I Became an Evolving Space Monster

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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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Chapter 492

‘Smooth enough.’

It had been a few weeks since I entered the territory of the Star Union.

Preparations to infiltrate the capital city, Zaks-01, were steadily progressing.

‘And as a bonus, my faction is growing well too.’

Right now, the two main tasks before me are clear.

First, to find Beomho, who knows the secrets of this world. Second, to rescue Isabel, who left in search of a way to revive her dead sister and in doing so, also bring PS-111 back.

Both are matters I must resolve as soon as possible, but my body is only one.

So, I tried a method I had not yet used.

‘Making use of my own faction.’

The Coldblood pack once led by the Screamer Sisters, and the young Wolfs saved by the Mother of the Sky, are now spreading across the galaxy, building up strength under the name of a new order.

The Cult.

‘Hmph. Cult, of all things.’

The name had been decided unanimously in a council of Coldbloods, Wolfs, and Gallagons.

The beings they worship are five: myself, Adhai, the Mother of the Sky, and the Screamer Sisters. Their symbol is a five-pointed shape, the pentagon.

As you can see, except for me, the rest all have ties to the people of White Stone.

I had asked to be left out, but everyone objected fiercely. They insisted that I was the true center, the axis for all, and that excluding me was unthinkable.

‘Never thought I’d live to see a religion that worships an Amorph.’

It’s been well over a month now, yet it still feels strange.

Though it’s not really my place to say, I can’t help but think they’ve simply been influenced after staying close to me.

Regardless, this cult devoted to us is growing at a terrifying pace, despite being so new.

What began with only fifty members now numbers in the thousands, spreading followers not only through the Star Union, but also into the Cult Empire and even Megacorp.

Most recruits are Coldbloods or Wolfs the same races as the founding fifty.

‘Both races are familiar with gods and salvation, after all.’

Perhaps for that reason, they easily grasped the teachings of the cult.

Of course, that doesn’t mean every believer is full of unshakable faith. Among the thousands, only a handful match the loyalty of the original fifty.

But that’s fine. A follower is also the eye of the cult. Simply seeing what unfolds throughout the galaxy and reporting it back to me is more than enough.

‘And that’s exactly what happened this time.’

One follower reported that the Vortex-One cult had appeared on the planet KOL. They were recruiting in a leniently patrolled zone, a beast-fighting arena.

I struck immediately and swallowed them whole.

This very biogas plant where I now stand was once their secret den.

‘To think the cult came even this far…’

Only two races can make pacts with Vortex-One: the Cult and the Coldbloods. Even then, the Cult cannot do so without Coldblood mediation.

For a cyborg to gain Vortex-One’s blessings is impossible.

‘Yet they had been here for quite some time.’

And not only that they’d even devised their own independent hacking methods. Proof that they’d been operating for quite a while.

No doubt they’d already bought off not only the plant manager but also high-ranking cyborg officials.

‘Even so, there’s no need to worry.’

The Vortex-One cult on KOL has been erased, and the security forces are under control. The officials who colluded with them will soon be captured.

There are no obstacles left in the way of my goals.

‘Once this planet is in my hands, I’ll be free to move with ease later.’

Naturally, entering Zaks-01 will also become far simpler.

No matter how watchful the Machine Committee may be, it would never cross their minds that one of their own planets had been snatched away without a trace.

I lifted my body up from where I had been lying low.

Stretching lightly, I noticed my eye level was far lower than before. My height was roughly three meters. My movements are far lighter.

‘Of course. With this smaller form, it only makes sense.’

My body length reached four meters, and when standing on six legs, my shoulder height came to three. I possessed no tail, and the upper torso was sharply developed. Overall, I resembled a bear but with six legs.

The differences were obvious: instead of fur, my entire frame was covered in a hard carapace, and where a head should have been, something entirely different protruded. At the end of the torso, attached where the head ought to be, were the face of a female Cultist and four luminous growths.

The fact that I bore the face of an intelligent being was proof enough this was not my true body.

