Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Ambush in the Vents
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I linked my senses to the nest, spreading them throughout the entire ship.
The ship's structure and the movements of the humans inside were transmitted to me without missing a single detail. The auxiliary organ swiftly analyzed their actions to align with its host's will.
If we consider a spaceship drifting through space as a living creature, then I was no different from a parasite inhabiting the brain of an inorganic being. I knew everything happening on the ship as well as its owner did.
The auxiliary organ reported that the captain and the team leaders were gathering on the bridge.
"They're probably planning to command from the bridge."
Just like them, I was devising my plan from the nest above the cooling chamber.
"How should I respond?"
First, let's consider their starting points.
There weren't many vents large enough for an adult male to pass through. The agricultural sector vent, the hangar vent, and the armory vent were the largest three, with the rest being just over a meter or smaller.
However, the chance of them all starting from one spot was low. It would slow down the search.
"On the flip side, they don't have enough personnel to launch from all three at once."
So, the highest probability was starting from two locations.
"Six people. Not a large number by any means, but not small either."
The ventilation ducts themselves were spaces that were hard to tackle with a large group anyway. They must have judged that a small elite strategy, compensating for the numerical disadvantage with superior gear, would be effective.
"They're probably wearing mid-grade reinforced suits."
The exact model was unknown, but likely on par with or below what Arnold had worn. Fighting them head-on would deal me significant damage too.
"There's a section after the fork where the passage narrows."
Some facilities required good ventilation, while others didn't. Places like the cooling chamber had excellent air circulation systems, so the ducts were wide, but most weren't.
"The narrow passages aren't suited for humans."
They were low enough that an adult male had to crouch. Better than crawling, but combat effectiveness would plummet. Not only was weapon use difficult, but the awkward posture made it hard to utilize the reinforced suits efficiently.
"I'll ambush them there."
The core of the plan was set. I'd adjust the details based on their armament and movements.
And right on cue, they seemed ready. I could sense their movements.
Just as I'd predicted, they started from two spots: the runway vent and the armory vent.
"Time to welcome our guests."
I severed the link with the nest and rose from my spot.
Tonight, all who targeted my nest would die.
"This is A1. A Team, commencing operation."
"B1, report."
"This is Zzzt, B1. B Team, commencing operation. Zzzt."
"B1, your transmission is poor. Check it."
"Zzzt, B1. Understood."
On the bridge's situation room.
The hologram in the center of the room was divided into six panels, each showing the soldiers' movements. It was real-time footage from the tactical cameras mounted on their reinforced suits.
Crisis Management Team Leader Arnold watched the soldiers enter the vents alongside the top brass.
"The thing that killed Miss Kisaragi... it's probably him."
Originally, this should have been his job. The plan hadn't changed, but he didn't know what variable that creature might introduce.
The monster had killed eight people, including Kisaragi Yujin.
The others seemed to think the Logistics Team Leader was the culprit, but Arnold was certain.
The Logistics Team Leader had already been killed by the monster.
"Monster. I'll eliminate the variable as much as possible."
This ship couldn't afford any disruptions before reaching Space Dogs—no, his master, Sihyun Yujin.
His master was preparing a grand scheme. If it succeeded, it would rewrite Mega Corp's history.
Yuseong's ship falling to the C-08 pirates—that was the first step in his master's grand plan.
"You'll be dead before the night is over."
He glared coldly at the hologram when a report came in from the field.
"A1. Fork ahead. Moving right."
"B1. Fork here too. Moving right. Zzzt."
"B3. Zzzt zzt. Poor transmission. I'll fix and catch up. Zzt."
"This is Situation Room. B3, join up as soon as repairs are done."
Like veins in the ship, the ducts were a maze. Both A and B Teams encountered forks right away.
"Paths are complex. Everyone, proceed cautiously."
"This is Situation Room. Take it slow and search thoroughly."
"A1. Understood."
"B1. Understood."
Five of the six white markers on the map began moving slowly as they searched, per orders.
"Hm?"
Arnold, watching the screens, sensed something off. B3's camera, supposedly under repair, wasn't moving.
"Check B3's camera."
"Understood. This is Situation Room. B3, check your camera status."
