Chapter 16
Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Ambush in the Situation Room
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'I wonder how the enemy will come at me.'
This isn't the end.
Because the ones who sent the soldiers—and the many more soldiers still remaining—won't stop there.
So what should I do?
Six are dead, so that leaves about ninety soldiers and officers on their side combined. Having received my warning, they'll likely come at me with everything they've got.
I know reinforced suits are in short supply on this ship, but the real problem is their weapons. If they bring anything beyond laser gear—like plasma weapons—my chances of winning drop to near zero.
'Even as a Subadult, I couldn't block a plasma-grade hit.'
If I acquire a body reinforcement type, I could maybe tank two shots, but anything before that is impossible, no matter what I try. A direct hit means instant death.
That's just how plasma weapons are designed—high-firepower arms meant for fleet battles. They're built to destroy ships and tanks, so their destructive power is insane.
Most plasma weapons are too heavy for a single person to carry, though. There are lightweight versions, but they're prohibitively expensive.
'The only thing they might have here is a Plasma Launcher.'
The Plasma Launcher is a heavy weapon issued one per squad by Mega Corp. Given their shitty supply situation, they probably don't have one, but you never know.
'Tricking them any further will be tough.'
I've already exposed a good chunk of my cards, so the same tricks won't work again. I could take out a few stragglers, but fooling ninety troops is a stretch.
'Arnold won't stop until he confirms my death.'
Unlike Yuseong, who keeps showing amateurish sides, Arnold is a thorough soldier. A scheming one, at that. I don't know his full plan, but he'll try to kill me before we reach C-08.
'Then I'll go for the head.'
This calls for a blitz. Hit their command staff before they can regroup and analyze me.
Conveniently, all the team leaders and above are gathered in the situation room. Raid it, thin out the leaders, and their chain of command collapses into chaos.
Decision made, I left the corpses behind and bolted toward the bridge.
On the way, I spotted soldiers rushing the opposite direction through a hole in the floor vent. Their destination was the agricultural sector, as A1 had reported.
They think I'm holing up for a siege—totally wrong. While they're searching the wrong place, I've slipped right under their noses.
Beyond the vent grille on the wall, a pristine white floor gleamed. The situation room, second only to the labs in cleanliness aboard the ship.
Contrasting the marble-like floor, the walls displayed a deep navy expanse of space. Live feed from external cameras made it look that way.
The people inside couldn't appreciate the dancing stars in that beautiful vista; they were just clamoring noisily.
"Crisis Management Team Leader! Where the hell did that crazy monster come from?! No, what even is it?!"
I couldn't see him, but Yuseong's voice alone screamed panic. Not far from him, Arnold's voice cut in.
"...I don't know. Checking the Logistics Team Leader's inventory, there's an unregistered organism in the database. Probably that one."
"What kind of irresponsible bullshit is that?! We lent them team leader-grade reinforced suits, and we got nothing for it!"
So that was team leader gear. Reinforced suits are lifelines in space, but skimping on costs...
If there'd been even a few more mid-grade suits—or hell, just upper-grade ones—I wouldn't have hunted so easily. Yuseong was cutting expenses right out of his own lifespan.
Arnold's voice carried anger, mirroring my thoughts.
"If the gear had been even a little better, this disaster wouldn't have happened. Captain."
"What?!"
"And saying we got nothing is wrong. We've learned the enemy is a highly intelligent, dangerous creature that can mimic human voices."
"You call that useful?!"
"Gathering intel is priority one on the battlefield. We have baseline info now—time to act on it."
"...Tch."
Irritation tinged his tone, but Arnold didn't waver. Yuseong had no comeback, just a tongue click.
"So you have a plan?"
"I've already sent soldiers, but I have one more request."
"What?"
"Authorize use of the Plasma Launcher in the armory."
"What?!"
Plasma Launcher, huh. I half-expected it, but they really have one. Doesn't sound squad-issued, though.
The Plasma Launcher solves most problems like a magic wand, but the team leaders weren't thrilled.
"Have you lost your mind? We agreed to save that for pirates!"
"This is inside the ship! Even if it's a warship refitted for research, firing a Plasma Launcher indoors?! Go kill yourself outside if you're suicidal!"
"Quiet!"
The Navigation and Technical Team Leaders barked back, but Arnold bellowed them down. They faltered briefly, then charged again.
"You yelling at us?"
"I will never approve a Plasma Launcher inside the ship!"
Arnold had aced every prior assignment, but this op was a flop. His charisma had tanked irreparably—Mega Corp style, results above all.
'Time to make my move.'
Superiors ranting irrationally, subordinates dithering on whether to intervene. Perfect chaos to slit the prey's throat.
