Ch.98Nightmare Beyond the Horizon (3)

“Horizon of Nightmares.”

I double-checked the text box.

It was a typical high-risk, high-return characteristic, but what puzzled me was something else.

“The ability to control a spaceship.”

I knew about a similar characteristic.

It was “Ship Domination,” one of the unlockable perk functions of Outspacers.

Just as AMorphs grow stronger in stages, Outspacers also unlock various functions as their colony grows.

One of these is Ship Domination, which allows them to steal ships from other species and turn them into mobile colonies.

From the moment they gain this function, the Outspacer queen can move to other planets.

“Sure, other species can hijack ships too, but…”

Only Outspacers possess the ability to transform ships into new organisms they can control.

Just like killing, devouring, and evolving are unique characteristics of AMorphs.

“Normally, you can never obtain characteristics similar to a species’ unique traits.”

Yet the Transcendence System broke that principle.

The first unique trait I obtained was Complete Organism.

When I first transformed into the Avatar of Hunt through this trait, I thought I was similar to a Volf.

The Volf, a beast-humanoid species, has a unique technique that allows them to transform into a beast form optimized for combat under certain conditions.

Thanks to this trait, despite still being a Juvenile, I wasn’t overwhelmed when engaging in close combat with other powerful enemies.

“Complete Organism is similar to Volf’s transformation, and Horizon of Nightmares resembles Outspacer’s Ship Domination.”

I’ve only obtained two unique traits through the Transcendence System.

It might be too early to conclude, but I had a thought.

“Is the Transcendence System trying to help AMorphs transcend their limitations?”

If so, what is the end goal of transcendence? What is it transcending for?

Currently, I’m at Transcendence Level 1.

I’ve acquired two unique traits using the Transcendence System, but I haven’t yet entered Transcendence Level 2.

I brought up the message I received when I obtained Complete Organism.

「’Transcendence (Level 2)’: Combine 5 fusion traits to unlock a new type-related trait. All traits used as materials must 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: The taboo imposed at Transcendence Level 1 will be lifted.

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

Perhaps when I reach Transcendence Level 2, I’ll find clues about why the Transcendence System exists.

“Come to think of it, evolution conditions and the Transcendence System overlap.”

To evolve into a Subadult, I need to acquire 4 types in addition to devouring intelligent beings, and to enter Transcendence Level 2, I need fusion traits related to 5 types.

If I prioritize evolution, I need to collect traits, making it difficult to enter Transcendence Level 2. Conversely, if I enter Transcendence Level 2 first, I consume traits, hindering my evolution.

In other words, prioritizing one delays the other.

“I thought it was just about expanding my options before.”

There might be more to it than I thought.

“No point in overthinking this now.”

I don’t want to dwell on problems without answers.

I shook my head and decided to experiment with my new unique trait, Horizon of Nightmares.

“Invasive tentacles. How exactly do they control a spaceship?”

Looking at the physical changes, Horizon of Nightmares seemed like a physical trait, but it wasn’t.

「⑤ Nest-related: Horizon of Nightmares (Unique)」

Surprisingly, it belonged to the nest enhancement category. Thanks to this, I had unlocked a total of five type conditions.

“So does it turn spaceships into mobile nests?”

Rather than overthinking, it would be faster to see for myself.

I extended my combat arm to try to produce an invasive tentacle.

I concentrated, but what emerged was the blood-sucking tentacle I already possessed.

“Is this not it?”

I tried all four combat arms, but only blood-sucking tentacles emerged.

I wondered if they might come from the small arms on my chest, but all I could see were tiny fingers.

I checked arms, legs, tail, even inside my mouth, but found nothing.

“Where could tentacles come from…”

My consideration led me to my carapace, which had changed the most.

Eight holes covered with a cortex of swirling patterns. These might be where the tentacles emerge.

I flexed my waist and back muscles, like doing a sit-up.

The membrane peeled away, and six tentacles shot out from inside.

“Got it.”

The tentacles, coated in sticky mucus, were black like petroleum, unlike the red blood-sucking tentacles.

Their form also differed from the blood-sucking tentacles.

If blood-sucking tentacles resembled octopus legs with saw-toothed claws instead of suckers, invasive tentacles were smooth like a snake’s body.

Unlike the nearly bare blood-sucking tentacles, they were covered with small but hard scales, making them appear much more durable.

Instead, they had mouths with sharp teeth at the ends and six appendages resembling starfish legs.

They were also much thicker than blood-sucking tentacles, almost the same thickness as my tail.

“This is a truly unfamiliar sensation.”

The feeling of moving six tentacles attached to my back was truly mysterious.

It was like the tingling sensation in your spine when looking down from a glass-floored observatory, but continuous.

