Chapter 362
Chapter 362
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 362
Chapter Title: Lurking in the Lava
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Inside the open drawer was a rhombus-shaped gravestone.
We stayed in our new hideout for 24 hours without stepping outside.
'I originally planned to stay just briefly.'
But unexpectedly, the pit's structure was quite complex, making it suitable as a base. So we rested while building a nest.
The massive tunnel naturally formed as lava passed through was covered in black mucus. The walls and ceiling were thickly intertwined with hardened mucus like veins, and the floor was filled with liquid. Thanks to the thick steam filling the tunnel, it reminded one of an ancient swamp.
For all the steam, the temperature wasn't that high. That was thanks to the 'Master of Environment' trait, which allowed me to regulate the nest's internal temperature and environment. With the air throughout the nest kept cool, everyone could rest comfortably.
After we'd all taken a break together, I brought up our next moves.
"Hunting upper-class Apexes, eliminating the Return Faction's equipment manager 'Salman', and crafting my custom gear. Those seem to be the three main goals you mentioned."
The Mother of the Sky neatly summarized what I'd said into three points.
"The point is, you want to discuss the order, right?"
[Zzzt(Yes)]
She thought for a moment before speaking.
"It might be best if PS-111 and I move separately."
[Zzzt(ZZzt(Separately?))]
"I need tools to make my gear."
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt(ZZzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt(PS-111 can help with that))]
"If you need any equipment, I will craft it for you."
PS-111 flicked its hook claws, exuding confidence. But the Mother of the Sky shook her head.
"Material processing can be done as you say by PS-111, but for assembly and fabrication, we need precisely functioning facilities."
[Zzzt(Oh?)]
"Salman handles the Return Faction's equipment maintenance, so he must have repair facilities. We can sneak in with PS-111 and use them."
It didn't sound like a bad idea.
They still didn't know we'd infiltrated this place. The fact that the enemies weren't on alert could actually make infiltration easier.
Besides, she was a ranker Wolf who could freely shift between phantom beast and beastkin forms. She'd probably infiltrated enemy territory and caused chaos countless times.
She wouldn't have much trouble executing the plan with PS-111.
[Zzzt zzzt(Sure you'll be okay?)]
"I've sneaked into patrol ships with Heavy Walkers before, so don't worry."
And so, the Mother of the Sky and PS-111 were set as the infiltration team.
[Zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt(The rest will hunt with me)]
"Big Baby likes hunting."
"New food""Tasty""Don't know""Curious"
Number 26, floating on the swamp like a lamp, expressed its joy by lighting up its body.
True to its curious nature, Adhai seemed more interested in eating new creatures from unfamiliar places than the hunt itself.
Isabelle, who had been coiled up listening nearby, asked me.
"Planning to go straight for the Magmasaur?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt(No. Something else first)]
"Something else. You're targeting the 'Elemental Horror' and 'Pyromancer', right?"
[Zzzt(Yes)]
Just as she said, I planned to hunt those two before the Magmasaur. Both were dangerous Apex creatures with useful traits.
I was a bit surprised she knew them so well despite not being an Aimorph player.
Seeing my reaction, Isabelle narrowed her blue eyes slightly.
"I've come to volcanic planets several times because of my sister."
That made immediate sense.
'Galleron habitats include volcanic planets too.'
Her twin sister Penelope was a renowned Galleron fanatic. From what I knew, she'd researched their ecology, including prey and predators. Much of the game's lore on Gallerons came from Penelope's discoveries.
'Must have been tough.'
She probably didn't even like Gallerons but had to traverse all sorts of dangerous planets for her sister.
To confirm my guess, Isabelle glanced at PS-111 with her sapphire-like beautiful eyes. Having received Coldblood eyes instead of mechanical ones, complex emotions flickered in them.
She looked at her now completely changed sister, then turned her gaze back to me.
"Which one first?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt(The Pyromancer first)]
"Pyromancer. When do you plan to take out the ranker?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt(Last)]
I figured we'd deal with Salman while taking down the Magmasaur. Isabelle rested her head on her coiled body and said.
"You're going to crash their fight mid-way. Just like in the game."
He was after the same target as me, making it perfect for playing the third party getting the benefits. Let him attack the Magmasaur first, then ambush at the right moment.
'Plus, I can observe its traits in advance.'
Anyway, our movements were now sorted.
I led the others out of the nest. Sweltering heat that felt like it was blazing and hot volcanic ash greeted us.
"The base is that way, right?"
"Yes."
The Mother of the Sky was about to depart with PS-111.
As I was about to tell her to be careful, something occurred to me.
[Zzzt zzzt(Wait)]
"?"
I held out my combat arm to stop her. An enhanced parasite emerged from a hole in the arm and crawled onto my finger.
Seeing it, she widened her amber eyes.
"Parasite? Why this all of a sudden?"
