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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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Chapter 365
Finding a place where the Pyromancer might frequent turned out to be easier than expected. After leaving the lava lake, I discovered several locations teeming with creatures.
'Finding it this quickly is unexpected.'
A volcanic planet, much like an ice planet, has an extremely harsh environment. Most creatures, with few exceptions, roam endlessly in search of food.
Regions like lava lakes serve as temporary resting spots for these wandering creatures. The Pyromancer often visits such places to hunt them while they rest.
Outside of these rare safe havens, it's unusual to find creatures gathering in one place. That’s why I expected this search to take longer but I was wrong.
“This doesn’t seem like a place where many creatures would gather… What’s going on?”
[ZZ (No idea.)]
A variety of creatures had gathered on an open, barren plain.
The Vulcarox maintained a cautious distance from one another, while a pack of Lavaraptor lingered nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Among them were smaller omnivores like Stoners, mingling cautiously.
Creatures from different habitats rarely gather in the same location, especially not somewhere that isn’t a resting ground.
'Did volcanic activity force them out of their homes?'
There aren’t many creatures on this planet that can survive near an erupting volcano unscathed. It’s possible they ended up here while fleeing.
'Since I found them early, should I just eat them?'
Since I had taken on the form of a Symbol of Hunt earlier, I couldn’t take advantage of my predation probability boost this time. Even so, with so many creatures gathered, I could still obtain at least three or four traits from hunting them as I am now.
'Besides, there are still other places the Pyromancer might go…'
Just as my thoughts drifted toward devouring the gathered beasts, a familiar signal reached me.
It came from quite a distance away a transmission from one of my parasites.
'Why would a parasite be contacting me all of a sudden?'
For a moment, I wondered if Mother of the Sky and PS-111 were in danger. I quickly checked the signal.
'The ones sending the signal are…'
Three parasites, all transmitting the same message.
If all three sent a signal simultaneously, there was only one explanation.
The explorers I had taken control of shortly after arriving on this planet.
The parasites controlling them had sent a message.
'They found its trail?'
At the time I dominated them, the explorers had already surveyed five volcanic sites. One of those sites showed signs of Magmasaur activity, and they were moving toward it.
'They haven’t started a hunt yet.'
The researchers were still aboard the same type of airship they had been using when I first encountered them.
Magmasaurs, often called the Demons of the Volcano, are like living, walking eruptions. Even high-ranking warriors struggle to fight them. It’s unlikely a mere research vessel would be deployed for combat it’s probably just a scouting mission.
“Something wrong?”
Isabelle asked as I stopped moving, idly flapping my wing-arms.
[ZZZZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Looks like they found a Magmasaur.)]
“What? That was fast.”
[ZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (They were already investigating, apparently.)]
“Makes sense. So, what’s your plan?”
My plan was to strike when Salmane fought the Magmasaur. It’s always best to take advantage of a difficult battle rather than facing an opponent head-on.
'Might as well check the location and terrain first.'
[ZZZZ ZZZZ (Let’s just confirm the site.)]
I turned in the direction the parasites had indicated, my group following.
As we lowered our altitude, we reached an area covered in volcanic ash. I hid within the black clouds. Unlike before, when the area had been quiet, enemies were now actively roaming. I had to move carefully.
'Even if I fight, it has to be on my terms, at my chosen time and place.'
As I moved forward with that thought in mind, I soon found myself near the three parasites’ location. With 'Dark Veil' suppressing enemy detection systems, I gradually lowered my altitude.
Just as I dipped my head beneath the cloud cover, a new signal reached me.
It wasn’t just the parasites guiding me someone else was sending a signal too.
'What now…? Hm?'
This time, the signal came from the parasite I had given to PS-111.
'Multiple reconnaissance ships have left the base?'
I had received the movement signal from the parasite-controlled explorers about thirty minutes ago. Since the report about the departing ships came late, it must mean the parasite only just managed to infiltrate the base.
A sudden shift in the explorers' movements, coupled with a reconnaissance fleet departing this all pointed to them prioritizing reconnaissance over combat.
'If they’re sending out a large number of ships, I’ll need to be more cautious.'
Even though my body was wrapped in 'Dark Veil', making me invisible to enemy sensors, there was still a risk. A stray patrol craft could spot me with the naked eye.
I remained concealed within the blackened clouds, stained by volcanic ash, and only lowered my central head to observe.
On the horizon, where the land met the clouds, loomed an enormous volcano. It was as massive as the Black Mountain in Adhai’s former homeland.
The difference, however, was that the Black Mountain had been dormant. This one wasn’t. In the distance, the colossal volcano spewed immense amounts of smoke and ash into the sky.
Even after reaching my current form being massive enough to be considered a true kaiju I still felt small before the raw power of nature.
'That must be the place.'
