Chapter 3
It's probably been a couple more months now, so how about a status update?
Lets see … I've mostly been doing the same old stuff. A bit of growth, some exploration of my immediate surroundings, quite a lot of experimentation. And of course a lot of staring into darkness and reminiscing all that other stuff you do when you have nothing to do.
All in all, I'm currently about 20 cm tall, unless you count the roots of course, and probably because of my experiments almost 5 cm thick. My roots are still really thin for the most part, but they are spread out in an almost 15 m radius. I also had a few of them spread to the surface and grow leaves so coupled with the fact that they reach deeper than most other plants around me, means that I have plenty of energy to spare.
Aside from that I've been tinkering with my senses. My soul perception can now distinguish different parts of a cell, and I can sense things up to 20 cm away from my body.
I learned to use my eye as well. It took a while (about 3 weeks), and it's still more like watching a screen actually seeing, but I can do it.
Of course everything is really murky and in black and white, even after I grew a lens, and honestly there doesn't appear to be anything all that interesting around here. Not that I can see at least. Well whatever.
Then there is that itch I had. Yeah. It's now more like a pounding.
It's like I have this urge to do something. Not that feeling you get when you've been sitting in one place for too long. I have had that since the first day. No, this is more like a need to do some specific thing. Except I have no idea what that would be.
****
That urge is now rather all consuming. I mean come on! What the hell am I supposed to do!? I don't even know what is happening to me.
Damn I could use a status screen right about now. You know, like the ones in RPGs and pretty much every reincarnation story ever? The ones that so very conveniently tell you all your strengths and abilities and wether you are dying or just tired. I haven't slept this entire time you know.
Actually I'd probably be better of with one of those Identify skills that just tell you everythi –––
Would you like to create << Status >>YESNO
…
WHAT!!!
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It took a while to calm down and think things through, but I have an idea about what happened. My theory is, that because I started using mana, or whatever that stuff actually is, I somehow triggered the chance to make an ability or spell of something. The idea that I can make an ability comes obviously from the fact that the screen floating in my consciousness asks if I want to CREATE << status >>. The connection with mana comes mostly from fact that the screen seems to be linked with that urge I had, which by the way is gone, and that the urge manifested right after I started using mana.
Also, the part about mana notwithstanding, this is the only theory that feels even remotely viable. Wether or not it actually holds true … who knows.
Anyway, I don't want to risk loosing this opportunity, but I don't really know what it does. I wonder if I could modify it. I mean << status >> could be a great power, but only if it comes with the levels and EXP and stats to make myself stronger and all that stuff. You know, virtually unlimited potential and all. That is if you utilize it well of course.
… Hmm. I think it may have flickered for a moment?
… Ah, to hell with it!
Yes!
I blacked out.
****
Fun fact. When you have been fully conscious for half a year, it feels REALLY weird to wake up. I suppose it could also have something to so with the floating blue screen I saw before blacking out.
Speaking of which.
Status
StatusSpeciesStone pine variantName–Health100%Level0———Stamina274Mana7/53Strength0 (0%)Vitality0 (92%)Agility0 (0%)Intelligence0 (0%)
Oh! It actually worked!
… the zeros are rather depressing though. Well I suppose I shouldn't have expected much to begin with.
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Hmm. This is a bit different from what I imagined. I wonder what all those percentages are all about. Also, apparently I'm a stone pine. Wasn't this supposed to be a different world!? And does that mean that my theory about the gene sequences was wrong after all?
SkillsPassiveActiveStrong soul (human) level 1
- adaptation level 1
- self-aware level 7
- ethereal consciousness level 1
Soul Perception level 3
Internal Mana Control level 1
Species Specific level 12
Identification level 0Telekinesis level 2
- attract/deflect level 3
Growth Control level 5
Phagogenesis level 1
… Strong soul seems interesting … wait Phagogenesis? I remember this. Isn't that when you gain the traits of things you eat … Oh! That explains the muscles and nerves and stuff.
Still, that was unexpected. And I got Identification too huh? I wonder why it's under passives though.
Lets see …
Strong soul (human)Level 1you have an unusually strong soul
- adaptation level 1
you have the potential to adapt t any environment
- self-aware level 7
you know you are you
- ethereal consciousness level 1
you don't require a brain to remain conscious
IdentificationLevel 0you are better at understanding the essence of things
PhagogenesisLevel 1you can preserve and use the genetic material of other species
Species SpecificLevel 12the skills that come with your species
example:
full list available only at higher levels
… Adaptation and Ethereal Consciousness are interesting I suppose. And Phagogenesis could become very useful if I use it well. Especially if I use it with Growth Control. Not sure what to think about Identification though.
I guess I just have to try things out. Well I say that, but Identification is passive and I don't really know how to use Phagogenesis yet.
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I'm going to travel the world! (where did that come from?) I'm tired of not being able to move and this world seems like an interesting place (how do you know?), so that's my goal now.
Well, that's not really all that different from before, but all those levels (what levels?) and skills made me want to go adventuring even more.
Anyway, for that I need some things first. I need the ability to move, I need a way of defending myself and I need some knowledge about this world.
I have no way of acquiring the knowledge I need, but I have some ideas about the other two, so here is my new schedule.
In the mornings I will search my surroundings for things of interest. These would be mostly materials and organisms that I can consume. After that I will be studying the biology of the creatures around me, with the goal of advancing Phagogenesis and eventually growing myself a new body.
I will be spending most evenings experimenting and planning out my new body as well as doing other things of similar nature. And as I don't require sleep, I plan to spend the nights training. For now that would consist of mana control and telekinesis, but if I really gain EXP like in games, then I might try fighting some things. I'm kind of hesitant about the killing part of it though.
Now then. Why don't I get started.
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I finally understand why people complain about the tables.
Also is this considered a twist? Probably not, but at least you can now see the direction the story will take.
*As a side note. I know that phagogenesis was about reproduction not absorption in HxH, but the name pretty much translates to "originates from devouring" and I couldn't think of anything more appropriate so I'm taking a few liberties with it. Hope you dont mind.