I Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 191
Ep. 191
“Do you really want to choose ‘Flame of Illusion’ as your material? Once selected, there is no going back.”
The semi-transparent text box reappeared. It’s as if he’s asking if this is really the best.
There are two reasons why I chose psychedelic flames over ‘space bacteria’.
The first is because of the enemies I have to deal with on this planet right now.
Gallagon is a master of psychic techniques. White Gallagon alone is a monster that can fire psychic breath. To fight them, you need several weapons using psychic powers.
‘But all the psychic abilities I have are for assistance or defense.’
Psychic Breath, which can be used with the hallucinatory flame monster’s tentacles, is an aggressive psychic technique, but both have fatal drawbacks.
The flame of hallucination is only effective against Blue Gallagon and has no effect on anyone else. Psychic Breath is powerful, but there is a limit to the number of times it can be used.
Since there is a lack of psychic attack characteristics, it is beneficial to acquire new skills even by sacrificing the Flame of Hallucination.
And the second reason is because of its relationship with Vortex One.
If, as I expected, the characteristics and perks of the superpower series are combined and implemented with the power of Vortex One, it will be an extremely powerful characteristic.
‘Everything related to them was useful in the game.’
All of Vortex One’s characteristics are unique. Therefore, it had to be assumed that if you catch them and the predation effect occurs, you will definitely get the unique characteristic.
‘Of course, there are risks.’
To put it simply, the blessings of Vortex One are high risk, high return. The power received from transcendent beings is never free.
Like Psionium, whose duration decreases each time it is used, each time an ability is used, it becomes weaker or the price to pay increases.
So, cold blood players who take the cult route lose a lot of strength once they get past the mid to late game.
‘If it is related to the power of Vortex One, it should be used as a secret weapon.’
Like the whip of God.
I selected OK to the question in the semi-transparent text box.
Then a new message occurred to me.
｢Eligible for use of the characteristic enhancement system. Would you like to use the system? ｣
Attribute enhancement system.
This is a new system that came as a message when the space monster type was first opened. I checked the contents of the ‘characteristic enhancement system’.
｢Characteristic Enhancement: When combining traits through a special process, you can use regular traits as materials to strengthen them. The maximum number of materials is 10, and fusion unique properties cannot be used as materials.
Applicable to: ‘Unique attribute synthesis system’ ‘Positive enemy badge system’ Unconfirmed”
By the way, this is the first time using the attribute enhancement system. At the time of killing Muriel, this system had not been unlocked, and the new unique trait does not appear in the system, possibly because the conditions have not yet been met.
This is the first time choosing characteristics to create a badge of a strong enemy, and the first time using the characteristic enhancement system.
‘…It’s definitely a situation that can be called an important crossroads.’
I felt this way when I first encountered Space Survival.
Curiosity about the unknown outcome and fear and anticipation of the butterfly effect that this choice will bring.
Feeling that strange feeling, I checked what characteristics I could use as a material.
‘Of the characteristics I currently possess, the one that accounts for the most is physicality.’
The total number of body-related characteristics is 18. Among these, fusion characteristics cannot be used as characteristic enhancement materials, so excluding that number, there are 13.
‘To maintain the physical enhancement type, 10 characteristics are required.’
Therefore, a total of 8 physical attributes can be invested as reinforcement materials. Of course, I have no intention of using all eight, but only a few of them.
‘Let’s write about characteristics related to underwater life.’
At the moment, characteristics related to underwater activities are not helpful in combat. Since it is an ice planet, there is a high possibility that water exists, but the beings I am trying to capture have nothing to do with water.
Other than that, I chose features that were not often used or that were easy to obtain.
‘In the physical class, pheromone enhancement, strength, vitality, webbed fins, and dexterity. Let’s make it 5 like this.’
The rest were selected as less useful characteristics of other types.
I chose the properties related to psychic abilities, memory tracking, infection-related properties, and hallucination bug nest-related properties: sundew and water ghost pustule.
After choosing a total of 9 characteristics, I finally reviewed them one more time to see if any problems would arise.
‘This is enough.’
After completing the confirmation and selecting 9 characteristics as characteristic enhancement materials, the Strong Enemy Token system finally began to operate.
｢The perks of ‘Jason (Jason Turningham)’ and the characteristics of ‘Flame of Illusion’ are fused. ‘Cannon of Chaos■-℃≒∬￥Intervention in the trait enhancement system!｣
｢Improving the traits｣
｢Evolving into the ‘Color of the Abyss’ trait!｣
｢Color of the Abyss: When activated, indescribable colors surround the body. . Colors are automatically assigned to psychic abilities.
