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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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Chapter 380
"Megacorp’s officially designated colony, LV-06. Are you planning to go there?"
[Z ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Yes. I’m heading for the genetic research center attached to the colony.)]
"A genetic research center, you say? That sounds intriguing."
Standing before the holographic device assembled from salvaged ship parts, PS-111 blinked its camera-like eye. It seemed pleased with the next destination.
‘That makes sense.’
Megacorp constantly modifies the inhabitants of its colonies based on their intended purpose.
For example, the residents of human resource production planets are engineered to have an increased reproductive drive. Meanwhile, those used as raw material for Hulk Mutants are designed to exhibit extreme aggression and low intelligence.
Genetic research facilities serve to tailor the genes of a colony’s population to fit its designated purpose. As a result, they store a vast array of genetic samples.
For PS-111, this was the first opportunity since encountering the Supreme Council of the Star Union and Pyra Eleven’s Screamer support fleet to access such a large collection of genetic material.
‘It was an excellent opportunity to upgrade itself, no wonder it was eager.’
Though, since this isn’t the Solar System, it won’t have anything truly rare.
If I could reach Megacorp’s database on the Moon, I might find Apex creature samples. But expecting that from a standard colony’s research facility would be unrealistic. This time, I’d have to prioritize quantity and diversity over quality.
｢If it’s a colony research center, do you think we can get a ‘Revenant Organ’ as well?｣
Mother of the Sky had emerged from below, directing the question at me.
Thanks to the Monolith of the Double Helix, a Type-2 Cosmic Horror reward, I could now implant up to two traits into my allies and her.
She wanted Revenant Organ and Superior Homeostasis. The latter was already taken care of I had managed to hunt down a few more Pyromancers before the pirates arrived, allowing me to implant it without issue.
Now, with the combination of the Fountain of Life trait from the Thunderbird and Superior Homeostasis, her survivability had skyrocketed. Like me, she wouldn’t die unless her head and heart were completely destroyed.
‘If I could acquire a Revenant Organ here, that would be perfect.’
Of course, whether or not I’d find one on LV-06 was another matter entirely.
[ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ (We’ll have to see. I’ve never been to this place before.)]
｢Yeah, I don’t think I ever saw this planet in the game either.｣
She nodded while looking at the holographic map.
‘The destination is set. Now, how should we get there?’
Normally, I’d just use Faster than Light travel like always, but this time, things were different.
Because of the new friend beneath me.
I can’t just carry the Mountain Crawler along with me.
It was roughly the same size as me, but its weight was significantly greater. Carrying it while performing Faster than Light travel was impossible.
‘Using Starlight Coordinates isn’t an option either.’
Starlight Coordinates immobilize the target for a time after transport, and the larger the subject, the longer that time lasts. If I teleported something as large as the Mountain Crawler, it would be unable to move for at least a few days. If any unforeseen problems arose during that time, things could get complicated.
‘That leaves only one option.’
I approached the pirate ship that Sechan had brought.
The vessel, unmistakably a Megacorp design with its sleek aerodynamic form, measured around 500 meters in length roughly six or seven times my own.
‘Alright, let’s get started.’
I grabbed onto the edges of the hole that PS-111 had carved into the hull with my winged arms. With a push, I widened the gap and shoved my three heads inside.
"Why is the Amorph doing that?"
｢Looks like it's about to use that technique again.｣
"It’s trying to assimilate the ship."
"Assimilate?"
As half my body entered the ship, I extended my Assimilation Tendrils outward. The ship’s interior warped and crumbled where they passed, but that didn’t matter.
Soon, every part of this vessel would bend to my will.
The moment my tendrils touched the inner walls of the ship, a familiar text box appeared before my eyes.
｢Confirmed: Suitable size for Assimilation. Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes. Control duration: 60 days.｣
｢Assimilation time is proportional to the target’s size.｣
｢Control duration depends on the user’s stored energy. Once the control period ends, the assimilated target will be automatically discarded.｣
｢Begin Assimilation?｣
It’s been a while since I’ve seen this message.
This was the second Unique Trait I had ever obtained, but I rarely used it after gaining the ability to travel at Faster than Light speeds on my own.
Rather than the trait itself, I had relied more on its side effect, the creation of specialized tendrils.
