I Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 101
——————
Chapter: 101
“What time do you think the repairs will be finished?”
“It’ll take some time.”
“Sigh, it’s taking quite long. Oh, and it seems like the camera is also malfunctioning, repair that as well.”
I told Justin and ended the communication.
‘Let’s reorganize.’
As I gnawed at the engineer’s arm, I pondered.
Before seizing control of the ship, what should I prioritize? Originally, the plan was to secure the energy necessary to maintain dominance after invading the pirate vessel. I thought that if there was a shortage of energy after corrosion was complete, we’d swiftly lose control of the ship.
‘But the situation has slightly changed.’
When I previously dominated the ship of the MegaCorp, I devoured the pirates. Not by directly tearing them apart and consuming them, but by creating corrosive tentacles inside the ship.
‘The duration of maintaining control after consuming them increased.’
After dominating the ship, I speculated that it might be impossible to obtain additional energy. However, my assumption was wrong. Even by devouring enemies with the corrosive tentacles, my stored energy increased.
‘Eating them with the corrosive tentacles is akin to consuming food orally.’
Seeing the predatory effect displayed on one of the pirates, it is nearly confirmed. It means there’s no need to aim for energy acquisition through corrosion.
‘Still, I can’t recklessly use corrosion.’
During corrosion, I have to remain motionless for 5 hours without the ability to cancel it. Being immobile makes it challenging to flexibly respond to enemy attacks.
“It’s better to use corrosion safely a little later.”
Approximately 300m long, this massive ship contains a total of 85 pirates. The fewer their numbers, the more advantageous for me.
‘At least I need to lessen their numbers.’
What should I aim for first? According to Justin, this ship carries numerous powerful bombs used to destroy evidence after raiding another vessel.
‘To be honest, it doesn’t seem like they’ll self-destruct because of just me.’
But it wasn’t certain too as if cornered, one cannot predict their actions and can do anything for their own survival. Perhaps the captain might secretly install bombs among the crew and escape alone via a jet.
‘Let’s prevent the escape first.’
If I destroy the jet within the ship, they won’t dare to use bombs rashly. Then, by clearing out the bombs, their means to threaten me significantly decrease.
‘The jet is in the hangar.’
Because I used the hijacking trait as a material for the nightmare’s horizon, currently, I can’t neutralize the surveillance cameras. Though who knows, maybe if I reintegrate the hijacking, it won’t be easy to navigate to the hangar, dodging the enemies’ attention with this physique.
However, nothing in this world is impossible.
‘Let’s start by making the nest.’
I crouched down after stuffing the engineer’s corpse into my mouth. Similar black viscous fluid, akin to what emerged while corroding the ship, oozed from various holes in my body.
‘Since it’s just temporary, there’s no need to make it perfect.’
If I can thoroughly monitor enemies within a radius of 100 meters from where I stand, that’s sufficient. The semi-hardened mucous substances were gradually forming spores and tendrils, slowly expanding the area.
‘When the nest size roughly surpasses the area I’m lying in, I affixed the auxiliary organ on top of it. I felt a sensation akin to when I first used the corrosion tentacles, with my body being pulled into the metal panels of the ship.’
Having confirmed the successful link with the nest, I checked the area detectable by the nest.
‘Alright. This should suffice.’
I created a small but operable nest, so it’s time to move on to the next step. I have traits obtained from killing pirates on the escape line.
‘I’ve had a few chances to use it but refrained, now it’s time to utilize it.’
[Tooth Fairy Nest: A mechanism that generates a pack of voracious fleas with sharp teeth called ‘Tooth Fairy Swarm.’ It can be generated up to 3 times a day, with a controllable radius of a hundred meters.]
[TL/N: Who on earth came up with such a name?]
Since boarding the pirate ship, aside from the holes where the corrosion tentacles emerge, my outer reinforced skin was adorned with pouches in other areas.
These pouches house the combat-oriented parasites known as the ‘Tooth Fairy Swarm.’ It’s a trait created by merging physical traits like biting force and infection-related traits like fleas.
