Became an Evolving Space Monster - Chapter 309
Only Noblemtl
Episode 309 – Traces (4)
I’ve lost several parasites so far, but most of them were intentional.
Parasites are consumables used to deceive or control enemies. Once the goal is achieved, their death is not a big problem.
But there was one time when I was in danger due to a parasite.
William, the detective who ruled over the space city of TNC. He committed suicide to make my presence known. Because of that, my plans went awry.
And now something similar has happened again here.
‘No, it’s even worse.’
Today, Alkadi went to an important place. I heard that he was meeting with high-ranking officials such as the captain of the Imperial Carrier and the head of the Watch Office. Today, it would be safe to say that he went to the safest place on this planet.
So I was at ease, but then he suddenly died.
That’s not the only problem.
‘I don’t know why he died.’
The parasite sends me signals when the host is in serious harm or when the host acts against my will. In the past, in William’s case, I was able to tell that the parasite had harmed him because it had sent me waves.
But this time there were no such signs at all.
This means that the parasite in Alkadi’s body was killed instantly and unexpectedly.
The safest place, the unexpected, the parasite that died before it could send a wave. What do these mean?
‘…Ranker.’
It is not that difficult to detect parasites that have been created as a ‘parasite colony’. If you have a detector or technology to examine the inside of the body, you can catch them right away.
In other words, parasites are truly effective when ‘no one knows about their existence.’ The more people know about them, the more difficult it becomes to use them for espionage or deception.
That is why I have worked hard to keep the existence of the parasite a secret from others. It was in this context that I went to the hospital after finding out that William had harmed himself.
Again, in Alkadi’s case, he did not undergo any tests at the gathering that might reveal parasites. He also avoided any behavior that might arouse suspicion in others.
The fact that he was caught means that whoever killed him had the ability, or the means, to detect the parasite. And the fact that he killed the host immediately shows that he knew how dangerous it was.
This is an absolutely impossible action unless you know about the existence of parasites and have been affected by them many times. The opponent is likely to be a ranker.
‘I thought it would happen, but I didn’t think we’d meet so soon.’
I fully expected that there would be cult rankers even before I infiltrated.
Berzan02 is a key point for the cult in the game. It won’t be much different here. Just as I, an Aimorph, know what traits are useful and what creatures to catch, the cults are the same.
That’s why I sneaked onto the planet to avoid the cult rankers.
Despite those efforts, he ended up caught in an unexpected situation.
‘…There’s nothing we can do about what’s already happened.’
Rather than panicking now, it is better to think about what to do later.
‘It’s just a matter of time before the hideout is discovered.’
If you investigate the movements of those infected with parasites, they’ll find out where I’m hiding. They’ll find me in a few days at the fastest, or a week at the most.
“Are you okay? What’s going on?”
When I suddenly stopped moving, Mother in Heaven got worried and jumped down from my back.
[Zuz …
“What? When?”
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu (Just now. It happened so quickly that the parasite couldn’t even send the information properly)]
“Didn’t you say you were going to the meeting at the Water Fortress today? And you said you were dead?”
[Yeah]
She also realized the seriousness of the situation and froze.
“I wonder if there are any rankers.”
[Zuzu zuzuzu zuzu (high probability)]
“… I have a headache. What are you going to do?”
[Zuzu zuzu zuzu zuzu (I’m thinking about it now)]
There’s only one thing I can do now that I have a parasite.
Enter the ‘Water Fortress’ where the Coldblood Rankers are hiding as quickly as possible before the chase begins.
However, it is very difficult to avoid the enemies’ gaze while in the body of an adult. It is not for nothing that I waited 30 days to transform back into a ‘clever weakling’.
‘Why don’t we just fight that guy instead?’
The reason I came to find the 22nd Coldblood Ranker is to gather information about the illusion. Although she is not as strong as the Heavenly Mother, she has been in this world for quite some time, and she is likely to treat us in a friendly manner.
One thing I have noticed is the existence of a new ranker. Before meeting the 22nd ranker, aiming for the cult ranker is also a way.
‘It’s a goal change.’
A ranker who killed parasites. I guess he has been active in this world for quite some time. He is even invited to a meeting of the powerful people of Berzan02. He is a suitable subject for interrogation.
‘…no.’
I thought about it for a while, but I still don’t think an all-out war is a good idea.
He doesn’t know me, and neither do I. I can only guess that the cult ranker is a powerful person, but I don’t know anything else. If the ranker targeting me is 7th, it will be quite difficult.
