Ch.466Intermission (1)

After successfully escaping from NEO-3, we made several more jumps.

PS-111 with the power of Prometheus could block other ships from coming, but we still had to be careful.

The enemy might track us down later, so we decided to be as cautious as possible.

The place we arrived at was a quiet planet.

[Zzzzz(Any tracking?)]

“None detected.”

Through PS-111’s voice, I could hear noisy mechanical sounds. Behind it, I could see a container belt hundreds of meters long and various machines in motion.

The planet we landed on was a Megacorp calorie bar production base. And this place is an unmanned factory that processes raw materials for calorie bars.

[Zzzzz zzzzzzz zzzzz zzzz(No response from the system’s defense fleet either)]

“I estimate that troops have been withdrawn due to Outspacer issues, creating gaps in the air defense network.”

[Zzzz(Makes sense)]

Megacorp has countless calorie bar production bases. Losing one or two wouldn’t affect the supply.

As PS-111 said, it’s likely they pulled the system’s defense fleet to deploy at strategic points. Thanks to that, we were able to infiltrate without trouble.

“I will now recharge my energy.”

PS-111 consumed a lot of energy getting here. It needs to replenish what it needs from this factory.

It tore up the floor with several hands. Then it pulled out cables underneath and connected them to holes in its palms.

The busy facilities slowed down and soon stopped completely. The energy that was supposed to power the entire factory was flowing into it.

PS-111, now in hibernation mode for charging, was about to collapse. I carefully picked it up with my tentacle arms and set it down.

Shortly after, the abdomen of the lying figure opened, and two MPSs jumped out.

“Supplies!”

“Supplies!”

The mini screamers, women’s heads with metal legs, busily moved their thin legs and climbed onto the container belt.

Their goal was to secure organic matter to be used as energy for their creator. They were trying to carry food ingredients that were meant to be processed into PS-111’s mouth.

‘I should help them?’

“Big baby, look at this!”

Just as I was about to extend my tentacle arms to help the mini screamers, the kids who had gone to check if anyone was around returned.

“It’s exactly the same as what big baby gave us, but it’s huge!”

No. 26’s tentacle was holding a calorie block the size of a small car. When cut into small pieces and packaged, it becomes the calorie bars commonly seen on spaceships.

“That” “tastes” “not great”

Adhigh Orr, riding on No. 26, was tightly holding something that looked like an oxygen tank with his front paws. The bundle of tentacles that served as his mouth was inserted into the container, sucking up the contents.

‘That looks like meat juice.’

Meat juice is a high-calorie liquid made by grinding various genetically modified organisms. It has a very high calorie-to-mass ratio and is used in small amounts as an additive in calorie bars and enhancement agents for reinforced suits.

“This” “tastes” “better”

He seemed to like that liquid that provides a large amount of energy.

‘They were definitely empty-handed when they left.’

Both of them brought back quite a haul for what was supposed to be just reconnaissance.

“AMorph. Is big sis charging?”

[Zz(Yes)]

Isabelle, who had gone with them, checked on her sister’s condition as soon as she arrived.

[Zzzzz zzzzz(Any people around?)]

“None. I checked the management office too, but the logs stopped being updated days ago. The factory equipment just keeps repeating the same operations.”

[Zzzzzzzz zzzzz zzzzzzzz(Did they flee because of the Outspacers?)]

“Probably.”

In reality, the chances of No. 4 targeting this place are slim, but humans don’t know that. With the defense forces all withdrawing, it’s natural they’d want to escape too.

Thanks to that, it seems we can stay here without worry for a while.

‘This worked out well.’

Soon, the damage and pain I ignored with the ‘Feedback’ trait will return. I need to rest comfortably and recover from my injuries.

‘Plus, there are things I need to look into.’

“Big baby, eat this!”

While I was lost in thought, No. 26 handed me a calorie block.

[Zzzzz(Thank you)]

Extra energy is always welcome. As I opened my mouth to swallow the block, I suddenly felt gazes on me.

“……”

“……”

The mini screamers, who were struggling to move calorie bars, were all staring at me. More precisely, at the calorie block my tentacle arms were holding.

I silently handed over what I was holding.

“Thanks!”

“Thanks!”

After expressing their gratitude, the MPSs broke the calorie block into small pieces by poking it with their sharp metal legs.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

[Zzzzz zzzzz zzzz zzzzzzzz zzzz(They seem hungrier than I am)]

“Little friends hungry too?”

“Supplies! Needed!”

“Supplies! Needed!”

Hearing this, No. 26 briefly flashed its body as if to say “trust me.”

“I’ll help hungry friends!”

It transformed its tentacles into hammer shapes and pounded the blocks. The small screamers picked up the broken pieces and carried them to PS-111’s mouth.

“This doesn’t seem enough. I’ll go to the freezer.”

“Wait”

Adhigh Orr, who had been sitting like a famous beverage company’s polar bear mascot drinking meat juice, got down from No. 26.

“Need” “to” “go” “need” “more” “to drink”

“We need to give some to big sis, so you can’t have it all. Leave half.”

“Half” “too” “much”

“Then one-third.”

“Agreed”

And so the two of them left again right after coming back.

‘I should get to work too.’

[Zz zzzzzzzz(I’m going out for a bit)]

“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”

[Zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzzzz zzzz zzzz zzzzzzzzz(I’m going to make a nest nearby. Help the kids)]

“Okay!”

Leaving No. 26 waving its tentacles in farewell, I went outside the factory.

Unlike the interior filled with container belts, outside was a vast agricultural field. This place, which looked like a cornfield often seen in American movies, produces ingredients for calorie bars.

