Chapter 166
Usually, a Gallagon doesn’t flap its wings frequently. It only flapped its wings when flying from the ground like a bird or a dragon, and once it reached a certain altitude, it glided.
When it grows beyond the stage of a Green Gallagon, it becomes capable of flight using psychic power, lifting its body.
In the case of Adhai, its wings are well developed compared to its body, so it often uses its wings, but that doesn’t mean it can’t fly using psychic power. It can also fly at incredibly high speeds or even travel through space with its super-acceleration ability.
So, what does the sound of flapping wings overhead mean?
‘Are you looking for me?’
The creature was currently flying low, circling the area.
As if searching for something.
‘Do I need to fight?’
The only enemy within my cognitive range is the White Gallagon. With my transcendent abilities gained through the Junseed system, I could easily defeat a White Gallagon. Yet, I didn’t move hastily.
‘…Not yet.’
This is Gallagon’s territory. A planet where numerous Gallagons form groups and live. Killing just one White Gallagon here wouldn’t end everything.
Gallagons are highly aggressive creatures. While Adhai is unique, Gallagons in their original state, like dragons in mythology, are greedy and combative.
The fight doesn’t end until either the entire group is wiped out or the leader of the group is defeated.
If I were to fight that White Gallagon, most likely other kin would come to its aid. If by chance a Black Gallagon were among the reinforcements, it would be nearly impossible for me to win.
‘What if I could kill the White Gallagon in one strike?’
Gallagons have keen eyesight, but they’re more sensitive to psychic power than anyone else. If I were to gather energy to use divine lashes or psychic breath, it would notice immediately.
Apart from these two characteristics, I have no means to deal with it in one blow.
So, after thorough preparation, I have to fight them.
I waited without moving, holding my breath.
The sound of flapping wings circling around me grew louder. Eventually, a faint vibration echoed from a nearby snowfield.
The average length of a White Gallagon is 20 meters. With its massive wings, it would appear much larger than me from a distance.
The landing of such a huge beast made an unbelievably small sound. Thanks to the psychic power flowing through its body, its weight felt light.
The creature that landed began to move.
‘What’s it doing?’
Since my body was hidden beneath the snow, I couldn’t see it, but thanks to auxiliary devices, I could discern its movements.
It lowered its head and felt around with tentacles that extended like whiskers.
‘Oh no.’
If it comes a bit closer, it’ll notice I’m hiding under the snow. It would be much better to strike from here first.
‘No, I need to assess the situation more carefully.’
Engaging in a fight with that White Gallagon would inevitably lead to a direct confrontation with other Gallagons. They would begin searching as soon as they realize their comrade is missing. With their excellent cognitive abilities and memory, they would quickly find me.
As I pondered, the creature was gradually drawing closer. The distance between it and me was barely 10 meters. My body was deeply buried in the snow, so the creature wouldn’t know unless it stepped on me, but it would surely notice then.
‘Darn it!’
There’s no more time for hesitation. I’ll ambush and kill it before it gets to me, then leave this place. If I move through the underground passage, I might buy some time.
With that decision made, I waited for the creature to come just one step closer. Just as its foot was about to touch the snow, it stopped dead in its tracks.
‘Why’s it acting like that?’
The creature remained motionless in the same posture, not making a move. I kept my focus on its movements, staying tense.
‘Huh?’
Its tentacles swayed in a steady rhythm. Initially, I thought it was because of the wind, but it seemed otherwise.
‘It looks like it’s conversing, similar to Adhai.’
It seemed like the creature stopped its search upon hearing something from another Gallagon. I wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation using the monster’s tentacles, but it was impossible.
‘They must have a communication channel of their own.’
After a brief pause, the creature spread its wings wide and flew off into the sky. Even though it left, I stayed still for a while longer.
Gallagons are intelligent creatures. It might have been pretending to leave while preparing for an ambush.
After waiting for about 30 minutes, I finally felt confident that the area was safe.
‘Phew.’
I got up and brushed the snow off, then scratched the ice next to the hole with my nails. It just needed to be big enough to cover the hole, thickness didn’t matter. After cutting the ice into the right size, I placed it over the hole when going down.
‘This should keep me safe.’
Flying creatures wouldn’t bother digging through every patch of snow. After finishing up, I crawled down the ice tunnel.
As I descended underground, I felt the movements of three beings. The largest one, Number 26, greeted me and emitted waves.
｢Big guy, why did it take you so long?｣
[ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ (I had a lot to do)]
｢I saved some food. Eat quickly since you’ll be hungry.｣
[ZZZ (Thank you)]
The creature picked up some cave-goyle meat with its tentacles and offered it to me. Out of the ten pieces remaining, four were left. It was probably considerate of me, knowing that I would expend a lot of energy due to my movements.
I gratefully accepted the meat and took a bite. Despite being cold, the cave-goyle’s meat was surprisingly tasty.
‘It’s a bit tougher in texture, like cold soy sauce chicken.’
The texture was similar to pork rinds, but the taste was like soy sauce chicken. It was a strange combination, but not unpleasant, so I enjoyed it.
