Ch.455Apex (1)

–

A massive freezer filled with enormous black cocoons.

In front of it stand a pink balloon and a red-scaled dragon. No. 26 and Adhigh Orr, who have just woken up from a good sleep.

No. 26 extended a thin tentacle and tapped on the cocoon. The mucus-covered shell pulsated slowly.

“Big baby sleeping.”

AMorph, their most cherished one, would occasionally create these large cocoons and sleep for extended periods. Having seen this many times before, neither of them was surprised.

“I wanted to swim together.”

“Together” “play” “conversation” “impossible” “disappointing”

They were simply disappointed that they couldn’t spend time with AMorph.

No. 26, looking dejected, removed its tentacle from the cocoon.

“Let’s go back to little friend.”

“There” “boring” “elsewhere” “more” “fun”

“No. Big baby said to listen to friend and little friend. Bad people might come.”

Adhigh shook its head at No. 26’s suggestion to return.

That place was full of tools made by humans. Nothing there interested Adhigh at all.

“Dwarves” “weak” “I” “more” “strong”

“No. Big baby is weak while sleeping, and if bad people go boom! Big trouble!”

“That” “certainly” “problem”

No. 26 waved its tentacles, mimicking an explosion.

That was true. The only time AMorph showed weakness was when inside the cocoon.

AMorph had mentioned it several times. In the cocoon state, even weak human weapons could inflict fatal wounds. That’s why AMorph asked them to protect it.

“Friend knows if bad people are coming or not. So we need to stay close to friend.”

“Agree”

Though they usually quarreled constantly, they were in complete agreement when it came to AMorph’s safety.

The two monsters returned to the computer room where PS-111 and Isabelle were.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Yes.”

Isabelle, working while looking at holographic images, waved her hand as if she had expected this.

“I don’t think there will be any major problems, but just in case, stay nearby.”

“Here” “boring” “not fun”

“If that’s the case, you can wander around the vicinity.”

“Rather” “that” “more” “preferable”

“Just don’t go too far.”

With Isabelle’s permission, Adhigh left again. No. 26, however, didn’t leave and approached Isabelle instead.

“Little friend. What are you doing?”

“Hm? I’m helping my sister.”

“Are you watching a movie with friend? I want to watch too.”

Unlike the noble Red Gallergorn, this small pink Seed Demon showed great interest in the cultural artifacts of intelligent beings. As No. 26 glowed brightly with curiosity, Isabelle felt awkward.

She was currently checking if there were any experimental records related to PS-111 among numerous files. Some might contain information about the Bubble Amoeba—things not suitable for No. 26 to see.

“Instead of that, could you help me with this first?”

“What’s this?”

Isabelle opened the metal plate on her chest and took out some mechanical device. It was a discarded auxiliary memory device from the computer room.

“There are similar objects hidden here and there. Find them and bring them to me.”

“Okay! I’m good at finding hidden things!”

No. 26 took the auxiliary memory device and, fluttering its fins continuously, went deeper into the forest of data storage units.

‘They said it couldn’t be recovered, but just in case…’

The auxiliary memory devices contained experimental records from the facility. According to PS-111, the devices themselves were damaged, making data recovery impossible.

But Isabelle thought differently.

It would be good to keep them in case a method became available later.

‘These contain my sister’s past. I can’t give up on them.’

PS-111 is her only blood relative, both in reality and in this world. She’s also the being Isabelle cherishes and trusts most in this world. She had no intention of giving up on her precious sister.

She made this promise to herself and refocused on her work.

After checking about ten more holographic images, just as she was about to access a new record, PS-111 approached.

“Little sister.”

“Sister? Are you done already?”

“Not yet. But we have a problem.”

“Huh?”

Instead of explaining, PS-111 operated a terminal. Soon, a new screen appeared on the hologram in front of Isabelle.

It was a message with brief content.

“This is a message sent through MPS by a human infected by AMorph.”

Isabelle’s eyes widened as she confirmed the content.

‘The Silver Lion Knights are planning to visit NOX-02?’

Unwelcome developments were occurring far above on the surface. And at this time when AMorph had entered its cocoon.

‘Why would Egerton’s knights come here?’

She already knew about the existence of the Silver Lion Knights in the star system. After all, the rescue ship AMorph had hijacked belonged to the knights.