‘I’ll make it around here.’

“Grrrr….”

As the feedback effect ended, my wounds began to reopen. Pain surged like anesthesia wearing off after surgery. The left side of my head, which had been directly hit by ‘Ion Lightning,’ groaned in pain.

I spat black mucus onto the field.

The mucus quickly spread, devouring the crops scattered everywhere. As I lay down in the newly made nest, my injured areas slowly began to heal.

“Gluttonous Maw Pouch digestion complete!”

‘Oh?’

Just as my wounds were almost healed, a welcome notification appeared. I checked the text box.

“‘Adult’->’Ascended’ evolution condition partially fulfilled.

Mental essence (Voltex One) achieved, Wild essence (Outspacer Queen) achieved.”

“Predation effect activated! ‘Essence Harvester’s Jaw’ genetic essence acquisition successful.”

“Predation effect activated! ‘Joy (Joy Spencer)’ perk theft successful!”

“Can be combined with your ‘Bio Garden’.”

“Target for trait enhancement system. Would you like to use the system?”

As the Outspacer ranker was completely digested, several changes appeared in the text box.

The first thing that caught my eye was the Ascension condition.

Thanks to luckily catching the Outspacer Queen with Voltex One’s genetic essence, I achieved two evolution conditions.

‘Usually these conditions are fulfilled later.’

To obtain the three major essences—physical, mental, and wild—one inevitably has to fight ranker-level opponents. It’s not easy to achieve, but I cleared it more easily than expected.

Of course, there are still many conditions left. The physical essence, acquiring 15 unique traits and 9 types are still unfulfilled. Plus, there’s still the final battle of Space Survival, the Ascension trial.

‘There’s no need to rush.’

Anyway, there’s something I need to check regarding Ascension.

The Information Unit I met in the cocoon before. This being, deeply connected to the secrets of this world, said:

The Ascension trial has changed. And there is someone on Earth who knows about this.

We are now on our way to capture Akira Yujin to learn more details. If we catch him, we can not only learn about the Ascension trial but also take the physical essence.

As for traits and types, I can collect them as opportunities arise, as I’ve always done.

After organizing my thoughts, I checked the message that appeared after the Ascension condition update.

‘I didn’t expect Essence Harvester’s Jaw to appear.’

I couldn’t use ‘Hunting Emblem’ in this fight. I had used it when raiding the secret base, so the cooldown was still active. I had practically given up, but an unexpected result came out.

‘That’s good.’

At this point, there’s a better trait called ‘Gluttonous Maw Pouch,’ so its necessity is reduced, but it’s still better than nothing. I immediately accepted the new trait.

Originally, when Essence Harvester’s Jaw is applied, two physical changes occur.

The jaw joint develops, and the lower jaw splits into two parts when the mouth opens. Like snakes or crocodiles, the mouth opens wide, making it easy to swallow large prey.

But my body already has a higher-tier trait, Gluttonous Maw Pouch, applied.

Perhaps because my jaw is already highly developed, there was no change in the joint area. Instead, only the lower jaw split.

“Gruk?”

The left head beside me seemed fascinated by the split jaw and repeatedly opened and closed its mouth.

“Trait that can be combined with Mighty Foe’s Mark added!”

“Can be combined with your ‘Bio Garden’ or ‘Essence Harvester’s Jaw’. Please select a trait. The result will be influenced by the traits used as materials.”

“P.S.: You are at a critical crossroads. Please choose wisely.”

“Time remaining until trait selection: 23:59:55”

‘Huh?’

Once the physical transformation was complete, a new message arrived. Essence Harvester’s Jaw was added to the candidate traits that could be made with Mighty Foe’s Mark.

‘Bio Garden and Essence Harvester’s Jaw.’

For the latter, I can guess what kind of result might come out. It might be a trait similar to the perk that the ranker named Joy had.

His perk was to fully apply the power and characteristics of other organisms to his body without reduction. It was thanks to this perk that he became similar to Chicheon’s wings. It could be said to be a trait made for AMorph.

‘Except for one drawback.’

In exchange for gaining the perk, Joy lost the hive control system, the unique ability of Outspacers. He literally became a one-man army. The Outspacers we fought were actually under No. 4’s control.

Of course, this isn’t a weakness for AMorph, who doesn’t create a hive. Unlike the trait’s previous owner, I would only take the advantages.

‘How great would that be.’

But of course, that’s not possible.

In Space Survival, there are no traits with only advantages. Traits with power strong enough to shake planets also come with equivalent risks. Mighty Foe’s Mark is no exception.

What I’m concerned about here is the part about “losing the unique system in exchange.”

For Outspacers, the hive represents the individuality and identity of the species. For AMorph, the ability to combine genetic essences holds a similar position.

If the risk that the enemy ranker had due to the perk is transferred to me intact, the problem becomes very serious. If there are disadvantages to genetic essence fusion, I would have to change all the strategies I’ve been using.

‘It’s an extreme high-risk, high-return option.’

Then what about Bio Garden instead of Essence Harvester’s Jaw?

Conversely, I can’t predict at all what kind of result this would produce.

‘Since Bio Garden belongs to the nest category, it might produce a supportive trait.’

But this is just speculation, nothing certain.

One is a powerful but equally dangerous trait, the other is an unknown trait whose result cannot be predicted.

It’s not easy to decide which one to choose.

While I was lost in thought, three hours had already passed.

After long deliberation, I made my decision.

“Are you sure you want to select ‘Bio Garden’ as material? This choice cannot be undone.”

“Target for trait enhancement system. Would you like to use the system?”

The choice I made was Bio Garden, a path leading to an unknown future.