The difference was that it felt natural, like moving an arm, rather than unpleasant or eerie.

I tried moving the appendages at the ends of the tentacles with the same sensation as clenching and unclenching a fist.

The appendages felt powerful, seemingly with a stronger grip than my combat arms.

“Let’s see.”

When I grabbed a seat with the appendages of my invasive tentacles, the hard alloy chair crumpled like an aluminum can.

“At this rate, they could be used as weapons, not just for controlling spaceships.”

New arms and weapons are always welcome.

Plus, I can consume food with the mouths at the ends of the invasive tentacles. I essentially have seven mouths now.

“This part will synergize well with the Avatar of Hunt.”

The Avatar of Hunt’s duration has also increased to 20 minutes due to the Horizon of Nightmares effect. With faster consumption speed, I can devour much more genetic essence than before.

“But why only six tentacles?”

There are eight holes, so shouldn’t eight tentacles emerge?

The invasive tentacles only emerged from the holes in the middle and lower part of my carapace.

The holes near my shoulders remained covered with the spiral-patterned membrane and no tentacles emerged.

“Ah, I think I understand.”

When I use the Avatar of Hunt, two arms with bone blades appear, so these holes must be where those arms emerge.

Having examined my new bodily organs enough, I decided to move on.

Now I needed to understand how to use this trait.

“How do I use this?”

After waving the tentacles around, I brought the mouths of the tentacles close to the inner wall.

A new text box appeared before me.

「Confirmed suitable size for invasion. Estimated time to complete invasion: 1 hour. Current controllable time after invasion: 30 days.」

「* Invasion completion time is proportional to the size of the invasion target.」

「* Controllable time is proportional to the energy stored by the user. When the controllable time expires, the control target will be automatically discarded.」

「Do you wish to begin invasion?」

I see.

From the message, it seems not just any spaceship can be invaded; it depends on size.

“This part probably varies with type acquisition or evolution stage.”

I don’t know yet if the escape vessel is the maximum size that can be controlled with invasive tentacles. I’ll need to acquire another ship to find out.

“The invasion time takes quite a while.”

Tactics like secretly infiltrating an enemy battleship to take control would be difficult. Of course, this aspect might be reduced by acquiring types or through other methods.

“Fortunately, the controllable time is quite long.”

Since it’s proportional to the user’s energy, if I consume more nutrients, the controllable time should increase.

“This is good enough. Now I need to use faster-than-light travel to reach Space Dog territory.”

Having understood most of the effects of my new trait, I tried to retract my invasive tentacles.

At that moment, No. 26, who had come out of the dining area after eating leftover food, saw me.

[Zz (Hello)]

「Whoa?」

Horizon of Nightmares only restricted the Avatar of Hunt, not my possessed traits, so my concern didn’t materialize.

Despite my greeting, No. 26 didn’t respond. His body flickered, perhaps surprised by my changed appearance.

Adhigh Orr, coming out from behind, also flapped his wings in surprise when he saw me.

「Adult」「Growth」「End?」

[Z (Yes)]

「I」「Moved」「Adult」「Cool」「Cool!」

Adhigh ran over and circled around me. Fascinated by my transformation, he tapped my invasive tentacles with his front paws as he circled.

「Adult」「Mouth」「Many」

[Zzz (They increased)]

「Excellent」

Adhigh nodded in admiration.

No. 26 also approached and extended a tentacle to stroke my invasive tentacles.

「Big baby really cool.」

[Zz (Thanks)]

His body glowed strongly red as he touched me. As a Sea Demon, he seemed particularly pleased with the multiple tentacles on my body.

“I’m glad they like it.”

I didn’t feel particularly bad about their positive reactions.

“If I looked like this in a game, I’d be labeled as disgusting content.”

While players would be horrified by my current appearance, these creatures had different sensibilities.

Anyway, since they seemed to have sufficiently examined my new form, I retracted my invasive tentacles back into my carapace.

「Ah.」

No. 26’s body slumped, apparently quite fond of the invasive tentacles. I patted his head once and headed to the control room.

Thanks to my increased size, the once spacious control room now felt quite cramped.

Especially since my body structure had changed to move in a somewhat hunched posture, it became quite uncomfortable to control the spaceship with my small arms.

“After the invasion is complete, I’ll need to check if faster-than-light travel is possible.”

I manipulated the terminal to activate faster-than-light travel.

The small nuclear reactor, the heart of the escape vessel, moved vigorously, delivering massive energy to the light-speed engine located at the rear of the ship.

Soon, our ship transcended the realm of light and leaped somewhere beyond space.

A shower of light fell upon the darkness beyond the reinforced glass at the front of the cockpit.

