Chapter 25: 025
–
"Hey. "Shouldn't we go too?"
"The boss said it was garlic dough."
"I liked it because I said I was going to get a big share of it, but Niimi…"
The bridge situation room.
The pirates were debating whether to go help their leader or not. The image of Garlic working diligently came into the eyes of the grumbling cyborg pirate.
She was working on the main computer where Central AI was installed.
"Hey garlic. "How much is left?"
"It's almost done."
"What's taking so long for that can?"
It's funny, but even though half of the cyborg pirate's body is a machine, he is unfamiliar with computers and high-tech devices.
So much so that you don't find it strange that code written by a complete stranger is working well without any bugs.
He was forced to become a cyborg by Star Union.
Like most of Star Union's lower class, he was also interested in mundane things rather than high-dimensional things such as robotics and nanocomputing technology.
"Although it is of an older generation, it is the AI of a Megacorp battleship. It's the essence of space engineering and computer engineering, but it can't be that easy…"
"Ah, I don't know the difficult words. "Let's just take care of it and go help the boss."
Cyborg waved his hands when Garlic tried to give a difficult explanation.
Garlic smiled awkwardly at the pirates who stopped paying attention and started chatting again, then focused on their work again.
No, I pretended to concentrate.
When she turned her head, the bewildered look from before could not be seen on her face.
The eyes behind the round glasses were colder than the inorganic mass surrounding them.
'Arnold did a great job.'
Thanks to the sacrifice of her minions, she was able to see that it was evolving.
He was filmed in the situation room a total of two times. He cleverly hid himself by setting up a smokescreen both times, but she could easily read his changes.
Thanks to genetic modification, her eyes and spatial sense are incomparably superior to those of humans.
Among the genetic samples implanted into her are the genes of a creature called Terror Devil.
Terrordevil is a type of pterosaur that lives on desert-type planets.
Because the habitat was so harsh, this pterosaur's sensing abilities evolved in a unique way.
If there is food in the sand, Terror Devil can comprehensively understand various factors, such as changes in the surrounding terrain and slight shaking in the sand, to find out what kind of food is hiding.
The accuracy is so close to 100% that the planet's natives call it 'clairvoyance'.
Of course, it's not exactly 'seeing' what's hidden behind the actual obstacle, but it's closer to reading surrounding information and 'reconstructing' in your head what's hidden behind it.
Megacorp's scientists concluded that Terrordevil's 'seeing' ability was possible thanks to his innate psychic power.
Anyway, she used Terror Devil's abilities to detect that the monster in the video was an evolving being.
The second time the guy who was struggling in front of the plasma pistol appeared wearing a much thicker skin.
Her prediction was that she could last up to two times.
'He robbed the laboratory and absorbed the genetic samples.'
She was currently browsing laboratory data through the ship's main computer.
The pirates, who were blind, were engrossed in small talk, completely unaware that she had already completed all inspections a long time ago.
'He's just not that smart.'
Looking at the sample loss report sent by the lab's control AI, we could see that it had been eaten up without leaving a single thing behind.
He only touched the genetic sample and did not touch any other chemicals or materials.
That means he knows very well what abilities he has and how to use them.
'A monster that absorbs genes and evolves…is it?'
She knows something similar to the bastard.
'The same people as me.'
This is the conclusion she came to.
Because she is a monster who steals the genes of other creatures similar to her and uses them.
'You can't win against Elchen.'
He is nothing more than an abomination strengthened by the will of others. An insignificant being who doesn't even know what's in his body.
There is no way that someone like Elchen could win against the Creator of Life, who manipulates the origin of living things at will.
She shut down the computer. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her lips.
She would never know, but it resembled the smile that an unidentified enemy often wore.
It was the laughter of a predator that hovers over a wild animal when it spots its prey.
'I was annoyed because the old man in the closet bothered me, but this was an unexpected result.'
