Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe – 7
EP.7 Touring the Base
Jupiter, the old man, greeted Lowie and stepped outside the headquarters building.
“Oh…”
A transparent, gigantic dome showcasing the view of space above, and buildings erected on asteroids.
Inside, the air was kept clean and at optimal oxygen levels thanks to the air maintenance system.
The gravity was slightly heavier than what the Terra race’s Earth standard was, but it seemed manageable for most Terra people without much discomfort.
Despite being in a completely different world, I couldn’t help but compare everything to Earth, given my origins.
“Hmm… but it’s a bit noisy.”
Countless materials, buildings, and various objects surrounded me.Information about them continuously flooded my mind.
Additionally, the thoughts and emotions of the people around me, along with detailed internal information, all flowed in.
While it was certainly convenient and my main body could easily process this amount of information, it was somewhat annoying.
It felt like constant background noise that I couldn’t shut off.
Could I change it so that I only received information when I wanted it?
The moment I thought that.
“Huh.”
Suddenly, all the information pouring in from all directions abruptly stopped.
It was like working on a computer with multiple windows open, only for the computer to crash, leaving my face reflected on the black screen.
Though the analogy was a bit grim, it became incredibly quiet.
All the overwhelming information and the incessant, inaudible noises vanished.
Only what I could see with my eyes, hear with my ears, smell with my nose, and feel with my skin remained.
Right, just like an ordinary person.
I couldn’t see infrared or electromagnetic waves with my eyes anymore.
I couldn’t feel the gravity of the red giant star about 20 light-years away!
For someone like me, who hasn’t even been reincarnated for a day, this was a much more familiar sight.
Wow, this is great!
I can have whatever I want.
This is what being a true god feels like.
It really makes me feel like a protagonist in an isekai story, living a normal life after being reincarnated into another world!
Moreover, if I use my main body to grant myself some abilities, it’s like having an overpowered cheat in an isekai story.
“But staying like this all the time might be inconvenient.”
Going back to the previous state was not appealing, but could I have a skill like those emotion-based abilities in fantasy novels, where I only get the information I want?
…Hmm, it seems possible.
It seems that as soon as I think about wanting something, it becomes possible.
Let’s try to get information about a nearby pebble.
“Oh, it works.”
As I focused on a nearby pebble, information about it flowed into my mind.
Its composition, weight, where it originally came from, and how it ended up here.
Well, I don’t really need such detailed information about a random pebble.
But anyway, it’s good that I can control my abilities now.
“Wow! That means I can block information and explore this unknown sci-fi world without knowing anything beforehand.”
Exactly!
Even if I had information before, experiencing it firsthand is different from just knowing it in my head.
Sure, it’s true, but experiencing something without prior knowledge is the real thrill!
“Wow, I can block information at will. Outer Gods are awesome.”
Then, let’s explore this asteroid base built by a highly advanced civilization without any prior information, shall we?
…Hmm, it might be a bit inconvenient to have absolutely no information about this world.
I’ll filter it to the level of general knowledge that a space adventurer would have… Okay, that should do it.
It’s nice to have this self-filtering ability.
I can choose to receive information selectively based on the situation.
Now that I’m ready, it’s time to finally step out into the base’s streets.
As I ventured out, I saw a wide variety of space species walking between the buildings.
Even though it was an asteroid, its diameter was at least 100 km.
It looked like the top had been flattened to build the base, and the area was large enough to accommodate a city-sized base.
Naturally, there were many people, including some who looked like space adventurers and others who seemed to be permanent residents.
They were probably employees of the Galactic Union or workers from corporations based here.
As I moved from the central headquarters through the large, modern buildings and into what seemed like an alley, I found a commercial district lined with relatively low-rise buildings.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
Long rows of low-rise commercial buildings on both sides.
Merchants busy with their trade outside.
And countless species walking by.
Wow, there are all sorts of species here.
I saw Terra race members, a species with green skin and an extra joint in their limbs.
