Ch.499) Arena (1)
-x-X-x-
"Game over. Preparing for the next match."
"Krung! Kraang!"
"Ssssss.
An underground world bathed in artificial light.
This place was once a mining tunnel connecting excavation facilities. After Jax-01 became the capital city, its purpose changed. It became an underground storage facility for the massive arena above.
Tools, weapons, and creatures for the games were kept here. Usually a quiet place, today it was exceptionally noisy.
Various beasts growled inside cages with metal bars, while android managers bustled about outside.
All this commotion was thanks to the massive event called the Beast Battle Tournament.
However, not all sections were noisy and lively. Some cages were consumed by fear and despair.
These were the cages holding sentient contestants for the games.
"Sob... sob..."
"Please, someone..."
Wolfs, humans, cyborgs-their species differed, but the emotion etched on their faces was the same. It was fear.
"Moving to the arena."
"N-no! Save me!"
"I don't want to die!"
When an android operated a terminal, one of the cages began to move entirely. Despite the sentient beings inside wailing and thrashing about, the cage didn't stop.
"..."
Those in other cells watched with gloomy eyes.
Above ground, a brutal death game was in progress. They had to survive against ferocious beasts in front of an audience.
But so far, no one who went up had ever returned. All were defeated and devoured by beasts.
Those remaining here would soon meet the same fate. Everyone knew this, which explained their dark expressions.
Time passed, and cheers could be heard from above. It was time for the next sacrifice to go up.
"Game over. Preparing for the next match."
This time, the cage holding Wolfs and humans moved.
"D-damn it! I'm not dying like this."
"Shit! When we get up there, don't scatter-stay together!"
The humans trapped here were all Space Dog gang members. They were familiar with violence and death. Even inside the moving cage, they refused to give up and sought ways to survive.
"I heard they give us weapons when the game starts. We need to kill the opponent with those."
"Why not just shoot those tin cans instead?"
"Don't be stupid. The weapons are rigged by those tin cans. Don't try anything foolish."
"Hey, what about those guys?"
The pirates' gazes turned to a corner of the cage. Young Wolf slaves were huddled there.
"Let's use them as bait."
"Bait?"
"We grab the weapons and fall back. Then the monster will target those beasts
first.
"Not a bad idea."
The pirates whispered, plotting their scheme. The Wolfs didn't react.
They had been staring at only one place since they were underground. At a bull-headed Wolf pressed against the iron bars.
"...."
He looked like an ordinary Wolf except for his vacant expression, but the others didn't seem to think so. They appeared terrified, as if seeing a ghost right in front of them.
None of the pirates noticed this, however. They were all too preoccupied with figuring out how to survive.
Before long, the moving cage stopped.
The metal ceiling opened, and light brighter than what they had in the underground shone upon them. Massive cheers followed.
As the cage rose toward the center of the light, what came into the pirates' view was an enormous amount of sand.
An endless desert stretched out before them.
"A desert?"
"What's going on?"
"Get it together. It's the arena."
One of the pirates pointed toward the horizon. Above the sand dunes, a massive wall shimmered like a mirage.
"Don't tell me those are hologram drones? Then is this sand...?"
"No. This is real. I heard they create different environments for each match."
An artificially created desert. Though obviously smaller than a real desert, it was still on an impressive scale.
Just as everyone momentarily forgot their fear and stood in awe, the iron bars opened. Simultaneously, an intense noise from somewhere shook the sky.
It was the cheering of spectators watching the match from outside the walls. The death game had begun.
"Damn those tin cans."
"Let's grab weapons first."
Several tool boxes were placed on the sand. The pirates quickly left the cage and opened the boxes.
"Laser rifles and grenades? And why goggles?"
"How are we supposed to fight with these?"
"Shut up and take them if you don't want to die."
The pirates grumbled as they picked up the weapons. Then they aimed their guns at the Wolfs who were hesitantly approaching.
"Get lost, you little... huh?"
A pirate who was threatening the Wolfs stopped mid-sentence. Something was visible on the sand dune behind the Wolfs. That tiny speck quickly grew larger.
It was a pterosaur with large wings and a long tail. A massive beast as big as the cage was charging toward them with metal restraints on its wings.
"I-it's coming!"
"What?"
The pterosaur, which had approached in an instant, opened its elongated mouth wide. Then it swallowed the bull-headed Wolf in one gulp.
"What the f-?!"
"Wait! Don't shoot!"
"Don't shoot? Are you crazy?"
"Everyone, open fire!"
With screams that sounded like shrieks, red laser bolts flew everywhere.
"Krook?"
Seeing this, the pterosaur violently swung its tail, scattering sand. Dust rose thickly, spreading in all directions.
"You idiots! Now we're the targets!"
"Damn! I can't see anything!"
"What the hell is that monster anyway?"
The pterosaur was a Terror Devil, a predator that inhabits desert-type planets.
The Terror Devil evolved uniquely to adapt to harsh environments. Its protruding eyes can easily spot creatures hiding in sand. Its body consists of specially structured muscle fibers that make almost no sound even when moving violently.
If not for the restraints on its wings, it would have made no sound even now.
"Die! Die, damn it!"
"Don't be stupid! Save your ammo!"
In the thick dust cloud, metallic clicking sounds rang out. The panicked pirates fired their laser rifles wildly, but all shots missed.
The creature, walking gracefully while avoiding the laser bolts, extended its tail toward a nearby pirate. The stinger at the end of its tail pierced through one pirate's abdomen.
"Gack?!"
"E-everyone, fall back!"
"H-help meeeee!"
The skewered pirate disappeared into the sand dust.
"You bastard! Eat this!"
Belatedly, one of the pirates threw a conventional grenade. A strong explosion pushed away the dust.
But there was nothing there.
"What? Where did it go?"
"Above us!"
"Huh?"
The Terror Devil, which had jumped up briefly, pounced on the pirate who threw the grenade. The pirate was crushed under the massive beast, which stood 6 meters tall.
"Kwek."
After turning one pirate into pulp, the pterosaur immediately sought its next prey. It attacked the pirates, swinging its tail like a whip.
"Aaaaargh!"
"The head-no, shoot the eyes!"
"Damn it all!"
Perhaps because they were criminals familiar with weapons, they had good instincts. The Terror Devil's eyes were its weakness.
The problem was that the laser rifles' firepower wasn't enough to penetrate the leather protecting its eyes. Rather than inflicting meaningful damage, they only excited their opponent.
"Kweeeek!"
"Shit! It's not working!"
"The grenades... Argh!"
The enraged Terror Devil thrashed about more violently. Even when they aimed grenades at its head, they bounced off its wings. As a result, the pirates were caught in the explosions instead.
"I-I can't die here!"
"Run!"
Only a few minutes into the match, most of the pirates were dead. Finally, they stopped firing and fled.
"Krook?"
That was a fatal mistake. The Terror Devil never gives up on prey it has marked.
"Kweek!"
"D-damn it, argh!"
"Aaaaargh!"
Even with its wings sealed, the ferocious pterosaur was much faster than an average adult male. The fleeing pirates didn't get far before they were all killed.
"Krook."
After swallowing a body torn in half, the predator rolled its eyes in search of new targets. Its two protruding eyes fixed on the young Wolfs hiding behind the tool boxes.
"..."
The pirates had taken all the weapons from the boxes. These Wolfs had no means of defense.
While Wolf physical abilities are superior to humans, they're not enough to subdue a 6-meter-tall giant pterosaur. The Wolfs knew this, so they could only tremble without daring to move.
"Kook?"
The Terror Devil, just about to pounce on the Wolfs, hesitated. Then it began to shake unnaturally.
"K-kweek?!"
The Terror Devil screamed in agony. Black blood gushed like a fountain from its elongated snout.
It wasn't just blood flowing. Sounds of bones breaking and flesh tearing came from its abdomen. Eventually, the Terror Devil's abdomen exploded with a horrifying sound.
"Keeeek!"
Something that burst out of the pterosaur's belly fell onto the sand. Covered in pitch-black blood like tar, "it" was neither human nor Wolf. It was a beast with four legs, thick muscles, and a single horn.
The horned beast stretched out its large front paws and struck the Terror Devil's head. The predator's head, which had withstood grenade explosions, was easily crushed.
"Grrrr."
After finishing off the Terror Devil, "it" slowly walked toward the Wolfs.
Every spectator watching this match anticipated the same outcome. That this newly appeared beast would mercilessly trample the Wolfs.
But their expectations were wrong. "It" just lay down beside the tool box like a satiated predator, remaining still. As if it were on the Wolfs' side.