[Zzzt zzzt(For communication)]
If we got too far apart, smooth communication would be hard. And if something happened to her, I had no sure way to know.
'But with the parasite, no worries.'
Carry the enhanced parasite, and if needed, infect a human at the base to relay messages. She'd tell the infected human, and the parasite would signal me.
Or if even that's too dangerous, just kill the parasite.
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt(Pretty good idea, right?)]
"...Exactly like you."
I explained, and she let out a deep sigh. She hesitantly took the parasite.
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt(It's delicate, handle carefully)]
"......"
The parasite wriggled onto the griffon beastkin's arm.
The eel-like black worm brushed against the fur near her collarbone as it moved. Her fur bristled at the affectionate gesture.
"If it's unpleasant, I can hold onto it."
"That might be best."
I'd hoped the Mother of the Sky would keep it, but she handed it to PS-111 right away.
"No need to worry. It'll be much safer inside me."
PS-111 gently gripped the parasite with its hook claw and brought it to its underside. A metallic click sounded as a panel opened, revealing a storage space about 70cm deep.
Inside were chunks of Vortex Ring flesh and Dread Song hide. Between them, its digestive organs wriggled visibly.
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt zzzt(Already packed full, won't it be uncomfortable?)]
"It can accommodate parasitic organisms as well."
It casually inserted the parasite into its belly and closed the panel.
'Should be fine.'
As long as its body didn't get bisected, the parasite wouldn't die.
With that, the Mother of the Sky and PS-111 headed toward Salman's base.
I moved with the rest toward where the Pyromancer might be.
'Start with the lava lake.'
Actually, the Pyromancer was a nomadic predator. It didn't stay in one place long, constantly roaming and hunting.
Still, I headed to the lava lake because its prey roamed there.
Volcaroxes rolling in lava and rocks to harden their bodies, Lava Raptors hiding in the molten depths targeting them. All favorites of the Pyromancer.
No way it'd pass a buffet like that, so I'd wait and catch it there.
I flew low along the lava paths on the black plains. Isabelle, flying beside me, asked.
"I meant to ask earlier, but isn't the Elemental Horror easier to find?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt(Territorial creature?)]
"Yeah. Those hedgehogs mostly live in volcanic craters."
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt(That's why)]
"?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt(Salman's underlings are searching for the Magmasaur)]
"Ah."
Isabelle nodded in understanding.
No point wandering the volcano and getting caught, complicating things.
"Big Baby, what's a hedgehog?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzzt( Small creature with spines)]
"Spines?"
[Zzzt zzzt zzzt zzt zzzt zzt zzzt(Like this but thinner and smaller)]
I pointed to the horn on my head, and Number 26 lit up as if understanding.
"It has pointy appendages! Like humans!"
There were many differences, but it was too complicated to explain, so I stayed quiet.
"This""Appendage""Not""Horn""Appendage""Different"
"Horn? What's a horn?"
"Horn""Male""Symbol""Horn""Size""Important"
"Big appendages good?"
Adhai, flying with us, approached my central head. It gently stroked then pulled my horn with its tail tip.
"Very""Very""Important"
"......"
I could feel Isabelle giving me a strange look. Nothing to say this time either.
We chatted idly while following the lava. What started as thin veins protruding on my skin had widened into a river.
At the river's end lay a vast lake of fire.
The lake constantly boiled from the heat and gases rising below. At its edge, a pack of Lava Raptors hid, only their bifurcated tails visible.
Outside the churning lava, Volcaroxes they targeted lumbered about.
Volcaroxes didn't form herds except during mating. The massive bronze bulls moved spaced apart.
Around the bulls were rats 60-70cm long, covered in scales. They scurried around the bulls, climbing on to gnaw at protruding rocks.
Those small monsters were Stoners. They mainly ate rare minerals and rocks. Thanks to that, they had symbiotic relations with lava-and-rock-dwelling creatures.
For instance, excess lava and rock buildup hindered Volcarox movement, so Stoners periodically cleared it. The Volcarox knew this and ignored their nuisance.
'No Pyromancer here.'
If it were, the lake shore wouldn't be this peaceful.
'Prey is plentiful. Wait here.'
Like on Aska 44, I placed the others in each head's mouth. Then dove into the lava's center.
The lake was deep enough to submerge my prone body fully. Feeling the heat envelop me, I poked my head slightly above. If there were crocodiles in fire and magma, I'd look just like one now.
'Good. Now...'
Only one thing left to do.
'Wait for the 'new prey' to come.'
"Dad, it hurts so much..."
"Yeah? Should I ask for some painkillers?"
"No. Just untie this. It hurts and I can't breathe."
"■■, the bandage doctor's not here right now? Let's do it tomorrow. Okay?"
"Okay..."
"Good girl. Our ■■. Oh, and Dad brought a fun movie. Wanna watch together?"
"Yeah!"