I Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 151

Ep. 151

–

Officially, Megacorp and Star Union are at war.

Since it started with Star Union rebelling on a Megacorp colony ship, the relationship between the two cannot be good.

A few years ago, the level of armed conflict was lowered to the level of local provocation, but until then, the two forces fought fiercely.

Megacorp attacked Star Union using a human-invasion tactic, deploying a huge number of human soldiers and Hulk mutants. On the other hand, Star Union mainly used the terrorist tactic of attaching nanomachine bombs like gremlin torpedoes to androids and causing them to self-destruct.

It’s human vs. machine, but it seems like something is going against it, but there’s a reason for this.

The main axis of Star Union is, after all, cyborgs. To create a cyborg, you need a normal human being.

Of course, other races could also be used as material for cyborgs, but there were some problems.

Cult had a weak body and could not withstand the cyborg procedure. The success rate of cyborg treatment has dropped significantly due to the small number of humanoid species such as Wolff that can be mass-produced and less research into genetic improvement.

Then, you could say that it would be okay to create cloned humans, but that technology had a serious flaw. All clones were mentally unstable, so they were not good materials to use as cyborgs.

In the end, there was no race that could be made into a cyborg that was as good as a normal ‘human’ and cost-effective. So Star Union developed a strategy of operating a small number of cyborg commanders and a large number of drones.

This strategy was effective in the early days of the war. That is, until Megacorp mobilized EMP weapons.

In outer space, EMP weapons were fatal to either party, but the damage to the Star Union, where most of the soldiers were machines, was bound to be greater. On the other hand, Megacorp was able to relatively reduce damage by using Hulk mutants that can survive in outer space.

It seemed that the war would end with the advent of EMP, but surprisingly, that was not the case.

The general public may not know, but there was a secret agreement between the leaders of Megacorp and Star Union.

They knew that if they could coordinate the war, they could make huge profits.

A megacorp that knows that it can earn enormous credits through Star Union human trade, which requires capturing a large number of intelligent beings in order to increase the population. The leaders, who knew well what each other needed, turned the war between the two into a business.

However, since we couldn’t do it openly, we hired a broker in the middle.

The cults that operated Space Dog slavery, making a living through plunder and crime, acted as middlemen.

Hundreds of years have now passed since the ‘business’ involving the powers of the universe continued. Even today, cargo ships carrying ‘human resources’ are busy coming and going.

The JP-99 star system located on the outskirts of the Cult Empire.

A cyborg cargo ship was moving toward its hometown after completing a deal with a cult merchant.

“Have you completed all cargo checks?”

｢V100 has completed checking up to container number 50. “Nothing wrong.”

“Whew, it’s number 50.”

Star Union’s cyborg Konj disconnected the link cable connected to his head.

With over 80% of her body converted into machinery, she was able to connect to the ship’s computer as she does now. The performance of the brain-assisting module was insufficient, making it difficult to operate the spacecraft, but it was sufficient to manage the cargo on board.

And inside the refrigerated container of this cargo ship are people who have involuntarily consented to become cyborgs. Although their species composition is diverse, they will soon become one under the name of Star Union.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to meet the quota this time, but that’s a big problem.”

Conjay scratched the corners of his eyes while looking at the data graphs printed on his eyeballs.

Originally, the plan was to fill container number 70, but it failed. This is because cult merchants brought in far fewer slaves than before.

“Is it difficult because the internal situation is not good? Providence sounds like a dick sucker. “When did you ever care about that?”

If things continue like this, you will be subject to heavy disciplinary action as you will not be able to meet the quota set by the Population Management Department. That alone must be avoided.

Konj reconnected the link cable to his head.

“McF. “Is there a cartel selling people around here?”

“It’s a cult area, but some crazy guy is doing business here.”

“Tsk. “I guess so?”

“There will be a space dog in a nearby star system. Go there and get it.”

“Okay, okay. “Make sure your drones are well-armed because you might end up dealing with them.”

｢Preload.｣

After ending the communication, Konjei uploaded and checked the data of the Space Dog Cartel that was likely to be in the surrounding star system.

While she was looking through the data, the fleet computer V sent her a message.

“Biological signs?”

