Ch.419Ill Fate (2)

“Eerie Mimic,” a trait created by combining characteristics with only negative effects.

Looking at the text box, this trait has two main abilities.

One is camouflage ability.

Tentacles covering the entire body can change position, shape, pigmentation, etc., to perfectly mimic surrounding objects. The level of disguise is quite high. Even Mini Screamer MPS-03 doesn’t realize I’m right in front of it.

‘Being able to maintain transformation while moving is a big advantage.’

It would be useful for ambushing enemies or luring them into traps. If it works the same in space, I could disguise myself as a rock or attach to rocks to strike enemies from behind.

‘I’ll confirm that later.’

For now, the camouflage ability using tentacles is a kind of side effect. Like “Nightmare Horizon” which provides corrosive tentacles that can be used as weapons.

The true power of Eerie Mimic lies elsewhere.

The “Metamorphic Organ.”

According to the description, it can create new body parts or organs by taking advantages from powerful prey. In my entire text box, there’s only one instance where the expression “powerful prey” appears.

The Mark of Powerful Foe created by stealing a player’s Perk. Eerie Mimic is related to this.

‘How will it be applied?’

It will either create an organ with effects similar to the Mark of Powerful Foe trait, or create an organ with new abilities. I’d prefer the former, but if it’s the latter, things get a bit different.

It could produce an organ more powerful than a Perk, or conversely, something completely useless.

According to the text box, traits applied to the Metamorphic Organ cannot be replaced for 30 days. This means I’ll have to live with whatever result I get for at least a month.

‘Whatever it is, I’ll need to experiment to know for sure.’

Currently, I have 5 Mark of Powerful Foe traits.

‘Plunderer’s Negative Polyhedron,’ ‘Color of the Abyss,’ ‘Shape Dominator,’ ‘Starlight Coordinates,’ and ‘Hydra Division.’

‘Let’s try Color of the Abyss later.’

It’s a high-risk, high-return trait, so not appropriate for the first attempt. I examined the other four excluding Color of the Abyss.

‘Should I use Shape Dominator as an experiment?’

Shape Dominator enhances traits that affect the thinking of intelligent species. Since it’s a trait that’s always applied without needing activation, it’s relatively less noticeable.

‘But it should have fewer side effects too. Let’s go with this.’

「’Metamorphic Organ’ has selected ‘Shape Dominator’ as its target. After reanalysis is complete, it will proceed with transformation and application.」

After choosing the trait to apply to the Metamorphic Organ, a brief message appeared.

A moment later, my central head felt slightly itchy. Scratching with my nails didn’t help. The transformation by the Metamorphic Organ had begun.

‘It’s forming in my head?’

Specifically, the itching was coming from two of the larger horns on my head. It seemed like something was changing in the horns.

The itchy horns split open and new horns grew from inside.

Sensing with my auxiliary organs under my jaw, I could tell the structure was quite unique. Multiple horns were intertwined in a spiral pattern to form a single trunk.

「Gruk?」

「Grrrr?」

Similar mutations then occurred in my left and right heads. The horns that had grown where eyes should be were the targets.

When the transformation was complete, a new text box appeared.

「*Metamorphosed Part: Shape Fragrance Horn (Shape Dominator), Unspecified」

‘Shape Fragrance Horn?’

It only showed the name of the newly created, or rather upgraded horn, with no other explanation.

‘Judging by its complex structure, it probably has special abilities…’

There might be a reaction if I use a trait that’s enhanced by Shape Dominator. I used my mimicry organ, which I frequently use.

Chemical substances that disrupt the senses of intelligent beings are emitted from microscopic holes in the outer skin. When the mimicry organ activated, the Shape Fragrance Horn immediately responded.

‘Hmm?’

The intertwined horns unraveled and stretched upward. The multi-branched horns resembled the branches of an ancient tree.

And from the small holes densely covering the extended horns, invisible chemical substances were secreted. According to my auxiliary organs, they seemed similar yet slightly different from the substances produced by the mimicry organ.

‘Is it a substance that enhances the mimicry effect?’

Since I’m not affected by my own mimicry organ, I couldn’t tell how it was being applied. I got up and walked over to the pirate I had captured before entering the cocoon.

“Wake up.”

“Hee, heek?!”

The pirate lieutenant, Ventris, who had been unconscious while trapped in mucus, jerked awake in surprise. As soon as he saw where I was standing, he began to shake uncontrollably.

“You, how did you guys?!”

“Guys?”

I understand being afraid of me, but his expression was a bit strange. I lowered my posture and brought my head closer to him.

“Please spare me I don’t want to die please…”

“Quiet.”

“……”

“How many of me do you see?”

His eyes frantically moved between my three heads.

“Th-three, I see three…”

“Three?”

“Yes, yes. The, the three of my dead subordinates are moving identically.”

