I Became an Evolving Space Monster

Chapter 112

In the space survival, planets are classified as Earth-like if their ecosystems are not extreme, and the various environmental factors are evenly distributed.

PH-101, was such a planet, it boasts abundant water and diverse flora and fauna. While it may seem habitable on the surface, there are many traps in it. Despite having a well-established ecosystem, the inhabitants of PH-101 are formidable creatures, like the Plantlizards forming groups in the hundreds or thousands and the Hound Gentries with physical specs rivaling top players. Not only are there not easy-to-face creatures, but the planet also presents various environmental elements and events making human survival challenging, such as global magnetic storms or volcanic eruptions on the continent Utopia-01, which right now was very far from my current location.

Even the swamplands of Utopia-02, where I currently am, are considered one of the most dangerous environmental factors on the planet. Toxic spores emitted by relentless mushroom spewing deadly gases from decaying animals and a vicious cycle of swamp creatures absorbing these toxins, becoming more potent in poison attacks, make it a perilous place, even when wearing protective gear lasting five minutes.

‘If it were a game, I would respawn, but this is reality, I won’t get a second chance if I die.’

Reality forces me to evolve into a Quasi-Saint.

I thought, as a 4-meter tall carnivorous Smogpad, a lower-tier creature in the swamp’s food chain but a significant threat, struggled in my tentacles. Smogpad can release acidic fluids like mist, synergizing well in the toxin-filled air of the swamp.

‘It’s irrelevant to me, though.’

My tentacles, with six appendages attached to Smogpad, forcefully suck it in. Its tough exoskeleton shatters, and its elongated body is drawn into my tentacles. Despite its toxic blood and fluids, my other tentacles eagerly absorbed every drop.

While my tentacles were feeding on the Smogpad, my body worked diligently, fending off insects with the combat arms and tail.

‘With the Horizon of Nightmares present, this is quite convenient.’

Despite having many arms, Amorph has only one mouth, limiting its predatory activities. But with seven mouths now, eating becomes faster than hunting.

[Enhanced Infection Type (7/8), Special Defense Type (4/4), Nest Reinforcement Type (6/4).]

[Two available types for specialization.]

After entering the swamp, I acquired numerous traits, increasing the available specialization types to two.

‘By acquiring one more infection-related trait and two more nest-related traits, I can fulfill all the types needed for evolution.’

Amorph’s inherent nature made my strategy shift towards first acquiring the Infection Enhancement Type and then the Nest Reinforcement Type as an Amorph had an abundance of nest-related traits.

After a quick check of the text box, I ventured further into the swamp, aiming to obtain rare traits exclusive to this area. As the swamp’s water level increased, the number of visible creatures decreased, replaced by scattered remains of large skeletons. The toxicity of the fog above the swamp intensified to a deadly level.

‘If not for the enhancing effects of the Symbol of Hunt and the traits, I would have succumbed to poisoning by now.’

‘It’s time to ascend.’

The water level in the swamp reached my chest. Despite that, my body felt natural, as if on land, thanks to the new traits gained here.

‘I never expected to gain claws and fins here.’

As the name suggests, claws appeared on my hands and feet, while thin but wide fins emerged near the wrists of the combat arm and the tail.

Normally, on land, it is tightly folded and in a dormant state, but when in water, it unfolds widely like it is now, assisting in underwater activities.

‘Swimming in this state would be difficult.’

Due to my body’s excessive weight, swimming in deep waters was impossible. I can only use it for rapid movement in the swamp as it is now. While swimming halfway through the swamp, my auxiliary organs detected movement up ahead.

In the midst of the silent swamp, a small will-o’-wisp emerged. The pale-glowing will-o’-wisp swayed gently and, upon noticing me, paused.

‘It’s coming.’

The will-o’-wisp, or rather the eye of a giant creature hiding beneath the swamp, turned towards me. Then, ripples surged, revealing its form.

First, elongated legs, resembling those of a spider, emerged from the swamp. Each leg was covered with a tough exoskeleton and was almost 10 meters long. Following that, two pincers rose from the water along with the legs.

No, can we really call those pincers? Each pincer was so massive, almost 2 meters in size, making it look horribly formidable. Even just the legs and pincers were enormous, but the torso was much larger and wider than the legs. While the legs resembled those of a spider, the torso was elliptical like a crab, with a thick carapace covering it.

Of course, seeing a creature with a carapace 15 meters wide might not immediately bring crabs to mind. On top of the carapace, thorns, the size of adult forearms, were densely embedded, and at the bottom, palm-sized holes were scattered.

On the front of the carapace, teeth resembling a catfish’s mouth, arranged in a whirlpool pattern, and four eyes resembling the will-o’-wisp, were visible.

The creature, a combination of crab and spider, was named ‘Swampking.’ It is the most dangerous creature in the swamplands of the Utopia-02 continent.

