I Became an Evolving Space Monster
Chapter 416

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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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Chapter 416

A planet filled with fire and magma — Asuka-44.

Until recently, it had been the secret palace of the Cult Emperor, but now not a trace of it remained.

The reason was the sudden appearance of mysterious monsters.

The palace was completely destroyed by creatures that came flying in from space. The defending forces were utterly wiped out. Only the wreckage of crashed spaceships remained to prove that Asuka-44 had once been touched by civilization.

So, where were those beings who had brought destruction to the planet’s intelligent lifeforms? What were they doing?

Some of them had gone far away to hunt. Others were caring for newly arrived comrades underground.

And some were deeply absorbed in higher-dimensional activities.

A ship had made an emergency landing on the blackened ground.

Inside the quiet ship, only the mess hall was noisy with clamor.

Under flickering lights, skinned beast carcasses and various supplies lay scattered. The space was better described as a slaughterhouse than a kitchen. At the back of it, the culprits who had turned the mess hall into a mess were gathered.

｢People put 'seasoning' on their food before eating it!｣

｢Seasoning?｣｢Food!｣｢It’s the same!｣

｢No! Seasoning is softer and sticky compared to plain food.｣

The pink Sea Demon, Number 26, dipped its tentacle into a metal pot in front of it. After stirring the contents inside, it pulled out the tentacle, coated with a pungent-smelling liquid.

｢Look.｣

Adhai, lying lazily on the metal floor, dipped a forepaw into the liquid. The small Gallagon then nodded.

｢Young one｣｢Food｣｢Similar｣｢Sticky｣｢Soft｣

｢Right?｣

Even while confirming this with the ‘Little One,’ Number 26’s other tentacles never stopped moving. One smashed the corpse of a lava raptor forcefully, crushing it, while another scooped the meat into the pot.

Adhai, who was examining the liquid on its claws, soon lost interest and flicked its paw to shake it off.

｢But｣｢Food｣｢Seasoning｣｢Meal｣｢The same｣｢Once eaten｣｢It’s over｣

｢Wrong! Mixing food and seasoning to make 'cooking' makes it taste much better!｣

｢Cooking?｣

PS-111, which had been quietly observing their behavior, interrupted the conversation.

“Higher intelligences tend to process organic matter to safely and effectively extract nutrients. The Main Controller’s actions can also be referred to as cooking.”

｢Yes. Cooking!｣

｢Cooking｣｢Troublesome｣

After PS-111’s explanation, Number 26 glowed brightly, showing satisfaction. Meanwhile, Adhai seemed disinterested, tapping the floor with a hindpaw.

Seeing this, the red camera lens of the Screamer blinked and recorded the situation.

‘Record entry: Main Controller’s response positive, likely due to high academic curiosity. Codename Little One negative; understood the explanation but shows no interest. Remarkable differences noted.’

There is little known about Sea Demons and Gallagons. Even digging through data left by the Machine Committee’s member Pyra Eleven yields nothing.

So PS-111 has been steadily recording whenever the two Controllers display unusual behavior.

Of course, not to report to anyone in particular, but simply out of curiosity about these tough creatures’ ecology. In human terms, it could be called a hobby.

‘It differs from the information I have. Interesting.’

Sea Demons are known to be far more dangerous and violent compared to Gallagons.

In primitive civilizations on oceanic planets, Sea Demons are often worshipped as gods. Records consistently describe them as merciless and terrifying beings.

For such a brutal entity to cook like this? Impossible.

｢The Big One likes tasty things, so it will like cooking too.｣

｢Indeed｣｢That’s｣｢True｣

Adhai, watching Number 26 with a half-hearted attitude, nodded in agreement.

｢The Big One｣｢Food｣｢Taste｣｢Knows a lot｣｢Often｣｢Cares about it｣

｢Right. It likes tasty things more than tasteless ones.｣

Hearing this, the little Gallagon stood up, went into the freezer at the back of the mess hall, and took something out.

