Chapter 15: Peginella

Having swallowed the tasteless, pale yellow liquid, S did not immediately feel any discomfort. However, the mere thought that alien beings might use this very substance to parasitize human bodies sent a shiver down her spine.

Worse still, there was a distinct possibility that an extraterrestrial entity had already taken up residence within her own flesh. S's complexion turned ashen, but she quickly masked her distress, forcing a smile as she said:

"This way, I'll be superior to everyone else, right?"

Secretary Yamane nodded slightly with a smile: "Precisely, and welcome to our fold!"

As S departed in the company of Yamane and his associates, the delivery courier stealthily slipped out of the headquarters. Glancing around nervously, he quickly spotted Jin and K waiting a short distance away.

K was clearly more adept at deciphering secret agent ciphers. Unfolding the scrap of paper, he read it by the dim street lighting: "All individuals have been parasitized by parasitic entities; do not attack the hosts. The target is located on the third underground level."

"As for the meaning of Code-13, it is to execute the agents in the event of an emergency."

Jin and K both wore grave expressions. Suddenly struck by a realization, K frantically rummaged through his pockets and gasped in dismay: "The sample is gone..."

"Could that fellow..."

The two turned around and broke into a sprint toward the headquarters of Nano-Cybertech.

With a clear objective, they headed straight for the underground passage. Just as they descended the stairs, they bumped squarely into Secretary Yamane, who wore a grim, shadowed expression.

With a slight tilt of his head, the staff members behind him immediately grasped his intent and charged at Jin and K.

Jin vaulted directly down the stairs, kicking one staff member to the floor before swiftly dodging a swinging baton. Seizing the right moment, his figure flashed forward as he clamped a hand around an opponent's throat and dragged him downward.

Leveraging that very momentum, he planted a kick squarely into the chest of the man behind him.

Although these employees were armed with batons, dealing with a bunch of desk-bound corporate workers was far too simple for Jin and K. In the span of just a few minutes, the duo had joined forces to lay every single one of them out on the ground.

"Follow that guy!" Jin shouted back to K, before surging forward to trail directly behind Yamane.

Amidst the pursuit, the two descended to the third underground level, cautiously drawing their laser pistols and scanning their surroundings.

The expansive third underground level featured a square framework constructed of metal bars right at its center. Inside the structure was something indefinite, yet it emanated a yellow glow, writhing as if it possessed a life of its own.

"This is the new body for us Peginera," President Tazaki said, turning away from the square framework to look at the two men. "With this, our physical forms will be able to exist freely on Earth."

On the opposite side of the square frame, Yamane emerged, holding S captive.

"If you don't want her killed, drop your weapons."

Without much hesitation, Jin and K tossed their laser pistols onto the floor.

"You humans possess things you simply do not need, and that is your primary flaw. You see, emotions and the like never held much significance to begin with." Seeing how submissive the two were, Tazaki broke into a smile.

"That is why our alliance with the Gracias race's plan is so impeccably suited. How wonderful it would be if we replaced you humans! Unburdened by the constraints of emotion, entire societies would operate with unparalleled efficiency, much like machines."

President Tazaki paced leisurely, his tone serene: "Our original bodies could not adapt to Earth's environment, but we Peginera discarded our physical forms to parasitize humanity. Thanks to you humans, our numbers have grown exponentially."

"Parasitism?"

"We Peginera are fundamentally a single life form, possessing the instinct to self-replicate through cell division."

"What are you getting at?"

"Humans have always possessed the desire to reproduce offspring, expand territories, and conquer their environment. Human civilization has evolved since ancient times fueled by the power of desire. Consequently, the human brain aligns perfectly with our Peginera reproductive instinct. Therefore, we utilized medicine to transform the human society we rely on for propagation into a satisfying, highly efficient, and premium system known as Shiner-5."

"In truth, because human capabilities are enhanced upon elevation, our compatibility with you is exceptionally high. Virtually the vast majority of people can assimilate and adapt to us. Naturally, there is also a tiny fraction who attempt to resist."

"That is why we executed them!"

Tazaki chuckled, "In other words, what you people call mummies!"

Approaching S, Tazaki offered a sinister smile: "You're sweating quite a bit..."

"However, you are scheduled for execution as well!"

In a flash of piercing coldness, S's eyes sharpened. She sprang abruptly to her feet, her lightning-fast movements sending the surrounding men flying backward. At the same time, she executed a rolling maneuver across the floor, snatched the laser pistol K had dropped, and tossed it to him.

While Jin intercepted the guards pressing in from behind, K caught the laser pistol tightly and fired directly at the square framework.

The laser beam struck and scorched the metal frame, rapidly burning a small crater into its surface.

Watching the chaotic scene, Tazaki sneered, "That is completely useless."

A cluster of deep green energy burst forth from his forehead, projecting directly into the square framework. Following closely behind, numerous other energy light clusters streamed inward.

Green radiance erupted through the gaps in the frame, and amidst the violent energy tremors, the structure shattered completely.

From an external viewpoint, one would have observed brilliant emerald-green lights flashing within the Nano-Cybertech headquarters. Following this as if answering a summons, countless green lights surged from every corner of the city, resembling magnificent fireflies as they poured into the Nano-Cybertech building.

K supported S as they emerged from the Nano-Cybertech headquarters. Looking up, he witnessed a colossal monster gradually taking shape amidst a sea of green radiance.

Its body was encased in a hard shell, which twitched slightly, emitting a bizarre, eerie cry.

Jin clenched his fists slightly as he gazed at the grotesque monster. Reaching into his jacket, he retrieved the crimson Ultra Eye and set it firmly across the bridge of his nose.

"This world—I shall protect it now!"

A red beam of light sliced across the firmament like a shooting star. Blinding crimson luminescence erupted, trailing a long wake of fire as it plunged into the ground.

The razor-sharp Slugger gleamed with a cold, merciless light under the moonlight, and the immensely powerful, towering form of Seven X materialized within the city.

Viewed from a giant's perspective, the true form of the monster finally became clear. It resembled a giant snail, its shell encasing its hunched body while its short limbs sprawled against the ground in a peculiar posture. Its height did not even reach that of the Nano-Cybertech headquarters.

Accompanied by a bizarre screech, Peginera opened its terrifying maw, and a stream of dark green liquid spewed forth. Trajectory curving upward in an arc, the projectile suddenly detonated at its apex, shattering into countless microscopic points of light that showered down to envelop Seven X.