image [https://i.imgur.com/xcQhW8Y.jpeg]
“Dreams are like the stars—infinite and ever so beautiful, sparkling in the twilight of night, forever out of our reach. Thus, it is upon you to forge your own stars.”
~ Me
I had always heard that your entire life is supposed to flash before your eyes at this moment. Yet, right now, in my case, there was a glaring absence, though I cannot say what. As I face the end, it’s not my past that emerged. Instead, I find myself drawn into a dark dream of a realm where the Primordial of Magic reigns supreme, and Death has lost her Life and purpose. I don’t know what to do… Should I embrace the dream and search for what has been lost, or become the nightmare that tears it all down?
“By the t-three pillars! D-Did it work, M-Mistress?” stammered a grating, nasal voice reminiscent of an elderly man with a stutter. Igor, the embodiment of cliché character types, was the first comparison that came to mind.
“Another failure, I’m afraid,” came the smooth and intoxicatingly seductive reply, reminding me of Elisabeth Hurley herself whispering sweet nothings. That voice stirred something within me. What? I’ve always had a thing for girls with accents.
As my beautiful dream faded, I became aware of two contrasting individuals conversing nearby. Strangely, their voices were the only things I could focus on as I realized I couldn’t see.
Ah fuck, am I blind?!
Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to grasp what was happening.
I have to be dreaming! Wake up, Blake. Wake up!
...Please?
My body felt as though it was suspended in thick, murky fluid, every nerve and limb tingling with an unsettling numbness. Panic threatened to surge through me, but I forced myself to remain calm as I tried to focus. Something was definitely wrong.
My mind must be playing tricks on me! I’m not dead... am I? No, I’m in the hospital right now. Yeah, that’s it! I’m in the hospital... riiight?
Yes—oh shit! Did I really just answer myself? Crap, I’ve lost my mind… NOT AGAIN!
The thirst scorching my throat was nearly unbearable. I longed for a nurse to bring me water, but no sound emerged when I tried to speak. Fear crept in as I grappled with the true extent of my predicament.
“What’s w-went wrong, M-Mistress?” stuttered the so-called Igor.
Mhmm... Yeah, I’m calling that nurse Igor from now on.
The thing about me is that I often resort to dark humor, swearing, goofy names, and sarcasm when I’m nervous, scared, or just for the hell of it—practically all the time. Honestly, I’m just a sarcastic and cynical woman. I believe the correct term might be bitch, but that’s just semantics.
“The body was inadequate for the soul. Olin, dispose of the man’s remains and return them to the farmlands from whence he came—”
Remains? Oh shit! Am I in the morgue? Don’t tell me I’m one of those people they mistakenly thought was dead and sent off to be buried!
“—We can’t risk the elves or humans venturing too deep into the forest, seeking their missing kin, and possibly stumbling upon this hidden dungeon. Should Lord Demidicus not intervene, the coven elders might well entomb me for a century or two as punishment for risking exposure of this moon’s last dungeon.”
Huh, I guess I’ll drop the name Igor. He really does seem more like an Olin, doesn’t he? But who is this Mistress, and why do I suddenly feel like I’ve developed a kink, ready to scream out, “Yes, Mistress!” at the crack of her whip—wait elves?
“S-Surely you jest! M-Mistress is too powerful for the coven to entomb.”
“Powerful or not, they would still try, as foolish as that may be. In any case, take the woman’s remains as well and make it seem as though a griffin got to them—”
Taking me as well? No. No. No! I’m not dead, damnit! What’s this about a griffin? None of this is making any sense!
“—And Olin, procure two more bodies for me, this time of the augmenter type. Caster vessels appear to be too fragile for my purposes. No preference on gender—as long as the soul binds with the body, I’ll be... I’ll be utterly enraptured,” the last part was uttered as a soft whisper that tickled my senses. Still, I struggled to comprehend what I was hearing.
“W-What about one of those g-goblins, M-Mistress?”
