Chapter 5: Union Base B-45

Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe – 5

EP.5 Union Base B-45

This is Union Base B-45.

Currently, the Galactic Union manages the universe by dividing it into various sectors under their control.

Sector B includes about ten superclusters.

The diameter of this sector is roughly 3 billion light-years.

An unimaginably vast area, but within this sector, only 45,897 galaxies are under the Galactic Union's administration.

They are continuously exploring and developing the universe, so the number is gradually increasing.

Considering there are about 400,000 galaxies in the ten superclusters combined, they manage about one-tenth of them.

The five-digit designation of Galaxy B-02345, where the Skull Nebula is located, seems to be for this reason.

…Wow, I have all these exact numbers in my head.

Outer Gods really do know everything.

If an ordinary human tried to comprehend such universal information… ugh.

Just thinking about it is terrifying.

Anyway, to manage these 45,897 galaxies, the Galactic Union has established multiple bases in each sector.

There are about 1,000 bases in Sector B.

One of them is this place, Union Base B-45.

Simply put, it's the 45th base in Sector B.

It's not a planet but a massive space fortress built by modifying a drifting asteroid.

Buildings are erected on the asteroid's surface, and a huge sphere encloses them.

They seem to use energy from massive stars scattered across the universe and convert cosmic radiation energy for use.

For them, the universe is almost an infinite domain, so resources are virtually limitless.

The fortress is kept stable with gravitational field technology, maintaining its position with galactic coordinates and moving with the universe.

The basic structure is provided by the asteroid, but the sphere that almost completely covers the massive asteroid and the technology to modify the interior and exterior into a base are impressive.

Gravity and oxygen inside the sphere are adequately provided.

It's truly a high-tech civilization that couldn't even be imagined in the previous world.

"This way, please."

I wanted to explore the space base of this sci-fi world to my heart's content, but to move around freely, I needed an identity.

So, I followed the old man Jupiter to the base headquarters.

Even though all the details about the interior and the technology used are in my main body's mind… seeing it in person is a different kind of awe.

Just like how people revisit masterpieces even when they know the story and ending.

"Who are you? This area is off-limits to unauthorized personnel… Huh?! Elder Jupiter, welcome."

As Jupiter, Lowie Hendrick, and I approached the base headquarters, the guards stopped us.

But upon checking Jupiter's registered information, they were startled and opened the door for us.

"And the people behind you are…?"

"My disciple, Lowie Hendrick. This is my important guest."

"Ah, yes. Understood."

The guards let us in without checking my identity, just because I was called an important guest.

…It seems that having connections with high-ranking people is powerful in this world too.

They let someone in without proper identity verification just because they were called a guest.

Well, thanks to that, I can easily get a confirmed identity.

"Ah, come to think of it, I don't know your name yet. We need a name to register your identity."

Jupiter suddenly realized and spoke.

That's right.

I haven't mentioned my name yet.

A name, huh… what should I do?

Honestly, I haven't thought of one yet.

A human… a Terra race name that sounds fitting?

Should I just use my real name?

But then again, I don't know if there's a country called Korea among the Terra race here… Maybe I should go for a cool, game-character-like name?

"Eugene. My name is Eugene."

It was the most plausible name that came to mind.

A name that has both an Eastern and Western feel to it.

"Eugene, is it? That's a great name."

"Thank you."

Eugene of the Terra race.

This was the moment my first identity in this world was created.

#

"Oh…"

After completing the identity registration, I received an electronic panel ID card.

It was similar to the resident registration card from my previous life, but the card itself was an electronic device with a touch panel that allowed detailed information to be viewed by swiping.

The race was listed as Terra, and the name was Eugene.

There was even a photo similar to an ID photo, and swiping the screen revealed details like the address.

Due to the adventurer concept, the address field was left blank.

The special notes section indicated that I was currently active as an adventurer.

The Galactic Union creates detailed IDs like this to manage people's information.

This is to respond quickly in case of crimes or issues.

Since there was a similar system in Korea, it didn't feel too uncomfortable.

From what I recall in my mental history category, there were quite a few races that opposed the Galactic Union's method of registering personal information and requiring identity verification.

Of course, they were all either completely crushed or severely beaten into submission.

The Lubaran race must be incredibly powerful.

Well, considering they possess incredible scientific technologies like the gravitational field technology used to create this base and the Dyson sphere-like structure that harnesses the energy of entire stars, it makes sense.

They could probably wipe out most races with a single standard-issue weapon.

"Do you like it?"

Jupiter, the old man beside me, smiled warmly as he watched me examining my ID card.

Oh, I love it.

This means I can roam around freely now.

Hehehe, a space base created by a highly advanced civilization in an SF setting!

I'm itching to explore every nook and cranny.

"…We have some business to attend to at the base headquarters, so why don't you take a look around the base in the meantime?"

Wow! This perceptive old man beat me to it.

I was just about to ask.

"Sure, I'll do that."

"Yes, please register my ID card on yours. The ID card has a unique code, so it functions as a contact method as well."

Beep—

As Jupiter said this, he brought his ID card to mine, and with a mechanical sound, his code was registered on my ID card.

Oh… I knew about this feature, but seeing it in action is fascinating.

It feels like exchanging contact information via Bluetooth.

"I'll get in touch later."

After exchanging contact codes, I parted ways with them.

Hehe, finally free.

Where should I start my exploration?

#

"…Master."

After Eugene left to explore the Union base, Lowie Hendrick turned to his master Jupiter, looking puzzled.

"Why are you treating him so well? Sure, he purified the mental contamination, but to go so far as to use your elder status to create an identity for an unknown entity?"

Lowie Hendrick had kept quiet because Jupiter was treating Eugene with such respect, but he couldn't understand it.

Even though Eugene had helped by purifying their minds, he was still a man without any identity.

He could be a space pirate, a heinous criminal whose identity had been erased, or even a member of an anti-Union group still fighting against the Galactic Union.

Creating a guaranteed identity for someone without one is a very difficult and complicated task.

There are many things to prove, and it naturally takes a considerable amount of time.

Yet, Jupiter used his authority as an elder to pressure the head of the Union headquarters to create an identity for him.

If the Galactic Union's council found out about this, he could face severe disciplinary action and possibly be stripped of his position for several years.

Despite this, he went through with it just because Eugene helped with the mental purification.

Lowie Hendrick couldn't understand his master's actions.

"Is it because of that talk about gods or whatever? Sure, it wasn't an ordinary mental attack, but still…"

If they had made it back to the Union headquarters, they could have used more precise machines or treatment methods to normalize the situation.

Lowie didn't think they had received such significant help.

"Enough."

At that moment, Jupiter stopped him.

"Lowie, you may not understand, but we should be grateful just to be existing right now."

"…??"

Lowie Hendrick frowned even more, not understanding what Jupiter meant.

What on earth was he talking about?

But he knew one thing.

His master was a great elder of the Meias race and one of the greatest wizards.

As a great wizard who had lived for a long time, he was very wise and never spoke in vain.

In other words, all his words had meaning.

He wouldn't act without a reason.

'If he's not giving me the answer directly, it means he wants me to think and come to a conclusion on my own.'

His master, Jupiter, had always been like that.

He taught his disciples to realize and act on their own.

A sudden mental attack, the presence of a god that made his master tremble in fear, and Eugene…

"…!!"

After thinking deeply, Lowie Hendrick quickly reached a conclusion.

And he understood what his master had done, feeling chills all over his body.

Outer God.

Beings whose mere presence could collapse the minds of those around them and plunge the world into fear.

Eugene might be one of them… or perhaps an avatar of one.