Ch.446Battlefield (4)

“How is the weapon development progressing?”

“Currently at 71%.”

“Hmm? That’s faster than expected.”

“The sample we secured four days ago has been a great help.”

Jacob smiled as he listened to the report while holding a glass of liquor.

“Until recently, we barely exceeded 20%, so this is impressive. Was examining an actual Outspacer that helpful?”

“Yes. Even though it was a corpse, it greatly helped improve the precision of our simulations.”

“How much longer until completion?”

“At this rate, it should take about another month.”

“A month, huh.”

Jacob took a sip of his drink. Savoring the sweet aroma filling his mouth, he said:

“You must have heard about the unusual specimen that appeared recently. With our current defense capabilities, it won’t be easy to stop them. If they attack again, the damage will be significant.”

“Yes. We’re aware of that. So…”

“I’m glad you understand. One week maximum. It must be completed within that time, at the very least.”

“One week?! That’s absolutely impossible! Our progress has only accelerated thanks to analyzing the new sample!”

“So you’re saying it would be possible with a new sample, correct?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve secured living Outspacer parasites and infected hosts. They’re far superior research samples compared to corpses.”

“If… if we had those, it would certainly help with development.”

“Good. I’ll provide additional personnel when I deliver the samples. Complete it within a week. Understood?”

“…Understood.”

The communication ended with the researcher’s resigned response.

“Things are going well.”

A satisfied smile spread across his face as he held his glass.

The development of the new anti-Outspacer weapon would be completed earlier than expected. The day when he would seize the initiative in the new weapons development race wasn’t far off.

Conveniently, the head of House Saintkay was scheduled to arrive at NEO-3 in five days. If he could secure a weapons sales contract with Wilter, he would rake in an enormous amount of credits.

‘The only risk factor is an Outspacer invasion, but…’

The group that invaded the star system four days ago had gathered near the system’s outer boundary and remained stationary. They were presumably waiting for reinforcements, which bought him time. If they could hold out until Wilter arrived, victory would be his.

“Hehe. Everything is going according to plan.”

Jacob chuckled quietly as he imagined a bright future.

Just then, his terminal lit up. It was a communication from Neo First Gateway City, one of the system’s gateways.

“This is Jacob. What’s the matter?”

“Jacob sir! We have an emergency!”

As soon as the communication connected, a man’s urgent voice shook the air.

“The base is under attack!”

“What? Is it an Outspacer raid?”

“No! The, the attacker is a Star Union destroyer!”

“…What?”

The words “Star Union” that sprang from the terminal.

It was something even Jacob hadn’t anticipated.

“It suddenly appeared inside the fortress and is bombarding indiscriminately. We need reinforcements as soon as possible…”

Something no one could have imagined was happening at Neo First Gateway City.

–

‘It’s been a while since I’ve infested a ship.’

Since gaining faster-than-light travel capability, I’ve rarely used “Nightmare Horizon.”

Although “Monster’s Reinforced Wings” was recently sealed, thanks to PS-111’s fusion with Prometheus, the need for FTL travel disappeared.

As a result, I’ve been using the infestation tentacles that came with the trait more than the trait itself—as pseudo-arms, or as weapons in close combat, and so on.

Perhaps that’s why using the infestation tentacles for their intended purpose feels somewhat refreshing.

‘Well, the sensation is similar to when I linked with the nest.’

I focused my consciousness on the infestation tentacles that had merged with the ship.

My bodily sensations travel through the tentacles into my new flesh. This new body, made of alloy and organic material, currently takes the form of a warship.

A 250-meter-long, thin rectangular hull with gun batteries densely positioned along the outer walls. Unlike Megacorp ships that emphasize curved aesthetics, this design is rugged and focused on firepower projection.

Of course, there’s a reason for this. After completing the infestation, I changed the appearance to match a Star Union destroyer.

A ship infested by Nightmare Horizon can have its appearance and internal structure altered according to my thoughts. This ability is what transformed an old freighter into something resembling a Star Union warship.

Naturally, the gun batteries protruding like hedgehog spines are merely imitations in appearance. Unless the original ship had guns installed, it’s impossible to fire plasma beams or torpedoes from parts that only mimic the shape.

‘As long as it looks like a Star Union ship, this should be enough.’

There are two reasons why I’m causing havoc while disguised as a different ship.

First, to deceive those infected by Outspacer parasites.

Currently, the 4th-ranked Outspacer has its sights on the NEO-3 system. Judging by the infected individuals wandering around, they’ve nearly completed their invasion preparations.

‘But what if a Star Union ship suddenly appears and attacks?’

The 4th-ranker, who’s monitoring the situation through infected hosts, will be thoroughly confused.

They know well that both Megacorps and Star Union are under the Dominants. So why would Star Union suddenly attack a Megacorp space fortress? They’ll surely suspect a trap.

Even if they consider it an opportunity rather than a trap, they won’t immediately launch an attack.

‘Cyborgs are troublesome opponents for Outspacers.’

Outspacers, who primarily use genetic essences and various organic materials as resources, don’t match well against Star Union with their mechanical armies. Even if they defeat cyborgs, Outspacers gain little from it.

The cautious 4th-ranker won’t fight recklessly in this situation. It’s obvious they’ll postpone the invasion until they understand what’s happening.

