Ch.442The Enemy Within (3)

“It’s been a while since I’ve taken over a ship like this.”

I sat in the chair and surveyed the captain’s quarters.

Usually when I seize a ship, the interior ends up completely wrecked, but not this time. Except for the broken barricade at the door, everything else looks intact.

All thanks to choosing my old favorite method.

The method of disguising myself as a human to deceive and break down the enemy.

Eleven days ago, I blended in with the survivors from the space city and boarded Egerton’s rescue ship. Then I caused chaos inside the vessel by changing my appearance.

The enemies tried hard to catch me, but it was useless. It’s a waste of effort when they don’t even know who they’re fighting.

While they were doing stupid things, I cut this ship’s lifelines one by one.

I spread “deep space plague” in the drinking water and transferred control of the communication network to PS-111, who was following from a distance. As unexplained problems occurred one after another, anxiety began to sprout among the people.

Later I found out this ship wasn’t an ordinary rescue vessel but a warship of Egerton’s Silver Lion Knights. Most of those aboard were genetically modified soldiers.

‘That’s even better.’

Because they could kill each other more efficiently.

I guided their anxiety toward each other.

Disguised as team leaders, I instigated rebellion and implanted parasites in people’s heads to create discord.

It didn’t take long for a small community isolated in the middle of space to collapse. The soldiers shot at each other until they self-destructed.

“I really like this new ability.”

I looked down at my pale hand.

This hand protected by soft leather instead of smooth, hard carapace.

It’s not an illusion created by pheromones from the mimicry organ. It’s a physically existing human hand.

This is the effect of the new transformation mode, “Unknown Usurper,” which I gained when “Twisted Abomination” was applied. Right now, I’m taking the form of one of the soldiers who was on this ship.

‘More precisely, I’m wearing a soldier’s skin.’

I pinched the back of my hand with my fingers and pulled. The bloodless, pale skin tore with a sound like stitches breaking. Between the torn skin, my real hand covered in scales is visible.

When Unknown Usurper is activated, my body transforms into a being similar to an AMorph fluid. With my tail and carapace atrophied, I look like a mix between an AMorph and a human.

Since even my scales are white, I look similar to the hybrid monster from the sequel to that classic film A*i*n. Only difference is I have more arms.

The four arms besides the two that serve as human arms are neatly folded near my waist and abdomen. When not moving, it just looks like I have a bit of a belly.

However, unlike the movie monster, this form has almost zero defense.

There’s barely any carapace, and the scales are thin. It’s even less combat-effective than “Clever Weakling” which it replaced.

‘But the true value of this transformation mode lies elsewhere.’

As Unknown Usurper, I can use two abilities: “Skinwalker” and “House of Skin.”

Skinwalker is the ability to transform my body shape using genetic information stored inside me and organic materials that can be acquired externally.

The organic materials mentioned here are the skins of humanoid creatures like humans or Volf. True to the name Skinwalker, I put on animal skin and pretend to be that creature.

Since my body actually changes, I can easily avoid cameras. I can even maintain body heat at the same level as humans, allowing me to bypass thermal surveillance devices.

Second, House of Skin is an ability that extends the duration of Unknown Usurper. The transformation that should have been canceled after 7 days is still maintained thanks to House of Skin.

The method is simple. I just need to supply new skin that fits my current body shape, along with appropriate moisture and nutrients. When I do that, House of Skin automatically activates and increases the duration.

The downside is that my appearance changes every time I change skin, and the skin gets damaged if I don’t constantly supply moisture. It’s a bit annoying to maintain, but not a problem that significantly hinders my activities.

Simply put, it’s an upgraded version of my infiltration traits with their weaknesses compensated for.

‘If I could use the mimicry organ together with this, it would be perfect.’

Unfortunately, the two traits are incompatible. Skinwalker works by consuming genetic information, while the mimicry organ requires genetic information to function.

‘Well, it’s useful enough as it is.’

Anyway, thanks to various traits like Unknown Usurper and parasites, taking over the ship wasn’t difficult.

Now it’s time to check the information contained in this ship.

‘There should be quite a lot of good information.’

Megacorps never do charity work without any benefit. They dispatched the rescue ship because they wanted something.

‘They must be trying to get information.’

From what I’ve heard from the crew and survivors from the space city, Outspacers are appearing throughout the Megacorp territory. The 4th ranked Returner is on the move.

If I were the ruler of Megacorp, I would first check the appearance of the enemy legion members.

The lower entities of Outspacers have relatively intuitive appearances and roles. If it has a bio-cannon and looks agile, it’s ranged support; if it has sharp claws and a large body, it’s a close-range assault unit.

