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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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Chapter 349
‘It’s been a while.’
It’s the first time since I devoured Jason on the ice planet.
At that time, I fused one of two traits with a player perk to create the new Mark of the Adversary trait. The result of that fusion was the 'Abyssal Hue’.
"Back then, I needed traits with completely different natures as materials."
I chose the 'Hallucinogenic Flames', over the 'Cosmic Bacteria', to create the Abyssal Hue. Had I chosen the Cosmic Bacteria, a completely different form of the Mark of the Adversary would have been created.
‘This time, I need to choose between a bodily-related trait and a nest-related trait.’
The former is 'Three Heads', a reward trait received upon evolving into an adult, and the latter is the regular trait 'Smog Tower'.
Just like before, these are two traits with entirely different natures. It’s impossible to predict what the result will be, so I must choose carefully.
‘I hope the trait that emerges is similar to Alshas’s perk.’
That being said, Alshas could create a duplicate of itself capable of using the original’s abilities. If I could obtain that ability now, it would be useful in many situations.
‘What should I choose to create something similar to the original?’
Out of the materials, the 'Three Heads' belongs to the bodily-related traits. This trait is what allows an Amorph to have multiple heads.
The left and right heads are controlled by the central head but can move independently. This characteristic might be reflected in the creation of a 'New Amorph', producing an effect similar to Alshas’s perk.
‘If that happens, it would be great, but there’s a problem.’
The problem is that 'Three Heads' is not a trait that can be easily obtained.
To obtain it again, I would need to target either an adult Amorph or a specific type of Vortex One.
Meeting an adult Amorph is as difficult as picking stars from the sky. Even excluding that, targeting a Vortex One with three heads isn’t easy either. It’s a far more dangerous creature than the Ring of Agony, and defeating it now would be tough.
‘If I use it as a material here, it would take quite a while to obtain it again.’
Just as 'Essence Harvester's Jaw' upgraded into 'Jaws of Essence Extraction' as I grew into a near-adult, 'Three Heads' would also fuse with another trait to become an even stronger trait.
A fusion trait made from 'Three Heads' would be quite powerful, so it feels somewhat wasteful to use it here.
‘On the other hand, Smog Tower doesn’t have that risk.’
This trait, which creates toxic fog around the nest, isn’t crucial to me at this point. Additionally, it’s not something that would be hard to acquire again.
However, it’s highly likely that it won’t produce the result I’m looking for, much like the Abyssal Hue did.
Originally, Jason’s ability was to expel a special substance from his body to create a golden form. Had I used Cosmic Bacteria as a material back then, I would have obtained a similar trait.
‘Would Smog Tower as a material lead to a trait that enhances the nest battles?’
Though I haven’t needed to use my nest recently, there’s no guarantee that this won’t change in the future. After turning the Cult Empire's base into rubble, I’ll likely face many more enemies moving forward. Also, I’ll need to pay attention to battles against Outspacers in mass warfare.
But honestly, I have no idea what kind of trait will come out.
A fusion of the ability to create copies and the trait that creates toxic fog in the nest.
It might result in a trait that can only create copies or something similar within the nest. The black slime of the nest is all organic material produced by my body. It’s not entirely impossible to use it to create new lifeforms.
However, if my guess is correct, the versatility of such a trait would be extremely limited.
If I’m in a situation where I can’t use the nest such as fighting a fleet or in space the trait would be useless.
‘Should I expend a rare material to get a trait that’s similar to the original?’
Or should I choose the material that’s easy to obtain, even if the outcome is uncertain?
None of the Mark of the Adversary trait I’ve obtained so far have been completely useless. Each one has its own pros and cons, so I don’t think I’d suffer any significant loss regardless of the result.
I continued to lie comfortably on the hangar floor, deep in thought.
After long deliberation about what material to use, I was finally able to make my decision.
‘I’ll use Three Heads.’
Even though the materials are precious, they’re not as valuable as the perk itself.
Looking at the players I’ve encountered so far, each of them has had a different effect with their perk. Even if I were to fight and defeat other ranked players in the future, the chances of acquiring the perk to create copies would be extremely low. Therefore, it’s irrational to give up on the possibility of obtaining the desired perk just because the materials are precious.
‘Besides, there’s the issue of versatility.’
As was the case this time, in the future, there could be more situations where I can’t rely on the nest. After all, I’m already in a position where I can freely fly through space, and my enemies will also attack me in various environments.
If the fusion with Smog Tower results in a trait that can only be used in the nest, it would naturally have reduced versatility.
‘Although I’m still not sure if ‘Three Heads’ will meet my expectations.’
It’s better to choose the option with the higher likelihood of success.
｢Are you sure you want to choose 'Three Heads' as a material? Once selected, it cannot be undone.｣
‘It doesn’t matter. Confirm.’
｢You are about to use the trait enhancement system. Would you like to proceed?｣
Coincidentally, there are some traits I currently have that are no longer needed.
‘Let’s use the following six: Adhesion Force, Chitinous Exoskeleton, Wings, Beast Claws, Enhanced Salivary Glands, and Digestive Fluid Secretion Enhancement.’
With the setup for the trait enhancement materials complete, the Mark of the Adversary system was activated.
｢Fusing the perk of 'Alshas (Olivia Green)' and the 'Three Heads' trait. Quantum-type中⫓◯⫦∬⫓ trait enhancement system engaged!｣
｢Enhancing traits...｣
｢Evolving into the 'Hydra Division' trait!｣
As the trait effect was applied, changes began to occur in my body.
