Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: qiqi iykow gkk-226i
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Ep. 226
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My conversation with Ham Ort dragged on for quite some time.
It was because he knew far more about Aud Grad than I'd anticipated.
'Well, he's been his companion for so long, so it's only natural.'
Anyway, boiling down the information he shared to its essentials, there were two key points.
'A ring that manipulates emotions and precognition.'
He explained that Aud Grad carried a ring of mysterious origins. He couldn't recall exactly when he'd acquired it, but he was certain it had been after becoming the leader of the pack.
And because of that ring, Ham Ort had been slow to notice Aud Grad changing in strange ways.
'Gallerons can't lie.'
They communicate through thought waves expressing emotions, so the very concept of lying doesn't exist for them. They might pass on mistaken info due to their own misconceptions or ignorance, but deliberate deception is impossible.
That's why Gallerons fundamentally trust their packmates.
Ham Ort said he hadn't sensed anything off about him at first either. Sure, he'd grown more violent, but he'd chalked it up to the heavy burden of leading the pack.
But that wasn't the case.
He'd once witnessed Aud Grad killing one of their own.
The victim was Aud Grad's first companion—the oldest female White Galleron in the pack. Aud Grad had ruthlessly disposed of the partner he'd shared the most time with.
The elderly companion had severed his tail just before dying, and the ring attached to it had briefly fallen off. Ham Ort, who had been secretly watching, caught a glimpse of Aud Grad's true emotions the moment the ring dropped.
He was consumed by an inexplicable rage and desperation—not in his right mind at all. The magnificent black dragon he knew was gone, replaced by a mad tyrant.
With his tail severed, Aud Grad had slipped the ring onto his forepaw and calmly lied to the pack the next day. He'd claimed the old White Galleron had died from a Sky Whale attack.
'A ring that distorts emotions.'
It's equipment that doesn't exist in the game. What use is a ring for hiding your own feelings?
Plus, it's hardly useful for creatures like Gallerons, for whom emotional expression is crucial. For Gallerons, who deeply trust their kin, such a tool would be pointless.
'Unless you exclude those who can read the future.'
Audhai's case proves that to evolve beyond White Galleron, one must devour another White Galleron.
Thus, advancing from White Galleron naturally leads to combat with the pack leader or war with another pack. A White Galleron that survives such a war becomes a Black Galleron, competing for leadership or splitting off to form a new pack.
That's the ecological cycle of Gallerons.
In truth, the game's lore doesn't clearly detail Galleron growth stages. I only learned for sure after coming to this planet and witnessing Audhai's transformation firsthand.
'He can see far into the future, so he's probably foreseen the leadership challenges too.'
There were no other Galleron packs on this planet besides Aud Grad's. The only way for a White Galleron to grow was to kill the leader.
'A regular White Galleron can't beat a Black Galleron.'
Only a being capable of becoming a Red Galleron can triumph over one.
'He used his future-sight to preemptively eliminate any threats to his position.'
In fact, he periodically slaughtered hatchlings and discarded eggs outside the nest, claiming it was to cull the weak during times of hunger. Audhai's banishment was likely related.
'Without that ring, he couldn't have gone this far.'
What would happen if the pack learned he'd killed their kin just to save himself? What about a mother like Ham Ort, who'd lost children because of him?
'They'd never forgive him.'
Right now, that ring is the sole thing solidifying his rule over the pack. Lose it, and his pack's collapse is only a matter of time.
'That's enough on the ring.'
Next up: precognition. Chatting with him yielded some intriguing details on his ability.
Aud Grad always sleeps before making major pack decisions. Upon waking, he announces them immediately, with no unfamiliar presences among his companions.
'Sleep acts as the catalyst to trigger long-term foresight.'
It's unclear if sleep is strictly required to activate it, but it seems reasonable to assume precognition only works in a stable physical state.
'He can't glimpse the distant future without resting.'
Even if he acts on a dream-vision, he won't know how the future shifts midway. He'd naturally maneuver to avoid the foreseen outcome, but to refine it, he'd need to re-observe.
For example, suppose I foresaw dying in a car crash.
I'd steer clear of roads, but if a building collapsed from the sidewalk right after, I'd be done for. To dodge that, I'd have to recheck the future where avoiding the car leads to being crushed by the building.
