I Became an Evolving Space Monster

Chapter 111

“Do you know who Rick is?”

“Rick the wanderer? Of course, I know. What about him?”

“They lost contact with him at the camp.”

“What?”

Even in broad daylight, the pirates at the camp were on high alert. This was because orders had come from the battleship that served as their main base.

“I heard we have also lost contacts with the other camps, again”

“That’s probably why we’re on guard at this time too.”

“…Hey, wasn’t this surrounding area supposed to be safe?”

The pirate on guard froze at his colleague’s ominous tone. In response, the colleague continued, reassuring him.

“Don’t worry. The leader is supposed to return to the battleship in a day or two, according to the orders from above.”

“Really? That’s a relief. But why did she go out for so long in the first place?”

“They didn’t tell me that. There were rumors that it’s because of the prisoner she captured a while ago.”

“I want to know more…”

“I’d love to tell you more, but I don’t know… Huh?”

“…?”

The pirates chatting suddenly turned to the voice that had interjected.

There were only two people on guard at this spot.

Their gazes went upward.

There, a voice imitating a pirate’s voice echoed – “it” was there.

It’s been a week since I arrived in Utopia-02. During this time, I raided various camps in the forest to gather information about the player. One of the pirates at a camp mentioned that the indomitable mask I possess was originally bestowed by the pirate leader to the cult division leader, Dylan. In other words, the cultist pirate I killed before was the cult division leader of the Humanity Cartel.

Later, among the raided camps, there was a large camp where many pirates were stationed. There, I encountered someone wearing equipment similar to the cult’s quest reward, just like the indomitable mask, which Dylan was wearing. With this, I was partially sure that the leader of the Humanity Cartel is either a player or closely related to s player.

This meant I was facing a serious threat. I interrogated the pirates for more information. Summing up their words, the leader had three main characteristics: She belonged to the cult, was female, and was continuously acquiring unique artifacts through unknown means. Despite being a pirate, the leader was a morally upright person and possessed battleships and various powerful equipment. Therefore, the power gap between me and the pirate leader was significant.

‘Even if I’m skilled in combat in the wilderness, it won’t be easy with such a huge power difference.’

And if the pirate leader is indeed the player, there’s a high possibility that they know about me. In that case, a significant portion of the tactics I’ve used in the wilderness, like corpse bombs or skin-stripped corpses, is likely well-known among long-time players.

‘Fortunately, she isn’t here.’

For reasons unknown, according to the subordinates, the leader is currently away and will return to the battleship in two days. There was no indication of any response or preparation from the battleship regarding the leader’s return.

As the pirates mentioned just now, I had only issued a warning through the raided camps about my attacks. The intention was to lure the leader in, gather as much information as possible before her arrival, and then prepare for a full-scale assault when she comes to capture me.

Of course, the situation wasn’t entirely unfavorable to me.

‘I have time until the leader arrives.’

Usually, time isn’t on my side, but this time is an exception.

‘I have to evolve into a Quasi-Saint within two days.’

Chewing on the loot acquired from the camp, I activated a semi-transparent text box.

[Evolution conditions for ‘Quasi-Saint’ have been partially met.

Species capable of transformation 20/20 (Achieved)

Sentient species 20/20 (Achieved)

Species using psychic powers 20/20 (Achieved)

Types owned 2/4 (Incomplete)]

‘The conditions for devouring a playable species have been completed.’

The only thing left is the number of types. To evolve into a pre-ascendant, a total of four types are required. I already have the physical enhancement type and the psychic enhancement type, and there are three potential types to be acquired in the future.

[Available Types (3) –

Infection Enhancement Type (6/8), Special Defense Enhancement Type (4/4), Nest Enhancement Type (1/4)]

‘There is one type available right now.’

‘Do you want to unlock the ‘Special Defense Enhancement Type’?]

For a week, I’ve intermittently devoured not only pirates but also various wild animals, securing two new traits. One related to special defense, which is ‘Disease Resistance,’ obtained from the Nightstalker, and another infection-related trait, which is ‘Hallucinogenic Beetle,’ obtained from a fungus-like carnivorous animal called the Red Clown.

Thanks to this, the Special Defense Enhancement Type has been unlockable since two days ago, but I’m still postponing the decision.

“If I acquire a type, the number of traits needed for acquiring other types will increase.”

For example, if I obtain the Infection Enhancement Type now, the number of traits required to acquire both the Special Defense Enhancement Type and Nest Enhancement Type would increase to 8 each.

‘So, acquiring the Infection Enhancement Type first is advantageous in the current situation.’

‘Just looking at this, it may seem like a long way to evolution.’

But I have a trump card.

Today marks one week since I dominated the spaceship with my corrosive tentacles.

In other words, this is the day I can use the ‘Symbol of Hunt’.

‘I have to get as much predation effect as possible for the next 20 minutes.’

If this were a different planet or continent, collecting the essential genetic essence for evolution would not have been easy. But this is Utopia02, a continent teeming with creatures possessing rare genetic essence.

‘Coincidentally, there’s a suitable place to use the ‘Symbol of Hunt’.

There’s a place in this forest that I can explore. Honestly, it’s a very dangerous area for me now, but it’s a place where I can obtain the traits I need in abundance.

‘The swamp.’

