Ch.471Trash Planet (3)

“The Megacorp mining vessel has left the star system. Unfortunately, your attempt has failed.”

[Zz(Really?)]

I stopped controlling the energy field.

The formless power that had been extending in a thin form toward one spot returned to around the Terramorph.

The Terramorph, my second body, greatly enhances my energy field operation ability. When I condense the energy field like a thread, I can launch it to extremely far distances.

Just like how I pulled in the exploration vessel moments ago.

‘But the efficiency isn’t great.’

The further the energy thread extends, the harder it is to control. The speed at which the thread stretches also gradually slows.

The exploration vessel was already close before the thread reached it, so I succeeded, but I failed with the mining vessel that was farther away.

‘Even with enough time, it’s still a problem.’

Creating energy threads dramatically increases energy consumption. If all my energy runs out, the Terramorph will also be released. That would defeat the purpose.

“You need something to mediate the energy field in between.”

[Zzzzzz(That’s right)]

PS-111, who was watching my work through warp particles, offered advice.

I had the same thought, but unfortunately, AMorphs don’t have such characteristics.

The energy field is like a special Perk I gained when applying “Twisted Abomination.” Since it wasn’t an ability in the original game, there are no related characteristics.

‘Maybe I should look for unique equipment or machinery.’

“Well, if you get any stronger here, what about big sis Seoa?”

Isabelle, who was beside me, commented.

“Wouldn’t it be better to find a way to control it well?”

[Zzzz Zzzz(That’s true too)]

The reason the Sky Mother couldn’t come here is because of my energy field.

Unlike the others, she is greatly affected by the energy field. She has nightmares every time she sleeps within its range.

The energy field is emitted regardless of my will. I can widen its range or strengthen its power, but I can’t stop the emission itself. That’s why she moves separately from us.

Currently, she’s looking for a way to block the influence of the energy field. She’s doing this with Shinobu, the Dominance faction ranker we captured earlier.

True to being a Space Dog ranker, he has connections with various forces and groups. That’s why I didn’t eat him and kept him alive, and the Sky Mother decided to use him instead.

However, there was one problem with this: the means to control Shinobu, specifically the parasite issue.

AMorph parasites have a lifespan, so they need to be replaced periodically. It’s difficult to use in situations where I need to be far away for extended periods.

So PS-111 performed a special procedure on him.

He implanted a life management device for screamers in his head. This allows the Sky Mother to control him freely.

“If you implant the defense device I designed in your brain, you can minimize the influence.”

“I guarantee that as soon as you mention that, big sis Seoa will stab you with her spear.”

Isabelle shuddered at the thought. The twin sisters were about to say something but closed their mouths.

‘Well, that seems likely.’

The Sky Mother watched the surgery from beginning to end. After seeing that, it would be difficult to ask for a mechanical device to be implanted in her head.

Anyway, this concludes the energy field experiment in Terramorph state. I’ve already confirmed other abilities besides the energy field.

After several experiments, I found that the Terramorph is closer to an auxiliary body or a bio-enhancement suit. It’s actually the “Nightmare Horizon” that better fits the image of a living, moving nest.

The Terramorph’s body modifications are extremely limited compared to a regular nest. All I can do is change the position of passages that act as blood vessels or create hook pillars with mouths.

‘But it has one interesting ability that nests don’t have.’

That’s “Harvest Mode.”

When Harvest Mode is activated, eating “specific prey” not only gives energy but also allows me to acquire one characteristic.

During the past 4 days coming here, I’ve eaten parts of various planetary surfaces and swallowed small asteroids whole.

Through this, I’ve acquired a total of 3 characteristics: “Contamination Organ,” “Oxygen Storage,” and “Destructive Sound Wave.”

The reason I gained so few characteristics compared to what I ate is due to the mechanism of Harvest Mode.

The three hook pillars with mouths extract substances containing genetic information when consuming soil or minerals. During the digestion process, these are turned into characteristics.

The characteristics that can be obtained seem to depend on the environmental features of the terrain eaten.

I got Contamination Organ from wastelands polluted by AMorphs, Oxygen Storage from a colony where Megacorp employees live, and Destructive Sound Wave from a desert-type planet.

All three are characteristics that can be easily acquired by catching creatures living on those planets.

‘Though I’m not certain since there are few cases.’

If there’s no substance suitable for creating characteristics, the harvest effect doesn’t activate.

In fact, I’ve eaten various minerals and asteroids floating in space multiple times, but no characteristics ever emerged. All the ones I obtained came from planets with established ecosystems.

And once a harvest succeeds, it enters a 24-hour dormant state. Since the hook pillars don’t emerge, I can neither eat prey nor gain characteristics.

Because of this, I’ve discovered relatively little despite four days passing. It will take more time to check if there are hidden conditions.

‘Still, being able to gain a characteristic without fighting is a tremendous merit.’

If my guess is correct, I should be able to acquire characteristics from Apex creatures as well. The same mechanism should apply to Apex creature habitats.

‘I should experiment in Gallergorn’s Valley later.’

Just then, a signal came from the Terramorph’s digestive system. It had completely digested the exploration vessel I had swallowed earlier.

‘Living organisms don’t work, huh.’

I had hoped to extract the genetic essence of the crew aboard the exploration vessel, but as you can see, it failed. It seems the extraction method is different.

‘I wonder if eating samples would produce different results?’

Since they’re refined objects of genetic essence, the results might differ. I’ll need to check this when I visit the laboratory later.

‘I guess I’ll wrap things up now.’

I’ve figured out the important parts, and we’re not far from our destination. It’s a distance that could be reached with one jump if we weren’t in Terramorph state.

Our destination is a place where all kinds of garbage is scattered throughout the star system. Some of it includes unstable items like damaged ship engines or abandoned torpedoes.

