Became an Evolving Space Monster

Entering Stage 2 of Transcendence: The Cosmic Monster Type.

Unlike other types that offer a one-time reward upon acquisition, this type has an extraordinary feature that grants additional rewards each time it levels up.

Even the Stage 1 benefits for Cosmic Monsters are impressive. The "Essence Rearrangement", which nullifies type penalties, is a reward that seems impossible within the game.

The Amorph's identity revolves around consuming as many beings as possible and storing their genetic essences within itself.

This aspect is systemically represented as type penalties, forcing the Amorph to gather as many genetic essences as possible, regardless of their quality.

However, with Essence Rearrangement, it can break free from these constraints. It can selectively choose only the necessary traits.

Of course, this doesn't mean it would stop gathering traits; there’s no intention to do so. The more cards one possesses, the easier it becomes to outmaneuver formidable foes.

Anyway, after obtaining the Stage 1 reward, it wondered what incredible thing Stage 2 would offer, but what appeared was far more peculiar than expected.

"A trait that enhances friendly creatures."

However, most of these traits primarily assist the Amorph player. The "Symbiotic Spores", which it frequently uses, were originally a trait for healing human-faced worms and tooth fairies.

"I thought Essence Rearrangement was impressive, but this…"

It could transplant its traits onto other beings.

This was a special ability typically seen in Outspacers, who modify and enhance the genetics of their affiliated entities, or in Metallic Gremlins, who can determine the course of their kin.

"In some ways, this might even be better."

Outspacers, like the Amorph, utilize genetic essences, but they face limitations. Each individual has restrictions on the traits that can be applied, and the effects vary randomly each time.

For example, if it were to transplant the pincers trait onto a worker insect…

The Outsapacer worker insect has two front legs shaped like pincers, making it eligible for the pincers trait. However, the outcome of the transplant is a gamble. It might end with just stronger pincers, or it could inherit powerful psychic resistance like the Amorph's.

But it seems that the "Monolith of the Double Helix" imposes no such restrictions. From the description, it appears that it can fully grant traits to entirely different creatures.

"Let’s take a look."

Before the transplant, there’s something it needs to check first.

In the case of "Starlight Coordinates", it could only transfer traits to "friendly creatures", meaning those attached to the Symbiotic Spores. This time, it also seemed limited to friendly creatures, so it brought the auxiliary device closer to Number 26.

｢This is a target for trait transplantation.｣

"Good."

Then, the same message appeared for Adhai and PS-111. The only one left was the Mother of the Sky.

"Could it be possible for a player?"

Honestly, it thought the chances were slim, but it brought the auxiliary device closer to her.

Upon seeing the text box that appeared before it, it couldn’t help but be astonished.

｢What’s wrong?｣

She blinked her amber eyes, taken aback by its surprised expression as she felt its face draw closer.

"Is this really possible?"

Of course, it was well-known that players couldn’t have traits transplanted onto them. Not even unique traits or boss entities like Vortex One or Red Gallagons possess such powers.

The closest comparison might be Megacorp's unique system of genetic manipulation. This also involves transplanting genes onto oneself and NPCs, but it can’t arbitrarily alter another player's body. Trait transplantation is, naturally, out of the question.

It explained the Monolith of the Double Helix to the Mother of the Sky.

｢…You can give traits? To me?｣

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (I can transfer up to two traits I possess.)]

｢To transplant traits without limitation. It’s like a superior version of Outspacers and Megacorp.｣

She seemed to feel similarly. After crossing her arms and contemplating, she sent out another thought.

｢With such a powerful ability, there must be some kind of restriction. Isn’t there a weakness?｣

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZ (There’s no separate explanation for the tulip. Of course, it would be problematic to believe it entirely.)]

｢Exactly what I’m saying.｣

Based solely on the description in the text box, there seem to be two significant downsides.

One is the inability to transplant unique traits, and the other is the permanent application of the transplanted traits.

‘The latter is the crucial point to watch out for.’

If it were to transplant traits onto the children and they turned out to be unhelpful or, worse, negatively impactful, that could lead to serious problems. While most of the traits it possesses are useful, there's no guarantee they would be the same for the children.

Additionally, how the traits will function after being applied is currently unknown.

For example, if it were to transplant “Three Heads” onto Number 26, what would happen? Since Number 26 lacks the concept of a head, it’s impossible to predict how the trait would manifest.