Meanwhile, I can finish my business in the NEO-3 system.

That’s the first reason for causing this disturbance.

The second reason is to draw attention in Neo First Gateway City, where I am now.

‘Here they come.’

New prey entered my awareness range.

The defense forces stationed inside the fortress have come to repel the suddenly appearing Star Union vessel.

I adjusted the launcher-shaped ejection ports to prepare for firing.

A normal ship would load torpedoes here, but my case is slightly different.

“Thermal Spike Carapace,” which I obtained when visiting the volcanic planet. It’s a trait that fires spikes containing heat capable of easily melting ship hulls.

‘Although it was sealed when Twisted Abomination was applied…’

Things change when I have a new body like this.

Thermal spikes the size of adult men were generated inside the ship and loaded into the gun batteries. The surface of the spikes quickly turned red like molten metal. When the temperature reached a level appropriate for destroying targets, the spikes were ejected.

Hundreds of spikes scattered in all directions. Approaching fighters and ships were hit and crashed.

A few fighters that survived by luck tried to stick close to me.

They probably intended to attack from close range, but that was a poor decision. I created pincers and large mouths on the ship’s surface to grab nearby enemies. Then I devoured them whole.

The alloys composing the fighters were absorbed into the ship, becoming nutrients and materials for thermal spikes. The same went for the people inside.

At that moment, multiple energy reactions were detected from above. The defensive turrets installed on the dome’s inner wall had begun their attack.

But there’s nothing to worry about.

My unique trait, Twisted Abomination, weakens the user’s physical abilities but grants advanced energy manipulation capabilities. Even while connected to the ship, the intangible energy field emanating from my main body and my control over energy remain intact.

I can sense where plasma beams are fired from and where they’re aimed. I can control their attacks.

Certainty led to control. The plasma beams that entered my energy field all changed direction at once. The beams under my power either exploded in mid-air or split into multiple fragments, raining down on the city.

“Wow! Amazing!”

No. 26, who was tasked with protecting my main body, praised me while stroking my head with her tentacles. Being more adept at energy manipulation than I am, she recognized it immediately.

‘I still can’t reflect attacks like she can.’

I overwhelm her in the total amount of energy I can manipulate. However, she has the advantage in precision and sustainability of control. It’s impossible for me to twist beams to fire in the opposite direction or grab and drag them around.

Still, there’s no need to feel inadequate. I can do things she can’t.

I focused my consciousness on the burning city below the ship.

I could feel the heat of flames consuming buildings and streets. My intangible energy field grasped the aimlessly drifting flames. Simultaneously, as the energy field converted to bio-plasma, it breathed life into the burning fires.

Pillars of fire guided by me shot upward all at once.

A tornado of plasma. Though invisible to me, it must be a magnificent sight. The people controlling the defense turrets, the ships approaching to drive me away—all were stunned.

‘If I lack finesse…’

I can simply overwhelm with firepower.

I swung the massive pillars of fire randomly. The high-temperature plasma engulfed enemies and turrets alike.

The panels creating the artificial sky were also shattered by the flames. Those panels attached to the dome’s inner wall are important light sources illuminating the entire city. The more damage to the panels, the greater the confusion.

“Fun! Boom boom!”

No. 26, sensing what was happening outside, jumped around excitedly.

‘This should be enough.’

Since no more enemies were approaching, I ended my control of the fire pillars. The floating masses of flame turned into a rain of fire pouring down on the city. I didn’t need to see what was happening below to know.

Do the residents of this city realize? That I’m deliberately controlling the pace of destruction?

Since infesting the ship, I’ve burned about one-sixth of the space fortress. But I’ve intentionally avoided touching the central area where important facilities are concentrated, and the port.

That’s because PS-111 and Adhigh are in the central area, and Isabelle is at the port.

‘I wonder if they’re extracting information by now.’

PS-111 went with Adhigh to check the records of ships that had entered Neo First Gateway City.

To enter the NEO-3 system, one must pass through one of three gateway cities, including this one. They went there thinking that cargo sent by Pyrrha Eleven in the past might have passed through here.

‘The probability of finding no records is higher,’

It could have passed through another gateway city, or the records of its passage here might have been erased. My original plan was to search at the system’s central planet, not here.

‘Well, I can do that later.’

We might get lucky and find something here.

Since I decided to rampage here anyway, I agreed to let PS-111 do as she wished.

‘It seems they’ll need more time to finish their work.’

I shifted my focus away from the central area and concentrated on sensing outside the dome.

I thought it was about time, and sure enough. I could feel numerous entities moving behind the thick dome wall. The fortress administrators had called for reinforcements.

‘New guests have arrived, so I should welcome them.’

The ship accelerated toward the port under my command. A fleet was entering the dome through a massive door located near the port.

I showered them with thermal spikes. The lead ships were hit and crashed.

As consecutive explosions occurred at the front, the ships behind desperately tried to retreat.

Right now, they had narrowed their spacing to enter the dome. I momentarily increased my speed and rammed straight into the fleeing enemies. The ships pushed by me collided with each other and self-destructed.

The fleet outside the dome seemed quite surprised, probably not expecting me to use ramming tactics.

But it’s too early to be surprised.

The fiery chaos has only just begun.