Chapter 160

Chapter 160

[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Demon Gods Disciple]

If there were Hulk mutants in Megacorp, then in StarUnion, there are Screamers. They are quite similar in the aspect of forcibly modifying criminals into combat weapons and boasting terrifying exteriors. One difference is that Hulk mutants are often seen more as mercenary allies than enemies, whereas Screamers primarily appear as adversaries.

Unlike Hulk mutants, who possess some intelligence and a degree of autonomy despite being under machine control, Screamers are merely sound in mind while their bodies are subjected to mechanical control.

Quite literally a machines prison,

As its said. Though named Screamers if the embedded life support AI doesnt permit, they cant even properly emit a sound.

Just like the one rushing towards me now, making a raucous noise. It spotted me and shouted about finding an enemy upon seeing me, but its merely an automatic dialogue output based on specific situations inputted to its AI.

As it closes in, its sharp, spider-like claws aim to tear flesh from bone. I swing my combat arm to parry the attack, expecting its foot to easily bounce off, as usual. But

With a thud, its claw pierces my armored exoskeleton.

Huh?

Its not deeply embedded, but it surprises me nonetheless. Since becoming a Junsei, this is the first time someone has pierced my exoskeleton in melee combat since Muriel.

But it doesnt end there. Its waist twists grotesquely, and the two metallic legs attached to its back glare at me menacingly.

Quickly, I twist my head to block the claw with my exoskeleton and pivot my body, using the generated torque to swing my tail forcefully.

The thick tail covered in armor brushes past the ground. At its end, the pincer collides with the creature. The Screamer hit by the Swamp Kings club is slammed into the corridor wall.

Kuuu, Kuuu

Despite the momentum enough to shatter upon impact, it doesnt die. Apart from a few bent metallic bones, it seems intact.

Why so resilient?

Ive fought Screamers countless times, knowing their capabilities fairly well. However, the defense and offense of this one before me are beyond standard.

Its been upgraded.

Kuuu Kuuu

Backing off, the Screamer exhaled roughly, wary of me. Whether it recognized through our exchange that Im not an easy opponent or not, its movements are cautious.

I, too, carefully assess the foe.

Who knows what additional features it might have gained.

Though unlikely, it might be concealing means to threaten my life. Thus, I must remain vigilant during this fight.

Then, it lunged at me once again.

This time, instead of leaping onto the corridor, it traversed between the walls and ceiling, pounding six metallic legs into them.

Perhaps to sow confusion.

I can also traverse walls like it does. Following its lead, I leap towards it, sticking to the walls and ceiling as I advance.

Our distance rapidly closes. Just before collision, it raises two front legs high.

Its target is my neck. Like an icicle, its sharp blade aims for my throat.

Rather than blocking its attack, I simply drop from the ceiling. Its strike grazes futilely against my rear exoskeleton.

Undeterred, it attempts to cover above me, aiming to seize my throat. But before that, my tail intervenes, grabbing its legs with the pincer at its end. Despite shrinking in size, it hasnt lost all its strength. I apply force with the pincer.

[Risk of damage to legs 1 and 2.]

The creature attempted to break free with mechanical noises, but being firmly held, its resistance was futile. Unable to withstand the tightening force on its metallic legs, they snapped. As liquid sprayed from the tubes connected to the broken legs, the creature widened its eyes.

Ku-u-u

Its breathing became coarse. I swung my combat arm.

At that moment, the creature gave up on the restrained legs. Withdrawing as it discarded the legs, my attack ended in vain.

Taking a few steps back, the creature bent its remaining legs and forcefully pushed. With its sturdy metal skeleton, it climbed onto my back. In that state, its legs coiled around my neck and the exoskeleton of my back like a noose.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

I thought it was attempting to strangle me, but that wasnt the case.

Near the creatures grip on me, a long, thin tail resembling a scorpions tail emerged. Unlike a scorpion, it had rotating saw blades instead of a venomous sting.

Where!

While still holding onto the creature, I forcefully slammed its back into the corridor. With all my strength exerted along with my weight, the entire hull trembled slightly.

