Golden Experience-Chapter 216: “Calamity 3 Body Fusion – Ultimate Demon Lord”

After various experiments, the result was that a hole appeared in the floor of the queen’s room. As Sugaru had already called in the engineer ants for repairs, there was no issue.

The first thing I naturally activated while looking in the mirror was the initiation of [Transformation]. However, since I had reservations about uttering it while activating, I changed the word without ever using it. The word I set as the provisional activation key was the same as Hideo.

In this game, [Metamorphosis] refers to the skill possessed by Azalea and others of the Laestrygones race. It’s a skill derived from their race, allowing them to transform into different races or characters.

Setting the word as [Metamorphosis] might lead to a potential misunderstanding if someone were to ask for the activation key, thinking it’s their own [Metamorphosis], provided there’s a character familiar with it. That wouldn’t be a problem, though.

Choosing a completely different word, one not existing in the game, could complicate things. It might raise suspicions among players that we’re from the same place.

If I were younger, I might have chosen some other word, but at this age, it doesn’t matter much to me. Ultimately, as long as it wasn’t [Transform], anything would do. If there are any issues, I could always change it later. (T/N: this is because of the wordplay of ‘transform’ and ‘pervert’ being homophones)

After performing [Metamorphosis] several times in front of the mirror, I roughly grasped the specifications of this ability.

Originally, Sugaru’s [Metamorphosis] had the following effects:

However, the mantis scythes and the spider silk-producing organs that Sugaru gained were added to the [Metamorphosis] list through Sugaru’s [Laying] and [Breeding: Insects]. It’s a kind of hidden trait.

These traits are not always displayed as Sugaru’s racial features.

Although there are various traits that [Metamorphosis] can manifest, it seems to be mainly managing flags. Essentially, it’s whether each trait is in an on or off state.

For example, in my case, traits like [Horns], [Demonic Eyes], [Wings] and [Extreme Beauty] are always in an on state, and naturally, there’s no cost associated to them.

The newly added traits also function the same way; there’s no consumption of MP or LP when they are in the on state.

When I tried turning on all the traits, such as multiple legs and exoskeleton, my lower body transformed into a spider-like shape. I grew eight legs, increased in height, hit my head on the ceiling, gained weight, and the floor began to give way. If I hadn’t activated [Flight] on the spot, I might have broken through several floors.

Learning from that lesson, I was currently conducting further investigations in the first-floor multipurpose hall with a mirror.

The on-off switch for the racial traits mentioned earlier seems to be just a secondary effect of [Metamorphosis], and fundamentally, it is a skill that changes into a different form stored in the internal data of the [Metamorphosis] trait.

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The parts in the description such as “transform into a specific shape” and “temporarily acquire skills based on the new shape” seem to refer to this. In Sugaru’s case, the previously mentioned hidden traits fall under this category.

I could also acquire similar abilities since [Laying] is listed in the obtainable trait list. However, the idea of an unmarried woman like myself laying eggs and having offspring poses a significant psychological resistance. I’m probably not going to enhance my avatar’s abilities in this direction.

If there are other monsters capable of [Metamorphosis] besides Queen Arthropoda, their race should have a unique means of acquiring specific [Metamorphosis] traits. It’s not too late to find that out later.

For now, it’s probably sufficient to use the on-off function of racial traits for [Metamorphosis]. However, specifying which traits to turn on or off is necessary.

If [Metamorphosis] is activated without specifying anything, currently active traits are turned off, and inactive ones are turned on. Hideo, being originally human, should have had no issues with that.

However, I would face a bit of a problem. Usually, [Horns], [Demonic Eyes], [Wings] and [Extreme Beauty] are on.

If I were to switch all on-off states, my lower body would become a spider covered in an exoskeleton, growing poisonous bristles, losing the horns, wings, demonic eyes, the glow from my eyes, and even the cuticles of my hair. It would be as if I had closed my heart, unable to withstand my own transformation.

Although I had already gotten used to it and didn’t mind usually, it’s true that life would be easier without horns or wings. Ideally, it’s better to have them off by default. On the other hand, there might be cases where only horns or wings are needed.

It would be better to be able to set them individually.

At this point, for example, if I turn off the wings, the text for the skill [Flight] in the skill list turns gray.

Although acquired, it remains in a non-active state. Naturally, flying becomes impossible.

When it comes to [Flight], while using my wings is optional, having wings seems to be a prerequisite for the skill after all.

When switching each individual trait, for example, if it’s the default, you need to say something like [Metamorphosis: Horns].

