Ch.443Battlefield (1)

Humanity’s history of space exploration is quite long.

Even before the birth of Megacorps, when nations and governments still existed, humans had already ventured beyond the solar system to other star systems.

NEO-3 is one of the star systems developed before the birth of Megacorps.

Currently owned by Prime Capital Egerton, the entire star system functions as both a military factory and weapons research institute. Most of House Egerton’s new weapons are developed in NEO-3.

Being essentially the family’s lifeline, security levels are extremely high. To enter NEO-3, one must obtain prior permission from Prime Capital, and movement within the system requires constant reporting.

The fleet stationed in the system is so large that it accounts for 30% of Egerton’s military power. It would not be an exaggeration to call it Egerton’s second capital after Mars.

Now, a dark cloud looms over this massive arsenal that has forged countless powerful weapons.

A blue light blooms in the middle of the dark void of space.

Like a match being lit, the small flame quickly grows to fill the empty space. Behind the blue light that spread like a nebula were monsters of various shapes and sizes.

Some specimens had bodies as large as spaceships with organic gun batteries hanging from them, while others possessed razor-sharp teeth and claws. Though they varied greatly in size and form, sentient beings classify them as a single species.

Outspacers. The ancient nemesis of the Cult Empire has invaded Megacorp territory.

The Outspacer raiding party, which entered the NEO-3 system via superluminal jump, quickly formed their battle formation.

Then, a cyan light flashed from a distance.

A beam of light traveling at tremendous speed struck the group that had just formed their formation. Specimens hit by the light, regardless of size, all oxidized into dust.

From the direction the light came from, alloy-forged ships revealed themselves. The gun batteries mounted on the ships simultaneously targeted the Outspacers, and green plasma beams poured out.

The raiding party, already heavily damaged by the cyan beam, rapidly diminished in number due to the fleet’s concentrated fire. Though clearly at a disadvantage, the monsters did not retreat.

It’s not because they were mindless beasts. Their mission was simply to draw the enemy’s attention. The queen who sent the raiding party had more cards to play.

While the first raiding party faithfully carried out its mission, the real force jumped to NEO-3.

A blue haze rippled around the fleet that was firing plasma heat rays. Outspacers that appeared by tearing through space charged toward the ships.

The ships used auxiliary guns attached to their outer walls to keep the Outspacers at bay while launching their carrier-based aircraft.

Many Outspacers died from the auxiliary guns. However, even more approached the fleet. Ships, aircraft, and Outspacers became entangled in a chaotic battle.

Amidst the rain of plasma heat rays and stake-shaped projectiles several meters in size, a group of Outspacers approached the ships.

Monsters trying to destroy the outer walls and gun batteries with corrosive digestive fluids and vicious claws. Aircraft followed behind them. A chase ensued between monsters and metal bodies amid the barrage.

Just as the entire fleet was focused on fending off the approaching enemy.

New types of Outspacers entered the battlefield.

The newly appeared monsters were four in total. Though few in number, they all had much larger bodies than ordinary specimens. Their appearance was also quite different, not looking like ordinary Outspacers.

Some of the ships turned their main guns toward the suddenly appearing enemies. Powerful plasma beams cut through space and flew toward their targets.

In response, one of the four, resembling a cyan-yellow jellyfish, stepped forward.

As it raised its numerous tentacles to point at the heat ray, something strange happened. The direction of the energy-based heat ray bent in an odd way. The erratically swaying plasma beam struck other nearby ships.

Meanwhile, another specimen approached the densely packed fleet.

The creature, which looked like a red-shelled cockroach enlarged to about 100 meters, curled its body into a ball. In that state, it accelerated at an incredible speed and pierced straight through the spaceships.

It was literally a sentient projectile. Even battleships with massive defensive capabilities were helpless against its attack.

Multiple ships sank after being hit by the red cockroach monster’s attack. Ships that were still intact or at least mobile hastily retreated.

The battle situation, which had been favorable to the fleet, suddenly shifted to the opposite side. Without a new variable, the Outspacers would win.

But humanity, leading the ships, also had an ace up their sleeve.

While the fleet fought, the Gigacracker, which had completed its firing preparations, fired its ion cannon again. Sensing the energy approaching from afar, the four specimens urgently withdrew from the battlefield.

An enormously thick cyan beam swept away the Outspacers in one go. The four that had retreated in advance were enveloped in the blue light and disappeared from there.

“Ion cannon strike successful. 80% of enemy specimens confirmed eliminated.”

