Ch.473Prodigal Son (2)

“Grrrr”

“Gruk!”

All my senses are on high alert. Since opening my eyes in this world, I’ve never felt such a sense of crisis. Both heads growl in response.

I’d already heard that Bumho could control others. But I didn’t know he could dominate even a Ranker. Especially someone with considerable combat power like Akira.

“Did you control Akira’s mind with your Perk?”

“Mind control? No way. My Perk isn’t that convenient. It’s closer to possession, I’d say? I’m merely borrowing this friend’s body for a while.”

Having revealed his true colors, Bumho’s manner of speaking had become playful. There was no trace of the serious demeanor he had shown until just now.

But I mustn’t be deceived by that appearance.

Rank 7 was a formidable opponent who troubled me many times in the game. In some ways, he could be considered more dangerous than Ranks 3 or 4.

‘…Stay calm.’

I collected my thoughts and examined whether there was anything to gain from this situation.

‘Controlling a Ranker was unexpected, but there are limitations.’

Since he controlled Akira, he could probably dominate my mind too. The fact that he hasn’t means he can’t use his ability anytime.

There are restrictions or conditions for using his ability.

‘It’s definitely not something that requires time.’

It’s been over 10 minutes since we started talking. It’s too long if he was stalling for time to use his ability.

More likely, he needs to use a tool or make direct physical contact to activate it.

This planet, formed from garbage, is the perfect place to hide weapons.

‘Let’s look for unusually shaped tools first.’

While scanning the surroundings with my auxiliary organs, I kept my gaze fixed on the enemy.

“No need to be so tense. Everything I said is true. The offer still stands.”

“Cooperation? Why not just possess my body and be done with it?”

“It’s not that simple. I need to prepare the target in advance, and with simple possession like this, I can’t use Perks and it’s unstable.”

Bumho said this while waving his extended hand. The hand that was transforming into a beast’s paw wavered unstably before collapsing. It looked similar to the side effects experienced when genetic manipulation fails.

“As you can see, I’m in this state now. Until complete possession, there’s not much I can do.”

“That sounds like you’re saying higher levels of possession allow for control.”

“Well, in exchange, the Perks disappear. As I get closer to complete possession, my essence changes to match the new body. Once possession is complete, I can’t use my unique Perk. So I always have to be careful.”

Bumho, speaking in a friendly tone, readily revealed his weaknesses.

It doesn’t seem like a lie, but I can’t fully trust him either. He’s already deceived me once.

“Anyway. Will you accept what I proposed?”

“Do you think I would accept such an absurd offer?”

“Of course.”

He nods immediately, as if there’s no need to think about it.

“Someone as smart as you would understand. How valuable this alliance could be.”

“Well, your comrades wouldn’t like it, would they?”

Three members of the Return Faction died by my hand. Would they welcome someone who killed their comrades?

Moreover, Rank 4, the strongest in the Return Faction, doesn’t just dislike me—he hates me. He even joined hands with the Control Faction to attack me.

But Bumho shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

“They might not like my decision, but they’ll understand. They always have.”

“You’re quite confident.”

“The Return Faction’s only goal is to see the ending. Everyone, including me, is just a tool to achieve that goal. You’d understand.”

“Understanding…”

“Since coming to this world, you’ve been constantly racing toward Ascension. Your traits, Perks, the forces that follow you—all for this purpose. Just like me.”

“How can I believe whether what you’re saying is true or not?”

“As I said, I need you too. You’re the being who knows the most about AMorph in this universe. The key to conquering the new boss. Why would I lie and lose the trust of someone like that?”

With those words, his expression turned serious.

“I’d appreciate if you made a decision soon. Will you join our Return Faction?”

It’s time to decide what to do, as he says.

And I’ve already decided.

“I refuse.”

“Huh? Refuse? If there’s something lacking, I can—”

“No. I won’t aim for the ending with you.”

“Hmm.”

Displeased with my answer, he lets out a sigh. His serious expression crumpled in an instant.

“I don’t understand. Why choose the difficult path?”

“Listening to you is too risky.”

It’s undeniably true that Bumho’s knowledge would be useful. And there’s much to gain from an alliance with the Return Faction.

But there’s a fatal problem here.

‘He’s a fraud.’

None of what Bumho said was a lie. But that doesn’t mean he told the whole truth. He’s omitting parts that are disadvantageous to him.

I know because I’ve consumed Return Faction Rankers. Bumho only gave them limited information. None of them knew anything about the new boss.

Only Bumho knows everything, and the rest are used as chess pieces.

‘There’s no guarantee he won’t do the same to me.’

Besides, it wasn’t even him who came to meet me here. If I attack Akira here, Bumho suffers no loss. It would only benefit him.

