Ch.467Intermission (2)

“Biomorphic Garden” – a trait that allows me to control the nest’s secretions to create structures in any form I desire.

The reason I chose this trait, which was effective when hunting Space Dogs in Megacorp colonies in the past, is simple.

‘This one has less risk.’

Being able to use another creature’s power intact is a tremendous merit. However, the potential and advantages of the essence fusion system are even greater.

I don’t know how many more traits I’ll acquire in the future, and I don’t want to give up that potential.

Moreover, unlike Joy who offset her weaknesses with the help of No. 4, I don’t have such means. If I develop a weakness, I have to live with it.

This world is a dangerous place where life-threatening situations occur frequently. In a game, you can die and try again if you develop a weakness, but that’s not possible here.

That’s why this time I chose the safer path between the two.

‘Let’s combine them then.’

I put in the unnecessary traits as enhancement materials and selected confirm.

「’Joy (Joy Spencer)’s perk and ‘Biomorphic Garden’ trait are being fused. Trait enhancement system intervention!」

「Trait modification in progress」

「Evolved into ‘Terramorph’ trait!」

「Terramorph: You can utilize a sufficiently grown nest as a second body in ‘Terramorph’ form. The Terramorph form is automatically released when energy is completely depleted.

*Warning: When using this trait, the main body is completely incapacitated.」

The newly acquired trait from the powerful enemy’s token was subtly different from what I expected.

‘I thought I’d get a supplementary trait related to the nest.’

From the description, it seems like a trait that enhances the nest, or creates a doppelganger like “Hydra Division.” Or it could be a mix of both features.

‘I guess I’ll have to try it to be sure.’

It seems there’s no risk related to reuse, like with traits such as “Symbol of the Hunt.” As long as I have a nest and energy, using the trait itself doesn’t seem to be a problem.

‘Let’s see.’

Since I’ve already built a nest, I should check its performance.

‘I should use it while linked, right?’

I placed the auxiliary organ under my jaw against the nest. With a familiar sensation, my awareness spread throughout the black secretion.

The link with the nest was complete. I immediately used Terramorph.

「This nest has not grown sufficiently.」

‘Huh?’

An unexpected notification appeared. Contrary to my expectations, the trait didn’t activate.

‘It doesn’t work?’

This nest has been growing for over 3 hours. It’s consumed about a tenth of the giant farm, but I didn’t expect it to fail.

Wondering if the location was the problem, I tried again elsewhere, but the result was the same.

‘Maybe it only works with nests that have almost completed their growth.’

An AMorph’s nest expands rapidly for about 3-4 days, then the rate gradually slows down. I can reduce the time to reach the peak, but I still need to wait at least a day.

‘Tsk.’

I thought the risk seemed low, but as expected, it wasn’t. I’ll need more time to check this trait.

‘I’ll focus on building the nest for now.’

As I was about to spit out more secretion, someone entered the nest. I feel vibrations like dozens of people moving in a line. It’s the mutant screamer Isabelle, who resembles a snake or centipede.

“AMorph.”

[Zz zz zzz zz zzz zzzz (What’s up? Do you need food?)]

She shook her head at my question.

“I have something important to tell you.”

[Zz zzzz (What is it? Tell me)]

“Before that, promise me one thing.”

[Zz (Promise?)]

“No matter what happens in the future, please protect my sister. Just like No. 26 and Adhigh Orr who are precious to you.”

Her beautiful face, molded from metal, was expressionless. Her blue eyes, the only trace of her living self, were the same.

Everything looks the same as usual.

The only difference is that I can feel emotion from her. Emotion seeping through from beneath her rigid metal skin.

[Z zzzz zzzzzzz (Why are you asking such a thing?)]

“Answer first whether you can promise that.”

She urges me to answer. She seems quite anxious.

The mutant screamer has never shown this kind of behavior since her transformation. I should think carefully and answer sincerely.

“I’ll be honest.”

After a moment’s consideration, I spoke with a human voice.

“PS-111 is worth protecting regardless of the sacrifice. But not as much as those two.”

