My Parasite Skill System

I'm a parasite.

That has been made clear, by now.

A parasite that got where I am right now. Discussing stuff with an old man I have yet to know properly. And with an elven princess, I sort of took in when she asked for help.

Well, that was me. The 'overall' me.

How was all this even possible in the first place? How did I get here? What decisive particular event went down that I would get to the very point in time of right now?

I got into a human's head and obtained the [Consciousness] passive.

And that's what has allowed me to be here in the first place; because before that, needless to illustrate it to you again, I wasn't much of anything … if not some random insect going about living its life how it saw fit.

That is a particularity. I am a Unique Monster. Something that isn't a common occurrence.

Perturbation and strong agitation of magical energy at its primary level and form would certainly result in upcoming abnormalities and changes in the way of things. That was Old's words. I didn't really grasp the concept of that, but I didn't really care.

There were facts that ensued: I was a Unique Monster, with what people called Unique Abilities.

And I understood the concept of that.

My unique abilities or skills, what were they? Or what was it?

Well, arguing and talking with Old Sipping, we concluded my unique ability (or rather one of them) was about the very reason I could be here, talking with him in the first place.

Parasites–Old said they usually only got into mushrooms of little (very, very tiny) other kinds of insects and whatnot. Specifically, they were hosting parasites. I could learn more about them (therefore me, sort of) with a grandmaster of alchemy, if they were rightfully qualified and knowledgeable, that is.

Anyhow, that isn't the important stuff. Parasites–they wouldn't usually get into so big preys as I did.

They would only get into tiny stuff … and do what? Steal the things' physical ability, take over their body, and use them as is seen fit in order to ensure survival.

That was correct. That was it. That was me. Or similar to me. Old really was ingenious. I was glad he tagged along.

And I was a unique monster, then again. Which would explain my different biologi-what(?) behavior of some sort.

I was different … and I took over humans' body, at some point in my growth. Even if it was by chance, somehow, Old said that leveling up; it was something bound to happen.

We were still sitting, with Old Sipping. Still around that corner of our overly decorated table.

I was in my chair, and he was in his.

At some point, I shook my head, interrogatively:

"And how's that even coming along with your explanation about … my elven princess' illness, hmm??? Aren't we going in circles, there, old man?–you must be tired."

"Young lad. You took over the elven princess' body, at some point in your story."

"And what's to do with that? I stole something from her or something?? And I mean, then again, I don't really steal things, do I? I only sorta copy their skills and abilities … when I get to use it within them … so, well…"

"Be patient: that is of virtue. This old man was coming to that."

"Oh!–noted. … Of virtue. … Being patient. … Right."

"So, briefly, young lad (and listen to me without faltering, this time. I won't repeat. Open up your ears.) I have gathered you do not only take people's ability then leave them away, that they should mind their own business, correct?"

I nodded.

He continued, "You can dwell in them–and it is only according to what your instinct behavior dictates you to do. The fact of the matter is thus: you can dwell on people.

"That is of your nature being such a thing as this unique hosting parasite. And that is completely normal. Now though, gaining your Nobility and Humanoid Form (wielder of tools and noble being) it seems to me such a behavioral aspect of yours–that is to say, hiding away and protecting yourself by dwelling into a living creature–would, granted the aforementioned specificities, no longer constitute as a relevant behavior you should be adopting.

"This nature of yours well seems to have been outdated, and your nature has changed."

"Ah?"

"But as they so well say, 'Chase away one's nature and see it turn back at full gallop.'"

"Sorry? … Yes?"

"Ahem, but I am only going on tangents, ahem. You can still possess and take over people's bodies. What you have to be reminded of, concerning that, is of an inconsistent (though no longer to be inconsistent) time of your story. Correct me whether I am wrong, but you said to me the following:

"You finally had gotten a house, with people that didn't reject you (well, they didn't certainly know your true nature, though … so that is that). The Kind Ma'am person and her daughters."

"Hmm … I told you that, yup. I remember that."

"Yes. Not diving into meaningless details–the first night you spent there, you let me know you did not understand why certain events happened, but I do:

"That evening, you were done eating. Naturally, it was time to sleep; so you were heading upstairs that you would see your room and finally sleep your tiredness off. That happened–and you happened to enter the wrong room (you understood that, already, if this old brain remembers correctly).

