Became an Evolving Space Monster

Chapter 288:

In "Space Survival", both Megacorp and the Star Union utilize plasma weapons on their ships, as both factions originate from humanity within the solar system.

However, when it comes to specifics, there are slight differences in the equipment preferred by the two factions.

The Star Union tends to weaponize drones equipped with advanced AI technology. In contrast, Megacorp primarily relies on energy-based weapons like lasers and plasma.

The massive spherical mining vessel beneath my feet, the "Gigacracker", is one of Megacorp's superweapons that uses energy-based armaments.

The Gigacracker’s main weapon is a colossal ion cannon. Its power is formidable enough to shatter asteroids or dwarf planets.

“However, the maintenance costs are astronomical.”

Each time the ion cannon is activated, certain materials are consumed as energy sources. The Crystalwing I previously defeated secretes a special metallic substance that serves as the energy source for the colossal ion cannon. This is why Megacorp players eagerly search for Crystalwing nests.

“I never expected to see a Gigacracker here.”

Given that I’m in a desolate area, it seems they intended to mine a dwarf planet where I established my evolution.

Although the ship is large enough to be seen from a distance, I considered launching a preemptive strike but paused.

The erosion of a superweapon.

Now that I’ve become a mature entity, my size has increased, and thanks to the dragon's heart grafted to me, my energy output has also significantly risen. If I could dominate that ship with "Nightmare Horizon", it would greatly aid me in battling formidable foes.

Even if erosion isn’t possible, it’s still worthwhile.

A Gigacracker is far more useful and powerful than a mere pirate ship. While its mining capabilities might be average, it possesses that ion cannon. Acquiring it would be undeniably beneficial.

“I wanted to test the Black Devourer Cannon, but….”

I glanced at my left tail, which had the bioweapon mounted on it. According to the tooltip, it possesses the power to completely destroy or at least severely damage the ship.

It would be a waste to experiment with its effects when I have the fortunate opportunity to acquire a superweapon. I should save that for later.

Instead of destroying the ship, I decided to change my goal to dominating it, bringing forth two new weapons: the psionic fusion trait "Dark Veil" and the unique trait "Variable Bio-Weapon," which I had never seen before.

“Dark Veil, I used that a lot in the game.”

Every time an Amorph grows to the next stage, they receive several traits for free. Dark Veil is a trait I gained for free, fused with "Mental Web".

When Dark Veil is activated, a special substance flows from the pipes scattered across my body, enveloping me.

Its effect is to remain undetected by enemy detection systems.

It can be likened to the metallic secretions of the Crystalwing, which also render it undetectable.

“Though their operating principles are quite different.”

Unlike the Crystalwing, which goes undetected by electronic devices, Dark Veil doesn't hide my appearance. Instead, it generates a powerful magnetic field, making it difficult for machines to accurately identify me.

To the ship, I likely appear not as a monster, but as a massive energy mass or a sudden magnetic storm.

I activated Dark Veil to nullify the enemy’s detection capabilities and charged towards my target. Despite the Gigacracker being armored far thicker than a battleship, it couldn’t completely negate my assault as a mature entity.

“Of course, that's not all.”

I restored my head carapace, which had grown three to four times larger than usual, to its original state. I could hear the sounds of the carapace and bones colliding and twisting inside my head as the weight on my neck decreased in real-time.

“Variable Bio-Weapon: Imitation is the mother of creation. It transforms the body by mimicking the physical traits of apex creatures that have already been devoured.

Transformable body parts: Head, Arms, Right Tail, Erosion Tentacles.

Mimicry targets (results) list: Ice Horror (Head Carapace), Galagon (Horns, Wings), Glacial Fiend (Claws), Crystalwing (Auxiliary Organs), Sky Whale (Eyes), Hellsider Hornet (Arms), Gorgon Swarm (Tail).

*Postscript: The perception that the original is superior is an illusion.”

The "Variable Bio-Weapon" was created after escaping the cosmic fortress.

It is a unique trait that reflects the strengths of specific creatures onto various body parts. It requires traits related to the body, similar to a "complete organism", and the results resemble that as well.

‘A trait that transforms the body.’

Thanks to possessing a complete organism, I can transform into the combat-specialized "Emblem of the Hunt" once every 24 hours. While the Variable Bio-Weapon doesn’t change my entire body, it does allow me to alter specific body parts into different forms.

When I just charged into the Gigacracker, I utilized the Variable Bio-Weapon to reshape my head carapace into the skull form of an Ice Horror, striking it with that.

The skull of the Ice Horror is a part I couldn't fully consume, even with my ability to eat nearly anything. The characteristics of that skull were perfectly reflected when I transformed my head carapace.

‘It’s nice, but there are some downsides.’

Having just used it for the first time, I immediately noticed two drawbacks.

First, the pain experienced during and after the transformation was considerable. It wasn't to the extent that it triggered "Pain Relief", but it was still quite bothersome.

Second, since only one limited body part can be transformed, it doesn’t synergize well with other body parts. While it was fine to enhance my head carapace, it placed significant strain on my neck.

‘I need to research further to find a way to mitigate this.’

As time passed, the pain I felt during the transformation subsided. I looked down at the wall I had just struck, which was now dented like a fortress wall struck by a siege hammer. If I hit it once more with the Ice Horror carapace, it seemed likely to create a hole.

‘No, let’s change a different part.’

The Dark Veil was still active. From the inside, they were unaware of what was happening outside.

