Chapter 325
Chapter 325
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Doubts and Hidden Contacts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Ah, and I think I need to stick around here a little longer.”
“Confirmed.”
I contacted the mansion using MPS-05, then sprawled out flat on the airship's floor. In that position, I faced the Mother of the Sky, who was seated in one of the guest chairs.
“I figured things might get messy, so no need to apologize to me.”
｢……｣
“If anything, I put you in danger. I'm truly sorry about that.”
｢…No need to apologize. It was my choice.｣
“Same goes for me.”
Understanding my meaning, she fixed her amber eyes on me for a moment before giving a small nod.
“Now that that's settled, let's move on.”
｢Okay.｣
“You heard Isabel's demands, so you know the situation. Without using parasites, it's hard to resolve this easily.”
She glanced at my arm, which could barely move, then spoke up.
｢What if I lead them instead?｣
“I've considered it, but it's not ideal. Here, you're seen as nothing but a slave. Unless we forge your identity completely, someone will get suspicious.”
｢Then how about using Starlight Coordinates? If we implant symbiotic spores, we can transport the Coldbloods.｣
“That's my trump card. I'd rather save it as a last resort.”
｢You're… right about that.｣
She immediately agreed, knowing full well the potential of Starlight Coordinates.
“My plan is to sneak the slaves onto a civilian ship.”
｢A different ship? Like smugglers do?｣
“Exactly. Once they're out of this star system, the slaves can seize the ship and head straight to their destination.”
｢Will that work? The ones Isabel had looked in really bad shape.｣
“With symbiotic spores and nests, we can heal them. Arm them too, and taking the ship won't be hard.”
｢What about piloting it?｣
“No worries there. I'm planning to send MPS-05 along.”
“Business trip? Business trip!”
When it came to seizing ships, MPS-05 was nearly as capable as my main body. It could easily take control. The real issue was getting there.
Even if we healed the Coldbloods and armed them, they weren't fighters. They could wield Vortex power, but without training, they'd likely hurt themselves or their allies by mishandling it.
Without help, the takeover would be bloody.
｢…That's too risky. Half of them won't make it before arrival.｣
The Mother of the Sky pointed out the flaws in my thinking.
｢Isabel would never allow it. They're precious to her.｣
“Precious?”
｢Yes. That look in her eyes, those emotions—they're just like what her husband showed.｣
She had abandoned her ties to the Players to live among this world's natives. Bonding with the mighty being the Wolfs revered as the 'Father of the Earth' was part of that. It was why she was called the Mother of the Sky.
Though she failed to have children of her own, she cherished and cared for the Wolf natives instead. If Muriel hadn't slaughtered them all, she never would have followed me. She'd have devoted herself to the survivors.
'Is Isabel the same type?'
The Mother of the Sky seemed to see Isabel as a kindred spirit. Though unlike her path of vengeance, Isabel had chosen to protect her family.
｢Can you give me one more chance tomorrow?｣
“A chance?”
｢I'll try convincing her. If she leaves with the Coldbloods, we won't need to take risks. We can all just board a ship together.｣
If Isabel agreed, as she said, other worries would vanish.
'If she can be convinced, that is.'
I had no proof, but Isabel's motives felt deeper than just saving her family. There was a madness and obsession like what the Mother of the Sky showed toward Muriel.
Of course, never having lost someone dear, I might just be imagining it. If No. 26 or Adhai got hurt or died, I'd lose my mind too.
｢I don't know why she's staying here, but it must be important. Still, I want to help her think it over—whether it's worth parting from her family.｣
She hoped her old friend wouldn't suffer the same sorrow she had.
'Should I trust her one more time?'
Her suggestion wasn't entirely rational, but it cost me nothing. If it worked, I'd gain Isabel's periodic help—a win for me.
Even if she failed, things wouldn't change much. I could always devise another way to move the Coldbloods.
“Alright. You know her best out of any of us. Talk it out properly tomorrow.”
｢Thank you for trusting me.｣
“And tomorrow, take MPS-05 too. If we go with the ship hijack plan, we'll need it.”
“Needed. Needed.”
That settled the debate on Isabel.
How effective their old bond would be…
Tomorrow would tell.
-
The time when the night sun blanketed Versan 02.
Isabel returned to her lodging after a grueling day.
Perched on the rickety bed, she unwound the bandages from her feet first. Peeling off the cloth soaked with crusted blood revealed her regenerating toes.
｢……｣
Coldbloods possessed various internal organ traits unique to their species. It let them adapt to harsh environments, survive long famines, and regenerate lost body parts with enough sustained nutrition.
Despite her superior physique, she felt no joy. No matter the crisis, this cursed body had kept her alive. Watching her loved ones die was always her burden.
'But not much longer now.'
She rebandaged her healing toes and sat at the table in the corner. From the drawer, she pulled out a small grave marker.
It resembled a diamond from a deck of cards.
She yanked out the wires snaking across the floor beneath the table and connected them to the stone. It lit up and floated into the air.
