Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Subway Predator
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'If the reporter's started looking for me, I need to wrap this up fast.'
Reporters rely heavily on their social networks.
That means information spreads like wildfire among them. I can't let my guard down just because it's only one for now. The moment I look away, the person who knows about me could multiply into dozens or hundreds in an instant.
'That's why it's so hard to control them with parasitism.'
It's not because they have some unyielding journalistic spirit or strong resistance.
The reason they're hard to control is the same reason they're dangerous: their social connections. They meet all sorts of people—strangers or those introduced through contacts—so any change in behavior would tip off those around them right away.
In other words, turning her into a slave would be less beneficial than just making her prey.
I picked up the communicator again and asked William.
"What about her mode of transport?"
"She came on foot. She probably took the subway to cross districts."
A newspaper office would likely be in the commercial district.
'But there are no manholes near newspaper offices.'
If it's far, it'd be tough for me to go to her. Sending William to lure her out would backfire.
'If she disappears, he'd be suspect number one.'
He's a useful slave I went out of my way not to eat. Losing him this soon would be a waste.
'Wait, subway?'
Some of the secret passages near my nest run very close to the subway tracks. Platforms have cameras, but the tracks themselves don't.
'Is there a spot where the tracks connect to the secret passages?'
In the game, there wasn't, but this is reality. If there's a close spot, I could dig through the wall and link them.
I'd dismissed subway stations before because of all the cameras, but if I can reach the tracks, my options open up wide.
'Nest's done anyway. Time to check.'
I lay flat on the floor and connected the auxiliary organ under my jaw to the nest.
A sensation hit me like my whole body was yanked and then stretched out explosively. The link completed, and events unfolding across the city flooded in.
'Noisy.'
Unlike the static research ship, the crew's lives and movements created a torrent of data—overwhelming chaos.
Vibrations from trains abusing the metal tracks, footsteps of people, breaths and coughs from subway riders, the stench of stale sweat and body odor. The city's veins assaulted my senses.
'Subway's too much. Where's the closest point to the tracks?'
Extending my senses, I found several spots where corroding the metal wall a bit would lead straight to the tracks.
'Three viable ones.'
Two in the entertainment district, one in the commercial district.
Others were close but problematic—passages too narrow for me to navigate or too near platforms, risking detection even after digging.
'Must be the station density.'
From what I knew, the entertainment district had the most stations, followed by commercial.
'Dig entertainment later. Check commercial first.'
I severed the link and stood.
Heading to the secret passage hugging the tracks, Specimen 026 woke and spoke to me.
"Where to?"
[Chrr (Stroll)]
"Yeah. Hurry back."
It snuggled back against Adhai and dozed off. They got along like wild animals with some unspoken bond.
'Scene you'd never see in the game.'
Aimorphs were forced solo players, and the other races I'd tried weren't big on parties either.
'Come to think of it, I spent more time breaking parties than joining them.'
Clans that imploded from infighting mid-fight with me weren't few.
'That jungle planet battle was peak.'
Four major clans once allied to encircle the planet just for me. Loaded with rankers, it was tough for my Near-Adult self back then.
I threw every ambush and trick in the Aimorph playbook at them.
Many strategies I use now originated there—first tries or mid-battle inventions.
'That fight leveled me up big time. Though I'd never do it again.'
Anyway, they fell for my schemes, fought each other, and self-destructed.
Three clans disbanded; the survivor hemorrhaged members, shrinking from 100 to 60.
'Me, the party-splitter, with companions now. Ironic.'
In a world where game lore became reality, no less.
Lost in old memories, I reached my destination quick. Nest expansion hadn't hit residential yet.
'Lay another here?'
Nest slots increase by two per evolution; as Subadult, I can have five. One down, four left.
'After eating the reporter.'
Vowing to use this prey's energy for a new nest, I touched the wall.
Thinner than others—train vibrations felt stronger.
'Let's do this.'
I scratched my hand with a claw. Acidic blood, melting even tough alloys, oozed out. Smearing it on the wall, metal hissed and dissolved.
Repeat as wounds healed. In about ten minutes, a hole formed.
'Good enough.'
Stopped wounding, kicked the hole wider. Leg Strength Enhancement made my kicks bend thick alloy.
Enlarged with kicks, then tore out molten scraps with four arms.
Result: a crawlspace-sized hole perfect for me.
Into the tracks—subway dust welcomed me. Iron tang from rails, faint track currents caressing my auxiliary organ.
