Chapter 358
Chapter 358
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 358
Chapter Title: Dreadsong's Territory
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There was a mountain of things to take care of on this planet. Catching the Wolf Ranker, raiding the Returners' equipment depot he was guarding, gathering materials to craft gear for Sky's Mother, and more. It wasn't just one or two things demanding my attention.
'First things first: catching the Wolf Ranker and acquiring the traits I need.'
Searching for the Wolf Ranker or other Apex creatures would be faster than hunting Magmasaurs. As I mentally sorted out my priorities, PS-111 approached me.
"The structure of the hind legs has been confirmed to resemble that of a Lavaraptor. Requesting dissection experiment for internal analysis."
[Zuzu (No way)]
The drone had been eyeing my legs intently with its red camera lens for a while now. No injury meant no dissection, so I refused.
"That's unfortunate."
"Of course I'd say no to cutting open a perfectly fine leg."
Despite its regretful words, PS-111 narrowed its eyes at my leg. Seeing this, Isabelle shook her head.
[Zuzu zuzu (How's the taste?)]
"Honestly, it's tastier than any food I've ever eaten in my life."
The kid wiped its mouth with the arm near its head, as if amazed even by its own reaction. Then it prodded the Lavaraptor on the ground with its Galleron-clawed tail and held the meat close to the lava to grill it.
｢Pretty baby｣ ｢Me｣ ｢One｣ ｢Give｣
"You want some? Hold on, I gotta grill it first."
｢Pretty baby｣ ｢Nice｣ ｢Ugly friend｣ ｢Bad｣
｢...Look at that nasty-tempered flying lizard. Ugh.｣
'Good thing it's eating well.'
I extended a combat arm to eat another Lavaraptor. Just as I was about to, my auxiliary organ detected faint vibrations in the air.
'What the...?'
I paused and looked up. Amid the ash-choked, dim sky, a small light twinkled.
That wasn't a star.
"Aimorph?"
｢Why all of a sudden... Huh? That can't be?｣
[Zuzuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu (It's a shuttle. Heading this way)]
The unidentified shuttle was approaching us.
'A shuttle, huh.'
No other fighters or patrol ships in sight. I could take it down in minutes.
'No, more importantly...'
This planet hadn't been terraformed at all, making it inhospitable for humans. That shuttle likely came from one of the few artificial habitats here.
'And that's probably where the Wolf Ranker and the equipment depot I'm after are.'
Follow the shuttle, and I wouldn't have to fly around searching for habitats myself.
Decision made, I slammed my wing arms into the ground. The earth cracked open, forming a large pit where I'd struck.
[Zuzu zuzu (Everyone, hide)]
I shoved the kids inside and swept dirt and rock fragments over it with my wing membranes for a quick cover. Then I plunged into the nearby lava.
The pooled lava wasn't deep enough to fully hide my massive body, but I had traits for that.
'Dark Veil' to evade electronic detection, and 'Camouflage' that activates if I stay still for a few minutes. Using both concealment traits together should keep me hidden from the shuttle.
Hidden like that, the shuttle passed overhead. It headed toward the volcano I'd used to enter the planet.
'Business at the volcano?'
I thought it would fly past, but it veered around and landed near our position. Two figures in thick reinforced suits resembling spacesuits disembarked.
"Why are all these Lavaraptors dead?"
"Caught in a volcanic eruption?"
"This isn't their territory. No reason for them to come here and die."
"Collect samples first."
From their conversation, they seemed like researchers. One pulled tools from a kit on his abdomen to sample the corpses, while the other scanned footprints and traces around them with a lantern.
Suddenly, the researcher following the footprints with his lantern shouted loudly.
"Hey! Check out these footprints!"
"What now... Whoa?! What the hell?"
"...This isn't Dreadsong territory, right?"
"Obviously. No one goes in there."
"Damn, then what is this? Some unknown creature?"
"Maybe Magmasaur tracks?"
That's when I heard familiar creature names in their talk.
'Dreadsong and Magmasaur?'
"No way. Lavaraptors wouldn't be crazy enough to attack one. They'd just run."
"Then what about these tracks?"
"If I knew that, would I be standing here...? Huh?"
"What? Figure it out?"
"No, not that. Why do these tracks just end here?"
"Huh?"
The researchers following my footprints stopped right in front of the lava where I was hiding. I could feel their eyes on me.
'Perfect timing.'
I'd only thought of tailing the shuttle secretly, but a better idea hit me.
I rose from my spot.
"Wha—whoa? It's moving!"
"Earthquake...?"
Their conversation cut off as I stood up.
Licking the lava dripping from my maw with my tongue, I asked them,
"Magmasaur and Dreadsong. How much do you know?"
They seemed like they could be useful guides.
The researchers who'd come out and the shuttle pilot answered my questions dutifully.
As expected, they were subordinates of Salman, the Wolf Ranker on this planet. They'd been ordered to investigate the sudden surge in volcanic activity, flitting around everywhere. Probably hunting for the Magmasaur that lurks deep in volcanic hearts.
'Magmasaurs affect volcanic activity.'