When she spoke on the phone with her faithful servant Arnold, she had no idea that something so exciting would happen.
Noble Capital's death, Akira Eugene's orders to her, and the Dvara Cartel board this research ship.
Everything went according to her plan, but his presence was unexpected.
"Are you done with the garlic?"
"Let's go when it's over."
The pirates called, but she did not answer.
There is no more business for these pirates. Once the mission is over, she must infiltrate another organization that will join C-08.
'And we should reduce the number of genes it can acquire, right?'
It was understandable because she was also a being that devours the source of life.
She doesn't know how it steals genes. However, she knows that if there is no trace of the body, it is impossible to obtain the genes even if they wanted to.
She got up from her seat.
The timidity that had been hovering over her before was nowhere to be found.
Like a chameleon changing its color, the person standing there was a completely different woman. In place of the timidity and gloom, the ferocity and bewitchment that can be felt from a giant cat or beast of prey took their place.
"huh?"
Those who were 'colleagues' were shocked as if they sensed the approaching fate.
She slowly took off her prescription glasses.
In the Dvara Cartel, she is called Garlic and has many names.
Megacorp's enemies call her the Spiral Witch.
The family calls her Shadow and reveres her.
The head of the family, Akira Eugene, calls her Code White.
The one who was once her father called her Sihyeon.
The essence of genetic engineering created by the Eugene family and the only heir to the family's forgotten lineage.
Sihyeon Eugene, who pulled out the white blade from the back of
Sereung's hand, looked at the 'sheep' and smiled.
–
I quietly observed the beast in front of me. The boss also observed my movements on the spot rather than rushing in.
Beast fight.
We are waging a search war before baring our teeth and claws.
It is the same as human fights being judged by whose strategy is superior and whose weapon is more threatening.
Is it because of tension? Or is it because of anticipation of a fight? The acidic blood flowing inside the body boils and the outer skin becomes heated by the heat.
'This is what it felt like.'
It's a feeling of elation that I couldn't feel while playing a game.
If it were a human body, I might have licked my dry lips.
The other person's muscles are tense. Just by kicking the ground once, it rushes right in front of you. Big guys aren't usually fast.
The ground is dented by the guy's fist and metal pieces fly into the air. The sight of white debris rising up resembles snow blowing in the wind.
I turned my body to avoid the attack and at the same time dug into the guy.
Did I feel like my movements were more agile than expected? It is slow to retrieve the fist that broke the floor.
Since I had no intention of looking at the guy, I just stabbed him in the stomach with my fighting arm.
"hot!"
It seems I wasn't the only one who predicted the opponent's attack. He also neutralized my attack by kicking my arm with his knee.
My tail caught up with its shoulder, but it chose to dodge rather than block.
He kicked the alloy plate hard enough to leave footprints. A 3m tall figure flew through the air and retreated for a long time.
The guy didn't just retreat.
While the attack and defense were going on, he placed a pulse grenade without my knowledge.
When the first attack missed, I thought the reason I stiffened up was because I was embarrassed, but it was actually a fake to throw a bomb.
As soon as I recognized that fact, the grenade exploded and a powerful electromagnetic field swept through my body.
'Ugh.'
There was nothing wrong with my body, but the psychic organ on the back of my head tingled as if I had eaten spicy food.
Although it was a wrong answer, it was a pulse grenade that was thrown assuming it was a combat android. It's not a bad feeling. If you have this level of skill, it will probably be difficult to find an opponent.
"Tsk. "It's not a new weapon from Star Union."
The boss clicked his tongue as if he didn't like it. Through the short battle, it seemed like they had clearly realized that I was not an easy enemy.
"…Fuck. "Where did this monster come from?"
The leader swore and put his hand on the rifle on his belt. It was an improved laser rifle, but because he was so large, it almost looked like he was carrying a slightly longer pistol.
After thinking for a moment, he took his hand off the rifle.
