Ep. 178
–
"What was that just now!"
"Wasn't there just one three-headed demon?"
Two people were attacked by unidentified enemies in a short period of time. I couldn't help but be taken aback because they had prepared to target just one three-headed devil.
'…You probably saved information about him, right?'
One of the members nodded silently in response to Alya's telepathy.
Rather than fighting regular forces of cults or other forces, the Temple Guardians mainly fight larger monsters or evil beings such as Vortex One cultists. When someone dies while fighting with extraterrestrial beings, it is common for them to leave no corpse or trace behind.
Therefore, members of the Temple Guardians learn special psychic power techniques.
It is a technique called 'memory storage', and is the ability to turn memories seen or felt into data, similar to the ability to remember. Even if someone is attacked, the same situation can be prevented if a colleague who has learned the memory storage technique records it and passes it on to other members.
'Everyone standby.'
'I will pass on the stored memories.'
While other members remained on guard, the member who had learned the memory storage technique sent Alya an image of when Brenz was attacked.
The events that had just happened unfolded like a video in front of Alya, who had received memory information through a telepathic link.
Brenz picking up the body of a baby monster that fell on the floor. In the fog between his legs, something whitish is visible.
It was a woman's face, looking like a drop of white paint had been dropped on black paper.
However, this is not the typical human appearance she knows. The pupils and whites of the eyes were black without distinction, and the lips were red as if stained with blood.
It was definitely a beautiful face, except for the eyes, but Allya felt only eerie and unpleasant.
At least it had a human appearance up to the head, but not from the neck down. It had a shape similar to a spider. Of course, that's only in metaphor, but in reality it was a very scary sight.
It seemed clear that she, or rather 'it', was hiding in the ice beneath the fog that hung low in the cavity. He stayed in hiding and waited until the crew let down their guard.
The white face of the monster sticking out of the ground quickly comes up behind Brenz's ear. Brenz is still completely unaware of its existence.
And the monster opens its bright red mouth.
The jaw separated and its mouth expanded beyond the length of its face. Inside, there were numerous triangular teeth resembling saw blades.
The creature with its hideous-shaped mouth bites the back of Brenz's neck.
Blood poured out and his neck was cut very easily. The guy quickly backed away, holding onto Brenz's severed head.
Belatedly, the members are seen aiming the weapons they are holding. Alya noticed that the eyes of the person who used the memory storage technique were moving busily.
That Villone is nowhere to be seen.
While the spider monster killed Brenz and attracted attention, another monster may have kidnapped Bilone.
After that, the spider monster blocked the attacks coming from the members with its body and disappeared into the darkness of the passage. Along with Brenz's severed head.
With that, the video ends.
Alya thought as she felt the headache that came as a side effect of viewing the information from the memory storage technique.
'The guys who just attacked are definitely not easy.'
What the two monsters showed was clear team play. While the baby monsters were paying attention, the monster with the human head quietly hid and waited for the moment when they let down their guard.
Another guy was waiting and waited for the moment when the members' attention was focused elsewhere.
In other words, the intelligence of the monsters that the Temple Guardians deal with is quite high. Excellent physical ability is a bonus.
"This is a fragment that fell from its body in the attack just now."
"This…"
What the member was carrying was so bizarre that it could hardly be considered the flesh of a living creature. It looked like a piece of metal, with black flesh pressed together as if fused with red metal.
'The combination of metal and organic matter.'
There are not many forces that can make these things.
'Star Union.'
Before coming here, she heard a rumor that the three-headed demon might be connected to Star Union.
It was rumored that the three-headed devil was a new biological weapon created by Star Union that escaped control during an experiment and hid in the territory of the cult empire. Not long ago, the armed conflict between the Empire and Star Union was also said to be caused by the three-headed devil.
'No, that's too much of a leap.'
Alya shook her head to get rid of the delusion in her mind.
'Let's think about his identity after we catch him.'
She shared the information created through memory storage with the members and then reported it to Jason telepathically.