‘In that sense, it could be considered a hidden restriction.’

The outcome after transplantation is uncertain. Therefore, it should determine which traits are suitable for the children before granting them, to avoid any side effects. This aspect likely requires further research and contemplation.

‘Anyway, I keep encountering things that shatter my common sense.’

On top of that, it's facing off against the "me" from its human days. All of this is unprecedented.

It glanced at the postscript in the text box.

"Will I be a guide or a destroyer?"

In that context, this message felt entirely different.

According to the setting, that choice is meaningless for the Amorph. Upon ascension, the purpose of the Amorph’s existence becomes clear, indicating that it leans more towards being a destroyer than a guide.

‘Ascension, huh.’

It opened another text box aside from the traits. A new evolution requirement, updated upon becoming a mature form, appeared before it.

｢‘Mature Form’ -> ‘Ascension’

Essence of the Body: Choose one from Megacorp CEO / Wolf Avatar (not yet achieved)

Essence of the Mind: Choose one from Cult High Priest / Vortex One (not yet achieved)

Essence of the Wild: Choose one from Amorph Mature Form / Outspacer Queen (not yet achieved)

Test of Ascension (not yet achieved)

Possessed Unique Traits 10/15 (not yet achieved)

Possessed Types 6/9 (not yet achieved)｣

There had been others who achieved the Amorph Mature Form besides it. In fact, there were players who became mature forms even before it.

However, all of them fell short before reaching ascension.

The reason was precisely because of the goal of gathering the three essences.

This effectively meant fighting the top leaders of each faction, presenting an enormous obstacle from the start. The moment it tries to kill them, the entire faction goes to war.

But that’s not all. Those top leaders are usually filled with players, and often rankers.

Even if it manages to penetrate the defenses of the enemy factions and confronts its target, it doesn't end there. The Amorph will have to contend with rankers who receive support from their entire faction, presenting a maddening hurdle.

Among the requirements to achieve the essence of the mind, only Vortex One is a unique NPC creature, but even they are formidable.

Vortex Ones vary greatly in strength, with even the weakest possessing power on par with a Red Gallagon. It can be said that taking down the Megacorp CEO or the Cult High Priest is equally challenging.

‘At least the easiest target is the Amorph mature form…’

Since there are so few Amorph players, aiming for a mature form is like trying to catch a star in the sky. It had even switched its target to Outspacer after failing to catch an Amorph.

Once the three essences and all other conditions are met, the “Test of Ascension” will open, and clearing it will lead to the ending.

‘Easier said than done.’

Reaching this point has been incredibly difficult and time-consuming. The conditions for acquiring unique traits and types feel trivial in comparison.

‘This is why I saved the Mother of the Sky.’

Originally, my plan was to elevate her to the highest tier of deification, the "Avatar", and then consume her. This way, I could achieve one of the ascension requirements immediately upon becoming mature, which would be advantageous.

‘But I’m not thinking that way anymore.’

It’s already too late to use the Mother of the Sky as a sacrifice.

I glanced at her and then turned my attention back to the text box.

Regardless of the difficulty, my goal is to achieve ascension. I believed that once I reached the ending, I could return to the real world.

However, that goal is now wavering. The vision I saw before becoming mature lingers in my mind.

‘That vision, I don’t know its meaning, but it’s likely related to ascension.’

Why did I see the vision of battling the “me” from reality during the process of becoming mature? And what if I had lost? If the “me” from reality won, what would happen to my current self?

Or conversely, if I had consumed “me”? Would the reality version of “me” cease to exist, leaving only my current self behind?

Nothing is certain, and it feels like wandering through fog.

‘…Transcendence. Could this be the key?’

Transcendence pushes the Amorph beyond its limits.

The ultimate goal of the Amorph is ascension.

Looking back, there seems to be a significant overlap between the two, but also substantial differences. I’ve often debated whether to prioritize evolution conditions or to first obtain unique traits through the transcendence system.

Since both require traits, there’s often competition between ascension and transcendence.

‘I thought it was a coincidence, but it’s not.’

Now that I see the rewards obtained from leveling up the Cosmic Monster type, I’m convinced there’s some kind of relationship between the two. I just don’t know exactly what it is yet.

‘I definitely need more information.’

With the visions and ascension becoming suspicious, I should gather related information. Until I confirm that ascension won’t harm me, I think I’ll have to hold off.

