Jason glanced up from his status screen, and his sharp eyes locked onto the two approaching figures.

One was a tall and broad-shouldered man with a rigid posture, easily 6 foot 3 in height, exuding the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to combat.

This imposing individual was contrasted sharply by the other, a shorter and more rotund individual whose appearance, despite the current situation, was neat and composed.

The smaller man had an air of self-assurance that bordered on smugness.

As the duo drew near, Jason’s gaze lingered on the shorter man.

Despite his unassuming stature, it was evident he was the one in charge. Over the last day, Jason had noticed the steady growth of followers flocking to this man’s side, marking him as the leader of the largest group in the camp.

As the two figures walked confidently in Jason's direction, he observed them with a sharp, calculating gaze, waiting until they were just a few meters away before speaking.

“Stop right there! What do you want?” his voice was cold, laced with irritation.

Jason’s tone was deliberately abrasive, a tactic he decided to employ to build his character as one who kept people at arm's length. It was a no-nonsense approach.

If the people seemed useful, he would slip into a more mild and friendly persona, but Jason had no interest in building friendly relationships just yet; after all, he needed to know their worth first.

The two men paused and exchanged glances, slightly taken aback by Jason's harsh tone. Then, the short and stout man with cropped blonde hair inched just a bit closer, though still a good three meters from Jason, before he started speaking with a cautious tone.

“My apologies for the intrusion,” he began, his voice smooth and warm, with the polished inflexion of someone who was used to commanding a room.

“I’ve come to introduce myself. My name is Morris… Morris Johnson. I must admit I was very impressed with how you killed that giant!”

The man's voice was measured and polite, with a hint of charm. His speech, laced with a formal British accent, softened the confrontation while a disarming smile adorned his face.

“We’ve come to talk... to see if you’d be interested in joining us.” Morris continued.

Jason leaned back slightly, his gaze narrowing as he sized up the man before replying.

"And why would I do that?"

Jason deliberately projected an air of arrogance and hostility for two reasons. One was to gauge the man’s response. If he joined a group, he did not want to join one where the supposed leader had no self-control. The other was, as mentioned before, to maintain distance from the two.

The man chuckled lightly, waving off the tension in the air.

“No need for hostility, my friend. I just want to talk… As I said, my name is Morris. And you are?”

Jason remained impassive, though his mind raced as he sized the man up.

He felt a strange feeling pickling his mind and knew there was something more at play here than just a mere casual conversation.

Still, he would go along with it for now.

As he thought about what to say, Jason delved into the memories of this body that was now at his disposal. Having taken a moment to sift through Jason's memories to understand his mannerisms and speech patterns, Jason decided to go with the flow.

“Jason,” Jason replied curtly, not offering more than his name.

Morris’s smile widened, his tone becoming more familiar.

“A pleasure to meet you, Jason. As I said before, I couldn’t help but notice your... unique talents! I thought it was only right that I extend an invitation to join our group.”

For some reason, Jason’s patience thinned as the man continued his carefree approach, but he kept his composure. His tone, however, was flat.

“And why would I want to do that?” Jason’s words were icy, and his voice carried just enough disdain to make his lack of interest clear.

Despite Jason's tone, Morris's smile did not falter. If anything, the man was thick-skinned.

Morris chuckled softly, waving a hand as if brushing off Jason’s hostility.

“Now, now, no need for suspicion. I believe we share a common goal. Survival! And in this... strange new world, it’s best to have allies.”

Jason’s irritation grew as Morris rambled on. There was something off about this man’s demeanour. His words were too smooth, too charming and charismatic. The longer the man spoke, the more Jason could feel a strange sensation.

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And then Jason realised it. He realised what it was that was irritating him!

Morris was using mana in his speech. Jason could feel the mana released in Morriss’s every word now that he concentrated. Jason could feel the undercurrent of manipulation, subtle but present. Morriss’s words carried a compulsion, a mental nudge designed to sway and charm. Jason recognised this effect, having dealt with similar skills in the past.

‘A Mind influence type skill...? No, at this level, that can't be it. A speech-type skill? Hm. Yes! That seems more likely,’ Jason internally mused.

A speech-type skill! That was what Morris was using. Jason had encountered such skills before. Skills designed to command or influence others through speech. However, at the skill's current rank, it was less of a direct command-type skill and more of a subtle influence.