As I chewed on the lower half of the cave-goyle, the voice of the Mother of the Sky called out to me.
｢What about the White Gallagon?｣
[ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ (It left because another one called it)]
｢Thank goodness. I’m not ready yet, so it would’ve been tough to fight now.｣
The Mother of the Sky murmured earnestly. Having fought Gallagons herself, she knew well how to strategize against them.
｢You can ask Adhai about the characteristics and culture of the group. The problem lies with the leader.｣
[ZZZ (Got it)]
She spoke with sharp eyes.
Her appearance was the same as usual, as long as she wasn’t sticking only her head out while cuddling with Number 26.
This underground space has a relatively high temperature, but it’s still a harsh environment. Except for creatures that have undergone special evolution, it’s not easy to adapt here.
‘Adhai mentioned that their nest is located in some ice valley where geothermal heat rises. From his words alone, it seemed to be one of the few habitable places on this harsh planet.’
‘So, intentionally landing away from the nest caused this problem.’
Before I could tackle the Gallagons, I had to figure out how to deal with the cold.
‘The nest’s location is over here, and the distance is considerable… ‘
[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ (Looks like it’s cold)]
｢Huh? Oh, yeah, kinda.｣
[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (Speaking only with your head sticking out like a chick)]
｢A chick?!｣
Whether my expression was offensive or not, the Mother of the Sky’s feathers stood on end.
She squinted her pumpkin-colored eyes at me, but cuddling with the pink balloon as if it were a doll didn’t pose any threat at all.
｢Big guy, what’s a chick?｣
[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (It means a baby bird)]
｢I don’t know what a bird is, but I know what a baby is! Tiny creatures are babies!｣
[ZZZ ZZ (That’s right)]
｢So, because the middle one is a baby, it’s called that. Am I right?｣
[ZZZZ (Smart)]
After overhearing the conversation between me and Number 26, she shivered but soon sighed.
｢Phew, I thought it would be fine because of my griffin form, but I didn’t expect it to be this cold.｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ (It’s difficult for me to fight the Gallagon group alone. I need your help)]
｢…Yeah.｣
[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ (You’re probably the one who knows there’s a way)]
The Mother of the Sky nodded at my words.
All the players who visited this world received something that didn’t exist in the game called a bonus. Just as Muriel could transform into other races as a cyborg, the Mother of the Sky also possessed a bonus that transcended the limits of her race.
‘Could it be that she can transform into other mythical creatures?’
Originally, Wolfs are fixed as one type of animal capable of transformation after ascending to godhood. Their basic gameplay involves learning characteristics in that state and accumulating divine power.
However, the Mother of the Sky can surpass this limit due to the bonus she received. If certain conditions are met, she has the ability to transform into different animals.
‘It seems similar to unlocking new abilities with each condition fulfilled.’
Like me, who gains unique characteristics by using traits as ingredients, she can transform into a new animal each time she hunts and consumes the target demanded in the text box.
Moreover, even without transforming, she can apply some of the abilities and passive effects of the respective animal to the griffin’s body.
Currently, she can transform into another mythical creature besides the griffin. Her formidable close combat ability comes from the power received from that animal.
‘Before meeting me, she used it when fighting Muriel.’
I already heard from her what animal she transforms into. It’s a powerful transformation mode, but its long cooldown compared to its short duration is a major drawback.
‘If it’s that mythical beast, it makes sense.’
Anyway, it seems like I need to unlock a new animal for her at this opportunity. It’s to be able to transform into an animal immune to the cold, considering the adverse condition.
[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZ (What animal can gain immunity to the cold?)]
｢As a reward for unlocking it, you can obtain the Frostbite attack and cold immunity traits.｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZZ (Good. Let’s unlock it here. I’ll help you)]
｢Are you sure about this?｣
[ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ ZZ (Right now, what I need is a companion)]
Even if the reason for contracting with the Mother of the Sky is for the reward for ascending, it’s useless if she doesn’t reach maturity. And if I really intend to use her as a sacrifice, her level of transformation needs to be higher now. To achieve that, her survival rate must be increased.
In short, her getting stronger is beneficial for me.
｢You’ve changed a lot too.｣
[ZZZ ZZ (Have I?)]
She didn’t say anything more, but judging by her eyes, it didn’t seem like she meant it with negative intentions.
‘Before tackling the Gallagons, there seem to be two goals.’
First, it’s urgent to gather the traits and information necessary for gallagon hunting. I need to examine if there’s terrain suitable for luring enemies and launching ambushes, and understand the ecosystem here. Since this planet is not from the game, I lack a lot of information.
Although I heard from Adhai before coming, I still need to see and confirm it myself.
‘The second is to unlock the Mother of the Sky’s transformation ability.’
I haven’t played as a Wolf before, but I’ve fought many. I know what ingredients are needed for the Wendigo transformation.
I’m not sure if it will be the same as the game, but judging by my precedent, I think the conditions for transforming into a Wendigo will be almost the same as in the game.
‘Let’s leave the planning at this point…’
I glanced around the dim surroundings once.
Before going outside, I need to remodel this underground space.
To become Amorph’s nest.
