Ch.453Concerns (1)

“Grrrr”

The left head makes a purring sound, seemingly content with its fullness. The right head also shows satisfaction by flicking its tongue.

The freezer, which was perfectly fine when I entered, is now half in ruins.

‘I should avoid using the Hunter’s Aspect in confined spaces.’

I thought I had enough room, but I was wrong. My suddenly enlarged body nearly caused the entire freezer to collapse.

It wouldn’t matter elsewhere, but here we’re dozens of kilometers deep underwater. If large amounts of water flooded the collapsed facility, all the samples would be submerged and lost.

‘Fortunately, the facility is sturdy.’

Despite the unexpected incident, I was able to secure the genetic samples without much trouble.

‘The sample variety was surprisingly diverse.’

Usually, bio-weapons like Hulk Mutants and Screamers are created for specific purposes—what mission they need to perform, what enemies they need to fight, and so on.

Screamers made from Rankers are the same. Looking at PS-111, which was developed as a command unit, and the Psychic Screamer I encountered when fighting Akira Yujin before, they all have specific roles. Injecting and fusing optimal genes for each role—that’s the basic principle of bio-weapon creation.

But here, there was a mixture of rare genetic samples and uncommon, non-mainstream biological samples. The latter consisted mainly of marine organisms and prey-type creatures with clustering habits.

‘It’s no coincidence that No. 26’s experiment videos were here.’

Looking at the marine organism samples, they ranged from bottom-of-the-food-chain creatures like Bubble Amoebas to dangerous ones like Pale Masks and Dread Hydras.

This suggests they were trying to create water-specialized Screamers.

‘The question is why they would create such Screamers…’

In a space-based game, being adept at underwater living isn’t a major advantage. If you want to explore the seabed, using submarines or advanced mechanical equipment is much cheaper and more efficient.

‘Do they have some other intention I’m not aware of?’

That part should become clearer after checking the experiment records that PS-111 and Isabelle are currently reviewing.

‘Whatever their intentions were, I’ve gained many useful traits thanks to them.’

I checked the text box.

“④ Special Defense Related: Resistance, Disease Immunity, Perfect Immunity, Mental Defense, Stealth Movement (Limited), Gamma Ray Resistance, Hell’s Illusion, Aquatic Adaptation (Limited), Erosion Barrier (New!), Bio-Mirror (New!)(Limited)

-Special Defense Fusion Traits: Protective Coloration, Refractive Carapace (Limited), Fortification, Feedback (New!), Accelerated Thought (New!)

…

⑨ Warp Related: Warp Sensitivity (New!), Blink Projectile (New!)”

First, checking the type section, there’s been significant progress.

It’s particularly encouraging that the Special Defense enhancement type, which I’ve been struggling to complete for a long time, is nearing completion. I just need one more trait to acquire this type.

‘Slightly disappointing I couldn’t complete it this time, but…’

Among the Special Defense traits I secured this time, two are quite good.

‘Erosion Barrier and Feedback. I used both extensively in the game.’

First, Erosion Barrier is a trait specifically for countering Voltex One. When fighting certain Voltex One entities, you must have this trait. Without it, combat isn’t even possible.

However, it has no effect against non-Voltex One enemies. Still, since I plan to hunt them eventually, it’s not bad to acquire it in advance.

‘And getting Feedback is also good.’

It’s a fusion trait created using “Pain Reduction” as a material.

Feedback’s activation condition is the same as Pain Reduction—when taking massive damage in a short time. When the trait activates, it ignores damage from enemy attacks for a certain period. Unless it’s an attack that can kill me instantly, my health doesn’t decrease at all.

‘More precisely, I take all that damage later in a concentrated burst.’

When Feedback ends, the accumulated damage during its duration comes in several divided portions. Even then, it’s reduced to about two-thirds of the original damage.

‘It’s a useful trait if you manage the timing well.’

Plus, pain is vividly felt here. Being able to ignore pain and fight in crucial moments is a significant merit.

Erosion Barrier and Feedback—these two can be evaluated as sufficiently good traits. On the other hand, “Bio-Mirror” and “Accelerated Thought” are close to being duds. Bio-Mirror not only has poor performance but is also limited due to “Twisted Abomination.” Accelerated Thought doesn’t suit an AMorph with excellent auxiliary organs.

‘I should focus on filling the trait count.’

With the Special Defense type acquisition in sight, I’ve also unlocked information about a new type.

The Warp Enhancement type.

‘I didn’t expect to get this here.’

As the name suggests, traits classified under this type are closely related to the silver marauders roaming space. You can obtain Warp-related traits by hunting higher species of Metallic Gremlins.

While the conditions seem easy, they’re not. Even when Metallic Gremlin groups grow large, the number of higher species remains extremely small. This makes acquiring the type no easy task.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t Jason hunt a Metallic Gremlin Ranker before?’