Four eyes resembling the will-o’-wisp focus on me. The moment I felt its gaze, the two pincers flew towards my head at an unbelievable speed.

Sensing the attack in advance with my auxiliary organs, I bent my knees and submerged into the swamp. The massive pincer grazed my head, resembling a crown.

Before the creature’s attack continued, I submerged into the mud on the swamp floor and leaped upwards. Although it wasn’t exactly the ground but more like a swampy area, I couldn’t jump high. Still, if I could get on top of the creature, that would be enough.

On top of the creature, I utilized my weapons to attack its carapace. I opened its tough eyes with my mouth wide, clawed with my combat arm, and hacked at the carapace with my bone axe. The thorns on the carapace were cut off each time I swung my arm.

“Giiiiii!”

As if annoyed, the creature shook its body. My body swayed like riding a rodeo machine.

To avoid falling, I stabbed the bone blade arm into the creature’s carapace. Even though it shook violently, sticking close like a leech, I reversed some of its joints to directly counter me.

The target was me on top of its carapace. The claws at the end of its legs were as tough as the pincers and had an immensely high piercing power. Before the claws at the end of the legs could pierce me, I quickly jumped off its carapace.

However, due to the attack’s incredibly fast speed, one of my corrosive tentacles was torn off by its attack.

“Pain nullification Activated!”

A sharp pain, like being struck on the back with a club, struck my head.

“Grrr”

The creature, surprised that the attack failed, made a short whimpering sound.

‘It’s strong.’

Perhaps because it occupies the apex of the food chain in the swamp, it’s formidable. The creature is completely immune to infection type attack methods such as poison, parasites, and viruses. Therefore, the infection-related traits I acquired in the swamp do not affect it. Additionally, its carapace is resistant to all types of psychic powers.

Not long ago, the reason I didn’t use the Ghost Claws when attacking its carapace with the combat arm is that it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. Even if I shoot psychic breath at it, it would only cause minimal damage.

In other words, there’s only one way to defeat it.

‘I must overpower it solely with strength.’

The creature has a very fast attack speed and considerable strength. On top of that, it has a thick carapace, high psychic resistance, and immunity to poison and viruses.

At first glance, it may seem perfect, but it’s not.

‘I can win this.’

After a brief confrontation, the damage to its carapace was limited, while I lost one corrosive tentacle. At first glance, it may seem like I suffered a significant loss, but I was actually relieved.

‘As expected. With my current state, I can penetrate its carapace.’

Surprisingly, the seemingly tough and thick carapace is the creature’s most vulnerable spot. Creatures in the swamp, including the Swampking, are known for hunting their enemies in bizarre and unconventional ways.

This holds true for the Swampking as well. Although it has a crab-like appearance and thin legs resembling a spider, it’s a misconception to think that targeting its legs or pincers would be effective. The creature’s legs and pincers are so hard that they can withstand plasma heat beams.

On the other hand, the carapace is relatively less sturdy than the legs. With sufficient physical force, the carapace can be shattered. Fortunately, I possess strong physical strength.

“Giiii!”

The creature seemed to recognize me as a threat and only growled, not making any sudden moves.

I also circled around it slowly, waiting for an opportunity.

During this short standoff, the creature took the initiative to attack.

“Gi…gii…gii!”

White snake-like creatures emerged from the holes beneath the creature’s carapace. They wriggled out slowly, resembling the corpse worms I had seen in the sewage system of the space city before.

‘More precisely, these are its reinforced plates.’

The corpse worms emanating from the Swampking’s body are different from the repulsive creatures seen in the sewage system. In the game, the Swampking’s summoned corpse worms ignore the player’s defense and inflict fixed damage, thanks to the corrosive acid that can dissolve even tough materials.

In reality, things might have changed.

“However, that doesn’t mean I’ll willingly let them hit me.”

Swarm of corpse worms swam towards me, eager to devour me.

I swung my long tail, submerged beneath the swamp, to strike the corpse worms. Like a crimson sea parting, waves splashed vigorously, sending fragments of torn corpse worms into the air before the swamp’s waves settled back into place.

Before the swamp’s waves could fully return to normal, I flipped my body forward and charged.

“Gi…i…i…ik!”

The Swampking roared, swinging its two pincers to crush me.

At the moment when the pincers were about to fall on my head, a bone-bladed arm clashed against them. An almost unbelievable shattering sound, as if colliding with a living creature’s body, echoed across the swamp.

‘Ugh!’

While the bone blade was quite robust, it couldn’t withstand holding onto the pincer for too long. The entire arm, strong enough to cut through a living creature’s body, twisted grotesquely.

The bone blade was quickly neutralized, but it succeeded in modifying the trajectory of the pincers. The two pincers narrowly grazed by me and slammed into the ground, creating a significant impact.

And for a very brief moment, the Swampking was defenseless.

