Ch.458Apex (4)

NEO-3 is a star system that holds a very important position for Prime Capital Egerton.

This is because core businesses such as new weapons development, new ship development, and important resource mining take place here. Due to its importance, the quality and quantity of troops stationed in the star system are at a very high level compared to other Megacorp colonies.

That’s why it was able to remain intact despite experiencing major incidents such as Outspacer invasions and the destruction of a gateway city over the past few days.

But now, that powerful fleet and defense facilities are collapsing in the face of an overwhelming disaster.

The space that was completely empty until just a few minutes ago. Suddenly appearing Outspacers advance forward.

Their target is the gateway city protecting the star system. The massive gun batteries installed in the city continuously spew fire toward the ruthless invaders.

The super-large fortress cannons installed in the space fortress have power that overwhelms a battleship’s main guns. Even specimens with hard carapaces would find it difficult to withstand the heat rays from the fortress cannons.

Of course, this is assuming they get hit. None of the heat rays fired by the gateway city’s defense facilities reached the Outspacers.

It was because of the cyan jellyfish-like monster at the center of the army.

“It is a child born of the Empress. It cannot be touched.”

Every time the jellyfish monster waved its elongated tentacles, the heat rays wavered greatly. As if controlled by an invisible force, they flew to random places instead of their original targets. Because of this, the gateway city’s defense facilities became virtually useless.

That wasn’t the only problem.

The red beetle monster that mercilessly destroyed the fleet during the last invasion, along with two unique specimens that only showed themselves without fighting at that time, are now leading the massacre.

“Grrrr! Weak ones!”

The 100m-sized beetle monster moved surprisingly fast, ramming into ships. None of the warships that collided with it remained intact.

The faster patrol ships and carrier-based aircraft tried to somehow check its advance, but it wasn’t easy. There were beings interfering with this.

Monster creatures resembling tropical fish covered with translucent scales moved in swarms, pouncing on the ships.

The carrier-based aircraft and patrol ships counterattacked, but it was useless. The fish monsters remained unharmed even after being hit by plasma shells. Rather, the more they were attacked, the more active their movements became. As if they were absorbing the energy.

Before long, all the small ships and carrier-based aircraft that had gone out to check the advance were destroyed. The fish monsters, having fulfilled their role, gathered in empty space. And then merged into a massive white snake monster.

“We are one.”

The small ships were annihilated, and not many large battleships remained. The gateway city’s defense facilities were also neutralized.

Just as the Megacorp side fell into a desperate crisis, a blue light flashed near the gateway city. The defense fleet from another space fortress had jumped in to support the city.

“The ‘Great Queen’s’ safety is in danger. We must protect her.”

“There is no problem. Victory is with mother.”

Then the black bat monster that had been standing by next to the cyan jellyfish monster stepped forward.

It spread its wings wide and opened its mouth toward the fleet that had just succeeded in jumping. Soon, black lightning spewed from inside its mouth, which was split into four parts like a starfish.

Lightning branches that split into tens of thousands of strands like lightning cutting through the night sky struck the fleet. The black lightning tore through even the thick armor of the battleships’ front sections like paper.

The jet-black light beams extended to every corner of the fleet before disappearing. Immediately after, explosions and death followed. The damage to the support fleet was enormous. About half of the support fleet fell into combat-incapable status with just one strike.

“Kruk! Impudent thing! That’s my prey!”

“We act together.”

Even those who weren’t swept away by the lightning couldn’t feel safe. The elements threatening them were still intact. Hundreds of beasts rushed toward the remnants.

It didn’t take long for the support fleet to turn into cosmic dust. The gateway city, having lost its last hope, shared their fate.

“Great Queen. It’s over.”

“Yaaawn, really?”

The ‘Great Queen’ who had been lying on top of the cyan jellyfish monster stretched and got up.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I? I told you it would be easy.”

“We must not be careless. Human weapons are threatening to the Great Queen.”

“I told you. I can handle up to three ships by myself. There’s nothing to worry about.”

At other times, she would have waved her hand telling them not to nag, but this time she didn’t.

As far as she knew, there were two Gigacrackers deployed in the NEO-2 star system. It’s quite suspicious that the super weapons haven’t shown up even though the gateway city is collapsing.

“Well, it is a bit surprising that the Gigacrackers didn’t appear. Have any more parasites died in the meantime?”

“No.”

“Should we catch someone and check? Everyone stop.”

When she emitted a wavelength, the Outspacers who had been busy smashing the city stopped moving.

“Kruk. Great Queen. Why interfere?”

“We question.”

“Mother’s lover. We request an explanation.”

The unique specimens who had been busy killing enemies among the lower specimens also returned to where the Great Queen was.

“I’m going to visit that city. Meanwhile, you four have things to do. First, Todes. Remember what the Empress ordered?”

In response to her question, the cyan jellyfish monster, Todes, replied.

“The Empress said to absorb the essence stored in the land with water.”

“Right. There’s a base in Nox where genetic samples are hidden. Go there with Tyrann and devour everything inside.”

