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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s Disciple]
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Chapter 87
The moment Code Black initiated combat with the target, there was a girl in a red dress on the 50th floor’s aerial observatory of Monument. Despite her slender arms, legs, and petite face, anyone who saw her eyes would be terrified.
“Psychic Control Web adjusting.”
Because her eyes resembled those of a chameleon rather than human eyes.
Her eyes moved incessantly, scanning the administrative cityscape below.
This peculiar-looking girl was none other than Code Red, one of the secret weapons of the Yujin family.
Above her head, a distinct violet halo floated.
If anyone capable of detecting psychic power were present, they would have undoubtedly seen the thin psychic power threads extending from her, forming a web with a radius of 1 km.
Code Red lacked the potential to receive genetic traits from Gallagon like Code Black, performing joint operations, or Code White, who had already died.
Instead, she received genetic modifications related to combat assistance to support other shadows.
One of these modifications was the Angel Spider.
It was a carnivorous animal that inhabited jungle planets and had the ability to create psychic power threads.
Creatures caught in the psychic web spread by the Angel Spider would be controlled by the spider and become prey without resistance.
Unlike the original, Code Red didn’t have the ability to control other creatures.
Instead, she gained the ability to detect and control the flow of psychic powers in vast areas beyond even a spider’s capacity.
Thanks to this skill, known as the Psychic Control Web, Code Red took on the role of supporting other shadows from the rear.
Her usual task was to continuously relay information about the target to Code Black, but not this time.
Someone had disrupted the extensive control web she had unfolded.
‘I detect psychic powers as strong as mine. Unable to detect the target.’
It was like someone throwing a stone at a spider’s web.
Even if the web was damaged by the stone, the spider couldn’t tell who did it or how to prevent it.
She found herself in a situation akin to being the owner of a ruined spider web.
The only relief was that her opponent didn’t seem as adept at manipulating psychic powers as she was.
If it were her, she might have attempted to reverse control of the web, but her opponent didn’t try to wrest control from her.
‘Focus on restoration first.’
Anything else, if the spiritual synchronization linked to Black was severed, would be catastrophic.
She focused on restoring the control web while keeping an eye on Black.
“?”
But then, something new entered her detection zone.
Her gaze turned towards the black sky.
In the artificially created darkness, a green-shining star appeared.
“A star?”
She recognized the identity of the green spacecraft well.
With large wings, a nimble body, four horns, and a tail, the presence was a Green Gallagon.
Emerging from an unknown place, the Green Gallagon was rapidly flying towards the Monument.
[Enemy approach detected. Engaging interception.]
Intuitively identifying Green Gallagon as an adversary, Red ceased spiritual synchronization and responded accordingly.
She reached for the elongated rifle and sniper coil gun she had placed nearby.
Loading tungsten rounds filled with condensed plasma, she aimed the coil gun into the air and fired.
Oddly, the projectiles autonomously changed trajectory, heading toward the target as she manipulated their path using the Psychic Control Web.
As the Green Gallagon approached in the sky, the plasma rounds detonated.
[Target eliminated.]
Thinking she had taken down the target, green light burst from the smoke cloud caused by the explosion.
“Hmm?”
Disregarding the plasma burst, the entity swiftly closed the distance towards her.
“Re-engaging fire.”
Confirming the target’s survival, Red continuously fired the coil gun.
The sight of dozens of oval-shaped projectiles soaring from the muzzle in silver seemed like a reversed playback of a meteor shower.
She had believed her shots would eliminate the entity, but reality diverged from her expectations.
“What?!”
Rarely showing emotions due to erosion, she expressed astonishment.
The green entity had skillfully evaded the plasma explosion, showcasing remarkable aerial maneuverability.
Despite intentionally surrounding the target with projectiles from all directions to pressure it, the Green Gallagon escaped through a gap using aerial acrobatics.
As the green death light, taking away all life, embroidered the night sky successively, chaos erupted within the Monument.
Red knew her actions were reckless at this moment, but she deemed the adversary, displaying incredible aerial skills, to be more dangerous.
‘Akira’s imminent threat.’
Code Black engaged in combat, while Code Blue guarded Akira Yujin. She was the only one capable of defending this place.
Yet, despite Code Red’s aggressive counter-fire, the Green Gallagon not only distanced itself from the Monument but rapidly closed the gap.
“Re-engage until target elimination is confirmed!”
The black skies of the Monument lit up with an untimely fireworks display.
***
She was born when the white meteor shower adorned the gown of the goddess of the night. Born as the youngest of the esteemed Odd Grad group, she was given the name Adhai, meaning the daughter of a shining star. The occurrence of a special celestial phenomenon among the Gallagon is rare, and she bore the expectations of the Odd Grad group on her shoulders.
