——————
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
——————
Chapter 404
The dormant consciousness slowly began to awaken.
The red glow of the overhead lights installed on the ceiling of the storage bay, the rhythmic hum of the engine, and the sound of my twin heads breathing—all these subtle stimuli had been present even before I fell asleep. But now, something new and out of place had joined them.
What woke me was the heavy, metallic sound of someone stepping onto the floor.
‘Who is it?’
I opened my eyes to identify the intruder.
The first thing I saw was an MCAE-Multipurpose Construction Auxiliary Equipment—a machine that looked like something straight out of a classic sci-fi strategy game. It was carrying a large lump of mineral in its thick mechanical arms, likely in the process of transporting it.
In front of it stood two figures clad in full-body space suits. When they saw my eyes open, they hurriedly bowed.
‘Coldbloods.’
They must have come to deliver food for the Mountain Crawler. After giving me a polite bow, the Cold-bloods departed with the MCAE.
‘Well, now I’m wide awake.’
I closed my eyes again, but sleep didn’t come back. My body felt refreshed, so I decided to get up.
While still lying down, I activated my semi-transparent text box.
A lot had changed in the text box after the last battle. In addition to handing over the Revenant Engine to the Mother of the Sky, I had devoured and fused multiple traits during combat.
‘None of them were particularly game-changing…’
Still, I did gain a few traits that could be as useful as Hiveformer.
‘Disruptor Spine. Been a while since I saw this one.’
Disruptor Spine is a physical fusion trait that can be obtained by devouring a Cyborg and a Metallic Gremlin.
This trait allows the body to generate spines that mimic the ship’s electromagnetic signals. One of the spines on my back had transformed to serve this function.
With the Disruptor Spine, I could eavesdrop on or interfere with the communications of nearby ships. By sending distorted signals, it’s possible to confuse enemy factions. That’s its entire purpose.
‘It wasn’t that great of a trait in the game.’
In-game, it worked by making enemy ships occasionally disobey player commands, based on probability. The randomness made it unreliable for actual combat use. With superior options like Hijacking or Jamming, there was little reason to bother with this one.
The upside is that now, in reality, all those penalties are gone. As long as I’m close enough to a ship, I can intercept or disrupt its communications freely.
‘Would’ve been nice to have earlier.’
At this point, though, I don’t really need it.
Between the Herald of Mass Confusion and Number 26’s abilities, we already have effective ways to disable enemy comms. Plus, I acquired the Hijacking trait during the last fight, making Disruptor Spine even more redundant.
‘Still… there’s someone who could make better use of this than I could.’
That someone is PS-111, our dedicated hacker.
I was originally planning to give it Hijacking or Jamming, but on second thought, Disruptor Spine might suit it better.
‘The ability to directly control machines just isn’t that valuable for it.’
PS-111 already has the capability to pierce through enemy security systems the moment it gains access to their network.
What would be more fitting is the ability to infiltrate enemy communication networks and disrupt their links. Using the Silent Maneuvering trait I gave it earlier, it can sneak onto a ship and block it from contacting the outside world.
‘Disruptor Spine is definitely going to PS-111.’
The next useful trait I obtained is a psychic one—Ultra Control.
Normally, you’d have to devour a Staghorn Cultist to get it, but I was lucky enough to absorb it from a shadow-based entity.
The effect of Ultra Control is mind control—allowing me to take over a specific target for a limited time.
Unlike the Staghorn Cultist’s version, which had no time limits, this one comes with some restrictions. Still, that doesn’t make it any less powerful. It becomes especially effective when paired with traits like Mimicry Organ and Parasite for infiltration missions.
‘And more importantly…’
Ultra Control is a unique trait, and one of the materials required to synthesize a unique fusion through the Transcendence System.
I brought up the unique trait synthesis interface on the Transcendence System.
｢Transcendence’ Ingredient List: Inorganic Digestion, the Harvester’s Maw, Bone Beast, Infernal Illusion, Ultra Control.｣
The unlocking itself was completed long ago, but because the required ingredients are so finicky, the synthesis formula had long remained unfinished. Now that all the ingredients have been gathered, fusion can be performed at any time.
I would love nothing more than to fuse them immediately—but that isn’t possible.
‘The Harvester’s Maw. That’s the problem.’
It might be acceptable if it were another trait, but once the Harvester’s Maw is lost, restoring it isn’t easy. That trait can only be forged if one possesses the ‘Pure Harvester’s Jaw’—something obtainable only from an Amorph juvenile or a special Outsider.
‘It’s impossible to obtain an Amorph juvenile in its natural state.’
The only chance lies with the Outspacers, yet even that isn’t simple. I’ve preyed upon several Outspacers so far, yet not a single one has yielded the Pure Harvester’s Jaw.
Either Rank Four deliberately created it without that trait, or they simply didn’t send me an individual with pristine harvesting ability. In any case, that bastard surely did it out of caution toward me.
Until I capture an individual with harvesting capability, it seems effectively unobtainable.
Without the Harvester’s Maw, one cannot consume an enemy’s head to acquire its genetic essence. If I want to obtain that genetic essence, I must completely devour the corpse.
‘At least, I can obtain a unique trait in return—it isn’t a total loss.’
The unique traits acquired through the Transcendence system all possess outstanding power. Whatever type of trait appears, its performance is bound to be flawless.
‘The key, however, is which unique trait will emerge.’