“Regrettably, Olin, we would encounter the same problem as with the casters. While akin to necromancy, the ritual I’m employing continues to shatter the vessels from the inside, as if the Crone herself is forbidding it. Besides, I do not want my precious encased in such a detestable creature.
“I require something more resilient, hence the need for a magical enhancer-type, like an augmenter. However, should you come across a live caster, bring them to me regardless. Oh, the sheer delight of sinking my teeth into a sorcerer or healer is always so delectable.
“If only I had a phylactery, I could forgo the need for a particular type of vessel and turn my precious into a powerful lich, but alas, those are too dreadfully rare to come by. Mmm, just imagine the wicked deeds we could do together.”
“W-What about using the-the s-suck-you-bus?” I noticed a bit of a sinister delight behind Olin’s tone.
What the hell is going on? Did I pass out at a renfair or something? I’m not reliving a bad molly trip again, am I?
“It won’t work. That’s not her true body, but rather an alteration from her summoned soul... Oh, but that does give me a wonderful, delectable idea! On second thought, Olin, take Vorigan and... Niamh, if that damnable demoness will cooperate, along with a few skeletal knights, and raid Elsternwick to the east instead. Bring me the remains of the slain and any living prisoners you can capture; I feel a little famished. And Olin, ensure it’s made to look like a border skirmish. Perhaps it will start a war with the Beastkin and Slaethia, and we’ll go unnoticed with an overabundance of prey.”
“As you command, M-Mistress. And, uh, where is the... the s-summoned soul now?”
“WHAT?!”
What the hell were they talking about? This must be some cruel joke! Where am I? What’s going on? Ugh, Mom always did say drugs would eventually scramble my brain.
As a barrage of questions raced through my mind, a cacophony of chaos erupted around me—the sounds of metal and wood clashing against stone and glass shattering resounded, echoing all around.
God, I wish I could see what’s happening.
“As you wish,” cooed a faint, almost ethereal woman’s voice.
Titan
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Race Designation: Black Pudding [EHA]
System Access Granted [SAG]
Racial Skills Activated [RSA]
Class Designation: Monster [CDM]
Loading Modules…
Configuration Complete.
Initializing Character Data…
Error.
Error.
Character Data Corruption Detected.
Admin:\Magic>Login_
Corruption Overridden.
New Data Accepted.
Reinitializing Character Data…
Complete.
Welcome, USER [Blake].
V:\>
An array of text whizzed past me in the darkness, the first few lines barely registering in my mind, their content nonsensical. The fleeting snippets I managed to catch reminded me of old-school MS-DOS prompts, lines of code scrolling in frenzied overdrive as if an ancient computer were booting up.
Wait, w-what’s this? Hello? Can you hear me? Hello? Hello!
I shouted, trying to capture the attention of whoever might have spoken, yet to my disappointment, there was no answer, no response, nothing—until the world around me suddenly snapped into view. It wasn’t the burst of Technicolor awe I had hoped for—you know, normal eyesight. Instead, I found myself viewing everything in stark black and white, which was peculiar in itself. It resembled infrared, like the kind used in military surveillance videos I’ve seen online. Most of my surroundings were enveloped in dark gray; some objects glowed white, while the rest varied in shades in between, but most were predominantly a mind-numbing dark gray.
What is going on—barf!
To my horror, the view kept expanding around me, unfurling like some insane panoramic scene—all in black and white—well, gray, lots and lots of gray. The nausea that accompanied this strange vision was unbearable. I was experiencing a full three-sixty-degree view, and my head spun wildly as a result. Worst of all, I couldn’t shut my eyes to it.
Ugh, Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. Well, not in Arizona; I’m thrilled not to be in Kansas—whatever, I’m going to be sick!
In my nauseated state, my head swirled as I took in, well, like I said, everything! I attempted to focus on a dark, seductive figure moving frantically, perfectly embodying the three ‘S’ stages of panic: sifting, shuffling, and smashing everything in her path. She was clearly searching for something—exactly what, I couldn’t say, but her desperation was unmistakable.
