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[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s Disciple]
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The port district of the T&C Special Trade Center.
As the blast doors parted, a spacecraft smoothly glided into Earth’s atmosphere. Marked on the spacecraft’s surface was the Möbius Strip, the symbol of the Yujin Family.
As the spacecraft’s doors opened, crew members carrying metal hard cases swiftly descended.
“We’re short on time. Hurry up and prepare.”
“Yes, sir! Min-seok!”
Commanding his subordinates was Min-seok Yujin, a Huangjin man. He once served Jungwoo Yujin and currently was serving Jada, the butler of Si-hyun Yujin. The underlings serving Si-hyun moved tirelessly according to Minseok’s orders. They opened the hard cases and began assembling the components inside.“Miss.”
While the subordinates commenced their work, Min-seok bowed his head upon seeing the last woman to descend. She, dressed in a white bodysuit, was none other than the owner of those present, Si-hyun Yujin.
“If the task is completed within five minutes, we’ll depart immediately.”
“…”
Si-hyun remained silent, surveying her surroundings.
“Something’s off.”
The port district swarmed with ships like warships, vessels visiting the city for the council, yet scarcely any people were visible. Even the occasional androids seemed out of the ordinary. Seeing androids with three arms, clearly combat models, performing tasks that ordinary laborers should handle hinted at a significant incident unknown to her.
“If there’s a shortage of people, it’s either due to a massive incident causing staggering casualties or…”
An unidentified epidemic spreading.
Before arriving here, she learned through the media about the reprehensible acts committed by the Eden Knights. Given her own background as a shadow, she knew well that the Eden Knights’ Silver Lion Knights consisted of genetically modified humans. While powerful, they wouldn’t have decimated the population of this space city to such an extent.
Their numbers were insufficient to overwhelm the ground forces of the defense fleet. Moreover, there was no mention in the media of large-scale killings.
As the Zhao Family had connections with Eden, if the Eden Knights had committed mass civilian killings, they couldn’t simply ignore it.
In that case, there was only one answer.
“Pass on the message to everyone. Activate reinforced suits and wear masks.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s an epidemic spreading.”
From the lack of reaction of the White Maidens present, it seemed this wasn’t an airborne disease.
Those present here were slated for necessary contact with specific individuals for their mission. So, if they wanted to avoid infection, they needed to prepare here in advance.
At Minseok’s command, the underlings in the midst of their tasks activated their reinforced suits and donned masks.
“Could another faction be behind the chaos?”
There were suspicions, although none were decisive, as all the factions had a distance from terrorists employing biological weapons.
“Akira Yujin is still here.”
The Yujin family, being experts in genetic manipulation and biotechnology, had experience with biochemical weapons using viruses.
If the head of such a family was unaware of an epidemic spreading in the city, then this virus wasn’t ordinarily hazardous.
“Or perhaps they’re aware and choosing to stay silent.”
Devious enough to be plausible for such manipulative forces.
By coercing the Chief Administrator through the Council, they might keep the city from focusing on the situation.
Of course, she herself, valuing her life above all else, had surely taken precautions not to get infected by the virus in any way possible.
“It’s completed.”
Min-seok’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
Before her stood a complex mechanical device assembled by her subordinates.
It was a modified item, a Star Union Gremlin Torpedo, converted by Si-hyun’s underlings into a timed explosive.
Originally designed to incapacitate other faction warships, the Gremlin Torpedo, upon detonation, released nanomachines that would corrode all nearby metal objects.
Si-hyun’s subordinates had modified it to spread far more nanomachines than the original design across a wide area.
“Good work. Let’s move.”
From now on, they would install this bomb in the city’s heart, the underground reactor.
“Hmm?”
While moving with her subordinates, Si-hyun detected a peculiar psychic power surge.
“A cult? No, that’s…”
For a moment, an extremely alien psychic power flickered within the city but vanished quickly.
“Could it be?”
“Miss?”
As Si-hyun paused, Minseok called out to her.
She glanced between the bomb and the city center.
On one side was Si-hyun Yujin’s wish fulfillment.
The perfect opportunity to eliminate Akira Yujin and neutralize the enemies of the Yujin family.
But on the other side…
“Miss, you need to move right away.”
“…”
It wasn’t an option that should waver.
She was Si-hyun Yujin after all.
Standing silently, she finally made her decision.
“I… had something to consider. Let’s go now.”
As she moved, she briefly glanced at the city center.
“Uncertain if it’s him. Even if it is, he wouldn’t survive in a collapsing cosmic city.”
Whatever “it” was that killed her would be buried along with the city’s collapse.
“If by any chance he does survive…”
At that moment, she would sever the chains binding herself.
Using Psychic Breath twice in quick succession, I barely regained my fading consciousness.
Despite the tremendous force resembling the White Gallant’s blast, the Necrospecter didn’t fall.
“I…sss.. I am the greatest….sss”
With its outer skin torn apart, revealing only bones and muscles, Code Black staggered a few steps before collapsing.
Her heartbeats slowed down, gradually coming to a halt.
The Black Shroud enveloping her body returned to its black robe-like appearance.
‘Phew.’
Focusing on the auxiliary systems, only after confirming its demise did I finally feel relief.
‘She was a formidable foe.’
If I had been alone, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
‘number 26 became a significant strength.’
Additionally, Adhai, who went to confront Code Red in my place, did her role perfectly.
I glanced at number 26.
It remained cautious, perhaps anticipating the resurrected Black from its dead body.
Sensing my gaze, Its shot a concerned wave at me, asking if I was okay.
‘I’m fine. How about you?’
As always, It was worried about me more than itself.
I intended to thank it with a wave, but I felt a change in my body.
‘The ‘symbol of the hunt’ is over.’
