I Became an Ancient All-Host Lifeform - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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027 To Debri Village

We raced across the forest at full speed to rescue Bokgu the Third’s family. As we neared the scene, I caught sight of orcs in the distance, hunting wolves.
Hm, this is my first time seeing orcs in this world—they really do have faces like pig snouts.
Since there are quite a few of them, I should get a read on their formation before we ambush.
Looking closer, they seemed divided into front ranks wielding clubs and back ranks holding snares.
We approached stealthily from their rear.
Good. This distance should be plenty.
Let’s go, you lot!

[Activating skill: Toxic Spore Level 1.]
Sssshhhhhhh—!
“Kraaack! Cough, cough!”

The orc hunters in the rear inhaled Gyusik’s Toxic Spore and collapsed, tears and snot streaming down their faces.

[Skill Toxic Spore has leveled up! Level 1 → Level 2]

Oh, perfect timing on that level up.
Now try a taste of Level 2 Toxic Spore!

[Activating skill: Toxic Spore Level 2.]
Sssshhhhhhh—!
“Kuhhhkk!”

With the skill leveled up, the orcs’ anguished tears flowed all the more copiously.
Then the orcs in front, still beating at the wolves with their clubs, suddenly spun around.

“Huh?”

The orc hunter’s face went slack with confusion.
A wolf sprinting madly with a rat perched on its head—in all his days, he’d never seen such an absurd combination.
But on any battlefield, a single second of hesitation meant death.
I didn’t miss the opening.

‘Now! Sweep them away!’

The instant Bokgu the Third closed the distance, Gyusik fired cover from his back.

[Activating skill: Neurotoxic Saliva Level 1.]
Splurt! Spit-spit-spit!

“Aaaaagh! My, my eyes!”

Two orcs took the neurotoxin full in the face from Gyusik’s tiny mouth, dropped their weapons, and crumpled to the ground.

“You—you cursed beasts!”

An orc who’d finally come to his senses swung a massive wooden club, but Bokgu the Third evaded it effortlessly.

[Bokgu the Third activates skill: Vacuum Fang Level 2.]

The fangs of the beast, wreathed in blades of wind, tore cleanly through the orc’s thick neck.

Crack! Splurt! Spray!
“Guuhhh….”

Overwhelming speed and lethal neurotoxin—a devastating combination.
The orc hunters never even got a proper scream out before they collapsed to the ground.

“Uagh! R-run!”

Seeing their comrades drop in an instant from the sudden ambush, the orcs scattered in panic, fleeing in every direction.
Good. There’s no need to chase those who are running.
Rescuing the wolves in front of us comes first.

Ding!

In that moment, the status window flooded with messages.

[You have defeated Orc Hunter Level 12.]
[You have defeated Orc Hunter Level 9.]
[Your main body’s Level has increased! Level 10 → Level 11]
[Host ‘Gyusik’s’ Level has increased! Level 10 → Level 11]
[Ally ‘Bokgu the Third’s’ Level has increased! Level 7 → Level 9]

And I mustn’t forget to harvest the Orc Genetics, either.
I approached the fallen orc hunter.

[Skill ‘Predation’ activated.]
[Orc Genetics obtained.]

Excellent. Experience points collected, and orc genetics farmed efficiently—mission accomplished!
Once the situation was under control, we freed all the other wolves.
They began circling around us in joy.

Woof! Woof!

The newly liberated wolves surrounded us and started wagging their tails.
These creatures seem to understand gratitude.
The way they encircled us and fawned was like that of puppies reuniting with their master after a long absence.
Being surrounded and welcomed like this actually feels rather pleasant.
Then, a large wolf that appeared to be the pack leader approached slowly.
Bokgu the Third tensed, lowering his tail.
The wolf approached him gradually, then….

Lick.

It gently licked Bokgu the Third’s face.
The other wolves then cautiously approached, rubbing their heads against Bokgu’s body to show affection.

Whine… whimper.
Woof! Woof!

At last, Bokgu the Third had earned his family’s acceptance!
His kin circled around him, expressing their affection vigorously.
Ah, watching Bokgu receive such love from his family fills me with warmth.
Not wanting to interrupt this touching family reunion, Gyusik and I stepped back a little.
They played with each other playfully, sharing in the joy of their reunion.
Good. That’s a happy ending right there.
Well, I suppose our guests should be off now?

