Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Exploitation
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Could I really acquire a trait from such a bizarre creature?
The short answer: yes, I could.
-Exploitation.
It forcibly drains the energy possessed by the target through the contact surface.
The wider the contact area, the more energy it can steal at once.
The energy absorption ability was probably entirely contained within the tentacles.
It made sense—half its body was tentacles, and it always whipped them around wildly whenever it absorbed energy.
'I got exactly what I wanted.'
The real issue started now.
Exploitation was undeniably impressive.
But this trait came with heavy repercussions.
It exceeded the standards I'd set after transplanting the crimson left arm.
'The question is how much to apply.'
To integrate the trait, I had to absorb the alien factor onto my skin's surface.
Maximizing the area for full effect would mean abandoning my humanity, while skimping would leave me with a useless trait.
'...Half-assing it would be a waste.'
After some deliberation, I made up my mind.
Who knew when I'd find another trait this good?
Better to push my tolerance to the limit.
'Right arm this time.'
The left was already saturated.
So my focus shifted to the right.
I began the integration immediately.
The alien factor extracted from the tentacles slowly took root in my right arm.
My skin darkened to a deep black under the corruption's influence.
It would draw way too much attention like this.
I used the [Tattoo] I'd been saving.
'Knew it'd come in handy.' Tattoo.
A tool I'd created with editing power after blacking out from the academy airstrike.
It hid physical mutations from alien factors, just like on my left arm.
It also eased the burden on my capacity.
In exchange, it left a tattoo etched into the skin.
I'd held off until now because no trait had caused severe mutations worth using it on.
As the tattoo took hold, my increasingly dark right arm returned to its original skin tone.
Instead, an intricate tattoo sprawled from shoulder to fingertips.
It wasn't an ugly design.
Tamer than the one on my left arm, you could say.
'...This is better than expected.'
Once the tattoo fully settled, I gauged the power of the trait now embedded in my right arm.
This wasn't sealing it away.
Unlike the full crimson left arm transplant, covering just one trait meant I could max out Exploitation even in this state.
'That changes everything.'
I extracted more alien factor from the still-connected tentacle.
Already desiccated from the first pull, it soon withered completely.
The tattoo on my right arm grew denser and more elaborate.
-Master. Have you finished?
"Yeah. Need to test something."
-Beep! I'll assist.
"Hang on, come here."
Innocent R3D3 approached.
I placed my right hand on its plump head—housing its power core—and activated Exploitation.
-Beeeep!!
A surge of energy far greater than expected rushed in.
The influx swirled uncertainly around my shoulder before soaking into my horn.
-Emergency! Emergency! Cute R3D3 is being abused!
It lit up in a [〉 x 〈] pattern.
When I pulled my hand away, it scurried back, half-hiding behind the wall in protest.
-Master has a duty to cherish and love me.
"Since when?"
-Obviously, since becoming my master. Beep!
"Such a drama queen."
I definitely felt it when the energy gurgled in.
Whatever Fontana used for R3D3's power core, it was no slouch—on par with a core weapon's energy source.
Should've tested my precious pet sooner.
-I sensed a serious threat to my survival. I strongly request you never use that ability on me again.
"Got it. Only in emergencies."
-Beep-beep!
R3D3 trailed noisily after me as I left the lab.
*
The time for the decisive battle had arrived.
A fight expected to be round two with the Beholder.
This was nothing like the last time, when we'd dragged it out and invited danger.
We waited quietly, watching the fleet advance from all sides.
"The main force is moving."
"If the fleet's the main, are we the supports?"
"Supports? In a battle this scale, superhumans are just crows. We wait till clear prey shows."
The alliance struck first.
A probing attack rippled across the Hive Nest's barrier and vanished.
"That's thick."
The Hive Nest had fully recovered its strength.
Even covering that massive size, its sectional defense outclassed the alliance flagship.
It wouldn't pierce easily under a main gun barrage.
Missiles and assorted attacks followed.
"Smog Tails."
As predicted, Smog Tails emerged, flipping the ground and intercepting missiles with spit from their tails.
The exploding saliva scattered massive powder clouds alongside the missiles.
Tens of thousands on the first volley alone.
The skyborne Hive Nest and the hatchery colony below swiftly vanished into smog, visibility tanking.
'They'll be prepared.'
I waited patiently.
I'd already briefed the commanders on Smog Tail abilities.
Our response was immediate.
Missiles launched from tubes dove into the smog and detonated midway.
A flash like the sun ignited, the ensuing high heat incinerating smog and air at ground zero.
Then the shockwave.
It swept away the remnants, clearing several kilometers.
'Heat compression rounds.'