Regardless of my size and appearance, the disguise effect of the mimicry organ is limited to just one intelligent being. This is because when the mimicry organ produces chemicals that disrupt senses, it uses the genetic information of a single intelligent being as material.

Unless I could replace that genetic information, it would be impossible to mimic three beings simultaneously.

‘But the Shape Fragrance Horn is eliminating that limitation.’

The substance secreted by the Shape Fragrance Horn is producing the same effect as the mimicry organ. That’s probably why Ventris said he saw three humans when looking at me.

‘Multiple mimicry. Not bad.’

It’s not without weaknesses, but those can be overcome by using other traits together.

‘The first attempt is a success.’

The Metamorphic Organ can designate a maximum of 2 Mark of Powerful Foe traits. I still have one more to designate.

‘I’ll think more carefully about the remaining one.’

Now that I understand how it works, I should consider the second one more carefully. Or maybe it’s good to keep it in reserve for when I need it.

I decided to end this experiment here.

Satisfied with the results, I immediately left the nest.

In the rainy city, I could see Hiveformers wearing human skin walking around.

‘The port, right?’

Sky Mother, who arrived earlier than scheduled, is waiting at the port.

I stretched my wing arms. The membrane folded inside my arms stiffened and extended, and my body shot upward in an instant.

Even with my changed body structure, flying wasn’t a problem at all. I flew toward the port, flapping my large wings.

Breaking through the rain clouds, I quickly arrived at the port. I landed on the runway that my clones had smashed.

‘Where could she be?’

As I walked along the runway muffled by rain sounds, I sensed a small object moving in the distance. Judging by how quickly it was approaching, it had to be Sky Mother.

‘Huh?’

But her reaction was strange. She was wearing “Obsidian Arms,” a Volf-exclusive reinforced suit, and holding the Golden Spear of Shaman. She was clearly in combat stance.

‘Could there still be pirate remnants?’

Just as I thought that, she threw her spear. The spear became a beam of light and struck my right head.

「Die!」

「Grrrr?」

“Wait!”

The Griffon Volf who was about to continue her attack stopped when she heard my voice.

「That voice… AMorph?」

Her clear amber eyes moved confusedly between my heads. Only then did I realize she was affected by the Shape Fragrance Horn and mimicry organ.

‘Oh no.’

I immediately deactivated the Shape Fragrance Horn. The branch-like horns returned to their original spiral shape.

Free from the disruptive chemicals, Sky Mother looked at me with wide eyes.

「What was that just now?」

“That’s what I should be asking. Why did you attack me?”

「When I see three pirates in reinforced suits running toward me, should I just stand still?」

She wasn’t wrong. Seeing me without knowing about the mimicry organ enhanced by the Shape Fragrance Horn, it was understandable she’d misinterpret.

But still, her immediate attack was unusual. And her current prickly attitude too. It wasn’t like her usual calm demeanor.

Perhaps aware that her attitude was strange, Sky Mother sighed softly.

「…Sorry. I think I acted too hastily. Is your head okay?」

I pulled the golden short spear embedded in my right head with my wing arm.

‘Is it because it’s soaked with blood? It’s quite deeply embedded.’

Still, thanks to my thick head carapace, the injury itself wasn’t serious. It’s a wound that my regenerative ability can heal sufficiently.

“I’m fine, but why did you do that just now? Did something happen?”

「That… come with me for a moment.」

After taking back her spear from me, Sky Mother ran off somewhere.

Following her, I arrived at a small warehouse located on the outskirts of the port. Despite its ordinary appearance, a strange smell stimulated my auxiliary organs as I got closer.

I immediately understood the source of the smell once I entered.

Ten young Volfs were lying on medical beds placed on the warehouse floor. All were extremely thin and covered in wounds. They were in such poor condition they could barely be considered alive.

Medical equipment was attached beside the beds. The strange smell came from the therapeutic solution being administered to the Volfs.

“Who are they?”

「Survivors from the Volf tribe in U-08.」

“Survivors?”

It had the nuance that someone had suddenly attacked them.

Come to think of it, MPS-03 had told me that Sky Mother arrived here earlier than scheduled.

「Before I arrived, Sino Group’s cartel visited U-08.」

“There too?”

「Yes. The ranker leading those damn pirates, Arcane Orca, seems to know how to track us.」

Sky Mother wasn’t the first to devise a method for tracking Arcane Orca. She learned it while working as a mercenary in the first tracking team that attempted this method.

“Didn’t you say the previous Arcane Orca tracking team failed quickly?”

「Right. It failed shortly after formation and all clan members quit.」

“Then it’s likely that someone who joined as a mercenary like you is now a ranker in the Sino Group.”

「…I have some suspicions about who it might be, but I’m not certain.」

I looked down at the Volfs lying on the beds.

I understand why she brought the survivors.

‘As victims of the attack, they might have useful information.’

I have the means to heal these dying Volfs.

I should revive them first, then hear their detailed story.