Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Ep. 38
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Sander had always considered himself a cautious man.
It was ridiculous for someone committing a serious crime like smuggling to think that way, but he truly believed it.
After witnessing others get caught due to sloppy planning and end up as "employees" in the entertainment district, he prepared his smuggling operations with extreme care.
He'd established connections in advance with the smuggling animal management team, the port security team, and even the security team in the administrative district. Among the criminals in this space city, few moved with as much caution as he did.
Of course, being a realist, Sander didn't believe he could commit the perfect crime. His plan was to make enough credits to relocate to another planet before the surveillance net closed in on him.
But he never imagined some unidentified entity would crush his dreams just short of achieving his goal.
'Damn it!'
Sander cursed inwardly as he fled under the protection of his bodyguards.
He'd turned off the cameras and asked his contacts in the port security team to alter their patrol routes, so there wasn't a soul—or even an android—in the area.
Sure, there were still working cameras, but heading there would invite trouble. Sneaking into a storage area full of logistics containers in the dead of night with several people would raise suspicions of smuggling right away.
Sander knew full well that smuggling was a grave offense in Mega Corp territory.
It was a dead end.
Visions of the suffering "employees" in the entertainment district flickered before his eyes.
"We should head to the police station."
"What? If I go to the police station, I'm done for!"
"But we can't handle that thing ourselves. Requesting protection is our best bet right now."
"Th-that... damn it!"
His bodyguard was right. Buying time was better than dying immediately.
It seemed like the time had come to test just how effective the credits he'd slipped to the planetary oversight security team would be.
One bodyguard watched the rear while the other two stuck close to Sander as they moved.
The police station wasn't far once they left the unloading yard. They hurried through the massive walls formed by the containers.
"Aaaagh!"
"!"
A scream echoed from behind. Sander flinched and looked back, but no one was there.
Only the laser rifle dropped by one of the bodyguards lay abandoned on the ground.
"...We'll run."
The bodyguards, faces tense, grabbed Sander and pulled him along. Practically carrying him, they quickened their pace.
Ahead, in the chain-link fence surrounding the yard, a gate stood half-open.
They put on a burst of speed, thinking they just needed to get through it. Sander started feeling a glimmer of hope when one of the bodyguards froze in place.
"Wait!"
"What is it?"
"I heard something."
Sander strained his ears too, and sure enough, there was a sound.
Like the noise cranes made when shifting containers, but much quieter—more like a hammer periodically striking metal.
"The police station's just beyond there. Run!"
"What?"
"Run now!"
At the bodyguard's shout, Sander bolted. The two behind him raised their laser rifles, scanning the surroundings.
Minutes later, their death rattles reached his ears, amplifying his terror several times over.
He ran like a madman, shoes flying off unnoticed. The gate was right in front of him now. The moment he touched the half-open door, a sharp sting hit his calf.
'Huh?'
His legs gave out, slamming his face into the chain-link. It should have hurt—blood was flowing—but he felt no pain.
'What's going on?'
Only then did he realize his body was completely paralyzed. He lay there like a log as it appeared above him.
Grrrrr...
It's maw drew close to his face. Seeing the drool dripping from the monster's mouth, Sander wet himself without realizing it.
It growled shortly and hoisted Sander's body.
'Sh-shit! Where are you taking me?!'
The creature dragged him back to where they'd first encountered it—under the container crane. It tossed him to the ground like trash.
'Wh-what?'
Leaving Sander alone, it approached the cryo container holding the Outspacer.
Standing before the door, it pressed its head near the terminal.
'What are you doing?'
After a moment, it manipulated the terminal with a small arm from its chest, easily unlocking the door. Then, with heavy thuds, it entered the container.
An hour passed since it went in. It hadn't come out.
'Someone, please help!'
He needed to escape while it was distracted, but his body wouldn't budge.
All he could do was lie there, reeking.
It stinks.
I shook off my shoulder, smeared with the fluids Broker S had soiled himself with. I'd only meant to intimidate him, not scare him that badly. I'd even stabbed gently to avoid shocking him to death.
'Can't kill him yet.'
Broker S was important. Even if I ate him, it had to be at the right time.
'Deal with this first before the broker.'
I was now inside the cryo container storing the Outspacer.
It was packed with twenty extreme-low-temp cryo tubes.
With Broker S and corpses scattered around, I needed to devour the Outspacers quickly.
I operated the terminal on the frontmost tube. Cool air hissed out as the glass opened.
Inside was a creature blending lobster and camel spider traits.
About 80cm long, with a body like a camel spider, eight legs each as long as its body—two ending in massive claws. Its upper jaw protruded long and sharp, like it was biting a sickle.
'Thought it was a soldier, but no.'
This one in the tube was a worker. The list said nothing, so I'd assumed soldier, but wrong.