I once found myself in a similar situation, though in reverse—I was trying to hide the girl I was sleeping with from my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. Needless to say, I failed miserably and cemented the ‘ex’ status. What! She cheated on me first… with the same girl. Don’t judge me; I’m cool with sharing. She was the greedy one.
It was when the seductive woman reached up towards me, grasped an empty vial beside my head, and hurled it across the room, shattering it against the wall as she screamed in rage, that I noticed something else was off. Everything so far had been off, but this added another layer to the strangeness.
Where’s my body? Oh fuck… Am I just a head in a jar? Oh no. No. NO!
As I tried to focus on anything other than the shrouded woman of darkness, and the panic of not seeing a body beneath my head in a jar, I couldn’t help but wonder—why was she so dark? Shouldn’t her body heat make her glow white in this realm of black-and-white thermal vision? And why was it so challenging to focus on anything else? This entire panoramic view felt like a bad acid trip—though personally, I’ve always been more of a micro-shroom girl... not that I haven’t tried acid once or thrice—anywaaay, I could really use a joint right about now.
Eventually, my gaze—or concentration, attention, whatever you want to call this insane spiraling view—somewhat settled on a jar beside me. It was roughly my size, filled with thick swirling sludge, and its lid securely fastened, ensuring nothing inside could escape. When I shifted my incoherent focus upward, I faced the unsettling realization that I was trapped in a predicament eerily similar to the one encased in the jar beside me.
Eek! What is that crap?
A sensation seized me as I shifted my broken gaze to the substance in the jar, a numbing cold tearing through me before I could fully process my thoughts. I should have anticipated what was coming next, but my senses were too muddled, overwhelmed by the annoying panoramic nonsense. My attention was split, as though I were a cross-eyed spider, fixated on the murky sludge in the jar and the shadowy figure of the woman behind me—or in front of me, or beside me?
I can’t tell my face from my ass!
With this nauseating perspective, distinguishing my front from my back, or up from down, was a lost cause. In any case, the woman’s figure seemed to be reaching up towards me... and then what? Well, let me tell you! It felt as though I was being raised skyward, reminiscent of the absurdity of a rollercoaster’s ascent. Just as expected from that bullshit, there was a sudden jolt as if I were being hurled to my death. What can I say? I fucking hate rollercoasters! The chaotic motion stopped as abruptly as it began, punctuated by the shattering of glass and a sickening splat against a stone wall.
Ugh, that sucked.
Dazed and confused, I ached with an indescribable sensation as I felt my body slowly sliding down the wall. I was sliding down, right? Yes, it’s definitely down. And wait—that’s not pain. My body feels strange, but there isn’t any real pain despite the sensation of being liquefied like a bug against a windshield. But that’s ridiculous, isn’t it?
As I continued sliding down within this murky fog of my new reality, I felt a solid surface scraping against me. It seemed as though I was slipping back and down between what could be a wall and something wooden—
Wait, are these shelves?
I struggled to make sense of my surroundings, only gaining enough coherence to attempt movement after my descent had halted. Walking was out of the question, but crawling seemed somewhat doable, albeit awkwardly, like wriggling on my belly. I would have said breasts, but mine had always been too small—no, let’s say modest—for such descriptions. Anyway! Every inch forward felt like a battle. Eventually, I realized I was under something. Crap, I really had slid down and underneath a set of shelving. But, that would be ridiculous. But. But. But then, that would mean...
Fuck, I am tiny.
Bewilderment clouded my thoughts as I grappled with the surrounding chaos. That woman’s sexy, accented, harsh words filled the air, accompanied by the relentless discord of metal clashing with wood and the shattering of glass and stone. Completely disoriented, my senses faltered, unable to decipher the unfolding pandemonium.
I’d blame this horrible view, but I think I’ve beaten that dead horse enough. Instead, my current confusion stems from having hit the wall with my head, body, and everything else, then sliding between it and a set of shelves, beneath which I am now resting—or rather, hiding.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Poison Status Detected [PSD]
Resist Status: Full Immunity [Active]
Applying Resistances…
Resistance Successful
Poison Effects Nullified
V:\>
What the—?!
