Chapter 356
‘Once we arrived at Doran’s star system.’
Before I came here, PS-111 told me: The fourth closest planet to the red giant star ‘Olga’ is Asuka 44.
“When we arrive, will you let me out?”
Just as he was about to search, the monster’s tentacles detected a thought wave. The Heavenly Mother in the mouth of the central head spoke to me.
Currently, the children are in my mouth, which is divided into three parts. It was to move with everyone. Aadhai and the Mother of Heaven, capable of faster-than-light navigation, are likewise within my elongated snout.
[Zuzuzu zuzuzuzu (when you arrive at the planet)]
「…Ha, okay.」
She has previously been covered in spit by the left side of her head, which was torn apart by self-immolation. The reason why she, who was disgusted and disliked her at that time, did not come separately was because of her physical strength.
After obtaining the agate-colored wings, you can use faster-than-light navigation even in Griffon form, but it consumes a considerable amount of stamina. To cross dozens or hundreds of star systems, you have to stop at every stop and eat a lot of food.
I’ve had this happen a few times before, but this is the first time it’s been stuck in my mouth for this long. That’s why it seems to be harder to bear.
‘Before I left, I said I would transform into another phantom beast.’
She can transform into a total of 4 types of phantom beasts excluding Griffon by using her unique perk, ‘Hunting God’s Transformation Shell’.
Currently, there are three types of transformations she can unlock.
‘Chimera’, a phantom beast with the greatest fighting power, was acquired thanks to the help of my deceased husband ‘Father of the Earth’ before I met him.
Other than that, the wendigo and the last phantom beast were obtained while he was with me. The most recently unlocked Hwansoo is a Hwansoo that specializes in flight and movement, so it is possible to travel at faster than light speeds for long periods of time with little energy.
‘But the combat power is not that good.’
In addition, once you use the Hunting God’s Transformation Shell, you will not be able to transform into any other phantom beast except Gryphon for 30 days.
Now we are on our way to meet Ranker. You can’t waste perks when it’s not important. Because she knew that, she had no choice but to quietly enter my mouth.
「Middle baby doesn’t like it here?」
「Ugly friend」「Wet things」「Hates it」
「Do you want me to wipe it with water?」
「No. “It’s okay, just a little tentacle.”
I can feel their movements on my gums and tongue. This is in contrast to PS-111 and Isabel on the right and left sides of the head, who cannot even move. Those two are so big that they can barely fit in your mouth.
‘Then should we hurry?’
I activated the psychic ability-related fusion trait ‘Dark Shroud’. A thick black mist spewed out from biological pipes attached to various parts of the back, arms, and legs.
This fog is composed of special substances that disable various detection systems. If you move under the protection of fog, you can avoid enemy surveillance. If you arrive and see that no one shows up, you might not need to use it, but you never know.
I moved in search of my destination with only my head slightly sticking out of the curtain that was darker than outer space.
An old celestial body boasting an overwhelming size is constantly showing its presence by burning itself. The bonfire that illuminates all things that appears in mythology is probably an expression referring to that old sun.
The stars of life that have been burning for nearly eternity are now about to burn out, and the end of countless stars that have enjoyed their light is also approaching. Some stars became a source of nourishment for dying stars, while others will continue to live until the final day approaches.
Birth, life and death were the same as living things or stars. Of course, the difference in scale is enormous.
‘I never thought I would be able to see such a wonderful scenery in person.’
I moved forward, feeling the wonders of nature that I could never see in a human body. As I flapped my wings across space, I saw planets orbiting around Olga.
‘Is it there?’
Planets are so small compared to stars that they look like dust at first glance. Among them, you can see a star shining softly in dark red.
I approached the target, making sure there were no other ships or satellites nearby.
‘There are only faster-than-light communication satellites, no surveillance satellites.’
I gradually increased my speed and approached the planet presumed to be Asuka 44. As we approached the planet, we saw a number of cult warships. Seeing it moving along the planet’s orbit, it appeared to be a defense fleet.
Protected by a veil of darkness, I bypassed the fleet and entered the planet’s atmosphere.
As we reached the atmosphere, the auxiliary organ under my chin tingled.
I didn’t do this to warn me of a crisis. This is because the toxicity of sulfur dioxide, which makes up the atmosphere, and the volcanic ash generated by constant volcanic activity stimulated the auxiliary organs.
Immediately, intense heat and pressure assaulted my body. It seems like a volcano erupted at the point I was going down.
‘I guess it worked out better.’
If I hide in the volcanic eruptions and go down to the surface, they won’t be able to detect me.
I lifted the veil of darkness and flew into the volcanic ash that covered the atmosphere. A volcanic bomb measuring more than tens of meters collided with me and shattered. As a result, the surface of the carapace was partially damaged, but it was not a serious injury. Because it was so mild that there was no pain relief.
