Became an Evolving Space Monster

-

The underground bunker of the second command center had been around since the Cult Empire first constructed Kesha Arma.

Originally just a standard shelter, Montana had paid special attention to it, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances. Thanks to his efforts, the place was transformed into a luxurious shelter equipped with dozens of accommodations and amenities.

However, the evacuees receiving this extravagant treatment in the bunker were far from pleased.

"What is the meaning of this? Open the door immediately, we're leaving!"

"It’s Montana’s orders. You can’t leave until the fortress is secure."

"This outrage will not go unnoticed! The Empire will never stand for such insolence!"

Those who had been rushed out of the banquet hall were relentlessly voicing their complaints to the mercenaries in charge of security and the androids providing hospitality.

"How dare they lock us in this animal cage!"

"That tremor just now—doesn’t that mean it’s dangerous even down here?"

"This is a bunker built by the Empire. Its durability is unmatched. There's no need to worry."

"What? And if something does go wrong? Will you be the one responsible?"

"Uh, well, that’s…"

The humans, lounging about while stuffing themselves with the finest liquor and snacks stored in the bunker, spouted nonsense. The mercenaries were barely holding back their anger, suppressing their urge to lash out at their employers.

Due to the unique situation, even the mercenaries were given high-end snacks in small portions. Without those perks, the situation would’ve exploded long ago.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Instead of stuffing your face, how about going outside and taking a look?"

"Yes, that’s right. We hired you for situations like this, so go check."

"...Yes."

"And get rid of those damned robots too."

The mercenaries, fearing they might actually shoot their employers if they stayed any longer, reluctantly stepped outside. The androids also left under the guise of fetching more snacks and drinks.

"Useless scum! Do they not realize whose credits brought them to such a place?"

"Indeed. I had a better opinion of Montana, but this is disappointing."

"Bah, relying on androids in the first place was a mistake."

"As expected of a pirate at heart, he can’t help his roots."

The faces of the VIPs grew red from the excessive drinking, and they began badmouthing the mercenaries and Montana.

All the humans present were from the middle echelons of megacorps—Middle Capital. They were nothing more than representatives sent by the Noblecaps or Primecaps.

Everyone in the room knew this, but no one acknowledged it. They continued to grumble, dissatisfied with the treatment they’d never experience back in their own capital.

While the megacorp guests raised their voices, the Cult patrons chatted amongst themselves about the state of the Empire.

"It seems it’ll take some time before we can leave. Shall we continue our earlier discussion?"

"You mean about the arms purchase? I’m not sure. The council mentioned a decrease in overall production recently; who knows what’ll happen."

"The current atmosphere is unstable. It's better to be prepared, don't you think?"

"Our faction officially supports disarmament."

"Ha, at a time like this, unity is what matters most. Who cares about factional…."

Suddenly, the room shook. The lights, adorned with transparent jewels, flickered before going out. The space was plunged into darkness, and panic spread, with screams echoing from both humans and cult patrons alike.

"Kyaaaaaa!"

"Ahhhhh!"

Moments later, the red emergency lights flickered on, allowing the guests to calm down somewhat.

"W-what is the meaning of this?!"

"Where’s the android! Where did the androids go?"

"Security! Where’s the security?"

The same humans who had been screaming just moments ago jumped to their feet, shouting for the androids and security. Their earlier disdain and insults were nowhere to be found.

"Isn't Kesha Arma's bunker supposed to be highly durable?"

"I heard it was built just before the Empire's decline..."

"...Whatever the case, that tremor was pretty close."

Though the Cultists remained relatively calm, their faces betrayed the creeping sense of unease. One of them eventually stood up from his seat.

"These tin cans are idiots! When are they going to—"

"Everyone, silence!"

The Cultist who had risen shouted sharply at the noisy megacorp representatives.

"I heard something."

"Heard what?"

"I didn't hear anything."

The Cultist signalled for everyone to stay quiet, raising his hand before pressing his ear to the wall. In the stillness of the room, the only sounds that could be heard were the shallow breaths of the people inside.

Except for one thing.

"...!"

The Cultist recoiled at what he heard from beyond the wall.

He wasn't the only one. The others in the room heard it too.

From beyond the wall, outside the bunker, came the unmistakable sound of human screams.

The tremors shaking the bunker, the blackout, and now, the screams. The meaning of these signs dawned on everyone in the room, and their faces turned pale as they realized the gravity of the situation.