It's a wise decision. Although its destructive power is stronger than that of a regular rifle, it is still a laser weapon.
All of his men attacked him with laser rifles and were defeated. I just confirmed with the attack and defense that I have no injuries, so it is reasonable to think that laser weapons are ineffective against me.
He ran his fingers through his mane roughly. A switch appeared on the right side of his neck.
'Gwanghwa switch.'
It seems he decided to trust his own two fists rather than relying on weapons. He was about to press the switch with his finger, which was almost the size of a beer can, but stopped.
"hey. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
It was unexpected.
So far, no one has ever met me or spoken to me, except for No. 26. All he said was that he didn't want to die and that he wanted to be saved.
I don't know what his intention was, but he succeeded in arousing my interest. When I slightly lowered the tail that was raised in a threatening manner, the corner of its mouth raised.
"A bomb was planted in the nuclear reactor. The controls are in sync with my heart. If you kill me, this ship will explode and everyone will die."
'bomb?'
I checked with the medical team leader behind the boss. The sight of him wiping sweat with his pale complexion sleeve showed that what the boss said was not a lie.
It is true that the bomb itself was planted, but what is important is whether the leader detonates it.
'You seem to have a lot of attachment to life.'
High intelligence and transcendent body. And arrogance. There is no factor that can lower the will to survive.
"…."
He pressed the switch without saying a word, as if he had no intention of explaining what he was talking about.
With that as a signal, the Hulk Mutant's unique transformation began.
The sequence of genes in cells is reversed and the body becomes distorted.
The bones inside tore the skin and protruded to the outside, and the blood that was supposed to circulate in the blood vessels poured out.
Due to the energy rushing from the inside, steam rose on the surface of the skin, muscles swelled, and the outer clothing they were wearing was torn.
"Grrg purr."
The monster growls in the pain of transformation.
A Hulk mutant created with artificial touches. Of course, the transformation process is not natural. It will most likely be very painful.
After completing his transformation in a short period of time, he hit the floor with both hands. The ship vibrated greatly from the enormous force.
Even in his normal state, he didn't look like a human being, but after completing his transformation, it was appropriate to say that he was truly a monster.
Its arms were much longer than before.
Not only that, but the inner bones protruded and transformed into armor covering the arms, giving the appearance of wearing a small shield.
Bone armor was formed not only on the arms, but also on the head and legs.
After completing the transformation, the form was closer to that of a gorilla wearing armor than a human.
An additional exoskeleton similar to mine was created near the chest to protect vital areas.
The difference is that the exoskeleton covering its chest is made of alloy. The alloy exoskeleton sprouted from his back and covered his entire chest, making it look like a steel spider wrapped around his chest.
An alloy exoskeleton with blood that hasn't dried yet due to the skin being torn and protruding bones sticking out from inside, arms that are so long that they look abnormal, etc.
As someone thought he was a Hulk mutant, I could only feel the ugliness of this guy, as if the creator had played a prank on him.
'It's not enough to roughly hit the genes.'
Looking at this guy, who was in fact a backwards compatible version of Amorph, I guessed the genes that went into his body.
First of all, the bone shell covering the arm, which is expected to be the guy's main weapon. I can guess what kind of creature it is.
'It must be a mountain crawler.'
The mountain crawler is a predator that shares its habitat with the rock walker and looks like an armored skink blown up to a size of 10 meters.
It was notorious in games because its outer shell was so hard that it was nicknamed the rock dragon.
It seems that the boss received only the best of the rock dragon genes.
He roughly tore off the pieces of clothes that had become matte.
The Hulk mutant, standing on the border between wildness and reason, pounded his chest and roared.
"Gwaaaaaa!"
「Grrrrr」
Does Amov's body resonate with the cries consumed by pure desire for destruction? My body also trembles as I feel the approaching festival of blood and violence.
'come.'
In the darkness of space, monsters roared, signaling the start of battle.