「…Brentz and Bilone died because of this guy?」
'Brentz was killed and Bilone was captured by that guy and is on the move. Let's track it down now…'
「No. Tracking is prohibited. Billone is dead anyway. If you follow them for no reason, you could be wiped out."
'Huh?'
"The knowledge that there is not just one guy is a huge gain. So, come back here."
Bilone was still connected to Soul Link. I couldn't just abandon her as she was waiting for the other members to rescue her.
'This is our colleague! 'I can't just walk away knowing he's still alive.'
"I don't want to lose you. "Allie."
'What on earth are you talking about? Doesn't the priest know? 'Why don't you tell me?'
「….」
Jason was silent in response to Alya's intense telepathy. The troubled lover's state of mind was clearly conveyed to her.
"Hehe, I thought talking about it would only break my fighting spirit, but it's okay. "Instead, after hearing this, please retreat immediately."
After confirming the telepathy he sent, Alya could not help but be astonished.
–
「Big baby, your friend is here.」
"Good job. How do you feel?"
"Compared to existing models, Kirik allows for much more organic movement, but it is less durable."
"I think I need to supplement that by consuming metal."
"It is possible if you give me additional Blood River Kirik."
"no."
I flatly rejected PS-111's request.
Since one has already been used, there are 7 left. Even if Blood River is the only equipment capable of mass production, it cannot be obtained anywhere. It will be more difficult to obtain it until we attack the Star Union's core planet.
'There are many strong enemies on this planet, so you must be careful.'
It's been only two days since I've been here, and I've already encountered an Apex cult with Black Gallagon-level skills. No matter how many spleens you have, it is not enough.
"Ask the main controller to persuade 'Aimorph'…."
「You can't say no
to a big baby.」 An attempt to ask No. 26 on his behalf was also frustrated. PS-111 lowered his head.
'Still, should I consider it a benefit to have a useful colleague?'
I looked at the guy who looked clearly disappointed.
PS-111's appearance was very different from when I first encountered it.
The face of the human woman with pure white skin was the same, but she was completely different from the neck down.
Red tubes and mechanical devices reminiscent of Blood River. Black flesh obtained from eating the Tooth Fairy. Metal and organic matter were mixed to create a new body.
To put it simply, it looked like a spider with a human head. It had four pairs of legs on each side of its body, and the energy absorption devices from the Blood River were visible through the gaps in its black skin on its torso.
However, not many people will think of a spider when they see this guy. The eight legs were each of different lengths, and their shape was closer to the deformed extensions of human arms and legs than the legs of a spider.
At the end of the long legs were feet of different shapes. There were two main forms: one with five fingers resembling a hook, and the other with long sickle-shaped claws reminiscent of a sword. Either way seemed effective in tearing apart the opponent's body.
All eight legs were of different lengths, so it seemed like there would be restrictions on its movements, but it moved very naturally, as if it had been that way from the beginning.
'It looks like a creature that appears in some kind of science fiction movie or horror game.'
For my monster-loving standards, its appearance was enough to give it a passing grade. At least it looked much better than Screamer or the Hulk Mutant, which looked like it was created by an incompetent special makeup team.
'I don't know if cults think that way too.'
Most likely, they would have been surprised to see PS-111 sticking out from hiding in the ground. Looking at the wounds on the guy's body, you could tell that the cult had attacked him like crazy even in that short moment.
"Wouldn't your defense power increase if you feast on the remains of the Ice Horror?"
"There is a 72% chance of that happening."
"good."
I nodded and took the cult head he gave me.
"Why do you need a head?"
"Because there are times when you can use it all up."
I put the goat's horned head in my mouth and chewed it. The cult's unique fragrant fruit flavor filled my mouth. It tasted like an orange base with lemon flavor added.
The skin, facial muscles, horns, skull, and brain are crushed into small pieces and passed down the throat. With that, the cult's genetic components are quickly absorbed.
Soon, a human face on the carapace on the back of my head suddenly shrunk. And a new face grew again in its place.
The newly grown face looked exactly like the face of the cult I ate. Except that his face is very pale, just like the other Inmyeonsu.