However, it didn’t take long for those expectations to turn into disappointment. She was born with a cursed physique, unlike her kin. Unlike her kin, she remained petite even as time passed, retaining the appearance she had when she hatched. The weak individuals had no place among the Odd Grad group, and she, with little potential for strength, was expelled from the nest.
Living her entire life in the nest and being physically weak, surviving in the harsh wilderness seemed almost impossible for her. After her expulsion, she slowly succumbed to starvation. If oddly-shaped dwarves hadn’t appeared, she would have undoubtedly died. These dwarves were rogue thieves who appeared to steal the eggs of her kin. They raided the nest, discovered her, and took her to the dwarves’ den.
The dwarves used strange daggers, claws, or whatever they were, to stab her, and then they put her in a cold lump of ice. Her memories after that were faint. When she woke up, a creature was in front of her. Being keen because of her weak presence among her kin, she could tell what kind of creature it was as soon as she saw it. It emitted a scent similar to her kin but was different.
It was one of her kin that used treasures containing psychic power as food to grow stronger. However, there was a difference. This creature was a cruel predator that took pleasure in killing and devouring other creatures. It tried to devour her, and she offered a deal before her demise. She would give the treasure of the nest in exchange for her protection.
Her kin, including herself, never relied on negotiation or deals since they were the apex of the ecosystem. However, having lived a life dependent on her kin and other creatures, she knew the limitations of such a survival method. Despite her own dislike for the situation, she bargained because she had no choice. The creature seemed familiar with her kin. The creature looked at her strangely and accepted.
That was her first encounter with the ‘Great Adult.’
｢Danger.｣
Seeing the silvery stones flying towards her, she quickly folded her wings. Her body rapidly descended, and an explosion occurred above her head. Falling down, she continued to think. About the ‘adult’ who promised to protect her. The adult, to her eyes, was undoubtedly an excellent predator, but compared to her kin, it was weak. The giant metal structure where the dwarves lived was full of beings that could kill him.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s Disciple]
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Nevertheless, the adult did not give up. The adult made constant efforts and, as a result, fought stronger dwarves and emerged victorious. So, she admired him. The factors that could make the adult great. She wanted to learn that.
｢Strength｣ ｢Learning｣ ｢Hope｣
As she fell to the ground, she spread her wings wide. Along with that, her body soared high into the sky. The silvery stones that followed her couldn’t catch up, exploding midway. She rotated her body skillfully, adeptly avoiding the explosions. Her small size actually worked in her favor for such evasive maneuvers. If she weren’t a mutation, she wouldn’t have been able to dodge so effortlessly.
The Big and small Adults taking care of her taught her how a weak individual hunts stronger enemies.
And most importantly, they taught her ‘how to survive alone’.
She learned diligently, and someday, hoped to stand beside them.
｢Me｣ ｢Desire｣ ｢Great Adult｣ ｢Mate｣
Purple lightning emanated from her tentacles, hitting the silvery stones flying around her. Amidst the curtain unfolded by the goddess of the night, green meteors stormed. The sight was exactly as her name suggested when she was born. She is Adhai, the daughter of a star.
***
Code Black, whose neck was severed by my hand.
Her head rolled on the ground.
‘It’s not over yet.’
The black shroud she wore remains.
The advanced-grade reinforced robe, the Black Shroud, guarantees the wearer to evade death once every three days.
Shshsh!
As the effect of the Black Shroud was activated, the headless corpse dispersed into black mist.
The resurrection point designated by the Black Shroud is not far from the place of death.
‘When resurrected, all injuries are healed, and for a certain time, special effects are received.’
When wearing the Black Shroud and dying, according to the setting, the soul merges with the equipment, transforming into a being called a Necrospecter.
As a Necrospecter, only half the damage from all types of attacks is received.
Moreover, every time physical harm is inflicted on an opponent, their life force is absorbed to strengthen oneself.
While it seems to have extremely favorable effects, it has a fatal drawback.
‘Unstability.’
In an unstable state, one loses rationality and cannot properly utilize their inherent traits.
It’s akin to when the effect of the ‘Symbol of Hunt’ ends, and I turn into a starving beast craving flesh.
Becoming a spirit that assaults any living creature.
‘Though they receive reinforcement effects, they’ve lost their sanity. Dealing with them isn’t too difficult.’
The problem lies in what comes next. The surrounding area has been devastated due to the battle with the Black. Nullifying cameras is meaningless as many people witnessed the fight between me and the Black. The fact that a battle occurred in the administrative district is a problem distinct from incidents in other districts.
