Chapter 265:

Chapter 265:

As expected, Kadun, the underboss of the Marcio Cartel, knew a lot.

From the defensive systems within the fortress, the number and armament of the pirates, to the specs of the ships brought in by their clients—he divulged everything under the control of the parasite. The information would be quite useful for our assault on the fortress.

‘It’s more doable than I thought.’

The defenses were not much different from what I remembered, but there was a shortage of people capable of utilizing them.

Kesha Arma is a fortress built by cultists, with defensive systems designed to be easy for them to operate.

‘But the Marcio Cartel’s backbone is made up of humans.’

In fact, there weren’t any cultists among the cartel members. Because of that, most of the fortress’s weapons were left unused, except for the giant turrets mounted on the command buildings, which were the only active defensive systems.

‘The pirates may be numerous, but they’re a disorganized rabble.’

No matter how many there are, regular pirates won’t be able to defeat us. If anything, their numbers only mean more food for us.

‘However...’

There was one troubling piece of information.

A cultist guest staying on the 100th floor of the second command building. Apparently, this important client was invited by the Marcio Cartel six months ago, and Kadun described them as a formidable opponent. Kadun, who had fought the Mother of the Sky and survived, seemed to lose all will to fight when talking about this person’s strength.

‘From the description, they sound like someone from either the Temple Guardians or the Eye of Revelation priests.’

It’s unlikely to be a priest from the Eye of Revelation. They usually ride "special beasts" they've painstakingly tamed, but Kadun mentioned that this person came with only a few attendants, and no animals.

It’s also doubtful that they’re a Temple Guardian. Temple Guardians hunt monsters and evil beings for the Empire’s security. They wouldn’t stay in a pirate fortress for half a year.

‘Better keep an eye on them.’

Even though I don’t know their exact identity, they are undoubtedly a powerful foe.

With this enigmatic cultist etched into my mind, I stood up.

I already knew where the auction’s goods were being kept. Besides that, I had extracted all the useful information Kadun possessed.

‘Now, what’s left...’

I glanced toward the Mother of the Sky.

Normally, I would have devoured him myself, but not today. Kadun’s heart was destined to be an offering for her advancement.

But it couldn’t be taken out here and now. Similar to an Amorph’s growth, the deification process consumes time. During that time, she would be incredibly vulnerable to external attacks.

[ZZZZ ZZZZ (Doing it here is risky, right?)]

「Yes. The last time I advanced, I couldn’t move for two hours.」

[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Two hours? Wasn’t it 30 minutes before?)]

「Looks like it’s different from the game now.」

[ZZZZ ZZZZZZ (We’ll have to return to the ship, then.)]

The ship would be safe for several hours. I had already manipulated the documents through the guards under the parasite’s control when we first arrived, so there would be no risk of inspection.

‘The real issue is the thieves.’

Since we arrived, there have been three separate attempts to rob us. Back then, it was convenient because I gained new slaves to parasitize, but now the situation is different.

‘I’ll need someone to protect the Mother of the Sky.’

I couldn’t stay behind, as I needed to raid the auction for smuggled creatures. PS-111, skilled in operating machinery, would also be accompanying me.

One of the two—Number 26 or Adhai—would have to stay behind to protect her.

Just then, Adhai tapped me on the back.

「Ugly friend」「In pain?」

[ZZ ZZZZZ ZZ (No. She’s preparing to grow.)]

「Grow?」 「Like the Big One?」

[ZZ (Yes.)]

Adhai paused for a moment, then sent another wave of thought.

「I」「Ugly friend」「I'll help」

[ZZ (You?)]

「Friend」「Helped me」「Many times」「I will repay」

Surprisingly, Adhai volunteered to guard the Mother of the Sky. It seemed that, as they had traveled together often, she felt a sense of duty to return the favor.

‘That should work.’

While Number 26 might have had an advantage for battles inside the ship, Adhai was a Gallagon, and not just any Gallagon—she possessed the power of the Red Gallagon. There was almost no chance a mere thief could pose any threat to her.

「Since when do you volunteer to help me?」

「Ugly friend」「Helped me before」「I will repay」

「If that’s the case, maybe it’s time you change what you call me. Try saying 'Pretty friend.'」

「Really? Will I grow big like the other creatures?」

[Z ZZZ (Maybe.)]

Though I couldn't guarantee it, Number 26 seemed pleased by the idea. It extended a tendril and playfully tapped my head.

「I’m excited! Let’s go quickly!」

[ZZ (Yes.)]

I activated my cloaking device and began walking toward the underground storage facility near the military port.

Behind us, the abandoned city continued to burn, casting an eerie glow.

---

“Haaaam, this is boring as hell.”

“Anything weird going on?”

“Not a thing.”

Inside Guard Room A, five pirates lazily yawned while monitoring the cameras connected to the security systems.

“That’s why I told you we should at least do some drugs to pass the time.”

“Idiot. What if Kadun catches you?”

“Everyone else does it.”

“Yeah, and all those idiots will die together. Moron.”

Annoyed by his comrade's reprimand, the scrawny pirate grumbled and picked up the radio.

“This is the damn A-guard room. Everything clear on your end?”

「B-guard room. All clear.」

「C-guard room. All clea... Hey! Stop cheating! You trying to sell drugs on the sly?」

「D-guard room. All clear. Let’s keep it professional, people. This is being recorded.」

「E-guard room. All clear. Anything strange outside?」

The underground storage was divided into five sections, each with its own guard room. The guard rooms monitored their assigned sectors and were responsible for isolating sections in case of anomalies. Additionally, each sector was patrolled by androids, with the guard rooms managing those units.

Among the five guard rooms, Guard Room A oversaw the monitoring posts in Zone A and the entrance to the underground storage facility.

“Nothing particularly strange... huh?”

The thin pirate, who had been responding to the radio with a bored expression, suddenly stopped when he noticed something on the camera. The pirate next to him tilted his head in confusion at the sight on the screen.

“Fog?”

“Hey. Contact the monitoring post.”

“Got it. This is Guard Room A. We’re observing fog on the cameras. Please check it out.”

「This is the monitoring post, chhh, nothing strange, chhh, visible, zzz, huh? Chhhh, people, zzz, thud.」

“Monitoring post? Respond. Monitoring post, this is Guard Room A.”

Another pirate tried to reach the monitoring post via radio, but all that returned was an unpleasant noise. The pirates’ attention shifted back to the screen showing the monitoring post inside.

They saw a guard tapping his communication device, while the other guards stood up as if they had noticed something.

Then suddenly, the monitors connected to the entrance went dark all at once.

“What the hell?”

“Hey, contact the other zones immediately.”

“This is Guard Room A. We’ve encountered a problem with the camera at the entrance of our jurisdiction.”

「Chichichichichich.」

“This is Guard Room A. This is... what now?”

“Wait, what?”

“Mine isn’t working either.”

“What? Everyone else, check your radios.”

“Hold on a second.”

“Hey, hey.”

While the four pirates began checking their communication devices, one pirate, staring blankly at the monitor, suddenly yelled.

“Hey, everyone! Look at that!”

“Now’s not the time for that... huh?”

The four turned back to the monitor, mouths agape.

The monitors connected to the cameras were sequentially shutting off one by one, in real-time.