The Wolfs also didn't avoid the beast. They carefully sat down beside "it."
"I-impossible?!"
At that moment, a heated male voice echoed from the sky.
"The newly appeared beast and the Wolfs are on the same side! The match is taking a completely unpredictable turn!"
The holographic sky shook unstably. Soon after, the sky disappeared, revealing the massive spectator stands that had been hidden.
"Let's see how they'll judge this match... Ah! The results just came in!"
The Wolfs flinched at the suddenly changed environment, shrinking back.
Their reactions were clearly displayed on the electronic boards placed throughout the stands.
"The beast that burst out of the Terror Devil's belly was actually a transformed Wolf! Therefore, victory goes to the Wolf side!"
Along with the announcer's exclamation, thunderous cheers shook the arena.
The Wolfs looked at each other with dazed expressions, as if they couldn't believe they had been granted survival. Then, realizing they had survived, they shed tears.
"Grrrrrr."
"It," standing among the rejoicing Wolfs, softly growled while looking at the spectator stands.
The snout protruding below the single horn was distorted as if smiling.
The emotion contained in that expression was joy. Satisfaction that its planned strategy had worked.
Of course, no one in the arena noticed the monster's smile.
Nor did they realize that the scheme of a being more dangerous than a demon had just begun.
-x-X-x-
CH. 500
-x-X-x-
The Star Union and Megacorp are sworn enemies, but they share one similarity.
Both have a pervasive disregard for human life throughout their societies.
In Megacorp, life differs dramatically based on social class.
Those born into the seven families live without want, but those in the lower Capitals do not. Non-Capitals and employees have a quality of life worse than space dogs.
The Star Union declares all cyborgs and androids equal. Therefore, class discrimination doesn't exist.
'Instead, they view all members as mere numbers.'
In the empire of machines, there are only citizens, not individuals. The uniqueness and differences of members aren't recognized. Differences in appearance also have no meaning.
Naturally, they don't care about appearances either.
That's exactly what I was counting on.
Right before the Beast Battle began, I prepared several things for my plan.
The last thing I did was possess one of Levinus's slaves. In that state, I participated in the match, got eaten by the Terror Devil, and then released the possession.
The reason I suddenly revealed my Apostle form after being so careful all this time is simple. To deceive the enemy.
'Someone as high-ranking as a Star Union Commissioner would know that some Wolfs can awaken and transform.'
The Terror Devil swallowed a Wolf whole, and moments later, a large beast tore through its stomach. To an observer, it would look like the Wolf had transformed.
Also, the appearance I showed to the audience in the arena was slightly different from my usual form.
I used the head of the rhinoceros Wolf I had eaten before. I cut off two of my original six legs to make it four. In summary, you could describe me as a quadrupedal beast with a single horn.
Among the phantasmal beasts in Space Survival, there's only one four-legged beast with a single horn. A unicorn.
'Though compared to a real unicorn, there's a big difference.'
That doesn't matter. They don't consider appearance a significant variable. As long as I implement the main characteristics of a unicorn, they'll judge me to be the same entity.
And the High Commander who will read the report written by the android. He'll think I'm a unicorn too.
'If he had watched the match himself, he would have noticed something was off...'
Nothing happened from the end of the match until I was taken down to the underground storage. At most, there might be heavily armed troops monitoring me?
Three or four heavily armed androids are watching me from outside the cage.
The surveillance is strict, but I don't need to worry. If the High Commander knew, it wouldn't end with mere surveillance.
In other words, he didn't watch the match directly.
Knowing this fact allows me to rest at ease.
"....."
However, the Wolfs in the cage with me don't know this. They look anxiously at me and the androids.
'Well, I should reassure them a bit.'
I'll be staying with them for a while. I might need to use them later.
I drew a smiling circle face on the floor with my claws.
"?"
The Wolfs who saw the drawing opened their eyes wide. They seemed bewildered that such a large monster would draw something so incongruous. Still, they seemed to understand my meaning, as their expressions relaxed a little.
"Excuse me, I have a question."
One of the Wolfs hesitated before asking.
In beast form, I can't speak verbally. Instead of answering, I nodded my head.
"What happened to our friend who carried you?"
There was concern in the voice.
The bull-headed Wolf I briefly possessed isn't here. That's inevitable. To disguise as a transformed Wolf, his presence had to disappear.
'Though I didn't kill him.'
While I was tearing through the Terror Devil's stomach, he hid inside the intestines, covered in the black mucus discharged when my possession ended.
'The mucus is harmful, but better than dissolving in stomach acid.'
An Apostle's mucus, unlike its main body, doesn't receive the enhancement effect of its traits. So its toxicity is much lower. With a Wolf's vitality, he could endure for an hour or two.
Anyway, after the match ended, drones collected the Terror Devil's corpse. The bull-headed Wolf hiding inside was also taken outside the arena.
'I wonder if he's reached the biogas factory by now.'
In the Star Union, corpses are merely organic matter. They're immediately sent to factories to be used as energy sources.
Knowing this, I had No. 26 hidden near the factory in advance. When the vehicle carrying the Terror Devil arrives at the factory, he'll rescue the Wolf. Then Levinus will pick them both up and protect them.
'Hmm. But how do I explain this?'
The plan is too complex to convey without speaking.
After thinking briefly, I scratched another drawing with my claws. A picture of a smiling bull's head emerging from the stomach of a pterosaur with X-marked eyes.
"..."
"...Is that a good sign?"
"You're saying he's alive, right?"
When I nodded lightly, the Wolfs' expressions relaxed.
"Are you perhaps a god? Did you come to help us?"
"My grandfather said there are gods somewhere among the stars."
"Are there other gods too?"
Now that the tension had eased, the Wolfs bombarded me with questions.
For adults, their questions seem childish. Their attitude is inappropriately innocent for the situation. It must be because they've spent so long as slaves.
'We'll have to wait quite a while until the next match.'
Slave matches aren't mainstream in the Beast Battle. They're more like intermissions to change the mood between main events. They don't happen often. We'll have to wait at least three or four hours underground.
'Might as well chat in the meantime.'
Having been slaves for a long time, they should know a lot about the Cult Empire's movements. I might get useful information while talking, like from the Wolf tribe the Sky Mother rescued before.
I spent time conversing with the Wolfs through drawings.
—
An arena filled with stones and rocks. Blue blood flows like a river.
Above it stands a beast with red wings. The beast has a snake-like elongated body and deer-like slender legs. Its head and wings are covered with large restraints that look like armor.
The beast lightly shook its body to shake off flesh and blood. Despite the restraints, its movements seemed light, suggesting great strength.
"Bloody Brute wins! Another overwhelming victory!"
The announcer's voice echoed throughout the arena, signaling the end of the match.
The beast called Bloody Brute, as if understanding, raised its completely metal-covered head high. The audience cheered wildly at this gesture that resembled a victory ceremony.
Bloody Brute was moved to the underground storage while receiving everyone's acclaim.
"Grrrr!"
"Kirik, kirik, kirik."
The underground storage was still noisy. Beasts made ferocious by continuous fighting growled threateningly.
However, when the cage carrying Bloody Brute entered, the cries stopped abruptly. Everyone seemed to be extremely wary of this presence, like prey facing an apex predator.
Meanwhile, the one responsible for the anxious silence didn't seem to care at all. Rather, it appeared to enjoy the attention pouring in from around.
The red beast, having returned to its original place, lay down leisurely. Just as it was about to take a nap until the next match, someone came to visit.
The visitor was a work assistant android.
Though a common low-grade model often seen on streets, its appearance was abnormal.
Its head and upper body had lost their metal covers, exposing the inside. Complex mechanical devices were attached in place of the covers.
Its movements also differed from regular androids. Unnatural and jerky, like a puppet on strings.
"Adhigh. Good work."
When the mechanical device activated, it emitted psychic power waves instead of sound.
"Any injuries?"
"No" "wounds"
Bloody Brute, or rather Adhigh, answered with psychic thought waves.
"Enemy" "easy" "star power" "unnecessary"
"Still, be careful. No one should notice. We snuck in secretly."
"Know" "careful" "enemy" "nest" "dangerous"
Adhigh scratched the restrained wings with his hind legs while answering.
"But" "this" "annoying" "itchy"
"I know it's uncomfortable, but please bear with it a little longer. Everyone believes you're a mutant Fairywing. We can't let them discover you have four wings."
"Understand" "disguise"
The Galleragon nodded, giving up on scratching its wings.