From the shoulders and collarbone area, long necks emerged, each ending in two heads. A purple sheen began to flow over the surface of the area. It looked as if purple electricity was coursing through it, but there was no pain involved.
‘Strange feeling.’
｢Grrr?｣
｢Grrk?｣
Both left and right heads tilted in unison, seemingly experiencing the same sensation.
I checked the text box for the new Mark of the Adversary, 'Hydra Division.'
｢Hydra Division: Splits heads to create a copy that can act independently for 60 minutes. Up to 2 copies can be created, and they share some of the physical traits of the original body.
*Shared Elements: Body, Special Defenses, Internal Organs, Environment-Adaptive Traits
*Warning: If a copy is killed, regeneration will be impossible for 30 days.｣
‘Based on the description, it looks just like I expected.’
I had predicted that the heads would be used to create copies, and that’s exactly what happened.
However, unlike Alshas, it’s disappointing that the copies can’t use all of the original’s abilities.
‘Also, the number of copies is limited to 2.’
In a way, they could be seen as a downgraded version.
｢Grrr….｣
｢Grrk? Grrr?｣
‘I’m not talking about you.’
The left head seemed to read my thoughts and lowered its head apologetically. The right head tilted its head, then followed the left’s action.
‘Come to think of it, you seem a bit smarter.’
The two heads had always been intelligent enough to assist me in battle. However, they had never been able to express emotions as vividly as they do now.
‘Though they’re not getting out of control.’
It felt less like the body parts had developed a separate ego and more like the brain’s functionality had been enhanced.
‘Should I test it?’
I focused on the left head, which was glowing with purple light, and activated the Hydra Division.
As the trait activated, the purple glow surrounding the left head and neck began to deepen. It soon turned into a gelatinous purple texture, and then detached from my body, falling to the ground.
I almost collapsed to the ground as well. The loss of the neck threw off my balance, but the real reason was something else.
‘The energy consumption is immense.’
Although it wasn’t as much energy as when I used the Black Devourer Cannon, a significant amount of energy was still consumed. If Number 26 and Adhai hadn’t shoved the Ring of Agony meat into my mouth while I was unconscious, it might have been dangerous.
While I was regaining my posture, the purple jelly that had fallen to the ground began to grow larger.
Starting at around 15 meters in size, It rapidly grew and soon reached the size of a 50-meter giant monster. Its form was strikingly similar to that of an adult Amorph, except for the fact that it had only one head, was about 10 meters smaller than me, and had an overall more diminutive appearance.
‘It’s because the unique trait doesn’t apply.’
Unlike me, whose body has a heavy feel due to muscles, scales, and exoskeletons, this creature’s physique was much more slender.
Additionally, it was clear from the fact that it had a normal tail instead of a bio-cannon and lacked the Corrosive tentacles, making its carapace thinner.
That appearance was very similar to how I looked in the game.
Once its form was fully developed, its body color changed to black, just like mine. The black exoskeleton and scales shimmered with a purple sheen.
｢Grrrrr｣
The ‘left head’, now having gained a new body, growled. Since it couldn’t share psychic-related traits, the monster’s tentacles weren’t transplanted either. It was likely that it wouldn’t be able to communicate like I could.
‘So how do I control it?’
As I watched, the left head approached and licked me with its tongue, much like a pet dog eager to be loved by its master.
‘An Amorph’s affection, huh.’
It was cute, but not what I was hoping for in this situation. Just as I thought to push it away, a strange sensation suddenly gripped me, and the Auxiliary Organs under my chin tingled. It was an unfamiliar feeling I had never experienced before.
I could feel the presence of an Amorph with two heads in front of me.
Simultaneously, the left head, glowing faintly with purple light, was present.
It was as if I were seeing the world through compound eyes, with two images piercing my mind at once.
‘Two bodies sharing sensations…’
｢…An Amorph with two heads, huh.｣
At that moment, a thought-wave shot through the door leading to the corridor.
There, standing in the shape of a griffon beastman, was the Mother of the Sky. Her captivating amber eyes, filled with confusion, were directed at me and the left head.
‘Such a strange feeling.’
I was simultaneously seeing her with my main head and sensing her with the other body. Since the left head had no eyes, it detected her with the Auxiliary Organs under its chin, similar to when I entered hunting mode.
In other words, split into two, I was recognizing the griffon beastman’s presence through two different angles and sensory organs. This was the first time I had felt such a sensation since becoming an Amorph.
The one responsible for this newfound freshness moved toward the griffon wolf.
｢Huh? Wait, excuse me?｣
｢Grrrrr｣
Then, it opened its mouth and stuck out its long tongue to lick her. The golden fur covering her body stood on end, like a startled cat.
｢…….｣
[ZZ ZZ (Enough)]
｢Grrr?｣
It was easy to tell, even without the Auxiliary Organs, that she deeply disliked this. As soon as I sent the signal to stop, the creature’s tongue ceased its motion, halting just before licking the Mother of the Sky’s head.
‘Step back.’
I carefully moved the left head backward, just like when I first woke up as an Amorph hatchling.
[ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (Not used to it yet)]
｢Don’t do that again.｣
[Zzuzuzuz (Be carefull)]
｢What did I come here to see? What’s going on here?｣
The Mother of the Sky, soaked in the Amorph’s saliva, sighed heavily while wringing out her fur.
It seemed it would take some time to get used to the new trait.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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