‘It would be troublesome if we collided and caused an explosion.’

Of course, I wouldn’t be hurt by such a thing. The problem is that chain explosions could significantly change the position of the garbage heap. Then Akira would find it strange when he comes later.

It’s better to release the form here and enter.

[Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz(Now that the experiment is over, I’ll release the Terramorph)]

“Understood. I’ll initiate the jump as soon as you release it.”

While PS-111 prepared for the jump, I called No. 26 and Adhigh Orr who had gone to play in another section. At the same time, I adjusted the position of the internal passages near them.

Shortly after, slime poured like a waterfall from the passage connected to the ceiling. The Sea Demon and Red Gallergorn rode down on a black wave.

“Fun!”

“It’s okay””Not bad”

“Do it again!”

No. 26 bounced and glowed, apparently enjoying the hundreds-of-meters-long water slide.

[Zzzzzzz Zzzz Zzz Zzz Zzzzzz(Sorry, but not now. I’m going to get rid of this)]

“Really? Why get rid of it?”

[Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzz Zzzzzzz Zzzz Zzzzzz(We need to sneak into where we’re going. We need to reduce our size)]

The glowing body of the little one instantly darkened.

[Zzzz Zzzz(We’ll play again next time)]

“Promise?”

[Zz Zzzzzz(Yes. I promise)]

“Yay! Promise with big one!”

At the mention of a promise, No. 26 jumped onto my head. Then, tapping my horns, it energetically declared the promise.

“I””Like””Being””With””Big””One””More”

Adhigh Orr, who had come down with No. 26, approached and leaned against me.

Now that everyone was here, I released the Terramorph.

The realm of sensation that had expanded more than ever rapidly contracted. The familiar yet confined sensation of my original body filled the void.

With my senses returned, I gently wrapped my tentacle arms around No. 26 and Isabelle.

The Terramorph, now separated from me, immediately began to collapse. Black slime flowing from all directions froze, and large cracks formed in the walls and ceiling.

Seeing this, PS-111 immediately initiated the jump. Warp particles grabbed us and led us into a realm beyond light.

Amid the tremendous pressure, our bodies moved through stars and space. All kinds of colored light mixed chaotically, obscuring my vision.

And then the pressure crushing me disappeared in an instant. Instead of light clusters, my vision was filled with numerous metal fragments.

‘We’ve arrived.’

Beyond the cloud of garbage accumulated on a cosmic scale, a gray planet is visible.

An artificial planet created by the condensation of industrial waste, discarded ships, abandoned construction materials, and more—Megacorp’s garbage dump.

We passed through the ring of garbage and approached the planet.

As the planetary atmosphere made of toxic substances and gases came into view, I sent a wavelength to the others.

[Zzz Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzzz(We’ll move as discussed earlier)]

“If we see something strange, don’t touch it and avoid it!”

“Also””Be Careful””Of Living Things”

PS-111 and Isabelle nodded in agreement instead of answering.

Before coming here, we discussed how to move.

The garbage planet is comparable in size to the moon. Not only is it large, but its internal structure is also quite complex.

We need to check if there are any variables in that planet, and where good ambush points might be.

‘Moving together would take too long to examine everything.’

So we decided to move in three groups: me, No. 26 and PS-111, and Adhigh Orr and Isabelle.

No. 26 and PS-111 will check the surface, while Adhigh Orr and Isabelle will enter the interior through a hole on the opposite side from me. We’ll check if there are any variables in the planet and identify good ambush points.

And to ensure we can contact each other immediately if something happens, Isabelle and I received MPS.

[Zzzzzz(Let’s begin)]

“Okay! See you later!”

“Child””Follow””Me”

After descending to the surface of the garbage planet, we dispersed to investigate our assigned areas. I stored the mini screamer inside my mouth and descended into a large hole below.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

The garbage planet was one of the places I used as a secret nest. It’s also a place where I was never caught until I quit the game.

‘I guess people think alike.’

The dirty walls covered with unidentifiable reddish-brown residue, the inconsistent width that narrows and widens—all familiar.

The difference is the enormous number of defense facilities.

Plasma turrets, motion-detecting mines, psychic bombs, and various other defense facilities were hidden everywhere. There were many even though this was just the entrance.

The defense line was built so thoroughly that even a ranker would find it difficult to break through.

‘It seems they put in a lot of effort, but…’

I have a means to easily penetrate this place.

Firefly-like particles flowing from my body stick to the walls. “Gremlin Moss,” the natural enemy of machines, moves in search of food.

The turrets and mines scattered everywhere were instantly neutralized upon contact with the glowing moss. I leisurely advanced toward the center through the corridor lined with broken defense facilities.

Several hours passed after that. There were no special risk factors besides the defense facilities. The others also reported that they were moving around safely.

After going down for quite some time, I came to a wide space. It’s a construction module used for building space cities. Scrap metal and garbage are attached like flesh along the giant metal frame, supporting the space.

‘There’s nothing here?’

Unlike other places filled with weapons, this place is empty.

I spread my energy field to explore the entire space.

I sense regular but faint signals. They’re different from the energy naturally emitted by discarded electronic devices.

Following the energy flowing in multiple branches, I found a single point where they all intersect.

‘Is it there?’

An extra-large container embedded in the wall. I can feel energy going back and forth centered on that place.

At that moment, the container door suddenly opened.

‘Huh?’

The being that walked out from inside was someone I hadn’t expected at all.

The powerful figure ranked 3rd and the leader of the Dominance faction.

The Megacorp CEO who should be stopping the Outspacer general offensive on Earth, not here.

[Zzzzzzz(Akira Yujin?)]

“So the prodigal son has finally returned.”

The monster in human form smiled at me.