｢Then｣｢Put this in｣

｢What is that?｣

Adhai held up a bottle of fine wine that the ship’s owners had been drinking.

｢Red Star｣｢When we went there｣｢Something like what we ate｣

｢I know that! It’s called alcohol!｣

“Confirmed: wine made from Verzan-02 cactus. It is the same brand as the wine drunk at the slave auction house Robets’ mansion in the Fortress of Water.”

｢Alcohol?｣｢Wine?｣

｢Drinking alcohol fills the stomach and makes you feel good!｣

“The ingredients in this wine act on the brain to relieve stress. Intelligent beings mostly drink it to increase reproductive desire.”

｢Reproductive desire?｣｢Really?｣

“Yes. According to comprehensive analysis of multiple data sets...”

PS-111 continued to explain the knowledge about alcohol, but the ‘Little One’ was not listening. Its eyes, resembling amethysts, were fixed solely on the wine bottle.

｢If there’s a lot of this｣｢Will it work on the Big One?｣

“On Megacorp, they mix several types of alcohol and drink… Huh?”

｢Big One｣｢Adult｣｢Me｣｢Adult｣｢Mating｣｢Possible｣

[PR/N: Adhai making moves…..:):)]

PS-111 stopped mid-sentence, surprised by the unexpected remark.

｢Ham Ort｣｢Said｣｢Leader｣｢Quickly｣｢Needs｣｢Eggs｣

“Is that to prevent problems in the group?”

｢Yes｣｢That’s｣｢Leader’s｣｢Responsibility｣

There was no mistake in that.

Gallagons worship the strongest individual in the pack as the leader. But Adhai’s pack was currently ruled by Ham Ort, the second-strongest, who acted as leader in her absence when she was out hunting.

This was possible because Adhai was a female Gallagon.

There was no individual strong enough in the pack to be the queen’s mate. So she had gone out to bring back eggs from a superior male. That was Adhai’s stated reason.

No Gallagon was unaware of whom that ‘superior male’ referred to. Nor how strong the one favored by the queen was. Thus, the Gallagons could accept this.

However, delaying too long was not good. The young ones, just hatched from their eggs, would become confused about who the leader was.

｢So｣｢Need｣｢Eggs｣

At that moment, a short, loud cracking noise echoed through the mess hall. Number 26 crushed a metal chair with its tentacle, making the sound.

｢No!｣

｢Why not?｣ ｢I｣ ｢have grown enough｣ ｢Laying eggs｣ ｢is possible｣

｢We said no egg talk! You promised! Why are you breaking it!｣

｢The pack｣ ｢needs eggs｣ ｢It’s the leader’s duty｣ ｢Our kin are expecting it｣

｢But you promised me first, so you have to keep your promise!｣

｢If I break the promise｣ ｢the others｣ ｢won’t like it｣ ｢I learned from｣ ｢the Big One｣ ｢and the Little One｣ ｢that protecting the pack｣ ｢comes first｣

Adhai was expressing herself more logically than before.

Number 26 was extremely annoyed, but couldn’t lash out. The Little One’s argument wasn’t wrong.

Still, that didn’t mean it had nothing to say.

Of all of them, Number 26 had spent the longest time in the Big One’s pack. So, shouldn’t it be the one to have a child with the Big One first? Even if it gave way in other things, this—it could never concede.

｢I get to make a baby with the Big One first! I’m the closest to the Big One!｣

｢Incorrect｣ ｢I｣ ｢am close to｣ ｢the Big One｣ ｢Same with｣ ｢the Little One｣

｢No way! The Big One likes me the most!｣

｢Incorrect!｣

Because of the two angry, dangerous creatures, the air in the dining area froze over rapidly.

Eyes formed all over Number 26’s torso and tentacles, while on the opposite side, Adhai’s scales flared red like blazing fire.

[PR/N: Team Adhai!!]

It was a standoff on the verge of explosion—until PS-111 stepped between them.

“Please calm down. Fighting here would be meaningless.”