Pain engulfed me, and my thoughts spiraled, leaving me feeling as though I’d been run over by a freight train. And to top it all off, I couldn’t tell if I was seeing a system notification or hallucinating.
This is what I get for reading too much manga!
Gratefully, the pain began to ebb as numbness rolled back in. Still, panic surged through me as I grappled with my bewildering predicament.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Poison? How did I end up like this? Seriously, what the fuck is going on?
Desperation clawed at my psyche, urging me to flee this nightmarish situation. Yet, there was another urge within me, compelling me to stand my ground and fight!
If death is coming for me—I refuse to meet it lying down!
A flicker of relief ignited within me as I noticed something nearby, large enough—or, more like, small enough—for me to climb on. Now, keep in mind I should have easily realized what this was, but come on, my whole world has just been flipped upside down, and my senses are in a black-and-white whirlwind of nausea. I’m a bit out of it. Honestly, I’ve been more coherent on college party nights, drowned in blackout drunkenness, than I am now.
I clutched at the eight-legged standing stool, mustering every ounce of strength to hoist myself up. Yet, as I began my ascent, the object under me disintegrated as if made out of cotton candy, dissolving at my touch. At first, the sensation was akin to sinking into a plush beanbag chair or a fluffy cloud. However, the texture rapidly transformed, becoming granular and sweet, coating my senses with an unsettling sugary taste.
What is happening?
I couldn’t make sense of the bizarre circumstances, but I knew I needed to keep moving, to fight for my survival. A primal urge to escape, to fight, coursed through my veins. With determination fueling my every motion, I refused to let the sugar-coated snare drag me under as my stool shook and shuttered beneath me.
An odd sensation enveloped me, and for a fleeting moment, I reveled in the warm, comforting embrace. However, the respite was ephemeral, as a tide of dread and disbelief washed over me.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
BattleResult
Enemy Defeated: [Escaped Dungeon Spiderling]
Level Up!
Current Level: 1
Level Milestone Achieved [LMA]
Racial Skill Unlocked: [Absorb]
Next Milestone at Level: 5
Initiate [Absorb] on [Escaped Dungeon Spiderling]?
> YES
> NO
V:\>
Rendered virtually brain-dead and speechless, my body felt peculiar, as though it was devoid of limbs. Yet, somehow, I managed to crawl entirely atop... a spider? Ew! Within seconds of receiving that gamer-like message, the spider beneath me had completely dissolved, sending shivers through me. The situation was a conundrum, a puzzle crying out for resolution.
What have I become?
Desperation gnawed at my consciousness. It was clear I was no longer human, so the lingering question was: what had I turned into? At this moment, even this little atheist found herself fervently praying not to be a mimic chest or some other grotesque abomination conjured from the depths of hell.
This can’t be happening. I must be dead or trapped in some twisted nightmare.
Yet, the scenario was too surreal, too ludicrous. I had always yearned for a new life, a fresh start in another world, just like in all those light novels I relished. And now, here I was, a minuscule entity that had inexplicably consumed a spider. I drew upon all my past gamer experiences, the books and stories I’d read, and even my education—yep, a proud third-year college dropout! No major.
I scrutinized my circumstances, desperate for a clue, a hint of hope. Understanding my new form and its capabilities was critical. I remembered the earlier notification that had flashed by far too quickly for me to read, sparking a crucial realization. Then, it hit me—an epiphany: every RPG has a character sheet. Clinging to that sliver of hope, I summoned every bit of my strength and focused intently on one goal.
I mentally commanded, Status!