'Fine. As long as it's not the queen, they're all the same.'
No issue. Any Outspacer would grant the trait I wanted.
I ripped off the sleeping creature's head and chewed it.
'If only it weren't so cold.'
It tasted like steamed snow crab—just like eating it straight from the freezer without thawing.
'Or crab stick flavor?'
Familiar taste anyway. Being under 1m, it didn't take long to finish.
'First one's a bust.'
Nineteen left. I eagerly devoured the rest.
......
With only three remaining, even I felt anxious.
'Nothing's popping.'
I knew the Predation Effect odds were low, but none so far meant I should consider alternatives.
'Just let Broker S live?'
He came here to smuggle. Smuggling's a heavy crime in Mega Corp, so even if I killed his guards, he couldn't complain without incriminating himself.
'...Still, leaving a loose end bothers me.'
On the research ship, strict hierarchies made humans predictable, but the city was different. Who knows what allies or weapons he had.
'Gotta stay vigilant.'
Maybe I'd survived smoothly so far. In a game, I'd have died countless times, yet here I was.
'Getting a Gene Essence from twenty ain't easy.'
In the game, I'd eaten over a hundred of the same creature without one sometimes.
Especially against Gallerons or Vortex Ones—made me want to quit.
'Dealt with this plenty in the game.'
Assuming nothing from Outspacers, I picked up one of the last three.
Finished it—no Predation Effect.
......
Two left.
I half-gave up.
'Save the last for Number 26.'
Eighteen out of twenty, no drop—probability zero. Resigned, I bit into one of the two's leg.
The crunchy texture and springy meat pleased my tongue, but my mood soured.
Finishing the worker...
Grrrrr!
Yes!
I involuntarily roared aloud when it finally dropped what I wanted.
Parasite.
Outspacers carry various biological pathogens as racial traits. Parasite is one, burrowing into hosts to control their movements.
'Though Outspacer parasites only restrict actions.'
Impressive in lore, but in-game, it was a debuff.
Afflicted targets got restrictions on traits or gear.
Powerful enough, but for an Aimorph acquiring it...
'Fuse with Contamination Organ for enhanced parasites.'
As per lore, produce parasites controlling other creatures. Contamination Organ vanishes, shifting from flesh traits, but I had 11 flesh traits—over the 10 needed for type unlock—so no loss.
Plus, the fused trait unlocks a new type condition.
Flesh Enhancement (physical), Psionic Enhancement (powers), and the new Infection Enhancement from fusion.
Infection Enhancement affects debuffs like crowd control. Less direct than others, but perfect for my ambush style.
Nearing Near-Adult evolution needing 4 types, every one counts.
Only one choice.
Accepting, my body mutated. The lower right arm handling Contamination Organ thickened, bulging like it was filled with eggs. Inside, new parasites writhed, awaiting orders.
'Parasite' trait applied. Fusion possible with existing 'Contamination Organ'. 'Parasite' + 'Contamination Organ' fused. Evolved into 'Parasite Swarm' trait! Parasite Swarm: Contamination Organ effect lost; can now produce enhanced parasites (max 5).
P.S. I can't comprehend liking such a repulsive trait.
Available specialization types: 2. Psionic Enhancement Type (5/6), Infection Enhancement Type (1/4)
Perfect.
Got the trait—time to test.
I devoured the last Outspacer and exited. S, anesthesia wearing off, thrashed on the floor and convulsed at my sight.
"Eek!"
His face, pale turning sallow, screamed terror.
But he hadn't felt true fear yet.
That started now.
Activating Parasite Swarm, my lower right arm undulated. Like regurgitating, a black worm-like tendril burst from the palm hole.
"Wh-what are you doing?! St-stop!"
S wailed, breaking into sobs as I approached. Hours of trauma had hollowed his pudgy face.
My hand neared his gaunt visage.
"...Then I'll be off."
Broker S—no, Sander—bowed to me and left.
Parasite implantation successful. He was my slave now.
'Though only for 24 hours.'
After 24, the parasite dies, killing him as it grips his brain.
I must replace it before then to save him.
Sander knew. Without me, he dies.
'Smart guy won't resist easily.'
He might try extraction at a hospital, but the parasite reads his thoughts. Any disloyalty, and it secretes pain chemicals.
'It'll hurt like hell.'
He'd already experienced that agony. No easy rebellion.
Plus, I showed him how I disposed of bodies right in front of him. Smart as he is, he'd get my intent.
'Time to head home.'
I took the leader bodyguard and returned, gripping him.
Home, Number 26 was awake, waiting.
[Zzzzt (Worried you'd be hungry)]
I'm a learning Aimorph. Offering food calmed it instantly.
Fed, I pulled the neighbor's ankle from the fridge.
As we enjoyed our midnight snack, night deepened.