‘I should tell the Mother of the Sky later, too.’

She hasn’t yet reached the stage of battling her reality self. While it’s not certain, there’s a possibility she might experience a similar vision when she ascends to the Avatar form. Since that vision could negatively impact her, I should wait to discuss it until I have more clarity.

‘I’ll check in with Jason as well.’

He’s also cleared the quests of the Cult's unique system to a high level. He might have had similar experiences and could know something.

‘Then lastly, I should check my newly acquired unique traits…’

Just as I was thinking that, I detected a slight anomaly. The heads on either side raised their long necks to look up. The auxiliary organs beneath them hovered nervously in the air.

‘What is this?’

The auxiliary organs picked up on energy waves. An energy explosion from a very distant location had reached here.

‘Faster-than-light travel?’

Focusing my senses through the two heads, I stared into the black void. Though nothing was visible, the auxiliary organs below my chin were still feeling the faint energy waves.

From the sensations, it was clear that a ship had flown into this desolate planet's vicinity. Given that I could feel the flow of energy, it seemed quite a massive vessel attempting faster-than-light travel.

‘Whoever it is, this works out well.’

The two newly acquired unique traits, “Variable Bio-Weapon” and “Black Devourer Cannon,” just so happen to be combat-related.

With a new enemy appearing, it would be a great opportunity to test them out.

The seven families, which serve as the central point, were not always ultra-mega corporations from the very beginning.

The Yujin family started as a small agricultural company in the Semi-Continent, while TNC was just one of the many mundane companies in the financial sector. Other families, like Garmelda, which came from a watchmaking background, and Edgerton, which began as a group of firearms engineers, also had humble beginnings.

Now, most of the seven families have changed significantly from when they were first established.

Yujin, skilled in genetic manipulation; Garmelda, a leader in power armor and weapon development; TNC, an expert in colonial management including terraforming; and Edgerton, known for its advanced shipbuilding technology. Few would recall their past as they dominate the universe today.

However, there are some families whose core business areas have not changed drastically from their origins.

Noble Capital's "Veda," which started in the semiconductor industry and is now responsible for ship AI development.

And Noble Capital's "Saint K", which handles resource procurement for Megacorp.

Saint K was once the most influential diamond company on Earth in ancient times.

In the past, mining machines and miners extracted precious diamonds, but now they operate massive starships to mine on a planetary scale.

Like their ancestors, they diligently traverse the universe, mining minerals. This is the hallmark of Saint K.

“How does that target look?”

“Analysis shows it has 'abundant hypertight deposits.' However, aside from that, there aren't any particularly impressive minerals.”

“Considering the recent wars, hasn’t the price of hypertight skyrocketed? That should yield sufficient profit.”

“We also need to consider the energy consumption and time for the 'Gigacracker.'”

Inside the meeting room of the Gigacracker, the massive mining vessel, various team leaders were sharing their opinions.

“There’s something everyone needs to keep in mind. We have quotas to meet as well.”

“I believe we already fulfilled our quota a week ago, right?”

“True, but I hear the other side has achieved more than double that. At this rate, we could receive negative evaluations in the end-of-month report.”

“Hmm. You’re not wrong.”

Despite the hierarchical atmosphere typical of Megacorp society divided by various capitals, the mood in the meeting room was surprisingly good. There were no raised voices, nor any shameful behavior questioning each other's capitals.

This was largely due to the prestige of the Gigacracker.

The Gigacracker is a superweapon that uses ultra-large ion cannons to shatter asteroids and dwarf planets before sweeping up the minerals. It boasts superior performance compared to any other mining vessel and is prohibitively expensive. Even a titan like Saint K only possesses 20 of these vessels.

If even one of them encounters an issue, the losses would be severe, so Saint K strictly manages the crew of the Gigacracker. All the team leaders in the meeting room were individuals who had received special training from Noble Capital since childhood. Sharing the same past and goals, there was naturally no reason for conflict.

“What will you do, Captain?”

Captain Tyrone Saint K, hailing from Noble Capital, paused for a moment before speaking.

“We can’t afford to relax just because we’ve met our quota, as the Navigation Team Leader said. I will activate the Gigacracker.”

“Understood….”

Just as the captain made his decision, a red emergency light suddenly illuminated the meeting room.

“Unidentified energy attack detected! Everyone, brace for impact!”

As the emergency announcement concluded, the meeting room shook violently.