A mountain that looked like something straight out of an apocalyptic scene. Surrounding it, hundreds of ships hovered in formation.
It was the reconnaissance fleet Mother of the Sky had mentioned. Small vessels moved between the mountainside and the fleet, indicating an active search operation.
'Might as well get a little closer.'
Keeping my eyes fixed on the fleet, I flapped my wings.
They had no idea I was hiding within the clouds. All their focus was on the volcano below, paying no attention to what might be moving above their heads.
I was now close enough to see the landed airships and walkers on the mountainside though they still appeared tiny from this distance.
I pulled my head back into the clouds. Even just my head was as large as some of those ships, so getting any closer would increase the risk of being spotted.
Instead, I turned to Isabelle. I needed her to check what those who had landed were up to.
She slithered downward like a swimming serpent, vanishing beneath the clouds. Staying within the 'Dark Veil’s' range, she moved to observe the enemy’s activities.
Her vision had been significantly enhanced thanks to her twin sister’s synchronization. She wasn’t as sharp-eyed as Mother of the Sky, but from this distance, she should still be able to get a good read on what they were doing.
A short while later, she returned.
“There’s a problem.”
[ZZZ (A problem?)]
Like PS-111, her metallic exterior made it difficult to detect any changes in expression. But her voice conveyed her unease.
“They brought Star Union bombs. A massive amount—enough to blow up the entire volcano.”
[ZZ (What?)]
Her voice was thick with disbelief.
I hadn’t anticipated this at all, and for a moment, even I was caught off guard.
---
“Did the Amorph receive the message?”
｢Yes. Since the parasites were implanted, the signal should have reached it by now.｣
A chamber filled with rare and valuable artifacts.
Inside stood a massive Screamer and two Wolves.
Mother of the Sky, a beastwoman with the head of a raptor, turned her gaze toward the Wolf in front of her.
Her counterpart was a male Wolf with the head of a fox. Blood dripped from his muzzle he was clearly not in normal condition.
PS-111 had forcibly implanted a parasite into him hence his current state.
‘Using parasites in my lifetime… who would’ve thought?’
Controlling NPCs and impersonating players using parasites these two tactics were the main reasons the Amorph had gained such a notorious reputation. She herself had fallen victim to parasites more times than she could count. Because of them, she had even team-killed her own clan members.
And now, she found herself using parasites here.
“Is your position that of an engineer?”
“W-Well, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an engineer…”
“If I determine that your response is insufficient, I can induce pain.”
“W-Wait! I handle the maintenance of the interior lighting in this facility!”
“Thank you for your useful response. Next question.”
While she was recalling a past she would rather forget, PS-111 continued the interrogation with practiced efficiency.
“Where is the computer that controls the lighting circuits in this facility?”
“Huh? Why do you no, never mind! I can access it remotely from my personal computer!”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
Satisfied with the answer, PS-111 nodded. The Mutant Screamer turned its eerily beautiful face toward the Mother of the Sky.
“By using this individual’s computer as an access point, we can remotely hack into Sector Q.”
｢…You’ve done well.｣
For a moment, she felt as though there were now two Amorphs here—but she kept that thought to herself.
Shortly after, PS-111 connected its cables to the computer that the fox Wolf had brought and began its work. Within minutes, it had secured access to several facility systems.
“The area equipped with maintenance and repair facilities is Sector Q. I have adjusted the security systems along the route, so follow the path I provide.”
｢That’s possible?｣
“It is, if it’s me.”
｢Then, can you also access the equipment storage from here?｣
“Certain locations are protected by a cult-style security system. These systems are closed-loop and cannot be hacked remotely. You must physically access them or disable them via the central control room.”
｢That makes things more difficult.｣
The reason the two had come here in secret was to craft her equipment. The enemy’s storage facility could be tackled later, together with the Amorph.
‘A bit disappointing, but it can’t be helped.’
At any rate, they had found a way to achieve their goal with minimal hassle. With Wolf leading the way, the two left the storage room and headed for Sector Q.
On the way to the repair facility, they didn’t encounter a single person. Thanks to PS-111’s continuous adjustments to the angles of the corridor cameras, they weren’t recorded either. Compared to when they had first infiltrated the base, the process was surprisingly easy.
After traversing several corridors, they finally arrived at Sector Q.
As they pushed open the reinforced alloy doors, a scene resembling the interior of a factory greeted the uninvited guests.
“I will begin immediately.”
｢Alright. I’ll leave it to you.｣
With that, PS-111 retrieved the hide of the Dreadsong and body fragments of the Vortex One from within itself. Then, it adjusted the settings on the sector’s computer to enable material processing and assembly.
If the flames of this massive metal forge were extinguished.
Then, the Mother of the Sky would finally obtain Wolf’s one-of-a-kind, top-tier armor.
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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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