My Aimorph auxiliary senses scanned the situation room's every motion.
Mandibles twitched, probing the air. A galactic swirl of info crashed over me.
EM waves and heat from computers and gadgets, faint mechanical whirs from the ship AI's precision parts, human breaths, rustling clothes, sweat scents, muscle tremors, heartbeats, blood rushing through veins.
A realm no human could perceive. Peering through Super Sense's dimension, I picked my strike target.
Arnold was top priority, but too far—deliberately positioned, knowing I use vents.
'Closest one's...'
The data matched a familiar figure I'd sensed before.
Half-bald, timid-looking man: Way.
Acting Research Team Leader in Kisaragi Yujin's stead, and the one torturing #26 daily.
'Target him.'
I'd planned to kill him eventually. Perfect opportunity—no reason to pass.
I smashed the vent grille with my combat arm. The thin alloy shredded under my Juvenile-reinforced strength.
AI would blare alerts, but humans handle responses. It'll all be over before they check.
Legs empowered by Leg Strength Enhancement coiled like springs. I launched skyward.
As I hung in the air, Arnold reacted first to the breaking grille. His gaze snapped to it.
His eyes widened. He sensed the ambush, mouth gaping for a shout—but by then, one would be dead.
Because I was already above Way.
Only after I pounced did he react. Straddling his shoulders, I bit his face.
My razor teeth shredded it instantly—skin in tatters, eyes and nose ruined beyond function.
"Gaaahhh!"
Way's agonized scream snapped the other leaders from their stupor into horror.
"U-Uwaaaah! Monster!"
I ignored the collapsing Way, lunging at the next leader. His flashy Mega Corp uniform splattered with blood and flesh.
"Aaaah!"
"S-Spare me!"
"C-Communications! Warn the ship!"
Can't have that. I halted gutting the leader, whipping my head to the comms guy.
"Hiiik?!"
Unlike the vent-rush soldiers, he lacked combat experience. Frozen at my bloodied form, he did nothing. No mercy—I charged.
"Uwaaaah... Gurk!"
I slammed him down, finishing with my tail. Now dagger-sized, the stinger pierced his eye, shredding his brain.
As I retracted the hole-punching tail, an energy bolt grazed my back.
Arnold, with a compact laser pistol.
'Officer sidearm, huh.'
Expected him to flee—surprising guts. I shook blood from my tail.
Backed by his piece, he fired again without retreating. I twisted aside effortlessly, closing in.
'No reinforced suit—what's he relying on?'
Like the others, just uniform. Military red instead of white, but no defenses.
One arm swing, and he'd split top-to-bottom, painting the floor red.
"G-Grrgh..."
I tail-finished the groaning Way, coiling to leap at Arnold.
The moment I pushed off, my auxiliary organ thrummed violently.
'Damn it!'
Scenes flashed by like a video on hyper-speed. Predator Sense's future sight effect.
'A Plasma Pistol?!'
Arnold had a weapon I never saw coming.
The Plasma Pistol: one of the rare lightweight plasma arms. Excellent lethality at pistol weight—but insanely pricey. One equals three of these ships. Only Noble Capital or Prime Capital wealth could afford it.
'Damn, figured he had Yujin Family ties.'
That money pit could kill me. Head or torso hit: instant death. Graze: critical wound. Proceed with caution.
My hesitant move furrowed Arnold's brow.
"So you saw it coming."
He drew a sleek silver Plasma Pistol from his coat—pistol-shaped, thin. Yuseong and the others, cowering in corners, gasped in shock.
"Plasma Pistol?!"
"That expensive thing!"
Arnold's tense facade melted into a smug grin.
"You... I don't know what you are, but you feel familiar."
｢Grrr...｣
"A monster with diverse abilities. You resemble my master, Sihyun Yujin."
With those words, his barrel swung my way. Auxiliary senses maxed, reading his body—I hurled myself aside.
Green plasma bolt slammed my former spot. The alloy plating—tough against space rocks—shattered in one hit.
"No variables before he arrives."
I dodged behind a console.
This was the bridge—critical area, so he couldn't fire recklessly. But how long could I hold? Time wasn't on my side; the whole ship was enemy territory. Longer fight favored them.
'Situation's bad.'
Worst crisis since cargo bay birth. Threats aplenty, but none this close to death.
No.
Precisely: since possessing this Aimorph body.
'I've faced worse countless times.'
Space Survival threw hell at me daily.
Did I quit? Lose?
No. The last one standing was always me, the Aimorph.
'Exclude me?'
Arnold was wrong.
Master or whoever—he could come. I'd greet them, not some underling like Arnold.