"Nickname" "bloody beast" "like it"
"You like that nickname?"
"Strong" "invincible" "feeling"
"Oh, really? Ah, right."
The android opened its metal plate on the abdomen and took out a large canteen.
"I brought what I mentioned before."
"Good!" "Give" "Here."
Adhigh received the container and extended a tentacle through the restraints covering its head.
Then it inserted the tentacle directly into the canteen.
"Delicious"
"I couldn't find meat juice in larger quantities here."
"Fine" "this" "enough"
Adhigh happily consumed the high-calorie liquid used in calorie bar production.
The android watched for a moment, then bowed its head.
"I'm sorry."
"Apology" "why?"
"You're suffering because of me. If I weren't so incompetent and were more capable, already..."
The android's words didn't finish. Adhigh had kicked the floor hard with its hind legs.
"No!" "Child" "family" "protect" "try" "self" "deprecation" "bad"
"....."
"Patience" "important" "Great One" "help" "come" "certainly"
The 'Great One' would never abandon family. The fact that they haven't come to help yet means there must be some circumstance preventing it.
If they wait, the Great One will surely come looking for them. The Galleragon queen was certain.
The android knew this too. But there was one thing Adhigh didn't know.
The being they believed in had likely changed significantly. Perhaps they had even become their worst enemy.
The android considered telling this truth every time. But always made the same decision.
Today was no different.
"Hope" "have" "yesterday" "felt" "somehow" "Great One" "closer"
Worried about the speechless android, Adhigh offered words of comfort.
"...Thank you. I'll come again."
The android left a brief thanks and departed from the underground storage.
Despite no matches at night, there were many tourists around the arena. Surveillance drones flew above their heads. None of them paid attention to the android leaving the underground storage.
The android passed through the busy streets and moved to the cargo area where goods unloaded from automatic trains were piled. Then it entered a frozen container.
The light from a computer connected to numerous wires greeted the visitor.
The first thing that greeted the visitor was the cold air. Light from the computer and freezing device illuminated the container interior. The walls and floor were filled with complexly twisted wires and cables.
At the center of the web-like network of wires sat a peculiar being.
A woman's face, cut in half with only half remaining, and below it a torso made of a mixture of flesh and machine parts.
This was a Mutant Screamer. Isabelle, who came to Works-01 to resurrect her sister PS-111.
The android picked up one of the wires on the floor and connected it to its body. The external activity body slumped to the floor, and the consciousness contained within returned to the main body.
'Phew.'
Isabelle sighed inwardly as she moved one of her few remaining arms. Having returned after several days, it felt unfamiliar.
Her current body was very different compared to before coming here. Both her vocal cords for producing voice and the device for emitting thought waves were gone. Many other body parts and components were also missing.
Works-01 is a place monitored by the beings who designed the foundation of Mutant Screamers.
With her body, she couldn't enter not only Primehead but even Works-01.
So she created a new body for infiltration. By dismantling her own body.
In the past, PS-111 had shared various information about Screamers with her sister.
Thanks to that, she could manage transplanting body parts relatively easily.
All external activities here are performed through that modified android.
After briefly looking at the android, Isabelle activated the computer installed in the container.
'I've finished duplicating the temporary access code. Yesterday I confirmed all the movement routes of authorized terminals. Next is...'
Considerable time has passed since she came to the Star Union. Although she entered Works-01 recently, she had been preparing to enter Primehead before that.
However, there's still a long way to go. Even she doesn't know how much more time she'll need to achieve her goal.
'But I can't give up.'
At this point, there is only one being who can save PS-111: Isabelle.
'Wait just a little longer, sister. Just a little more.'
Hoping to hear her sister's voice again, she continued her work.
-x-X-x-
Ch-501
-x-X-x-
A green sea unfolds before my eyes. The damp smell of grass and trees fills my nostrils. In the distance, I can hear the cries of birds and insects.
I'm currently in the middle of a jungle.
'More precisely, an arena designed to look like a jungle.'
The arena on Jaks-01 boasts an impressive scale befitting a colosseum of the space age. For each match, they completely transform the environment to match the concept.
This lush jungle is also the artificial result of drones and mechanical equipment.
'If it's a jungle, I wonder if Night Stalkers or Plant Lizards will appear.'
They don't use apex predators like Horned Giants in slave matches. The games would end too quickly.
For the audience's enjoyment, slaves need to hold out for a while. That's why they typically use moderately strong creatures.
In the matches over the past two days, we fought opponents of similar strength. I assume this time will be the same?
Just then, I felt vibrations from the ground.
'It's coming.'
I lightly tapped the ground with my front paw. The Wolf slaves nearby quickly gathered behind me.
The footsteps grew louder, mixed with the sound of breaking trees. Judging by the sound alone, it seems to be quite a large creature.
Soon after, a large snout broke through the dense forest.
Greatly developed canines forming saber teeth, a head that looks like a mix between a dinosaur and a lizard, four thick legs and a body covered in hard scales. What appeared was a large beast resembling a primitive synapsid from the Paleozoic era.
'A Toxinops?' "Grrrr."
The unexpected enemy, a Toxinops, growls. Knowing what it might do, I firmly planted my hind legs.
"Kuong! Kyong!"
The beast charged with its mouth wide open.
Its terrifying teeth were aiming for my head. I blocked it by grabbing the tip of its snout with my front paws.
It pressed against me with its momentum and weight. It swung its short, thick legs, trying to slash at my body.
But I stood firm. While holding Its snout with my front paws, my hind legs firmly supported my body.
The strength of both sides was nearly equal. As the tense power struggle continued, the Wolves hiding behind me made their move.
They quickly spread out to both sides and aimed their laser rifles at the enemy's eyes. Perhaps because they've been through life-and-death situations? Their movements have become quite nimble.
Soon, a red barrage rained down. Small laser beams struck the target.
Laser rifles can't inflict significant damage, but they're enough to distract the enemy.
And in a situation like now where our strengths are evenly matched, that's enough. Its concentration scattered, weakening its strength for a moment. I quickly released the pressure from my front paws and turned my body sideways.
"Kuruk?!"
The pushing force lost its target. The Toxinops' snout plunged straight into the ground.
I raised both my front paws high. Just as I was about to bring them down with force, its short, thick tail struck my hind legs. I didn't fall, but my body tilted slightly to the side. My front paws hit the ground in vain.
In that gap, the Toxinops pulled its head out of the ground and created distance.
"Grrrr...."
"Grrrrrr."
It kept rolling its eyes, glaring at me and the Wolves. Unlike before, its wariness had heightened.
Toxinops is an apex predator in the jungle ecosystem, occupying a position similar to the Horned Giant. They both share overlapping habitats and excel in close combat.
Of course, the Horned Giant has superior physical abilities, but the Toxinops has one special weapon.
Its teeth contain polson. It accumulates toxins by eating various polsonous plants and uses a strategy of biting prey to poison them during hunts.
The Sado's body has no resistance to poison. Being bitten would be dangerous.
'If only I could use my abilities, I could win easily.'
Numerous observers are watching us. Having Infiltrated under the guise of being a unicorn, I can't use the Sado's power.
'Still, it's not like I can't win.
I just need to be prepared for some injuries.
I lightly kicked the ground twice with my hind legs. This was a prearranged signal I had discussed with the Wolves. Understanding the signal, they began to move.
"Kyong!"
The beast reacted to the Wolves' movement and jumped toward me. I also charged against it.
As it was running, it suddenly lifted its front legs. It intended to press down on me using its body weight.
Conversely, I lowered my body and pointed my horn forward. If It has large saber teeth, I have a sharp horn. I thrust my horn strongly toward the belly of the approaching enemy.
Seeing this, the Toxinops quickly turned its body sideways. The horn grazed its side instead of its belly. The scales covering the surface broke, and blood splattered.
For that beast, this level of injury isn't a serious wound. It didn't retreat but struck my back with its front paws. Claws the size of daggers dug deep into my back.
In that state, it opened its mouth wide. Just before the poisoned fangs could sink into my back, the Wolves made their move.
One Wolf threw something at the beast.
It was a conventional grenade taken from the supply box. The pre-activated grenade lodged in the wound on the enemy's side. And before it could react, it exploded.
"Kuak?!"
With a short explosion, blood and flesh scattered in all directions. The Toxinops, now with a large hole in its side, howled.
The grenades provided in the arena don't have high firepower. Thrown at a Toxinops, they would only singe its scales.
'But it's a different story when the flesh is exposed.'
