I Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 407

Intelligent groups in Space Survival have a common system called ‘conflict’.
 
As the size of the faction a player belongs to grows, the probability of conflict occurring on planets and star systems occupied by the faction increases. Then, at some point, a conflict event suitable for each race occurs.
 
Representative examples include the colonial independence movement in the case of Megacorp, the slave revolt in the case of the Cult Empire, and the uprising of clones in the Star Union. In addition, similar events exist for Wolff and Space Dog.
 
Although the names and contents of each are different, once a dispute arises, it must be stabilized. Otherwise, the conflict will intensify into a rebellion and ultimately become independent as an NPC force.
 
This is my first time in the Xer-11 system, but I have visited other conflict zones several times. I know how to infiltrate.
 
However, this time we need to move more cautiously than other times. This is because the battle with the rankers has just ended.
 
It’s obvious that they’re still wary of me, but if I’m discovered before I can find traces of ‘Arcane Orca’, it’ll be quite a headache. Because the colony could be destroyed by the rankers’ attack.
 
AG-01 is the target chosen after taking all these factors into consideration.
 
First of all, this place is the closest to the star among the colonies in the star system. If Arcane Orca was truly active in Zer-11, there is a high probability that its records remain here.
 
And AG-01 is the place with the most conflict in the system. The rulers of Zer-11 are busy dealing with pirates and separatist forces. Even if I secretly open a nest, they won’t notice at all.
 
In any case, it was not difficult to infiltrate a planet with a weak surveillance network. In addition, the fact that the terraforming machine was broken was an unexpected good news. It wouldn’t be easy to find myself hiding from the incessant rain and storm.
 
After infiltrating safely, the first place I set foot was a city’s sewage treatment facility. Although it was a facility that played an important role in residential areas, it was neglected. There were no managers or security guards, and it was overrun with homeless vagabonds and drug addicts.
 
Various pollutants, large amounts of moisture, and numerous organisms that serve as nutrients.
 
‘It’s a very suitable environment for nesting.’
 
After sending PS-111, which came down together, to another location, they immediately planted a nest on top of the sewage treatment facility. The black mucus produced in my body grew into a huge nest by sucking in the contaminated water.
 
And for the first time in real life, I was able to taste the power of the ‘Hiveformer’.
 
Unlike other traits, nest-related traits are not easy to use unless the conditions are met. Because without a nest, it is useless.
 
Instead, this nest series becomes stronger if there is a nest. The Hiveformer is a trait that demonstrates this characteristic very well.
 
When you acquire the Hiveformer trait, a swarm of worms will be created in the nest at regular intervals. Hiveformers, which are dull black in color, are responsible for intercepting prey that enters the nest or breaking down the corpses and converting them into an energy source for the nest. As the name suggests, it can be said to be a creature that grows and manages its nest.
 
The Hiveformer created by Outspacer, the original owner of the trait, has considerable combat power, but this is not the case with Aimorph. Hiveformers born in Amorph’s nest are as weak as Megacorp’s corpse catfish.
 
However, their true value is revealed when a large number of them gather together and steal the enemy’s skin.
 
I looked down at the numerous bums standing near my feet. At first glance, they seem like humans as they stand motionless on the black slime.
 
However, if you look closer, you can see something thin wriggling under the thin skin. Their true identity is not vagabonds, but a colony of worms covered in human skin.
 
The hiveformer enters the enemy’s body and eats the flesh first. Then, when only the skin remains, it covers it up and disguises itself as the creature.
 
Although it looks similar to a parasite, it is actually very different. This is because you are not controlling a living creature, but are merely moving around while wearing the skin of a corpse. Since the body and skin are moved like a puppet, unique abilities or characteristics cannot be used.
 
‘That doesn’t mean it’s bad at all.’
 
Unlike parasites, which are limited to the creatures they can inhabit, hiveformers are not limited to the hides they can use as hiding places. Any creature can do this as long as there is a hole for them to fit in and meat to gnaw on. Even Apex creatures.
 
‘and….’
 
I lowered my body and lowered my head toward the floor. Black slime can be seen continuously absorbing rainwater. The moment an auxiliary organ was placed there, the scope of consciousness expanded widely in an instant.
 
And with that, my vision split into a thousand pieces. It felt like I was looking at multiple monitors stacked on a wall. By linking with the nest, you can now share the hiveformer’s field of vision.
 
I maintained that state and focused my attention on the guys. Then one of the tramps at his feet moved forward slowly. It crawled like a snail and tightly held on to the human I had captured.
 
‘I didn’t know you could control it like this.’
 
