Ch.404Pursuit (1)

The consciousness that was asleep slowly awakens.

The red light installed on the ceiling of the storage compartment, the rhythmic sound of the engine, and the breathing of my heads on both sides. Among the subtle stimuli that existed before I fell asleep, something small and foreign had mixed in.

What woke me was the sound of a weighty presence stepping on the metal floor.

‘Who is it?’

I opened my eyes to identify the intruder.

The first thing I saw was an MCAE (Multipurpose Construction Auxiliary Equipment) that resembled construction machinery from classic SF strategy games. Judging by the large mineral chunk held in its thick mechanical arm, it seemed to be in the middle of moving minerals.

In front of it stood two beings wearing spacesuits that covered their entire bodies. Seeing me open my eyes, they quickly bowed.

‘Coldbloods, I see.’

They seem to have come to move food for the Mountain Crawler. After respectfully greeting me, the Coldbloods left the storage compartment with the MCAE.

‘I’m fully awake now.’

I closed my eyes, but there’s no sign of falling back asleep. My body feels refreshed too, so I might as well get up.

While still lying prone, I activated the translucent text box.

Many changes had occurred in the text box due to the recent battle. Besides giving the “Revenant Organ” to the Sky Mother, I had predated and fused various traits during combat.

‘Well, there weren’t many exceptionally useful ones…’

I did acquire a few traits that could be used effectively, like “Hiveformer.”

‘Disruption Needle. It’s been a while.’

“Disruption Needle” is a physical fusion trait that can be created by predating cyborgs and Metallic Gremlins.

When this trait is applied, needles that can mimic and emit electronic signals produced by ships are generated in my body. One of the spines on my back has changed to accommodate the Disruption Needle trait.

With Disruption Needle, I can eavesdrop on and intervene in communications of nearby ships. Sending distorted communications to disrupt enemy forces—that’s the purpose of Disruption Needle.

‘It wasn’t originally a very good trait.’

In the game, it was implemented to make enemy ships probabilistically disobey player commands. Since success and failure depended on probability, it was difficult to use in actual combat. Why would anyone use it when there were better traits like “Hijacking” or “Radio Interference”?

The fortunate thing is that the penalty disappeared when transitioning to reality. If I approach a ship, I can eavesdrop on or disrupt communications going to and from that ship.

‘If I had acquired it earlier, I could have put it to good use.’

At this point, I don’t particularly need it.

Neutralizing enemy communications is already possible with “Herald of Great Confusion” or No. 26’s abilities. Moreover, since I secured the “Hijacking” trait during battle, there’s even less reason to use Disruption Needle.

‘But I have a friend who could use this more effectively than me.’

PS-111, who specializes in hacking among us. I’m thinking of giving the Disruption Needle to him.

Originally, I was going to give him Hijacking or Radio Interference, but on second thought, this might be better.

‘The ability to control machines has less merit.’

PS-111 can already break through security systems when accessing enemy lines.

Rather, the ability to intervene in enemy communication networks and disrupt communications suits him better. He could use the “Stealth Movement” I gave him earlier to secretly infiltrate ships and then prevent them from contacting the outside.

‘I’ll give Disruption Needle to him.’

The next useful trait I acquired is the psychic-related trait “Ultra Control.”

It’s a trait normally obtained by eating Antler Cult members, but fortunately, I was able to acquire it by predating shadows.

The effect of Ultra Control is mind control—a trait that allows controlling a specific target for a limited time.

Unlike the Antler Cult’s ability, which has no time limit for control, this has added restrictions, but it’s still a powerful trait. When infiltrating enemy territory, combining “Mimicry Organ,” “Parasite,” and Ultra Control can be extremely effective.

‘Moreover…’

Ultra Control is one of the materials that can be fused into a unique trait. I displayed the fusion formula for the transcendence system’s unique trait.

「’Transcendence’ Material List: Inorganic Digestion, Harvester’s Maw, Bone Beast, Hell’s Illusion, Ultra Control」

Although I unlocked it early, the formula remained incomplete for a long time because the required materials were difficult to obtain. Now that I have all the materials, fusion is possible whenever I want.

I’d like to fuse them right away, but I can’t.

‘Harvester’s Maw. That’s the problem.’

Unlike other traits, if Harvester’s Maw disappears, it’s not easy to recover. This trait can only be created with “Essence Harvester’s Jaw,” which is obtainable only from AMorph subadults or special Outspacers.

‘It’s impossible to find subadults in their natural state.’

The only possibility is Outspacers, but even that isn’t easy. Despite predating various Outspacers so far, I haven’t obtained an Essence Harvester’s Jaw.

Either the 4th deliberately created them without that trait, or they didn’t send me specimens with essence harvesting abilities. Whatever the case, it’s certainly due to their wariness of me.

Until I catch a specimen with harvesting abilities, I essentially can’t obtain it.

If Harvester’s Maw disappears, I won’t be able to consume enemy heads to acquire genetic essence. To obtain an enemy’s genetic essence, I would have to completely devour their entire corpse.

‘But in exchange, I can get a unique trait, so it’s not a complete loss.’

The unique traits obtained through the transcendence system all possess outstanding power. Regardless of what type of trait emerges, its performance will be impeccable.

‘However, the key is what kind of unique trait will emerge.’