I could guess why he was sending minions after it.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzuzuzu (What was Salman's special perk again?)]
"'Beast God's Snare.' It lets him control wild animals."
Isabelle, who'd emerged from hiding, answered my question.
She had the power to read information from anyone she saw with her own eyes. She knew the perks, skills, and gear of every Ranker we'd met. Among them, the Returners' Wolf Ranker Salman had a taming-related perk.
'In the game, tons of Wolf players begged for beast-taming skills or perks.'
A jetpack-equipped wolfkin rampaging with a rhino monster in full reinforced exoskeleton—plenty wanted that battlefield romance.
The game let you mimic it somewhat, but it wasn't efficient. You couldn't form emotional bonds like with NPCs or real pets.
｢What a dreamy power.｣
Sky's Mother, a Wolf player in real life too, let her feelings slip unwittingly.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu zuzu zuzu (Non-playable animals only, and only those you defeat in combat. Right?)]
"Yeah."
Couldn't control playable monsters like Aimorphs or Outspacers. And only animals Salman personally defeated could be dominated.
"From what I saw before, he has to touch them directly after winning for the perk to activate."
Victory first, then physical contact to trigger domination.
Unfortunately, that's all Isabelle knew. She hadn't faced Salman long enough to read finer details.
'Still plenty useful.'
Unclear how far domination extended, but top Apexes like Vortex Cores seemed impossible. He could've taken one with help from allies, especially 4th place, but hadn't.
'Hunting Magmasaurs is weird, though.'
Excluding special abilities, pure combat power put it a step below a fully powered 'Ring of Agony.' Weaker than Vortex Cores, sure, but no pushover.
In the game, Magmasaurs were quasi-raid bosses like Sea Demons. Even Rankers dreaded solo hunts.
'1v1, even with Wolf avatar's Possession technique, it'd be tough.'
Based on info so far, Salman wasn't that strong.
Summary: Enemy Ranker prepping solo quasi-raid boss assault without player allies.
Only one explanation.
'He's using his dominated animals for help.'
Like how I fought Gallerons and Vortex Cores with my kids.
'Key is how strong his beasts are.'
Or how many he had.
Either way, they were Magmasaur-worthy at least.
'Need more intel for the rest.'
Time to wrap up on the Wolf Ranker.
I looked down at the trembling humans in their reinforced suits.
These guys scouting Magmasaurs could be useful. Use them, and I'd pinpoint Apex locations before Salman.
About to inject parasites, I paused as something clicked.
"You mentioned Dreadsong's territory earlier?"
"Y-yes? Y-yes, that's right."
"Where is it?"
"Uh, well..."
The researcher panicked at my question. He figured coordinates meant nothing to me.
I extracted parasites from my combat arm and beckoned. PS-111 approached.
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzu (Check the shuttle for Dreadsong's location)]
"Leave it to me."
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu (And these too)]
I handed PS-111 three parasites as well.
The three humans shook harder seeing the wriggling worms. They knew where those bugs were headed.
Didn't plan to go easy, though.
｢Going for Dreadsong?｣
[Zu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzuzu (Yeah. We need it)]
I needed Dreadsong's genetic essence; Sky's Mother needed its flesh.
Wolf gear could be made from Vortex Core and Dreadsong flesh. Time to gather all materials now.
Ten minutes later, PS-111 emerged from the shuttle with coordinates.
"I'll guide you to those coordinates."
[Zuzu zuzuzuzu (Let's head out then)]
I crouched to let the kids ride on top, then kicked off hard with my reinforced legs. Wings fully spread, my body shot upward.
The ash-filled sky was perfect cover. Even a massive creature like me could roam undetected.
PS-111, cradled in my chest's small arms, pointed a direction with its hook claws.
'Descend somewhere suitable en route.'
I stretched my neck and tail straight, stiffening my wing membranes. Air currents let me glide without flapping.
｢This｣ ｢No sound｣ ｢Good｣ ｢Ambush｣ ｢Useful｣
[Zu (Right)]
｢Me too｣ ｢Can do｣
Adhai, riding atop the central head with 26, unfolded its wings and took flight.
Its flight was silent and agile, like futuristic fighters in SF movies. Once my pupil in combat and flight alongside Sky's Mother, it now outdid me. Despite fighting together many times, its growth in that tiny Galleron body always stirred something in me.
[Zuzu zuzu (Watch for lightning)]
｢Me｣ ｢Fine｣ ｢Big one｣ ｢More｣ ｢Danger｣
Thus, Adhai and I flew to the thundercloud zone. True to a volcanic planet, active volcanoes dotted the landscape, stretching the flight longer than expected.
About six hours later, the ash clouds thinned rapidly. I adjusted my wings to descend.
Blackened wasteland of cooled lava stretched endlessly. A far cry from where we'd started six hours ago.
Here, hell rained ash and acid instead of fire and magma.
I landed in that lifeless expanse. My feet sank into the hardened lava surface, red liquid and flames seeping from the cracks.
I trudged across the slightly solidified lava, feet sinking with each step like walking through mud.