Became an Evolving Space Monster

-

Ham Ort was dreaming.

The Queen of Pure White, the mate of the Great Odd Grad, and the traitor.

She bore names of both praise and scorn, but it wasn't always like that.

Before her eyes, she saw a familiar face as she opened her eyes. It was the black-scaled male she had met when she had just shed her white scales.

His name was Odd Grad, the one with impressively curved horns and intelligent eyes.

When he first became the leader, he was a male beyond what one could imagine now. He cherished his kin and young hatchlings more than anyone, and when the group faced crises, he knew how to handle them wisely.

That was why she admired him—not because he was the leader, but because she loved his wisdom, his strength, and his kindness.

His pure face blurred for a moment, then became clear again.

Now, his face was very different from before. The horns on his head and the smooth scales were the same, but there was one crucial difference.

The eyes that were once full of intelligence were gone. Instead, there remained an inexplicable fury and infinite hatred.

For what reason did this once-kind being change so drastically? Was it the burden of leading the group, or was there another reason?

The reason is unknown, but that is not the important part.

What matters is that the ‘Great’ Odd Grad she once loved has completely vanished from this world.

The black-scaled leader commanded her.

He ordered her to kill her daughter.

As the group grew, more and more of their kind were unable to receive proper nutrition. Even the healthy hatchlings weakened with every change in the stars.

In such circumstances, her daughter, who was born small, was nothing but a drain on resources.

She knew that he wasn't wrong.

Yet, she still wished for her daughter to live as long as she could.

One day, her daughter might go out to hunt with her weak body and be hunted instead. Or she might lose in competition for food with others and starve to death.

The world they lived in was harsh and cruel. She knew she couldn’t change the world.

But, she didn’t want to kill her daughter just because she was deemed useless.

So, she made up her mind.

She would use the thieves who came to steal the eggs.

The image of Odd Grad in front of her faded away like mist. In its place, familiar darkness appeared.

She flapped her wings in the infinite dark space she had always looked up at from her nest or hunting grounds.

A small light appeared far off in the distance.

It looked like the starlight that blessed her daughter when she was born, but in reality, it was a much smaller light.

The light that carried the daughter of the meteor gradually shrank and soon disappeared.

As the world plunged into darkness, she opened her eyes above the swamp.

-

The Red Gallagon is one of the top ten most dangerous predators. Despite being called a Gallagon, it's so different that it could be considered another species entirely.

In addition to the psychic powers used by ordinary Gallagons, these creatures possess a unique power system known as 'Dragon Power.'

There are various types of Dragon Power techniques, but they share a common characteristic: when Dragon Power is activated, a red light emanates from the body.

This was true even for Adhai, a half-blooded Red Gallagon.

The red light spread from her wings and horns, dyeing her body as if soaked in red ink.

｢You're still immature.｣

The stream of energy burning within her like fire was undoubtedly from Dragon Power, but it was far from the image in my memory.

Unlike Adhai's fiery appearance, the red energy should have coated her scales and enveloped her entire body in a subtle, glowing aura.

Dragon Power techniques are all terrifying in their effects. That’s why it must find a way to control that power, no matter what.

｢Too｣ ｢strong｣ ｢hard｣ ｢to control｣

[ZZZ ZZ (You can do it)]

｢Little one! Just do it like when you were flapping around!｣

｢I’ll try｣

Hearing my and Number 26's words, Adhai began to focus. Most of the energy streaming from her horns and wings receded, returning to its original place.

The residual energy that couldn’t be contained seeped into the red wave patterns along her body. Having successfully stabilized her power, a bright red glow flared up around her eyes.

It looked as though she were wearing makeup made of blood.

｢I did it｣

‘Though it's still unstable.’

It was clear that she was putting on a brave front, but I didn’t point it out. Just being able to control that immense power to this extent in such a short time was impressive enough.

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZ (Do you have any usable techniques?)]

｢One｣ ｢seems possible｣

[ZZZZ (Try using it)]

Without moving from her spot, she concentrated. Soon, a red light flowed from her four wings, dyeing her entire head and front legs a deep red.

｢Wow! Amazing! The little one’s all toughened up!｣

Number 26, sensitive to energy and wavelengths, immediately recognized Adhai’s state.

The name of this technique is ‘Red Armor.’

According to the lore, Red Gallagons focus their Dragon Power on specific body parts to protect vital areas, drastically increasing their hardness. As Number 26 mentioned, it’s a characteristic that makes the user tougher.