This was the creation of a newly acquired ability.

I summoned forth the textbox I had seen before.

｢Faceless Apostle: Your immense will cannot be contained within a single vessel. Generates an apostle bearing the head of a sentient being. You may synchronize with the apostle to control it. While synchronized, the main body cannot move.

-Possession: Become black liquid and inhabit another intelligent being.

-Devouring Gaze: Implants hostile psychic power into sentient targets, brainwashing them.

-Destructive Howl: Unleashes sonic waves that shatter matter.

-Essence Repository: The apostle can store up to five genetic essences.

-House of Consciousness: Creates a temporary nest to supply energy to the apostle and extend its duration.

-Five Faces: Gains additional effects depending on the species of face held.

-Cultist Face: Strengthens the effect of Devouring Gaze.

-Human Face: Increases the speed of creating the House of Consciousness.

-Cyborg Face: Enhances physical abilities.

-Coldblood Face: Reduces side effects of Possession.

*P.S: A great hunter always has the finest hound at his side.｣

The Faceless Apostle is a unique trait, born from combining summoning-related traits such as ‘Parasite Swarm’ and Humanoid Parasite.

It allowed me to create an underlying fully obedient to my will.

It might resemble ‘Hydra Division’, the ability to spawn clones, but the differences were significant.

‘This one is far more versatile.’

The being moving on this planet was not me, but an Apostle carrying my consciousness. My true body remained far away from here.

Thanks to ‘Possession’ through a Coldblood of the Cult, I had entered Star Union territory with ease. Then, by constructing a temporary nest the House of Consciousness I established the link with my main body and began operating.

Without the Apostle, reaching this point would have taken me far longer.

‘This innate ability meshes perfectly with the Cult’s activities.’

I focused my awareness on the faces. The head of Alshas, an antlered Cultist, shriveled like a deflating tube, secreting glistening mucus. The mucus formed a film, completely smothering the head.

Then, one of the luminous pods split apart, and from within burst the head of a Coldblood.

It was the head of the cult leader I had devoured recently.

“Not a voice I particularly care for.”

Just as the sly appearance suggested, the voice carried no charisma, thin and reedy. With mild irritation, I switched back to the face of Alshas.

As shown, the Faceless Apostle inherited some of the traits of the Humanoid Parasite. Instead of five merging into one, I could now summon forth whichever face I desired at will.

It also retained another ability the power to shatter the minds of sentient beings and bend them to control. Unlike the parasite, it could not command them with total precision, but it had no upper limit on how many it could brainwash. The effect endured until the Apostle was destroyed.

The Apostle’s own battle strength, roughly equal to that of an upper-mid tier player, was another useful bonus.

‘If only it could extract memories, it would be perfect.’

Unfortunately, unlike the parasite, the Apostle could not summon forth the minds of the faces it carried to converse with them. If not synchronized with me, it simply lay dormant.

‘The storage mechanism for essences is still fundamentally the same as before…’

The memories must surely be inside those heads, but I had no way to draw them out.

‘Regrettable, but unavoidable.’

I had anticipated this possibility when creating the trait. Perhaps one day, a way to restore memories would present itself.

‘Still, what I gained in exchange for sealed memories far outweighs the loss.’

By obtaining the Faceless Apostle, I had finally advanced into Stage 3 of the Cosmic Monster type. With that came new rewards. Each stage had always granted overwhelming benefits, and this time was no exception.

That wasn’t all my true form had also changed drastically. Even I wondered if I could still rightfully be called an Amorph.

‘I wonder how Adhai will judge this change.’

There were aspects Gallagons would like... and others they would despise. I honestly could not tell which way she would lean.

As I was musing idly, I sensed a familiar movement from above. A visitor. I dismissed the textbox and manipulated the House of Consciousness.

Descending the stairs connected to the factory was an elderly Coldblood.

His name was Thuleja, the eldest among the Coldbloods rescued by the Screamer Sisters.

“Lord Amorph. I have news to deliver.”

Thuleja gave a proper, courteous bow.

