered on an empty field.

The Vulcaroxes were maintaining minimal distance from each other, while nearby a pack of Lava Raptors was watching for opportunities. Medium and small omnivorous animals like Stoners were mixed in between them.

Predators and prey gathered in one place that wasn’t even a resting area. This wasn’t normal.

‘Did they leave their habitats due to volcanic activity?’

Not many creatures inhabiting this planet can stay intact near an erupting volcano. There’s a possibility they gathered like this while fleeing.

‘Since I found them early, should I eat the creatures over there?’

Earlier when I was hunting, I transformed into the embodiment of hunting, so I couldn’t benefit from increased predation probability. Still, with so many creatures gathered, I could probably acquire three or four traits even hunting in my current state.

‘Anyway, besides that place, there are other locations where Pyromancers might visit…’

Just as my thoughts were turning toward eating the gathered monsters, I felt a familiar wavelength.

That wavelength, coming from quite a distance, was a signal sent by a parasite.

‘Why suddenly a parasite?’

Wondering if the Sky Mother and PS-111 were in danger, I quickly checked the signal sent by the parasite.

‘The ones sending me signals are…’

Three parasites sent identical signals.

If three sent signals simultaneously, there’s only one answer.

The expedition members I dominated shortly after arriving on this planet.

It was a signal sent by the parasites controlling them.

‘They say they’ve found traces of it?’

When I dominated them, they were already investigating five volcanoes. They say they’ve found traces of Magmasaur movement at one of them and are on the move.

‘They haven’t gone on an extermination mission yet.’

The controlled researchers were on the same aircraft as when they met me.

Magmasaur, nicknamed the Demon of Volcanoes, is indeed like a living volcano. Even Rankers find it difficult to deal with. Since a research aircraft is unlikely to be deployed for combat, they must be moving for reconnaissance.

“What’s wrong?”

When I stopped moving and only waved my wing arms, Isabelle asked.

[Zzzzzz Zzzz Zzzzz (It seems Magmasaur has been found)]

“What? That’s faster than expected.”

[Zzz Zzz Zzzzzz Zzzzz (They say they were already investigating)]

“I guess that’s true.”

My plan was to attack Salman from behind while he fought the Magmasaur. When facing a difficult opponent, it’s best to aim for the spoils.

‘Should I go check the location and terrain first?’

[Zzzzz Zzzzzz (Let’s just confirm the location)]

I turned with the kids in the direction the parasite was guiding.

Moving while lowering altitude, when we came to an area where volcanic ash was widely spread, I hid in the black clouds. Unlike other times, I needed to move carefully because enemies were roaming around.

‘Even if I fight, I need to fight at the time and place I want.’

Thinking this while moving, I soon approached the location of the three parasites. Having neutralized the enemy’s detection system with ‘Dark Veil,’ I gradually lowered my altitude.

As I lowered my head from between the clouds covering the sky, a new signal came to me.

The parasite guiding me and another one were sending signals.

‘Now what… huh?’

This signal was sent by the parasite I had given to PS-111.

‘Multiple reconnaissance ships have left the base?’

I received the signal about the controlled individuals moving about 30 minutes ago. Given that I’m being informed late about ships leaving the base, they must have just infiltrated.

The sudden movement news of the expedition team, and the reconnaissance fleet leaving the base. It seems they’re indeed focusing on exploration rather than combat.

‘Since there are many ships deployed, I need to be more careful.’

Currently, with Dark Veil around my body, the enemy fleet shouldn’t be able to detect me, but you never know. A reconnaissance aircraft might spot me with the naked eye.

I kept my body hidden in the cloud mixed with volcanic ash, only extending my central head downward.

There was a huge volcano on the horizon where the earth met the clouds. It was as massive as the black mountain in Adhigh Orr’s former homeland.

The difference was that the black mountain I saw was a dormant volcano, but this one wasn’t. The super-large volcano in the distance was spewing an enormous amount of smoke and volcanic ash.

After becoming an AMorph adult, I became a being that could rightfully be called a giant monster. But in front of this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, I still felt small.

‘Is that the place?’

A mountain creating an apocalyptic atmosphere. Hundreds of ships were floating around it.