Though it may seem like a rather simple ability for a boss creature, this is precisely the trait that makes Red Gallagons so difficult to kill.

‘It’s one of the best defensive techniques in Space Survival.’

The core feature of Red Armor is its invulnerability—no attack can break through it.

Whether it’s the Divine Spectre or the Cosmic Bolt from the Empire’s Battleship, no matter how powerful the weapon, any part of the body covered by Red Armor is impervious to damage. Since it’s a Dragon Power technique, not even my psychic-nullifying horn can bypass it.

Therefore, the weak point of a Red Gallagon isn’t its head or heart. The only way to harm it is by targeting areas not covered by Red Armor.

‘The problem is that a real Red Gallagon can cover most of its body with Red Armor.’

Moreover, Red Gallagons can shift the areas covered by Red Armor at will.

This means you’re up against an enemy with incredible specs, and the only way to defeat it is by hitting its one weak spot, which constantly moves. It’s a dizzyingly difficult task.

‘It was really tough for me to take down a Red Gallagon too.’

I had to study other players’ battles with it, analyze its behavior patterns, and figure out where it usually hid its weak spot before I could finally defeat it.

‘The frustrating part was not getting the genetic essence even after all that trouble.’

I remember having to hunt it again after weeks of effort went down the drain.

Anyway, Adhai is still inexperienced, so she can only cover her head and front legs with Red Armor. As she gets more skilled, she’ll be able to extend the range of the armor.

Once that happens, I won’t have to worry about her safety anymore.

‘I was concerned because of her small size, but thankfully, it’s all working out.’

｢It feels｣ ｢strange｣

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ (Try ramming your head into a tree)]

｢I don’t like pain｣

[ZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ (You won’t feel a thing)]

After hearing my words, she hesitated but then walked over to a tree. She struck it hard with the horn on her head, and the tree toppled over effortlessly.

｢Amazing｣

[ZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZZZ ZZZZZ (As long as you have that power, you’ll never get hurt)]

With her front legs now as tough as her head, it tapped the fallen tree and looked back at me.

｢I｣ ｢don’t know｣ ｢but how｣ ｢does Big One｣ ｢know?｣

[ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ (I’ve seen it before)]

｢Not me｣ ｢the power of the stars｣ ｢are there｣ ｢others｣ ｢like me?｣

[ZZZ ZZ (Not anymore)]

｢?｣

It tilted her head in confusion, but there was nothing more I could say. I couldn’t exactly tell it I saw it in a game.

‘Will I have to tell them someday?’

That I’m an outsider.

I need to leave this world and return to the place I originally lived. In fact, that's what I'm moving toward even now.

But as I get closer to that goal, the things that make me conflicted just keep increasing.

Number 26, Adhai, the Mother of the Sky, and even PS-111.

What will happen to them if I leave? Will they manage on their own, or will they miss me? And what about the Mother of the Sky, who, like me, is a player? If I reach the ending, will she return to reality with me?

Lost in thought, I was still when Number 26 sent a wavelength my way.

｢Big One knows everything, it’s amazing.｣

｢Agree｣ ｢Big One｣ ｢is cool｣ ｢strong｣ ｢smart｣

｢Big One has many limbs and is really big.｣

｢Horns｣ ｢Wings｣ ｢All awesome｣

Starting with Number 26, they all poured out their pure emotions. Instead of replying, I extended my winged arm to gently stroke them.

‘It’s a problem I can’t answer right now.’

There’s no need to decide today.

But the time will inevitably come when I have to choose. To avoid regrets then, I’ll need to keep thinking about it.

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZZ Z (You are all precious gifts to me)]

｢Gift? Big One hungry?｣

｢I｣ ｢understand｣ ｢Big One’s words｣ ｢mean｣ ｢we’re important｣

Number 26, always showing an innocent demeanor, and Adhai, flaunting her intelligence as she grows. Even in reality, I couldn’t forge deep connections with others. As they said, for someone like me, sick in both body and heart, they are indeed precious.

‘…Why am I suddenly thinking like this?’

Getting sentimental isn’t necessarily bad, but there’s still much to be done. I withdrew my hands from them and sent the next instruction through wavelengths.

[ZZ ZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZZ (Adhai, you can release your power now)]

｢Acknowledged｣ ｢Power｣ ｢Released｣

When the Dragon Power dissipated, her body returned to its original state.

