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Chapter 56

Perhaps it was a recoil effect. Jade, now paralyzed, the Heavy Grenadier with most of its bones broken, and even the corpse of the Cultist—all lay before me. There was plenty of new prey today.

‘Once I take care of these, the hunt will be over.’

The place I’m at is where Jade’s group fought with the Mountain Crawler. In front of me lies a young Mountain Crawler, breathing heavily and in pain.

The creature, dominated by my parasite, suffered severe injuries inflicted by the enemies. Three out of its six legs were severed, and two were broken. Its vulnerable belly, compared to its armored back, was torn apart by sniper and grenade attacks, exposing its entrails.

Mountain Crawlers have no healing abilities. All that’s left for it is death.

‘I don’t harbor any ill feelings.’

I injected poison into the critically injured Mountain Crawler to alleviate its suffering. As the paralysis spread throughout its body, its expression improved as if it no longer felt pain.

Its breathing gradually slowed and eventually stopped. The parasite crawled out of its ear.

When I extended my arm, the parasite returned to where it first emerged.

‘If the parasite is visible every time an incident occurs, someone might become suspicious.’

I couldn’t retrieve the parasite from Sanders because it was challenging to approach the hospital morgue. However, it was different now. With the safely collected parasite, I left the corpse of the Mountain Crawler and moved on.

Normally, I would have eaten the corpse to dispose of it, but the situation was not so relaxed. The Heavy Grenadier on my shoulder is the reason; the police and androids might have arrived here sooner than expected.

No matter how fast I eat, I won’t be able to dispose of the six-meter prey before the police arrive. If I don’t finish it, the predation effect won’t trigger, so I might as well use it for something else.

‘Let’s make it look as if the smugglers tried to extract the Mountain Crawler but failed and fled should suffice.’

The corpse of the severely injured creature, traces of battle scattered around—it will serve as evidence. That’s why I didn’t eat the cyborg.

Its role is that of a smuggler who, unlike his colleagues, failed to make it out alive. I popped the severed cyborg head into the mouth of the Mountain Crawler corpse.

‘This should be enough, right?’

Of course, the police will eventually notice something strange during their investigation. However, the likelihood that they would think there was another monster at the crime scene, even unaware of my existence, is slim. The already deceased smugglers will likely be the ones they try to locate.

‘Alright, let’s gather everything and leave quickly.’

The auxiliary system warned me that footsteps can be heard outside the harbor zone. I lifted the paralyzed Heavy Grenadier again. The next thing to gather is the corpse of the Cultist.

Avoiding the direction where the police and androids are moving, I collected the Cultist’s corpse first and then returned to where the kids were.

During my absence, Number 26 and Adhai had finished their meal. I remove the reinforced suit from the headless sniper’s corpse.

‘I should take a closer look at this.’

Checking the enemy’s equipment is crucial. Especially if it’s information I’m unfamiliar with, I need to confirm it quickly.

‘If it’s not an artifact-grade reinforced suit, we need to be prepared for mass production.’

With the reinforced suit in hand, I picked up Jade, who was still paralyzed.

‘Having four combat-ready arms really comes in handy at times like this.’

I can carry a person on each arm. However, it seems different in the eyes of others. Seeing me, carrying three people and reinforced suits, Number 26 called me out.

｢Do you need help?｣

I was about to say I’m fine, but looking at the size of the creature, I changed my mind.

‘It should be able to carry the reinforced suit.’

When I handed it to Number 26, it extended its tentacles and wrapped the reinforced suit around itself. The creature, which had tucked its tentacles away, also pulled out fins hidden in its body.

The creature moved its fins a few times, walking back and forth to test, and then emitted light as if to indicate that everything was fine.

｢Alright, let’s go.｣

Honestly, I was expecting growth in combat capabilities, but it seems like it has also grown impressively in utility.

‘A remarkable fellow.’

I wanted to pat it, but I refrained, fearing it might drop the reinforced suit. It seemed to understand my intention and emitted light as if accepting my feelings.

