Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Nightmare Horizon
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'Let's use the Transcendence System.'
Securing a new unique trait.
That was the decision I'd reached after much deliberation.
However, before activating the Transcendence System, there was something I had to do first.
'Prepare for the risks that might arise.'
I activated the faster-than-light drive while mentally summoning a new translucent text box.
Species: Unidentified Hostile Space Creature
Stage: Subadult (Transcendence Stage 1)
Objective: Survive (Evolution successful 2 times)
Possessed Traits (Physical: 14 / Psionic: 7 / Infection: 3 / Special Defense: 2)
Compared to the beginning, the number of traits had increased dramatically, completely reshaping the text box's layout. With so many fusion traits, subcategories had been added under each series.
'Among these, the most critical one if restricted...'
Right now, without a doubt, it was Monster's Tendrils.
Monster's Tendrils was a fusion trait created using the psionic organ I'd acquired from Yuseong's research ship.
If I lost the ability to use it, I wouldn't be able to communicate with No. 26 or Adhai.
'Of course, it might end up in a vague state like the Mimicry Organ.'
The Mimicry Organ disrupted nearby humans' nerves with pheromones, making them perceive me as human.
It had also inherited the Mimicry trait's ability to imitate human voices.
Though restricted by Perfect Organism, making it unavailable, I could still mimic voices to a limited extent.
When Perfect Organism took effect, the pores emitting pheromones sealed up, but the vocal organ remained intact.
'Even if it's a unique trait, as long as the head tendrils remain, communication should still be possible.'
These bundles of tendrils at the back of my head allowed empathy with creatures via energy waves.
Thanks to them, I'd transcended Aimorph limitations to converse with No. 26 and Adhai.
'Though even if the tendrils stay, I won't be able to use Psychic Breath.'
There was no guarantee Monster's Tendrils would be restricted.
But I had to prepare for the possibility.
I kept pondering countermeasures for each trait being restricted until the kids woke up.
A few hours later, No. 26 and Adhai began stirring from sleep.
I halted the ship briefly and explained the situation to them.
From now on, I might not be able to talk to them directly, but I'd prepared alternative communication methods.
I planned to use signals with the small hands on my chest plate. Since neither understood human language, it was unavoidable.
'They obviously don't know letters or numbers.'
I considered sound signals but dismissed them—impractical in combat.
But teaching proved ineffective too.
"Raise small appendage up... means hit?"
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu... (No. First finger on right hand.)]
"Finger?"
[Zuzu zuzu... (Small tendril)]
"Aha."
No. 26, lacking the finger concept, saw arm, hand, and fingers as one integrated limb, struggling with my explanation.
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu... (Second finger on left hand)]
"Retreat."
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu... (Retreat is third)]
"?" "Incomprehensible."
[Zuzu zuzu... (This part)]
"Me." "Itchy!"
When I poked the third toe on Adhai's left forepaw, it shuddered from the tickle.
Adhai, at least having paws and toes, seemed to grasp my intent.
But its forelimb structure limited full understanding.
'This is problematic.'
I was already a bizarre entity—an Aimorph body with a human mind.
Despite intelligence, we were fundamentally different from these animal-like beings.
"Big one... no worry!"
"Me." "Try hard."
Sensing my disappointment, they comforted me.
'Right. No need to give up yet.'
No. 26 and Adhai were clever. No. 26 especially anticipated my intentions and acted independently many times.
'So just teach the essentials.'
For the next hour, I drilled the signals repeatedly. Despite the boredom, they listened diligently.
'This'll do.'
Full mastery of my planned signals was impossible, but they'd grasped the basics.
"Then... big one grow again?"
[Zu (Yeah)]
"Adult." "Growth." "Me." "Welcome."
Having seen me enter a cocoon before due to the Transcendence System, they weren't surprised.
Amid their oddly warm send-off, I summoned the translucent text box.
'Accept.'
Once accepted, I awaited the mucus outflow. But my exoskeleton showed no reaction.
'Huh?'
Puzzled by the difference, a sound suddenly came from my back—like cracking ice. My back split open.
From the fissure, something semi-liquid burst forth.
It resembled ancient tree roots or a vast spiderweb spun over centuries.
Whatever it was, the tendrils from my body began eroding the surroundings.
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu... (Everyone, back off!)]
Sensing danger, I shouted to the kids while Monster's Tendrils still worked.
As they retreated, the tendrils enveloped my body, swallowing the passenger seats.
"Big one!"
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu... (Don't worry. Wait like always)]
No pain confirmed it was the procedure for the new unique trait.
The tendrils covered about a third of the compartment before halting expansion, then hardened into a massive cocoon like before.
'What kind of show is this?'
Probably tied to body size change—likely much larger or drastic transformation.