It was the reconnaissance fleet the Sky Mother mentioned. Seeing small aircraft going back and forth between the mountainside and the fleet, it seemed a search was in progress.

‘Should I get a little closer?’

I flapped my wings while keeping my gaze fixed on the fleet.

They didn’t think I would be hiding in the clouds and focused only on the volcano. They paid no attention to what was moving above their heads.

I got close enough that the aircraft and walkers that had landed on the mountainside looked very small.

[Zzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzz Zzz Zzzzz (There are people down there. Please check what they’re doing)]

“Okay.”

Isabelle disappeared below the clouds, swaying her body smoothly like a swimming snake.

Thanks to her twin sister’s calibration during the body transfer process, her eyesight is quite excellent. Not as good as the Sky Mother’s, but at that distance, she should be able to roughly see what the enemies are doing.

After a while, she returned.

“We have a problem.”

[Zzz (Problem?)]

Like PS-111, her facial expressions are minimal due to her metal skin. But that doesn’t apply to her voice.

“They’ve brought Star Union bombs. An enormous amount, enough to blow up the entire volcano.”

[Zz (What?)]

Isabelle’s voice was clearly perplexed.

I too couldn’t help but be bewildered by this completely unexpected situation.

–

“Did AMorph receive the message?”

“Yes. Since we implanted the parasite, the signal should have gone through.”

In a room filled with rare items.

There was one large Screamer and two Volfs.

The Sky Mother, an anthropomorphic being with a raptor’s head, looked at the Volf in front of her. The other was a male Volf with a fox’s head, bleeding from his muzzle, looking unwell.

This was because PS-111 had forcibly injected a parasite into him.

‘To think I’d use parasites in my lifetime.’

Controlling NPCs with parasites and disguising as players. These two were the main reasons AMorph gained notoriety. She herself had been victimized by parasites dozens of times. She had even team-killed clan members because of them.

Yet here she was, using parasites herself.

“Is your position really an engineer?”

“W-well, I wouldn’t say engineer exactly…”

“If I determine that the information obtained from your answer is insufficient, I may induce pain.”

“Wait a moment! I-I’m in charge of maintaining the internal lighting of this base!”

“Thank you for your useful answer. Next question.”

While she was recalling a past she’d rather forget, PS-111 was skillfully continuing the interrogation.

“Where is the computer that manages the lighting circuits here?”

“Huh? Why would you… I mean! I can access it remotely from my personal computer!”

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Satisfied with the answer, PS-111 nodded. The mutant Screamer turned its beautiful face toward the Sky Mother.

“Using this person’s computer as a medium for remote hacking, we can enter Q-zone.”

“…Good job.”

She briefly thought there were now two AMorphs around, but decided not to mention it.

Afterward, PS-111 connected his wires to the computer the fox Volf had brought and began working. In just a few minutes, he gained access to several facilities.

“Q-zone has equipment for maintenance and repairs. I’ve modified the security systems along the way, so you can follow the route I tell you.”

“Is that possible?”

“It is for someone special like me.”

“Then perhaps we can also access the equipment storage from here?”

“Some places are protected by Cult security systems. Those systems are closed, making remote hacking impossible. You need to either approach physically or deactivate them through the main control room.”

“That would be difficult then.”

The reason they came here secretly was to create her equipment. They could come back with AMorph later to tackle the enemy’s equipment storage.

‘Slightly disappointing, but can’t be helped.’

At least they found an easy way to achieve their goal. The two left the warehouse with the fox Volf and headed to Q-zone.

On the way to the repair facility, they didn’t encounter anyone. Additionally, PS-111 continuously adjusted the angles of the corridor cameras through the computer, ensuring they weren’t recorded. It was surprisingly easy compared to entering the base.

After passing through several corridors, they finally reached Q-zone.

Opening the sturdy alloy door and entering, they were greeted by a scene similar to a factory interior.

“I’ll start right away.”

“Yes, please do.”

With those words, PS-111 took out Dreadsong’s leather and Voltex One’s body fragments from his body. Then he began modifying the zone computer’s settings for material processing and assembly.

When the flames of this massive metal furnace die down.

That’s when the Sky Mother will obtain a unique-grade armor exclusively for Volfs.