"Insane! They said it was safe, built by the Empire!"

"There might be enemies outside! We need to evacuate—"

"Screw that! If you open the door and let them in, will you take responsibility?"

"What? You bastard, where are you from?"

"Mars, you idiot!"

"Enough! This is not the time to fight."

As some of the humans began to grab at each other's collars, the Cultists intervened under the dim glow of the red emergency lights.

"If we can hear screams from the other rooms, it means this place is no longer safe."

"Hm, if we follow the corridor, there’s an elevator... but..."

"Wait a moment! Why not just wait for the mercenaries and androids to come back?"

"Are you stupid? Don’t you get it? If we can hear screams from the next room, we could be dead before they even get here!"

"Everyone, calm down. Let's do this. Raise your hand if you want to leave."

The Cultist, who had first noticed the disturbance, spoke up again. The other Cultists in the room all raised their hands, followed hesitantly by about half of the humans, though some only half-heartedly.

"Are you crazy? If we leave, we’ll all die!"

"I’d rather trust the Cultists than wait here for some mercenary or android."

"Agreed."

And so, the escape party was decided. The Cultists and the humans who wished to leave gathered near the door, leaving the others behind.

"I don't hear anything now."

"Let me check."

A bearded Cultist stepped forward and used a psychic technique to sense for any movement in the hallway beyond.

"I sense no movement."

"No mercenaries either?"

"...Seems they’ve moved elsewhere."

The group exchanged glances and then pressed the button on the terminal next to the door. A hissing sound filled the air as the thick metal door slowly slid open.

Cautiously, two Cultists stepped outside. The situation in the corridor was worse than inside the room. It was pitch dark, as if there had been a problem with the emergency lights.

"It's dark."

"I'll handle that."

A gaunt female Cultist stepped forward and lightly stretched her hand toward the front. A psychic orb manifested, casting a dim glow around them.

"We could find flashlights in the bunker, but we don't have the time."

"Exactly. Escaping is the priority."

"Let's proceed as we are."

"S-sure."

Unlike the Cultists, who could contribute, the humans could only nod awkwardly, feeling out of place. The Cultists, each with their unique abilities, led the way into the corridor, while the humans trailed behind. As the last human exited, those remaining inside quickly shut the door.

The woman who created the light, along with the bearded Cultist using his psychic power to sense their surroundings, led the group.

"...It's quiet."

"Sniff, something smells off."

"Shh. The elevator isn't far. Keep quiet, everyone."

A few more steps, and they'd reach the elevator that would take them up to the command building. All of them had descended to the bunker from the banquet hall, so they were familiar with the route.

Or so they thought.

"W-what’s going on?"

"......"

They had walked at least a kilometer, yet there was no sign of the elevator. The group still found themselves in the same luxurious carpeted hallway.

And that wasn’t the only problem.

The strange odor that had been lingering was becoming stronger, almost as if it were following them.

"...We should start running."

"Agreed."

"Damn it!"

The seemingly endless corridor wasn’t going to kill them. The real danger was the 'smell' creeping up behind them.

As soon as the Cultists and humans began to run, the ominous stench surged forward, accompanied by heavy, pounding footsteps.

"Eeek?!"

"Ahhh!"

"Shit! Run!"

"Goddammit!"

A massive beast, large enough to fill the corridor, was chasing them down. The humans shrieked and cursed as they sprinted forward. The Cultists, using their psychic powers to attack, found their efforts futile.

"Attacks aren't working!"

"Fall back, everyone—agh!"

"Arghhh!"

A short scream was followed by the gruesome sounds of something being crushed and torn apart. The cold, wet sensation of breath on their necks sent a chill down their spines. Neither the Cultists nor the humans dared look back. All they could do was run toward the elevator.

Perhaps their prayers reached some divine force. At the end of the corridor, a small terminal blinked faintly—a signal that the elevator was near.

But the beast was closing in fast. Even if they reached the elevator, they'd be dead before the door opened.

"W-we have to buy time!"

The humans exchanged desperate glances with one another.

Though the Cultists excelled in psychic abilities, their physical strength was inferior to that of ordinary humans. Unless they were wearing enhanced suits, even a fully-grown male Cultist could be overpowered by an average human woman. So when it came to the female Cultists, the decision was even clearer.

After a brief, ruthless deliberation, the humans made a very megacorp-like choice: they would sacrifice the lagging female Cultists to the monster.

