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Chapter 66

“…”

“Is this unseen, demonic-like entity really a living being?”

“I don’t know.”

Laila demanded an explanation, but Denver had nothing to say.

The person who wanted to know the most about the monster in this situation was not Laila, but Denver himself.

‘According to what I saw on camera the monster had three or more types and had exceptional traits. And all very naturally integrated. A perfect superior to the Hulk Mutant.’

Denver is the overall responsible person for the development project of the new Hulk Mutant. It’s not an exaggeration to say that his knowledge in this field rivaled that of the Yujin family.

‘Invisibility, flame breath, thorn throwing, and a tough outer shell. No creature that has all these traits all together has been discovered yet.’

There are many creatures with various traits and abilities. However, the traits shown by the monster are types that are very difficult to combine artificially, in simpler words no organism of any species can have all these traits at the same time.

If there is a being that can put these various abilities into one organism without side effects, it would be fitting to call it a god.

‘…Interesting.’

Whether it’s a natural phenomenon or something someone created is not important. If they succeed in capturing the monster alive, the Eden family will undoubtedly surpass the Yujin family and become the masters of genetic engineering.

If that happens, the family’s dream of promotion to the Noble Capital would not just be a dream.

While Denver was savoring the thought, the knights’ cameras continued to move.

“Jacob here. Vice-Commander, is there nothing visible on the cameras of Team 3?”

“Vice-Commander. Nothing is visible due to the smoke.”

“This is Team 2, Tennessee! We will enter the station!”

“That’s impossible. They might ambush us. Vice-Commander Vickers, we need to first prepare and then search the subway.”

“…Your orders, sir.”

At Vicus’s words, Denver nodded.

“It’s a monster that killed six elite knights in an instant. Fighting it without preparation in a confined battlefield underground is suicide. Let’s Withdraw and regroup first and then decide our course of action.”

“Jacob,come back.”

“…Teris. Ending communication.”

“General Manager Laila. I’m sorry. It seems to be a little difficult to capture him with the knights that we currently have.”

“…I will close all the stations in the city. Secretary, contact the defense fleet.”

Laila didn’t react to Denver’s apology. It was not a matter that can just be resolved with a verbal apology.

This was a matter for the representatives of the families to discuss. Denver may be the head of his family, but she was not. As the administrator of a city, she cannot handle this matter arbitrarily.

Denver also knew this fact, so he did not point out that she did not accept the apology. He continued with what he was saying.

“The honor of the Eden knights has been tarnished. Can we give them a chance to cleanse it and take their revenge?”

“…”

“This is my personal request. Please give the knights a chance and let them go to this mission with the city defense force.”

“If you provide assistance, I will not refuse.”

“Thank you.”

With Laila’s approval, Denver nodded lightly, wearing an expression that indicated he had survived. She didn’t say anything, but she seemed pleased with the fact that she had repaid a debt to Eden’s head.

She might not know, but Denver also gained something.

“Fortunately, that worked out. Now I can capture that creature alive.”

He couldn’t order to capture the creature while Laila was watching. If he showed an obsession with the monster, Laila would have undoubtedly tried to negotiate with him and would have created obstructions for him.

But now it was different. He can capture the monster separately while pretending to assist the city defense force in the subjugation of that creature.

Of course, the soldiers from the accompanying city defense fleet might try to prevent the actions of the knights, but there was no need to worry about that.

“In a war, accidents happen frequently.”

With his head bowed, Denver silently chuckled.

***

‘Wow. If it weren’t for the Earth Stamina trait, I would have collapsed.’

After the effects of the ‘Symbol Of Hunt’ wore off, I almost dozed off right there. It was better than the monster’s tentacles shutting down my mind against my will, but I was still hit by tremendous lethargy and hunger.

Thanks to the newly acquired Earth Stamina trait, I could endure the lethargy, but the problem was the lingering emptiness from the aftermath of using the ‘Symbol Of Hunt’.

I had concerns about the aftermath of using it, but experiencing it was far beyond my expectations. My sense of self faded, and only hunger dominated my mind.

‘If there were no corpses, I might have eaten them.’

Fortunately, thanks to number 26’s quick response, I didn’t end up attacking them. The creature knew something was off with me and handed the corpses to me.

Only after swallowing an entire corpse on the spot could I finally regain my senses.

｢Are you feeling better now?｣

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ (A bit better.)]

｢Want another one?｣

I shook my hand at number 26, indicating that I was okay. As it was about to clear the corpses, a small light caught my eye.

‘What’s this?’

We were currently standing on the tracks before the passage to the nest. Despite the dim space, the small light felt much clearer.

[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (Can I have a moment?)]

“Sure.”

I received a corpse from 26 and examined it. Seeing a faint red light coming from inside the helmet, I realized the powered armor’s systems were still active.