There’s a balanced mix of traits that change body structure, strengthen the physical form, and handle energy like psychic power or heat. I have no idea what concept the result will follow.

‘It’s a time when I need a new unique trait, though…’

The Arcane Orca’s energy manipulation ability surpasses No. 26’s.

And all of my most powerful weapons utilize energy. In front of an Arcane Orca, they’re practically useless.

‘As for the Black Predator Cannon and Complex Spectral Body, I’ll have to see firsthand.’

Even these might not be effective. If that happens, I’ll have to rely solely on physical abilities, and a new unique trait would be a great help then.

‘But in exchange, I’d have to give up the opportunity to obtain genetic essence.’

Since I need to bring the Arcane Orca’s corpse to Adhigh Orr.

‘It would be great if the unique trait inherited the effect of Harvester’s Maw, but that’s probably difficult.’

I spent a long time considering various possibilities while looking at the text box, but still couldn’t reach a conclusion.

‘There’s still time before I have to fight the Arcane Orca.’

There’s no need to decide early when I don’t even know where it is yet. After much deliberation, I postponed the decision.

After completing my inspection, I got up. As I was about to head to the situation room where the others would be, the door at the back of the storage area opened.

「You’re awake?」

The visitor was the Sky Mother, who had returned to her griffon anthropomorphic form, and PS-111 with a hologram projector on its back.

“Based on the information provided by the ‘Middling One,’ I’ve completed estimating the target’s range of activity.”

[Zz zzz zz zzz zz zzzzzz zzz zzzzz(Huh? Already? Didn’t you say it would take a few days?)]

In response to my question, the Sky Mother tilted her head.

「It’s been 3 days since this one started the analysis.」

[Zzzz(3 days?)]

For a moment I thought it was a joke, but looking into her eyes, it wasn’t. Not just one day, but sleeping for 3 days. The mental fatigue accumulated from the large-scale battle must have been greater than I thought.

‘No wonder I felt refreshed when I woke up.’

It makes sense after sleeping for 3 days straight.

[Zzzzzz zzzzz(Why didn’t you wake me)]

「It’s fine. You looked tired, so I deliberately didn’t wake you.」

“I will show you the completed behavioral range simulation.”

PS-111 placed the hologram projector brought from the situation room on the floor and connected it with wires from its body. Then, a blurry image map was displayed from the projector.

“There are a total of 42 locations where the unclassified dangerous creature ‘Arcane Orca’ is presumed to have appeared. Among these, there are 5 star systems where the Arcane Orca is expected to reappear within 60 days: ZP-02, OT-20, Jer-11 disputed zone, U-08, and the Dar·Kixos binary star system.”

‘ZP-02?’

Among the places PS-111 mentioned, ZP-02 is one I know.

‘That’s where the Star Union’s massive factories are located.’

About 10% of the Star Union’s warships come from the gigantic space factories located in the ZP-02 star system. If the Arcane Orca had appeared there, it would have been exterminated already.

「We should exclude this one. Even if the Arcane Orca appears there, it would be difficult for us to catch it.」

“Is that so?”

[Zzzzzz zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzz(So we need to search the remaining 4 places?)]

Surprisingly, there weren’t many candidates to investigate. Of course, there’s no guarantee that traces of the Arcane Orca will be found there.

At that moment, PS-111 spoke up.

“I recommend two of these locations: the Jer-11 disputed zone and U-08.”

[Zz zzzz(Why?)]

“According to ‘Fierce Hamilton,’ there has been an increase in pirates dealing with rare creatures visiting Jer-11 for the past 3 months.”

「Who is Fierce Hamilton?」

“He’s a pirate infected by ‘AMorph’ at Askha44. Before going to LV-06, I obtained information about pirate movements from him.”

「I see.」

PS-111 looked at me with eyes made of red camera lenses. Somehow feeling like it wanted praise, I stroked its head with my finger.

“Thank you.”

[Zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzz zzzzzzzz zz zzzzzzzzz(I understand about Jer-11. Then why did you recommend U-08?)]

「That was my decision. There’s a planet in U-08 where Volf natives reside.」

The Sky Mother, seemingly familiar with U-08, pointed to a spot on the hologram. There was a small planet with an image similar to the Cult’s sacred planet we had visited before.

「In the game, we also obtained information about the Arcane Orca from the natives there, so I want to check it out.」

[Zzzzz(I see)]

I looked down at the result created by the combined efforts of the Mutant Screamer and Griffon Volf. While I was asleep, the plan had progressed quite a bit.

‘Now we know where to start.’

[Zzzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz(Let’s start with these two places)]

The Jer-11 disputed zone, a lawless area where pirates roam freely, and U-08, home to Volf natives. These places depicted in the hologram are where we need to go.

‘Ah.’

[Zzzzzz zzzzz(Just a moment)]

I brought my muzzle close to PS-111, who was disconnecting the wires from the hologram projector. My auxiliary organ under my jaw gently wrapped around its nape.

[Zzzzzz zz(I have something for you)]

“A gift?”

Having received an implant before, it caught on immediately. PS-111 stroked my auxiliary organ wrapped around its neck with its hook-like claws.

“A new gift is always welcome.”

Shortly after, the genetic essence in my body transferred to its new owner.