Chapter 100. Omega
The exploration team followed the Cyborg Dolphin into the building.
In stark contrast to its majestic exterior, the interior made of steel structures was not lavish but extremely plain.
【Bubble Bubble】─Apart from its size, it’s pretty ordinary.
【Pururu】─I was expecting a glittering interior, though.
【Mysticism】─Disappointed. 😟
─［Ah, there they are.］
The Cyborg Dolphin, leading the way, pointed in one direction.
In a corner cluttered with mechanical parts, a girl with large ears sticking out of her head, a mixture of machinery and organic components, was sitting.
‘So that’s Omega.’
Omega’s face was incredibly pale.
Though she had a human face, she felt like a completely different being.
The faint bluish light leaking from her eyes, for example.
Just from her face alone, it was clear that she was an android, as the sense of difference was overwhelmingly strong.
As for the rest of her body, it went without saying.
She had thick, long mechanical arms that didn’t match her slender body.
There was a reptilian tail protruding from her back.
Next to it was a mechanical tail made of a bundle of thin wires.
At the end of the mechanical tail was a circular device resembling a hammer, with small clamps rapidly moving inside it, assembling mechanical parts with precision.
【Pururu】─Doesn’t look that strong.
【Pururu】─Wasn’t she supposed to be SS-class? Is she really SS-class?
“Yes, she’s SS-class. But her nerfed threat level is A-class.”
【Pururu】─ㄷㄷ
【Mysticism】─😮
The Cyborg Dolphin took a deep breath.
Then, in a loud voice, he called out to Omega, who was tinkering with the machine in the corner.
─［Omega! I’ve brought Min Hyeong-seok’s party, along with Explorer-nim and Iris-nim, who is connected to them!］
─［Huh?］
At that, Omega stopped what she was doing and turned to face the exploration team.
Neo Hyeong-seok boldly stepped forward.
Even though she was a different entity with only Min Hyeong-seok’s memories, he still seemed to want to greet the person from those memories.
─［It’s been a while, Omega.］
─［Who are you? Huh?］
【Pururu】─Huh, what’s she saying?
─［I’m Neo Hyeong-seok, the former explorer Min Hyeong-seok, now serving Puppet Master and Explorer Gauntlet-nim─］
─［I have no interest in trash like Min Hyeong-seok. Huh.］
【Pururu】─LOL
【Mysticism】─🤭
【Yumi】─Huh!
Omega passed by Neo Hyeong-seok without listening to his full explanation.
Then, after quickly scanning the exploration team, her gaze fixed on Iris.
Omega’s eyes were drawn to Iris, who was currently displaying my image on her screen.
─［Ah, are you the explorer with the “The Assisted One” trait?］
“Yes.”
─［Nice to meet you. I’m Omega. Huh.］
【Yumi】─Huh, huh!
【Rise Nova】─Huh, huh, huh, huh!
【Bubble Bubble】─?
【Mysticism】─🧐
【Pururu】─Are those two crazy?
Omega was very friendly toward me.
Luckily, it seemed like we’d be able to communicate well.
***
■ Omega
─Actual Threat Level: SS-Class.
─Current (Nerfed) Threat Level: A-Class.
─Abilities: Body modification, machine assembly, synthesis, metal manipulation, machine control, distortion of physical laws.
While Centaurides was working on the guidebook, I had a brief conversation with Omega in the Machine Factory via Iris.
─［The Predation ability of “The Solitary One” and the Dominance ability of “The Dominant One”—these two are certainly powerful and almost absolute abilities. However, they aren’t particularly mystical or awe-inspiring. Huh.］
Omega first explained why she wanted to meet “The Assisted One.”
─［Similar abilities are commonly found in the labyrinth. Moreover, I could even create machines with comparable abilities using my technology. Huh huh.］
【Yumi】─Huh huh.
【Rise Nova】─Huh huh.
【Pururu】─Shut up.
─［But! The Taming ability of “The Assisted One” is different! Not only is there no creature with a similar ability, but the principles behind it can’t be figured out, making it impossible to create a machine with a comparable power!］
Omega’s voice grew more animated.
Though her expression didn’t change.
─［I’ve confirmed that “The Assisted One’s” ability isn’t related to mental manipulation! It’s neither brainwashing nor charm! Yet, you use this ability to make others your true allies. This is both mysterious and awe-inspiring, igniting a desire to research it further! And if used well, this ability could even create a world without conflict! Huh!］
【Yumi】─Huh!
【Pururu】─She’s getting a bit too excited.
【Bubble Bubble】─Geniuses always get easily excited when they find something interesting.