"......"
"B3. This is Situation Room. I repeat, check your camera status."
"All good."
With that, the screen started moving again. It shook unsteadily at first but soon stabilized like the others.
"B3, how's reception?"
"All good."
No more static, as B3 reported. His marker moved toward the rest of B Team.
"B2. Link up with B3 behind you and proceed."
"B2. Understood."
B3's marker drew closer to B2's. Just as they were about to overlap, a scream erupted from the comms.
"B2! What happened?!"
"Agh, aaack! It's here! It's... cut."
"B3, B2 contact lost. Report situation."
"It dragged B2 away."
"Nothing on screen. Explain in detail."
"Sudden attack. Couldn't confirm."
B2's camera showed only darkness. The comms were dead silent, probably broken.
Anxiety spread through the situation room like a contagion. The captain and team leaders muttered in confusion about what was happening, while the comms officer kept trying to reach B2.
As everyone panicked, Arnold gritted his teeth, staring at the black screen.
"Taken out that fast?"
Soldiers in mid-grade reinforced suits, unable to react at all. Even a seasoned assassin wouldn't dispatch them so quickly. He'd underestimated it as merely a dangerous wild animal. Complete misjudgment.
The enemy was a far swifter killer than he'd thought. Arnold revised his assessment of the monster's capabilities and ordered the comms officer.
"Relay to all: Fire on anything that moves."
"Yes, Team Leader."
The comms officer passed on Arnold's order, and tense responses came through.
A Team was still searching for the monster, while B1 and B3 pursued the missing B2. Their busy movements were visible on screen, but no trace of B2.
"We'll get picked off one by one at this rate."
Arnold decided to abandon B2. The comms officer relayed to B Team.
"This is Situation Room. B3, cease searching for B2 and link with B1."
"Understood."
"B1, once linked with B3, begin searching for B2."
"B1. Understood."
B3's marker headed for B1. The distance between the two markers on screen shrank. Just a few steps from visual contact, a radio message came from B1.
"B1. Hearing something."
"This is Situation Room. What kind of sound exactly?"
"B1. Not sure, but someone's approaching. Fork here, can't confirm."
"B3, link with B1 ASAP. I repeat, ASAP."
"Understood."
Tense moment. B1's voice broke the silence in the room.
"B1. Sound's source is B3. Hearing his voice now."
"Phew."
Someone sighed in relief. Arnold, who'd been glaring to catch any glimpse of the enemy, relaxed too.
"Phew. This is Situation Room. B1, report once linked with B3."
"......"
"B1?"
"B3 was taken by the enemy."
"What?!"
The room's atmosphere shifted abruptly at the bad news.
Even the ever-calm Arnold struggled to stay composed as the situation kept defying expectations. He shoved the comms officer aside and donned the headset.
"Team Leader here. Describe the situation in detail."
"Too fast to confirm."
"Damn it! Right in front of you and you didn't see?!"
"Sorry."
Two already gone, and all they could say was they didn't see. Arnold's irritation boiled over.
He tossed the headset and pondered, ignoring the fidgeting comms officer.
"How could they not notice someone right beside them? And neither B1 nor B3 caught anything on camera. Impossible unless deliberately avoiding filming the monster... Wait."
A terrifying hypothesis struck Arnold. Face stiff, he grabbed the headset again.
"Team Leader here. B1, state your rank and name."
"Pardon?"
"I repeat. B1, state your rank and name now."
"......"
No response from B1. The top brass, realizing what Arnold was checking, froze.
"Crackle, caught me? Cut."
B1's channel cut out. A black hand appeared before the camera, then the feed died.
"This is A1. What the hell's going on?"
"......"
"This is A1. Situation Room, respond."
A Team leader's bewildered voice filled the room, but Arnold was speechless.
"B Team's done for."
I crushed the signal device on B1's reinforced suit underfoot. Beside me lay three headless corpses.
Originally, I'd planned to strike in the narrow passage after the fork. While overtaking them to prepare the ambush, an idea hit me.
Using the Psionic Organ.
I got the hint from conversing with Bubble Amoeba.
I could communicate with it via the special waves from the Psionic Organ. So, couldn't I jam frequency-based wireless comms gear? It worked better than expected.