"But now onto the important details, and listen to me carefully, you are the one who truly knows, and we need to know in order to understand the elven princess' ill–you said your body underwent a wild change–you boiled and burned and started to decay; you were so pained physically that you had to 'ensure survival by finding a new suitable vessel' and got into the little lady."

"Y…yes, Old."

"I will thus repeat, you had to 'ensure survival by finding a new suitable vessel,' correct?"

"Yes. That's what the guide said, at the time. And what of it?"

"That is actually very simple. And it is nothing grave. Your wild change was due to your growth. And your growth made you overflow with mana. … When you say you are powerful, young boy, I agree with you. Raw power. You possess this."

"Hehe~"

"Your overflowing mana did this to the host of that moment. You were too powerful to be contained within it, and you ended up killing yourself (though it wasn't actually yourself, but your vessel)."

"Oh … so that was about it?–and hey, I told you this already, but you know how to think, Old."

"I am not finished speaking yet: what happened to your vessel of the time is what is happening to the elven princess–"

Ah? Up till now, he talked, and I listened. But now? Pardon me, Old?

Strongly frowning and slamming both hands onto the table, I shouted (silently), "No way!–she isn't going to–"

"Yes, yes, but that was what was going to happen. She held it fine and survived you; she must be strong enough too, although this was tight, young lad. The consequences? She will certainly grow stronger thanks to you; that is for sure. You forced your growth onto her having remained so long within her head (or whatever part of one's body it is that you connect to and control your hosts from, it should hardly be within the head, like you say) and as a result, her constitution changed … for the better of it."

"…"

"And why do you say nothing, young boy. Your face is full of yellow fears. Has this old man been tormenting you too much, hoh? But I did promise you she shall be fine.

"In the moments of right now, the girl's body is simply paying the price for this sudden gain in strength. But she shall be fine. She already was strong before you passed, young lad."

"And … Old, what's the point of you telling me all that?"

"Oh, but I thought you should know about yourself … and furthermore, that is but a theory of mine regarding your state. That, and it should make up for a good reason enough for the elven princess to be this burning and feverish. Her body responds to that. "

"…"

"Do not be so silent, now, hoh! She shall be fine. The whole motive this old man told you all this for was so that, first off, assumptions have now grown and turned into surer facts … and now, knowing this, you would simply test that–and see whether I am right or not! You should know yourself!"

"Yes … Old."

"There, there. Come on, I see I tormented you indeed. All you have to remember of this is what follows: it should be good if we knew the truth of that, that it shall not be happening again in the future; so you shall see this and tell me, all right? Find any new vessel (you can certainly do that, even if it's just for fun; preferably choose a little animal of some sort) and see whether what this old man got is right or wrong."

"Yes, Old. … Well, this was enlightening, at least."

"Oh, naturally, but of course."

I am not afraid.

And everything Old Sipping says seems to be true.

I think I will follow his lead on that.

"Now, now, my dear boy. What is it with you, hoh? … This old man should know to cheer you up, now … hmm … oh!–are you not going to celebrate??–that adventurer's job you so much desired … you will be obtaining it, ho, ho!"

But for now, I only feel like heading outside … since I've just remembered I can do that, going outside, in order not to be bored.

Dropping off my chair, "Regarding that, Old Sipping, there is something I have to take care of…"

"Oh, you regain your colors, that is good … and your little smile is coming back to life, too, ho! What of your affair, do tell this old soul."

Nodding at Old Sipping, I went on explaining, " … hm. Some of the coins big sis' Elina promised–give me some: I shall be off to eating noodles."

…

But I was stopped by Old Sipping: did I forget? Before I'd have permission to go out in the open crowded with humans–I'd first need to hide my ominous aura.

And I remembered that. The princess said I'd need that in order not to get caught by someone as keen as her.

"Since you, young energetic man, seem so hurried, though … come here, come. … There you go, you are all ready to go."

He only holded out and pressed one finger against my forehead … but something definitely had changed.

"Did you … do that, Old? It is not … not flowing out anymore…?"

"Sure, I did that. And we shall see what to do in the long run with the mana they qualify as 'ominous' whenever you get back. … Off to eating noodles, now, correct?"

"... Right.. Thanks."