After finishing the arrangements and before returning to the nest, I instructed William for cleanup. With the Mountain Crawler’s corpse and traces of smugglers, manipulating the situation shouldn’t be too difficult for William. Besides, as far as I know, William has been chasing smugglers in the harbor zone from the beginning. The police won’t find it strange for someone like him to be here in the early morning.

“…Understood.”

After giving instructions to William, I, along with the kids, headed back to the nest.

And so, the dawn hunt came to an end.

On the way back home, we didn’t encounter any enemies. The police’s attention was concentrated around the central area of the harbor zone, so the outskirts were less guarded than usual. Thanks to that, we could easily enter the underground.

Upon arriving at the nest, I set Jade and the Heavy Grenadier down. It didn’t matter if we stayed a bit longer due to the neurotoxin gas; they would die before suffocating us anyway.

[ZZ ZZZZZZ ZZZZZZ (This prey is yours.)]

｢Adult｣ , ｢Thank you｣

I handed the Heavy Grenadier over to Adhai. Although the paralyzed one looked at Jade with a pitiful gaze, he couldn’t do anything. He could only watch his comrade’s fate with sad eyes.

“Ugh, ugh! Ugh!”

Adhai spread out a mass of tentacles that covered his face. The small, pointed teeth attached to the ends of the long and thin tentacles mercilessly dug into various parts of the Heavy Grenadier’s head.

As the tentacles moved like sucking up a drink with a straw, they forcefully drew blood. Perhaps because it’s a Gallagon hatchling, even after eating one person, it seemed like its stomach wasn’t completely full yet.

Number 26 seemed uninterested in Adhai’s meal; It appeared to be already full. The creature leaned against a corner of the nest, peacefully resting.

While the kids were occupied with their tasks, I picked up the Cultist’s corpse. Since I killed her by tearing her abdomen with my claws, her internal organs were exposed.

‘I usually start from the head, but…’

There’s no need to stick to the same eating habits all the time.

I tore apart the Cultist’s internal organs and put them in my mouth.

‘It is…okay?’

Unlike the strong taste of meat from humans, the Cult member’s flesh had a complex and unique flavor.

‘It’s like jelly, and there’s a bit of a chewy feeling, too. It’s an unusual texture.’

It didn’t have the intense taste of the fruit-like bitterness of a cyborg; instead, it resembled the sweetness of sugar. The texture was softer than that of humans but not entirely mushy.

‘Good thing. I was worried because I have to eat a lot of cultists from now on.’

She might be peculiar, but if other cultists have a similar taste, I would gladly eat them.

As I was eating the cultist, the translucent text box reported that some of the evolutionary conditions had been satisfied.

‘Finally, one cultist is filled.’

The predation effect didn’t activate.

It would have been great to have her Soul Link technology; it would have diversified our tactical options. It’s a shame.

While I was eating the Cultist, Adhai had already finished its meal and was sleeping. Until yesterday, it used to be the one hugging Number 26, but now, it has reversed. With Number 26 growing bigger, it cradled Adhai, who slept peacefully.

‘Good job.’

Looking at the sleeping creatures, I stood before the last meal. Jade, whose paralysis had slightly worn off, lay on the floor, his body turned over.

“No need to paralyze him again, right?”

I grabbed him and lifted him high. Nasty smells emanated from his body; maybe he urinated when he saw his comrades being eaten.

Of course, I didn’t engage in picky eating, so I opened my mouth wide to bite into his head.

“W-Wait!”

Just as I was about to bite his head, he shouted loudly.

“Do… Do you know how to s-speak? I can help you! If you spare me, I’ll serve you!!”

Jade desperately yelled.

‘Hmm.’

This was an interesting turn of events.

Until now, the responses from those I intended to eat were almost similar. They either begged for mercy or screamed. However, this was the first time someone proposed negotiation like this.

‘How should I proceed?’

In the state of holding Jade, I thought about what benefits I could gain by making him a slave.

‘He can probably provide information about Si-hyun Yujin….’