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
CharacterStatus
Name: Blake
Race: Black Pudding
Class: Monster
Level: 1
Titles:
- None
Racial Skills:
- [Absorb]
- [Corrosive]
- [Thermal]
Spells:
- None
Abilities:
- None
Vulnerabilities:
- [Fire]
- [Holy]
Immunities:
- [Acid]
- [Darkness]
- [Disease]
- [Poison]
Unique Traits:
- [Polyglot]
Selectable Skills:
- [Stellar Void]
V:\>
A crushing wave of despair washed over me as the full weight of my predicament became apparent. My humanity had been stripped away, leaving me metamorphosed—a big word, I know, but those three years in college weren’t for nothing—into a creature of tar and slime, a Black Pudding, to be exact. This repugnant entity, a manifestation of dread and darkness, falls into the most loathsome category of slimes, if my memory of gaming lore holds up. You know, the type typically lurking in sewers, although I’m desperately hoping my recollections are off. The thought of being a sewer-dwelling, potential shit-eater is far from appealing.
Regret seeped into every thought as I reflected on my past life, wishing I had embraced more risks and lived more boldly. I mean, I did indulge a bit—not exactly the epitome of debauchery, but I certainly had my wild moments. Plenty of sex, a hint of drugs, a dash of rock ‘n’ roll, though I may have had a tad of a vindictive streak, but who doesn’t. However, it feels like I’m kinda paying for some past misdeeds right now.
Am I being punished?
“Bloody pillars! Olin, check the soul crystals on the shelves over there! The summoned soul couldn’t have gone far.”
“Y-yeses, M-Mistress.”
My heart raced with fear and anticipation as I strained to discern any sounds that might clue me in on my surroundings. The swirling, disorienting view utterly shattered my concentration, intensifying the difficulty of grasping my situation. The surrounding silence was broken only by what I initially mistook for the steady beating of my heart—wait, no, those were rhythmic footsteps approaching. But then, where was my heartbeat?
Do I even have a heartbeat—or a heart?
Feeling like a drunk driver attempting a sobriety test, I shifted my focus to the Request Action notification wavering before me. With a ton of desperation, I tried to mentally click on it, hoping for some control amidst the chaos.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
RequestAction
Do you wish to [Absorb] [Escaped Dungeon Spiderling]?
> YES
> NO
First-Time Alert: Dungeon entities offer a heightened skill absorption success rate.
V:\>
If I’ve learned anything from tech user agreements, it’s that the specifics don’t matter as long as you click yes. So, I clicked yes, planning to do the same for any popups that appeared until I eventually figured out what the fuck I was doing. Well… at least I tried to click yes. Everything was spinning on me.
After several attempts, I finally hit that infuriating, moving button!
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SkillUpdate
[Absorb] [Escaped Dungeon Spiderling] Successful
New Selectable Skill Available:
> [Mana Focus]
V:\>
The sensation of tasting cotton candy intensified, sparking curiosity about whether I even had a mouth. As the absorption process commenced, I was overwhelmed by conflicting feelings. I felt both slimy and oddly satisfied—not because the experience was unpleasant, but because, strangely, I enjoyed it. It reminded me of the awkward thrill of my first threesome: confusing yet exhilarating, full of uncertainty about what goes where and who licks and sucks what. Sure, I savored every moment, only to feel a tinge of guilt afterward—at least just the first time.
Despite the discomfort from the peculiarly delightful sensation, a flicker of hope sparked within me. Now, bear in mind that the notification was swaying all around, making it a bit hard to read. All I really noticed was the word Focus, missing the entire context, and I got all giddy with hope. Perhaps this newfound skill could be my escape from the relentless panoramic kaleidoscope vision that was fraying my sanity.
“M-Mistress, these’s crystals are’s empties.”
“Ugh, get Niamh. It loathes me to admit I need that soul sucker and her Astral Insight. Losing my—our Dark Champion is not an option if we are to survive this era.”
“Ates once’s, M-Mistress.”
My heart sank as I heard the title Dark Champion being mentioned. Of course, I had no clue what it meant, but anything that sounded dark and anonymous was never good. I scanned my status sheet again, searching for any spells or abilities to aid me in this unfamiliar world.