Nothing is more foolish than trusting such a being.

“Ha, haha. You refuse? Hahahahahahaha.”

After being rejected, Bumho let out a hollow laugh. His laughter grew louder. Then he suddenly stopped.

“Do you think you can reach Ascension without my knowledge, my help?”

“Well, I’ll find another way.”

“Why. Don’t tell me you’re relying on that precious Information Unit?”

“You know about that being?”

“I didn’t come here just for the treasure. I knew you would come here.”

“What?”

That was beyond my expectations.

“Do you know how my Perk’s mechanism works? It copies my consciousness and overlays it onto the target. Possession occurs by copying my consciousness and overlaying it on the other person.”

“You knew I was coming here? How?”

“Just listen. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be possible to copy the other person’s consciousness too?”

He continued babbling, ignoring me.

“Of course, it was a much more difficult task than copying my familiar consciousness. I tried many times, but only succeeded properly twice.”

“Grrrr!”

“Gruk!”

“And one of those successful cases was created at the Altar of Ascension.”

The heads on both sides make harsh cries. As if trying to stop the words coming from his mouth.

“While the boss was distracted slaughtering Rankers, I desperately attempted possession. But that damn bastard had defenses. I almost failed, but fortunately, there was someone who helped me. That great Information Unit.”

“……”

“Thanks to it, I was able to safely copy the consciousness. After escaping the altar, I was really busy. Using a newly acquired weapon required a lot of attention.”

“Stop.”

“Selecting eggs was the first hurdle. At that time, fear of AMorph was widespread among Rankers. I had to invest a lot of time and effort because of that.”

The more I understand his words, the colder my blood runs.

“When injecting consciousness into eggs, I made some adjustments. It would be troublesome if the truth was realized. Of course, it didn’t go 100% according to my intentions. There were a few times when it deviated from my plan or almost noticed the secret. Well, it turned out well in the end.”

A truth I didn’t want to know tightens around my thoughts.

“And the prodigal child who awoke from the egg grew up properly and returned to me. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day.”

The final boss that appears at the Altar of Ascension wasn’t changed. The being currently occupying the altar is just illegally occupying it.

“Yes. A being from another world usurped the position of the altar’s master. The first Ranker to fall into this world and the living nightmare of Space Survival. And you…”

“Shut up!”

“Are my creation, the shadow of Rank 5.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a small terminal with his remaining hand.

I can see his finger moving to press the switch.

Is it because of the mental shock? My reaction is too slow. I can’t stop him from pressing it now.

‘Then…!’

I moved the energy field I had set up in advance. The invisible energy field extended in all directions like a hedgehog’s spines.

The target isn’t the terminal he’s holding. The energy field pierced through the garbage nearby. Specifically, the unidentified devices hidden within.

Regardless of my mental state, the energy field accurately targeted its objectives. Explosions occurred one after another in the garbage heap, and machine fragments of various sizes flew up.

At the same time, Bumho leaped toward me, surrounded by a purple light. That previous one was a decoy. This is the real attack.

‘Direct contact is the activation condition!’

He’s getting closer to me. It’s impossible to deflect him now. I need to push him away by other means.

I opened my mouth toward him. The MPS hidden between my teeth flew out toward him. The moment the mini screamer attached to his face, I shot a wave with the monster’s tentacle.

[Zzzzz Zzz (Transfer the MPS!)]

PS-111, who was far away, activated the power of Prometheus. Blue particles enveloped the two.

Just before disappearing, a purple line shot out from Bumho’s fingertip. Before I could block it, the line slightly touched my body.

And an irresistible fatigue swept over me. I collapsed right there.

‘Possession!’

The real body disappeared as soon as its owner vanished. But the dagger Bumho left behind still remains here.

I don’t know how much longer I can hold out in this state. At most, another minute? Once I lose consciousness, I can’t do anything more.

‘To delay his control…’

I gathered my remaining strength and raised my tails and tentacles. Then I struck the central head with all my might.

“Gruk?!”

“Grrrr!”

The heads on both sides are bewildered. But I ordered them to attack the central head as well.

The central head controls my body. If Bumho possesses me, he’s likely to dwell there. So removing it will delay his takeover of my body.

I have the two side heads and the dragon’s heart to maintain survival. I won’t die immediately just because the central head is gone.

“Feedback activated!”

“Feedback activated!”

The hard carapace breaks and blood gushes out. Abnormal fatigue and pain, along with the words I heard from Bumho, mix chaotically.

In this confused state, I tried hard to recall what was precious to me.

No. 26, Adhigh, and those who have been with me.

My last hope.

‘…I leave the rest to you.’

With that, my consciousness sank into darkness.