I Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 98
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Chapter 98
‘The Horizon of Nightmares.’
I double-checked the text box.
It’s a characteristic of a typical high-risk, high-return personality, but what raises my doubts is a different aspect.
‘The ability to pilot a spaceship.’
I know about similar traits.
It’s one of the special abilities unlocked by the Outspacer’s reward feature, called ‘Ship Seizure.
Just as an Amorph grows and strengthens progressively, the Outspacer also unlocks various functions as the cluster grows.
One of them is ship seizure, turning the stolen ships into mobile clusters.
From the moment this feature is obtained, the Outspacer’s queen can move to other planets.
‘Stealing ships is possible for other species too, but…’
The race with the ability to turn a ship into a new organism and dominate it is unique to the Outspacer.
It’s similar to Amorph’s intrinsic nature of killing, devouring, and evolving other beings.
‘You can never acquire a trait similar to a race’s unique trait.’
However, the Transcendence System broke that principle.
The first complete organism obtained was my organic form.
When I first transformed into the symbol of hunting through this trait, I thought I resembled a wolf.
The wolf-like race, called Wolph, has a unique ability to transform into an optimized beast form for battle under certain conditions.
Thanks to this trait, even though I am still in my early stages, I could hold my ground in close combat against other formidable opponents.
‘A complete organism, like Wolf’s transformation, is similar to Outspacer’s ship seizure and the Horizon of Nightmares.’
I only obtained two unique traits through the Transcendence System.
It’s too early to conclude, but somehow that thought crossed my mind.
‘Is the Transcendence System trying to surpass Amorph’s limits?’
If so, what is the end of transcendence?
What is the purpose of transcending?
Currently, I am at Transcendence Level 1.
Although I acquired two unique traits using the Transcendence System, I have not yet entered Transcendence Level 2.
I recalled the message I received when I obtained the first complete organism.
[Transcendence (Level 2)’: Combine five fused traits to unlock a new type-related trait.]
The traits used as materials must all be related to different types.
Information about the new type will be unlocked.
[Available traits: Regeneration (Fused), Predator Sense (Fused), Parasitic Colony (Fused), ?]
[Fused, ?]
[Fused]
[Additional reward: The golden restriction imposed at Transcendence Level 1 will be lifted.]
[*Note: You can replace the material traits used for breakthrough with other traits.]
‘I have to keep that in mind.’
As I approach Transcendence Level 2, clues about why the Transcendence System exists may emerge.
‘Come to think of it, there are similarities between evolution conditions and the Transcendence System.’
To evolve into a Quasi-saint, you need to acquire four types in addition to devouring sentient beings.
To enter Transcendence Level 2, you need fused traits related to five types.
Focusing on evolution requires collecting traits, making it difficult to enter Transcendence Level 2.
On the contrary, entering Transcendence Level 2 first consumes traits, creating obstacles to reaching evolution.
In other words, prioritizing one will delay the other.
‘I used to think it simply expanded choices.’
There might be something more than what I’m thinking.
‘I guess pondering over it now won’t make much sense.’
I don’t plan to dwell on a problem without a solution.
I nodded and decided to experiment with my new unique trait, the Horizon of Nightmares.
‘Tentacles of corrosion.How does it control a spaceship?’
The Horizon of Nightmares appeared to be a physical trait, but it was not when considering the changes in the body.
[⑤ Nest-related: Horizon of Nightmares (Unique)]
Surprisingly, it belonged to the nest enhancement category.
Thanks to it, I had unlocked a total of five type conditions.
‘Does that mean turning the spaceship into a mobile nest?’
It would be faster to see it directly than to unnecessarily ponder about it.
I extended my combat arm to extract the corrosive tentacles for experimentation.
Despite my concentration, what emerged was the original blood-sucking tentacle.
‘Is this not it?’
I experimented with all four of my combat arms, but only the blood-sucking tentacles appeared.
I even tried experimenting with the small arms on my chest, but there was nothing visible other than cute fingers.
‘Where could tentacles emerge from.?’
The focal point of my contemplation was the greatly changed backplate.
Eight holes covered it with whirlpool-patterned epidermis.
This might be where the tentacles emerge from.
I exerted force on my waist and back, similar to doing a sit-up.
As a result, the epidermis peeled away, revealing six tentacles protruding from within.
‘Got it.’
The tentacles, covered in sticky mucus, were black like petroleum, unlike the red blood-sucking tentacles.
Their form was also different from blood-sucking tentacles.
While the latter had saw-toothed claws instead of an octopus’s suckers, the corrosive tentacles were smooth, like the surface of a snake’s body.
Moreover, unlike the blood-sucking tentacles that resembled bare flesh, these were covered in small yet durable scales, giving them a much sturdier appearance.
However, at their tips, they had sharp teeth and six appendages resembling the legs of a brittle star.
‘It’s truly a novel sensation.’