In the game, only very basic commands could be given. All they had to do was increase the number or gather at a specific point. It was unimaginable to be asked to hold on to someone like this now.
 
There is a disadvantage that commands can only be given by linking to a nest, but that is not a big problem as it was always the same.
 
‘Thanks to you, the number of ways I can use it has increased.’
 
For example, the vagabonds here, the original plan was to keep only a few and use the rest as nesting material. Because the shell of a human being, or even a drug addict, is not very suitable for combat.
 
However, since it is possible to give detailed instructions to the hiveformer, there is no need to use it only as a consumable. Using people disguised as vagabonds would help us find people who handle information.
 
Having built a nest in a sewage treatment facility, I spread black slime into the sewer pipes connected to the facility. At the same time, hiveformers were sent up to a nearby city. While the black slime engulfed the city, the hiveformers picked out useful humans.
 
The human captured by the Hiveformer is also a result of the search. If you see him holding a laser pistol, he is most likely a member of the city defense force or a pirate.
 
‘He’s a human worth opening his head to.’
 
I lifted my head and disconnected from the nest.
 
The tramp, whose stomach was filled with worms, continued to hold on to the human. As he stretched out his fighting arms, the Hiveformer immediately released his restraints. After completing its mission, it moved to take care of the nest like any other hiveformer.
 
I picked up the guy who broke the apartment and took it out.
 
“Hee, hee hee.”
 
The guy had been smiling ever since. When I saw my eyes opened, I felt like I had completely lost my mind.
 
‘I didn’t do anything in particular.’
 
Other than knocking down the wall of the apartment to get him out, he didn’t pose any threat. I just didn’t know that I was going to lose my mind over this.
 
‘Well, it doesn’t really matter.’
 
I put the man down and called my little friend who came here with me. When the head on the left opened its mouth, a monster resembling a woman’s head with metal legs crawled out.
 
This is MPS-03, a mini screamer that I made together with PS-111.
 
I usually took model 5 with me, which was designed for communication and hacking, but not this time. MPS-05 is not here because Heavenly Mother took it with her.
 
“Please check again this time.”
“wonderment. check. check.”
 
After hearing my request, the guy raised his metal leg and took a saluting stance. The left head bent its neck down to help the guy go down easily. MPS-03 crossed over to the man, diligently using several metal bridges.
 
“Machine parts. check.”
“Hehe, hehehe….”
 
The guy on the man’s shoulder stretched out his metal legs. A dish antenna protruded from the end of the leg and began scanning the man’s face.
 
‘I’d be in trouble if I heard something in my head like last time.’
 
Before coming here, I asked PS-111 to give the Mini Screamers the ability to detect electronic devices. This is to prepare for cases where rankers plant traps on the bodies of their subordinates.
 
Because it would take a long time to modify them all, detection functions were added only to models 3 and 5. That part that looks like an antenna from the leg of MPS-03 is the result.
 
While he was checking, I turned my head and looked at the apartment where one of the walls had collapsed.
 
Inside, black mucus can be seen flowing back up. The hiveformers moved along the slime and collected things that could be used as nutrients.
 
While looking inside the building, the room where the humans lived that I had taken out caught my eye.
 
‘huh?’
 
An unexpected object was placed next to the collapsed rubble. I used the small arms near my chest to clear away debris and pick up items.
 
‘It’s a portable hologram playback device?’
 
It’s a fairly expensive piece of equipment, but I never thought I’d see it in a place like this.
 
“wonderment. doesn’t exist! doesn’t exist!”
 
At that time, the inspection of MPS-03 was also completed. I transplanted parasites into a man. After swallowing an eel-like parasite, he trembled for a moment and then calmed down.
 
“I was holding something interesting.”
“Yes…”
“Explain who you are and what you did.”
“yes. My name is….”
 
Even if you are insane, you cannot refuse the parasite’s orders. The man who introduced his name as Jeff slowly answered my question.
 
And as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
 
“This is where the Hulk mutant was developed?”
“yes. The Noble Capital T&C family was secretly trying to develop the Hulk Mutant. Colonies belonging to the Jer-11 system have test sites built by T&C.”
 
Jeff’s occupation was a journalist. He is also a reporter with enough reputation to work at the request of Prime Capital’s Zhao family. Is that why? He knew more information than he thought.
 
“Then is there a laboratory on this planet that stores genetic samples?”
“yes. T&C’s security team is guarding the genetic samples and Hulk mutant specimens.”
 
What is important is that a large number of genetic samples and test subjects remain here.
 
“It seems like it could be useful.”
“thank you.”
 
I quenched my appetite as I watched Jeff bow his head.

I need to see if I can secretly take those samples.

“Watch next episode”