The waves I emitted caused static in B3's gear at the rear. Forced to fix his equipment, he fell behind, becoming easy prey.
"After that, it was smooth sailing."
Even as my combat arm ripped his head clean off, B3 couldn't twitch a finger. Thanks to my new fused trait, 'Neurotoxin Gland'.
With the Neurotoxin Gland, nails, claws, teeth, and even bodily fluids turn lethally toxic. Victims go into shock or full-body paralysis, unable to act.
It seemed like a powerful debuff trait, but in games, it was niche. Too many creatures had overwhelming physical abilities to make it shine.
"But not here."
Without special modifications, humans couldn't resist neurotoxin. If caught alone, death was certain.
After that, it was a breeze. I used 'Mimicry' to impersonate B3 and approach the others.
They were vigilant, but never dreamed an ally calling out would be an Aimorph. Their lack of imagination let me feast happily.
"Next up, A Team."
I shoved B1's head into my mouth and set off. As the cerebral cortex burst like tangy juice, power surged through me.
For the first time in a while, all four combat arms joined my legs to crawl the narrow duct. Even while moving, the auxiliary organ under my jaw relentlessly tracked A Team.
Receiving orders from above, they moved sluggishly, inspecting every speck of dust on the alloy.
"Full alert mode."
B Team had no clue and got wiped, but A Team knew better. They'd realized I could mimic voices, so caution was expected.
"Let's turn their knowledge against them this time."
They say knowledge is power, but is it really? Half-knowledge can be poison.
I hid not far from the fork. They'd pass here soon.
Light descended into the dark steel passage. The lead soldier's helmet light illuminated the fork.
"A1. Fork ahead. Moving right."
They didn't know I was nearby. Time to inform them. I shouted in B1's voice.
"Here! Help me!"
"Enemy! Open fire!"
As expected, A1 ordered fire immediately. Three team members unleashed lasers toward me.
While they poured firepower on my position, I slipped into the adjacent passage. This path looped behind them. Mobilizing all six limbs, I raced to their rear.
"Cease fire!"
"This is Situation Room. Confirm enemy status."
"A1. Understood."
Unaware I'd escaped, A1 advanced. The others watched his back, fearing he'd be targeted.
I pounced on A3, who neglected rear guard.
"Aaack!"
"Behind! Enemy behind!"
"C-cease fire! He's got a friendly!"
"Damn it! Shoot! Fire now!"
A3's pained screams, the team's terror, and Arnold's roars from the situation room filled the vent. Not planning to linger in the noise, I paralyzed A3 and withdrew.
"A1! Fire immediately! That's an order!"
"F-fire! Opening fire!"
They finally blasted lasers. The energy barrage filled the duct. Even I couldn't dodge it all, taking a few hits.
It hurt beyond pain—I gritted my teeth and escaped.
"A2! Reporting to Situation Room! Casualty!"
"No retreat! We must catch it."
"Fuck! Squad leader, what now?"
"...Damn it. Emergency aid to A3, then pursue."
Hiding in the dark, I heard them. No idea how good their med kits were, but detoxing my neurotoxin wouldn't be easy.
While they regrouped, I checked my condition.
"Chitinous Exoskeleton saved me from major injury. But damn, it hurts."
As trained soldiers, they aimed for center mass and head. Reinforced suit targeting assists.
"Their suit corrections turned the tables."
A normal animal would've died, but I'm an Aimorph. The toughest parts of an Aimorph juvenile's body are the frontal forehead and chest exoskeleton.
Plus, enhanced by Chitinous Exoskeleton now. Those areas were as tough as the ship's titanium alloy—lasers couldn't pierce.
Even in chaos, their training hit vitals, so pain but minimal damage. Tail or limbs would've been dangerous.
"One down."
Two left. Unlikely they'd fall for another ambush here, so change tactics.
Speaking of which, perfect spot to butcher them: the narrow passage from the original plan.
"Lure them there."
I scratched my arm with a claw, drawing black blood that dripped and smoked on the floor.
Spider silk. A trap spun to snare prey.
The mindless pursuers would soon realize: they'd fallen into a web of doom.