Ch.380Mid-Term Check (3)

“Megacorp officially designated colony LV-06. Are you planning to go there?”

[Zzz zzzzzz zzzzz zzzzz zz zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzz(Yes. I’m going to the gene research center attached to the colony)]

“A gene research center. That piques my interest.”

In front of the hologram device made from ship materials, PS-111 blinked its eyes made of camera lenses. It seemed to like our next destination.

‘For good reason.’

Megacorp constantly modifies the inhabitants of each colony according to their purpose.

For instance, residents of planets designated for human resource production are adjusted to engage in more frequent sexual activity. Humans used as materials for Hulk Mutants are produced with high aggression and low intelligence.

Genetic research facilities are responsible for designing the genes of residents to match the colony’s purpose. As a result, they store genetic samples from various species.

From PS-111’s perspective, this would be the first time encountering a large quantity of genetic samples since the Screamer support ship from Pyrrha Eleven, the highest commissioner of Star Union.

No wonder it’s excited about this golden opportunity to upgrade its body.

‘Since it’s not in the solar system, there probably won’t be any hard-to-find genetic samples.’

“If it’s a colony research center, could we also get ‘Revenant Organs’?”

Sky Mother, who had come up from underground, asked me.

Thanks to the ‘Double Helix Monolith’ I received as a reward for defeating Type 2 space monsters, I can now implant up to two traits in her and the kids.

The traits she wants are ‘Revenant Organs’ and ‘Superior Homeostasis.’ I was able to successfully implant the latter after hunting a few more Pyromancers before the pirates arrived.

With the ‘Spring of Life’ trait from the phantom beast ‘Thunderbird’ and now Superior Homeostasis, her survivability has increased dramatically. Like me, she won’t die instantly unless her head and heart are destroyed.

‘Getting Revenant Organs here would be perfect.’

Of course, whether we can secure Revenant Organs at LV-06 remains uncertain.

[Zzzz zzzzz zzzz zzzz zzzzzz zzzz zzzzz zzzzzz(We’ll have to see when we get there. This is a place I haven’t been to)]

“True, I’ve never seen this planet in the game either.”

She nodded while looking at the holographic map.

‘The destination is set. Now, how should we get there?’

I’d prefer to fly there using superluminal navigation as usual, but this time the situation is a bit different.

Because of the new friend at my feet.

‘It’s difficult to carry the Mountain Crawler while moving.’

Its body size is similar to mine, but it weighs much more. It’s impossible to carry it and perform superluminal navigation in my bare form.

‘Moving it with starlight coordinates is also difficult.’

With starlight coordinates, the larger the target, the longer the immobilization period after transport. Moving a creature about my size would leave me unable to move for at least several days. If unexpected problems arise during that time, it would be very troublesome.

‘I guess there’s only one way to do this.’

I approached the pirate ship that Sechan had brought.

The ship, with Megacorp’s characteristic streamlined design, was 500m long. Compared to my body length, it’s about 6 to 7 times larger.

‘Well then, let’s go in.’

I grabbed both sides of the hole PS-111 had made with my wing arms. After widening the hole by applying force with my arms, I pushed my three heads in first.

“Why is AMorph doing that?”

“Looks like he’s going to use that technique after a long time.”

“He’s trying to infect and take control of the ship.”

“Infect?”

When about half my body was inside the ship, I extended my infection tentacles. The internal facilities were ruined in the process, but it doesn’t matter. Every element of this ship will be reconfigured anyway.

As the tentacles protruding from my back touched the ship, a familiar text box appeared before my eyes.

[Confirmed suitable size for infection. Estimated 5 minutes until infection complete. Control time after infection: 60 days.]

[*Infection completion time is proportional to the size of the target.]

[*Control time is proportional to the energy stored by the user. When control time expires, the target will be automatically discarded.]

[Begin infection?]

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this message.’

This is my second unique trait, one I haven’t used much since gaining the ability to perform superluminal navigation in my bare form.

Rather than the trait itself, I’ve utilized the tentacles, the physical appendages that came as a side effect.

It’s time for the trait ‘Horizon of Nightmares,’ which allows me to infect and dominate spaceships, to shine.

‘Let’s begin.’

Six long tentacles head toward the heart of the ship. The tentacles that reach the engine room spew out mucus wildly.

The wave of black mucus instantly engulfs the superluminal engine. Not satisfied with that, it flows outward and consumes the entire ship. The infection progresses extremely quickly, probably due to the ship’s size.

“What is that? Is the ship… turning into a nest?”

I could hear the surprise in Isabelle’s voice from outside.

She has never seen me dominate a ship with Horizon of Nightmares before. It’s no wonder she’s surprised, as only Outspacers are typically capable of taking over ships like this.

“It’s a trait that allows him to dominate ships and turn them into biological vessels. Seems like he created it with one of his perks.”

“Could he also take control of the hidden Gigacracker?”

“I think domination depends on size, so it’s probably possible. However, once it becomes a biological vessel, there’s a time limit. When that time runs out, the ship completely breaks down and becomes unusable.”

Sky Mother, who has seen me dominate ships several times, explained it to her.

“We need to bring Ttanttani, study materials, food, and also, also…”

“I’ll help. I’ll bring ‘Ttanttani’ first.”