“No additional jumps detected.”

“Phew.”

Jacob, who was watching the battlefield rendered as a hologram in the flagship’s situation room, breathed a sigh of relief.

“Dispatch the 4th and 5th fleets on standby to eliminate the remaining enemies. Limit pursuit to within the system range and return if the targets go beyond that.”

“Understood.”

“…Mr. Wilter. Thank you for your support. Thanks to you, we were able to greatly reduce our losses.”

After ordering his subordinates to take follow-up measures, Jacob bowed his head to the one who had provided great help in this defense battle.

The old man in the video displayed at the bottom of the hologram waved his hand dismissively.

“No need for thanks. It’s not like I helped for free anyway.”

The old man’s identity was Wilter Saintkay.

He is the head of House Saintkay of Noble Capital and the current owner of the Gigacracker deployed to NEO-3.

“The compensation money I mentioned in advance has been transferred. The genetic samples to be provided as compensation require the head of house’s approval, so it will take more time…”

“There’s no need to tell me such things. My underlings will handle it.”

“Ah, yes!”

Wilter cut him off with a bored expression. Jacob didn’t protest and immediately closed his mouth.

His counterpart was none other than the head of a Noble Capital house. Even though Jacob was in charge of NEO-3’s defense, he couldn’t dare treat him carelessly.

Moreover, the two Gigacrackers currently in the system are super weapons supported by Wilter. He was in no position to complain even if the other party was being rude.

“By the way. Those four higher specimens that were deployed later, you saw them too, right?”

“Yes. I saw them. They were specimens I’ve never seen before.”

Jacob answered while signaling to his aide.

The aide hurriedly shared the footage recorded by the fleet with Wilter’s side and displayed it on the bridge hologram.

“Hmm, interesting. They can’t be royal guards since there’s no queen to protect.”

Wilter stroked his chin as he checked the footage.

“And they don’t seem to be under the command of a higher specimen either. What do you think?”

“You must be aware that queen specimens capable of transporting Outspacers via superluminal speed have been spotted in various locations recently. We cannot rule out the possibility that the specimens that appeared this time are combat-specialized queen variants.”

“A queen specialized for combat. I heard the queen leading this massive attack was quite unusual, so I guess that’s it.”

Wilter was right. This Outspacer massive attack was qualitatively different from previous ones.

This queen knows how to use strategy. Rather than simply pushing with numerical superiority, it also deploys specialized specimens tailored to the combat situation, as seen now.

And looking at the Megacorp territories that have been invaded so far, they are all systems that occupy militarily and economically important positions.

In other words, it means the queen leading the massive attack clearly understands the concept of strategic strongholds.

“It’s truly a real ‘legion’.”

“Indeed.”

“Haha, interesting. My blood boils seeing such good prey after a long time.”

Wilter in the screen raised the corners of his mouth and smiled coldly.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Pardon?”

“Instead of the samples mentioned as compensation, I want to take the heads of those four with my own hands.”

“Are you saying you’re coming here in person…?”

Wilter nodded at Jacob’s question.

“Akira is still not awake, and Sadam is guarding the solar system, so a little walk should be fine.”

“If you’re coming, we would welcome you anytime.”

“To hunt a worthy opponent, one must show proper respect. I’ll contact you when preparations are complete.”

With those words, the communication ended.

Jacob sighed briefly and sat down in his chair.

‘It’s fortunate that Wilter is eccentric.’

If the other party had been the head or a high-ranking official of another house, he wouldn’t have obtained support so easily.

‘I won’t have to worry about support for a while.’

Outspacers with high intelligence are never easy opponents. As seen from the powerful new species that appeared this time, their offensive is becoming increasingly threatening as time passes.

No matter how powerful NEO-3’s defense facilities and fleet are, support from the main house on Mars is necessary to continue the battle.

The problem is that the current interim head of house on Mars and Jacob are in opposition. Even during war, he’s looking for an opportunity to purge Jacob. If Jacob suffers any losses while defending the system, it’s obvious he’ll use it as an excuse to dismiss him.

‘But with Saintkay’s support…’

Things change.

‘Even the head’s interference should be reduced.’

Even for a head of house, it’s burdensome to expel someone who is defending the system with Noble Capital’s support. At least while Jacob is protecting the system, he won’t be touched.

‘During that time, I must complete the development of the new weapon.’

If he succeeds in defending the system and developing a new weapon against Outspacers, Jacob’s status will rise significantly. Then, it might not be impossible to push out the current head.