There are traits that alter bodily structure, traits that reinforce the physical form, and traits that involve the manipulation of energy be it psychic power or heat. I have no idea what conceptual outcome will result.
‘It’s precisely the moment when I need a new unique trait…’
The Arcane Orca’s energy manipulation abilities far surpass those of Number 26. Moreover, all of my most potent weapons operate via energy. In the face of the Arcane Orca, they are virtually useless.
‘Although the Black Devourer Cannon can only truly be evaluated in person…’
Even those might not function properly. If that happens, I would have to rely solely on physical abilities, so having a new unique trait at that moment would be a tremendous help.
‘But in exchange, I’d have to forgo the opportunity to acquire genetic essence…’
After all, I must deliver the Arcane Orca’s corpse to Adhai.
‘It would be wonderful if the unique trait could inherit the Harvester’s Maw’s effect but that, too, would be difficult.’
I spent a long while calculating various possibilities on the textbox, but still, no answer emerged.
‘There’s still time before I have to confront the Arcane Orca.’
Since I don’t even know where it is yet, there’s no need to decide hastily. In the end, I deferred my decision.
After a round of inspections, I rose. Just as I was about to head toward the operations room where the kids were, a door in the inner storage area swung open.
“You're awake?”
The visitor turned out to be Mother of the Sky—returned in the guise of a gryphon humanoid—with PS-111 on her back, the latter carrying a hologram projector.
“Based on the information provided by the middle one, I have completed an estimation of the target’s operational range.”
[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZZZ ZZ (Huh? Already? Didn’t they say it would take a few days?)]
At my query, Mother of the Sky tilted her head in puzzlement.
“This fellow has been analyzing for three days now.”
[ZZZ ZZ (Three days?)]
For a moment I thought it was a joke, but judging by the look in her eyes, it wasn’t. To sleep not for merely one day but for three entire days—the mental fatigue accrued from the massive battles must have been far greater than I’d imagined.
‘Strangely, I felt surprisingly invigorated upon waking.’
After all, having slept for three whole days, it’s only natural.
[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ (Hmmm… I deliberately didn’t wake you in the middle.)]
“It’s okay. I purposely didn’t wake you up because you looked so tired.”
“Allow me to present the completed simulation of the operational range.”
PS-111 set down the hologram projector brought from the operations room onto the floor and connected it to a cable extracted from its body. Soon, a blurry map image was projected.
“According to estimates, there are a total of 42 locations where the unclassified dangerous creature, the ‘Arcane Orca’, is suspected to have appeared. Among these, the star systems in which the Arcane Orca is predicted to reappear within 60 days are: ZP-02, OT-20, the Ger-11 conflict zone, U-08, and the Dar–Kisos binary system—five systems in all.”
‘ZP-02?’
Among the locations mentioned by PS-111, I am familiar with ZP-02.
‘It’s where the massive factories of the Star Union are located.’
Approximately 10% of the Star Union’s warships were produced at the super–large space factories in the ZP-02 star system. If an Arcane Orca had emerged there, it would have long since been exterminated.
‘It seems best to rule that one out. Even if an Arcane Orca emerges there, capturing it would be nearly impossible for us.’
“Is that so?”
[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZ(Then does that mean we have to investigate the remaining four locations?)]
Surprisingly, there weren’t many candidates to examine. Of course, there’s no guarantee that any trace of the Arcane Orca will be found there.
Then PS-111 spoke up.
“I recommend two of these locations: the Ger-11 conflict zone and U-08.”
[ZZ Z (But why?)]
“According to ‘Sechan Hamilton,’ for the past three months, there has been an increase in cases of pirates—infected by the Amorph at Aska44—visiting Ger-11 to deal in rare creatures. Before heading to LV-06, I acquired information on pirate movements from him.”
“Who is Sechan Hamilton?”
“It’s a pirate infected by the Amorph at Aska44. I obtained intelligence regarding pirate trends from him before heading to LV-06.”
“Aha.”
PS-111 looked at me with eyes fashioned from red camera lenses. It seemed to be seeking praise, so I gently patted its head with a finger.
“Thank you.”
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZ (Understood Ger-11. Then why did you recommend U-08?)]
“Because that’s the decision I made. U-08 contains a planet inhabited by native wolves.”
Mother of the Sky—who clearly knew U-08 well—pointed to a spot on the hologram. There, I saw a small planet reminiscent of the cult’s sacred planet I had visited in the past.
“In the game, I also obtained information on the Arcane Orca from those natives, so I figured it was worth checking out at least once.”
[ZZZ (Indeed.)]
I surveyed the outcome forged by the combined efforts of the Mutant Screamer and Gryphon Wolf. While I slept, the plan had advanced considerably.
‘I’ve decided what to do first.’
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ(Then let’s start with these two locations)]
The Ger-11 conflict zone—a lawless territory where pirates roam openly—and U-08, home to the Wolves natives, are precisely where we must go.
‘Ah.’
[(ZZZ ZZZ(Wait a moment))]
I leaned in close to PS-111, which was in the process of disconnecting the cable from the hologram projector. The secondary mechanism beneath its jaw gently wrapped around its nape.
[(ZZZ ZZ(I've got something for you))]
“Is this a gift?”
Perhaps owing to a previous transplant, I recognized it immediately. PS-111 stroked the secondary mechanism wrapped around its neck with its hooked claws.
“A new gift is always welcome.”
After a moment, the genetic essence that resided within my body transferred over to its new owner.
——————
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
——————
Chapter 404