“Yes!”

No. 26 and PS-111 were busy preparing to leave. Even as I was taking over the ship, I could sense them moving around busily.

“……”

Sechan, the ship’s former owner, was speechless as he watched his vessel transform into something grotesque.

Partly because of the parasite in his head, but even without it, he would have reacted the same way. A metal ship turning into a living organism was completely beyond common sense.

Amidst the bustling atmosphere, only Adhigh Orr was curled up comfortably, enjoying a nap. Seeing the tip of his tail swaying gently, he seemed to be having a pleasant dream.

After 5 minutes of infection, the pirate ship surrounding me no longer exists. This vessel has become something alive and moving, transformed by the black mucus expelled from my infection tentacles.

‘Done.’

The biological ship connected to my main body moves entirely according to my control. I’ve removed all useless facilities and compartments, and created space for the Mountain Crawler to board.

[Zz zzzz(It’s done)]

“Really? It doesn’t look much different from the outside.”

“It looks the same from outside, but the inside is completely different.”

The exterior of the dominated ship has only changed in color to black, while everything else remains the same. Isabelle slightly lifted herself to look around the ship.

With Horizon of Nightmares, I can reflect some of my traits onto the dominated ship. I created a large mouth, ‘Reaper’s Maw,’ at the front of the ship to show her.

“Just as you said, it’s like a second body.”

[Zz(Yes)]

“So the inside of the ship is essentially AMorph’s stomach.”

[Zzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz(Slightly different, but similar)]

“That’s fascinating.”

Not everything that enters the ship becomes my food. If I want to consume prey while dominating the ship, I need to eat them with the Reaper’s Maw. Only then can I acquire genetic essence.

After deactivating the Reaper’s Maw, I created a new entrance on the side of the ship. Isabelle, looking intrigued, entered through this entrance after looking around.

“I want to go in too!”

“There’s much to move. Please make the door larger.”

PS-111 and No. 26 went in and out of the ship, moving food and various mechanical devices they had obtained on this planet.

‘Now I should wake up Adhigh.’

I extended one tentacle and gently poked his plump tail. He jumped up in surprise.

“What?” “What” “Was that?”

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzz(Time to wake up)]

“Great One?”

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzz(We’re leaving this place, so get ready)]

He nodded while rubbing his eyes with his front paws.

‘Now what’s left is…’

“Groooo”

“Don’t worry.”

The Mountain Crawler that came up to the surface. It fixed its four eyes on me and sniffed.

“Groo?”

Though my appearance has changed, my scent remains the same. After a moment, the Mountain Crawler lowered its guard and approached me. I created a large door at the rear of the ship to accommodate it and Sky Mother.

The ship wobbled slightly when it boarded, but soon stabilized.

“Are you okay? Can you move?”

[Zzzzzzzz zzzzzz(This much is fine)]

“…Its large size is problematic.”

That giant Mountain Crawler survived even the explosion of an antimatter bomb. With that level of defense, it would be extremely helpful in ground combat, but there’s a problem.

‘It’s too big to carry around easily.’

Right now, thanks to Horizon of Nightmares, I can manage to take it along, but once the trait goes on cooldown, that becomes impossible. After raiding the colony research center, I’ll need to wait a long time to move this giant creature.

‘Or use the Gigacracker.’

The Gigacracker, capable of easily transporting large quantities of minerals, could easily move while carrying the Mountain Crawler.

[Zzzz zzzzzzzz zzzz zzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzz(Let’s go to Adhigh’s home first and leave him there)]

“What about food?”

[Zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzzz(We can give him minerals stored in the Gigacracker)]

There are also Coldbloods living with the Gallergorn on the ice planet. If we ask them to look after the Mountain Crawler for a while, it should be able to manage.

After everyone boarded, I looked at Sechan, who remained alone.

‘Should I take him too?’

His connections could be quite useful when entering LV-06. That would be better than devouring him here. I had the parasite bring him aboard as well.

‘Good.’

All preparations for departure were complete.

I focused my consciousness on controlling the dominated ship. Plasma created from my biological energy gushed out from the thrusters.

With a strange floating sensation different from flying with wing arms, the ship rose upward. Then, like a bullet leaving a gun barrel, my body pierced through the clouds of volcanic ash filling the sky.

Behind me, I could see the star full of fire and ash. Having completed everything on Askha44, I raced toward the dark void of space.

–

After the black spaceship left Askha44, a rock floating in space began to move.

“‘The Predator’ has taken ‘the second bait.'”

It was the queen of the Outspacers.

A queen much smaller than normal queens was hiding her body in rock fragments, observing the outside.

“‘Predator’ class flying object confirmed departing.”

“His seed still not confirmed.”

“No hindrance to the plan of the Empress and ‘Great Enemy.'”

The queen approached the trail of light left by the black spaceship with extreme caution. Several thin tentacles emerged from the queen’s body and touched the residual energy from superluminal navigation.

“‘The Predator’ is dangerous. Therefore, track carefully.”

“No problem after improvements since last encounter.”

“‘The Predator’ is dangerous. Move cautiously.”

Just before the residual energy disappeared, the queen’s body glowed blue.

Soon after, the queen also vanished, leaving only blue light and rock fragments behind.