Ch.454Concerns (2)

“The synthesis formula I unlocked before. Let’s combine this first.”

After much deliberation, I decided to first combine the synthesis formula I had obtained in the past.

There were two reasons.

The “Harvester’s Maw” requires “Essence Harvester’s Jaw” as a material, which can only be obtained from Outspacer Queen-class entities or AMorph Subadult or higher entities. It was very difficult to acquire, so I had been postponing the synthesis.

But as it happens, NEO-3 where I am now is a star system under invasion by an Outspacer legion. The Outspacer legion will be rushing in soon.

‘I just need to catch a Queen-class entity mixed in with the invasion force.’

If I use the Symbol of Hunt as well, there should be no problem securing another Essence Harvester’s Jaw.

The second reason is to break the taboo created by the “Twisted Abomination Body.”

After obtaining the Twisted Abomination Body, various characteristics related to physical activity became restricted. “Insect-Face Host” is one of them. Because of this, the information known by the rankers I had devoured—the insect-faces—was also sealed.

‘I need to extract all the information before using them as materials.’

To do this, I first need to remove the taboo.

Whenever I’ve used the transcendence system to create a new unique characteristic, my body always went through a reconstruction process. This is exactly what I’m aiming for.

‘The taboo might be lifted during the process of physical transformation.’

I don’t know exactly what will happen, but it’s worth trying.

After forming a rough plan, I moved the monster’s tentacles to send a wave toward the computer room.

[Zzzz Zzzzz Zzzz(I have something to talk about)]

Shortly after, the freezer’s speaker activated, and a familiar female voice flowed out.

“Unni is busy analyzing video right now. What’s up?”

The one who responded to my wave wasn’t PS-111, but Isabelle.

I briefly explained my thoughts and plans.

“So you’re trying to get a new characteristic. Then you’ll enter a cocoon like before?”

[Zz Zzzzz Zzzzz Zzzzz Zzzzzz(Yes. I need to do it when there’s no special threat)]

“But didn’t you say you’d help unni earlier?”

That’s true. As she pointed out, I had originally planned to help PS-111 after finishing my meal.

‘…I don’t necessarily need to synthesize right away.’

The deep-sea base is now under the control of PS-111 and the Gremlin Moss. It will take at least a few days for Egerton, the former owner of the base, to realize this fact. The same goes for the Outspacer invasion.

It wouldn’t be a big problem to check the records with her help first, then enter the cocoon. As I was about to send another wave, Isabelle’s voice echoed first.

“I’m just kidding. I’ll help unni. AMorph, you go ahead with your plan.”

[Zzzzzz(Are you sure?)]

“Yes. Nothing is more important than you getting stronger. Oh, and…”

She suddenly closed her mouth mid-sentence.

“…I’d better tell you this after you come out of the cocoon. See you later.”

She seemed like she was going to say something, but left only those words before cutting the speaker connection.

‘What was that?’

It was the same voice as usual, but something felt different. She seemed to have concerns she wasn’t telling me.

‘Is it about unni?’

This facility is deeply related to the birth of the Mutant Screamer. Even the always-calm PS-111 must be psychologically uneasy.

From Isabelle’s perspective, who cares for unni, it’s natural to be worried.

‘I should prepare some gifts for when we fight the Outspacers later.’

As far as I know, PS-111 feels joy when upgrading herself or creating mini-screamers. Giving her something she would like would be much better than offering words of comfort.

‘I’ve talked to them already.’

I lay down in the middle of the wrecked freezer.

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

“Would you like to use the Transcendence System?”

‘Let’s begin.’

As soon as I gave permission, an enormous amount of mucus flowed out and wrapped around my entire body.

The preparation for welcoming my 11th cosmic monster characteristic had begun.

–

“…Damn it!”

A sharp noise echoed through the elegant room.

Jacob, the highest authority in the NEO-3 star system, glared at the shattered wine glass with eyes full of anger.

“What? You’ll be delayed because of insufficient fuel? You dying old man!”

While relaxing with a glass of fine wine, he received an urgent report from his subordinate.

A communication had come from Wilter Saintkay, who was supposed to lead the Gigacracker to NEO-3. The message stated that due to the family head’s poor health, they would be delayed.

Jacob knew exactly what this meant.

‘Is this how you show that you don’t trust me?’

Recently, Jacob had suffered enormous losses.

Neo First Gateway City, one of the entrances to NEO-3, had collapsed. And not because of an Outspacer attack, but because of a single mysterious ship.

Of course, the culprit wasn’t an ordinary spaceship. That vessel was superior to any weapon Egerton had ever created. Many warships were deployed to stop it, but all were annihilated.