I scrutinized my status sheet, which felt like trying to read through a funhouse mirror, looking for any skills that might help me navigate this bizarre, twisted reality. A new entry caught my attention, offering a sliver of hope amidst the chaos enveloping me. As time pressed on, my desire to regain clear vision and the ability to focus on one single thing grew stronger. Ignoring the Mana portion entirely, I selected what was listed as Mana Focus, hopeful for a solution. I mean, this Thermal was using magic or something, so maybe Mana Focus could help? I don’t know, I’m reaching here for any glimmer of hope.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SkillDetails
[Mana Focus]
Description: Acquire the capability to comprehend mana through inherent sorcery.
Status: Inactive
Type: Spell
Activation: Passive
Select [Mana Focus]?
> YES
> NO
V:\>
A skill description notification appeared, and much to my horror—I had more shit to read! Trying to read was a challenge—imagine attempting to decipher text while combating motion sickness in a car, specifically on a Formula One track, then amplify that sensation a thousandfold during a massive twenty-car wreck. Oh! And let’s not overlook the old-school computer formatting, which felt like reading braille. So, please, no judgments!
Amid my queasy struggle to read, one word stood out: comprehend. Given my muddled state and the assumption that it related to focus, I was convinced this skill would be essential for being able to concentrate on a single thing. Desperate, I thought anything would be better than the current visual overload, even if it meant losing my eyesight at this point—I mean, my sense of smell was pretty good right now, so I’d take that over this bullshit.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
ActivateSpell
Selecting Spell: [Mana Focus]
Status: Active
Type: Spell
Activation: Passive
[Mana Focus] is now set as an active-passive.
V:\>
As the ability, spell, skill—whatchamacallit—activated, I continued concentrating on my surroundings, hoping for either color or an end to this annoying perspective—mainly the panoramic, though technicolor would be just a nice bonus. Perhaps I was overly focused on seeing color, because I got exactly that: the world suddenly erupted in technicolor, revealing every detail in vibrant hues, yet still maintaining that constant three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama. Colors might have actually made it worse, as the rush of sensory input intensified, akin to a barrage of fireworks exploding simultaneously. Colors blended together in a dizzying whirlwind, resembling a carnival ride that never slows down. Oddly, none of the colors were what I expected, but there was too much to make sense of anything.
I had thought the nausea and dizziness were bad before. As the sickening feeling grew, I fought to keep whatever was in me down.
Ugh, do I even have a stomach?
The weight of my new reality bore down on me, with frustration and anger building with each dizzying moment. I was starting to loathe this dream—new life—nightmare? Despite my despair, I knew I had to keep moving forward, push through the discomfort and uncertainty, and find a way to survive in this strange new world.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Poison Detected [PD]
Resist Status: Full Immunity [Active]
Applying Resistances…
Resistance Successful
Poison Effects Nullified
V:\>
What the shit is this?
Profanities flowed through my mind like a raging river as I tried to concentrate on the newest swaying notification. I could only make out something about poison, which likely meant another spiderling. I strained to locate the creatures, their creepy little legs scurrying about like a horde of tap dancers, but my vision was an out-of-control blur.
However, I discovered a little trick: by focusing my awareness straight down at the ground instead of staring off into the distance. It didn’t help much—at all, really—but I did notice one constant: a black sludge resembling tar. Every twitch of my muscles sent blobs of this vile, sticky liquid flailing like writhing tentacles, leaving me feeling repulsed and sickened as I realized—that was me!
I had never been the typical pretty girl, always the short and slightly curvy chick—well, maybe not that curvy, that’s just me being hard on myself—with a permanent resting-bitch-face, sunless skin, green-dyed hair, black lipstick, and a plethora of tattoos. But now, for the first time, I truly felt like the monster everyone else seemed to see in me.
A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I reminisced about my previous life, the person I used to be, Blake Lyanna Jefferson. I longed to go back in time and reclaim that identity. Yet, deep down, I knew there was no returning to the past; I was trapped in this new reality as a Black Pudding in a world filled with magic and monsters.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Poison Detected [PD]
Poison Detected [PD]
Poison Detected [PD]
Resist Status: Full Immunity [Active]
Applying Resistances…
Resistance Successful
Poison Effects Nullified
V:\>
In a panic, I tried to scramble away, crawl, run, or do anything to escape, but it was too late. Three massive spiders had already launched themselves at me, their legs propelling them forward with terrifying speed; the skittering of their legs was my only indication of the impending doom. At least the system notifications mentioned something about poison being nullified, or else I’d already be dead. As they landed on me, I felt a surge of panic and revulsion, my mind screaming to fight or flee. But then, just like before, I experienced a strange delight, a sweetness flooding my pores with the taste of cotton candy at the county fair.