The new person in charge opened his eyes. He immediately understood the situation he was in and opened his eyes.
"What is this…?!"
"quietly."
"!"
The five faceted trees growing on my head are all bound by my will. When I tell you to be quiet, you must keep your mouth shut, and when I tell you to speak, you must speak.
'Anyway, after a while you can talk as much as you want.'
Because I was brought here for that purpose in the first place.
I sent a wave to Adhai who was hiding nearby.
[Zuzu (enemies?)]
「On the way」「Sue」「Twelve」
[Zuzuzu zuzu zuzu zuzuzu zuzu (Has there ever been a power as strong as an adult?)]
Comparison of 「Enemy」「Power」「Little Adult」「 」「Low」
The group that belonged to the Black Gallagon-level strongman stopped moving immediately when the other group was attacked. The guy stayed in the rear, probably thinking about moving again after seeing the situation.
The group attacked by PS-111 and the Heavenly Mother also changed their movements. They were heading towards my nest, but they changed direction and were moving towards the group behind them.
The only groups that move independently are those who come to where we are.
'So far, it's still as planned.'
By now, the Heavenly Mother would have arrived at the nest with the captive. The plan was for her to kidnap an unsuspecting cult member while PS-111 decapitated one of them.
'The response varies depending on how the guy gets out of here.'
[Zuzuz, zuzu, zuzuzu, zuzuzu (Good job. Wait until the signal is given)]
「Understanding」
After finishing the conversation with Adhai, I turned my attention to number 26 next to me.
The guy was freely releasing the enormous psychic power he had accumulated within his body.
The enormous psychic power unleashed by the Sea Demon affects other psychic creatures. There are restrictions on the use of abilities that require fine-tuning of psychic powers, such as telepathy or soul link.
One of the groups that split into three groups after entering the underground is coming this way. This is to remove obstacles that hinder them.
'Of course it's a trap.'
The group coming here now is unaware that there has been a change in operations. This is because the use of telepathy is not smooth due to the psychic power that No. 26 emits.
'If the group here is wiped out, it will move too.'
There are two actions he will take. Will the Heavenly Mother save the captives she has been holding? Or…
'I'll come directly to remove the obstacles blocking the flow of psychic power.'
And no matter what he chooses, the result is the same.
I plan to do battle with the Ice Horror where I am standing right now, where its hard shell and bones remain.
[Zuzzuzuzu (Then let's get ready)]
「Yes.」
"Kirik, I understand."
[Zuz zuzu zu zu zu zu zu zu zu zu zu zu zu (if there is an unexpected movement from over there, do as planned)]
"Confirm. "Please don't worry."
I went inside the Ice Horror's overturned skeleton with No. 26 and PS-111.
Intruders who attacked me without realizing it.
There are only two futures left for them.
Either die and become genetic essence or become my slave.
'Either way.'
There is no change in the fact that their essence becomes mine.
–
"Is this it? "It looks like an animal bone."
Chrysian, who leads the third group of temple guards, looked at the bones of the giant creature and expressed small admiration.
The place where they were standing was a half-collapsed underground cavity. Even though the space was so large that its radius exceeded hundreds of meters, the monster's bones showed off their enormous presence.
"Psychic power flows from within the bones. "Let's take a look."
"Selene. "Please continue sending telepathic messages to Jason and Alya."
"All right."
The cultists currently here were unable to use telepathy and soul link properly. This was because of the enormous psychic power coming from within the bones.
There was no way to contact the outside world unless Jason and Alya, who were powerful psychic power users, directly sent telepathy to them.
That is, until the cause of this mysterious energy is removed.
"What kind of creature is it that emits this level of psychic power?"
"Could it be the body of the Arcane Orca?"
"The guy flying in space died under the ice?"
"It doesn't look like a fossil."
While the members were carrying out their mission, Chrysian examined the bones and carapace.
A light made of jewels that glowed in the dark illuminated the bones. The bones were smooth, without any flesh on them, shining white as they reflected the light.