‘No way?’

I quickly tore out the battery attached to the back of the powered armor. The light in the helmet flickered and soon disappeared.

Confirming that the powered armor had completely stopped, I tore off the head of the corpse and threw it to Adhai and looked inside the helmet.

‘Hmm.’

A small chip connected to the inside of the semi-transparent visor. I knew what that was.

‘…Scouting chip.’

It looked exactly like the part used when customizing mercenary-powered armor in the game.

I spent more time playing MegaCorp than encountering rankers. That’s why, at some point, I became well-acquainted with the weapons and equipment they used, almost on par with Mega Corp rankers.

‘People who send mercenaries for reconnaissance mainly use scouting devices.’

In classic strategy games, sending workers into enemy territory for reconnaissance was a basic strategy. Among MegaCorp players, there were cases where mercenaries were sent with scouting chips implanted in their bodies to gauge the enemy’s strategy or level of armament.

‘It’s a bit different from those cases…’

The problem is that the enemy might find out the location of my nest. I clenched the hand holding the helmet with force.

‘My nest is as good as caught.’

Before entering the secret passage, I had a hunch, but I was still quite late. The enemy is not to be underestimated. Even if they don’t know exactly where the nest is, they will thoroughly search the city’s subway tracks to find it.

‘Even if I abandon the nest, it’s difficult to leave for another planet during this period when the council meeting is about to take place.’

Even if I manage to safely board a ship, it’s all over if the enemy mobilizes a fleet to pursue me. No matter how tough and powerful my body has become, I can’t survive a concentrated bombardment from a fleet.

Since I haven’t acquired ‘that trait’ yet, directly fighting against a fleet is impossible.

‘Let’s think this through step by step.’

There’s no need to think negatively for no reason.

‘What are the pros and cons if I fight in the nest?’

After telling the kids to wait for a moment, I calculated the advantages and disadvantages I had.

First, the advantages:

‘There’s a high chance the enemy doesn’t know the structure of the secret passage.’

According to the setting, the place where I made the nest is an impromptu passage created by city construction workers for rest and movement. There shouldn’t be any maps or records of it left.

Even if the workers who participated in the construction are still alive, this city has been around for hundreds of years according to the setting. Unless they underwent genetic modification, there’s no chance they’re still alive.

‘And being underground means I don’t have to worry about the fleet bombardment.’

Unless the enemy orders a bombardment on their own homes, there won’t be a need to fight against warships. Plasma weapons can be a problem, though.

‘Plasma weapons are a concern…’

Now that the effects of the ‘Symbol Of Hunt’ has been lifted, any weapon stronger than a plasma bolter which if carried by a knight will a threat to me. Moreover, the city’s soldiers are likely to have plasma launchers as well.

Both weapons could be fatal to me.

‘Although it’s likely they’ll not shoot in the underground.’

However this part is uncertain. If they plan to bury me completely from their end, they might order a launcher barrage.

‘This aspect should be considered a disadvantage. Besides, the narrow and straight terrain is also a disadvantage for me.’

The secret passage has a complex maze-like structure, but the passage itself is narrow and straight. There are no structures for cover, so if they unleash a blaze from their end, I won’t be able to avoid it.

‘Even if I plan a strategy focusing on surprise attacks, but if dozens or hundreds of soldiers are mobilized from their end, I won’t be able to do this either.’

I don’t know about the city’s defense force, but the Eden knights are veterans. It is unlikely that they would succumb easily to consecutive attacks.

‘A disruption operation using darkness would also be difficult.’

The nest is so dark that not even a speck of light comes in, but they would definitely have prepared for low visibility.

‘…Let’s change our thinking.’

It’s underground, and it’s a place I know well. Moreover, it’s easy to defend with minimal exposure to enemy attacks.

There’s only one place that fits these conditions as far as I know.

‘Sewers.’

When playing as Amorph in the city, I always roamed through the sewers. When I first came to this city after the game became reality, I debated whether to go through the sewers or take the subway. At that time, I chose the secret passage over the sewers due to concerns about the high security of the sewers.

‘Back then, I was weak.’

I was a metamorph, with only one type, and I hadn’t obtained the trump card of the transcendence system. So, instead of the sewers, I chose the secret passage, and as a result, I could hide and gather strength away from the enemy’s eyes.

‘But not anymore.’

Among the traits I acquired at the hospital, there’s a weapon suitable for times like this.

‘Cosmic Bacteria.’

When this trait is applied, a bacterium called ‘Cosmic Bacteria’ is automatically produced in the body. Cosmic Bacteria is a chronic cold virus-like entity that emerged as humans ventured into space. No matter how much you want to get rid of it, new variants of it keep appearing, and it’s not terribly lethal either.