I suspect the samples stored here might be trophies obtained during Ranker hunts.

‘That’s a relief.’

Warp-related traits are generally useful. Being closely related to FTL navigation, they provide minor assistance in various situations.

Take “Warp Sensitivity” that I just obtained. This trait functions similarly to the Warpfinder installed on warships. It’s useful for tracking ships moving via FTL travel.

‘Additionally, it changes my body color.’

Looking at the auxiliary organ under my jaw and the tip of my snout, they’ve turned silver. This color change is due to the application of Warp Sensitivity.

In the game, it provided a pretty cool effect contrasting with the AMorph’s dark carapace. However, my current body is completely white due to “Eerie Mimic.” Without looking closely, it’s hard to tell the trait has been applied.

The next trait I obtained is “Blink Projectile.” This trait doesn’t come with external changes.

‘More precisely, it changes the inside of my body.’

Inside my three-pronged neck, there’s a new pouch-like organ. When I consume hard materials like metal, some of it is stored here. These are later used for expulsion when needed.

While the mechanism seems no different from a regular breath attack, Blink Projectile has an important distinction—it’s fired using a quasi-FTL jump. The stored metallic material is immediately scattered from the neck pouch to the outside upon receiving commands from the spinal cord.

‘It would have been great if I could designate targets.’

Blink Projectile randomly shoots out within my perceptible range. Since all stored metallic material is consumed at once, I need to refill the pouch after using this trait. To properly damage enemies, I need to consider factors like distance.

Simply put, it’s a downgraded version of the Mark of the Mighty trait “Starlight Coordinates.”

‘Well, it’s better than nothing.’

That concludes the new Warp-related traits I’ve obtained.

Special Defense, Warp-related, and many other traits were acquired. The text box has become even more complex due to these newly added traits.

The samples I consumed here are generally from uncommon, non-mainstream creatures that are difficult to encounter. Thanks to this, unique trait synthesis recipes with unexpected combinations have opened up.

“‘Transcendence’ Material List: Inorganic Digestion, Reaper’s Maw, Bone Beast, Hell’s Illusion, Ultra Control”

“‘Transcendence’ Material List (New!): Faceworm Host, Parasitic Colony, Predator Fish Nest, Zombie Fly, Monstrosity Tracker”

The unique traits created through the Transcendence system have varied materials. I was always anxious about what the result would be, but this time there’s no need for that.

‘Is it a unique trait related to summons?’

The traits required in the newly unlocked synthesis recipe belong to different types, but they have one thing in common.

They’re all fusion traits that generate and control minions from within the body. In simple terms, they’re traits that control summons.

For an AMorph that fights and survives alone, summoning abilities are merely supplementary means. They’re difficult to use independently and mostly serve to support other main traits.

But a unique trait is different. Every trait I’ve created using the Transcendence system has shown powerful performance. If I obtain a unique trait for controlling minions, it could be considerably helpful.

‘The issue is the materials.’

Some of the materials include traits I frequently use, like “Faceworm Host” and “Parasitic Colony.” Both are useful traits, so I’m hesitant to consume them carelessly.

‘…I can always acquire traits again, but the real problem lies elsewhere.’

Specifically, the genetic information stored in Faceworm Host might disappear.

Until now, the Rankers I’ve consumed remain as faceworms in my body. I’ve utilized the information they remembered whenever fighting the Dominion Faction or Return Faction.

‘If the trait disappears, I can no longer use this method.’

Unless the new trait has the same function of storing genetic information as Faceworm Host.

Of course, there’s a possibility that function might remain.

Looking at the unique traits I’ve created so far, they often inherit some aspects of the material traits. If that happens, the genetic information storage organ is likely to persist.

‘But this is actually an optimistic prediction.’

This world often betrays my expectations. Contrary to expectations, a trait unrelated to summoning might emerge. The probability is about fifty-fifty whether it will meet my expectations or not.

‘Between this and the previously unlocked synthesis recipe, dilemmas keep arising.’

I still haven’t synthesized the previous one due to supply issues with the “Reaper’s Maw” trait. This case is similar. There are concerns about just going ahead with the synthesis.

‘…No. I can’t keep postponing indefinitely.’

Currently, I possess a total of 10 unique traits of the Space Monster type. If I complete both, the trait count will reach 12, raising the type level to 3. Considering the rewards from level advancement, the benefits outweigh the losses.

‘And now is the appropriate timing for trait synthesis.’

This star system is expected to face reinvasion by Outspacers in the near future. The 4th doesn’t know I’m at NEO-3. There’s a high probability they’ll include specimens made from rare genes or queens in their invasion force.

So it’s a reasonable choice to synthesize a new unique trait now and then reacquire lost traits by consuming the Outspacer legion afterward. That was my original intention in coming to NEO-3.

What would be the best course of action?

After much deliberation, I made my decision.