Like any creature living in the jungle, its flesh is soft. Once the scales are removed, even a grenade can cause fatal damage.
Just like now.
"Uh, grrrr...."
The severely injured beast tried to pull away again. But this time, it couldn't. The claws embedded in my back wouldn't come out.
Looking at the Sado's physique, the back muscles are particularly thick, like a bear's. Those muscles were firmly holding onto the beast.
Using that opportunity, I raised my head upward again. The horn on my rhinoceros-like head pierced through the Toxinops' abdomen.
"Kekl"
Following the hole in its side, its abdomen was now pierced through. After suffering consecutive fatal wounds, the beast convulsed with a death cry.
And soon after, it went limp.
'Is it over?'
I shook my body to drop the corpse.
"My goodness! 'Big Bad Venom,' a strong contender for the championship, has lost! The slaves are making history In the arena!"
The announcer's loud voice signaled the end of the match. The Wolves, now relieved of tension, sat down on the spot.
Soon, android soldiers appeared and escorted us to the underground storage. As we were being transported In cages, I recalled the match above.
'A strong contender, huh? I thought so.'
While the Toxinops isn't an apex creature, it's still a powerful predator. Enough to aim for victory in the beast arena. The probability of such a being appearing in an unpopular, non-mainstream match is low.
'They've moved us to the regular matches.'
After capturing the Terror Devil, we've been on a winning streak for two days. None of the Wolves have died or been seriously injured.
Judging by the announcer's reaction, that seems to have appealed to the audience. A strong team of slaves dominating beasts. That's probably why the match manager reclassified our team.
'That was faster than expected.'
I had anticipated that if we kept winning, this would happen eventually. I just didn't expect to be assigned to regular matches after just two days.
Despite being in a situation where we're getting a lot of attention after sneaking in, it's not all bad.
'Popular fighters get advertised.'
The Beast Battle is an event that brings significant revenue to the Star Union. To maximize profits, they spread advertisements everywhere. As a topic of Interest, we're likely to be used for promotion.
'If It's Isabelle, she'll know I'm here just by seeing the ads.'
She'll either come looking for me directly or approach Levinus, who's registered as my owner.
'Good. I'll wait for now.'
While thinking about this, the cage arrived at the storage.
As we entered the waiting prison, the security androids took something out and placed it inside the prison.
"Huh?" "What's this?"
What the security robots brought were plates filled with various foods. Processed cube-shaped meat, dried fruits, and porridge cooked with mushrooms were placed inside the iron bars one after another.
'Now that we have value, they're treating us properly?'
Until now, all we were provided was porridge made from boiled calorie bars. The Star Union doesn't waste resources. They wouldn't care about a slave team that could die at any moment.
But now it's different. Like other fighters, we're provided with reasonably edible food.
"F-food!"
"There's even meat!"
The Wolves, seeing proper food after a long time, widened their eyes.
After the android that delivered the food left, they immediately ran to grab the plates. I thought they would stuff the food into their mouths right away, but they didn't.
Instead, they placed the plates in front of me. Their attitude was respectful, as if offering tribute.
'Hmm. They don't have to give it to me."
I plan to get my energy from the food Levinus brings. There's no need to take food meant for the Wolves.
But Judging by the atmosphere, they won't touch it until I eat first. Reluctantly, I picked up and ate a few dried frults.
"Aren't you going to eat more?"
I nodded and passed the plate. They watched me cautiously before starting to eat.
Watching the hungry Wolves eat hastily, I thought:
'What should I do with them?'
After fighting together for two days, I'm certain. These Wolves are quite useful.
Though their combat power is minimal, they have potential. If they receive teachings from the Sky Mother, they could grow into useful combatants. Having decided to build up my forces, it's beneficial to keep useful talents alive.
But that's a distant future. For now, they're just weak slaves.
'If a terror breaks out, they'll definitely get caught up in it.'
The power of the masquerade doesn't distinguish between friend and foe. If I use the mask, those Wolves will 100% die.
'It's not like there's absolutely no way to save them, but...'
I have a puzzle prepared before entering the arena. If it fits together perfectly, there's a way out for the Wolves.
Conversely, if the timing is even slightly off, it's over.
The plan wasn't originally made with their survival in consideration, so it can't be helped.
'I still have time, so I should think about it more.'
While I was lost in thought looking at the Wolves, a visitor arrived.
"I came because I have something to say."
The cult member with drowsy eyes as if just woken up. My second host, the slave trader Levinus.
"I safely retrieved what you mentioned. It's waiting at the lodging, and there's no surveillance."
Levinus reported on the events from two days ago.
The reason he speaks informally despite being brainwashed is because I deliberately Instructed him to. It's to avoid the eyes of surveillance.
'It seems No. 26 and the bull-headed Wolf are doing well.'
"And this is the item you mentioned."
He took out a personal terminal and pushed it through the Iron bars. It's a terminal containing the report from my first host, the senior surveillance cyborg.
I flipped through the terminal's screen with my toe.
'The Sky Mother and the main body are fine. It's good that there are no problems. And... oh?'
There was unexpected content in the report. I tapped that part with my raised claw.
""Movement of the cult on planet KOL'? It's true."
Levinus answered smoothly. He seemed to know it naturally.
While both the senior surveillance officer and the slave trader are under my influence, they don't have deep interactions with each other.
Unless I specifically order It, the two don't act together. Levinus should normally be unaware of the contents of this report.
"There's a base on planet KOL."
Sensing my question, he began to explain.
"Two days ago, the elder summoned the members. They're preparing more manpower and tools for the success of the ritual."
'Base, members, summoning? Ah, could it be?'
I understand what's happening.
The cult members on planet KOL were actually in league with the masquerade worshippers. The leader of the worshippers, the old cult member, has called in his subordinates who were operating on other planets.
Levinus is also associated with the cult. He plays an important role in legally distributing sacrifices for the ritual. Naturally, he would know about the activities of other branches.
"There's a separate route set up. I heard they're scheduled to arrive tonight."
But there's one thing he and the cult leader don't know.
That the cult on planet KOL has been gone for a long time.
'They were consumed by our order.'
Without knowing this fact, they're trying to bring the Cold Bloods of the 'order' to Jaks-01.
'Things are getting interesting.'
Entering Jaks-01 with the support of the cult.
It's an ideal situation. I can handle things through the order that I had only imagined.
'And I can safely save the Wolves too.'
I wrote down a few instructions on the terminal and returned it to Levinus.
"Understood. I'll deliver it as is."
After sending him off, I lay down on my spot again.
Due to the rapidly changing situation, there's more to think about. To gain more benefits here, I need to modify the plans I had previously made.
'It's been a while since luck has been on my side like this.'
Thanks to this, my objectives seem to be progressing smoothly. As long as no serlous variables arise.
Three days have passed since then.
Even after being assigned to regular matches, our team continued to win without any issues. The order, which entered Jaks-01 with the support of the cult, is hiding and operating in various places.
The only problem is Isabelle. There's still no contact.
'What's going on?"
By now, she should know that I'm in Prime Head. Yet, there's no reaction, which is strange.
'I need to find her before it's too late.'
The Beast Battle is approaching its climax. The round of 16 starts today. I plan to use the Vortex One mask before the finals, either tomorrow or the day after.
So, at the very least, I need to contact her today or tomorrow.
The order and the senior surveillance officer are actively searching for Isabelle, but it's uncertain if they'll find her within two days.
'I thought things were going too smoothly.' "God, are you alright?"
A Wolf, sensing my discomfort, asked. The other Wolves were also looking at me with concerned eyes.
'Tsk. I'll think about modifying the plan later.'
Just then, the cage arrived at the arena. I opened the iron door and stepped outside.
On the bare ground, I could see facilities like dwellings and wells. The concept of this battlefield is a Wolf village.
Then, a cage rose from the other side of the village. It's a cage carrying our opponent.
"Alright! You've been waiting! This tournament is known for having the most unexpected turns in history! Several fighters have caused storms that no one predicted!" 'I heard our opponent is a mutant Fairy Wing?"
The environment is favorable to us, and the enemy's level seems manageable.
Just as I thought that, the enemy walked out of the iron bars.
'Huh?"
I couldn't help but be surprised at the opponent that revealed itself.
"But this is incredible! The two most popular tricksters of this tournament have come together in one place!"
I couldn't even hear the announcer's loud voice. That's how shocked I was.
The enemy we have to fight this time is not a Fairy Wing.
"Rhino Slave Team versus Bloody Brute! Who will be the final winner? The match of the century begins now!"
'Adhigh?'