But now, it was time to bring back the trait that allowed me to seize control of ships Horizon of Nightmares.
‘Let’s begin.’
Six long tendrils slithered toward the heart of the vessel. The first to reach the engine room immediately began spewing mucus.
A wave of black fluid engulfed the Faster than light drive in an instant. Not stopping there, it surged outward, spreading through the ship’s structure. Given the vessel’s sheer size, the Assimilation process was progressing at an impressive rate.
"What the hell? Is the ship… turning into a nest?"
Isabel’s voice carried a tone of astonishment.
She had never seen me use Horizon of Nightmares before. In the game, the only entities capable of assimilating ships like this were Outspacers, so her reaction was understandable.
｢It’s a trait that lets it dominate ships and turn them into biomechanical vessels. It looks like it was created from one of its perks.｣
"Could you take over that hidden Giga Cracker you have too?"
｢It seems to depend on the ship’s size, but it should be possible. However, once a ship becomes a biomechanical vessel, it has a time limit. When the duration expires, the ship completely breaks down and becomes unusable.｣
"Hmm, I see."
Having seen me seize ships multiple times, Mother of the Sky took it upon herself to explain.
｢We still need to bring everything along, pack up the study materials, gather food, and… and…｣
"I will assist. I’ll bring everything first."
｢Okay!｣
Number 26 and PS-111 were already busy preparing for departure. Even as I assimilated the ship, I could sense them moving about at a rapid pace.
"……."
Meanwhile, Sechan, the ship’s former owner, remained utterly speechless as he watched his vessel morph into something grotesque.
It wasn’t just because of the parasite in his brain even without it, his reaction would’ve been the same. Seeing a metal ship turn into a living creature was something that completely defied common sense.
Amidst the commotion, Adhai alone remained completely relaxed, curled up and dozing off. The slight flick of her tail suggested she was enjoying a pleasant dream.
Five minutes passed since the Assimilation process began.
The pirate ship that once surrounded me was gone. In its place was something alive, pulsing with the black mucus my Assimilation tendrils had secreted.
‘It’s done.’
A biomechanical vessel linked to my core was now fully under my command. I eliminated all unnecessary rooms and facilities, creating ample space for the Mountain Crawler to board.
[Z ZZ (It’s finished.)]
"Really?"
｢From the outside, yes. But the interior is completely different.｣
"Doesn’t look that different to me."
Visually, the only noticeable change was the color the ship had turned pitch black. Isabel hovered slightly off the ground, circling around to get a better view.
Horizon of Nightmares allowed me to integrate some of my own traits into the ship. To demonstrate, I formed a massive mouth, a Reaper’s Maw and let her see it firsthand.
"So it’s really like a second body for you."
[ZZ (Yeah.)]
"And inside, it’s basically your stomach, right?"
[ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (Not exactly, but close.)]
"That’s fascinating."
Just because something entered the ship didn’t mean I could consume it. To absorb prey and extract their Genetic Essence, I needed to devour them through the Reaper’s Maw.
After retracting the maw, I formed a new entryway along the ship’s side. Isabel, brimming with curiosity, studied it for a moment before stepping inside.
｢I’m coming in too!｣
"There’s a lot to move. Please enlarge the entrance."
PS-111 and Number 26 continued hauling in supplies, food, machinery, and everything else we’d gathered on this planet. I extended tendrils from the ship’s exterior, assisting them with the process.
‘I should wake up Adhai now.’
I extended a tendril and gave her plump tail a light tap. She jolted awake, springing up in place.
｢What?｣ ｢Just now｣ ｢What was that?｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ (It’s time to wake up.)]
｢Big One?｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (We’re leaving this place. Get ready.)]
She rubbed her eyes with her front paws and gave a sleepy nod.
‘Now, the only thing left is….’
｢Grrrrrng.｣
｢Don’t worry.｣
The Mountain Crawler had surfaced, fixing all four of its eyes on me while sniffing the air.
｢Gruuuh.｣
My appearance had changed, but my scent remained the same. After a brief moment, it relaxed and stepped closer. I created a large opening at the rear of the ship, allowing both the Mountain Crawler and Mother of the Sky to board.
The ship wobbled slightly as the massive creature climbed inside, but it soon stabilized.
｢You good? Can you still move?｣
[ZZZZ ZZZ(This much is fine.)]