“That means…”

“No. 26 and Adhigh are special to me. If I had to sacrifice one of the three, I would choose your sister.”

“……”

“Of course, that won’t happen. I’ll prevent it before anything happens. As long as I’m alive, I will definitely protect her. I promise.”

Isabelle closed her mouth at my words.

I know this isn’t the answer she wanted. But she doesn’t want a false answer either. So I honestly conveyed my thoughts.

“…I see. Alright.”

Her closed mouth finally opened after a long silence.

“Then let’s forget about the important talk…”

“Good.”

“Huh?”

I expected her to be angry, but she thanked me instead – an unexpected reaction.

“So you consider my sister important, second only to those two? Important enough to be determined to protect her with all your might.”

“Yes.”

“That’s enough for me.”

“I thought you’d be upset about the discrimination?”

“I understand your feelings.”

It was a brief statement, but it contained a lot of meaning.

“Anyway, since you’ve listened to my request, I’ll tell you.”

I wonder what she’s trying to say that requires such caution. I focused on her mouth.

“It’s information about Shin Bumho, the leader of the Returnists. Specifically, a clue about his perk.”

“What?”

The perk of No. 7? I was startled by this sudden revelation.

“When I asked before, you said you didn’t know? That you couldn’t tell because you hadn’t seen his face directly.”

“I’ve never seen him in person. He always sent proxies when meeting me or Alshas.”

Isabelle can check information about others thanks to her perk, “All-Seeing Eye of Myriad Forms.” However, this ability only activates when she sees someone with her own eyes.

“So there was something about that proxy.”

“Yes. The text box was different from ordinary people. I’ve only seen such strange text boxes three times so far.”

There are traits and equipment that can hide information, but as far as I know, none that can arbitrarily change the content.

“How was it different?”

“The proxy I met before had two names despite not being a ranker. The name ‘Shin Bumho’ was overlaid on top of the proxy’s real name.”

“Overlaid names?”

“Yes. The real name was almost invisible, transparent, while Bumho’s name was clear.”

Names being overlaid. That’s certainly unusual.

“Anything else?”

“All items except the name became transparent, and the word ‘Dominated’ was written instead.”

“The way you describe the overlaid name, it sounds like an ability related to mind control.”

She nodded slightly at my speculation.

“Probably. When the name becomes completely transparent, they’re dominated by Bumho.”

“You sound like you’ve seen it directly.”

“I met a human who was in that intermediate stage when I was at the ‘Water Fortress.’ Someone you know too.”

“Someone I know?”

“Siheyon Yujin. Her clone briefly stayed at the hotel where I worked.”

I flinched slightly at the familiar name that came up unexpectedly.

Thinking about it, it’s not impossible. I fought Siheyon Yujin on Beryan02.

However, I never thought she would visit the Water Fortress on that vast planet, especially the hotel where Isabelle worked.

“Siheyon Yujin’s text box also had two overlapping names, but her name was much clearer. Other items were also normal, without the ‘Dominated’ mark.”

“Was he trying to make her his new proxy?”

Siheyon Yujin’s combat sense is among the top tier of Megacorp players. Bumho might want her as his subordinate.

‘So she probably got that strange weapon from Bumho too.’

A powerful weapon that can destroy the genetic essence of specific species. I wondered where she got it, but it seems Bumho provided it.

“So how does the perk work?”

“Sleep or dreams seem to have an influence. Her condition worsened every time she woke up.”

“Were there any unusual equipment or phenomena?”

“Nothing like that.”

If she didn’t see anything, it’s not through external factors like weapons or energy that he dominates minds.

‘I’ll need to investigate this further.’

Even from Isabelle’s account, Bumho’s perk sounds quite threatening.

There’s a high probability I’ll fight him later. After dealing with Akira Yujin, I should look for clues about him.

“That’s all I know.”

Isabelle’s story ended there.

What she told me was indeed important information, worthy of her hesitation.

“That’s certainly crucial information. But…”

There’s still something I need to confirm.

“Why are you telling me this important information only now?”

During our time together, Isabelle and I have discussed many things, including the Returnists, especially Bumho.

But she never mentioned anything like this before.