‘It’s like the head of the city is in danger.’
If the Monument’s higher-ups get to know that such an important place is in danger, they will undoubtedly mobilize the defense fleet. This includes not only ground forces but also the small-scale orbital ships.
Moreover, my time is running out. In about three minutes, the effect of the ‘Symbol of the Hunt’ will end, and then I will turn into dust from the plasma shot by the battleship.
Of course, I took countermeasures against that.
‘Since I sent Adhai to the Monument.’
Adhai went to Monument to confront Code Red.
‘To teleport through spiritual tuning, you need to be in a location where you can monitor the battlefield in real time.’
The only place where that’s possible is the tallest building in the Administrative District, the Monument. Most likely, Code Red, like Black, also has the ability to see distant objects.
‘Self-defense mechanisms would be related to that.’
Spiritual tuning, long-range detection capabilities—these are all technologies useful for fighting at a distance. Therefore, the defense of Code Red is likely to be a long-range attack weapon, such as a gun.
‘Adhai is the perfect counter to Code Red.’
The Green Gallagon specialized in hit-and-run tactics based on speed.
Just as the young Blue Gallagon has the ability to call its kin due to its small size, the Green Gallagon is characterized by its exceptionally high speed.
Moreover, its ‘Hyper-Acceleration’ attribute triples its already fast flight speed, making it challenging to catch the Green Gallagon unless with a wide-ranging area attack.
‘Plus, Adhai’s small size makes intercepting it much more difficult.’
Unlike mutants, the non-mutant Green Gallagon can grow up to 10 meters, resulting in a wider hit area despite its speed.
However, Adhai, including the tail, is about the size of a middle schooler and its wing length doesn’t even reach 2 meters.
With such a narrow hit area, it won’t be easy to shoot it down even with androids or battleships targeting it.
‘If combat occurs in the airspace above Monument, the defense fleet can’t help but focus there.’
Before sending Adhai, I cautioned it.
I told it to flee if metallic-smelling masses approach.
From what I know, the Green Gallagon is faster than a Megacorp Frigate. Apart from the Green Gallagon, only the Cult’s frigate and the Esserton’s high-speed frigate are faster, neither of which exists in this cosmic city.
‘It’s intelligent, so it should be able to escape unharmed.’
While Adhai buys time, I need to eliminate Black and find a way out of this city.
‘Given that battleships are not visible even after this situation has occurred…’
A deadly virus has spread throughout the entire city since the previous battle in the sewers.
Probably, the spread of the epidemic to the defense fleet happened faster than my estimation, causing problems in the command structure.
‘No, let’s focus on the immediate matter.’
The battle isn’t over yet.
Moments after the black mist disappeared in front of me, I sensed movement from inside the ruins nearby.
It was the resurrection of Black, turning into a Necrospecter due to the unique effect of the Black Shroud.
｢Big baby, I sense a naughty swordsman nearby.｣
Number 26, who emerged from the pit, seemed to sense something similar and signaled.
Simultaneously with its signal, the debris in the ruins exploded with a rumble.
A black figure walked out of the flames.
Black’s appearance had changed significantly from before her death. Her white skin had turned as black as the Black Shroud, and her eyes were glowing red.
“Recognition, sssss, I will do, sss, it, sss, please.”
Her voice was filled with a hissing noise, like a snake. While some sanity seemed to remain, she appeared slightly uneasy.
“Forgive, forgive, forgive, can’t, sssss, forgive? Forgive, can’t, sss, I, special, special being, being?!”
No, let me correct that. Due to the Necrospecter mode, she was properly insane.
Her body, muttering incomprehensible words, began to twist suddenly. It was as if a Hulk mutant was mutating when entering combat.
Upon close examination, she had the ‘Physical Transformation’ trait.
When becoming a Necrospecter, the unstable trait prevents the proper use of the original characteristics. Problems such as skills not activating at all or the effects of passive traits changing unpredictably occur.
It seemed that the Body Transformation trait was also affected by the instability.
[ZZZZ ZZZZ (Be cautious, it’s a formidable enemy)]
｢Yeah, be careful too, big baby.｣
Although the time for the mutation was short, Code Black’s appearance was no longer human, nor was it easy to categorize her as a Hulk mutant.
The four pupils on her face all turned towards me simultaneously.
“Die, die, sssss, die? I, Akira’s, sss, die! Most special, sssss, Sha-ah-ah!”
The creature created by the Yujin family, a monstrous being, roared at us.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s Disciple]
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