｢…Having such a big body really is a hassle.｣
That enormous Mountain Crawler had survived a matter-antimatter bomb explosion. With that level of durability, it would be an incredible asset for ground combat.
‘But moving it around is another issue.’
For now, Horizon of Nightmares allowed me to transport it without trouble. But once the trait went on cooldown, I wouldn’t be able to move it easily. After raiding the colony’s research center, I’d need to wait a long time before I could relocate the creature again.
‘Unless I use the Giga Cracker.’
The Giga Cracker, a transport vessel specialized for hauling vast amounts of minerals, would be more than capable of carrying the Mountain Crawler with ease.
[ZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Let’s stop by Adhai’s home and leave it there for now.)]
｢What about feeding it?｣
[ZZZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZZ (We can use the minerals stored in the Giga Cracker.)]
｢So, you’re planning to ask the Coldbloods for help.｣
On the Ice Planet, Gallagons coexisted with Coldbloods. If we left the Mountain Crawler in their care, it should be able to manage for some time.
With everyone aboard, I turned my gaze toward Sechan, the last one left outside.
‘Should I take him along too?’
His connections could prove useful when infiltrating LV-06. Keeping him alive was a better option than consuming him right now. I ordered the parasite in his brain to make him board the ship.
‘Good.’
Everything was finally ready.
I focused my consciousness on controlling the assimilated vessel. Plasma, created from my biological energy, erupted from the ship’s thrusters.
Unlike flying with my winged arms, this brought a different kind of weightless sensation. The ship lifted off, and with a burst of speed, I pierced through the ash-filled clouds above.
As I ascended, I caught a final glimpse of the fire-scorched star behind me.
With everything on Aska-44 settled, I shot toward the dark expanse of space.
---
The moment the black ship left Asuka-44, a floating asteroid drifted ever so slightly.
｢‘The Predator’ has taken the ‘second bait.’｣
Its true identity was The Queen of the Outspacers.
Unlike a typical Queen, she was much smaller in size, concealed among the drifting rock fragments, silently observing the outside world.
｢The flying entity, presumed to be ‘The Predator,’ has departed.｣
｢Its spawn remains undetected.｣
｢The Empress’s plan with the ‘Great Nemesis’ remains unaffected.｣
With deliberate caution, the Queen inched closer to the lingering wake left behind by the black ship. Slender tendrils extended from her body, brushing against the residual energy of the Faster than light jump.
｢‘The Predator’ is dangerous. We must track it carefully.｣
｢We have improved since the last encounter. It will not be a problem.｣
｢‘The Predator’ is dangerous. Move with caution.｣
Just as the residual energy was about to fade entirely, the Queen’s body glowed blue.
A moment later, she too vanished leaving behind nothing but a faint azure light and scattered fragments of rock.
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Author’s Note:
Horizon of Nightmares: Your hunting ground is not limited to a single planet. This trait enhances the effects of your Unique Traits. You can use ‘Assimilation Tendrils’ to consume and control spacecraft.
- Affected Traits:
- Symbol of the Hunt (Duration increased to 20 minutes)
- Organic Evolution (Unlocks special state: "Cunning Underdog")
- Great Infector (Enhancement limit increased)
- Dragon’s Heart (Boosts traits that consume Psychic Power)
- Herald of Mass Confusion (Wider area of effect & increased potency)
- Complex Spectral Organ (Cooldown reduced to 30 minutes)
- Medusa Organ (Can regulate enemy gene mutation speed)
- Adaptive Bioweapon (Assimilation Tendrils can be modified)
- Black Devourer Cannon (Energy consumption reduced)
- Assimilation Tendrils: Allow the user to consume and convert spacecraft into bio-mechanical entities under their direct control. While linked to a ship, the user can access certain ‘physical-type traits.’ Once the user’s stored energy is depleted, the effect will automatically be canceled.
- Usage Limit: Once every 7 days, and only once per individual spacecraft.
- Available Physical Traits: Regeneration, Mimicry Organ, Claws, Reaper’s Maw, Complex Spectral Organ, Behemoth Carapace, Thermal Spiked Exoskeleton.
- Warning: Once Assimilation begins, it cannot be stopped midway.
- P.S.: ‘Nightmare’ is just a word. In reality, it’s far worse.
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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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