─［That’s why I want to research “The Assisted One’s” ability! Huh!］
“Well, I get why you wanted to meet ‘The Assisted One.’ But how do you plan on researching my ability?”
Surely, she wasn’t going to ask if she could dissect me.
If she did, I was prepared to subdue and tame her by force.
─［Though I would like to dissect you… I know you wouldn’t agree to that. Huh.］
“Of course not. I’m not some experiment. What dissection?”
─［Then, I would like you to tame me. If I’m tamed by you, I’ll be able to understand what emotions I feel and what changes occur. Huh.］
【Pururu】─Do machines even have emotions?
【Yumi】─Well, she is a living being after all. Huh.
【Mysticism】─😠
She wanted me to tame her because she was curious about the emotions of the tamed.
I had no reason to refuse.
After all, I had sent the exploration team there with the goal of taming her.
“Will taming you really reveal the principles of my ability?”
─［I don’t know. But it’s worth a try. Huh.］
【Pururu】─What’s with that weird noise? Suddenly changing tone.
【Mysticism】─Her speech is so annoying. 😡
【Rise Nova】─Mysti’s angry face emoji is also annoying.
Omega extended her hand toward Iris.
It seemed like she was asking for a handshake.
But since we were essentially having a video call, it was impossible to actually shake hands.
─［How about it? After taming me, would you like to conquer this Ancient Labyrinth together, huh? I don’t like “The Dominant One” or “The Solitary One,” but I’d be happy to team up with you, “The Assisted One.” Huh.］
“Conquer the labyrinth? Do you know how to become a Dominant One?”
─［I don’t. Huh. It’s just a proposal to build civilizations throughout the labyrinth. Huh huh.］
【Pururu】─Stop making those weird sounds.
【Yumi】─Huh. The more I think about it, it seems that noise is just mechanical rather than a verbal tic.
Building civilizations throughout the labyrinth, huh…
It wasn’t a bad proposal.
One day, I would dominate the world, and setting up proper civilizations wouldn’t be a bad idea.
It would definitely be better than the primitive ones that existed now.
I couldn’t say I wasn’t interested.
Winning Omega over would also make it easier to tame her, so I agreed to her proposal.
Then I attached a severed arm to the red mark engraved on Omega.
I had already explained the conditions of my Taming ability to her.
─［So my weakened strength was due to this. To think you would use your taming ability in such a way, Explorer, you’re somewhat clever. Impressive. Huh.］
“Clever? Anyone with a brain could’ve thought of that.”
─［That’s true, huh huh.］
“······.”
If you’re going to compliment me, do it properly.
Don’t leave me feeling awkward.
─［But while it’s easy to come up with the idea, executing it is difficult. Most explorers fear getting hurt and can’t withstand pain, so they don’t attempt it. So you are impressive. Not ignorant… but brave. Huh.］
Omega gave a thumbs up.
【Pururu】─She insults and then praises.
【Mysticism】─InsultPraise! 😀
【Yumi】─Chirp.
【Bubble Bubble】─Yumi, are you sick? What’s with you lately?
【Rise Nova】─Hmm. It seems like she’s gone from psychiatrist to patient.
Omega stared intently at the severed arm attached to her body, then, as if something had occurred to her, she looked back at Iris.
─［Oh, and even after the taming is complete, I can’t come to where you are immediately. I have something I need to do.］
“Something to do? What is it?”
─［I have to hunt down a creature. It’s a newly-born mechanical lifeform that only causes destruction and can’t be communicated with, so I plan to eliminate it. Huh huh.］
“Is it strong?”
─［Yes, quite strong. How strong? Well… do you know Solorb? Huh.］
“Of course. The Bastet we have here is a monster from the world Solorb created.”
─［That’s surprising and intriguing. Anyway, the creature I plan to eliminate is the reincarnation of a being that once destroyed Solorb. Huh.］
“…It defeated Solorb?”
─［Yes. But that was a long time ago. The creature I’m talking about is not the same individual, just from the same species. It’s still very weak as it’s only recently been born.］
Omega explained.
If left alone, it would grow stronger by the day.
If it wasn’t killed in its infancy, there would never be another chance to do so.
【Mysticism】─ 😮 Mechanical creatures have an infancy stage?
【Yumi】─Well, they’re still lifeforms.
【Pururu】─Then that Little Solorb we saw earlier was also in its infancy. Seems like some monsters are weak during their infancy, unlike Dog Spiders.
I asked Omega what the monster’s name was.
Omega gazed out the window, staring into the distance, and answered quietly.
─［Mechanical Hydra. A species that once tried to destroy this world, only to be exterminated by the Crocodile Merchant.］