Despite their size—or my lack thereof—the spiderlings were no match for me, dissolving into nothingness as soon as they touched my gooeyness. Yet, from the sounds of it, their remaining comrades were undeterred, skittering forward to take the place of the fallen. One after another, they approached me, each disintegrating into my body like cotton candy in water. The sensation was intoxicating, like a drug I couldn’t resist. However, with each spiderling I consumed, a part of me felt as though I was drifting further from my humanity.
What’s happening to me?
My mind was a chaotic whirlwind of emotions, fluctuating between euphoria and disgust. I struggled to reconcile with my current diet. Not only had I transformed into a monster, but I was also embracing it mentally, becoming a cannibalistic being—though, I hadn’t consumed a human... yet. My meals were just spiders. That’s a common practice in Asia, isn’t it? So, technically, there’s nothing wrong with eating spiders, right? Ha! Nonetheless, this realization sent shivers through my core, prompting me to ponder the further horrors this new existence might unveil.
Crying was out of the question—not that I had the eyes or tear ducts for it, but I’ve never been much of a crier, to begin with. The prospect of what I might evolve into next was a bit scary yet strangely exhilarating. Is that wrong? I was devouring spiderlings—those are baby spiders, right? Anyway, I found myself savoring the taste, trapped in this monstrous body with no apparent escape. It was an unimaginable nightmare, yet I found myself cherishing every moment. What does that say about me?
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
BattleResult
Enemies Defeated: 9 [Escaped Dungeon Spiderlings]
LEVEL UP!
LEVEL UP!
LEVEL UP!
Current Level: 4
Next Milestone at Level: 5
Initiate [Absorb] on 9 [Escaped Dungeon Spiderlings]?
> YES
> NO
V:\>
I mentally clicked, yes!
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SkillUpdate
[Absorb] [Escaped Dungeon Spiderlings] Successful
New Selectable Skills Available:
- [Silk Webbing]
- [Spider Walk]
- [Venomous]
V:\>
Frustration and anger simmered inside me as I stared at the notification—then a peculiar realization struck.
I’m glaring at it!
For the first time since my sight had returned, I could focus without the world overwhelming my senses. Nausea still churned within me, yet my gaze clung to the text with unexpected sharpness, as if my lack of physical eyes was just an illusion.
It was bizarre how intently I could concentrate despite the nauseating blur that filled my vision. The more I focused, the more the words sharpened, almost tangible, as if I could swipe them away with my gooey appendage.
This is so odd. Why am I not freaking out more?
Despite the lingering urge to expel my slimy guts, I managed rather well. A slight relief washed over me like a cool breeze on a sweltering summer day, soothing the waves of nausea that had threatened to overwhelm me. Although my panoramic view persisted, I discovered I could now pinpoint my focus under certain conditions. It was akin to having selective tunnel vision; I could zoom in on specific details while the periphery faded into a blur, reminiscent of watching a vertical phone video horizontally—its edges softened, with only the center remaining sharp.
However you describe it, this newfound clarity was a welcome reprieve from the relentless chaos. A wave of calm enveloped me, bolstering my confidence to navigate this bizarre new world with newfound precision. Regarding those conditions I mentioned, well, this pinpoint focus—a bit of an exaggeration—seemed to only work when a system screen was displayed. It functioned primarily around the edges of the screens; anything beyond that became blurry again.
The best analogy I could think of is like using your hand to make a pinhole to focus your eyes—don't ask me why that works, but as a former contact lens wearer, I can confirm it does indeed help. In other words, it was a shitty temporary solution, which utterly sucked—but hey, I'd take it. Small victories!