‘Cosmic Bacteria only has the effect of weakening the immune system, but…’

What if the enemies get infected with cosmic bacteria in a place full of pollutants and viruses, like a sewer filled with contaminated water? In other words, the pursuing enemies would have to fight against the dual enemies: me and the cosmic bacteria inside my body.

‘The real formidable enemy is the internal enemy.’

While bullets can be blocked with armor, attacks that damage from the inside are difficult to defend against. Even though the lower-grade reinforced suits have built-in treatments, they can’t completely block viruses or diseases in contaminated water. The higher-grade reinforced suits are no exception. Even if they have antidotes ready, it’s just a matter of delaying the inevitable. In the end, they will all suffer and die in the filth of the sewer.

‘One advantage in defense is that the sewer is an essential infrastructure.’

A malfunction in water-related infrastructure in an artificial structure floating in the middle of space is a very serious issue. Water is an essential element for the survival of living organisms.

‘So, they will likely refrain from using plasma weapons as much as possible.’

The final advantage is that the sewer is partially filled with water. The detection systems of the enemies I’ve encountered so far rely on heat and vibration detection. Both are not suitable for dealing with enemies hiding in water. Even if I ambush them while hiding myself, they won’t be able to respond as easily as they would on the ground.

‘However, they probably have a map of the sewer, so I need to be cautious about that.’

Considering everything, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The sewer isn’t a bad place to turn into a new hideout and battlefield.

I decided to move to the sewer and called the kids.

[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ (Hey, guys, over here)]

｢Isn’t that your home?｣

｢?｣

[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (We’re not going home; we’re going to another home)]

｢New home?｣

[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Yeah, a new home)]

To get to the sewer, I have to go outside first.If I go through the station backwards, the enemies might spot me, but it doesn’t matter. They already know I’m moving underground because of the signal device that was attached to the reinforced suit of the knight I killed.

I took number 26 and Adhai with me, crossed the tracks, and went to another station. On the way, I shot thorns to destroy all the cameras.

‘Knowing that I’m moving underground and knowing my identity are different things.’

The metal absorption that was extended by the effects of the ‘Symbol Of Hunt’ has now ended. Now that the camouflage is lifted, I need to be cautious about cameras.

I quickly broke the cameras, took the kids, and ran to the station gate. It was closed, probably because it was late at night. Before the security and androids arrived, I broke the gate and hurriedly went outside.

‘A square manhole connects to the sewer.’

As I emerged onto the street, I examined the manhole shapes on the road. Most of them were round, but there was one that was square.

[ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ (This way)]

｢Yeah.｣

｢Hungry.｣

[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ (Eat while we go)]

｢Can I eat too?｣

[ZZZ (Yeah)]

Since the effect of the ‘Symbol Of Hunt’ has ended, there’s no urgent need for food right now. With my permission, number 26 detached the arm from the corpse using its tentacles and handed it to Adhai who melted the it and started eating.

While the kids were having snacks, I lifted the square manhole cover and checked below.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any alarm devices near the entrance.’

Within a radius of 50 meters in the underground sewer, there are no alarm devices. Confident in the safety, I crawled into the underground with the kids.

｢Wow! It’s water!｣

After letting the kids in first, I put the manhole cover back in its place on the ground and jumped into the water.

‘It’s filthy.’

Even though Amorphs don’t have a nose, they have highly sensitive auxiliary organs. I could sense the composition of this murky water and the floating slime-like substance in it.

Still, perhaps due to Amorph’s extraordinary tolerance, it was bearable.

｢Big baby, this place seems nice.｣

｢Water.｣ ｢Not bad.｣

Contrary to me, number 26 and Adhai seemed to like this contaminated water. It was understandable for number 26, given its strong sense of home, but Adhai was a surprise. He was naturally swimming using his wings and tail.

I had planned to hide Adhai separately if enemies invaded this place, but seeing how well he adapted, it seemed unnecessary.

Lastly, I double-checked for alarm devices or surveillance androids in the vicinity.

‘I don’t know about other places, but there are none here.’

Finally feeling that I had arrived in a safe place, the tension in my body released.

It was a short time, but the fatigue from battling strong enemies continuously and the weariness from the aftermath of ‘Symbol Of Hunt’, and the lethargy all hit me.

This was the first I felt tired since I became an Amorph.

‘Let’s apply the traits obtained from the predation effect and rest.’

There is one of the traits remaining from the knights of Eden that I devoured at the station after accepting the application of the trait. I accepted the application of the trait, laid down on the water, and spoke.

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZ (I’ll take a rest)]

｢Sure. Get some sleep. If anything happens, I’ll wake you up.｣

[ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ Z (Thanks)]

Leaving our new nest to number 26, I peacefully fell asleep in the contaminated water.