Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: Rest (4)
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"Are you planning to experiment with transplanting biological traits into my remote control model?"
[Yeah.]
"You could experiment on my main body if you like."
PS-111 pointed to itself with its hook claw. I shook my head to convey that was out of the question.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzu(There could be side effects. If it goes wrong, you might have to abandon your body).]
"Side effects, you say?"
Not all traits are beneficial when transplanted into an Aimorph.
Things like 'Energy Absorption,' which alters the mouth and digestive organs in a way that prevents essence intake, or 'Dwarfism,' which locks the body size to that of a human. There are plenty of other traits that could work against you.
The traits themselves aren't inherently problematic. Energy Absorption and Dwarfism are useful to their original owners. They just don't suit Aimorphs.
In other words, traits beneficial to me aren't guaranteed to help No. 26 or Adhai. The same applies to PS-111.
"It's certainly difficult to transplant traits if there's significant genetic incompatibility. Testing compatibility on the remote control model seems useful."
PS-111 nodded, apparently deeming it worthwhile.
With its permission, I extended my combat arms toward the remote control model. The palms of my four-fingered hands split open, releasing symbiotic spores from within.
Transplantable targets must be 'friendly organisms.' Based on my experience, anything implanted with symbiotic spores counts as friendly to me.
The spore wriggled and attached itself to the screamer body that only had a face and upper torso. The tick-like spore, short on legs, seeped into the underside of the underdeveloped upper body.
Suddenly, the screamer body synced with PS-111 stuttered out in a garbled voice.
"F-Foreign, ob-object, de-detected. Confirmed."
'It should work even if it's mechanical, right?'
The artificial body PS-111 created had mechanical parts only in the face, brain, and some skeletal elements. The rest was tissue or organic matter cultured in this facility.
Fortunately, when I pressed the auxiliary organ under its jaw, a text box appeared.
'Good.'
Now, which trait to transplant?
Obviously, I can't use ones I rely on frequently or that are essential for my survival. Potentially useful ones are off-limits too.
'If the results are good, I can pass them on to the others.'
Special defense traits are excluded as well. No point wasting them since they haven't acquired types yet.
'Something suitable for testing...'
Ideally, something not very useful but with quick, observable results. That way, PS-111 can analyze the changes in short order.
After some thought, I selected 'Body Crystallization,' a basic environmental adaptation trait.
Body Crystallization temporarily hardens the body's carapace. But the hardness isn't impressive, and with the superior 'Variable Bio-Weapon' trait, it's not something I need.
'Yes... Huh?'
As I confirmed the final prompt, my side heads slipped from my control and began moving on their own.
The heads approached the artificial body and opened wide. From within emerged thick, long tentacle-like appendages—far too stout to call tongues. Two tentacles coated in black mucus gently wrapped around the artificial body.
'What's this?'
"A-Abnormal, tongue, phenomenon, oc-occurring. Anomaly."
"A-Abnormal, tongue, phenomenon, oc-occurring. Anomaly."
The body ensnared by the tentacles and PS-111 reacted identically. Both shuddered violently, repeating reports of anomalies.
'...It'll be fine, right?'
As if reading my thoughts, another text box appeared right on cue. The tentacles retracted into the mouths, and control of my side heads returned to normal.
The ensnared body was enveloped in black mucus, much like when I evolved. However, since it wasn't reconstructing the entire flesh like mine, the cocoon was smaller.
Once the trait-injected body entered the cocoon, PS-111 returned to normal. The figure blinked its camera-lens eyes as if the convulsions had never happened.
[Zuzuzu(You okay?)]
"Complex chemical reactions are occurring within the body. Astonishingly precise genetic reconfiguration is underway."
[Zuzuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu(It'll take about five minutes to complete).]
"I detect the synchronized state but cannot exert control."
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzuzu(Evolution feels just like that).]
"An intriguing sensation. I'll record it."
PS-111 seemed utterly fascinated by the mutations happening in its remote control model.
The mechanical arms in the production bay collected samples of the mucus splattered on the floor at its command. Meanwhile, the main body scooped up stray mucus with its hook claw and even tasted it.
I stopped it from touching the cocoon too. Aimorph cocoons are vulnerable to external attacks, and the remote model's thinner membrane would break even easier.
Five minutes later, the cocoon's mucus membrane dried and cracked. The mutated screamer body stirred, tearing through the brittle shell.
"Higher-dimensional adjustments confirmed. This data will be stored for future model development."
"H-Higher, di-dimensional, ad-adjustment, de-development, ref-reference."
[Zu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu(It should have new abilities now. Check it out).]
"Affirmative."
"Affirmative."
The main body and unfinished replica replied in unison. Both screamers blinked their camera-lens eyes and tilted their heads.
Their actions mirrored each other perfectly, like looking in a mirror—but the results differed.
On the floor-bound remote model, grainy protrusions emerged on its neck and upper torso skin. What first resembled water droplets swelled, spreading across the skin like cubic scales.
'Did it take?'
