Ch.58Transcendence (2)

“I had a feeling something was off…”

None of the traits I know involve such a long and complex transformation.

“In times like this, I need to check everything carefully.”

I meticulously examined the changes in the text box as if I were reviewing a contract.

“As I expected, the Transcendence system is related to evolution.”

Next to Juvenile was written “Transcendence Level 1” in parentheses. I’d have to wait until evolving to Subadult to know more details, but I suspected that future evolution conditions would be related to Transcendence.

“The problem is…”

Two important traits had been sealed.

Right after the transformation, I felt heaviness throughout my body and worried I might not be able to use my wings anymore. And I was right. It was disappointing that the very first trait I obtained, one that had been crucial in important battles, was now sealed.

“And not being able to use my mimicry organs is also painful.”

I tried to activate my mimicry organs, but there was no response from the tiny holes in my body. Looking closely at the holes, I saw that most were blocked by the thickened outer skin. Some holes remained, but their shape had changed slightly.

“Come to think of it, there was something about intimidation when Complete Organism is active.”

One effect of Complete Organism was intimidation. Perhaps the intimidating pheromones were overriding the pheromones produced by the mimicry organs.

In Space Survival, there are various types of traits, equipment, and skills, and some can restrict other abilities. True to the game’s emphasis on reality, restrictions aren’t applied arbitrarily but through logically acceptable mechanisms.

For example, AP rounds contain materials that block the flow of psychic power, preventing the use of psychic abilities in a certain area for a certain time.

This case should be viewed similarly. Wings became unusable because my weight increased significantly, and mimicry organs became unusable because the organs changed to produce new pheromones.

“Then perhaps voice mimicry still works?”

I tried making sounds with my mouth to check.

“Ah-ah-it-*gurgle*-works-but-*grrrr*”

I could produce sounds, but not perfectly like before. My voice sounded strange, like from a broken recorder, and was mixed with the AMorph’s characteristic growling.

Complete Organism had perfectly applied to my entire body, including internal organs, as if to say such workarounds wouldn’t be tolerated.

“I can’t deceive anyone with this voice.”

It might work for intimidating enemies, but not for deception.

“Usually when such restrictions appear, there’s also a way to remove them.”

I noticed I had a new message notification. I accepted it.

「Information about two ‘Transcendence’ systems has been unlocked.

‘Unique Trait Synthesis’ unlocked. You can fuse ‘Unique’ traits at any time.

Information about ‘Transcendence (Level 2) Breakthrough’ unlocked. Would you like to view this information?」

“Transcendence breakthrough.”

I checked the Transcendence (Level 2) Breakthrough.

「’Transcendence (Level 2)’: Combine 5 fusion traits to unlock a new type-related trait. The traits used as materials must each be related to different types. Information about the new type will be unlocked.

Available trait list: Regeneration (Fusion), Predator Sense (Fusion), Parasitic Colony (Fusion), ?(Fusion), ?(Fusion)

Additional reward: Restrictions from Transcendence Level 1 will be removed.

*P.S.: The material traits for breakthrough can be replaced with other traits. Please note.」

“Hmm.”

The unlocking method was provided, but it wasn’t easy. Creating fusion traits wasn’t difficult, but the requirement for each to be related to different types was problematic.

“Currently, I’ve unlocked conditions for 3 types.”

From there, I need to obtain two more fusion traits related to types I haven’t acquired yet. It’s almost as difficult as meeting evolution conditions.

The fortunate thing is that as long as the fusion traits are related to types, any can be used as materials. If it demanded “specific” traits like Level 1 did, it would take ages to reach Level 2.

“Not easy.”

It’s regrettable that traits I frequently used are sealed, but what’s done is done. When the environment changes, I must adapt my strategy accordingly.

“Hiding and ambushing one by one is now difficult.”

But I’m still not strong enough to confront this city head-on. I have too few traits and only one type.

“The key is how strong this new trait will be.”

I approached a wall to test it.

“Before, I weakened walls with acidic blood before making holes.”

The metal forming the city’s foundation was naturally sturdy. I wondered how much stronger my body had become with the Complete Organism effect, which was close to evolution-level enhancement.

I applied slight force to my combat arm and swung it at the wall. A chilling sound cut through the air, followed by a thunderous noise that vibrated throughout the corridor.

“As expected.”

Four claw marks remained on the wall that had previously been merely dusty with no special scratches.

All were equally deep, over 20cm—exactly matching the length of my claws.

Despite creating cracks in the solid metal wall, my claws remained intact.

“Next, durability.”

I tried stabbing my reinforced skin with those claws. Gentle stabbing didn’t even penetrate. Only when I scratched with significant force did it leave a slight wound.

“Strength, speed, skin hardness. All significantly enhanced.”

With this level of defense, I could withstand plasma weapon fire to some extent. This means armed police and androids without plasma weapons couldn’t kill me.

“Unless the defense fleet bombards me from above, my chances of dying are low.”

That’s certainly good news, but the problem is the Cult with psychic powers.

My body has very high physical defense but low resistance to psychic powers. I have the psychic resistance trait, but it doesn’t receive type enhancement effects, so it’s not covered by Complete Organism.

“If I use Hunter’s Emblem, I get resistance to all attacks. With that, I could block psychic powers to some extent… wait?”

I read the Hunter’s Emblem entry again.

“Hunter’s Emblem. Limited to once per day for 10 minutes, but increases predation probability.”