My family and the queen of the Galergons.
A Red Galergon with restraints on its head and wings charged towards me.
-x-X-x-
Ch-502
-x-X-x-
A small Gallergon glowing ruby red approaches rapidly.
Even though its wings are restrained and it's running on just four legs, its speed is incredibly fast.
In an instant, it reaches right in front of me. Sharp claws fly toward my face.
"!"
Shocked, my reaction is delayed. Even if I pull back now, serious injury is unavoidable.
Just as the claws are about to pierce my face, Adhigh Orr suddenly stops. I quickly retreat in that moment.
"My Lord!"
The Wolfs raise their laser rifles, attempting to support me. I stomp the ground hard twice with my hind legs. It means don't attack rashly and fall back.
The creature tilts its head repeatedly while watching us.
Even though the restraint covers its entire head, I can clearly sense what it's thinking. It's confused right now.
Whether I'm really me or not, and why I'm here.
I'm equally confused. I never expected to see Adhigh Orr here.
'Why is it here?'
I knew it came to Jax-01 with Isabelle. I thought it would be hiding somewhere in Prime Head, but I never imagined meeting it in the arena.
'What about Isabelle? Surely she hasn't been captured?'
If so, it's an extremely dangerous situation. All the information she knows would have been leaked to the enemy.
Not just about me, but all my companions too.
It might all be the Grand Sovereign's Intention-my entry Into Jax-01 and coming to the arena.
'...I need to calm down.'
Perhaps because I'm flustered, all kinds of negative thoughts are welling up. I forcibly suppressed my emotions.
'Using this method to capture me would be Inefficient.'
If I run wild in Jax-01, it would be disadvantageous for the Grand Sovereign. It would be much better to bombard the Gallergon planet instead.
It could be to lure me in for individual elimination, but that's unlikely. They've had countless opportunities to attack me. Yet they've done nothing.
In other words, someone didn't intentionally arrange for Adhigh Orr and me to meet. This situation must have occurred by chance.
Then why is it alone in the arena? Thinking about this simply provides the answer.
It entered Jax-01 under the pretext of sending a fighter to the arena.
They used the same strategy as me to get here.
'Adhigh Orr disguised itself as a fighter to enter.'
The restraints on its wings and head couldn't possibly be for actual restraint. It's impossible to constrain a Red Gallergon with such things.
Those are disguises. They must have been worn to hide the fact that it's a Gallergon. The announcer Introduced It as a mutant Fairywing too.
Fairywings, which look like lizards with wings, have bodies and wings that glow like jewel colors. Adhigh Orr's scales are bright ruby red, and its body is slim and slender. If you cover just the head and four wings, it could easily pass for a Fairywing.
'Though real Fairywings are much smaller.'
Anyway, it hid its identity well. But Isabelle's situation is different.
As a Mutant Screamer, she must have entered through a route other than as a fighter. I don't know exactly what method she used.
But seeing how she disguised Adhigh Orr, they must be working together. If I can communicate with it, I should be able to contact Isabelle too.
'If we can just make contact, I won't need to waste more time."
My goal is to use the manufacturing facility Inside Prime Head to revive PS-111. I don't necessarily need to enter myself. While I create a distraction outside, Isabelle can enter Prime Head.
'The problem is how to convey this.'
The Apostle's body doesn't have "Monster's Tentacles." Communication using psychic power is Impossible. I need to find a way to convey my thoughts and plans to Adhigh Orr.
Of course, I first need to let it know that I'm an AMorph.
I lowered my body while looking at It. Gallergons take this posture when greeting. I approached slowly in that position.
Adhigh Orr hesitated when it saw me like this.
The time we spent together wasn't short. If I show that I have no hostility, it will surely recognize who I am.
'Next I'll move my head... Oh no!'
Just then, it suddenly pushed off the ground with all four legs.
Seeing Adhigh Orr flying toward me like a fired bullet, I quickly ducked my head. The red claws sliced through the air instead of my head.
'Damn!'
Its attack didn't end there. Following the missed claws, its restrained wings came flying at me.
I raised my front legs to grab the wings. Then I threw it far away.
Even while flying through the air, Adhigh Orr skillfully maneuvered Its body and landed on top of a Wolf dwelling. Then it jumped and disappeared.
It seems it chose to fight rather than hesitate. It plans to neutralize me first and then confirm my identity at leisure. Just as I taught it.
Though I didn't expect it to treat me this way.
'So that's how you want to play? Fine.'
How to convey my intentions is a problem for later. First, I need to teach that rascal Gallergon a lesson.
"My Lord, are you alright?"
The Wolfs worry from behind.
I guarantee that if they interfere in our fight, they will definitely die. I stomped the ground twice again with my hind legs to strongly warn them. Don't Interfere at all and stay back as much as possible.
After pushing the Wolfs back, I entered the village set up for the match.
'That wing just now was quite solid.'
I don't know what material the restraint is made of, but it's light yet sturdy. The edges are also quite sharp. Despite looking hastily patched together, It's excellent in both offense and defense.
'It would be difficult to break with the Apostle's strength.'
The one on its head is probably similar.
'Better to aim for the neck and subdue it.'
Adhigh Orr's neck is thin enough to grab with one front leg. I have the advantage in build and strength. If I grab and pin its neck, there's little it can do.
'Since it snuck in too, it won't use Red Armor either.'
While thinking about how to fight, I scanned the surroundings. Having gone deep into the village, it should attack soon.
Just then, I heard a noise. Behind the door of the warehouse in front, there's a rattling sound as if someone Is there.
I approached and opened the door. I see bowls scattered on the dirt floor and the opposite door that seems to have just been opened.
And a red light flashed from above. Adhigh Orr, hanging upside down from the celling, pounced on me. It diverted my attention with bait and attacked.
'As expected.'
Needless to say, I already anticipated this.
As soon as I turned my body sideways, its claws struck where I had been. Having failed its attack, It quickly covered itself with its restrained wings.
I pushed Adhigh Orr, who was hiding behind its wings, with my shoulder. It tried to resist, but my strength is far greater. It was helplessly pushed back and collided with the wall.
The wall shook violently and immediately cracked. I extended my front leg to grab the fallen Gallergon's neck.
Realizing I was aiming for its neck, Adhigh Orr quickly flipped its body. The edge of its wing restraint struck my body.
Flesh and black blood splattered, but it's not a serious Injury. I extended my leg again to grab and pin its neck.
But before I could apply force, it twisted its neck and escaped. Then, instead of counterattacking, it broke through the wall and fled.
The impact caused the warehouse to collapse. Ignoring the falling debris, I followed. Outside, I saw a red tail entering another building.
'Another lure tactic?"
It's unlikely to use a strategy that already failed once. There must be another scheme.
Instead of following, I picked up a large piece of debris and threw it at the building. The wall hit by the debris crumbled, and a thick cloud of dust rose.
And a red lightning bolt shot through the cloud.
"!"
As soon as I saw the light, I Immediately protected my head with my front legs. A sharp cutting sound was heard, and my front leg covering my head fell to the ground.
'Super acceleration!'
It was a very brief moment, but I clearly saw it. It used "super acceleration" very briefly, taking advantage of the dust cloud. Riding the acceleration, it flew in and cut off my leg with its wing restraint.
'Using super acceleration while sneaking in?'
Fairywings can't use super acceleration. Thinking I'm not an easy opponent, It started using cards It should have kept hidden.
'The drones must have recorded it.'
It's only a matter of time before the Machine Committee notices Adhigh Orr's true identity. Even though I haven't conveyed my intentions yet. The situation Isn't good.
'There's no time!"
Unaware of my feelings, Adhigh Orr landed behind me. After my front leg, it's aiming for my hind legs.
Instead of dodging, I sat down as if falling backward. I crushed Adhigh Orr with my heavy body.
While pressing down with my whole body to prevent escape, I grabbed its neck with my remaining leg. It struggled like an eel caught in a net.
'Please stay still!'
The creature thrashing beneath me suddenly stopped. Could it be that my feelings got through? Such hope was short-lived as a red light began to glow. It was trying to use "Red Armor" to escape from me.
'Ugh!'
The Red Armor, starting from the neck, repelled me. In that gap, Adhigh Orr tries to escape. I hurriedly grabbed its hind leg, which wasn't yet covered by Red Armor.
In response, It raised its tail to strike me. With one front leg lost, I have only one weapon left. The horn on my rhinoceros head.
Just as I was about to pierce its tall with that horn, a thought crossed my mind.