If I follow the river south from here, an immense swamp with terrifying creatures will appear. To be precise, it’s not that each creature in the swamp is individually strong, but rather, it’s due to the hostile environment and mutual symbiosis.

Monsters in the swamp commonly carry extremely potent toxins and viruses. Even experienced players would find it impossible to conquer it without extensive preparation against toxins and viruses.

I, too, wouldn’t have considered entering the swamp especially when I am just a Pre-Saint, even if it were a game.

‘That would have been the case originally.’

Having consumed the corpses of pirates, I left the camp. Currently, I have everything I need to conquer the swamp.

Firstly, I possess a disease resistance trait that grants immunity to all types of diseases.

‘In the game, I would never have received it.’

Upon becoming a Pre-Saint, we get an automatic immunity to all biochemical attacks as a special evolutionary bonus. Although disease resistance may not seem like a useful trait, it becomes extremely valuable in situations where immediate entry into the swamp is necessary, as is the case now.

‘If I use the symbol of the hunt here, the trait effects will be enhanced. So, even entering the swamp won’t cause much harm.’

Moreover, the ‘Symbol of Hunt’ itself strengthens all my traits, making it relatively easy for me to fight against the creatures in the swamp. While they are powerful, their direct combat capabilities are lower compared to entities like Hond Gigrant.

‘And this.’

In my small hand on my chest, there was a partially broken indomitable mask. This silver mask grants immunity to toxins and mental attacks, as well as the ability to detect concealed targets.

What’s crucial is that this mask is made of metal.

“In other words, it means that I can absorb the abilities of the mask using metal absorption.”

If I obtain the immunity effect of the mask, it will be a great help in conquering the swamp.

Having completed all preparations, today I will finally challenge the conquest of the swamp.

‘It’s almost done.’

The wide, blue riverbank gradually narrows, and yellowish moss and aquatic plants become noticeable on the water. The surroundings are filled with decaying and broken trees, mushrooms emitting poisonous mist, and colorful insects.

The air carries a strong smell and thick poison penetrates through the sturdy exterior.

‘It’s always a shocking space.’

I endured the stinging pain felt throughout my body and looked around.

“In this swamp, there aren’t any imposing trees that stretch for hundreds of meters, but instead, there are mushrooms ranging from about 5 to 10 meters, adult-sized leeches, and leeches the size of buses roaming around.”

There’s a movie that came out before I came to this world, where giant humanoids are the protagonists. In that movie, there’s a scene where explorers are trapped in a valley, and gruesome bugs attack them.

According to rumors circulating in the community, the swamp in Utopia-02 continent was inspired by the valley area in that scene. In other words, grotesque pests carrying toxins and viruses all over emerge from every space.

Thanks to this, even among high-level players, some avoid this place not only due to its difficulty but also because of its repulsive visuals.

‘But for me, it’s very advantageous.’

It could be considered a genetic essence buffet. After activating metal absorption, I took a bite of the indomitable mask.

A tingling sensation around the surface flowed once, and soon the stinging pain disappeared. To confirm, I grabbed a creature, a bug the size of a person’s head, crawling nearby, and swallowed it.

The official name of this creature is the Itch-inducing Bug, which induces itching in its victims due to the toxin it carries.

Even after eating the Itch-inducing Bug, my insides were perfectly fine.

[Immunity to toxins has been applied.]

Having completed the confirmation, I removed the indomitable mask and activated the Symbol of Hunt. My body, already evolved once on the horizon of nightmares, transformed into a much more perfect predator.

Two new arms emerged from my thick and heavy back. The bone blades at their ends were extremely sturdy and sharp, capable of easily cutting through even tough metals.

Next, all six corrosion tentacles hidden inside my back came out. The tentacles didn’t change much in size, but the attachments at their ends transformed into sharp claws, becoming menacing weapons on their own.

The once bulging back rapidly shrunk, now having a more agile figure compared to before. Of course, nests housing cute tooth fairies near the waist area still remained.

The physique itself had a more agile image compared to when the horizon of nightmares was applied, but overall size had increased significantly.

My current height is 12 meters, nearly reaching the height of a 4-story apartment building. In terms of size alone, it could be considered almost equivalent to Hond Gigrants.

Other details, as usual, were enhanced, including the armor attached to combat arms and legs. Spiky thorns grew on the armor of arms and legs, making them deadly enough to cause substantial damage when attacking enemies.

Finally, the armor on my head covered my eyes, completing all the changes.

*Growl*

.

An enormous body that rivals a 4-story apartment building is filled with immense power, truly feeling like a force capable of doing anything.

I casually swung my tail, smashing a decaying tree behind me.

Even though it had decayed, a tree with a diameter of 5 meters shattered like tree branches breaking. Large centipedes that had nested inside were startled and quickly scurried out.

‘All right.’

I swung the corrosion tentacles to catch the fleeing bugs. The hook-shaped attachments sliced through the bugs’ bodies.

As the corrosion tentacles absorbed the prey, a transparent text box continuously appeared.

Watching that, I took a deep breath and roared loudly.

*Roar*

The air burst out explosively, and the contaminated water in front of me split in an instant. Mosquito-like creatures, hovering over the swamp in front of me, vanished without a trace in mid-air due to my roar.

‘Now, shall we begin?’

The goal is to obtain enough genetic essences to evolve in 20 minutes.

It’s time to have a feast after a long while.