It seems that by activating in this way, individual settings are possible, but a word like “Metamorphosis” here doesn’t quite fit.

“Well, unless another Demon Lord is born, it probably won’t matter, and it’s better to use a word that’s easy to understand for myself.”

After much deliberation, I settled on “Liberation”.

With this, even if a player asks, it’s unclear whether it’s the activation word for the skill or just a declaration of action.

So, I decided to proceed with the selection of traits.

Removing the trait [Demonic Eyes] from the traits would render [Demonic Eyes] unusable, causing inconvenience to daily life. This trait remains on at all times.

Next, although it’s a bit bothersome, I decided to keep [Horns] on at all times. This will protect me against skills like [Charm] and other unexpected mental attacks, which is significant.

Regarding [Charm], according to Blanc, as long as you are a player, there doesn’t seem to be a problem even if resistance fails.

However, having a significant bonus when resisting [Mental Magic] is reassuring. Just looking at the effects activated on Hideo a while ago makes it clear that the state-altering effects that suppress the opponent’s actions are very powerful. I definitely wouldn’t want to experience that.

[Extreme Beauty] also remains on at all times. I haven’t used it for much more than a bonus to [Charm] against opponents, but it’s troublesome to turn it on every time before using [Charm]. There’s no particular reason to turn it off.

On the other hand, I decided to keep [Wings] off most of the time. I can grow them only when [Flight] or feather-related attacks are needed. Although it may result in a slight delay in the initial move, there haven’t been many situations where [Flight] or [Feather Barrage] were needed right from the start of a battle. If there were such a situation, I would probably have started flying long before.

I temporarily decided on this configuration as the base form. At first glance, I look like a human with slightly pointed ears, except for the horns.

I also instructed Queen Arachnea through Sugaru to create new dresses for me.

As a design, any backless dress with an opening up to the waist would do.

If I have wings normally, it’s enough to have holes only for them. But if not, a design that is open is also acceptable.

Although the exposure increases despite having delicate skin due to my innate traits, sacrificing the back for the front is unavoidable.

Wearing such dresses and throwing on a shawl from above should be fine.

Also, new underwear is necessary.

When the lower body turned into a spider earlier, the one I had burst.

Thanks to the skirt spreading, the dress suffered almost no damage, but the underwear was a different story.

Fortunately, the trait [Exoskeleton] had little impact on the upper body part.

Hideo, being human, seemed to be covered in exoskeleton and armor all over, but where does this difference come from? If I were to gain the trait [Armor], would I undergo a similar change, or does the Demon Lord’s upper body have a superior factor against other traits?

“Is it about right here? Well then, onto the next.”

Putting a large mirror into the inventory, I returned to Tore Forest.

*

Returning to the square, the next one summoned was Yoroizaka-san.

Yoroizaka-san’s visual as the Seventh Calamity is quite impactful.

Continuing to use it as the primary form of the Seventh Calamity is a good plan for now.

However, in the near future, there may come a time when Yoroizaka-san alone cannot defeat the players.

Even now, some players can already inflict damage on Yoroizaka-san.

Before that happens, some reinforcement is necessary.

Firstly, I give her a [Greater Philosopher’s Stone].

If it smoothly reincarnates and can continue to be utilized, that’s fine.

However, if it cannot reincarnate or if, even after reincarnation, the same usage as before is not possible, then at that time, reluctantly, I’ll have it become part of my own flesh and blood.

《Your subordinate has met the reincarnation conditions》

《Do you allow the reincarnation into [Castrum Caelestis]* by consuming 3000 experience points?》

(*T/N: that roughly means something like Citadel of Heaven, or Heavenly Fortress)

You can already imagine it from the name. This is probably going to get even bigger.

“…Let’s allow it. The heavenly fortress, the fortress of the gods, huh? It doesn’t seem to have changed much, but judging from the consumed experience points, this is probably the top.”

If it gets any larger than this, the usual usage might no longer be possible.

In that case, let’s merge with Yoroizaka-san and become a complete form, possessing the powers of both the first and second forms, standing before the players.

Come to think of it, I’ve had a long association with Yoroizaka-san.

It dates back to the first official game event.

At that time, Yoroizaka-san was still of reasonable size, along with the Kenzakis and…

“Wait, where are the Kenzakis? Oh, damn! I accidentally reincarnated them together!”

Similar to the case with the Adamant Armors, they were probably absorbed together as equipment and integrated into Yoroizaka-san.

After the reincarnation, the revealed Yoroizaka-san has become even larger, surpassing the Samurai Skulls and Giant Corpses by a considerable margin. In fact, it’s almost as big as Ururu nearby. It’s practically a giant robot.