Mixed feelings of relief that the hunt ended before killing the Black and regret for not being able to consume the corpse coexisted.
‘Still, gaining even one of Code Black’s genes would be beneficial… huh?’
My thoughts couldn’t proceed further. A tremendously intense instinct completely dominated my mind.
‘What… what is this?’
An appetite so fierce that it drove me utterly insane surged through my brain.
Though I’d experienced this several times and considered myself familiar, this time was different.
“Could the fatigue and side effects from the Psychic Breath…?”
Suddenly, everything seemed pointless.
I was just hungry.
｢Big Baby! Hurry, eat!｣
Someone said next to me, but I couldn’t quite make it out.
It felt strange, but the voice emitted a smell that stimulated my hunger.
And without betraying my expectations, a fragrant piece of meat appeared before me.
I swallowed the piece of meat in one gulp.
‘Not enough.’
Text boxes popped up before my eyes, saying something I couldn’t comprehend.
But more than that, I was hungry.
Why did I have to starve like this?
‘If you need it, seize it.’
It was a saying I’d always heard since I was young.
If you need something, take it. That’s the life of a winner.
｢■■■, ■■■ ■■■■■■!｣
‘Right there.’
A chirping voice. If I eat that, this dreadful hunger might subside.
Just as I thought that, food appeared in front of me again.
The smell was odd compared to the food from earlier. It was so unappealing despite my hunger.
‘Just shut up and eat.’
Suddenly, childhood memories flooded my mind.
If I don’t eat now, I might not have a chance later. I have to eat it no matter what.
I reluctantly forced myself to eat the tasteless food.
My stomach felt a bit full, making my mind waver.
Eat it all now. No, what am I saying? No, not enough yet. Wait a minute. Can’t wait!
‘A delightful scent is wafting through.’
No, hold on.
For some reason, I felt the delicacy had thorns.
I shouldn’t eat that delicacy. No, I should eat it. If I do, I can obtain what I desire. I shouldn’t eat it. There’s no time to wait.
I pounced on the delicacy.
An incredibly appetizing fragrance tickled my auxiliary systems.
‘What thorns?’
Of course, there were no thorns.
｢■■■■, ■■■■!｣
The shouting from it made my head itch. No, what nonsense about prey having a mouth. Stop it right now. It’s all a misconception.
‘I’ll eat well.’
I was about to open my mouth. Food from it?
“I’ll eat well!”
No, it is…
｢■■■, it’s okay.｣
The signal he sent flowed through a tentacle behind my head. An intangible signal reached my brain, interpreting its meaning.
‘Eat quickly!’
I closed my mouth. A strand emerged from his body and brushed against my jaw.
Then, my auxiliary system and its tentacle gently intertwined.
Suddenly, I felt a spark at the tip of the auxiliary system. Simultaneously, text boxes appeared before my eyes, shining brightly.
Two distinct lights illuminated a crucial fact for me.
‘number 26?’
The moment I realized who I was suppressing, the world brightened.
My once foggy mind cleared, sensations returned to my body.
Despite the itching of my skin due to hunger, it wasn’t as severe as before, leaving me less ravenous.
I released my grip on number 26.
“What’s happening?”
My recent actions were far beyond my control.
‘Could it be the overlap of exhaustion from Psychic Breath and the side effects of the ‘Symbol of Hunt’?’
Psychic Breath consumes mental strength to the limit. When I used it during the apartment fight, I lost consciousness. Thanks to the superpower enhancement effect on a full organic entity, I could now use Psychic Breath twice. Normally, I’d have fainted after using it twice in a row, but due to attributes and type effects, I managed to stay conscious. However, the overlap of exhaustion from Psychic Breath and the irrationality from the hunting symbol’s side effects seemed to have synergized negatively, causing severe mental distress, unlike anything I’ve experienced before. To be precise, it wasn’t just mental distress; it was a complete takeover by instinct.
‘Oh my. I shouldn’t do this again.’
The combined effects of the two attributes resulted in something far more severe than I could have imagined.
[ZZZ ZZ(Little one?)]
Was it when I regained consciousness that number 26 called me? I almost instinctively attacked number 26.
I immediately apologized to it.
｢I’m fine. Are you okay? Did I hurt you anywhere?｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ(I’m sorry; I just lost it. I’m really sorry.)]
｢You don’t have to apologize. As long as the big baby is okay.｣
Although it seemed fine, I carefully examined his body. What I found fortunate was that I didn’t attack number 26. If I had attacked it to consume, the situation would have been much worse.
‘number 26 doesn’t have healing abilities like me.’
Unlike me, if number 26 gets injured, it will take it a long time to heal. If it sustains a fatal injury, that’s the end for it. Despite several inspections, apart from the injuries it received from the fight with Code Black, there were no new injuries on its body. Some of its tentacles were bloody, which surprised me, but upon smelling it, I realized it wasn’t its blood but the Cult member’s.
‘After Code Black, it must have picked up the Cult’s corpses around this ruins.’
He did his best to turn me back. Amidst feeling grateful and an inexplicable emotion, I suddenly remembered numerous text boxes floating in the air.
Among them, one particularly shone.
‘Activate Humanity!’
It was the humanity trait I obtained by consuming pirates in the past. A trait I’d considered useless until now played a crucial role when it was critical. I’m not sure what exactly catalyzed it.
‘It must have been when number 26’s tentacle touched mine; that’s when the trait activated.’
To replicate the recent situation, I attempted to touch number 26’s tentacle again.
‘Little one, there’s a small one coming.’
[ZZZ (Huh?)]
Number 26 discreetly withdrew its tentacle and pointed at the sky. As I looked there I saw Adhai flying in this direction.
‘Oh no.’
She was followed by several airships in the rear.
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[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s Disciple]
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