What the tail means to Adhigh Orr. Born smaller than other Gallergons, it considered its plump tail its greatest pride. Even after becoming the queen of Gallergons, it often appealed to me about the charm of its tail.
A hole in such a precious tail?
'It would surely be shocked.'
Knowing this, I couldn't bring myself to stab it.
Due to my hesitation, the tail struck me. Blood splattered, and strength left my front leg. Freed, Adhigh Orr quickly distanced Itself.
'...Damn it.'
Seeing that, regret washed over me belatedly.
Hesitating during combat, what a foolish thing to do. Thanks to that, subduing Adhigh Orr has become nearly Impossible.
'At this rate, should I use all my techniques too?'
Just as I was trying to think of a way to tackle it...
The bright light of the Red Gallergon gradually weakened.
'Huh?"
It covered only its claws with Red Armor and cut off the restraint on its head. The restraint, cut in half, fell to the floor, revealing eyes like carved amethyst.
The most beautiful and deadly creature in the universe looks at me.
The first emotions I felt in that gaze were confusion and surprise. They gradually changed to another emotion.
"■■■?"
It was clearly "Joy."
-x-X-x-
Ch-503
-x-X-x-
The Brain of the Mechanical Kingdom, 'Prime Head'
This massive pyramid houses remarkably few occupants despite its size and importance. Only attendants serving the Grand Commander and maintenance androids reside here, as all internal facilities are perfectly automated.
Overseeing all facilities within Prime Head are the Supreme Councilors, the pinnacle of android existence.
In the depths of Prime Head, filled with cold metal, heat-retaining pipes, and complex machinery, beings of supreme intelligence created with the highest technology sit with cables connected to their bodies.
These cables, intricately intertwined like organic neural networks, are specially manufactured for interstellar communication.
Within the signal network established by these special cables, messages from Supreme Councilors scattered across the universe were exchanged.
"Typhon Twelve. Report. Confirmed unidentified celestial body moving within territory. Unable to analyze with detection radar. Requesting judgment from the Mechanical Council."
"Nemea Five. Decision. Dispatching exploration team composed of androids to the unidentified celestial body."
"Amaltheia Ten. Agree. Exploration model D4238 and multipurpose model B331 are suitable for this mission. The exploration team will consist of these two models."
"Arrow Nine. Report. Confirmed cult activities from immigrants from the Cult Empire on four planets. Currently interrogating after extermination."
"Redtail Eight. Question. Are there any issues with the event at Jax-01?"
"Europa Two. Answer. Jax-01 maintains a security index of 97 and crime rate of 0%. No abnormalities."
"Arrow Nine. Advice. Instability factors have increased due to war and cult activities. Request to elevate security level at Jax-01."
"Redtail Eight. Agree."
"Europa Two. Answer. Increasing security forces based on uncertain predictions causes unnecessary financial outflow."
"Nemea Five. Suggestion. Deploy obsolete combat models stored in Repository 38 as security maintenance forces."
"Amaltheia Ten. Partially agree. Combat model E12 excels at subduing heavily armed organic beings. However, vulnerable against psychic responses..."
The virtual meeting concluded only after several hours had passed in the real world.
Nemea Five disconnected the multiple cables attached to her head.
"According to the Mechanical Council's decision, increase Prime Head's security forces by 12% and advance the surveillance network inspection schedule to once every three days."
Her colleague Europa Two, who jointly protected Prime Head, spoke. She nearly sighed involuntarily at the suddenly increased workload.
Since the Star Union's inception, each Supreme Councilor had been responsible for at least one specialized field. Such division of labor was essential for operating the massive, complex political system.
Nemea Five's primary responsibility was national defense, specifically ship development and fleet strategy formulation. Planetary surveillance and event coordination were not her areas of expertise.
This situation arose because two Supreme Councilors had been consecutively destroyed recently.
The division of labor over time had created differences between individuals. With each specializing in different fields, their information utilization methods and judgment capabilities naturally diverged.
This was a natural adaptation result that couldn't be artificially created. Nor could it be restored.
Newly manufactured councilors needed time to master their duties. Until they sufficiently absorbed their predecessors' legacy, other Supreme Councilors had to fill the gap.
This time, it was Nemea's turn to assist the new councilors.
"I will organize the collected data and then supplement and strengthen the security system. The completed system will be reviewed by three members of the Mechanical Council."
"Confirmed. I will inspect the surveillance network using data received from the council."
"Confirmed."
Swallowing her sigh, Nemea reconnected the cables. Data from the surveillance network spread throughout Jax-01, beyond Prime Head, was transmitted to her.
The Supreme Councilor's brain, with its transcendent computational power, and her auxiliary devices began their operations.
An enormous amount of data was processed instantly. Then, a previously undetected problem was caught.
Code with a structure similar to samples secured by Arrow Nine had been used in the vicinity of Prime Head.
'How dare they.'
To infiltrate during her security oversight period. In an instant, fatigue vanished, replaced by anger.
The enraged Nemea immediately began tracking. Based on hacking traces and interrogation data, she built simulations to narrow down the cult's activity radius and identity.
'Found them.'
Before long, she identified suspects and their presumed hideouts. The majority of those using the code were Cult members who had entered as tourists, with their main activity location being the foreign residents' quarters.
Among the suspects was a small minority who weren't Cult members-traitors who were senior surveillance officers.
'I won't let a single one escape.'
The entirety of Prime Head was within her sight. Even the notorious cult couldn't escape.
Nemea was about to seal off the foreign residents' quarters and send in troops.
Just before that, an urgent message traveled through the cables.
'What's this?'
"Anomaly detected. Nemea Five. Cease operations."
She wasn't the only recipient. Europa Two received the same report.
"Special energy wavelength detected at Prime Head arena. Confirmed as 10th-grade dangerous creature 'Red Gallergon."
"Star Union's nemesis 'Mutant Gallergon' has infiltrated the arena."
"Sealing off the arena. All standby forces converge on the arena."
"All defense facilities in Jax-01 switching to alert mode..."
The Supreme Councilors moved hastily in response to the unexpected situation.
Inside their eyes, footage recorded by drones was being displayed.
Footage of a Red Gallergon interacting with a black rhinoceros in the center of the arena.
...
"█ █" "█ █ █"
Adhigh finally realized my identity after our brief battle.
She immediately bounded over and leaned against me, rubbing her head and neck vigorously against mine.
"█" "██" "██!" "██" "██!"
Her affectionate display is quite enthusiastic, probably because it's been a while since we've seen each other. Judging by the faint glow of the tentacle clusters around her mouth, she's actively sending thought waves too. I suspect she's expressing her delight.
'Oh dear.'
I'd like to pet her as usual, but now isn't the time for a reunion.
Just then, the holographically generated sky disappeared. The stands filled with spectators took its place. I could see camera-equipped drones busily flying about overhead.
And the walls surrounding the arena opened. Security androids began pouring out from there.
'So they noticed after all.'
"Red Armor" operates based on the Red Gallergon's unique power. And in this universe, there's only one Red Gallergon this adorably small.
I suppose our disguise was stripped away the moment she donned her armor.
"Everyone, come here."
I called to the slaves who had been hiding to avoid the fight.
"Looks like the god and that Fairywing know each other."
"My lord, what's going on?"
"This one's name is Adhigh. He's my family and friend."
"Family? You don't look alike at all..."
"Maybe it's because they're both gods."
They rushed to me with evident confusion. I understand their bewilderment-we were fighting bloodily just moments ago, and suddenly I'm calling her a friend. Still, they didn't disobey my orders.
"████" "███" "██?"
Adhigh just tilted her head curiously but remained calm. She knows these are my subordinates.
"We're going to leave the arena now."
"███" "██" "██!"
Those androids over there are tasked with detaining us until all forces in Jax-01 arrive.
'Should I give up on using the Masquerade's relic?'
I originally planned to use it during the semifinals two days later, but that's unfortunate. Since the situation has changed, I need to adjust my plan accordingly.
Adhigh and I will cause a disturbance directly.
We'll draw the enemy's attention while Isabel infiltrates Prime Head.
'But first, we need to get out of here.'
"Explanations later. Stand behind me for now."
I moved the Wolfs back and adjusted my stance, facing the gate where the android army was emerging.
When I first used "Faceless Apostle," I thought its combat ability was quite high.
Despite its bear-like physique, the Apostle's specialty isn't close combat. Its true value manifests when fighting multiple distant enemies.
'Just like now.'
"Cover your ears as best you can."
To unleash the Apostle's most destructive weapon, I recalled the sensation from my previous experiments.
