48 – Laboratory (3)
Peregrine Alto was fidgeting.
“Don’t cry. I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright. Like I said, it wasn’t a bad dream.”
“It was a good dream, so why were you crying?”
“Because I met someone I can’t see…”
“Ah, it was a nightmare…”
Peregrine Alto shuffled through some papers and coughed lightly.
“The atmosphere is a bit strange, but we have to see the results, don’t we? The preliminary examination came out. What hasn’t come out is data that can’t be extracted here.”
“What happened?”
“First of all, if we look at the infectivity of the creatureization…there isn’t any.”
Peregrine Alto said bluntly.
“Your creatureization came from the outside. It’s not a natural change. The genetic factors were forcibly mixed. Have you had any contact with strange creatures recently?”
“I did come in contact with a strange-eyed creature in the mine, but…”
“Tell me more.”
I explained in detail. Peregrine Alto stroked his chin with interest.
“A Seer
“Quite an unusual creature to behold. Even if we count the total number throughout the federation, they’re scarce. Moreover, this overseer is known for handling small creatures called Outeye Spiders. Have you not seen one?”
“Is this creature already under investigation?”
“No, it’s not. The overseer is more cowardly than one might think. If a stronger being approaches, it immediately relocates somewhere else. Unless it’s prey, its true form cannot be confirmed. I am merely an interpreter of entwined data according to testimony. Interestingly, all individuals who witnessed and described the overseer died within a month.”
“Really?”
“It’s a virus.”
Peregrine Alto raised a blood sample he had collected.
“The overseer carries a virus, which attaches to any lifeform in some manner. Regular humans can’t withstand it. Their bodies gradually decay, eventually crumbling apart. But you are different.”
“…Because of my heritage?”
“Right. Furthermore, it seems the overseer risked revealing itself to you as a barely suitable meal. With no proper weaponry and an unfavorable environment, the overseer took shape before you. Moreover, just staring into its eyes causes no harm; its core resides elsewhere. The story leads elsewhere… In summary…”
Peregrine Alto snapped his fingers.
“You’ve been infected by the virus, influencing your transformation into a creature. However, normally the virus would ingest the original genetic material, whether due to your heritage or yourself… Regardless, you won. Although, it’s a rather hollow victory. Both were mixed appropriately.”
“If it were another heritage…”
“They wouldn’t become infected or transformed. As soon as they attempted invasion, their cells would have been consumed. Your body is still growing. While your current physical data may be impressive, it’s still following a fast growth curve. It’s an unusual phenomenon arisen because of your imperfect body allowing the virus to combine with the genetic material.”
“Ah.”
Everything was unraveled.
“Is there no way to revert?”
“Why? There doesn’t seem to be any contagion. Moreover… it appears to have no significant effects on reproductive functions. You should be capable of having healthy offspring.”
“It’s not about the children; it’s the idea of being a creature…”
“You understand now. Yes. This is a rare research specimen. Every authority figure would desire to have one of these transformed soldiers in their hands.”
Peregrine Alto laughed.
“But don’t worry. Didn’t I promise to keep the research data to myself? Let alone share this precious specimen with others. No, I’m a greedy individual.”
“I see.”
“Well, there’s no way out anyway. Already intertwined and fixed… after a while, it becomes no different from a part of your body. So, don’t bother trying to find a way to revert it.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“A positive change. Now, let’s transition. What do you know about creatures?”
“Just reasonably… as living beings from outer space… at least that’s what I understood…”
“Exactly.”
Peregrine Alto leaned back on the desk.
“If we really think about it, even humans came from outer space. Some strange star, as they say… We can’t fully comprehend them with our current technology. Ironically, they claim that during their migration, humanity also acquired most of their technology from us. They might be at a higher level than us, but not excessively so. It’s all due to the efforts of Peregrine Alto.”
“Are you saying that humans are also considered creatures?”
“Isn’t it? Humans are a race similar to us. The term ‘Creature’ refers to extraterrestrial beings that consider ‘humans as stocks’ as their definition.”
“‘Stocks…extraterrestrial beings…'”
“They are the enemies of humanity. However, their behavior is not uniform. Creatures come in various forms and each has its own hunting method. Some even take on the appearance of objects. They all operate under peculiar laws, sometimes mimicking human behavior. But ultimately, their goal is to devour humans.”
“Why?”
“If they don’t prey, they die. That’s why they are creatures. One hypothesis suggests that they were attracted by our scent and crossed dimensions.”
Peregrine Alto snapped his fingers.
“In addition, their invasion numbers are increasing. The number of Creature incursions onto our planet is rising. In the end, we may use the term ‘creatures’ for both our enemies and humans who are far from being a harvest. That’s why there are mercenaries specialized in hunting them.”
“……”
“Well, anyway, they are dangerous beings. Creatures. How about you in comparison? Do you feel appetite towards humans?”
“Not particularly…I don’t feel it.”
“Is that so? That’s why you’re merely a creature in terms of your body. You have the spirit of a noble race. The reason I’m not afraid of you, despite having such a strong physique…”.
Peregrine Alto’s gaze became piercing.
“It proves that you are still human.”
“…So far, am I…?”
“No. Even in the future. Creature transformation only affects your body. We examined brainwaves similar to those of ordinary races. It doesn’t seem to have any mental impact. If you ever get worried, come find me again. Let me examine you once more.”
I chuckled. He was a good person.
“There aren’t many places I can go alone.”
“Put one of my business cards in your pocket. It’s my personal contact number. Just so you know…don’t lose it.”
