Transcendent Gene
Chapter 163: Anastasia [3]

Chapter 163: Anastasia [3]

The inside of the warehouse was quiet aside from the sound of Anastasia’s footsteps.

Gio’s were masked in a subtle trace of Aether that blended into the air as he moved around the corner and found himself a place to hide. There was hardly anything inside the warehouse.

The large open space was only populated by a couple of storage containers, including the one Gio used as his hiding place. Even the upper balcony was empty of any sort of boxes or crates.

Anastasia walked into the middle of the warehouse and stood with her hands nearly together in front of her body.

"Ale’ak Rize."

She spoke in a tongue no human could speak. It was a tongue that only a handful of humans had even heard.

With the two words she spoke, her form began to change. Her beautiful human appearance morphed as if it was melting away, replaced by a black sludge that rose again to create a new body.

She no longer had any identifiable gender. She looked like the shadow of a human, but Gio knew that even this form was a lie.

’In reality, the black sludge itself is the form these monsters are born into. They’re like moving tar abominations, not that they’d ever let anyone know that.’

Gio frowned as he watched, his eyes and ears enhanced so the distance didn’t impede him.

Once Anastasia had completely thrown away her human exterior, the warehouse lights suddenly flashed on.

DUN!

One by one, the rows illuminated, showing off the varying colors of the surrounding storage containers.

Along with them, the light revealed two people. One was standing on the overhanging balcony and the other appeared several meters in front of "Anastasia."

However, perhaps calling them people was too kind.

Their bodies were relatively humanoid. The man on the balcony had a draconic form. He had a human face, but his eyes were clearly reptilian and he had horns jutting out of his forehead. Scales climbed up his cheeks and existed on most of the exposed parts of his body, including his tail and wings.

The man on the ground, on the other hand, looked more like a boar standing on two legs. He was incredibly wide and had a pig-like face. The bull ring in his nose didn’t help him look any more human.

"You have finally come."

The draconic man spoke, his voice booming through the space.

"Why have you taken so long?"

His words came out not in the language of monsters, but in that of humans.

The monster that called itself "Anastasia" kneeled and bowed its head.

"Al’jara–"

"I know you’re sorry. Do not use such words with me. You must also speak in the human tongue while you are here. Some of their strongest can sense the Aether in our words. We cannot risk exposure at such an early stage."

His sentences were succinct as if he’d also only just recently learned the language, but if his appearance wasn’t so distorted, it would be easy to believe he was just a human with strange speech patterns.

’And if he just changes how he looks a little, he can pass for someone with a Transformation Sequence that has permanent effects.’

Even [Virtual Manifestation] tinted his eyes a more aquamarine color. The look of a "human" had become far more diverse.

"Anastasia" bowed its head further.

"I apologize, Adjudicator. There has been a bug following this body. It seems to have developed an obsession with the physical appearance of this character."

"Why have you come if you have a tail?"

"Fear not, Adjudicator. This character’s followers punished the human physically ten days ago. He has halted his pursuit ever since, therefore, I deemed it safe to report."

"Hmm..."

The draconic man, or rather, the Adjudicator hummed before nodding.

"Very well."

He glanced at the boar man, who walked towards Anastasia with a briefcase in hand. When he opened it, a rhomboid object glowing with a toxic green light was revealed.

"Take this Vortex Dynamo. It will be useful in your next task," the Adjudicator said.

"Anastasia" took the object and pressed it against its body. The object was absorbed into the tar as if it never existed while the Adjudicator kept talking.

"The humans will be dealing with internal struggles soon," he said.

"While they are distracted with their own issues, you must reach the human facility and seize control of this city’s technology. If you are able to subdue someone in a high position, you may change your role. Otherwise, escape immediately and resume your ordinary activities. Use the Vortex Dynamo to hide your traces if you find yourself in a difficult situation."

Gio’s eyes narrowed as he envisioned the form of the "Vortex Dynamo."

"Spend time adjusting to your role, and when the humans truly begin to break apart, you will be able to expand your activities. ’Anastasia’ has been chosen as one of only a few who have the same sacred duty as you. Do not bring shame upon your name."

"Anastasia" bowed again before standing up.

"I shall bring back news of victory."

"Mm."

The Adjudicator nodded.

"Remember your true goal. Until the Fifth Doombringer comes..."

"Until the Fifth Doombringer comes, I shall remain a human, Adjudicator. This body will always remember its true goal."

"Anastasia" raised its head, looking at the Adjudicator.

"When the Fifth Doombringer arrives, I will use my life to eradicate what humans call the NEXUS."

It was her fate to bring chaos to Arcadia.

***

When the meeting ended, Anastasia returned to her human form and exited the warehouse with her hood back over her head.

The other two did not have a way to change their form like she could, but they didn’t enter the warehouse through the ordinary entrance either. As the lights turned off, a portal manifested in the air for them to walk through.

By the time it closed, Gio was alone in his storage container, ruminating over what he’d heard.

’She didn’t succeed last time.’

If her goal was to destroy the NEXUS, then she failed miserably. She wasn’t able to get near it at all.

However, if her goal was to cause utter chaos in Arcadia, then she succeeded.

By the time she revealed herself, it was hard to even transport people or supplies between Strata. She was one of the first to reveal her form, showing humans that they’d been infiltrated long ago.

Her celebrity status and influence weren’t laughing matters. When she turned, many people either turned with her or gave up entirely.

Chaos was the least troublesome of the problems she caused.

’And that object...’

It was a piece of technology from their race. Gio didn’t know if he’d seen it before or if it was different from what was appearing as reference in his mind, but he’d find out soon enough.

’If I went after her today, it’d be too suspicious.’

If she disappeared immediately after the meeting, this city would be in danger.

’So I’ll give it a few days.’

For a few more days, he’d observe and look for the perfect time to strike.

And in a few days, he could get rid of someone who would become a great threat to humanity in the future.

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