[Zzz zzzz zz zz zzz zz zzzz (Good. Now attack me with the power you normally use)]

｢Acknowledged｣ ｢Big One…?｣ ｢Are you itchy? Want me to scratch?｣

I’d spoken too vaguely, and they didn’t understand. So I explained my intention carefully.

｢Big One｣ ｢Does your species grow stronger｣ ｢the more｣ ｢they’re attacked?｣

[ZZ ZZZZ ZZ ZZ ZZZ (Yes. It’s a power gained through growth.)]

｢Still can’t understand｣

Since Adhai would be the one attacking me, she seemed to have a hard time grasping the concept.

Mimicry scales are an unfamiliar trait to Gallagons. Moreover, for someone like Adhai, who has spent her life avoiding attacks due to her fragile body, it must be even more baffling.

｢Big One’s words｣ ｢always good｣ ｢so I’ll follow them｣

[ZZZ (Thank you)]

After several more explanations, Adhai finally understood what I was saying.

She stepped back, increasing the distance between us. While Adhai was preparing to attack, I took the time to explain to Number 26.

｢So I should do it like when I punish a bad flapper?｣

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZ ZZ (Just make sure the deflected energy doesn’t hit Adhai)]

｢Okay. Big One and Little One can both count on me.｣

The reason I insisted on activating my Mimicry Scales in combat was because of a trait I possess, the “Psychic Power Reflection Armor.”

This trait automatically reflects 30% of the damage I take from Psychic Power attacks. If Adhai were as big and sturdy as a normal Gallagon, she wouldn’t be harmed by the reflected attack.

Unfortunately, she was born with a body weaker than other Gallagons. Her current defence is even lower than that of a typical Green Gallagon.

In other words, she’s like a flying glass cannon. Just taking 30% of the damage from her own breath attack could be fatal.

‘That’s why I need Number 26.’

Number 26 is highly skilled at controlling Psychic Power. She can neutralize the reflected energy or redirect it elsewhere.

‘Now that Adhai has Red Armor, she’ll be able to manage on her own eventually…’

But for now, Adhai is still inexperienced in using Dragon Power, so she needs Number 26’s help.

With that, we were all set. Adhai, who had put some distance between us, sent me a telepathic message.

｢I｣ ｢will attack now｣

[Z (Okay)]

｢Tell me｣ ｢if it hurts｣ ｢I’ll stop｣

[ZZZZ ZZ ZZZZZ (Don’t worry, just go all out)]

She nodded slightly.

Soon, a vivid purple light emanated from the bundle of tentacles hanging from her mouth. The Psychic Power became so dense it could be touched and then solidified into a small energy bullet.

The first shot was fired. The psychic breath flew through the air, followed by a second and third wave of energy bullets.

Adhai's unique Psychic Breath, not used by other Gallagons, was now coming at me.

The first hit landed on my head, spreading a strong shock across my entire exoskeleton. While I registered the pain, the subsequent Psychic Breaths continued to strike the same spot.

But my pain wasn't the main concern. What mattered was where the reflected attack would go.

Without my conscious control, the Psychic Power Reflection Armor activated, reflecting 30% of the energy from Adhai’s attack. Some of it flew back toward Adhai, while other parts veered towards Number 26.

Number 26 caught every single bit of the energy without letting any escape.

It’s tentacles moved like a conductor leading an orchestra. The energy, which had been suspended in the air, gathered in one spot and then shot up into the sky.

‘Perfect.’

[ZZZZ ZZ (Just like that)]

Maybe because we’ve fought together many times, we all performed seamlessly, even on the first try.

We repeated the process several times.

At one point, when Adhai hesitated after seeing my battered exoskeleton, I reassured her, saying I would heal quickly and that this was good practice for fighting Odd Grad.

Whether my persuasion worked or she recognized the importance of training, Adhai didn’t hesitate to attack after that.

After about 30 hits from her, I noticed changes in my exoskeleton and outer shell. The once rigid surface started to soften like jelly.

Within seconds, tiny scales emerged from beneath the surface, covering my entire body. At the same time, a translucent text box appeared.

[Mimicry Scales Activation Target: Psychic Power]

[Duration: 3 Days]

[Warning: Psychic Power Reflection Armor will be temporarily deactivated.]

As I read the text box, Adhai’s Psychic Breath struck again.

The powerful energy shook my entire head, but all I felt was the sensation of being hit, with no accompanying pain.

‘It worked.’

The Mimicry Scales were now fully activated.

‘For the next 3 days.’

No Gallagon, not even the Black Gallagon Odd Grad, would be able to harm me.