'Strange. If a creature of this size had died, the surrounding ecology would have changed.'
Carnivores approaching to eat the meat, large amounts of gas and bacteria generated as the corpse decomposes. There was no trace of anything. The bones of the giant creature were clean, as if someone had just peeled off the flesh.
'Plus these traces. It's clear that there was a fierce battle.'
Chrysian thought as he caressed the broken skeleton. There were many strange things about it that it seemed like it had been defeated and eaten by a three-headed devil.
Even though it was several times larger than this giant creature, there was no sign of it entering or exiting the passage leading to this cavity.
'I can't contact other members… Tsk.'
As I clicked my tongue in frustration, I heard the voices of the members who had entered the bones and inside the carapace.
"Chrisian, come this way!"
"Something?"
Chrysian followed the members' voices inside and was surprised by the sight that unfolded before his eyes.
There was a black-purple wall between the white skeletons.
The walls were heavily engraved with geometric patterns, and the surface was uneven and very uneven. Unlike the other bones, on the ground in front of the wall, there was a black-purple thorn sticking out, the same color as the wall. Rather than a wall, it would be more appropriate to call it the carapace of some large creature.
There were five pale faces stuck there.
"Ugh, save me!"
"Aaaahhh! "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
"it hurts! so painful! "Someone help me!"
"Ughhhhhhhhh…."
"Take us out!"
Surprisingly, they were all faces of a cult. I don't know how they got stuck in the wall, but all five people were still alive. They were pouring out tears and snot and begging to be saved.
Although Chrisian has experienced many hardships, this is the first time she has seen a wall with only her face stuck on it. It was a sight I would have been afraid to see in a dream.
"How on earth did this happen?"
"The psychic power is flowing from behind this wall."
"shit! Break down the wall right now…huh? "Wait a minute, I've seen that face a lot somewhere."
Chrysian thought that one of the five faces looked familiar.
"Are you by any chance Brentz?"
"omg? Big Chrisian! It's me! "Brentz!"
It was so pale that I couldn't recognize it at first. The person stuck on the wall was Brenz, a member of the Temple Guardians who had also come here.
"Didn't you go with Alia? Why on earth are you here…?"
"I don't know either! Damn it… I lost consciousness and woke up to find myself here!"
"I'll take it out right now!"
Chrysian approached the wall of faces.
At that time, the voice of Selene, the contact person outside the framework, was heard.
"Christian! We have now received a telepathic message from Alya! They say that Brenz and Villone have been killed!"
"huh?"
After hearing those words, Krisian and the members looked at each other.
Brenz is in front of them now. Only the head is sticking out of the black-purple wall.
"Ignore that sound! Alia made a mistake! I'm still alive! "I'm alive!"
Among the temple guards who came here, the one with the highest status is Aliya. She is the third most skilled in the entire Temple Guardians.
Would such an amazing person not be able to figure out whether his colleague was really dead or not?
Chrysian and the members gradually moved away from the wall. Brenz, who saw that, was furious.
"You damn cult rats! Do you think you guys will be safe?!"
The sight of him cursing with bloody tears streaming from his eyes was that of an evil spirit himself.
Chrisian was sure. That's not Brenz, it's something that looks like Brenz.
"Everyone be careful…."
"Mr. Chrisian!"
Krisian, who heard the surprised voice of the member, turned his head and looked at him.
Likewise, the members who had gone through all kinds of battlefields had their mouths wide open. As if I had seen something very surprising or scary.
Then Chrysian felt a sharp pain. His gaze turned downward.
"uh?"
A thorn that was supposed to be stuck in the ground was stuck in his stomach. His blood and pieces of intestines flowed down the thick black-purple thorns.
He felt his legs going weak on the ground. His shaking eyes turned to the wall in front of him.
I see faces embedded in the walls.
They were smiling with the corners of their mouths pulled upward.
"Hehe, I got caught."
Only then did he realize.
The face he saw was not Brenz. The face in front of him was not a wall either.
The 'thing' that stabbed Chrysian with its horn began to appear on the ground.
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