Ventilation Ducts

[You have Developed the Skill "Heat Resistance".]

'That's -Enhanced Devouring- for you, huh? Alright. Let's go check what they've been mining for… Hopefully something good.'

As the Paru peeked down the hole that had been made in the ground, he heard shouts, and the spaceship was opened again. 

They wanted to leave as fast as possible, which is why the mechanic moved towards the damaged part of the spaceship to check out how bad the damage was. With him, was the commander. 

'Mm…' Rei climbed out of the hole as the rest of the Worka left the spaceship. He, of course, kept his -Invisibility- Skill active. 'I couldn't feel it increase my body heat, even though I drank quite a bit of it-'

[Your Endurance Stat increases by 1 Stat Point.]

'Aha. Talked too quickly. Mm… Still, I got a big gulp. It's basically 100 to 200 times less potent than that Crystal since the volume I drank was definitely more than the Crystal's size. Anyways, this is good enough!'

Between the Paru's pincers was one of the drill machines that had been brought out.

'They had like six or seven of these, so shouldn't be an issue…'

As the Worka started approaching, the Paru hurriedly swallowed the drilling machine.

The invisible Rei moved passed the Worka. Two of his front limbs twitched. 

'Mm…' The Paru raised those limbs slightly. 'That metal covers them just like I wanted. Looks sharp too.'

Rei entered the spaceship once again.

An hour passed.

'Mm… Apart from the rooms I've already entered, all of them are locked. Breaking in would make my presence too obvious… I'll have to wait-'

Krsh- Krsh- Krsh-

'Oho.'

The Paru walked over to the area where the sound originated from.

'Here…? It leads to the ventilation ducts? I can barely fit in there… Mm. It wouldn't be a bad idea though. Alright. Let's go in.'

It was a bit of a struggle, especially because of the tough and large shell, but Rei managed to squeeze himself in there.

'Alright, Thermal Vision.'

Instantly, the darkness he had plunged himself into gave way to a colorful scenery. There was movement.

'These spiders… Are pretty huge. And these rats… What the hell is wrong with them?? They have two noses that look like those of a mole!! And they're moving! Ew!!'

Despite his disgust, Rei forced himself to devour everything.

[You have Developed the Skill "Night Vision".]

[Your Perception Stat increases by 1 Stat Point.]

[Your Perception Stat increases by 1 Stat Point.]

'Nice! I can see pretty clearly now without using Thermal Vision. Though Thermal Vision is pretty fun… Night Vision is just better. Though Thermal Vision did allow me to look at what was waiting at the corners of these ducts. I doubt it's good enough to see through walls. System. Skills can get stronger though, right?'

[Correct.]

'So Devouring more of these might lead to better Night Vision?'

[That is possible.] 

'Mm… I'll have to find ways to get better Thermal Vision then. Looking through walls is pretty powerful.'

The Paru kept moving through the ventilation ducts.

'Can't seem to find another exit. Will I have to do a 180 a go back? Mmm… These ventilation ducts are below or on the ground. I have to find a way into the ducts on the ceiling. Those are probably the ones that lead to locked rooms… '

The Paru stopped for a second.

'There are literal aliens everywhere, and I'm focused on finding stuff to eat…'

Rei chuckled, and continued moving.

It didn't take long for the way to split into two.

'I'll take the path that goes upwards!'

Climbing up the duct was especially easy thanks to his two metal-covered limbs. 

'Gotta be careful not to pierce through it… I'm trying to look for stuff to eat, but I don't want them to notice that I'm here. Now that I think about it, I could eat this spaceship, couldn't I? Doing so would be stupid, but it's funny to think about…'

The Paru walked through the maze-like structure finding much of the same creatures which he swiftly killed and Devoured.

After a bit,

"Argh! Fuck this!" 

The shout came from below. Rei recognized that voice.

'That commander, huh?' He wanted to click his tongue but didn't. 

Instead, he focused on his sense of hearing until he could faintly hear her footsteps, and did his best to go in that direction.

'Maybe this will lead to something good. Please go see your treasure room or something…'

The path split into four. The Paru couldn't see below, but it seemed like the path to the right was the one to take.

"Haaa!" The commander below let out a long sigh. "That took a while. Scouting far enough for those weaklings to be able to do their job…" 

The sound of automatic doors opening and closing.

Things were deposited. Rei concluded that she was putting her weapon down. 

The Paru stopped moving.

'This… This is…?'

It was just good enough to see through ventilation ducts. Through walls wasn't feasible. But right now, he was standing in a ventilation duct. The one just below the ceiling for her room.

Thermal Vision-

Instantly, the Paru was even more glad to have obtained this skill than before.

She raised her arms up, stretching them, and Rei could the outline of her body.

The outline of her large breasts, of her tight and round glutes, as well as that of her thick thighs.

'This… This is her room, isn't it?' 

The Paru couldn't blink, let alone look away.