The 7th cult ranker, Beomho, uses unpredictable strategies similar to mine. He must have been preparing traps from the moment he recognized my presence.
Even if the enemy ranker isn’t a normal person, it’s still a problem. There’s no guarantee that there’s only one enemy. There’s a very high chance that there are other fellow rankers, so it’s dangerous to fight without thinking.
‘And if you make a mistake and the 22nd place joins the enemy’s side, it’ll be a problem.’
Other players who saw me fight against rankers all helped other rankers instead of me. The reason is that I have a grudge, big or small, with most of the rankers.
Considering that, 22nd place may also act like in the game. Even if the Heavenly Mother belatedly steps in and intervenes, it won’t be easy to change the opponent’s judgment. Rather, she will think that she is being controlled by a parasite.
‘It’s not my place to say anything, since that actually happened to me.’
Anyway, in order to prevent the ‘misunderstanding’ of the Coldblood Ranker, at least the first encounter must be peaceful.
‘In the end, what matters is how you fight.’
First of all, an all-out war is not possible, but a lure war is not easy either.
This is the enemy’s home ground. It would be more damaging than beneficial to lure the enemy underground and capture them. Even if I wipe out the enemy, reinforcements will keep coming in. The situation is different from when I captured Jason.
“How much time is left until transformation becomes possible?”
The Heavenly Mother, who had been silently pondering, opened her mouth.
In response to her question, I checked how much time was left before the cooldown for ‘Organic Evolution’ ended. Less than 7 days remained. That’s plenty of time for the cult to find me.
[Zuzu Zuzu (less than 7 days)]
“They’ll probably find our hideout first, right?”
[Z (Yeah)]
“How about I infiltrate the water fortress before that?”
[Zuzuzu (alone?)]
“Yeah. It’ll take a few days for them to find the hideout, so I’ll find her as soon as possible. If I find her early, I can just take her and leave this place.”
This is how she meets number 22 on her own.
It’s not a bad method, but there’s still a problem. What if 22nd doesn’t follow her? If she resists, it’s a headache when there’s no time to spare.
‘It’s better if you just resist.’
If you change your mind and attack her, it will be quite a headache.
I don’t think the Heavenly Mother will lose, but the other side is also a ranker. Unless one side completely overwhelms the other side, the battle will not end quietly.
‘If you get caught by a cult ranker while fighting, it’s a big problem.’
Not only Coldblood’s life is in danger, but hers too.
Her amber eyes shined brightly even in the darkness, illuminating me. She knew that she was putting herself in danger. She must have said it because the situation was not good, and she was willing to take the risk.
‘I can’t leave her here.’
Heavenly Mother is a being that helps me survive. It’s too good of a card to waste here.
[Zuzuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu zuuzu (No way, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find number 22 before the pursuers arrive)]
“Fighting them is dangerous. If you fight the cult, that kid will join them. Honestly, it doesn’t give you a good image.”
[Zuzu zuzu (I know too)]
I knew it, but it felt strangely unpleasant to hear her say something like that. It was even worse because she said it with serious eyes, not as a joke.
‘My reputation is so crappy… Wait. Image?’
An idea suddenly occurred to me.
Just as I don’t know much about my enemies, they don’t know much about me either. Just as I can guess what my enemies are capable of, they will probably do the same, but it’s impossible to predict them perfectly.
For example, if it were a game, I wouldn’t have even tried things like sending the Heavenly Mother into a water fortress.
Me in the game and me now.
This gap may be the key to a breakthrough.
[Zuzu zuzuzuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu (I just thought of this, how about this?)]
“huh?”
I started explaining the idea that had popped into my head. At first, she listened with her head tilted, but by the end of the explanation, she was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.
[Zuzu (How is it?)]
“… Honestly, it sounds ridiculous, but it might actually work.”
[Zuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu zuzuzuzu (Because it’s something I can’t do in the game)]
“That’s true. It’s something you would never do.”
She nodded as if she agreed with what I said exactly.
“But there are still many parts that are difficult. I think the parts that rely too much on luck need to be adjusted.”
[Of course]
Time is tight to get ready before they come. I put her on my back again and hurried to the center.
In the game, I have overcome many obstacles that everyone said were impossible. When I was not a ranker, I hunted rankers, and when I was only a semi-adult, let alone an adult, I took down many clans.
Since coming to this world, I have been on the brink of death more than once, but I survived.
This time it’s the same.