Surveying old rails, lights approached from afar. Train incoming.
'Path's open.'
Now just intel on the prey.
Ask William when we meet.
10:30 PM.
As lights dimmed in the commercial district, Kevin finally left the Daily Mars branch office.
"Whew, super late."
Late shift, but she wasn't bummed. The branch chief loved her scoop and hinted at promotion post-board meeting.
'Promotion means admin district? Or a better planet?'
Daydreaming happily, she waited for the subway at the station.
Platform empty save for her—no fear, thanks to cameras watched by guards.
Then, reality shattered: lights out.
"Eek?!"
She yelped, collapsing in shock. Frozen, speakers crackled.
"Apologies. Checking subway lights for board prep. Emergency power for platform soon—please wait."
Red emergency lights bathed the platform.
"Fuckin' hell, maintenance now?!"
She brushed her knees, cursing thickly. Board prep meant late checks, but a non-guard like her wouldn't know.
Red glow turned eerie. Clutching her bag, she waited.
'When's the damn train... Huh?'
Anxious eyes spotted someone.
No one there before, now a man on her line.
Creepy alone, better with company.
Noting the mystery man, a weird smell wafted.
'Where's that from...'
Not the usual dank station air—something new, ominous.
'When'd he show?'
He stood near stairs.
During blackout? But footsteps should've sounded.
Unless from the dark tracks beyond.
"......"
Minds play tricks—avoid dread, get worse thoughts.
'Don't wander alone at night.'
Why William's words now? Gulping, she sidelong-glanced the suspicious figure.
And froze.
He'd turned, staring right at her.
Now approaching slowly.
'N-no, stay back!'
Legs leaden, couldn't flee.
Colleagues called her "Crazy Kevin."
Feared no one for scoops, thanks to Daily Mars and Zhao Family backing.
Without that, she was nothing—like Daily Mars sans Zhao.
As man neared and despair hit, salvation: train lights from tracks.
Train arrived; he halted.
Doors opened—Kevin bolted in.
He stared blankly, then lunged late—doors shut.
"■■ ■■■!"
His shout garbled, unheard.
"Fucking psycho..."
Train departed as she cursed.
"What a freak."
Suspicious man receded; train sped on. Relieved, she sat.
Tension ebbed to drowsiness. Nap till next stop? Eyes closed.
If not for that foul smell again.
'That stench?'
Growing thicker, eyes snapped open. Her car empty.
Glance next car: a man.
Wetsuit-like suit with black alloy plates—armor.
"Cop?"
Journalist eye spotted it: armed police reinforced suit.
"Helmet, mask at night. Where to?"
Odd stance too—no sitting, rigid amid empty car.
'Weirdo.'
But armed cop? Harmless. Eyes shut again.
As she dozed, the "cop" crossed to her car. Door slid; car jolted.
"Ack, wha—?"
Jolt woke her. Reinforced glass reflection: only her in the car.
No 'human.'
'Where you think you're going.'
I whipped my tail low, tripping fleeing Kevin. Mimicry pheromones hid it from normals. She tumbled messily.
"Hiiik! P-please, spare me!"
No mercy. Stinger silenced her screams.
'Whew, almost lost her.'
Plan: lure during lights out, pounce. But that guy interfered.
He'd seen me climb from tracks.
Killing him too? Tough spot—near stairs, lit, camera-exposed. Hiding in shadows complicated it.
'Kill easy with bone spines, cleanup's the bitch.'
Pondering delaying for him, train saved it. She boarded; I followed disguised.
His late yell unheard by her.
'Reporter dies ignoring warnings.'
Life's ironies.
Her face: mascara-smeared tears. Mouth drooling, paralyzed.
"......"
Wondering now? Don't wanna die? Monster fear?
'Doesn't matter.'
She's nest fertilizer soon.
Grabbed her head, twisted. Rip like tearing rubber—off.
Journalist who tormented with words died silent.
Mouth agape, swallowed head whole.
'Mm. Decent.'
Well-fed for a reporter—not bad. Best human since space city.
'Funny. Wolf-kin closer to beasts tasted worse; humans better.'
Wolf fine but hairy—teeth clogged. Plus gamey.
'18 more ahead.'
“Teeth Enhancement trait, huh? Fitting for a mouth-worker like her.”
'...Tch. Finish eating.'
Shook off thoughts, devoured rest.
And...
'Huh?'
Unexpected luck struck. No expectations, pure windfall.