She handed me a business card.
“Now that we’ve roughly learned about Creatures, what we need to focus on is the Laws. Creatures have their own hunting methods, which we call Singularities. Have you heard about Singularities of Titan’s Anomalous Armors?”
“Yes, I have.”
“The Singularities of Titan’s Armors are merely attempts to imitate Creature traces. But they ultimately failed. Why? Because they utilize undiscovered elements far beyond human civilization. Even if someone tries to replicate them, it’s natural that they can’t do it properly.”
Peregrine Alto scrutinized me.
“However, there do exist armor that combines Creature corpses and creates proper Singularities. We call these Named. This technology couldn’t be commercialized by Titans since their technology hasn’t advanced enough to incorporate it yet.”
“……”
“There’s a reason why Titans are still the main force in wars. The production cost of Named Armor is astronomical. If we evaluate it in Titans…they could easily produce over twenty units or more. However, ironically, when they face creatures in actual combat, armors with peculiar Singularities lose to Titans. They lose their overall weight and firepower, as well as their excellent durability.”
“…So, there’s no need to create them?”
“That’s right. Of course, one might find a specific use for them, but they are not universal. There are more scientists researching Titans than those who study armor. Armor lacks practicality. It may be more capable in small-scale special missions, but its efficiency falls short compared to Titans. However, there is an eccentric who still creates them. That would be someone like me.”
Peregrine Alto tapped my shoulder.
“Enough digression. What I want to know is your Singularity. Surely, you might not be aware of it yourself, but there’s no doubt that your body possesses special abilities. Even if your mind is human, your body is that of a creature. Perhaps it resembles what the Observer possesses. But personally, I can only think of a completely different type of Singularity lying within your body. Since the two of them have merged into one. Fortunately, we still have some time, so in the underground laboratory, we’ll have the chance to slowly unravel…”
＂Is this what you’re talking about?”
A golden current sprang from her fingertips.
Peregrine Alto stepped back.
“…What’s that?”
“My peculiarity…I think. “
“Electricity? Lightning? What is it? What’s the trigger? What does it consume as fuel? What about firepower? Limits? The scope of operation? How far is it…?”
“Uh, your face is a little close…”
“I won’t delay anymore! Let’s go to the underground lab right now! I never thought I’d be able to handle peculiarities from a creature that can talk…! Hey, dragon…no, Dracon!”
Peregrine Alto trembled with excitement.
“I am the blessed genius ethical scientist!!!!!”
Isn’t that too excited?
. . .
“Get out of the way! Get out of the way!”
“P-Peregrine! If you run in the hallway…!”
“I’m not the one running, it’s this soldier!”
“Hey! Who’s…!”
“I’m in consultation! You fools! Get out of the way! The Penedrakan is leaving!”
“Apologies.”
Seeking consent, I continued to head down the stairs. I had to keep going down, for some reason, the underground facility was in need.
“Come here, Dracon.”
Peregrine Alto, who tapped my head, jumped down.
The lights came on in the dark room. A vast space with nothing in it. If there was a distinguishing feature, it was the vivid gold-like lines made out of dozens of blocks on the floor.
“Originally it’s not accessible for personal use, but it doesn’t matter.”
“But it’s visible to others, isn’t it?”
“That can also be solved.”
Peregrine Alto wrote something on the nameplate she brought.
-If you come in, you will be dismissed. (No exceptions.)
…How childish.
“Will that work?”
“It’ll work. My word is heavier than anyone here. Dracon, you should also be careful. There will come a time when you can’t get through just by having power. At that time, supporting will be fame and status. What you’ve been doing will be a concrete proof of what you mean.”
＂Build a reputation?＂
＂It means to build a good reputation. There’s only one reason why people who do bad things eventually fall. It’s because their past catches up to them. I don’t need to worry about that for now. Why? Because I’m a genius ethical scientist!＂
＂Ah, I see.＂
＂Don’t answer so gloomily, and let’s start the experiment.＂
Peregrine Alto, who had hung his nameplate at the entrance, sat down at the desk. He lightly touched the hologram control device.
One of the floors disappeared, and something came up with the sound of machines running.
＂…a doll?＂
＂It’s test subject X. It was created to test more precise physical abilities.＂
＂Isn’t it a raccoon?＂
＂Cute looks are just a bonus.＂
＂What’s a cat beastman…＂
＂Is there a rule that says you have to like only the same kinds?＂
I looked up at the giant doll in front of me.
It resembled a raccoon in appearance, but its body was incredibly large. About 3m tall.
When I touched the skin out of curiosity, it went in as far as I pressed. It felt like the texture was like jelly.
＂What am I supposed to do with this?＂
＂Hit it as hard as you can.＂
＂As hard as I can?＂
＂At first, it’s just a simple physical ability test. Don’t use singularities. Just think of hitting it with all your strength. It’ll be easier.＂
＂It looks like it’s going to break…＂
＂It won’t break. This guy’s endurance is solid. Give it a good whack without worries.＂
From Noble mtl dot com
Well, then.
Naga Kruta.
Kaen (Fire-enchantment).
Tuquaaah!!!
The raccoon shook as if it was going to break. Even though I hit it hard, it didn’t break.
＂Hmph… Hmm… Huhu…＂
Peregrine Alto laughed heartily.
＂Excellent. Now where should we go? The power output is…＂
The words were abruptly cut off. A subtle gaze looked up at me.
“I’m correcting it.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something strange about your body. It’s not just a simple creature…”
Smoke rose from the belly of the raccoon doll.
“You’re just a monster.”