“We agree.”

“I ask. What shall I do?”

“Hungersnot, take the Outspacers and sweep away the weapon factories in the star system. Oh, and if you happen to see a Gigacracker, avoid it.”

The snake Tyrann, covered with translucent white scales, and the bat Hungersnot, with large wings reminiscent of the night sky, obediently bowed their heads.

“Kruk. What shall I do?”

“Kriege will move with me. Follow me.”

At the Great Queen’s words, the red beetle monster Kriege bared its teeth and growled.

“Kruk. I want to fight!”

“No. With your personality, if a problem arises, you’ll never back down.”

“Grrrr!”

“Since we came without his permission, everyone take care of yourselves. Got it?”

After brushing off Kriege’s resistance, she jumped off the jellyfish monster Todes.

“Alright. Let’s begin.”

The wavelength carrying her consciousness spread in all directions.

The four monsters, having received their orders, dispersed to carry out their respective missions. The Outspacers surrounding the city bowed toward the approaching Great Queen.

Seeing this, she thought.

No human in NEO-3 would be able to stop her and her army.

–

“No more bad people?”

Above the surging waves, a pink balloon the size of a small island floats. It’s No. 26, who has expanded to maximum size after a long time.

“None. None.”

“Wow!”

No. 26 emitted a wavelength of joy at the words of the mini screamer riding on top of the pink land.

Isabelle, who was also on top of No. 26 like the mini screamer, inwardly marveled.

‘I expected it to smash cities with waves, but…’

When attacking Sea Demons inhabiting ocean-type planets, it’s difficult to set up outposts. Because even if they’re built, they’ll be swept away by the massive tsunamis caused by the Sea Demons.

So she fully expected No. 26 to sweep away cities with giant waves. But when she saw what happened next, even she was surprised.

‘I never thought it would imitate voices to lure in the knights.’

No. 26 can change the shape of its tentacles to resemble human vocal organs and create voices. This is thanks to the “mimicry” trait transplanted from AMorph.

After changing its tentacles into vocal cord form, it contacted the knights through the communicator brought by the mini screamer. It even imitated the voice of Joel, a former member, rather than someone else’s voice.

The unsuspecting enemies had no choice but to fall for it.

‘That’s how AMorph used to deceive so well.’

The 5th rank usually disguised itself as someone the target cared about or was obsessed with. Because of this, even rankers were often deceived.

Isabelle felt strange seeing No. 26 doing exactly what AMorph used to do in the past.

“I caught all the people who were running away! Did I do well? Did I do well?”

“Yes, you did. That’s amazing.”

“Yes!”

No. 26 happily expressed joy at her praise. The tentacles and fins submerged underwater also glowed softly in response to their owner’s emotions.

‘AMorph’s disciple Sea Demon. Good thing it’s on our side.’

She stroked No. 26 with several arms and picked up the communicator.

“Sis, are you finished there?”

“The battleship was neutralized by ‘Little One’. However, one problem has arisen.”

“Problem?”

“The energy emitted by Little One is higher than my calculations. Because of this, there’s a possibility it was observed from other planets.”

“Energy? Ah.”

Hearing that, she had a hunch about something.

Shortly after No. 26’s wave engulfed the city, she felt energy coming from high up in the distant sky. Energy so intense it could be felt even from deep under the sea.

As she suspected, it was energy released by Adhigh Orr.

“So someone might come to check?”

“There’s a 61% probability that another ship will visit to confirm this. I will stand by to prepare for this.”

“Understood.”

“When are friend and Little One coming?”

No. 26 sent a wavelength after she turned off the communicator.

“They still have things to do, so they’ll come later.”

“Things to do? Is it because Little One went boom?”

“Huh? You felt it too?”

“Yes.”

No. 26 moved its tentacles vigorously as it explained.

“When you go boom loudly, people come. So Big One told me to go boom softly. Then people don’t know, but Little One must have forgotten.”

Actually, it’s not incomprehensible.

There are very few beings stronger than Red Gallergorn. Even among Voltex One, known as the demons of space, only three individuals can be said to be stronger than Red Gallergorn. Besides them, perhaps only Arcane Orca is considered equal due to compatibility reasons.

Adhigh Orr is a proper Red Gallergorn, just smaller in size. In fact, before coming here, it played a significant role in hunting the second Arcane Orca.

So it’s not strange to think that there’s no need to be careful anymore.

‘But…’

No matter how powerful Red Gallergorn is, it’s not invincible. Among the rankers, there are several who have killed Red Gallergorn. Of course AMorph, and the Sky Mother who isn’t here right now, have also succeeded in subjugation.

So if one becomes intoxicated with power like now, they might face great danger later.

“I’ll talk to AMorph when he wakes up.”

“Right. Big One will teach Little One well!”

“Yes. Then let’s go down first.”

“Okay!”

No. 26, sending an energetic wavelength, dived below the surface. Isabelle also followed, holding the mini screamer.

In the place where an underwater city once stood, only waves gently swaying with the wind remained.