*Applies to: Monster Tentacles Fear Watcher Superpower Reflective Gloves
*PS: Fear is uncontrollable. Likewise, unknown colors cannot be controlled.”
As the new powerful enemy’s badge was completed, translucent text boxes appeared indiscriminately. And perhaps because I lacked energy, I suddenly felt like my head was getting heavy. After slightly stumbling, I straightened my posture and checked the description of the new trait.
‘This?’
The finished result was completely different from what I expected.
‘Isn’t it an attack-related trait?’
Just looking at the description, this trait also seems to be close to a secondary trait. Of course, you can’t be sure until you try it.
More than that, the problem lies in the postscript. Unlike usual, words with ominous connotations really bother me.
‘Out of control?’
In space survival, there are sometimes equipment or characteristics that the player cannot control. Some are very powerful, while others are difficult to use. Although they are different, the key is how to overcome the common limitation of inability to control them.
In my experience, the Uncontrollable trait is just as tricky to use as the ‘Revenant Authority’.
‘I have to experiment to see how it will operate… huh?’
I was preoccupied with my newly acquired characteristics, and only then did I notice a change in my surroundings.
‘Is there no mother in heaven?’
The woman who was with Jason during the interrogation was nowhere to be seen. As I focused on the auxiliary organ, I felt her presence in a small clearing a little distance away from here.
I stopped checking the ‘Color of the Abyss’ characteristic and walked towards where she was.
‘What are you doing…ah.’
In the clearing, she was silently staring into space. Her amber eyes, which glowed brilliantly even in the dark, were filled with tears.
When I came, she wiped her eyes with her paw.
“Are you done?”
I couldn’t say anything when I saw her pretending to be calm as if nothing had happened.
‘…I made a mistake.’
When I questioned Jason, I also heard why he was targeting the Mother of Heaven.
His motive was extremely personal and simple.
He tried to turn the Heavenly Mother into a toy. Then, when you get sick of it, make it a perk.
If that were the case, I could have chosen someone else, but there were two reasons why I chose Heavenly Mother.
‘I want to have a Wolf sex slave and…’
Playing with the same player is even more special.
Heavenly Mother lost her loved ones and family because of Jason’s unreasonable desires.
‘I came together for no reason.’
I brought her here hoping that hearing the cause would put her at ease a little, but it ended up being better not knowing.
I went and knelt down next to her without a word. And then I leaned in slightly.
It didn’t mean anything special. This is because she has not yet gained the power of a wendigo, so it is not easy for her to endure the cold.
Normally, she would have given me an awkward look, but now, perhaps because she was having such a hard time mentally, she stayed quiet.
So she and I stayed silent, our bodies pressed against each other.
I wish I could offer some comfort, but unfortunately I don’t have the gift of words.
Besides, I have never experienced pain like hers. The experience of losing precious things all at once. I also wouldn’t be able to maintain my sanity if No. 26 and Adhai were killed by Jason.
Just imagining it makes my blood boil, but she actually experienced that situation. No matter what I say, it won’t comfort her.
The only thing I can do is help her not get cold.
How much time has passed?
After being quiet for a while, she sent out a thought wave.
“I met him 10 years ago. “We met on the fifth year since I fell into this world.”
There is only one ‘him’ she is talking about.
‘Father Earth.’
In the game, this is a fixed NPC that appears in connection with the quest to obtain the priest’s golden spear. It looks like a male lion with goat horns and metal scales on its body. Although it is not very large, it has very high defense and fast speed. To put it simply, it feels like a miniaturized ice horror.
I have already heard before that she married the Earthfather and served as the guardian deity of the Wolfs. I also decided to live with the family I gained in this world.
“Honestly, I didn’t adapt well when I first came to this world.”
[Zuzuzu (Is that so?)]
“Yes. “If I hadn’t met him, I wouldn’t have survived this long in this world.”
She became speechless and began to talk about her experiences with the person she loved.
“After a fight, I brought back a gray centipede to make up, and what a shock it was… you know that, right? “It looks like that person’s head.”
[Zuz, zuzuzu, zuzuzuzu, zuzu, zuzuzu (yes, it was used a lot during terrorist attacks in the community)]
“That’s what I’m saying. Even a love that lasted a thousand years would cool off.”