This is a road where ships do not travel.

Star Union always emphasizes that citizens become cyborgs through ‘voluntary choice.’ A ship carrying would-be cyborgs should never be seen.

Of course, this ship was equipped with a high-performance detection system specially supported by the Mechanical Committee. It meant acquiring information before the opponent and avoiding it on your own.

“Can you confirm what it is?”

｢Appearance is estimated to be a Jasville 02 Zama-class frigate. “The level of armament cannot be determined.”

“You’re not an outspacer by any chance, are you?”

｢Inconsistency after comparing with Starlink database.｣

“Phew, that’s good.” Is this a boat with special paint? “Please upload your appearance and vital signs just in case.”

“Confirmation.”

While V was uploading data about the mysterious ship to Star Union’s database, Konjei looked at the opponent’s virtually realized ship.

“What is the level of biosignals being leaked to the outside?”

｢It is estimated that more than 700 people were on board.｣

“700?! crazy. “What made it so full?”

After hearing those words, Konj suddenly had a different thought.

‘No matter how you look at it, it looks like a slave ship over there too.’

This cargo ship operated by Konj is about 1.5 times larger than its counterpart, but the number of people on board is rather small. The cargo is 500 people, 30 cyborgs, and 70 combat drones.

‘It’s suspicious.’

This is not a normal slave ship. Conjei contacted MacEf again.

“Why do you keep communicating so bad? “I’m working.”

“Hey. “Get all the drones ready.”

“what? “Why?”

“I thought I could save one thing if I did well.”

If the military over there is of a high level, I plan to retreat without attacking.

Otherwise….

“V. “Activate the disruption and stealth systems.”

｢System in operation.｣

700 people will be enough to fill her quota.

–

Using faster-than-light sailing in succession was not as easy as I thought. I’ve taken control of a Megacorp spaceship before and used faster-than-light travel, but I’ve never done it for such a long period of time.

It was an arduous task to continue traveling at faster than light speeds for a period of several weeks or more. This is because we had to stay focused during the voyage.

‘It’s not that I lack energy, though.’

For various reasons, the time to maintain dominance is relatively long. It’s just that it’s not easy to concentrate during a boring voyage.

Imagine driving a car at night without knowing when an elk might jump in for over a month without resting or sleeping. Even for an Amorph with extra-senses and the support of auxiliary organs, this is a difficult task.

There was no choice but to stop the faster-than-light voyage at intervals and take a break.

And now I am taking my first month off.

‘But we’re halfway there.’

If we go about another month, we will arrive at the planet where the dragon’s nest is.

I used my eroding tentacles to swallow the stored meat.

Tentacles covered with thick, hard carapace quickly digest food and supply the necessary energy to the body. As your body becomes energized, fatigue goes away and you feel slightly better.

‘Anyway, you probably need more meat, right?’

All systems on this ship are completely under my control. So we are taking care to ensure that the stored food does not spoil.

‘It’s hard to prevent it from rotting as it is.’

There isn’t much left. Not only am I boasting of a huge amount of food, but No. 26, which is approaching adulthood, is also consuming a much larger amount of food than before. Aadhay, which sucks blood and bodily fluids, is also not suitable for eating meat that has been stored for a long time.

‘Heavenly Mother also tends to eat a lot.’

It looks like you may need to supplement the food midway.

I understand that spaceships do not frequent the JP-99 star system where we are. Although it is cult territory, I have never seen another ship on my way here.

‘If we go to this next star system, there will be a lot of ships… hmm?’

As I was making a food supply plan, something caught my senses.

This is not the movement of No. 26 and Aadhai running around the ship while dribbling the spores I created.

These waves that I detected originate from outer space of the ship.

I stopped eating and focused all my senses toward where the wave came from.

A universe where starlight is the only light, like rice grains spilled on black paper. There is something in what appears to be an empty space.

I can feel the special energy generated to hide the ship flowing over several layers.

‘Is it a warship?’

It looks like they sensed me first. So, all sorts of miscellaneous functions, such as stealth radio interference, will be activated.

‘It’s unclear whether it’s hostile or not.’

