My Parasite Skill System

Next time about, I knew what to say: 'Hah.'

Or … did I? Since I was still a bit skeptical about it; I tried it out again. But discarding the system and uttering that 'hah' again, everything seemed to be working pretty well.

Well, that meant I was all set, then. Naturally, my attention shifted towards the outside world again: there was still business ongoing there, from what I remembered.

That swordsman won't be so funny, now.

–I had received my enlightenment and–oh!

Ring!

Maybe there still were some bits of intel I didn't and should know about???

Dearie, system, do please speak up your mind again.

I will listen

❮ Incoming notification(s)... ❯

I had received my enlightenment, but maybe not entirely still–another notification rang out; it was quite the strange one:

❮ The Player may find a new suitable vessel in order to ensure survival. ❯

Yes, quite the strange one. I mean, to be blunt, why now? Ever since we passed that milestone of 'becoming human' … it never was about that anymore.

Pausing a little on that and reflecting upon it, maybe it actually made sense, though. If that was my nature to be doing that, taking over the world to control it from behind the 'scene,' pulling the strings as I please, for things to go my way–and that it was pretty damn efficient when it came to ensuring survival, too–the natural conclusion to which everyone should come by is that I should be doing that.

Let's imagine, tomorrow, Super-Ultra-Big Foe shows up, as things are right now, let's say I do fight that super-strong foe of the moment, and I die; I completely die!

Let's imagine again, though, that the same super-strong foe comes about, still willing to destroy the living crap out of me, and that I do fight … and that I die again … I don't completely die.

The system basically was telling me–you, stupid; you could use that second life you got, always, at any time and place, why do you not?

Mm-hm, mm-hm, I nodded, a hand on my chin, agreeing with myself. This makes much sense, and how obvious does it sound.

As it is, though, 'the player 'may' find a new vessel', eh? It's not an order anymore. Which means, this is how it is, and that's not to be forced upon me.

… and as things are, anyway, like Old Sipping says, I can't just go about taking over any host without first having perfect control over my own strength, hm.

Which brings me to the following statement: "Thank you, but not for now."

And I forgot about it all at once!

Other matters mattered most.

And up till now, I was just sort of cornering myself alone, isolating myself from outer stimulations and everything. This was my way of doing things. Proceeding to outcast my own self a moment before, I had–in less than a second–simply darted my way up to that angle of the room.

Now, I did the opposite of that, opening back up to the only hall that composed this guild.

<Quick Pace> really proved useful.

Promptly I got back to the other side of the empty chamber. I surprised that swordsman resting his back onto one of his walls, his arms crossed … and looking straight at me (maybe I ain't surprised nobody).

He was resting by the wall, next to that longsword upon its minimalist rack.

And … oh, um, is that my own delusion or that thing's being moving? Shuddering, maybe? It–oh!

That long black sword always struck me with those ominous vibes. It clearly was something different … but I never truly got to ponder upon itself and the nature of its presence here.

Now maybe was the time to do so.

As I took a step forward, it began to click.

Click, click, click!

Resting upon the three little rods coming off of the wall that served itself as a rack and support; the pitch-black blade went off of its sheath by a little, as it went straight back inside of it–repeating this very action repeatedly.

My eyes darted upon it.

The swordsman uncrossed his arms and looked the same way. "Shh," he gently shushed.

That black sword went to a stop at once.

"What the heck's even that? Never heard of that. Even among enchanted weapons."

"It's but my sword, youth. Don't let it disturb yourself."

"… I don't."

And our little exchange about his sword came to an end, very briefly.

I'd brought my sword up to my shoulder and let it rest there as my hand held it still. With a quick push of my shoulder, I got it off before it went pointing to the swordsman's face.

"And may I ask what're you looking at so intently."

That wasn't a new kind of behavior I saw in him. He always stared at me, sort of. And it was always done in a surprisingly not creepy or harassing way at all.

That man was a natural starer. I asked nonetheless. He gave me a reply. A longer than I'd thought.

Taking his time to reply as he always did, lest he should fear to say something he didn't intend–he spoke: "… Your hand, claws?"

No, no, no, no … no!–But I kept a composed expression; I wasn't so new to life, by now. As I raised an eyebrow feigning interrogation and slowly shook my head, h took note of it before he continued:

"And the rest…? Yes, the rest. The rest … hm. The 'system'? The skills? The guide? The running off to the other side of this tiny hall? Hiding about, being secretly chatting by yourself 'round that corner over there? … This space is small.

"My ears aren't so small. They're big (or no, not big, no ugly ears, please, you'll dislike me and make fun of me) and sharp. … Well, I could go on and on, but you wouldn't have to reply to that; so I'm just gonna go and consider you a weird freak. A weird and UGLY frea.

"… You don't budge, eh? Tell you what–I know you; you like what is fun. I'm just like that myself, you see. And so … as for right now, I'm only interested in one thing … you become my disciple. Okay?"

I said no.

"Yes you do."

I said no again, but with hesitation.

"You have to, though."

And I said no yet another time.

"Okay, then," and he temporarily changed subjects. "What will you be up to, now? Where will you go?"

I said no.

He scoffed, and I snapped out of it–"Were you even listening?"

"I didn't tell you? I will go to big sister Elina. With her, or alone, I will have to do some more figuring–and that shall be it."

"Your big sister Elina, hm?"

"My big sis', yeah."

"You call me your big brother too."

"No."

"And why not? Say it. 'Big brother' (... 'older brother'd' be even better, he-he)."

"Hmm…

"Hmm?"

"I … wouldn't call you that."

"About the reason why, now?"

"I … wouldn't call you that because you aren't as fluffy and comfortable and … pillow-like–yes, pillow-like is an important aspect–as a big sister would be to me (or so I think)."

"Heh~, how unfair that is to me. How unfair you are to me, younger brother. … And that's what I'm about anyway–that 'fun' you exhibit, I'll need it with me."

Well. I sure didn't know what that human was about, but he sure knew to be weird, too. That's how I perceive it.

More importantly, will he cease beating around the bush like this and state what's needing stating?