‘It was unexpected that I would obtain fleas trait could mainly be obtained from wild animals here in this ship.’
It’s a trait commonly obtained with a high probability when consuming animals covered in fur. I didn’t expect to acquire it here.
‘Perhaps smugglers were involved?’
One of the pirates who boarded from the escape line was already infected with fleas. When I devoured him along with the fleas attached to his body, I gained a new trait.
‘The flea itself isn’t particularly useful.’
It’s a trait with a negative effect similar to itching. Holding the trait permanently causes a condition called chronic itchiness.
‘But it changes entirely when merged with the physical type trait biting force.’
When combined with the biting force trait, it transforms into a usable infection-related trait.
‘Come forth, my darlings.’
Upon activating the Tooth Fairy Nest, the egg chambers on their backs burst open, releasing black insects. They had large teeth and mouths instead of eyes on their heads, resembling ordinary fleas except for being the size of a child’s palm.
Unlike original fleas that suck blood, these Tooth Fairies tear and devour anything with their sharp teeth. These loyal soldiers don’t discriminate between flesh or metal; they simply tear apart whatever I command them to.
‘Line up, all of you.’
Dozens of Tooth Fairies obediently gathered in front of me. Number 26, who was devouring an engineer in a spacesuit nearby, approached upon witnessing this scene.
｢Wow? Who are they?｣
Number 26 sparkled with fascination as the Tooth Fairy Swarm gathered together.
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (They are the creatures that I made)]
｢You made them? Are these the offsprings of the big baby?｣
“[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Similar, but a bit different)]”
｢They’re not your offsprings?｣
Similar to the domination limit displayed in the tooltip, the Tooth Fairies are a kind of summon created through me.
‘They’re consumables meant to divert enemies’ attention or ambush them from unexpected places.’
‘I’ve used them effectively in games as well.’
Unlike parasitic entities in games functioning as a kind of debuff skill, the Tooth Fairies are implemented as combat-oriented summons. They prove quite helpful for Amorph, who can only play solo.
‘To be honest, their specifications aren’t particularly great.’
These fearsome fleas have swift movements and high attack power, but their limitations are distinct. Due to their swarm-like nature, they have almost no defense. Even a laser rifle shot would kill them. Against creatures with strong strength like Hulk mutants, they could be easily squashed.
‘Hence, I need to use them effectively to get my money’s worth.’
Although it’s unfortunate news for the pirates, I excel in making good use of the Tooth Fairies.
‘Take your positions.’
Upon hearing my command, the Tooth Fairy Swarm bounced away, disappearing up the cargo bay’s stairs. Their appearances weren’t visible, but the distinct signals they emitted were continuously being transmitted to my auxiliary organ.
The destination of the Tooth Fairy Swarm was the hangar containing the escape jets.
‘The hangar is located near the forward section of the third-floor hull.’
Using their sturdy hind legs to spring around, they swiftly ascended to the third floor and turned into the corridor leading to the hangar.
‘Pirates in the middle.’
Having anticipated the pirates’ movements through the nest, I signaled the Tooth Fairies.
The voracious fleas chewed up nearby air vents and slipped inside to hide.
“Motion sensors detected something here.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“Damn, is it a ghost haunting the ship or what?”
The pirates, carrying motion-detecting devices, wandered around the corridor, which was displaying warning signals, but eventually left for elsewhere as they weren’t able to see anyone.
As I couldn’t sense the pirates’ movements, I commanded again.
‘ Go forward.’
The Tooth Fairy Swarm, bounding down the corridor, suddenly spotted the entrance to the hangar. In front of the door stood two guards smaller than me but significantly larger than regular humans.
One resembled a gorilla-like monster, and the other had a head akin to a rhinoceros. Despite their different appearances, there was one striking similarity: metal plates were implanted all over their bodies.
‘Hulk mutants?’
Their gruesome appearance, a mishmash of various genes, revealed their identity as Hulk mutants. Yawning with boredom, they stood guarding.
‘There are two Hulk mutants ahead.’