As a last resort, he played the Gigacracker card, but it turned out to be a bad move. He lost both the enemy and the space fortress.

Because of this issue, Jacob’s political standing had deteriorated beyond repair.

Mars was sending summons every day, and even within the old faction to which Jacob belonged, people were questioning his leadership.

The negative perception wasn’t limited to within the family. The reason Wilter was being so passive about his promised support was also related to Jacob’s mistakes.

“Argh, if only those bugs were still around…”

Since the last invasion, the monsters had been suspiciously quiet. They showed no signs of movement even though one of the system’s bastions had fallen.

But he couldn’t relax just because the offensive had stopped. This was because Wilter’s interest had cooled off.

The head of House Saintkay wanted only one thing: the heads of the four special entities that attacked NEO-3. If the Outspacers didn’t appear, he had no reason to support Jacob.

This was why the old man was moving slowly with absurd excuses.

“Aaaaargh! Damn it!”

After letting out a scream-like shout, he slumped down in his chair.

There were two ways to restore his fallen prestige and damaged political power.

Successfully defending NEO-3, and completing the development of the anti-Outspacer weapon he had been planning for a long time.

Of these, the path he must choose is the latter.

Jacob activated the communicator on his desk. Soon, a familiar face appeared as a hologram.

“Jacob sir?”

“Joel. Is the ship resupply complete?”

The person in the hologram was Joel, who had captured the Outspacer parasite. Having narrowly escaped just before the gateway city was destroyed, he was currently resupplying on the ocean planet NOX-02.

It had been about 8 hours since Joel’s ship landed on the planet. Since he had instructed the planet to spare no support, all maintenance should have been completed by now.

But Joel’s words defied Jacob’s expectations.

“There’s, um, a slight problem, sir.”

“Problem?”

“When escaping from the gateway city, ahem, the hull sustained major damage. Especially the FTL engine…”

“What?”

Jacob’s expression contorted as soon as he heard the engine was broken.

Joel was also quite troubled, pressing his fingers against his temple even during the report.

“They say it will take at least two days just to repair the engine.”

“……”

Time again. At this news of another delay, Jacob almost lost his mind. Forcibly suppressing his anger, he quickly thought.

‘We can’t waste any more time.’

The Outspacers that attacked the star system possess high intelligence. Although it’s unclear why they halted their offensive, they could invade again at any moment.

If Wilter arrives on time, there would be no problem, but judging from the current trend, that seems unlikely. What if the Outspacers arrive before him? NEO-3 would suffer massive damage.

And this would become entirely Jacob’s responsibility.

To prevent such a disaster, he must complete the anti-Outspacer weapon as quickly as possible.

‘They said they could somehow create a weapon within 2-3 days if they had the parasite.’

Ship repair time, time to receive and research the parasite—all together it would take about 4-5 days. If unexpected variables occur, it could take even longer.

He needed to find a way to reduce the time somehow.

‘Should I dispatch researchers to NOX-02? No, there are no research facilities there… Wait.’

Then an important fact he had forgotten crossed Jacob’s mind.

The previous family head, Danver Egerton, had secretly planned and directed the Hulk Mutant development project. And there was a laboratory related to the project on NOX-02.

After the family head’s death, the laboratory was closed, but the facilities and materials remained there. If he used them, he could complete the research.

“Jacob sir?”

“…Wait at the planet after repairing the ship. I’ll send researchers there.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s a closed research base in the deep sea of NOX-02. You can conduct the parasite research there.”

“Uh, but, ahem, exposing the sample to a contaminated environment could cause problems.”

Joel kept coughing, seemingly nervous about talking with his superior.

At any other time, Jacob would have pointed out his rude attitude, but right now his mind was entirely focused elsewhere.

“It’s the facility with the best equipment in the star system, so there’s nothing to worry about. Rest until the researchers arrive.”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

After ending the communication, he immediately contacted the knights and researchers. He told them to prepare to move to NOX-02 to finish the project there.

‘I should prepare too.’

The secret laboratory is protected by a complicated security system, so not just anyone can enter. Only those who participated in the project and are registered in the facility can enter.

People like Jacob. To let the researchers into the base, he must go with them.

‘Hmm. I was planning to be thorough anyway. Finishing the research there wouldn’t be bad.’

It’s a base protected by the natural barrier of the ocean. With both location and security being perfect, the probability of problems occurring during research is extremely low.

‘Perhaps I should consider reviving the secret base while I’m at it.’

A small light begins to appear amidst the successive obstacles. Jacob left the room with a small hope in his heart.