The restrictions are quite strict, but the effects are exceptionally good.

“If I use Hunter’s Emblem and kill Cult members, I could easily obtain psychic-related traits.”

I need just one more trait for the psychic enhancement type. Once I get the type, it will be covered by Complete Organism, greatly increasing my defense against psychic powers.

Also, if I can quickly secure multiple traits, it won’t take long to remove the restrictions caused by Transcendence.

For Transcendence Level 2 breakthrough, quantity matters more than quality. I just need to quickly secure multiple traits, fuse them, and use them as breakthrough materials.

“For that, I need to go to the commercial district.”

The board meeting is approaching soon.

When the board meeting is held, various alien species visit for tourism. Since they come for tourism, they naturally flock to centers of consumption and entertainment.

“I need to target when new visitors are crowding in.”

It’s a situation where new genetic essences gather in one place. If I target them at the right time, I can secure genetic essences without much difficulty.

Also, with many spectators, all sorts of criminal elements follow. Security will be tightened accordingly, but think of it another way: the enemies will have too many targets to focus all their resources on me alone.

They’ll certainly pursue me if I kill people, but it won’t be easy to devote all their forces to me. Eventually, they’ll recognize me as a major threat, but by then I’ll have gathered enough traits for Transcendence breakthrough.

“I should also finish the nest work I’ve been postponing before the board meeting.”

Places in the entertainment and commercial districts. I’ll build new nests there.

While I was planning what to do next, No. 26, who had awakened, sent a wave.

「What was that sound just now?」

[Zz zz zzz (Nothing much)]

「Huh?」

When I said it was fine, he was about to go back to sleep but jumped up when he saw me.

He seemed to find it strange that my appearance now was different from what he saw before sleeping. Light flickered from his body.

「I’ve gotten smaller again.」

My current size is over 3m when standing on two legs. Compared to before when I was well under 2m, I’ve grown about 1.5 to 2 times. My tail grew slightly less proportionally but still exceeds 4m.

No wonder he’s confused, seeing me grow so much while he was asleep.

[Zz zz zzz zzz (No. I’ve grown bigger)]

「Already? You didn’t even eat much?」

No. 26, who had grown smarter, asked. I gave him a simple answer.

[Zzzzz zz (It’s because I’m still a baby)]

「Big babies grow fast. Amazing.」

No. 26 seemed to accept this and didn’t ask further. While we were talking, Adhigh also woke up.

He looked at me and jumped in surprise.

「Surprise」「Surprise!」

[Zzzzz (What’s wrong?)]

「Adult」「Cool!」

[Zzzzz (Thank you)]

Adhigh seems very pleased with my transformed appearance. He kept looking at me and turning in place like a puppy wanting to play. At the same time, the wings on his back fluttered with a peculiar movement.

「Adult」「Egg」「Unnecessary?」

‘Huh?’

「I」「Adult」「Egg」「Need」「Egg」「Egg」「Egg」

Adhigh seemed extremely pleased with me.

As I remained silent, No. 26 beside me extended a tentacle and slapped Adhigh’s head.

「Pain!」

「Big baby can’t lay eggs.」

「I」「Growth」「Egg」「Possible」

「Little baby can’t lay eggs either.」

「Pain!」

With those words, No. 26 hit Adhigh once more. After being hit twice, he finally seemed to come to his senses and stopped spinning around.

“…There’s not much known about Gallergorn mating.”

The movement Adhigh just showed seemed like a courtship gesture. Gallergorn fans would have fainted if they were here.

Honestly, I’m quite interested in Gallergorn reproduction too. To evolve, I need to kill many Gallergorn. Knowing how they reproduce and grow would be a great help for evolution.

“Well, that’s something to think about later.”

Hunting Gallergorn is a matter for much later. Right now, making nests is the priority.

[Zzzzzz (I’ll be going out)]

「Are you making nests?」

[Zz (Yes)]

「I’ll come with you.」

[Zzzzzz (Won’t you be bored?)]

「It’s fine.」

Adhigh also seems to want to come along.

“There’s no real need to leave them behind.”

I took them with me to work on making nests.

Just as I finished creating new nests in two locations in the entertainment district, I detected a familiar wave.

The parasite I had planted in William was sending waves from far away.

“What’s this?”

There are still a few hours left until I need to change the parasite. He couldn’t have died already.

As I expected, the wave transmitted by the parasite wasn’t about William’s death.

“Suicide attempt?”

To be precise, he wasn’t dead “yet.” According to the parasite’s wave, he was currently unconscious and moving rapidly toward somewhere in the commercial district.

“Hospital? Could it be?”

Now I understood what William was aiming for.

He was trying to reveal the parasite’s existence through a hospital’s detailed examination.

Many police officers in the detective team know that parasites were found in Sander’s body. I had instructed William to prevent the police from connecting the parasites to Sander’s death.

Thanks to that, the police had lost interest in the parasites and were just storing them.

But what would happen if the same parasite was found in William’s body at this point?

“They certainly wouldn’t sit idle.”

The parasites have organs that generate waves to send to me. If they learn about these organs, they might mobilize the Cult in the administrative district to track me.

“The Cult has tracking techniques among their psychic powers.”

William didn’t attempt suicide knowing all this. But he clearly did it to resist me somehow.

“I need to go to the hospital.”

It seems I’ll have to accelerate my new plan to attack the commercial district.