'Tch. Next time, warn the kids to be careful.'
I'd told them to relax before cocooning, but they'd worry anyway.
'Once we hijack a new ship, I'll get them a gift.'
With that thought, I closed my eyes.
"Adult." "Strange."
"Yeah."
She stared at the cocoon with the little one.
Covered in pitch-black mucus, it pulsed leisurely.
She hesitated, then extended a thin tendril from her body.
Not the thick one for smashing four-appendaged prey.
No one had taught her, but instinctively, she knew: this slender tendril was for special rituals only.
"Me." "Curious."
"Quiet."
Silencing the pesky little one, she touched the cocoon with the tendril.
First sensations: dampness and warmth.
But mere surface. She delved deeper.
The thin tendril glowed faintly. Incomprehensible sensations flooded from the cocoon.
Complexly intertwined, some entirely alien.
Yet amid the chaotic unfamiliarity, something familiar—like sleeping with kin back home.
Comfort.
The big one felt comfort now.
She'd planned to help if it suffered, but no need this time.
Relieved, yet oddly disappointed.
Not hunger, so why the longing?
After multiple growths, she recognized this hunger-like sensation.
Last time the big one suffered.
She'd used this tendril to soothe it.
It read others' sensations and conveyed her thoughts.
Though sensation transfer was just one ability.
This tendril enabled dense empathy.
She didn't grasp "dense empathy" fully—her intellect hadn't reached that point.
But using it always thrilled her, body tingling.
Like prey excitement, yet different.
Addictively so, but she resisted.
This cocoon was vital for the big one.
Touching it might hinder growth.
Withdrawing, the little one behind fired waves.
"Adult." "Growth." "More." "Cool?"
"Yeah. Big one gets bigger, cooler."
"Me." "Satisfied." "Satisfied."
Pleased, the little one wagged its tail.
"Me." "Little adult." "Curious."
"What?"
"Adult." "Growth." "Done." "Me." "Adult." "Know?" "Possible?"
"...Little one's not ready yet."
"Incomprehensible." "Me." "Growth." "Done."
Defiant despite refusal, the little one stomped its hind paws.
"Me." "Adult." "Know." "Possible." "Know!" "Possible!"
"......"
Ignoring the disobedience, she lashed the floor with a thick tendril.
The cold metal dented; the little one fell silent.
"Quiet."
"Understood."
To the instantly obedient little one, she sent a gentle wave.
"...Later, when bigger."
"Me." "Promise." "Remember."
Chatting with the little one, she waited.
For the big one to awaken even cooler.
'Done.'
Nearly two hours later, sensation returned gradually.
Head and torso first, then arms and legs, hands and feet, tail, finally fingers, toes, tail tip.
Fully restored, I rose. The half-dried cocoon tore away easily.
'Hm.'
I'd guessed growth from cocoon size—half right.
Post-hatchling, I'd walked on digitigrade legs: straight human-like waist, tail-balanced.
Standing height around 3m; Hunting Form pushed it to 5m.
Now, a hybrid: bipedal still, but semi-crouched, combat arms grazing ground.
Changes stemmed from enlarged carapace and back plating.
My head carapace and horns had massively grown.
The eye-pattern engraving deepened, resembling multiple real eyes embedded.
Back carapace now bore 8 large holes, covered in spiral dermal patterns.
Back plating spread turtle-shell-like, inverted.
Enlarged back met head-rear carapace, evoking alligator snapper.
Monster's Tendrils shifted from mane-like to flowing over shoulders.
Arms and legs thickened, lengthened with carapace; tail gained segmented scale-armor, viable mid-range weapon.
My new look: heavily armored tank.
Previously sleek bipedal predator; now bulkier, larger.
'Body's far heavier than before.'
Experiment needed for precision, but mobility seemed slightly reduced.
'But bigger and tougher overall.'
Carapace bulk made semi-crouch nearly 5m tall. Length 10-12m.
Hunting Form would amplify further.
'Now, check the new trait.'
Body inspection done, I summoned the translucent window with details.
Nightmare Horizon
Your hunting grounds are not limited to a single planet. Enhances the effects of your possessed unique traits. Grants 'Erosion Tendrils' to erode and control spaceships.
Affected: Hunting Form (Duration increased to 20 minutes)
‘Erosion Tendrils’: Erodes a spaceship, transforming it into a complex organism under your consciousness. Cannot use physical traits while connected. Effect cancels if energy depletes. Usable once per week, on one ship only.
Caution: Cannot cancel mid-erosion. Hunting Form cooldown changed to once per week (shared with Erosion Tendrils).
P.S.: ‘Nightmare’ is just a word. Reality is far more horrific.
The unique trait 'Nightmare Horizon' was an entirely new type I'd never seen before.