Memories of when we fought and argued with each other.
“It felt awkward when the young Wolfs tried to put flowers in them. I never knew a lion could make an expression like that.”
[Zuzuzuzzuzu (I’m curious)]
Memories of when we had a good time together.
She brought out every single memory that came to mind. Because of this, her story was told in random order and the context was difficult to understand.
But I quietly listened to her story. Because I knew she was doing this to mourn the deceased.
“Haha, he was a really fun guy. What to do when you die? She said we would be together forever, but you bastard…”
She chattered non-stop like that, but at some point she could no longer speak. I just sobbed, repeating the word ‘bad guy’.
Seeing that pitiful sight, my small arm moved near my chest without my knowledge.
The tips of my fingers touched soft, fluffy fur. I gently stroked her snow-white head.
Perhaps because Heaven’s Mother was so overcome with emotion, she didn’t even seem to notice that I was stroking her head.
‘We don’t have this kind of relationship, but…’
Is it because we’ve been crossing the line of fire together all this time? It was difficult to remove my hand now, so I continued stroking it.
Just like that, she poured out all the tears she had accumulated for a long time. She was able to calm down when the tears on her paws froze cold.
“Huh.”
She barely calmed down and slightly tilted her head to the side as if she was embarrassed. I also naturally took my hand back in response to her reaction.
｢I didn’t expect you to cry this much at this age.｣
[Zuzuzu zuzuzu (How old are you?)]
｢…Do you really have to ask that in this situation?｣
[Zuzuzu zuzu (I have nothing to say)]
｢One thing I have a favor to ask. Is it okay?”
[Zuzu (what is it?)]
“I want to destroy Jason’s face.”
I thought it was a joke to cover up the awkwardness, but when I looked into his eyes, he was serious. I looked at her front paws and saw that vicious nails were sticking out and ready.
[Zuzuz (no)]
“Please, just this once.” huh? Can’t I hit him really hard just once?”
[Zuzuzuzu zuzuzzu zuzuzuzu (I’ll consider it when my stamina is fully recovered)]
In fact, even if she destroys Jason’s face, she can regenerate it as much as she likes. Whatever it is, it’s a part of my body. If it relieves her resentment even a little, it would be beneficial.
Heavenly Mother was silent for a moment and then looked straight into my eyes.
｢Thank you.｣
Her short but sincere words.
I responded by nodding my head. The smooth amber eyes still had a hint of sadness, but they were much better than before.
‘I’m glad.’
“By the way, your appearance has changed a lot?”
She changed the topic, perhaps because she was embarrassed to make eye contact.
｢Is it because of the new characteristics?｣
I looked at the explanation of the color of the abyss and immediately came to find the Mother of Heaven. So we haven’t looked at changes in the body yet.
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu (It’s probably because a few characteristics have disappeared)]
｢Really? For that matter, something seems to have changed a lot.’
Heaven’s Mother tilted her head and examined my body.
The fins hidden in the webbed tail between my fingers and many other traits were taken out of my body due to the trait enhancement system.
However, as she said, it was also true that she felt a subtle change that was difficult to explain by that alone. When I started looking at my body, I could quickly see which parts had changed.
‘Monster’s tentacles?’
The monster’s tentacles, which flowed from the back of the head to the neck like hair or a thin mane, changed slightly. The shape of the tentacles became longer and thicker than before, and the number of tentacles also increased, making them much more abundant.
Now the entire neck and jaw joints are within range of the monster’s tentacles.
‘Is it because the color of the abyss has a supernatural effect?’
Not only did the amount of tentacle bundles increase.
The monster’s tentacles on my body were now glowing a dangerous mixture of green and purple. In fact, it was a light because I like to say it, but in reality, it was closer to a bizarre feeling, like there was something like bubbles or mold.
“I guess it’s because of the newly acquired perk.”
[Zuzuzuzu (I think so)]
“I’m not saying this, but those tentacles are kind of unpleasant. “I don’t know what characteristic it is, but I think I need to use it with caution.”
Perhaps he recognized it with Wolf’s unique animal sense, or perhaps it was a ranker’s sense. As soon as the Mother of Heaven saw the changed tentacles, she immediately pointed out the danger of the color of the abyss.
‘Let’s check in the morning.’
Anyway, I was planning on going around looking for food in the morning.
Color of the Abyss, loot obtained from Jason.
I think I will have to spend tomorrow trying to find out about this unknown power.