'In short, lure him in successfully.'
It means he can't peer into the future while fighting me.
'To draw him out, I need to seem weakened.'
Not impossible, but far from easy. Too many risky variables.
'...Gotta steel myself.'
I quickly organized my thoughts and posed another question to Ham Ort.
[Zuzu zuzzuz zuzuzuzu zuzu(When you fought him, was there anything strange?)]
｢Understand｣ ｢Couldn't｣ ｢Explain｣ ｢in detail｣ ｢Request｣
[Zuzu zuzuz zuzuz zuzuzuzuzu zuzu(Stuff like him dodging attacks as if he knew them in advance)]
｢Completely｣ ｢Overpowered｣ ｢No chance｣ ｢to threaten｣
[Zuzuzu(Understood)]
Honestly, just blocking long-term foresight is a huge win. 'Predator Sense' helps recover from imminent dangers, but it can't alter the structures that create those dangers in the first place.
'The rest, I'll have to confirm face-to-face with him.'
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzu(One last thing)]
｢Ask away｣
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu(This isn't a question)]
｢?｣
To enact my next plan, one final confirmation was needed.
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzuz zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(To kill Aud Grad, I won't hold back on any means)]
｢Agreed｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu(Can you stake your life too?)]
｢Yuseong's daughter｣ ｢Kin｣ ｢To save｣ ｢Resolved｣ ｢Life｣ ｢Doesn't matter｣
An immediate reply. Not a hint of hesitation in his thought waves.
From our talks—including this response—he seemed like a Galleron with unusually strong kinship bonds.
'Not the type to easily abandon her young.'
I'm no Galleron, but I could clearly sense his feelings toward Audhai. His attitude toward his daughter was ambiguous, but he wasn't cold-blooded enough to kill her just for being born weak.
'There's a backstory there.'
But that's none of my business. It's for Audhai and him to sort out.
'All checks complete.'
[Zuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzu zuzuz(That's all the questions. Go inside and rest)]
Ham Ort nodded to me and turned away. Before entering the nest, he glanced once in the direction Audhai had gone.
The young ones still hadn't returned. He stared out beyond the forest for a moment before heading into the nest.
[Zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu(Grab a few prey for me)]
｢Got it.｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuz zuz zuz zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(And on your way in, bring the gear backpack from inside)]
｢...Do you think I'm your mom?｣
Sky Mother grumbled but fulfilled my request anyway. She went into the cave, emerged with the backpack, and handed it over.
｢That should be enough intel gathering. What's your plan from here?｣
Having overheard my chat with Ham Ort, she seemed to share my view. All that remained was confronting Aud Grad.
'Though our ideas on how to fight might differ.'
Any other time, I'd have answered, but not now. It could influence whatever Aud Grad foresees.
'The battle with him has already begun.'
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuz zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu(You won't be disappointed, I promise)]
｢...Huh?｣
She tilted her head, not grasping my meaning. When I offered no further explanation and stayed silent, she didn't press.
The Gallerons eating outside the nest. Sky Mother bustling in and out of the cave to tend to Ham Ort.
Everyone else entered the nest, but I kept waiting outside for them.
Even as I waited, strategies and plans endlessly chained through my mind.
A scheme I'd never tried in this world or the real one. It demanded utmost caution.
Time passed considerably, and then they returned.
｢Big Adult｣ ｢I｣ ｢Am back｣
｢Why's the big baby out here alone?｣
"We waited until we returned."
'Looks like she convinced them well.'
Audhai had seemed downcast before, but now her wingbeats carried vigor—her mood clearly lifted. No. 26 must have talked her through it.
'Such a thoughtful one.'
Despite her childlike speech, her words and actions sometimes touched my heart. Looking back, it was a stroke of immense luck I hadn't eaten her when we first met on the research ship.
She was a good kid, but from here on, I planned to do something awful to her. To No. 26, Audhai, PS-111, Sky Mother—to everyone present.
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzu(Ham Ort, come out)]
｢Big Adult?｣
｢Big baby's trying to make peace, maybe.｣
I ignored their confusion and called Ham Ort again. Moments later, he emerged from the nest with Sky Mother.
[Zuzuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu(Ham Ort caused discord in my pack)]
｢What?｣
｢Big Adult｣ ｢What do you mean?｣
｢Big baby?｣
Everyone panicked at my utterly unexpected behavior. Ham Ort, however, showed no reaction.
His gaze briefly flicked to Audhai. In that instant, her amethyst eyes reflected the small Galleron born of the stars.
Having fully taken in his daughter's image one last time, he turned his eyes back to me. They met mine—utterly devoid of emotion.
He was fully resolved. I extended my wing-arms and seized his neck.
｢Hey! Wait a sec...｣
[Zuzuzu zuz zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu(So I'm going to kill you and eat your flesh)]
Sensing my genuine intent to devour Ham Ort, Sky Mother reached for me. Before she could, I gaped my jaws wide.
The moment my bifurcating jaws sought to engulf his head—
｢Big Adult｣ ｢Stop!｣
A powerful impact shoved my body sideways. The jolt reverberated through me so fiercely I lost my grip on Ham Ort.
｢Yuseong's daughter?｣
｢Big Adult｣ ｢Has words｣ ｢to say｣ ｢Wait｣
It was Audhai who'd struck me.
The red makeup on her head confirmed she'd activated the Red Galleron ability, 'Red Armor.'
'Was going to teach her later.'
I'd planned to show her how to use Red Armor effectively on offense and defense, but as expected of her sharp mind, she'd mastered it herself.
As Audhai blocked between Ham Ort and me, Sky Mother leaped in front of me too.
｢What the hell are you doing?!｣
[Zu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(I'm just protecting my pack. Don't interfere)]
｢You're serious?｣
[Zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(Me blocking me means I'll remove you)]
I mercilessly whipped my tail. Startled, she planted her legs and kicked off the ground. My tail smashed the earth mercilessly, shattering it.
｢Crazy! This psycho Morph bastard for real!｣
To keep her from using 'Ice Wraith,' I retracted my tail while yawning my maw wide. A glob of acidic fungal mass erupted from my throat toward her.
Then the airborne fungus halted midair.
｢Big baby, why?｣
No. 26, who'd bound the fungus, asked me. Worry for me laced her telepathic waves.
I didn't answer—instead calling PS-111.
[Zuzu zuz zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(Help me attack them)]
"Attack order denied. Cannot harm the main controller."
[Zuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzuzu(Then hit the others first)]
PS-111 rarely looked troubled at my words. The drone shook its expressionless head.
"Impossible. The current 'Aimorph' is in a state of impaired judgment due to evident mental delusion. I recommend you rest."
With that, it stood by No. 26 and gaped its mouth at me—as if ready to fire its Demolisher at any moment.
'Damn machine never does as told.'
Contrary to its analysis, my mind was perfectly clear. I was rationally turning against everyone while fully sane.
This plan stemmed from utter trust in everyone who'd stuck with me thus far—a supremely logical choice.
'Good thing I chose right.'
I turned my head, scanning them all. Not one endorsed my sudden outburst.
Of course not. My actions were blatantly turning against the pack.
'Perfect.'
[Zuzuzu zuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzu(Since the whole pack betrayed me, I'm leaving)]
｢Wait!｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu(I'll even take back the parasite in your head)]
｢Hold on... urk!｣
At my will, the parasite in Sky Mother's head exited via her eye socket. Having shifted to Wendigo form, her nostrils were gone, so it used the next best hole.
She staggered from the unpleasant sensation of it leaving. I retrieved the parasite and snatched the gear bag too.
｢Big baby, for real? You're really going?｣
｢Big Adult｣ ｢Joking, right?｣
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuz zuzuzuzu zuz zuz zuzuzuzu(From the day we met, I've never lied to you)]
They'd understand what that meant.
'They'd better.'
With all preparations done, I unfurled my wing-arms. Vast membranes as wide as the night sky above spread, and my body lifted toward the heavens.
No creature followed as I flew far away.
Relief and bitterness mingled at the sight.
'No, this had better work.'
I shook my head while passing through thunderclouds.
The stage Aud Grad desired was fully set.
Now it was time for me to lure him into my trap in reverse.
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