I ordered the Tooth Fairy Swarm to retreat. Confronting the Hulk mutants with them would be impossible. With every Tooth Fairy striking the mutants, they’d perish one by one. Even if the Tooth Fairies could potentially kill the Hulk mutants, I wouldn’t allow it.
‘They’re a precious collection of genes that I can’t afford to lose.’
I decided to deal with those two mutants later and directed the Tooth Fairy Swarm to enter through the vents. It might take a detour, but infiltrating through the vents into the hangar’s was preferable.
The voracious fleas stood in rows of two, walking within the ventilation ducts. It would be a truly transcendental sight if someone else, other than me, witnessed it.
‘These are vents.’
Controlling the Tooth Fairy Swarm, I suddenly remembered the time I first became an Amorph, starting life in the cargo bay of the MegaCorp research vessel. I roamed the vents, hunting while evading people’s gazes.
Now, I was trying to reverse-hunt numerous pirates within a much larger ship than the research vessel.
‘We’re in.’
It took some time, but the Tooth Fairy Swarm safely arrived in front of the vent attached to the ceiling of the hangar. As fate would have it, the vent in the hangar ceiling was of the same rotating style as in the cargo bay of the former research vessel.
‘Attack and destroy everything.’
Back then, I risked my life to avoid the vent’s blades, but not anymore. Dozens of Tooth Fairies bit and chewed the machine devices near the vent’s edge. Sparks flew, and the vent slowly decelerated before finally stopping.
The Tooth Fairies demolished the blades and jumped down into the hangar. Inside, the old-style Star Union fighter jets were parked.
‘Destroy them all.’
The Tooth Fairies, baring their sharp teeth, adhered to the undersides of the fighter jets. Although there were cameras inside, unless someone paid close attention, it’d be challenging to notice the Tooth Fairies’ movements. Their bodies were the same pitch-black as the floor, and they were only the size of a child’s palm.
Given that such creatures were only roaming beneath the jets, if seen through the camera, it’d likely be mistaken for mice scurrying about.
How much time had passed?
The thick door of the hangar opened, and a series of armed groups entered the hangar.
“Anomalies detected inside the hangar!”
“What are you idiots doing outside when there’s trouble inside?”
“Hey…we…uh…did our best! Cryin’ out loud!”
“You damn useless idiots!”
The pirates quickly realized the anomaly inside the hangar, faster than I anticipated. They started searching under the jets using flashlights.
Argh!
‘These crazy bug!’
As the fleas attacked the pirates, the pirates panicked and started shooting. Within the dimly lit hangar, every flash of red laser signaled the eruption of Tooth Fairies.
“Aah! Get this thing off me!”
“Argh! My face!”
Some surviving Tooth Fairies clung to the pirates’ bodies, gnawing on their flesh with razor-like teeth, eliciting screams of agony as their skin was torn.
“Help! Someone help!”
“You damn insect! Get it off me, now!”
Though the Tooth Fairies were more formidable than expected, unfortunately, there were no fatalities on the pirates’ side. The Hulk mutant guards were pulling off the Tooth Fairies attached to the pirates using their bare hands.
Consequently, the Tooth Fairy Swarm that entered the hangar was wiped out in an instant. However, it wasn’t a massive disappointment.
“Damn it! The fighter jets are all wrecked, aren’t they?”
They had adequately served my purpose.
‘The escape route is blocked.’
And though they might not realize it, it wasn’t over yet. Suddenly, egg sacs grew on the armor and burst, encircling me with a new swarm of Tooth Fairies.
‘The fighter jets are dealt with.’
The next targets were the explosives stored in the armory. Hunting wasn’t merely about chasing prey. It involved preparation before the hunt, understanding the prey in advance, positioning it as desired—essential factors for a successful hunt.
They didn’t know me, where I was, or my condition. There were only three differences between them and me: the prey and the hunter.
“Once all the bombs are cleared…”
This desolate space was the only survival spot in the harsh universe. It would turn into darkness, swallowing the foolish prey.
——————