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Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe – 4

EP.4 Wormhole

Beep beep beep—

"?!"

"What's going on now?"

The Galactic Union Headquarters' Space Environment Management Department, responsible for detecting energy fluctuations across the observable universe, was thrown into chaos by the sudden alarm.

Leus, a member of the 'Lubaran Race,' the great race known for their superior technology and for creating the Galactic Union by uniting intelligent beings, rushed to the area where the alarm had sounded.

He had the characteristic blue skin, gray eyes without pupils, and elongated head typical of the Lubaran race.

The Lubaran race generally had little external variation since they identified each other by their unique energy wavelengths.

The only noticeable difference was usually hair color.

For reference, Leus had dark teal hair.

He pushed aside the staff in the alarmed area and checked the screen.

The screen kept flickering, turning black and then back on repeatedly.

"I've never seen anything like this… What is it? A machine malfunction…?"

The staff member spoke in a flustered voice.

Given the repeated black screens, it wasn't unreasonable to think so.

However, the alarm had clearly sounded, and it wasn't just a malfunction causing the black screen.

Alarms typically went off when there was an anomaly in the energy flow.

Or when the energy was excessively large.

Events like a cosmic storm, someone intentionally gathering energy explosively, supernova explosions beyond regulations, or the emergence of a supermassive black hole.

In the vast universe, these alarms usually went off for frequent events that occurred about once every few days.

Most alarms are assigned color codes.

A cosmic storm is code blue, a supernova explosion beyond regulations is code red… and so on.

The corresponding color flashes on the screen repeatedly.

For instance, if a cosmic storm occurs, the screen flashes blue.

So, if the screen is flashing black…

"…It's code black."

Leus felt a chill run down his spine as he checked the screen.

In his 50 years of service, he had never seen this alarm.

But it was the most dangerous alarm, one he always kept in mind.

Code black is fundamentally different from other alarms.

Generally, alarms are triggered by excessive or anomalous energy.

But code black signifies that, for a moment, the energy in that space completely disappears as if the universe's energy is utterly void.

A situation that defies the law of energy conservation and completely contradicts the laws of the universe.

…What it signifies in this universe is only one thing.

"An Outer God… a new Outer God has appeared."

The emergence of a new Outer God.

"The location is Galaxy B-02345. Specifically, about 300,000 km away from the Skull Nebula."

"…The Skull Nebula. A famous tourist spot."

Receiving the briefing from Leus, the head of the Space Environment Management Department, were 'Celeste,' the department head, and 'Allegros,' the head of the Space Safety Measures Headquarters.

Both were also from the Lubaran race.

Their appearances were almost identical, differing only slightly in height.

Additionally, Celeste, being female, had a slightly more curvaceous figure.

Their hair colors varied; Celeste had red hair, and Allegros had brown hair.

"Yes. Tourists were visiting today as well. The company is Lacstol Tours, officially registered with the Galactic Union and quite a large company."

They were traveling through a wormhole and viewing the Skull Nebula from about 150,000 km away.

The new Outer God, the subject of the code black, appeared approximately 200,000 km away.

"Sure enough, we received reports from the tourist ship in that area. The passengers and crew suddenly complained of severe headaches and dizziness."

"…Mental contamination?"

The fact that it caused mental contamination from 200,000 km away indicated it was an immensely powerful being.

If it could affect beings at that distance, it must have a clear purpose.

According to the classification of Outer Gods, this indicated at least a high-level entity.

"Fortunately, it seems to have stopped moving."

"Then we should send a rescue ship. If it hasn't moved from its spot, a rescue ship with a mind barrier should be able to approach safely. There might be survivors among the species with strong mental resilience."

As Allegros, the head of the Space Safety Measures Headquarters, said this and was about to call his subordinates, Leus shook his head to stop him.

"Ah, that won't be necessary. Some space adventurer appeared and performed mental purification on everyone, and we received the report afterward. They are currently returning to the Union base through a wormhole, deeming the area too dangerous."

"…?"

"Performed purification…? On mental contamination caused by a presumed high-level Outer God?"

Celeste and Allegros looked at Leus in disbelief.

Leus sighed deeply and explained.

"I don't understand it either. It seems to be a young man from the Terra race. He claimed to have created a mental purification device using brain waves."

"…Huh."

The two department heads let out a short, incredulous sigh.

Using brain waves to match the frequency of contaminated minds and restore them to normal.

Such technology indeed exists.

However, it's a relatively recent development, even for the Lubaran race, who lead the universe in scientific technology.

Moreover, it was designed as a treatment for general mental attacks, and even if it worked on an Outer God, it would likely only be effective against low-level mental contamination.

But a mere space adventurer from the Terra race creating such a device on his own?

And even purifying mental contamination caused by a presumed high-level Outer God?

It was absurd.

'There's something more to this.'

The three Lubaran race members concluded that they should head to the Union base where Lacstol Tours was located and investigate the Terra race man.

They couldn't even think of approaching the coordinates near Galaxy B-02345 where the Outer God had appeared.

So, they decided to capture and investigate at least one suspicious individual.

Oh, so this is what it feels like to travel through a wormhole. It's kind of queasy.

Just like in the movies, a hole opened up in front of the tourist ship, and we moved to an entirely different space.

When I use teleportation, it feels like I just disappear and reappear, but this definitely has a more sci-fi vibe.

In an instant, we seemed to have traveled about 15 light-years from where we were.

Considering the vastness of the universe, it's a relatively short distance, but even with sub-light speed spacecraft, it would take quite a while without a wormhole or teleportation.

So, it's quite a significant distance.

Still, my connection with my main body remains intact.

My abilities… well, even though the output is slightly reduced when relayed through my avatar, I can still use most of them.

15 light-years is roughly 140 trillion kilometers… seeing that the connection and my powers are functioning well, it really hits me that I'm a cosmic being.

"Still, it's fortunate that we could come together."

"Haha, indeed."

Jupiter, the old man beside me, smiled warmly.

The reason I could board this tourist ship and use the wormhole to reach the Union base was all thanks to this old man.

Technically, I'm a space adventurer, but I don't have any official status.

Creating an identity would be very easy if I wanted to, but I prefer not to use cheats unless necessary, so I deliberately didn't create one.

However, because of that, I was at risk of being kicked off the tourist ship despite saving everyone.

…They were grateful for the rescue, but they said they couldn't allow someone without an identity to stay on board due to regulations.

I understand.

There are many space pirates in the universe, and space monsters that mimic humans to hijack ships.

…It feels a bit ironic coming from me.

Anyway, I was about to be kicked off when Jupiter, the old man, vouched for my identity.

Naturally, when someone as esteemed as an elder of the Meias race guarantees your identity, no one can argue.

So, I was allowed to board the tourist ship as part of his entourage.

For reference, I stored the spaceship I created in the cargo hold.

It's a small personal one, so it fit well.

I wonder if this old man is treating me well because he knows my true identity?

Or is he just grateful for the rescue?

Whatever the reason, it's a good thing.

Thanks to him, my identity is guaranteed, and he even said he'd help me get a new ID card under his name when we reach the Union base.

I'll just accept the help and move on.

Even if he has some ulterior motive, I'll find out eventually.

And if he manages to proceed without my main body noticing, a simple memory wipe will solve it.

…If all else fails, I can just wipe everything out and escape to another place.

"…Huh."

"M-Master! What's wrong?!"

"I-I don't know. Suddenly, I felt a chill all over my body…"

"..."

Hmm, this old man has a good sense.

To vaguely sense the profound presence of an Outer God.

Hahaha!