｢Don’t stop me, friend.｣

｢Sick One｣ ｢Could it be｣ ｢the Big One｣ ｢wants an egg?｣

“That would be an interesting research topic. But before that, there’s a more immediate issue.”

｢Issue?｣

｢Explain｣ ｢Clearly｣

“As of now, we have not confirmed whether the Amorph is capable of reproduction, or how it would reproduce. Until we determine that, creating offspring is impossible.”

[PR/N: Plot twist..!?!]

Hearing that mating wasn’t possible at present, the two backed off from their combat stance.

｢I don’t understand｣ ｢The Big One｣ ｢shows a lot of interest｣ ｢in females｣ ｢He even glances｣ ｢at my tail sometimes｣

Adhai gently swayed her tail.

‘Archived Data Review: In Gallagons, males are distinguished by horns, females by the shape and size of the tail. The Little One’s tail is known to be particularly attractive among Gallagons.’

Despite her petite body being a disadvantage, Adhai’s tail was famous among her kind. Males admired its sultry shape and movements, and even females marveled at how smoothly her scales were arranged.

But the proud wings of this seductive queen drooped soon after.

｢But｣ ｢that’s it｣ ｢He only says I’m pretty｣

｢Could it be the Big One can’t have babies?｣

Number 26 cautiously sent out waves of thought. Its pink torso deflated like a balloon, reflecting its master’s sinking mood.

“From my observations, it’s impossible to artificially remove the Amorph’s reproductive ability. The ‘Middle One’ has also stated that the Amorph does have the capacity to reproduce.”

｢Then why doesn’t the Big One show interest in us?｣

PS-111 had analyzed data from countless organisms. Comparing that to the Amorph’s body, it arrived at a hypothesis.

“It’s likely the Amorph’s reproductive activity is influenced by specific conditions and environments.”

Among organisms that live in extreme environments, some species store their reproductive organs internally to avoid damage to sensitive areas. These types only mate when conditions—such as temperature or safety—are ideal. It’s probable that the Amorph has a similar system.

Considering it can alter its body shape depending on the target it’s hunting, this level of adaptation is more than feasible.

However, because the Amorph adapts so quickly to any environment, it’s become difficult to create a situation where reproductive desire is naturally triggered. PS-111 had observed it extensively but never once seen any sign of reproductive organs.

｢I don’t get it.｣

｢Explain｣ ｢Simpler｣

“I estimate there is an 87% probability that the Amorph feels sexual affinity toward you both. However, progressing to actual reproduction will likely require specific environmental conditions, temperature, time, and other factors.”

｢Time?｣ ｢Temperature?｣

｢I know! I know! It’s about the ‘mood’!｣

Suddenly, Number 26 lit up like a light bulb.

｢Mood?｣ ｢What’s that?｣

｢Humans say it’s when you eat tasty things and build pretty nests! That’s what movies say is needed to make a baby!｣

｢That makes sense｣ ｢Before mating｣ ｢Nel Germa｣ ｢ate lots｣ ｢and lots｣ ｢of good food｣

｢So if we give the Big One lots of delicious food and make a pretty nest, maybe he’ll want to make a baby?｣

｢But one question｣ ｢The Big One｣ ｢eats a lot｣ ｢already｣ ｢yet｣ ｢shows no interest｣ ｢in mating｣

“The Amorph isn’t human, so the triggers for reproductive activity differ. We need to figure out what those are.”

For PS-111, with its gene manipulation abilities, the Amorph was like a divine puzzle box—a treasure chest filled with mysteries. Could it reproduce? And if so, what kind of genetic combinations would its offspring have? It was all deeply intriguing.

‘The most effective way to find out… would be to attempt it myself.’

Simulations showed only a 21% chance that Sub-Controller 1 would accept the proposal. A gamble worth considering, but the risk of failure was too great.