This means she’s been deceiving me all this time. And not just for a day or two, but for quite a long time.

“When I was a Coldblood, I was under a prohibition. I couldn’t disclose information about Bumho’s proxies.”

“What about after that? You could have told me after becoming a Screamer.”

“I originally planned to tell you in Nox. I thought it would be a good time to bring it up when I heard about meeting Siheyon Yujin. But the timing didn’t work out, so it ended up like this.”

Isabelle explains calmly, as if she anticipated my question.

But the answer to my main concern still hasn’t come.

“You’re still not telling me the most important thing. Why did you hide the information?”

As I spoke, I slowly raised my tentacle arm.

If Isabelle had deceived me with ulterior motives, she’s no longer an ally. Even if I don’t kill her immediately, I need to subdue her here and now.

“To be honest, I needed certainty.”

“Certainty?”

Her blue eyes reflect my sharp claws. Despite my threat, her eyes and voice didn’t waver at all.

“You overwhelmed Voltex One, the infamous cosmic demon. There are few single organisms in this universe stronger than you. And…”

She paused briefly and turned her head toward the factory.

“You have forces that sincerely follow you. Adhigh and No. 26, the Gallergorn following them, the Metallic Gremlin groups, my sister Seo-ah and the Volfs. If you command, they would all follow you.”

“What are you trying to say?”

The deep blue eyes met mine again.

“Your power rivals that of the Returnists and Dominists. If you grow even more, no one would dare touch you. Or my sister under your protection.”

“That sounds like you’re pretending to be friendly because I’ve become strong.”

“That’s right. I’m willing to invest everything I have in you.”

Saying that, she lowered her body like she was bowing and bowed her head.

“If you want, I’ll even give you my perk.”

There’s only one case where a ranker transfers their perk to another: when they’re killed by another ranker. In other words, she’s saying I can devour her if I want.

I looked down at Isabelle without saying anything.

Honestly, I’m displeased. If it were someone else, I would have killed them immediately. Even now, the thought of crushing that small, delicate head bubbles up from the back of my mind.

Yet I remain still because I understand why she deceived me.

Her twin sister’s safety. For that, Isabelle risked her life.

‘Family, huh.’

I don’t have siblings. I wasn’t even on good terms with my parents, whom I had already been separated from before coming here.

Having lived a disconnected life even before coming to this world, it’s difficult for me to understand her devotion.

But even someone like me has beings I cherish. Perhaps that’s why? I can somewhat empathize with her feelings.

‘Besides…’

I promised PS-111 before. That I would help find the memories from when she was human.

And the mutant screamer before me occupies the largest part of those memories.

“You’ll give everything to me?”

Seeing the approaching claw, Isabelle quietly closed her eyes. The finger on my tentacle arm stopped just before grabbing her beautiful face.

In that state, I moved one finger. Sparks flew as the tip of my claw touched her metal skin.

“Then there’s not much difference from now.”

I left only a small scar on her forehead and withdrew my tentacle arm.

Killing Isabelle here would result in more loss than gain. I might even lose PS-111 if I’m not careful.

She won’t be able to deceive me anymore anyway. There’s no one else who can protect her sister like I can now.

“Phew.”

Sensing that my anger had subsided, Isabelle let out a deep sigh. Her rigid body and arms also relaxed, losing their tension.

“…Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I plan to make the most use of you from now on.”

Bumho is someone who sends proxies even to his own faction. He’ll be hiding carefully to avoid being found by just anyone. Even for Isabelle, it will take considerable effort to find him.

After dealing with Akira, I should ask PS-111 to help find traces left by Bumho.

‘I’ll start with Siheyon Yujin and his proxy.’

Especially in Siheyon Yujin’s case, since she has followers, it should be easier to find her.

As I was about to wrap up the conversation, a question suddenly occurred to me.

“By the way, about beings with strange text boxes. You said there were three? The proxy, Siheyon Yujin, and who else?”

Isabelle tilted her head at my question.

“Obviously you, AMorph.”

“Huh?”

She answered nonchalantly.

“You’re the only ranker who hides your name.”

Her words completely defied my expectations.