[Impact detected. Irreversible damage.]

Due to that impact, the creatures body was partially contorted. The legs holding me loosened.

Yet, as a final act, the creatures tail slashed at my rear exoskeleton. Upon collision with the exoskeleton and saw blades, intense sparks flew, illuminating the dark corridor.

This is it!

I grabbed the creatures tail and swung it towards the wall as if swinging a baseball bat. From the creature, which was partially embedded in the wall, machine components and life-sustaining fluids spurted out.

Despite the mess, the creature vigorously wriggled its remaining legs to harm me somehow. As a finishing move, I stabbed its body with the six horns on my head.

Queee GaaaaaKeek

The life support AI controlling the creature fell silent after those words. Tubes attached all over its body were severed, all legs were broken, and its tail, torn off entirely, was in my hand.

Soon, it spat out the tube fragment it had in its mouth. While it had a murderous glint when fighting me, facing death, it looked much more serene.

[Th-thank you]

It tried to say something while looking at me, then shook its head.

Due to its increased size, the creature, occupying about two-thirds of the corridor, was holding two Screamers with the psychic power technique Bind.

Kuuu

[Anomalies detected due to unknown power.]

Kuuu

[Activity impossible due to unknown power.]

Even the two Screamers were still alive. Despite their metal skeletons and legs twisted like pretzels, they were alive.

Upon seeing that, Adhai fired a telepathic message.

Little adult That Disgusting

Really?

I Tried it Disgusting

Is that so? Then I guess I should dispose of it.

[ZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Wait, theres no need to do that)]

As soon as Adhais telepathy ended, I quickly gestured to Number 26 as I saw the heads of the two Screamers twist oddly.

[Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (I need to grow quickly so Ill eat well)]

Does the big one want it for growing?

[ZZ (Yes.)]

Then eat a lot and grow a lot!

[ZZZ ZZ (Thank you.)]

As Number 26 released its restraint, the Screamers collapsed to the floor. They tried to move to attack Number 26, but with every component of their metal legs twisted, they couldnt budge.

Looks like theres no Black Silver mixed in.

If it were Black Silver alloy, Number 26 wouldnt have been able to subdue them so easily. I affectionately patted the body of the creature larger than me in praise.

[ZZZZ ZZ (Well done)]

Yes!

The creature glowed faintly with delight.

Having patted Number 26, I stood before the incapacitated Screamers.

Lets check right away.

I have a useful tool for identifying unknown entities.

One of my psychic abilities, Insight.

Obtained from hunting a policeman named William in the Space City in the past, this ability randomly reveals information possessed by the enemy.

All we need to confirm is the species name.

As Insight activated, purple flashes emanated from my eyes, illuminating the dark corridor. And before me appeared a translucent text box.

[Name:

Species: Hulk Mutant

Status: Enhanced (Screamer Surgery)

Equipment: ]

The information confirmed by Insight was as we predicted.

A Hulk Mutant turned into a Screamer.

What does this mean?

There are individuals cooperating between StarUnion and MegaCorp.

The war between the two factions has lasted for hundreds of years. There have been sightings of humans from MegaCorp expressing hatred towards the machines from the StarUnion.

Of course, its known that there are individuals in the upper echelons of MegaCorp who secretly sell employees to the StarUnion for credits.

But leaking important war weapon manufacturing techniques is a different matter altogether. After all, if they lose the war, credits wont be the issue.

Theres only one entity that would do such a thing.

There are players in both MegaCorp and the StarUnion who create new Screamer variants.

And its fairly easy to guess who the player from the StarUnion might be.

Unless theyre part of the Machinery Assembly, or even more than that, they couldnt do this.

Only androids can be part of the Machinery Assembly. Players cannot enter.

So, the opponent must be someone more powerful than the Machinery Assembly within the StarUnion.

The Grandmaster.

The current Grandmaster has close ties to players from MegaCorp.

[Translator Jjescus]

[Proofreader Demon Gods Disciple]

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