At that moment, Jacob’s personal terminal lit up.

“Hmm? Blair?”

A report came in from a subordinate he had sent to collect information on Outspacers. It contained a message saying the mission had been completed safely.

“He completed it faster than expected.”

After leaving a message thanking his subordinate for his hard work and ordering him to return, he smiled with satisfaction.

Everything is going according to Jacob’s expectations.

Unless some strange variable suddenly appears, there’s no reason for his plan to go awry.

He will be the victor of this war.

–

‘Promising a big reward? How generous.’

A message arrived from the superior of the human I’m impersonating. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw it.

‘He sent me to investigate parasites but doesn’t suspect a thing.’

The purpose of this rescue ship is to secure people infected with Outspacer parasites. The captain’s records contained many indications that Outspacers are conducting espionage using parasites.

‘This is the work of Rank 4.’

As one of the highest-ranked Outspacers, he’s also good at handling parasites.

Of course, his method of use differs slightly from mine.

Outspacer parasites cannot strongly control the host’s movements like AMorph. At most, they can only restrict the host’s characteristics and equipment use.

Instead, there’s no limit to the number of parasites they can spread to infect.

That’s why Rank 4 prefers to spread inactive parasites to other factions in advance, then activate them all at once when a battle breaks out. He uses them to monitor enemy movements during normal times and to weaken enemies during combat.

‘The parasites spread throughout Megacorp were probably planted a long time ago.’

Anyway, Jacob, the superior who sent the message, ordered me to come to his location now that the mission was complete. To the NEO-3 system, which was quite famous in the game.

“NEO-3, huh.”

According to the setting, Megacorp has star systems and space cities that were created when nations still existed. The solar system, which is the center of power, and the T&C Special Trade Center I visited before fall into this category. NEO-3 is also a system pioneered before the birth of Megacorp.

“It was a system without a fixed owner. Looks like Prime Capital took it this time.”

“Do you know this place?”

PS-111, who was with me on the bridge, heard my muttering and asked.

“Not much, just a little?”

“I see.”

When owning NEO-3, one can obtain high profits from the weapon factories established in the system. That’s why many players visited the place to gain ownership of the system.

In my case, I went to NEO-3 to eat those players.

‘Other than that, it wasn’t a place I had much business with.’

Since it’s not a system where rare creatures like Apex live, it doesn’t offer special merit to AMorph or Outspacers.

There are only two reasons why AMorph or Outspacers would target this place: to target visiting players, or to cut off Megacorp’s funding.

‘Anyway, that’s good.’

Looking at the Outspacer attack status recorded by the captain, NEO-3 is also under invasion. If I go there, I can easily meet higher specimens like queens.

It’s a good opportunity to both harm Megacorp and acquire Outspacer essence.

“Let’s go to NEO-3.”

“Understood. I will reset the destination.”

He connected the cable attached under his chin to the ship’s computer to adjust the route.

“We will arrive at NEO-3 within 4 days.”

“Alright.”

“Um, AMorph. I have one request.”

“Hmm?”

As I was about to reply to Jacob, he called out to me.

“There’s a place I’d like to visit in NEO-3.”

“A place you want to visit?”

“There was a record of Pyrrha Eleven exchanging with the weapons research institute in NEO-3 among the data. I’d like to go there.”

Previously, at Adhigh Orr’s former hometown, we acquired the stomach of a supreme councilor named Pyrrha Eleven. Later, PS-111 obtained another supreme councilor’s brain during an Arcane Orca hunt and used it to decode the data stored in the stomach.

As a result, we succeeded in securing some data related to the new Screamer development project that Pyrrha Eleven participated in. It also included information about the research institutes that participated in the project together.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Pyrrha Eleven sent test subjects to NEO-3 at regular intervals.”

As far as I know, there are no genetic research facilities in NEO-3.

‘But this is information limited to the game, so it’s not certain.’

There’s no law saying House Egerton can’t build a genetic research institute there. I nodded while making eye contact with him.

“Alright. Let’s go together when we arrive.”

“Thank you.”

His eyes, made of camera lenses, contracted briefly before returning to normal. Although it’s difficult to read emotions from his metal face, he seemed quite pleased.

‘A genetic research institute, huh? That sounds interesting.’

Since it’s a research institute that participated in the Screamer project, it should have many appetizing genetic samples stored. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s there.

And so, we headed toward our next destination, Megacorp’s arsenal.