On its back, it carries four enormous swords, reminiscent of the Kenzakis.

《A Disaster Creature, [Heavenly Fortress] has been born.》

《Since the [Heavenly Fortress] is already under the control of an existing faction, the transmission of the standard message has been suppressed.》

“…Well, it’s fine. I had planned to merge together afterwards if the size change was too much, or something.”

Yoroizaka-san seems to have already sensed that and is approaching the Alchem Extractor.

It appears to be urging me to “hurry up” but I was still a bit hesitant.

Is it really okay to merge with these?

The Alchem Extractor, with the mysterious power unique to artifacts, effortlessly incorporates the massive Yoroizaka-san into the flask.

As a result, one flask has become abnormally large, and the other empty flask remains normal-sized, creating a shape resembling a horseshoe crab.

Stanislav seems quite astonished.

It’s understandable. There’s no way he could have used materials of this size in the underground ruins, and he probably never attempted it.

“Alright, I leave it to you.”

*

“Ah, I see. There seems to be a combination effect in racial traits.”

For example, the combination of [Wings] and the acquired [Sword] from incorporating Kenzaki.

Activating both at the same time transforms the feather bullets shot with [Feather Bullet] or [Feather Gatling] into short sword blades. Essentially, it’s like having a bunch of spetsnaz knives growing on your back. While they feel like regular feathers when touched, using the parts as weapons provides attributes of a sword.

In game terms, it would mean that attacks with the bare hands of a character with the trait [Sword] would have [Blunt] and [Slashing] or [Piercing] damage attributes.

Similar synergies exist with other traits like [Horns] and [Adamantite Steel].

Activating these simultaneously turns the horns on my head black. Considering Adamantite refers to Adamas, at this point, the horns become Adamantite. The physical and magical resistances increase, in addition to the mental resistance from the horns, creating an excellent state with all three resistances receiving a bonus.

While not intending to use it actively, the combination of [Adamantite Steel], [Armor], [Multi-Legs] and [Gigantic Body] was truly impressive.

A giant Arachnea with an upper body resembling a female knight wrapped in black-gold armor emerged.

Furthermore, adding [Wings] and [Sword] creates sharp black wings, seemingly crafted from swords, on the spider part’s head and chest. When using [Feather Gatling] in this state, due to size correction or some other reason, the power becomes abnormal, capable of cutting through mountains. However, the accuracy is terrible, even when aiming for human-sized targets, and the LP cost increases significantly.

Being initially pessimistic, thinking everything might be destroyed due to this, turned out to be unnecessary worry.

This was because the original upper body grew from the forehead of the giant Arachnea humanoid.

“I’ve seen this kind of enemy somewhere before…”

For now, it seems the strength of the demon race is an inherent advantage.

“…Strange, I was supposed to be experimenting with creating a transforming hero for Blanc’s request, but what I ended up with is a giant-sized enemy villain costume… Where did I go wrong?”

Nevertheless, there were also fortunate aspects. When Kenzaki reincarnated into Heavenly Fortress, it seems the skill [Sky Drive] was unlocked for me as well.

The same applied to [Childbirth], suggesting that certain factors, like hidden masked data that doesn’t appear in the display, meet the conditions for skill acquisition.

If that’s the case, even Hideo might have acquired some inexplicable skills.

After all, it’s a skill that unlocks by incorporating a hundred dung beetles into the body. Truly a terrifying thing.

Furthermore, the ability values, which had been biased towards INT and MND until now, seemed to have been significantly averaged.

Thanks to that, both LP and MP had considerably increased. Although the MP used to be more than twice the LP due to the effect of [Ars Longa, Vita Brevis], the increased ability values and LP itself had narrowed that gap.

When activating the trait [Gigantic Body], LP increased even more due to the specifications of a large boss.

At the same time, due to the specifications, area attacks became multi-hit. However, in the case of the rare, damage taken was reduced by [Demonic Armor], and damage was deducted from MP rather than LP. In other words, the increased LP did not bring any particular advantages to the rare.

Even if MP ran out, magic and skill activation were still possible by consuming LP. So, it’s not much different either way, but it felt like a loss for some reason.

“Anyway, with careful consideration of materials, it’s probably possible to transform into a hero. Be cautious, though; if you use the Alchem Extractor thoughtlessly for reasons like being strong or having sentimental value, you might end up becoming a monster.”

After that, the need to go to the cave in the Liebe Great Forest arose once again.

Doing it or not probably wouldn’t make much difference, but if possible, it’s best to do our best.