Chapter 144

Chapter 144

“Captain, the Cosmic Bolt has been fully charged.”

“...”

“Captain?”

Situation room of ‘Damos 08, the Arbiter of the Cosmos.’

The crew had informed the captain that all preparations were complete, but the captain had not issued any orders. Because communication had been completely cut off from the warrior unit that had descended below.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t we getting any contact? Lice!”

Lice is the warrior he cherishes. The possibility of him ignoring the captain’s orders for no reason is close to zero. Moreover, the other warrior units that went down with Lice also have not been reached.

That means something serious has happened down there.

“...What should I do?”

He can choose one of two options. One is to fire the Cosmic Bolt as it is, and the other is to send down a new search party.

However, the captain knows. Choosing the latter is practically impossible.

In the Cult Empire, contamination issues are not an exaggeration when it comes to the most dangerous elements to the empire’s security. Delaying time to rescue subordinates while performing purification duties to prevent contamination? Especially when the captain personally sent subordinates to rescue slaves?

The ships here are not just Imperial Motherships. The ships belonging to the Mothership Battle Group dispatched to protect the Mothership will not remain idle.

If the captain delays, he will be dismissed, and another captain will lead the ship and fire the Cosmic Bolt.

“Captain? Please give the order.”

“...Fire in 10 minutes.”

“Understood.”

In the end, the path the captain chose was to fire the Cosmic Bolt. It’s a short time, but within it, he hopes for the safe return of his subordinates.

***

?What happened??

The Mother of the Sky asked me with a serious look in her eyes.

“The launch time has already passed.”

?What? But why??

?I don’t know.?

The Mother of the Sky deliberately left one Cult’s corpse for me, knowing that I am well aware of my supernatural abilities. Receiving the corpse from her, I used my abilities to read the memories of the Cult who came here, Hamine.

There were many gaps in the middle of the memories, but I could confirm only important facts.

The planet was designated as a contaminated planet and received a purification order.

And five minutes ago, it was the time for the Cosmic Bolt to be launched, that’s the two things.

Why it hasn’t been launched yet, even Hamine and I don’t know.

It’s fortunate that the launch has been delayed, but we still can’t relax.

?...Damn, it won’t be long now.?

The Mother of the Sky frowned and clicked her tongue.

As she said, it’s true. The purification order of the Cult is rarely canceled. Even if the captain of the Imperial Mothership loses interest and refuses the mission, a substitute will come forward to execute it.

In a short time, within an hour at most, the Cosmic Bolt will fall onto this continent.

‘It’s too late to escape.’

The Cosmic Bolt is a condensed energy projectile created by mixing dark matter and psychic power. Its instantaneous firepower is almost comparable to the sun, so when it falls onto a planet, the entire atmosphere and water evaporate.Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

Even if you hide underground, avoiding the Cosmic Bolt that affects up to tens of kilometers below the surface is almost impossible. I might survive somehow, but No. 26, Adhai, and the Mother of the Sky cannot escape death.

Looking at the cooldown and restrictions, it reminded me of the Symbol of Hunt and Horizon of Nightmares. Given the limitations, one can easily infer that the effect of this trait is quite powerful.

‘Still, gambling is not a good idea.’

A wrong move here could lead to our total annihilation. To stop the Cosmic Bolt, we need to pull in everything possible.

‘Output, output, I need to find a way to increase it...’

The remaining time until launch is uncertain. Even using this trait will require time. I can’t keep pondering indefinitely.

‘...Let’s think for just one more minute.’

I desperately racked my brain to find any possible solutions.

?Little one, are you in a lot of pain??

?Pain.? ?yes?

?Want to play with a toy??

?Okay.?

In my eyes, I saw the figures of Number 26 and Adhai. Number 26 had brought a loot bag and was taking items out one by one in front of Adhai.

It felt like the black light of the Cosmic Bolt could fall upon us at any moment. If hit by the firepower of the Cosmic Bolt, they would all burn without feeling a thing.

While watching them, one minute passed. No new ideas emerged.

‘I have no choice but to go with this... Huh? Wait a moment.’

Seeing the bag Number 26 was holding, a crucial fact suddenly crossed my mind. The bag contained equipment and items I obtained by killing Muriel, including the Priestess’s golden staff, the Blood Reaver, and her potions.

Among them was the potion she had used. I hurriedly approached 26.

?What’s wrong??

[ZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Can you lend me the bag for a moment?)]

?Does the big one need a toy too??

[ZZZ (Yes)]

After receiving the bag, I took out a small kit from inside. When I opened it, there was a violet-glowing vial.

‘Great! There’s still one left!’

This potion is called Saionium. It temporarily boosts the condition of the drinker by one level. If I drink Saionium, I can instantly transform into an adult.

Becoming an adult has two tremendous benefits. First, the power becomes significantly stronger, reaching a level where I can confront the Cosmic Bolt. Second, my head grows to three.

‘In reality, the increase in the number of heads is not necessarily a good thing.’

Originally, the increase in heads is meant to enhance the utility of the jaws of the Essence Harvester. With three heads, collecting the heads of enemies becomes easier.

In reality, due to the presence of corrosive tentacles, the significance of this increase has diminished.

But at this moment, having an increased number of heads is crucial.

The name of the trait I created by devouring the Brain Deity is ‘Divine Mace.’

It’s the ability to shoot out condensed energy lines of the Brain Deity’s lightning.

If you ask where it is fired, it’s directly from the mouth. Just like when I absorbed the plasma launcher and shot plasma energy lines, they only come out from my mouth. It doesn’t fire from the corrosive tentacles or any other part.

‘In other words, if I become a monster with three heads...’

It means I can unleash energy lines equivalent to the Brain Deity from three heads simultaneously.

A monster, no...King of Monsters with three heads, and the trait obtained by devouring the Brain Deity.

‘With this, I can do it!’

With these three, I can stop the Cult’s ultimate weapon for purifying the planet, the Cosmic Bolt.