“M-Mistress, eyes are’s r-r-r-returned’s withes Niamh’s.”
“Slow down, Olin. Don’t rush yourself when speaking. I would hate to replace you so soon.”
“Y-yeses, M-Mistress.”
“Niamh, if you would,” Aurelia insisted.
A new voice, feminine and tinged with both passion and annoyance, spoke sharply, “Thief,” she snapped, then softened, though still struggling to mask her utter contempt, “I mean, Lady Aurelia, if I may—WHAT?!” She failed.
I didn’t need to be a genius to realize that they were on the hunt for me. The sound of their conversation sent chills along my gooey skin, but as I tried to inch my way to safety, I realized that I had nowhere to go.
Perhaps there’s a mouse hole nearby, like in those old cartoons?
Strangely, however, I didn’t need to move to survey my surroundings and determine that there was no hole in sight. At least I knew I was under a set of shelves. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Peering out from the edge of the shelf, I spied on the trio. The first creature, appearing to be a zombie or a ghoul, displayed various stages of decomposition. The stench was almost overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation—it was disorienting yet fascinating.
Am I salivating?
What the hell is wrong with me?
Shaking off the strange feeling, I averted my attention to the other two figures. Despite standing on opposite sides of the room, I found myself staring at both of them simultaneously, as if unable to decide where to look first.
The woman in dark robes was breathtaking. Her long black hair, pale skin, and red eyes made her resemble a ghostly apparition. Her robes shimmered like silk in the candlelight, drawing me inexorably to her.
This must be Aurelia.
The other figure was like a sexual nightmare come to life. Stunningly beautiful, yet something in her gaze made my pudding crawl. Clad as if for a fetish club, with wings, horns, and a tail reminiscent of a mythical creature, and those breasts—holy hell, they were practically spilling out of her leather bra. Despite her allure, my eyes inexplicably drifted back to Aurelia as if under a spell.
“Niamh, would you be so kind as to use your oversized snout to sniff out a misplaced soul?”
The tension between them was palpable as they glared at each other with seething anger, each standing their ground on opposite ends of the room. It was as if they were moments away from tearing each other apart. My gaze shifted to the zombie-like creature, who was subtly inching his way back toward Aurelia, loyal as a guard dog. His movement triggered an intense desire to lunge at him, yet I managed to restrain myself, a stark reminder that I was not some mindless creature. I needed to remain hidden and vigilant.
I could hear teeth grinding just before the demoness spoke. “And why, pray tell, is this soul so important, Aurelia? It’s not like you to care about a lowly soul.”
“Niamh, that is unimportant. Just do as you are commanded, demon.”
“Oh, but it is, especially since it’s observing us. I must admit, that’s an interesting vessel you’ve chosen for it. So, Aurelia, what stops me from devouring your little pet?”
“YOU WOULDN’T DARE!”
“Oh, but I would if I’m not given a reason not to.”
The air around me grew dense and foreboding as shadows seemed to slink into the room, dimming the flickering candlelight. A heavy aura of energy enveloped me, sending sharp, stabbing pains across my form, like a thousand needles piercing my skin simultaneously. Reality seemed to warp, with Aurelia at the epicenter of this maelstrom of power.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Darkness Detected [DD]
Resist Status: Full Immunity [Active]
Applying Resistances…
Resistance Successful
Darkness Effects Nullified
V:\>
“Your reason is your life,” Aurelia hissed. No, really—she literally hissed! “Harm that soul, and I’ll be feasting on demon blood tonight!”
“Ha-hahaha! You’re so cute when you’re angry, little thief,” cooed Niamh, not missing a beat. “Don’t worry your pretty necromancer head. Your pet is right below that shelf there. But do be careful. Its vessel is so very tiny. Ta-ta.”
As Niamh sauntered out of the room, her hips swaying seductively and her laughter echoing behind her, I found myself again transfixed by Aurelia. Suddenly, her gaze locked onto me with an intensity that made me feel like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
Oh, shit!