At the same time, the pink balloon he carried in his arms bounced free. Small tendrils sprouted from its body tendrils ending in little imitation mouths.

｢Fakebaby hello? Heeellloo!｣

“Hello.”

Number 26 greeted me using its mimic-tendrils. It had accompanied the Coldbloods here.

“Did everything go well?”

“Yes. Number 26 handled the remnants of the cult admirably.”

｢Handled! Haaandled!｣

“Well done.”

Number 26 could emit psychic power that produced an EMP-like effect. Since it could also shrink its body, it had found a natural role here, providing aid to fellow believers.

‘I was worried, but it seems to be adapting well.’

The Apostle itself lacked monstrous tentacles, and while Number 26 could mimic human speech, it did not truly understand every word. I had feared communication difficulties, but thankfully my worries were unfounded.

‘How commendable.’

I gently patted Number 26 with a forepaw. It glowed cheerfully and clambered up my leg, settling onto my back.

｢Good! Fakebaby good!｣

“You two are still as close as ever.”

“Of course.”

｢Close! Clooose!｣

Thuleja, long accustomed to this sight, smiled softly.

“Now that I think of it was it Rebezha? The one who carried me earlier. How is she doing?”

“She is recovering well. After eating properly and resting, the aftereffects of possession have already faded. You need not worry.”

“If it does become difficult for her, tell me. I’ll help.”

“Thank you. Rebezha will be overjoyed to know that Lord Amorph cares for her.”

“…Ah. Good to hear. Anyway, did you have other business?”

Thuleja produced a small terminal from his pocket.

“Yes. In the process of dismantling the cult, we obtained useful information.”

“Oh?”

“It is said that a grand tournament will be held in Zaks-01 to commemorate the Ascension Anniversary of the Great Warden. Each planetary arena has been ordered to send beasts to compete in the capital.”

“A large-scale tournament in the capital…”

This was welcome news.

Its official name: the Beast War Grand Tournament. An event occasionally held in Zaks-01.

A spectacle where all manner of monsters fought each other, wildly popular both inside and outside the game. Some even made their living by broadcasting the matches.

But during such times, the capital was focused entirely on the tournament. Infiltration became difficult, as security grew far tighter than usual.

Indeed, when I recalled my previous incursions into Zaks-01, they had all taken place between tournaments.

‘But this time, the situation is different.’

By posing as a gladiator sent from KOL’s beast arena, slipping in would be simple.

“What’s the date?”

“One month from now.”

“A fighter selected for the Grand Tournament would need to be strong. Should I disguise myself as the champion?”

“That may prove troublesome. The champion, a beast known as Bloody Brute, has already departed for Zaks-01.”

“Already?”

There was still a month until the tournament began, yet the champion had left early. Whoever owned that beast must be impatient.

“So, I prepared a list of well-known fighters from the arena.”

Thuleja handed me the terminal.

“Perhaps one of these would suit your disguise.”

“That may work.”

With a forepaw, I swiped through the small screen. Then I noticed something peculiar.

‘This fighter’s master… works for the Surveillance Bureau.’

The rank was Senior Overseer quite high, even within the Bureau responsible for city security. Such a position allowed for a measure of personal freedom: keeping fighters for games, other indulgences, and so forth.

‘It could just be a hobby…’

But considering that the cult had been recruiting at this very arena, a senior overseer who also owned a beast in competition it stank of suspicion.

“Sharkbear ‘Craezoth’? Does this fighter catch your interest, Lord Amorph?”

“Not the fighter. Its master.”

Could this official be the bureaucrat who aided the cult? As part of the Bureau, supplying hacking tools to them would be trivial.

‘Should I capture him for questioning? A senior overseer could prove quite useful… ah.’

A different, far more amusing idea struck me. Risky, yes, but if it succeeded, the payoff would be extraordinary.

“This one. Let’s go with him.”

“As you command, Lord Amorph. Shall I bring him here?”

“No.”

Unnecessary.

This time, I intended to go out and meet him myself.

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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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