「What is that pounding outside?」
「Scales」「Hot」
「Wait. This smell, are you really inside an exploding volcano?」
[zuzuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzuzuzuzu (If you do this, the enemies won’t even notice)]
「…Ugh.’
The guys riding in the spout also felt the change outside. I muttered.
As we descended through a barrage of pitch-black volcanic ash and volcanic bombs, we soon got closer to the surface.
As with all volcanic planets, Asuka 44 also had an environment that could easily be described as hell. No matter where you looked, it was full of boiling lava, and the ground was pitch black due to volcanic ash and hardened lava.
‘It’s amazing that there are creatures living in a place like this.’
As you can see, the volcanic planet has a very harsh environment, so the characteristics of the creatures that inhabit it are also considerable. It is very different from an ice planet where weak and strong creatures are evenly mixed.
At that time, a creature running away from the volcanic eruption caught my eye.
The name of the beast that tramples without heeding the flowing lava is Vulkarox. It is a bull-like carnivore with three horns and skin that shines like hot bronze.
Although it does not occupy a very high position in the planet’s ecosystem, it is not an easy enemy. Its charge is powerful enough to easily surpass the firepower of a plasma launcher.
‘It doesn’t mean anything to me right now.’
With my wings spread wide, I flew over Vulkarox, who was furiously rushing through the river of lava. The guy noticed the shadow covering him and increased his speed even further.
Just as I was about to pounce on my prey, my auxiliary organs detected another creature.
A mysterious attacker emerged from a river of lava that was so long that the end could not be seen and attacked Volkarox.
An ugly creature with two legs, a long bifurcated tail, and a five-pronged mouth like a starfish quickly climbed onto Vulkarox’s back. He then decapitated the Bronze Bull Monster with a single scythe-shaped bone attached to the end of its tail.
“….”
Vulkarox fell to the lava floor, blood pouring out from his wound as thick as lava.
“Kiak! “Kiaak!”
The one who successfully hunted skillfully raised his neck and howled.
Its name is Lava Raptor.
They are creatures that hide in the lava and suddenly jump out to hunt prey. Their average size is between 4m and 5m, so they look insignificant, but that’s not what makes them scary.
“Kyaak!”
“Kiaak!”
“Kyaak!”
Nearby, hundreds of Lavalaptors howl in response to the cries of a successfully hunted individual.
The true value of Lavalaptor is that it hunts in large groups. Unlike Gallagons, which only gather in the tens at most, Lavalaptor groups number at least a hundred or more.
Hundreds of Lavalaptors bursting out of the lava growl as they watch over me floating in the sky.
I paid no heed to their reactions and landed on the black ground. The impact of my huge body hitting the ground caused volcanic gas and debris to fly around.
“Keaaaaaaa!”
When the one who had hunted Vulkarox roared again, the small hunters began to move. They may have been wary of seeing me for the first time today, but they slowly approached with a siege camp in place.
‘Are you very hungry?’
Lavalaptor is intelligent, although not as intelligent as Gallagon. They do not carelessly attack enemies they cannot hunt. My current body is dozens of times larger than that of the Lavalaptor leader. Still, it’s quite surprising that it doesn’t run away.
‘Has something changed in the environment?’
I don’t know why, but the increase in food is a welcome thing.
I opened my three mouths wide. Aadhai, the Mother of Heaven in her beast form, jumped out of the central mouth and spread her wings wide. Number 26 grabbed my tusks with its tentacles and landed right on top of my head.
「You will be the only one hiding while the volcano is erupting.」
「Hot」「Hot」
「There are a lot of bangs here!」
Then, PS-111 and Isabel crawled out from the left and right heads. PS-111 jumped onto the lava and straightened its legs, which had been bent. As soon as Isabelle, who was wrapped in a coil, came out of my muzzle, she immediately rose in the air.
“It’s a refreshing experience to come to a volcanic planet on the back of Aimorph’s mouth.”
“The creatures currently visible are believed to be ‘Vulkarox’ and ‘Lavaraptor.’ “It is confirmed that they have gone through a highly advanced process of evolution to adapt to extreme environments.”
I thought there was only one enemy, but the number suddenly increased, causing the Lava Raptors to become agitated.
“Kyaak!”
Then the leader cries and encourages the agitated group. Those who were moving cautiously leap towards us all at once.
“Seeing that there are over 200, it’s quite a large group.”
“It is a creature worth studying.”
「…a fight as soon as we arrive.」
「Hunting」「Fun」
「It’s food! rice!”
About 200 Lavalaptors would be enough to satisfy hunger during the long journey.
It didn’t take long to sort out the snacks that were rushing around without knowing what to do.
“Watch next episode”