This time, I decided to transform my arms.

‘Claws of the Glacial Fiend.’

As the Variable Bio-Weapon activated, my combat arms quickly morphed, excluding the wing arms.

The four fingers at the ends of my arms tingled as their skin ripped open, and blood erupted from within. Hook-shaped claws protruded between the torn finger muscles, floating in the zero-gravity space.

In no time, my hand transformed into a shape reminiscent of a beetle’s foot. I swung my two combat arms, now equipped with large, hooked claws, with great force.

The heavy yet sharp claws embedded themselves into the hull of the ship. As I pulled, the hull tore apart like paper.

‘Just as I thought.’

When I captured the Glacial Fiend back in Adhai’s homeland, I was fortunate. I didn’t have to fight it directly because I obliterated the red forest it had claimed using “Abyssal Hue.”

So, while it might seem like a weak opponent, it’s anything but. The Glacial Fiend is also classified as an apex predator. Besides being adept at using narcotic substances to control its subordinates, its base specifications are quite formidable.

The Glacial Fiend possesses multiple weapons, including several claws. Once it claims a territory, it hides dozens of legs resembling roots underground. Therefore, its thick, hook-like claws are not visible most of the time. These claws only emerge when attacking targets that approach its main body.

What happens if you charge at the main body without knowing this? You’d be shredded by dozens of claws that burst forth from underground.

‘It’s said to be used for digging into the ground, but…’

Right now, I’m digging into the hull of a superweapon instead.

Thanks to this useful body part, I easily scraped away at the hull as if peeling an onion. I grasped the edges of the hull hole with my wing arms, applied strength to widen the opening, and poked my head inside.

‘There are no humans around.’

The first thing I encountered inside the ship was an enormous pile of mineral chunks. Many mineral pyramids were stacked up in the storage area, illuminated by red emergency lights.

‘It’s definitely spacious.’

Even though the Gigacracker is a superweapon, it fundamentally serves as a mining vessel. The interior of the ship, which has a diameter of 2 km, is mostly filled with spaces for storing minerals. The actual living quarters for the crew are not very large.

After taking a look around, I pulled my head back out. As I turned my head, I noticed two familiar objects flying in from a distance.

A griffon beastman holding a pink ball and a white dragon with an eight-legged spider robot entered the hole I had made.

After they went in, I continued to widen the hole. It took some effort to make it just large enough for my body to squeeze through.

‘Being too big is a problem.’

Once inside, I saw PS-111 working on taking control of the ship alongside Mother of the Sky. 26 and Adhai seemed fascinated by the piles of minerals stacked up around them.

“Wow! So many round ones!”

“Liar, Odd Grad!” “Nest!” “Similar!”

“These round ones are pretty.”

“I agree.”

I approached PS-111, who was manipulating the terminal in the storage area. It had connected a cable under its chin to the terminal and was nodding.

[ZZZ ZZZ (Can you control it?)]

“There’s nothing impossible for me. It might take a little time, but you don’t need to worry.”

[ZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Really? Then could you stall time by preventing hyperlight travel?)]

“Are you planning to digest the Gigacracker? Is that even possible?”

[ZZZZ ZZZ (Let’s check first.)]

I extended my digestive tentacles and touched the wall of the storage area. Immediately, a familiar text box appeared before me.

“Confirmed suitable size for digestion. Estimated time until completion: 16 hours. Time available for control after digestion: 80 days.”

‘Hmm. 16 hours, huh.’

While that may seem long, it’s actually a short time to fully take control of a superweapon with a diameter of 2 km. This was practically a steal.

‘Maybe I should save this for later.’

Now that I confirmed I could take control of the ship, I retracted my tentacles.

Once digestion begins, there’s a time limit, making it difficult to use it as a hidden card during battles against formidable opponents. Until the need for digestion arises, I plan to leave it in PS-111's control.

[ZZZ (That’s possible.)]

“Really? That seems way off balance.”

[ZZZZ ZZZ Z ZZZ ZZZZZ (Let’s consider it a reward for all your hard work so far.)]

After casually responding to it, I called out to the others. 26 and Adhai, who had been playing with diamond gemstones the size of a laptop, approached me.

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZ (There’s something everyone needs to do.)]

“What is it? What is it?”

“Huh?”

I explained to them what needed to be done to take control of this ship.

For instance, dealing with the unwanted guests who had occupied our home.

“Okay, I know what to do.”

“I do too!”

“I will prevent hyperlight travel through hacking.”

Since they had experience with such tasks, they quickly understood. Just then, Mother of the Sky raised her hand.

“Wait a moment.”

[ZZ (What is it?)]

“The containers from the pirate ship. We need to grab those before we leave.”

I had forgotten about that.

‘We definitely should take them with us, right?’

The food supplies I had brought from the space fortress received positive reactions from everyone. Although there would be food stocked on this ship since there were humans onboard, most of it would likely be combat rations.

[ZZZZ ZZZZ (Let’s pack them once we finish organizing.)]

“Sounds good…! Ahem, understood.”

Mother of the Sky seemed a bit embarrassed, revealing her emotions. After that, she didn’t offer any more new suggestions.

‘The Gigacracker.’

It was a superweapon I had never obtained, either in the game or in this world, which somehow piqued my interest.

Of course, it wouldn’t be welcomed by the ship’s owners, but not everyone can be satisfied.

In any case, this determined the new nest I would move into.

My first home since becoming a mature form would be the Gigacracker.