From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem to be a cult warship. This is the territory of a cult. If an unauthorized boat was wandering around, a warning shot would have been fired immediately.

Instead of attacking, the opponent was approaching towards us at a slow speed.

‘If it’s not a cult warship, it’s better for me.’

It doesn’t matter whether the opponent is a space dog or an unidentified ship. Either way, it means that there will be no regrets if I eat it.

I moved around, pretending not to notice the other person was there.

The mysterious ship approached without even knowing that a spider web was spread in front of it. The opponent who was closing the distance suddenly stopped moving.

Probably trying to scan my stomach. I also worked hard to detect the occupants of that ship.

‘hmm.’

Hundreds of creatures showing feeble movements and 30 humanoid creatures with a strong metallic smell. In addition, 70 machines that send out strong electrical signals can be felt.

‘Aha, I know what it is.’

This is Star Union’s manpower supply ship.

Star Union is a community established by machines such as cyborgs, humanoids, androids and drones. Due to the nature of the race that makes it difficult to leave descendants, Star Union purchases slaves from other powers to increase the number of citizens.

‘Most of them are subject to cyborgization, and a special few are for human experimentation.’

Star Union is a force that claims that the body is weak and should be replaced by a machine. There would be nothing more ironic than for such a group to secretly purchase humans to maintain the community.

Therefore, this type of manpower supply line is operated only in utmost secrecy. Transactions are also carried out secretly with third parties such as cults or space dogs.

‘If you look at this, it’s similar to Megacorp or Star Union.’

In Space Survival, the Star Union is classified as a neutral force, but that does not mean that there is no darkness at all. Because it is a place where a different form of disregard for human life and black humor is prevalent than Megacorp.

At that time, they started firing carrier-based aircraft from over there.

The exterior of this frigate is completely identical to the existing model, except that the outer walls of the ship are dark purple to match the color of the inner shell and that the weapons are hidden rather than exposed.

The fact that there are no plasma batteries or psychic power main guns on this ship should have been confirmed through a scan earlier. It was clear that he thought I was an easy opponent.

‘You’re going to target me, right?’

I can kind of guess why it’s like that. This may be to prepare for a situation in which the designated quota is not met or the quota is not met later.

‘But what should I do with this? This ship is not run by a cult.’

Just like the armed action over there, I also have no intention of just letting go when my prey comes at me.

‘What should I do this time?’

Like before, I could use Nightmare Horizon to change to a new ship, but the frigate I currently have is not worth it. It has been remodeled with advice from local craftsmen, so its speed is much faster than that of regular ships, and the energy consumption rate for faster-than-light sailing is also low.

‘Don’t just think about robbing, let’s apply it.’

So far I have only used Nightmare Horizon one-dimensionally. Watch for when enemy crew members break into the ship, or add weapons to the ship to fight guys like metallic gremlins, etc.

‘It couldn’t be helped before.’

Because I couldn’t use all of my body-related traits while I was in control of the spaceship with Nightmare Horizon.

But not now that we have entered the second stage of transcendence.

｢*’Erosion Tentacle’: Erosions the spaceship, turning it into a composite organism controlled by the user’s consciousness. While connected to a spaceship, you can ‘use some of the physical attributes’. When the user runs out of stored energy, the attribute effect is automatically canceled. Erosion Tentacles can only be used on one spaceship once every 7 days.

*Available physical characteristics: Regenerative power, Mimic organ, Thorn hair launch, Tail strengthening, Large tail, Essence harvester’s jaw, claws.’ ‘From

now on, you can use physical characteristics even while in control of the spaceship.’

As the ban on Transcendence Level 1 was lifted, there were changes to the effect of Nightmare Horizon.

Originally, physical characteristics could not be used, but that sentence disappeared. Instead, an item called “usable physical characteristics” was added.

In other words, this means that body organs such as claws and a mouth can be added to this ship.

‘I used to be jealous when I saw outspacers swallowing up entire spaceships.’

Now I can swallow the beings in the spaceship in one bite.

‘Before that, let’s get ready to welcome the guests first.’

The aircraft carriers circling around the ship attach themselves to it and attempt to board it.

They are amazing prey that volunteer to be eaten first.

I must welcome you with a happy heart.