｢You're late.｣
The voice from the stone was distorted, gender impossible to discern. Isabel knew who it belonged to, though.
“Work kept me. My apologies.”
｢How's the 'tool' doing?｣
“Compatibility rose to 65%.”
｢65%? Why the sudden slowdown?｣
“I can't confirm the reason. But bodily reactions show it's still rising steadily.”
Her daily routine was reporting 'plan'-related matters to the contact beyond the stone at day's end. Today was no different.
But her counterpart didn't see it that way.
｢The plan can't tolerate any delays. It's already shaken by unforeseen variables. One more deviation, and deserters will appear.｣
“……”
｢We saved you for your 'eyes.' If they're blind, there's no reason to keep you.｣
Isabel fell silent at the chilling warning from the stone.
Fugitive from the Dominion faction's Rankers, she could hide on Versan 02 thanks to this contact.
They spared her solely for her abilities.
The world 22nd-ranked Coldblood Ranker Isabel perceived was unlike others'.
What she saw was information itself. An object floating in midair that others saw as just a stone appeared differently to her eyes.
Its name, status, purpose, contact's identity—everything related poured straight from her eyes to her brain.
'Eyes of All Creation'.
Her perk let her read objects' hidden info. She could tell if someone was a Ranker, their abilities, even hostile intent.
But she needed line-of-sight, so it wasn't omnipotent.
That flaw left her hunted by Rankers. The Dominion's elites overwhelmed her group with sheer power. Only her perk let her escape.
The problem was her retainers. Sneaking dozens around wasn't easy. Abandoning them would have ensured safety, but she refused.
Once was enough to send loved ones away before her eyes.
Her ability let her evade with 40 kin for quite some time. But she was eventually caught by a Cult Ranker.
Just as she thought it was over, the one introducing herself as Cynthia made an offer she couldn't refuse.
Serve their plan, and they'd grant her desires.
｢We're mobilizing every resource for the plan's success. If you falter, we'll have to reconsider reuniting you with your twin sister.｣
At mention of the contract, Isabel rose from her chair and prostrated before the floating stone.
“…I'll ensure this never happens again.”
No visual feed on the stone, but it didn't matter. Hidden surveillance in the lodging watched her every move.
As expected, her submission drew a faint sigh from beyond.
｢Fine. The 'tool' won't stray from the plan's path. No need for pointless antics. Just report its status.｣
“Understood.”
｢One more thing. Why'd you hurt your toe?｣
Isabel froze at the question. Her fingertips trembled faintly, barely noticeable up close.
Finally, she spoke.
“Pricked it on a cactus thorn while prepping food at the hotel.”
｢Cactus? Want some medicine?｣
“Already removed the necrotic part. It'll heal fast with this body.”
｢Tch, be careful.｣
She lied calmly.
Versan 02's wild cacti carried vicious paralytic venom and were common in upscale liquor ingredients, making such accidents routine. Her contact bought it.
｢That's it for today.｣
“Thank you.”
｢Oh, and what I said earlier—I pushed hard because things feel shaky. Don't take it to heart.｣
“I'm fine.”
｢Good. Remember, we're the only true humans in this world. The plan's for all of us. Got it?｣
“Yes.”
With that, the stone's light died. She stowed it away.
“Grind.”
Lodging surveillance stifled even her rage. All she could do was gnash her teeth cautiously.
'Just a bit longer.'
If her secret plan succeeded, one worry would lift. Her room to maneuver would widen greatly.
'Seo-ah unnie and Morphark's arrival was unexpected.'
She'd figured they'd come eventually if alive. She still had the communicator from Seo-ah.
But not this perfectly timed. And with Morphark, her game-world archenemy, no less.
'That recent orbital strike. Must be because of him.'
She'd seen the upgraded Thunder Gods bomb another city. Orbital weapons hitting the Empire's most prosperous planet? Rare. The Cults must have targeted Morphark.
'They think he's dead over there.'
He'd survived using camouflage. But instead of reporting, Isabel stayed silent. It benefited her.
'Wish I could ask for help, but no.'
Seo-ah unnie might, but Morphark? Never.
She'd seen Players corrupt many times. A notorious one like him? Worse, if anything. He hadn't demanded her gene essence or perk yet—lucky break.
'Same as always. I handle it alone.'
She slipped the stone back into the drawer and lay on the bed.
'Wait. This time, I'll make sure…'
Thinking of her past life and goal—her twin sister—Isabel drifted to sleep.
-
The Mother of the Sky and I, having spent the night in the airship, moved earlier than scheduled with Isabel.
To procure food for the Coldblood slaves she was hiding.
'Whatever happens, they need some recovery.'
Coldbloods could survive without food or water for ages. But survival wasn't thriving. Injury or illness in starvation killed quickly.
Hijack plan or otherwise, their state made wielding Vortex power doubtful.
“This, this, and that one. Buy these, then next shop.”