‘You did well, Bokgu. Go back to your family where you belong.’

I turned away coolly, bidding farewell to Bokgu the Third.
Just as I was about to sever the Hive Consciousness connection….

Woof! Woof!

Behind me came the sound of Bokgu’s cry.
When I turned, Bokgu the Third came bounding toward me, panting hard, leaving his family behind.

Woof!

The creature came scurrying over and planted himself in front of Gyusik and me.

‘What? Hey, why didn’t you go? I told you to get back to your family.’
He shook his head firmly.

Bokgu the Third refused with unwavering resolve.

‘Just a moment ago he was whimpering like the world had ended because his family abandoned him. Now they’re treating him like a hero and welcoming him back. Go on, get moving.’
Woof woof!

I tried reasoning with him several times.
In the distance, the alpha wolf and his family watched silently.
But Bokgu the Third wouldn’t budge an inch from my side.
No matter how much I urged him, he stood his ground.
Ah, this is rather troublesome… Ha ha…

‘Well… if you’re so determined to stay with me, then I suppose I have no choice. Alright! Let’s go together, Bokgu!’
Woof!

Bokgu the Third wagged his tail like a propeller, barking loudly.
This was the moment Bokgu the Third officially joined the party.
At that instant, the wolf pack seemed to understand his resolve, and they began howling in unison from a distance.

Awooooo—!

Seeing this, Bokgu raised his head and answered in kind.

Awooooo—!

The long howl echoed across the entire forest for some time.
It was the wolves’ farewell.

* * *

Good. Bokgu the Third has now officially joined our party.
Before we head for Debri Village, should I reinforce our strength a bit?
I still had 1 Genome Point left from capturing the flame mage last time.
I’d deliberately saved it, planning to use it once I obtained a powerful host like Bokgu the Third.
The moment to finally use this precious point had arrived!

I immediately opened the Genome Archive from my status window.
Various types of genetics I’d collected so far appeared on the list.
Especially the genetics I’d carefully gathered when I looted the Magical Beast Breeding Facility had accumulated quite a bit.
Among them, one immediately caught my eye—the Electric Sheep Genetics.

【Electric Sheep】
∎ Specimen Description
A disagreeable sheep that accumulates terrifying static electricity within its fluffy coat. An android might dream of this creature and sleep peacefully, but you might sleep forever the moment you touch it.
∎ Genetic Lineage
Magical Mammals ⊃ Artiodactyl ⊃ Bovidae ⊃ Electric Sheep
【Traits】
“Insulating Skin”, “Static Accumulation”
【Skills】
“Discharge”, “Zzzzt Fur Shield”

They were the same creatures I’d seen on my first arrival at the Breeding Facility—matted fur crackling with cyan static, arcing and snapping inside the iron cage.
Of course, I could never have hunted them alone, but thanks to Morgul’s Mushroom Bus, it had been simple work.

‘Perfect. Add electricity to Bokgu the Third, who was born with wind affinity, and it’s the ideal combination, isn’t it? With such luxuriant fur, the synergy will be flawless.’

I spent the precious Genome Points I’d been saving and grafted the Electric Sheep Genetics into Bokgu the Third.

[You have expended a Genome Point and grafted Electric Sheep Genetics into your ally, Bokgu the Third.]
Keee-iiing…!

Bokgu the Third gasped for breath and trembled violently under the backlash of the new genetic code being forcibly etched into him.
But true to his nature as a wild wolf monster, he soon shook off the pain and adapted beautifully.

Crackle! Snap!

A moment later, as he shook out his fur lightly, cyan sparks erupted between his thick ash-gray coat.
Excellent.
I immediately checked his status window.

【Bokgu the Third (Ash Gale Wolf) Lv 9】
【Traits】
「Wind Affinity Resonance Lv 1」, 「Keen Nose」, 「Hunting Instinct」, 「Static Accumulation」
【Skills】
「Gust Lv 1」, 「Vacuum Fang Lv 2」, 「Tailwind Dash Lv 1」, 「Discharge Lv 1」

Sprint like the wind with 「Tailwind Dash」, accumulate friction electricity with 「Static Accumulation」,
and the moment he bites the enemy’s throat, unleash 「Discharge」to electrocute him—a perfect combo!
Damn, I did that myself, but it’s genuinely brilliant tuning.