Focusing the force of my charge into my head, I struck the lower part of the Swampking’s carapace. The two horns on my head pierced through the creature’s carapace.

“Giiii,,,,gii ..gi!”

Unexpectedly, the creature is greatly startled as acidic digestive fluid pours from its wounded area.

‘I can endure this!’

The head carapace is the toughest part of my body. Now is the time to rely on that strength.

Rather than keeping a distance from the creature, I used my two legs to thrust the horns deep. The creature’s reddish blood mixed with the digestive fluid, caressing my body.

“Giiik!”

When the creature realized I wasn’t reacting, it extended its two pincers, grabbing my waist and legs.

It felt like a 2-meter press was tightening around my body.

One leg broke instantly, and my waist slowly contorted under the creature’s tremendous force.

If I were an ordinary person, I would have died from suffocation before experiencing the pain.

Instead of keeping my distance from the creature, I wrapped my corrosive tentacle around its carapace, pressing my body against it. Thanks to this, the horns embedded in the creature’s body dug deeper, stirring its organs.

“Kiririk!”

The creature screamed in pain as its internal organs tore.

The pressure from the gripping pincers slightly eased, and I used the lower combat arm to push them away.

Corpse worms clung to my body, determined to protect their master, but I stood firm without flinching.

I inserted the upper combat arm into the broken section of the creature’s carapace.

Unlike the tough exoskeleton, the soft innards and flesh could be felt.

I grabbed them and pulled them out.

“Giiii!”

Part of the creature’s leg moved to pierce me.

I released the corrosive tentacle wrapped around its carapace, grabbing the creature’s leg.

Nevertheless, the strength in the creature’s leg was anything but light. The creature tore apart the entwined tentacle and stabbed my back with the claws on its leg.

“Gii…gi…gi!”

“Grrrrrrr.”

From now on, it’s a battle of who can endure longer.

If I didn’t have the regenerative ability.

If I didn’t have a body significantly reinforced by the effects of Type and the symbolism of hunting.

The outcome might have been different.

“Giiii….”

The Swampking groaned, spilling dark red froth from its mouth. After spitting out the froth a few times, it stopped moving.

I raised my foot above the creature’s head and roared loudly.

To announce that the ruler of the swamp has been killed by my hand.

And to proclaim that its corpse belongs to me.

The approaching residents of the swamp, who had been scared away, were shocked to see what had transpired.

Having driven away all intruders, I thrust my head into the Swampking’s belly.

Although I could consume it with the corrosive tentacle, after capturing it so hard, I wanted to savor the taste a bit.

After tearing off the tender flesh inside the carapace with my teeth, I chewed a bit.

‘Oh.”‘

Just putting it in my mouth already felt peculiar. Before the taste of Swampking’s flesh melted on my tongue, I hurriedly swallowed it.

“Hmm.”

The top-ranked prey I had eaten so far was Si-hyun Yujin, and that hadn’t changed until now.

So, I thought.

The more evenly regulated the massive genetic essence, the better the taste.

But I was wrong.

Honestly, before eating, I thought it might taste like crab since it resembled one, but that was a terribly mistaken assumption.

It was almost sinful to have such disrespectful thoughts, but the taste of the Swampking was excellent.

‘Above all, the best part is…’

Si-hyun Yujin tasted really good, but the quantity wasn’t that much. Anyway, it’s human-sized.

But the creature in front of me is a luxurious 15-meter King Crab.

‘I’ve never tasted crab dishes when I was human, but here I am, trying them all.’

If I wasn’t in a situation where I’m being pursued by the symbolism of hunting, I would have caught and leisurely enjoyed it for days.

‘Sigh. It would have been nice if I had some kids.’

When I meet Number 26 and Adhai again later, I should consider returning to the swamp. It’s not about aiming for genetic essence but purely for the sake of gastronomy.

I quickly scraped and consumed all the flesh and innards attached to the inside of the King Crab’s carapace.

Since I couldn’t break the exoskeleton of the leg part, I inserted the corrosive tentacle and blood-sucking tentacle inside to extract only the meat.

Finally, as I neatly devoured the creature’s eye resembling a will-o’-the-wisp, a window popped up, notifying me of a predatory effect, just like when I devoured other creatures.

‘It was good.’

Evolution was not far off.

Having acquired the genetic essence of the Swampking, I continued roaming the swamp, devouring other creatures.

Although the injuries were not light, there were no creatures left that could threaten me among the remaining ones.

Having safely obtained two types, I exited the swamp before the hunting symbolism effect, which had about three minutes left, ended.

Inside my combat arm and five corrosive tentacles were the corpses of various creatures.

I had previously checked and stored the prey in the cave.

‘I shouldn’t need to roam outside due to side effects.’

Before the symbolism ended, I checked the message I had seen in the swamp once again.

[Pre-Saint > Quasi-Saint evolution conditions have been met. Would you like to evolve?]