Specially made for this op, it seemed.
"All cleared out. Nice and bright now."
"Opening gun ports. Looks like they're prioritizing those lobster bastards first."
"Annoying pests."
Merdi approached and sat beside me.
Her arrival sent the squadmates who'd been with me slinking away.
"What? I making you uncomfortable?"
"...No, it's just..."
"Kidding. Go if you want."
They bolted with relieved looks.
"Something on my face?"
"Nah, just didn't know you could joke."
Merdi wasn't the joking type normally.
She just said what she thought, bluntly.
Her tactless speech often rubbed people wrong.
'She doesn't hold back because she can't be beaten.'
Who'd push back against her powers?
Even academy classmates avoided contact after dealing with her personality.
"I tell great jokes."
"Jokes, huh."
I turned away from her glare.
"Anyway, no Roze?"
"Right behind you."
"...What?"
I whipped around in surprise.
And spotted a ghost girl.
Long hair draped over her face, head bowed—right at my back. Nearly yelled.
"Roze? You scared me. What're you doing?"
"Oh, nothing."
"What's wrong?"
"I said nothing."
As I approached, she waved me off and backed away.
'What's with her lately?'
Couldn't figure it out.
Then her flailing hand flung her hair aside, exposing her face.
I spotted something and blurted,
"Makeup?"
She'd clearly applied something.
Heavy enough to notice.
"Did makeup? Don't hide, lemme see."
Merdi was already grinning.
She knew the story.
"You won't laugh?"
"Nope. Why would I? I wear it too."
"...Lemon too?"
I do makeup.
For promo interviews or official events.
Nothing heavy, though.
Started when getting my medal from Darmosa—got used to it eventually.
Emboldened, Roze swept her hair back again.
"H-How's it look?"
I smiled faintly.
No wonder she hid.
Roze's face looked like a newbie office worker's first attempt.
Blush smeared, eye makeup too thick.
Balance-wise, at least symmetrical.
"First time? Did it yourself?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Not bad for a first try."
"Really?"
"Yeah. But why DIY? Just delegate or use a bot."
That's what puzzled me.
Machines were precise these days.
Beauty salons for artisanal service, sure—but otherwise, bots.
"Merdi gave it to me."
"..."
On purpose.
Totally deliberate.
She met my stare defiantly, chin up like "whatcha gonna do?"
"You gotta practice solo to improve."
"Cust-max is all you need."
"Human touch can't be machined. She's got good hands— she'll pick it up quick."
"..."
"Still, total fail."
"Eek! Knew it!"
She hid again fast.
"Merdi..."
"Lucky Roze. Got someone doting on her."
Merdi stood, feigning defeat, and took Roze's hand.
"C'mon. I'll fix it."
"You'll do it?"
"Yeah. Who slaps on that much first go? So greedy."
They wandered off chatting.
I watched till they vanished, then looked away.
Once Merdi left, squadmates crowded back.
"Status?"
"Quiet." If anything big, we wouldn't be chilling.
Battle just kicking off.
Needed time before we deployed.
Maintain peak condition, prep for surprises.
"Keep watching."
Smog Tails led to all sorts of aliens swarming.
The hatchery colony, recently rooted, churned out countless flyers—Hive Nest too.
Soon, after tanking alliance strikes, the aliens counterattacked.
'Showing their hand.'
Alien signatures detected 200km west.
High mountains there—slopes collapsed, revealing masses of flower buds.
"Spore Vines."
"Not that many."
"Not just those."
Spore Vines: classic defense structures.
Not built separate—hatchery extensions, with range from ground to orbit.
Hive Nest spore globs were the same.
Spot on.
Spore Vines sprouted everywhere, signaled by the first batch.
Tunnels spat swarms of flyers skyward.
Our encircled fleet suddenly encircled.
But we had more than fleet power.
Strikes from beyond the vines hammered aliens.
Base support kicking in.
Reason for the slow, deliberate advance.
'Ground war.'
Unlike one-sided airstrike defense.
Aliens fully prepped, slamming into the fleet.
"Teams 3 and 4 ready?"
"Anytime."
"Launch once air superiority's secured."
Team 1: 4-5 members.
Their job: assault the pinpointed hatchery.
Wasting fleet firepower there was inefficient—ours to handle.
But if Beholder shows, we block it—so Teams 1-2's 8 stayed back.
Plus unaffiliated me, Merdi, Roze: 11 on standby.
'Where are you.'
Monitored the field.
Nerves sharpening as time ticked.
30 minutes in, Teams 3-4 mid-assault.
A bad vibe hit—I looked up.
"Damn..."
Exosphere.
A rift cracking open, perilously close overhead.