"I won't forget your sacrifice!"

“What? What are you doing... Kyaaah!”

“H-Help... Aaaah!”

A monster opened its long jaws and swallowed the fallen woman from the cult. Another cult member who had fallen tried to crawl away, but it was futile.

As the luxurious carpet became soaked with blood, the humans and cult members reached the elevator. They quickly operated the terminal, opened the elevator doors, and rushed inside.

“Hurry, close it! Close it now!”

The elevator doors closed as fast as they had opened. The massive steel doors, standing several meters tall, slammed shut, causing a deafening noise, leaving a slight dent in the process.

They feared the elevator might break, but fortunately, it continued to function normally. As it rapidly ascended towards the command center, the surviving humans began to catch their breath—only to be grabbed by furious cult members.

“You dare!”

“The Empire will never overlook your actions!”

“What’s wrong with you? If it weren’t for us, we’d all be dead down there!”

“Weren’t you complicit too? If you wanted to save them, you should have stayed behind when we pushed you aside!”

As they bickered back and forth, the elevator reached the floor where the command center’s banquet hall was located.

The doors opened, and the familiar sight of the banquet hall greeted them.

The man, grabbed by his collar by a bearded cult member, forcefully shook him off and stepped outside.

“That’s your problem! You’re just like us but act all high and mighty...”

As he turned to shout at the cult members in the elevator—

Everyone disappeared from his view.

“What the...”

The elevator’s metal floor had been completely ripped out, sending both humans and cult members plummeting. And the one responsible was the last thing he wanted to see.

Massive, asymmetrical horns sprouted from its head. Its dull white eyes glowed without any hint of emotion. Its mouth was lined with rows of sharp, jagged teeth.

The creature that had terrorized the bunker opened its jaws, and its enormous tongue stretched toward him.

---

‘Hmm. Not great.’

The humans in the underground bunker didn’t taste as good as I had hoped. Honestly, even if they weren’t at Si-hyun Yujin’s level, I expected better from these MegaCorp VIPs, but no.

None of them had undergone any genetic modifications; they were just ordinary people. The only upside was that their meat was fatty.

‘The cultists were generally better, though.’

I tossed the remaining leg into the air. Number 26, riding on my back, caught it with one of its pink tentacles. It quickly devoured it and left a brief comment.

｢Not good.｣

[ZZ (Right?)]

Having spent so much time with me, it had started to develop its own way of judging flavor.

Delicious, so-so, or bad—three categories, simple as that.

Considering it digests prey by dissolving it, I’m not sure how it even perceives taste, but it seems to have its own criteria.

‘Come to think of it, this is the banquet hall.’

A few long tables stood in the gaudy room, decorated with all sorts of flashy gemstones, like something a nouveau riche would put together. The panic during my attack had left the dining tables covered with untouched food.

I handed some of the remaining dishes to Number 26.

｢Delicious!｣

[ZZZZ (Good to hear.)]

It seemed pleased, as it extended its tentacles and wrapped up the remaining food all at once, pulling it into its body. Watching this reminded me of the black yokai from a Japanese animation I’d seen in a museum as a child.

‘Back before the burns. Good memories.’

Following 26's example, I grabbed an apple from a jeweled basket and tossed it into my mouth, then left the banquet hall.

It seemed those above still didn’t know I’d wrecked the underground bunker. I faced no resistance as I crawled up the stairs to the first floor.

The lobby was packed with pirates. They had barricaded the area, preparing in case the shield wall was breached.

One of them wiped the sweat off his neck and turned, spotting me. His eyes widened, as if questioning why the monster was coming from behind.

I decided my corrosive tentacles would answer for him.

It took less than five minutes for the lobby to be cleared of any living pirates.

From the upper half of a dead pirate, I pulled out a terminal. Gently pressing the buttons with the small arms on my chest, I watched as the shield wall near the entrance slowly started to move.

｢Who the hell is deactivating the wall? Stop that immediately...!｣

I crushed the blood-soaked communicator underfoot, silencing the voice.

As the shield wall opened, familiar faces greeted me.

“Gigigigig!”

“Gikikikik!”

“I want to kill! I want to rip their throats and drink their blood!”

The mutants and lunatics cheered when they saw me.

I decided to give them what they wanted.

I gave the order.

Ravage this command center to your heart’s content.

And with that command, the horde of lunatics surged into the command center.