‘All right. With the new skills loaded up, time to get moving. Let’s go—to Debri Village!’
Woof!
Squeee!

Gyusik and I rode Bokgu the Third as he streaked across the forest like the wind itself.

Snap-crackle!

Ah, it stings! Damn this static….
The occasional flashes of electricity do make the ride a bit uncomfortable, though.

* * *

A certain ward in the Northeast Border Guard Headquarters.
Bern lay on a bed wrapped in bandages from head to toe—he’d miraculously survived a plunge off a sheer cliff far below.
When an investigation team from the Cathedral arrived shortly after to gather information about the Ghost Rat, Bern began spouting an impassioned account despite his ongoing treatment.

“I’m telling you, it’s true! The Vampire Ghost is never alone. Not content with Ghost Rats, now it’s even enthralled a Phantom Wolf!”
“A Phantom Wolf this time…?”

The Exorcist Priest furrowed his brow and pressed him further.

“Yes! I saw it with my own two eyes, clear as day. It came tearing through the wind out of nowhere and killed the war dog in a single blow! That was no ordinary wolf, I assure you.”

Bokgu the Third had already begun circulating through people’s conversations as a Phantom Wolf.
Thanks to Bern’s vivid testimony, the Breeding Facility horror story had acquired yet another sinister title to join the Vampire Ghost and Ghost Rat—the Phantom Wolf.

“Whether these creatures are Chimeras that escaped from the Magic Tower or truly ghosts possessed by spectral forces, I cannot say for certain. But this much is clear: they are extraordinarily dangerous! If we don’t capture them immediately, catastrophe will befall us!”
“Yes, yes. I understand. Please, do calm yourself….”

Bern continued to elaborate on the dangers posed by the creatures long after.
The Cathedral investigation team scratched their heads as they listened to his testimony.
After all, the Vampire Ghost incident bore little connection to any Divine Revelation.
Once the interview concluded, the Cathedral investigation team left the hospital ward and returned to their quarters.

Whiiiir—!

The moment the Priestess confirmed she had erected a soundproof barrier, their true feelings began to leak through.

“Tsk, tsk….”

One of the Holy Knights shook his head in disbelief.

“As if Vampire Ghosts weren’t enough, now we’ve got Phantom Wolves too? What in the world….”
“Well, rumors are rumors—they do tend to grow exaggerated as they pass from mouth to mouth, don’t they?”

The Exorcist Priest replied casually, continuing his thought.

“Still, given that actual casualties are occurring, we can hardly dismiss this as mere hearsay.”

At his words, the Priestess let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh…. Weren’t we supposed to come here to perform blessings in the first place? How did things end up like this?”

As she said, the actual Divine Revelation that had come down to the Cathedral had nothing to do with the “terrible calamity” Bern had mentioned.
The content of the revelation was as follows….

‘New life shall take root in the Black Forest.’

This was the revelation the Cathedral had been sharing in secret.
The Black Forest was a vast woodland located in the northern reaches of the 3rd Magic Tower’s domain.
It was known as a place teeming with all manner of grotesque magical beasts.
So the Cathedral had chosen to interpret the revelation in a positive light.
The Exorcist Priest let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

“Originally we came here under the guise of blessing the Black Forest, trying to dig up dirt on the 3rd Magic Tower…. Ah, I may not be much use with blessings, but I’m quite confident with work like that.”

The Holy Knight scratched his head as he replied.

“You should’ve been an inquisitor instead of an exorcist priest in the first place….”

At that, the Exorcist Priest shrugged without a shred of embarrassment.

“Well, I won’t deny it.”

Another Holy Knight, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

“In any case, let’s head to the village near where the Ghost Rats appeared. If we gather clues centered on that location, we should be able to uncover the truth of this incident.”

The Exorcist Priest shook his head, looking troubled.

“Sigh, I do hope I won’t have to get involved in this.”

Thus the Cathedral investigation team set out toward Debri Village, chasing the truth behind the strange rumors.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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