When an Aimorph activates Body Crystallization, it doesn't form like that—instead, it's covered in obsidian-like plating. I prodded the substance coating the skin with my combat arm.
'Hard.'
The texture matched Body Crystallization exactly, despite the different appearance.
[Zu(How's it feel?)]
"A crystallization-promoting substance has been secreted on the upper body. The secreting organ appears to be a mutated existing organ."
[Zuzuzu(Any side effects?)]
PS-111 twisted its neck about 200 degrees right there. The remote model did the same. Only the clacking of stones grinding together echoed—no major damage.
"The crystallized material has solidified into thin scales, posing no mobility issues."
Good news. It meant the transplanted trait adapts somewhat to the host body.
'Shall we try one more?'
Double Helix Monolith allows up to two traits.
Next, I chose the fusion trait 'Neurotoxin Gland,' related to the body.
Two reasons. First, to test how far traits adapt to the body.
For instance, what happens if you give wings to an aquatic organism or a fire-breathing trait? Ideally, it mutates meaningfully like before, but it could manifest harmfully to the recipient.
'PS-111's body is incomplete and lacks poison resistance.'
The main body, fused from multiple organisms, has immunity to various toxins.
Not the replica. Transplanting would reveal if it gains poison immunity alongside the gland, or just the harmful gland itself.
'And second.'
The neurotoxin itself is no longer useful to me.
Since reaching Near-Adult, many foes have poison resistance, limiting its opportunities.
'Served me well for a long time.'
Neurotoxin Gland was the first fusion trait I acquired when I awoke on the research ship. It got me through countless crises.
Time to let go of this grateful trait. I transplanted Neurotoxin Gland into the remote model.
After the same cocoon process, it was time for PS-111 to check the body again.
As it prepared to inspect the other body, it blinked several times and shook its head.
"Paralysis-inducing chemicals have spread throughout the body. Mobility impaired."
[Zuzu(Really?)]
"A gland secreting highly toxic substances has formed, rendering detoxification impossible. Until an immunity system neutralizes the poison, this remote model is unusable."
The long-serving Neurotoxin Gland helped me even in parting.
'Unlike with Aimorphs, it doesn't integrate perfectly.'
Body Crystallization adapted to thin scales instead of plating, but it didn't provide both the poison gland and immunity. The latter likely requires at least two independent organs.
'Too few experiments.'
The fully paralyzed remote model was unfit for further testing.
"A fascinating experiment. Deemed useful for remote model production and refinement. Recommend more tests."
As if reading my mind, it spoke up.
'What we need are traits for testing, and...'
Our heads turned simultaneously. At the end of our gazes were the mechanical apparatuses diligently operating inside the production bay.
[Zu zuzuzu zuzu(More of what?)]
"Biological tissues, skeletal tissues from nearby organisms, and minerals for mechanical parts."
[Zuzuzu(Got it.)]
My plans for the remaining vacation were set.
Time flew by, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Three days later than scheduled, the Mother in the Sky arrived at the new dragon's nest.
｢Whoa. I'm speechless.｣
The Mother in the Sky, arriving via the wrecked screamer support craft, gaped at me and PS-111.
[Zuzuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zu(It just turned out this way from all the experimenting).]
｢...This is a screamer, right?｣
[Zuzuzu(For now.)]
The production bay now housed five mini screamers.
Actually, calling them screamers might be a stretch, as she said. You wouldn't call a woman's head with eight metal legs a screamer.
"Models optimized for genetic transplantation experiments. Low energy consumption and high survivability."
"Excellent!"
"Excellent!"
The mini screamers atop PS-111's head chorused "excellent!" Their language modules and other functions had been streamlined for trait experiments.
'Inspired by PS-111's initial appearance.'
｢Wow! So many little friends!｣
No. 26, who came with the Mother in the Sky, seemed delighted by the mini screamers.
｢Little friends look just like friend!｣
｢Body｣ ｢gone｣ ｢hurt?｣
"This is their standard form."
Recalling its first meeting with PS-111, it gently scooped up a mini screamer with its tentacles. Adhai prodded one curiously with a foreleg.
Watching mini screamers crawl over No. 26 and Adhai, the Mother in the Sky pinched the corner of her eye hard.
｢...Gonna hurl.｣
"The finest product of collaboration between myself and the Aimorph. Please reconsider that statement."
"Collaboration! Reconsider!"
"Collaboration! Reconsider!"
｢Collaboration?｣ ｢Work?｣ ｢Product?｣
｢Little friends are cute!｣
As PS-111 said, this form enabled multiple rapid experiments.
Of course, I haven't fully grasped trait application or side effects. But learning precautions for transplanting to the others is harvest enough.
'It helped PS-111 too.'
Each of those five mini screamers has at least one of my traits transplanted. I used the Hunting Emblem daily to gather and implant them.
'Not great traits from my perspective.'
But for PS-111, they are. Each has different traits, and it controls them simultaneously. Despite appearances, their specs are solid, aiding its activities greatly.
Anyway, with the Mother in the Sky back...
The short—or long?—ten-day vacation was over.