And someone like me who has fought Outspacers many times can immediately tell what genetic essence was used just by looking at their appearance. I can roughly gauge how much useful essence the enemy legion has secured.

The rankers of Megacorp must know this. They must be busy collecting information. The Noble Capital and Prime Capital who aren’t rankers are probably following their lead.

The rescue ships gathering survivors who have been attacked by Outspacers also have the purpose of collecting information.

‘If I use this ship, this situation well…’

I can easily find out how the war situation is going without having to do the legwork myself.

That would make my movements much easier. It would help not only with preying on Outspacers but also with catching Akira.

“Well then, let’s see what we have here.”

I activated the computer on the captain’s desk. Just as I was about to check its contents, the desk shook slightly.

Not just the desk, but regular vibrations can be felt from the walls surrounding the room. Something is knocking on the outer wall of the spaceship.

‘Is it No. 26?’

While I was infiltrating the ship, they followed at a distance. Now that the takeover is complete, the kids probably want to come in too.

I had the infected people in the bridge open the hangar door and moved there.

When I arrived at the hangar, I saw an elegant red Gallergorn and a cute pink Sea Demon.

“Hello, big one!”

No. 26, resembling a giant jellyfish, approached while moving its fins. As it got closer, its body shrank, becoming the size of a small balloon when it stood in front of me.

In that state, it jumped onto my head just like it used to do.

The monster’s tentacle, which is a means to communicate with them, is currently hidden inside my neck skin. I slightly pulled out the tentacle through my ear and mouth holes.

[Zzzzz (Welcome)]

“Human shape different.”

[Zz (That’s right)]

“Human with fewer thin appendages!”

It seemed curious about the human skin and poked my head with its tentacles.

“Again” “Dwarf” “Not good” “Big adult” “True form” “More” “Like”

Adhigh Orr, walking with elegant steps, sent a thought.

Unlike No. 26, it didn’t seem to like my human disguise. Its taste is certainly consistent.

I gently scratched between its horns and neck to appease Adhigh.

[Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzz (Won’t stay long. Just bear with it)]

“Ticklish”

“Me too! Me too!”

Despite its words, its tail wagged gently. I’m glad it likes being touched in what seemed like a hard-to-reach spot.

No. 26, who was looking down at this from above my head, also came down to my shoulder asking to be scratched.

[Zzzz (Feel good?)]

“Yes!”

“So-so” “It’s okay”

“We’re here too.”

While I was scratching the two, the Screamer sisters PS-111 and Isabelle entered the hangar. I put the monster’s tentacle back inside my body.

“That looks painful every time I see it.”

“It’s not my body, so I don’t feel anything.”

I wiped the fluid flowing from my mouth and ears with my sleeve. Isabelle, coiled like a centipede, looked at the military uniform I was wearing.

“Those epaulets on your shoulder, I see you’re disguised as the captain now.”

“Something like that.”

“The ship looked quite big from outside. Doesn’t a ship this size need a lot of crew?”

I’ve already infected the important people needed for ship operation with parasites. Even if there are deficiencies, it’s fine. There are beings here to help with that.

“I and the mini Screamers can handle ship management issues, so there’s no need to worry.”

PS-111, joining the conversation, took out mini Screamers from her abdomen.

“Deploy!”

“Deploy!”

As soon as they landed on the floor, they moved their sharp metal legs busily and disappeared outside the hangar.

Seeing that, Isabelle quickly said:

“Wait. You’re trying to solve everything alone again. Don’t do that, let’s do it together.”

“Huh? Alright.”

“I can connect to the mini Screamers through the circuit you mentioned before, right?”

“That’s correct. But please be careful about what I mentioned before.”

“You said changing circuits during remote control could cause strain, right? Got it.”

“Thank you for your support. And when connecting to ship facilities…”

The two Screamers continued their conversation.

There was no trace of the sharp sarcasm they were throwing at each other the last time I saw them.

‘Have they already reconciled?’

I feel like Isabelle was the first to let go of her anger. Judging by her tone when correcting her sister, there’s a familiarity that suggests they’ve been through this many times before.

‘I wonder if they had this kind of relationship in reality too.’

A relationship where the older sister is strong-willed and troublesome, and the younger sister complains but ultimately follows her sister’s lead.

‘Well, I’m glad they got along better while I was away.’

Anyway, with this, the ones who will help me have safely arrived. Once I extract useful information, all preparations will be complete.

Neither Megacorp nor Egerton, who sent the rescue ship, know this fact at all.

This hunt begins from within the enemy’s territory, inside the prey.