The problem was that they had no reason to come here.

“Could they have discovered we’re here?”

“The probability that the Silver Lion Knights know our location is 24%. However, the probability they are visiting to use the research facility is 61%.”

This wasn’t a baseless assumption.

The knights wanted living Outspacers to develop new weapons. The original purpose of the rescue ship was to secure Outspacer parasites and transport them to the weapons factory in the NEO-3 star system.

AMorph had exploited this when deceiving Egerton’s high-ranking officials. It lied that they had captured parasites but needed repairs due to ship problems. Thanks to this, they were able to safely enter Nox.

‘But now the knights have changed their minds.’

Instead of waiting for the rescue ship carrying the parasites to complete repairs, they decided to handle everything here. Their intention was clearly to receive the parasites at Nox and immediately use the deep-sea research facility.

However, there was something inconsistent about this assumption.

‘They called it a secret base, but now they’re openly revealing it?’

This was an experimental facility that researched Rankers. It was a place so strict about security that most experimental records were erased when it was closed.

To deploy multiple personnel to such a place… It was an incomprehensible action.

‘…No. Right now, their intentions aren’t what’s important.’

Once the knights arrive at Nox, they’ll quickly realize they’ve been deceived. They’ll also discover that the research facility has been attacked.

If that happens, AMorph could be in danger.

‘If attacked while in the cocoon state, it’s over.’

She knew well how vulnerable AMorph was when inside the cocoon. If a battle breaks out here, the situation could become very serious.

“Do you know when this was sent?”

“Due to poor communication conditions, it’s difficult to determine the exact time. I estimate it was sent about an hour ago.”

That means there’s not much time left.

Isabelle called 26 and Adhigh using psychic waves.

“Little friend. Why did you call?”

“What” “fun thing” “is there?”

“We have a problem. AMorph might be in danger.”

The two monsters’ attitudes changed dramatically at the mention of AMorph. No. 26’s bright pink body darkened rapidly, and crimson flames rose from Adhigh’s amethyst-like eyes.

Isabelle explained the situation to the two who were displaying an ominous aura.

“Bad people bothering big baby again!”

“Dwarves” “arrogant” “forgiveness” “impossible!”

As the explanation ended, the floor beneath them vibrated slightly. The psychic power flowing from the Seed Demon and Red Gallergorn was shaking the entire area.

Even though they possess intelligence, both are apex predators in their respective habitats. Isabelle felt slightly tense facing the angered No. 26 and Adhigh.

“Both of you, stay calm.”

But with AMorph absent, she needed to lead these two against the enemy.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

“Bad people move in groups, which is annoying. They shouldn’t call others!”

“I” “storm” “create” “dwarves” “isolate” “possible”

“First, we need to block their communications… huh?”

“Friend will use zappy-zap with little baby to prevent others from coming.”

“Agree” “sick child” “dwarf” “conversation” “disrupt” “good at”

“You mean blocking communications? Understood.”

“I’ll destroy the houses made by people. Little friend, watch for dangerous people.”

“Uh, what?”

Before she could even outline a strategy, No. 26 and Adhigh were already discussing how to fight. They seemed so natural, as if this wasn’t their first time.

“There are many floating bases here. If we move carelessly, our movements could be exposed.”

“I’ll create ‘waves’ to destroy them! Waves are ‘natural phenomena’ so people won’t suspect!”

“You plan to create a pseudo-storm disguised as a natural phenomenon. That way, the base will likely consider it abnormal weather.”

“Right! Natural phenomenon! I saw it in a movie.”

“Small adult” “big house” “destroy” “I” “speed” “fast” “moving house” “hunt”

“Good. When people’s houses are gone, they’ll be too anxious to fight.”

“What do you think, little sister?”

“…With a few adjustments, I think this plan could work.”

Even to her, it wasn’t a bad strategy. Communication disruption, environmental distraction, using individual abilities to swiftly defeat the enemy. Though their vocabulary was crude, the level of planning was quite systematic.

Only then did Isabelle realize an important fact.

Who had taught them.

“Let’s catch all the scared people and teach them a lesson!”

“Agree!” “Absolutely” “won’t let them escape”

Though much remained uncertain, one thing was clear.

The Silver Lion Knights planning to visit Nox, and the humans at the floating base.

They would never leave this place.