She had been dead for a long time, providing nutrients to me. If Si-hyun were still alive, I could have gained valuable information from Jade. However, in the current situation, the information he has is useless.

‘What merit is there in using him as a slave?’

Judging by his clothes, he didn’t seem to hold a high position in the city. It was unlikely that he would find a decent job after escaping and hiding in the city.

‘Unless he’s a police officer like William or engaged in a professional field. Jade’s occupation won’t be useful to me.’

Moreover, Jade is a risky individual to dominate as a parasite. If he was under Si-hyun Yujin, he would have observed various genes and their effects. He might know about genes related to parasites, methods to resist parasite domination, and more.

After reevaluating, I made a decision.

‘Not needed.’

Jade is not useful to me. His only value lies in his flesh.

“Wait…!”

Ignoring his last plea, I bit into his head. My reinforced jaw crunched his head swiftly, and debris flowed out, passing through my throat.

‘Hmm.’

It had an interesting taste, different from the Cultist. It was as if someone had put a lot of chemical seasoning.

‘It’s not tasteless, but…’

It was like a dish made by an inexperienced chef who used various expensive ingredients but ruined it with excessive seasoning. Still, it was edible.

‘The cultist felt a bit lacking due to the scarcity of meat. Jade’s meat was quite satisfying, thanks to my moderate hunger.’

After finishing my meal:

[‘Pre-saint > Quasi-saint’ evolution conditions partly have been met].

[ Transformable Intelligent species 2/20 (Incomplete), Humanoid Intelligent species 14/20 (Incomplete), Psychic Power-Using Intelligent species 1/20 (Incomplete).]

[Predation effect activated! Successfully obtained ‘Metal Absorption’ genetic essence.]

[Extracted the ‘Metal Absorption’ from the biological characteristics of ‘Metallic Gremlin.]

[Do you want to apply ‘Metal Absorption?]

A translucent text box appeared.

‘Metallic Gremlin?’

The creature I had just eaten was a human. The ‘Metallic Gremlin’ looked grotesque compared to humans and was smaller in size.

‘He had undergone genetic modification like Si-hyun Yujin, judging by the count of Humanoid Intelligent Beings. That explains the odd taste of Jade compared to Si-hyun’s perfect taste. Perhaps it was due to inappropriate genetic modification.’

‘If Jade had the genes of a ‘Metallic Gremlin,’ it would be extreme.’

Metallic Gremlins have the ability to consume metal, cause electronic device malfunctions, and block equipment effects. While advantageous against cyborgs, androids, and gadget-dependent classes like the Deus Ex Terminator, it is disadvantageous against individuals like Amorphs or Outsphaser who don’t use electronic devices.

‘Jade was unlucky.’

His ability could have been useful if he targeted terrorism, but unfortunately for him, I was his opponent.

”Metal Absorption.”

Metal Absorption allows me to reflect some properties and effects of the consumed target on my surface for a limited time when I ingest metal or equipment. For example, if I consume Black Silver, which has psychic power resistance, I temporarily gain high psychic resistance on my surface.

It seems like a great ability, but unfortunately, it has two drawbacks. First, the duration of the effects is short, 10 minutes by default, and it increases to 20 minutes with the Physical Enhancement type effect. Second, once the effect expires, it automatically disappears. To reuse the effect, I need to activate the trait, consume the same metal again, and start the process anew.

Due to these drawbacks, it is a trait that should be used cautiously and not randomly.

‘The drawbacks are significant, but it’s a necessary trait for me now.’

I lack defense against long-range weapons, and this trait can help increase my defense. There are many ways to utilize it, such as raising defense by using Metal Absorption when being bombarded by concentrated firepower from enemies.

‘Metal Absorption is categorized as a Physical Enhancement trait.’

Currently, I have a total of 12 Physical Enhancement traits. Obtaining Metal Absorption will make it 13.

In other words, it’s time to try out the Transcendence System.

With an excited heart, I accepted the application of the new trait.