The Apostle's body responds to my will. The four luminous areas around my head begin to tingle. Thin skin tears, and the faces hidden within emerge.
"Ah."
"Ah."
"Ah."
"Ah."
"Ah."
Cult, human, cold-blood, and Wolf-all five faces I've collected look forward and slowly open their mouths.
When their jaws open to the limit, like snakes swallowing eggs-
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
The Apostle's unique ability, "Destructive Roar," tore through the air.
The soil on the ground was ground into sand, and objects above it shattered into pieces. The five-pronged roar advanced, destroying everything in its path.
The android army was no exception. Their thick heavy armor instantly turned to scrap metal in the sound wave. Even those lucky enough to avoid a direct hit were thrown against walls. The large gate at the edge of the roar's reach collapsed completely.
Only ruins remained in the wake of the sonic storm.
"W-what was that?!"
"I can't hear anything!"
The Wolfs who had been crouching down screamed. They were startled by the thunderous sound that penetrated despite covering their ears.
"███!" "███!"
Adhigh seemed to like the destruction I created, wagging her tail happily.
The faces that had unleashed the roar retreated back into the skin. The four faces, except for the rhinoceros Wolf's head, transformed back into luminous areas covered with thin skin.
"Good. Let's get out of here then."
"Huh? What did you sa-eek?!"
I picked up the trembling Wolfs and placed them on my back.
"████" "█"
"Eek?!"
Adhigh picked up those I couldn't carry. They clung tightly to the Gallergon's back with their fur standing on end.
Having prepared to leave, we ran toward the collapsed gate.
"Evacuation notice. All personnel please evacuate calmly."
"M-monster coming this way!"
"Damn it all! Get out of my way!"
"Aaah! Move your foot!"
"Evacuation notice. All personnel please prepare calmly."
In the stands behind the wall, panicked spectators were running wild. The drones were busy trying to control them.
No one stopped us as we passed through the gate and entered the arena structure.
"Threat detected. Eliminating."
The androids remaining inside the gate hurriedly raised their storm guns.
However, their barrels never got to spit fire.
"██
"
A spherical psychic breath fired from Adhigh's mouth pierced through the androids.
Behind the shattered remains of the mechanical soldiers, a path split in two directions. Going straight down the right corridor would lead outside the arena.
'Wait.'
I stopped and hesitated briefly before turning left.
"My lord? That's not the way!"
The Wolf slaves tried to stop me, but I didn't halt.
-x-X-x-
"Announcement. All personnel in the shelter must maintain order."
"What's going on here?"
"Shouldn't you explain before dragging us to a shelter?"
Underground shelter located in the residential area for outsiders.
This usually empty place was unusually noisy today. It was because of guests who arrived with security androids.
Currently, the entire Zax-01 had entered emergency mode. All citizens on the planet must move to designated shelters following the androids' guidance.
Tourists who came to Prime Head to watch the Beast Battle Tournament were no exception.
"Announcement. Rescue targets remain. Everyone please wait."
"Rescue? Did they just say rescue?"
"Has something happened up there?"
The people here were brought without knowing what was happening. Demands for explanations rained down.
"All personnel in the shelter must maintain order."
But the androids only left formal responses before departing from the shelter.
"Tch. How dare these mere tools be so impudent."
"This is the first time something like this has happened during a Beast Battle Tournament. Strange."
"Could it be that Megacorp attacked Star Union?"
"I doubt it. No matter how foolish the inferior species are, would they increase their enemies while at war with the Empire? I think there must be another cause."
"I suppose you're right."
Not just anyone can use the accommodations at Prime Head. All users are people with high social status.
They had brought these important people here almost forcibly. The atmosphere couldn't help but be tense.
The only reason everyone was staying put was because they were all Cult members. If they had been Megacorp humans, they would have left the shelter long ago.
Amid complaints erupting here and there, there was one person keeping his mouth shut.
An elderly man who looked particularly old even among the Cult members. He was the leader of the Vortex One cult that had infiltrated Zax-01.
His wrinkled face was filled with anxiety rather than displeasure. The situation was unfolding beyond his expectations.
'Damn it! What the hell is going on?'
The holy communion ceremony planned by the cult wasn't supposed to be today. They had postponed the date to fatten up the sacrifices for the Great Being.
Originally, chaos should have broken out at Prime Head's arena two days later. All spectators should have become sacrifices without knowing anything.
But now that plan seemed completely ruined.
With this commotion, the Beast Battle Tournament would likely be canceled. If that happened, it would be their doom. The old man's clan would never rise again. Forever.
"Grind."
'I-I cannot allow that! Absolutely not!'
The cult leader, gritting his teeth, stood up.
Judging by the androids' reactions, evacuations were currently underway on the surface. There might still be sacrifices left in the arena. He needed to go now and offer them as sacrifices for the feast.
The cult leader scanned his surroundings with bloodshot eyes. Then, far away among the crowd, he spotted a familiar face.
'Levinus!'
A Cult slave trader stood there with a blank expression, holding a hard case and a bag in each hand. Having found who he wanted, the cult leader walked over with quick steps.
"Ho ho. So you were here."
"?"
The cult leader smiled, pretending to be an ordinary old man, and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. Levinus slowly turned his head.
"What a commotion this is. I'm glad you're safe."
"Yes."
"About the item I entrusted to you before. I'd like to check if it's safe. Let's move somewhere else."
"Yes."
The cult leader took Levinus to a secluded corner.
"This should be fine. The item?"
Instead of answering, Levinus lifted the hard case to show him.
It was the case the cult leader had given him before. Inside was a sacred object received from the Great Being.
"You've kept it well."
"..."
"The situation isn't good, Levinus. If things continue like this, we might have to cancel the feast."
"Yes."
"So I'm thinking of moving before that."
"Moving?"
"Yes. If we miss this opportunity, everything will be over. We need to perform the ritual before it's too late."
Levinus kept his mouth shut, as if the cult leader's words were unexpected.
"I'm going to the arena right now. Bring the sacred object and follow me."
"What?"
"Someone might try to stop us on the way. We can avoid suspicion by saying we're checking on the slaves."
"What?"
This had all been discussed before. Yet this stupid slave trader kept asking questions. He seemed to have been shocked by the unexpected situation.
'I knew he wasn't smart, but was he this stupid?'
Just as the cult leader was about to get annoyed, Levinus flinched.
"Train. Many."
"What?"
"I understand. But let's go by automated train instead."
Was it because the shelter was dark? For a moment, it seemed like the voice had flowed out while his mouth remained closed.
'No, more importantly...'
"What do you mean by automated train? What are you talking about?"
"Judging by the atmosphere, it seems quite chaotic outside. The automated train is Prime Head's only evacuation method. There's a high possibility that as many people will be gathered there as at the arena."
"Hmm."
Words flowed smoothly from the young Cult member's mouth. It was as if his previous dazed appearance had been a lie.
'...He certainly has a point.'
In fact, the automated train had been one of the candidates for the ceremony location. It was excluded from the candidates because of its high population mobility.
But now the situation had changed.
The station would be packed with refugees fleeing the disaster. It would be perfect conditions for a banquet hall to offer to the Great Being.
"Let's go. If we're any later, it will be difficult to receive help."
"Ahem. Let's do that."
The cult leader followed behind Levinus, who went ahead.
Although the plan had completely changed, there was no choice. What mattered to the cult leader was the success of the ceremony. Two things were needed here: a large number of sacrifices and someone to use the sacred object.
And who would use the sacred object had already been decided.
'Levinus.'
When the holy communion begins, the Great Being first takes the leader of the ceremony, that is, the user of the sacred object. The contract with the demon is made afterward, with another person. The cult leader intended to use this slave trader as a sacrifice to proceed with the contract.
'Hehehe. Consider it an honor. It's all for the revival of the clan.'
Of course, he didn't tell him this fact. The cult leader stared at the back of the Cult member's head with a chilling smile.
That's why he didn't see it.
The pink tentacle wrapped around Levinus's hand quietly disappearing into the bag.
------
"Target area, surrounding sectors sealed."
"What about underground?"
"All underground passages connected to the storage area have been sealed."
"Just in case, check the paths that were used as old mining tunnels too."
The plaza in front of Prime Head's arena.
Until just 10 minutes ago, it had been filled with spectators coming to watch the Beast Battle Tournament. Now, androids armed with various weapons, heavy walkers (large land-based weapons), and various support vehicles filled the empty spaces.
They were an armed police unit dispatched from the Zax-01 Surveillance Bureau. They had been ordered to seal off the arena where a major incident had occurred.
