I never want to be an insect again. This is hell. The true depths of hell.
Three weeks! Three whole weeks of nothing more than chew, chew, and even more chew! I swear, if I have to spend another life as a caterpillar, I’ll just skip to the next one.
Luckily, it seems my suffering is finally at an end.
I just finished another leaf and no longer feel the hunger that drove me to eat all this while. Which can mean only one thing. It’s time to use my one and only ability.
But first it’s imperative for me to find a suitable spot.
That also doesn’t take me too long. I just crawl under a leaf that’s relatively inaccessible for any would be predators while also hiding me enough.
Then, there’s not much else left but to activate Metamorphosis.
First, I produce a tiny amount of silk that attaches my backside to the leaf. Then I let go and start convulsing.
Oh god, this is strange. I’m… not sure how to describe this. I feel like I’m throwing up. Except the thing I’m throwing up is myself. Throb after throb, I shed a bit more of my skin, or what passes as skin for a caterpillar.
Ugh, this feels disgusting. I’m sure it’s even more bizarre from the outside.
Eventually, I’m left with a kind of solid membrane around me, my former skin discarded into a roll above me (since I’m hanging upside down). Is this the chrysalis? I kind of expected to weave myself a cocoon. Do only some species do that?
Hmm, what now? As far as I know, I’ll be stuck here for quite some time. Actually, what even happens now? How does one go from an ugly caterpillar to a less ugly butterfly?
I seem to remember reading somewhere that I’ll be liquified? Is that a real thing? I hope not. I feel like that’d be agony.
Then, agony came and I passed out.
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In a space between, similar to where we first met Humanity, two figures stand in silence.
One of them, the familiar form of Humanity. Nonspecific as ever, it nonetheless manages to show its dislike of the other person.
The other one is the same and yet, in an impossible to describe way, completely different. It too is of a humanoid shape and it too has no distinguishing features. In a way, they are exactly the same. but despite that both of them give of something that makes sure nobody would ever mix them up.
The unknow figure, likely also a personification of some species, is the first to break the silence.
“We’ve given you more than enough time to think this over. What’s your response?” it asks, voice as cold as iron.
Humanity scoffs, “As if you’ve given me any kind of choice. Your ‘offer’ is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat.”
“So, you agree then, great. My representatives will soon come to meet your people, with others close behind them,” it begins, but is interrupted before it can say too much.
“You misunderstand, Tralag-Urd. I have no plans of joining your little cabal,” says Humanity. Its voice is full of venom and barely contained anger.
There’s a brief moment of silence, Humanity’s response shocking for Tralag-Urd. It almost seems as if it too is about to erupt in anger, yet just as fast as it appeared, it’s hidden behind a mask of calm.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Are you certain? This is not a decision you can easily reverse.”
“Don’t even try. I won’t deal with bullies, especially the likes of you.”
“Very well. Just know, you’re making a mistake,” Tralag-Urd says before disappearing, leaving nought behind.
Soon afterwards, Humanity also disappears and the reappears in its own space between. It’s silent for a while, contemplating what just happened.
“I hope I did the right thing. You better not disappoint me, my unofficial champion,” it mutters to itself. “Actually, I might as well check on what’s happening with them.”
Humanity concentrates on the special connection it formed with its chosen human, thus stealing a quick peek at the surrounding at the other end.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. A fucking caterpillar!?”
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> Metamorphosis reached level 1!
Ugh, what? I feel like my head is at the bottom of the ocean. Also, why am I inside some kind of super small container?
I try to move a bit, but there’s no space for that and instead I poke a small hole into whatever it is I’m surrounded by.
Oh. I remember now. I got isekaid.
Well, that’s… nice, I suppose. Not the fact I’m a caterpillar, but at least I still have more options later down the line. And I guess I’m no longer a caterpillar, am I?
Maybe I’ll finally be able to accomplish something worthwhile. Before that, I have to get out of this cocoon though. Or chrysalis, to be correct.
It takes me a little while to do so, but I eventually figure out the trick. I simply had to flex me new wings a bit for the chrysalis to tear open and let me out.
Ah, that’s much better. There’s nothing quite like stretching my wings after being liquified by my own digestive acid. Yup, completely normal sentence right there, nothing weird about it.
Now then, flying lessons are in order. And also, a snack, I’m starting to feel hungry again.
As I try to take off, it comes naturally to me with almost no difficulties. Like I’m getting used to a non-human body or something. Which is nice, I won’t have to struggle after every reincarnation.
And as I’m flying about randomly, just enjoying the movement, I realize the biggest benefit of becoming a butterfly. I can see!
Not well, mind you, but at least a thousand times better than before! There’s colour in the world!
Oh, hell yes! This was definitely worth it!
> CONGRATULATION!
>
> You’ve transformed your creature type into: Butterfly!
>
> Your base physical stats are 1!
>
> As a butterfly you gain:
> >> The butterfly ability Flower Feeding, Flight!
>
> You are no longer a caterpillar!
>
> You lose all caterpillar abilities!
>
> Metamorphosis is innate! No abilities lost!
Aha! Screw you System or whatever you are, I’m keeping all of my stuff!
Wait, hold on. Does this mean I can go through another metamorphosis? What would a butterfly even turn into? A bird? No, that’s silly.
Interesting thought, but let’s see my full STATUS first.
> Name: None
>
> Creature type: Butterfly
>
> Level: 0
>
> Strength: 1
> Dexterity: 1
> Constitution: 1
>
> Abilities:
> >> Flower Feeding
> >> Flight
> >> (innate) Metamorphosis Level 1
>
> Traits:
> >> (innate) Past Life Holdover
> >> (innate) Reincarnator
> >> (innate) At Least A Little Human
Alright, still not that much for me to work with, but better. It’s a shame I can only keep one ability from each life. I could’ve had flight unlocked for all much future selves. Stupid automatic activation.
Bu now I’m getting hungry again, so I let my senses guide me. It doesn’t take long for me to pick something up, my instincts telling me it’s food.
Following the smell, I soon spot a bright spot of colour in the distance. Yes, score!
Landing on the flower, I can immediately taste the wondrous meal awaiting me.
OH, you’ve got to be kidding me! Another creature whose tastebuds are in the wrong place! Damn it, I need to make sure to never land on something disgusting.
Next up is the second ever use of an ability of mine. Or rather, the third. I did already fly after all.
Either way, I activate Flower Feeding. My proboscis extends from my head and into the flower, searching for nectar. And it’s good.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with the taste or anything, really. I mean, it sure sates my hunger, and that’s the main point of it. But it doesn’t do one very important thing. It gives me no option for advancement.
It doesn’t matter how much I eat this sweet nectar; it’s not going to level me up and the ability itself also doesn’t have levels. And even if it did, I still wouldn’t keep it to my next life.
All that to say, I need to figure out how this world actually works. It’s not yet time sit on my laurels and enjoy my semi-infinite lifespan.
I make eat as much as I can, making sure I won’t be hungry for some time, and head off. It’s time to see what gives me experience.
There are only two actions that usually do so, and I don’t feel like a butterfly is something capable of killing. Not even an extremely small creature. We don’t even have mouths to bite with!
No, I’ll have to see if crafting works. Not that I even know what I can craft as a butterfly. But I’ll figure it out. Just need to see something interesting to gain inspiration.