｢Alcohol｣ ｢is one of the conditions｣ ｢for inducing mating｣

｢But the Big One doesn’t change even when he drinks. He’s different from humans.｣

｢More｣ ｢More｣ ｢Faster｣ ｢Give him more｣

｢Would giving him a lot at once make him change?｣

｢Maybe｣

After a brief pause, PS-111 watched as Number 26 returned from the storage room—its tentacles carrying dozens of bottles and metal cans.

“Why did you take all that out?”

｢I’m putting all of this in.｣

“Excuse me?”

Number 26 poured every liquid from the bottles and cans into a pot.

｢With this, even the Big One will like it, right?｣

MegaCorp synthalcohol, lava raptor meat chunks, rocks, psychoactives, Mars-made Megasoda, rats, energy bars, laxatives, cyborg-grade oil, human toes and eyes, cult-style sand chocolate…

It was too late to stop it. A moment ago it might’ve still been edible—now it had long surpassed that line. It was more like industrial waste from a StarUnion factory.

｢All done!｣

Number 26 triumphantly held up the pot. It was full of liquid in a color beyond description. Whenever the pot shook, green lumps rose to the surface.

｢If the Big One drinks this, he’ll feel really good!｣

｢Curious｣ ｢Big One’s｣ ｢reaction｣

PS-111 was certain there was no way that ‘mixture’ could taste pleasant. If a human or a cultist inhaled the fumes from that pot, they would almost certainly die on the spot.

But seeing the joyful expression of the Main Controller, it couldn’t bring itself to say no.

｢Friend, when is the Big One coming back?｣

“He should be on his way back from the hunt around now.”

｢Perfect!｣

Since the Amorph was, after all, a living war machine, that bizarre mixture was something it could easily digest.

Whether to eat it or not—that was its decision to make. There was no need for PS-111 to intervene.

And with that, the conversation between the two monsters and the fusion of machine and organism that had taken place in the wrecked spacecraft came to an end.

Unfortunately, the ‘love dish’ Adhai and Number 26 had prepared for their beloved never reached him.

The Middle little one, who had been caring for the giant Mountain Crawler, entered the ship and happened to catch sight of the mixture.

｢Th-this was one of the few fresh ingredients we had left! What the hell is this?!｣

The Mother of the Sky, utterly enraged, stabbed through the pot containing the dish with her spear the moment she saw it.

｢We worked so hard on that!｣

｢Ugly friend｣ ｢Ugly shape｣ ｢Ugly attitude｣ ｢Everything｣ ｢Ugly!｣

｢…You two haven’t even tasted it yet, have you? Try it first before complaining.｣

As the Mother of the Sky suggested, both of them gave it a taste—and could do nothing but accept her judgment.

｢It tastes weird. We put in good stuff, so why is it like this?｣

｢Guwaaaeegh!｣

Number 26 changed its skin color in bewilderment, and Adhai vomited immediately.

｢From now on, no cooking when it's just the two of you. Got it?｣

｢Okay.｣

｢Gweeeaaaagh!｣

Leaving them with a firm warning, the Mother of the Sky returned to the underground area where the Mountain Crawler waited.

After some time spent in a dramatic display of vomiting up everything she had eaten with a bundle of tentacles, a thoroughly exhausted Adhai also left the galley with heavy steps.

In the aftermath of the culinary disaster, only Number 26 and PS-111 remained in the ruined dining area.

｢I copied what people do, but why did it taste so bad? Do people actually like stuff like this?｣

“It is likely that the combination was the problem.”

｢Combination?｣

“When ingredients are compatible, special reactions occur. Not only does the taste improve, but new effects can also emerge.”

｢Really? Then I’d better study cooking harder!｣

Though it had been brooding over the failed result just moments earlier, Number 26 quickly perked up again. Watching it, PS-111 made a mental note.

‘Log entry: Update personality profile of Main Controller. When it comes to the Big One, it never gives up.’

“I will assist with your studies.”

｢Yay! You’re the best, friend!｣

And with that, another line was added to the report inside the mutant screamer’s brain.

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[Translator – Seraph]

[Proofreader – Draxx]

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