"I repeat. Even if you discover the target during exploration, do not engage in combat. Just confirm where it's moving."
"Confirmed."
"Confirmed."
The scale of forces deployed in the plaza was so large that it could be mistaken for an army rather than police. In fact, the armed police unit is often deployed to suppress anti-system riots that break out on other planets.
But the faces of the senior surveillance officers at the temporary command post showed clear signs of tension.
It was because of orders from the Supreme Commissioner. The culprit behind this disaster was extremely dangerous, so they should avoid combat until support arrived.
"I never imagined this place would be attacked."
"A mutant Red Galergon? How did a Galergon think to infiltrate?"
"Even reading the report, I can't imagine it."
Even without the Supreme Commissioner's orders, everyone knew how serious this situation was.
There have been very few cases of attacks on Zax-01. Moreover, all those rare cases occurred during Star Union's revolutionary period.
In effect, an unprecedented incident that would be recorded in history had occurred. It was natural to be tense.
"Anomalous signal detected."
"...It's begun."
Just then, a report came from an android. The senior surveillance officers unplugged cables from the detection device at the command post and connected them to their heads.
"They're all in the underground storage."
"The signal is clustered together."
"Can we connect to the cameras in the storage?"
"Cameras in the signal area destroyed. Connection impossible."
"It's moving. Judging by the direction, it's heading to the surface."
"Predicted to reach the main gate in 30 seconds."
"30 seconds? Incredibly fast."
"A frontal breakthrough? Once the movement pattern is confirmed, let's run a
simulation to predict the escape route..."
"Wait. The signal has stopped."
The anomalous signal, which had been advancing unstoppably, stopped at the spectator seats on top of the stadium's outer wall.
"What's it doing? Is it targeting the audience?"
"We can't confirm because the cameras are destroyed."
"Perhaps it's trying to feed...it's moving again."
The stationary signal crossed the spectator seats toward the main gate of the arena. It was moving much slower than when it was underground.
"..."
While everyone was focused on the signal, suddenly a loud noise was heard from outside.
"What's happening? Report."
"Multiple civilians confirmed at the main gate."
"Civilians? Could it be?"
Everyone hurriedly checked the cameras installed in the plaza.
A crowd poured out from the wide-open gate. They were spectators who hadn't managed to escape before the arena was sealed off.
Behind these people fleeing in terror were ferocious beasts.
A large ape with multiple pincer arms grabbed a cyborg and tore off its limbs. Next to it, a monster resembling a cephalopod stabbed fleeing people with the hook-like stingers at the ends of its legs.
A Cult member barely avoided an attack as he fell. As he tried to get up and run away, a theropod dinosaur with large horns devoured him.
And in the center of the plaza, a giant centipede surrounded by thick armor burst through the floor. Some police unit members nearby were thrown into the air by the impact.
A large spider with a mass of tentacles on its body seized the opportunity and caught the airborne prey with its tentacles.
"What is that?!"
"Those are the fighters from the underground storage!"
Thirty savage fighters had escaped from prison and were running wild.
"Where's the target? I don't see it on camera!"
"Anomalous signal not moving."
"Is it an error? It's clearly mixed in among that crowd."
The anomalous signal displayed on the detector was clearly in the middle of the massacre scene. Yet the Galergon was nowhere to be seen on the camera screen.
"...More importantly, we need to resolve this situation. If those creatures leave the plaza, the chaos will intensify."
"We must absolutely defend the containment perimeter."
"How about first subduing the fighters with binding rounds, then reporting to superiors?"
"Not bad. I agree."
"Confirmed. Use of binding rounds authorized."
The decisions made at the command post were immediately transmitted to the unit.
The ends of the storm guns mounted on the heavy walkers turned toward new targets. Instead of depleted uranium rounds, large grenades were fired.
The grenades flew in a parabolic arc and collided with the rampaging beasts. Particles inside the rounds spread outward. Upon exposure to air, the particles solidified into amber-like forms.
"Grooooar!"
"Save meeeee...kyaak?!"
"Damn it! Where are you shoot-gack!"
Survivors who happened to be near the beasts and got caught in the binding rounds screamed. They tried to escape by swinging their fists and kicking, but it was useless.
Binding rounds are weapons created by Star Union to counter Hulk Mutants. The amber-like binding substance is very hard and not easily broken.
Indeed, the beasts hit by binding rounds were trapped and unable to move.
"Androids and cyborgs, quickly neutralize the immobilized targets." "Confirmed."
While the heavy walkers dealt with the beasts, combat androids and cyborg surveillance officers moved in. They opened fire on the bound beasts with their weapons.
"Guack!"
"Keeek!"
The ape with pincer arms and the horned dinosaur died without a chance to resist, turned to rags.
"Moving to next target..."
"Fuck! Die!"
At that moment, bullets from somewhere shattered an android's head. Along with that, humans who had been hiding behind the binding substance walls jumped out.
Unlike other survivors, these were armed individuals. They were criminals who had been scheduled to participate in the Beast Battle Tournament.
"Now! Everyone attack!"
"Reactionaries! Reactionaries mixed among the survivors!"
"Priority target confirmed. Eliminating."
"Aaaaargh!"
"Graaah!"
Criminals who had seized weapons from the arena, escaped ferocious beasts, panic-stricken survivors, and the armed police unit became entangled in a chaotic melee. The plaza instantly transformed into a battlefield.
"D-damn it! Are we going to die here?!" "Run that way!"
One criminal turned and ran toward the arena's main gate. Several surveillance officers and androids chased after him.
"It's here, right? Save me too...ack!" "Hit confirmed."
The fleeing criminal collapsed in front of a sculpture inside the gate.
"Clean up and return." "Confirmed."
The surveillance officer who had fired approached the fallen enemy for a confirmation kill.
At that moment, the critically wounded criminal suddenly stood up. Then he vomited black liquid toward his opponent.
"What?!"
A tar-like mucus covered the surveillance officer. The remaining liquid pooled on the ground, forming a puddle.
"Argh! My eyes!" "Contaminating substance detected. Purifying..."
Seeing this, an android raised the flamethrower installed in place of its arm. Just before flames were discharged from the outlet, a suddenly flying bullet pierced through the android.
"!"
"What's this?"
The source of the bullet was beneath the sculpture. Volfs with storm guns were crouching there.
There had clearly been no one there until just now. Before anyone could question this strange situation, the heavy weapons spewed fire. A shower of depleted uranium rounds swept through the cyborgs and androids.
Only the surveillance officer covered in black liquid remained.
"W-what just, gack, gaack!"
Hearing the gunshots, he tried to wipe away the mucus covering his eyes. But no matter how much he wiped, it was useless. The black mucus moved as if alive and entered his mouth.
Shortly after, only the cyborg stood alone where the black puddle had been.
"Done."
The surveillance officer, having absorbed all the liquid, slowly turned his head.
"I'll be back." "Yes, my lord."
He walked toward the plaza with awkward movements like a puppet on strings.
""Deadly Lady,' 'Tyrant Zero' are leaving the plaza!"
"All fighters are scattering! We need to expand the containment perimeter!" "The reactionaries are also escap-gack!"
The battle was still raging in the plaza. No one paid attention to a single cyborg moving sluggishly.
The surveillance officer, passing through the battlefield to the rear, approached an armored vehicle that had transported the walkers.
"Standby armored vehicles will support our forces. Request permission." "Support has been requested. Stand by."
"Confirmed. Standing by. Hmm?"
The transport officer, who was communicating while connected to the vehicle by cable, spotted him.
"What's the matter?"
The surveillance officer silently walked over and stood right next to the driver's seat. Then he raised both hands, grabbed his own head, and ripped it off.
"What the hell?!"
The startled transport officer lowered the window of the driver's seat. Because of this, black blood gushing from the severed neck poured into the driver's seat.
"Wh-what?"
An enormous amount of blood instantly filled the driver's seat. Realizing something was wrong, he tried to get out, but it was too late.
A moment later, the stationary armored vehicle began to move. It drove along the outskirts of the plaza and moved to the main gate of the arena.
The vehicle stopped in front of the sculpture inside the main gate. Just like before, Volfs crawled out from a place where nothing had been.
When they opened the transport compartment door, the previously still sculpture began to shake. The sculpture and its surrounding scenery wavered like a mirage and disappeared.
In the place where the sculpture had been was a dragon with vivid red scales. The dragon boarded the transport compartment along with the Volfs.
The metal door closed, and the armored vehicle quietly departed.