There was even a species that looked like an octopus with numerous tentacles, reminiscent of the stereotypical alien image.
But from the outside, it just seemed like a diverse range of species.
Hmm, it feels like a well-developed market?
Although it’s supposed to be sci-fi, it doesn’t seem that extraordinary.
However, seeing what’s being bought and sold in the market changes that perception drastically.
“Come, come! These are the teeth of ‘Lowmen’ from the planet Phuros! Perfect for reinforcing armor with alloy! Now available for just 500,000 SP each!”
“Get your skewers! Made with Terek meat, they’re chewy and delicious!”
“This is made from the bones of a giant monster I got when I was at Base B388…”
“Oh, I know this. Is this from the Kartush species?”
Lowmen, Terek, Kartush… Names I had never heard of in my previous life.
But here, they are common.
Lowmen are wild creatures from a planet called Phuros, which belongs to a galaxy quite a distance from here.
Imagine a two-legged elephant with long arms, a long trunk, sharp teeth, and claws, walking bipedally, about 10 meters in size.
Their teeth and claws are made of very hard metallic materials, making them valuable for use in spaceships and weapons.
They were nearly hunted to extinction due to overhunting, but the Galactic Union designated them as a protected species, allowing only a certain number to be hunted, making them rarer nowadays.
Terek is essentially a large chicken, and its meat tastes like chewy chicken.
As for Kartush… I’m not sure.
I only know they are giant monsters, and they seem to be quite rare since they are not part of the general knowledge of space adventurers.
So, this is a sci-fi market where such things are bought and sold.
…But the smell of those Terek skewers is incredibly appetizing.
Sizzle─
Wow, look at that color.
The yellowing as it cooks and the aroma of roasted chicken are seriously tempting.
…But then I remember, I don’t have any money.
[ 1 for 200SP / 3 for 500SP ]
The SP written on the price tag is the currency unit created by the Galactic Union.
I can make electronic transactions with the identity card I created earlier, and they also issue banknotes made of metal fibers that are hard to tear for physical transactions.
It used to be confusing when each species had its own currency, but since the Galactic Union officially made it, it seems to have settled in well and is widely used.
Comparing it to the cost of living in Korea where I used to live… it feels like 100 SP is equivalent to 1,000 won.
“……”
Sizzle─
Wow, this is insane.
It looks incredibly delicious.
I swallowed my saliva involuntarily.
200 SP is equivalent to 2000 won.
2000 won… Maybe I could subtly create it with my ability without anyone noticing?
I wouldn’t get caught for counterfeiting or anything, right?
If not that, I could just replicate the Terek skewer directly…
No, no.
Even so, I have the pride of an Outer God.
I can’t resort to counterfeiting or making replicas just for a 200 SP Terek skewer.
Damn… I should have asked Jupiter for some money… I can’t start working to earn it now.
Of course, I don’t actually need to eat food.
My avatar, like my main body, doesn’t require nutrients.
But the taste is different.
Eating isn’t just about replenishing nutrients; it’s a noble act for obtaining pleasure.
Look at the texture of that chewy meat.
And it even tastes like chewy chicken.
Damn it! Knowing the taste makes it even more torturous to imagine!
“…Hey, if you’re not buying, move along.”
At that moment, the shop owner, annoyed by my lingering presence, waved me away.
Sigh… I can change the laws of the universe, but I can’t buy a 2000 won skewer.
How pathetic.
Just as I was thinking that.
Boom!
“…?!”
A sudden explosion-like sound came from the direction of the headquarters.
What’s going on? An attack? Or maybe a gas explosion?
“What’s happening all of a sudden?”
“Is it space pirates?”
“But there are no invasion ships around…”
The people in the market were startled and began to murmur.
And I felt a massive energy wave.
To understand the situation, I slightly lifted the information filter and checked the headquarters.
“…Jupiter?”
And there, I sensed Jupiter confronting two Lubaran race members.