The sensation of moving the six tentacles attached to my back was truly mysterious.
It was like the spine-tingling feeling when looking down from a glass-floored observation deck.
The difference was that, rather than feeling uncomfortable or creepy, it was more natural, like moving an arm.
I clenched my fist and, guided by the sensation of blood, moved the appendages at the ends of the tentacles.
The strength felt from the appendages seemed to be stronger than the combat arms, suggesting greater gripping power.
‘Let’s see.’
When I grabbed a seat with the corrosive tentacles, the sturdy alloy chair crumpled like an aluminum can.
‘At this rate, it can be used as a weapon, not just for piloting a spaceship.’
New arms and weapons are always welcome.
Moreover, with the mouth at the end of the corrosive tentacles, I could consume prey.
In essence, I now had seven mouths.
‘This part seems to synergize with the Symbol of Hunting.’
Coincidentally, the Symbol of Hunt duration increased to 20 minutes due to the Horizon of Nightmares effect.
With the increased consumption speed, I could now assimilate much more genetic essence than before.
‘But why only six?’
There are eight holes, so shouldn’t there be eight tentacles?
All the emerging corrosive tentacles came out only from the holes in the middle and lower part of the backplate.
No tentacles emerged from the holes around the shoulders, which were still covered by the whirlpool-shaped epidermis.
‘Oh, I think I understand.’
Using the Symbol of Hunt creates two arms with bone blades, so these holes might be the spots where those arms emerge.
I decided to stop examining the newly acquired organ here.
Next, I needed to investigate the effects of this trait.
‘How do I use this?’
As I shook the tentacles around, I brought the tentacle’s mouth close to my inner wall.
Then, a new text box appeared in front of me.
[Confirming the appropriate size for corrosion.
Estimated time for complete corrosion: 1 hour.]
[After corrosion, the controllable time is currently 30 days.]
[*Corrosion completion time is proportional to the size of the target.]
[*Controllable time is proportional to the energy stored by the user.]
[When the controllable time is exhausted, the controlled target will be automatically discarded.]
[Do you want to apply corrosion?]
‘Indeed.’
Looking at the message, it seems that not just any spaceship can be corroded; it depends on the size.
‘This part probably changes according to the type acquisition or evolutionary stage.’
Whether the Escape Line can dominate the maximum size with corrosive tentacles is still unknown.
This part may require securing a different ship to find out.
‘The corrosion time is quite long.’
It seems challenging to use the tactic of infiltrating an enemy battleship and seizing control secretly.
Of course, this aspect could be reduced by acquiring types or other means.
‘But the fortunate thing is that the controllable time is quite substantial.’
Since it is proportional to the energy I possess, if I consume a lot of nutrients, the controllable time should increase.
‘This should be enough.’
Now, I just need to head to the Space Poison’s territory for hyper-speed navigation.
Having almost grasped the effects of the newly acquired trait, I attempted to collect the corrosive tentacles.
At that moment, Number 26, who was eating the remaining food in the dining compartment, looked at me.
[ZZZ ZZZ (Hello)]
‘Huh?’
The Horizon of Nightmares only imposed restrictions on the ‘Symbol of Hunt’, so my concerns did not materialize since there were no restrictions on possessed traits.
Even though I greeted Number 26 it did not respond.
It seemed either surprised by the changed appearance or its body flickered.
Adhai, who came out from behind, also looked at me, flapping her wings in surprise.
｢Adult｣ ｢Growth｣ ｢Ended?｣
[ZZZ ZZ (Yes)]
｢You｣ ｢Moved｣ ｢Adult｣ ｢Impressive｣ ｢Impressive!｣
Adhai ran to me and circled around me.
Whether it found my transformation fascinating or not, it circled around and tapped my corrosive tentacles with her front paws.
｢Adult｣ ｢Mouth｣ ｢Many｣
[ZZZZ (Grown)]
｢Great｣
Adhai seemed to be expressing admiration, nodding her head.
Number 26 also approached me and extended its tentacles, touching my corrosive tentacles.
｢Big baby is really cool.｣
[ZZZ ZZ(Thanks)]
The creature that touched me shone brightly in red.
Perhaps, like a sea demon, it seemed to particularly like that several tentacles had appeared on my body.
‘I’m glad they like it.’
Since the children were treating me with friendliness, I didn’t feel bad either.
‘If this were in a game, it would probably be labeled as grotesque.’
If they were players, seeing my current appearance might scare them, but the children are animals, so their sensibilities are different.
Anyway, since they seemed to have sufficiently confirmed my new form, I collected the corrosive tentacles into the backplate.
‘Oh.’
Number 26’s body seemed to react positively to the corrosive tentacles.
I gave its head a pat, then headed to the control room.
Due to my enlarged body, the originally spacious control room now felt quite cramped.
Especially with the altered body structure, controlling the spaceship with the small arms became rather inconvenient.
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