Colorful particles on a black canvas intertwined and danced, changing positions with each other.

By the end of this stellar ball that existed beyond human time, we were in Space Dog territory.

“We’ve arrived.”

Leaving the cockpit, I explained the plan to the others.

After invading the ship, we would look for a new ship and food.

「Okay. I’ll sleep in the meantime.」

「Agree」

Having made them understand, I went to the cargo hold to replenish my energy.

Instead of stored ingredients, I started eating calorie bars first.

“I need a lot of energy quantitatively.”

Honestly, I don’t want to eat them because they taste bad, but I have no choice.

After forcing myself to eat about half of the calorie bars in the cargo hold, I activated my invasive tentacles.

The controllable time had increased to 50 days compared to before.

“This should be enough.”

Leaving the cargo hold, I headed to the engine room.

In the center of the engine room, I saw a silvery spherical engine. That was the light-speed engine that enabled the ship’s faster-than-light movement.

In front of it, I activated my invasive tentacles.

“Begin invasion.”

My six tentacles stretched out and attached to the engine room walls.

Black mucus sprayed from the mouth parts of the tentacles and began to seep into the alloy inner walls.

The mucus was similar to the liquid I secreted when making a nest.

The difference was that it spread much faster.

The mucus ejected by the invasive tentacles quickly covered the engine room. Even the engine, which had been glowing as if it didn’t want to die, couldn’t resist for long and was submerged in the black wave.

The moment the mucus engulfed the engine, I felt a completely different sensation.

The process of one of the symbols of cutting-edge science and the essence of Megacorp space technology being reborn as a new entity under the will of the invasive tentacles.

That process felt as vivid as if it were happening inside my body.

「Thump」「Thump」

The black engine pulsates.

It looked like the heart of a living organism.

–

Sector I-97.

A surplus space in the universe with neither resource-rich planets nor strategically important positions.

It was a place that had escaped the attention of prominent forces in the universe such as Megacorps, the Cult Empire, or the Star Union.

As the saying goes, when the tiger is away, the fox becomes king. Sector I-97 was dominated by Space Dogs, the hyenas of space.

The Lusrak Cartel was one of the pirate factions that used Sector I-97 as a hideout.

Their main sources of income were smuggling rare animals and plundering other ships.

Therefore, all cartel members were excellent hunters and professional smugglers.

Milo Lusrak, the notorious leader of the Lusrak Cartel and a great Volf warrior, was in a good mood.

“Things have gone very well this time.”

Thanks to closing a big deal with a high-ranking Capital of a Megacorp, Milo had earned a considerable amount of credits.

It was such a large sum that he could buy all the prostitutes in the hideout and party extravagantly for a whole year without running short.

Milo grinned as he thought about the warm, fluffy fur of Volf prostitutes and the cool tongue play of scaled female Coldblood.

As he quietly took off his pants while lying on the bed in the captain’s quarters, the communicator beside the bed suddenly rang.

It was a communication from Vice Captain Stax.

「Captain Milo.」

“I’m busy.”

「We’re picking up a signal on the way to Sector I-97.」

“Must be some other group. Ignore it.”

Milo tried to dismiss it as nothing important, but the vice captain wouldn’t let him enjoy his pleasant time.

「Captain.」

“Fucking hell. What?”

「We’re detecting biosignals, and the signal pattern seems similar to a Skywhale.」

“What?”

Hearing that, Milo became alert and jumped up from the bed.

“A Skywhale is here?”

「Not certain.」

“Shit, we need to catch it first!”

Despite their popularity, Skywhales are very difficult to encounter.

Even for him, a smuggling expert, the number of times he had seen one could be counted on one hand.

“Set course for the signal. I’ll be right there.”

「Yes, sir.」

Quickly pulling up his pants, he left the captain’s quarters.

“Hehehe, the Wolf God must be helping me. To even give me a Skywhale.”

If he could capture a Skywhale alive, he would become so rich that he wouldn’t need to worry about the credits from this deal.

Arriving at the situation room, he checked the signal shown by the vice captain.

“How does it look?”

“Hmm…”

Looking at the signal, Milo drooled.

“It is similar to a Skywhale.”

Though he hadn’t seen many, he remembered the signal.

The signal detected on the monitor was slightly different from the typical signal emitted by Skywhales.

“Well, I haven’t seen many either.”

Not all Skywhales emit the same signal. Each individual has different characteristics, and these differences are reflected in their signals.

“Well, since it’s on our way, we can check it directly.”

He thought it wasn’t a big deal and ordered to head toward the location of the signal.

“If it is a Skywhale, what should I do? What would be best?”

The black universe spread out in front of the situation room.

The twinkling stars seemed to whisper good fortune to Milo and his crew.