It seemed to work by making others more amenable to Morris, encouraging them to view him favourably the longer they talked.

However, Morris’s lack of control when using the skill was also evident.

While casting a skill did not necessarily require constant attention, controlling its mana flow and precision was a necessary component to using and evolving the skill effectively.

Morris, however, was sloppy. His words dripped with magical influence, and small fragments of mana leaked into the air, dissipating uselessly around him. It was this wasted and inefficient use of mana that alerted Jason to a skill being used.

‘So… That's how he amassed his following’.

The compulsion in Morris's words, paired with his smooth charisma, would have been enough to sway the low-level tutorial initiates around him. They likely had no idea they were being manipulated, assuming they were simply drawn to Morris’s confident leadership.

Even Jason felt a slight compulsion in this body; his own mind was unaffected with his higher resistance and superior soul, but, using Jason's body meant he was somewhat susceptible due to Jason's low stats.

As Morris continued speaking, his voice still infused with mana and containing subtle influence, Jason’s thoughts shifted.

He now had a choice to make. Go against the compulsion or go along with it.

‘Quite daring to try and manipulate me.’

If Jason acted against Morris now, he could end it all here. Eliminate the man for his brazen attempt to control him. Jason was more than capable of killing Morris in an instant. The thought crossed his mind like a flickering shadow. A swift death for this would-be manipulator would certainly eliminate the threat.

‘But... would that be a waste?’

Jason's mind worked quickly, calculating the potential gains.

Morris had already proven useful without knowing it. The man’s abilities could be exploited further. If Morris thought his skill was working on Jason, he would undoubtedly let his guard down. And when the time was right, Jason could strike. Not just physically but strategically.

‘Let him think he’s in control?’

Jason smirked internally.

He could play along, pretending to be influenced by Morris's skill. That way, he could use Morris as a puppet to gather more power, more information, and, eventually, more control over the group Morris had amassed.

Once Morris had outlived his usefulness, or once Jason had what he needed, the tables would turn. Morris would never see it coming.

Jason had always thrived in the shadows, festering, growing, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

After all, parasites do not rush. They infest, fester, and control from within. Jason could bide his time, using Morris as his proxy to manipulate the larger group. When the opportunity presented itself, he would seize everything Morris had built.

The notion pleased him. Why kill the man now and waste a valuable pawn when he could use him to achieve his goals?

Morris, oblivious to Jason’s internal calculations, continued speaking, inching closer with a confident smile.

“I apologise. I can be quite the talker. Let me be more direct. This is Smith. Former military, and my right hand. We’re forming a group of capable individuals. And you, Jason, would be a valuable addition.” His expression sharpened, and the pleasantries vanished.

Jason’s gaze shifted to Smith, who stood silent and motionless, his stoic expression betraying no emotion. The man’s stance was disciplined, and his piercing blue eyes suggested a sharp mind.

“Hm. Military, huh?” Jason said, his voice now containing mild interest.

“And what exactly is your role in all this, Morris? Are you the leader? A spokesman?”

“You see, Jason,” Morris began, his tone still infused with that compulsive mana, as his grin widened.

“Let’s just say I’m a facilitator. I bring people together and make sure things run smoothly. It’s what I did in my old life as a Member of Parliament, and it’s what I’ll do here.”

Jason raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity.

“A member of Parliament? Politics... Yes…That makes sense.”

Morris chuckled, taking Jason’s remark as a compliment.

“Exactly. I know how to navigate complex situations and how to inspire and lead. And I know potential when I see it.”

Jason let the silence hang for a moment, pretending to weigh the offer. In truth, he had already decided. Morris would be a convenient cover, a shield behind which Jason could grow stronger.

“Fine,” Jason said at last. “I’ll join your group. For now.”

Morris’s expression lit up as his charm increased even further.

“You won’t regret it. We’ve got big plans, Jason. Together, we’ll survive this place.”

After another brief exchange of pleasantries and a thinly veiled assurance from Morris, Jason agreed to join the group. His decision was not rooted in trust or loyalty, far from it. It was a calculated move, part of his larger game.

With his current build focusing heavily on mind and intelligence, he needed a group to serve as his shield until his powers could grow further. And Morris’s group, while flawed, was large enough to serve his purpose. And Morris seemed eager and smart enough to want to survive. His decision to purchase ‘Word magic’ type skills from the system store only further evidenced this.

Jason followed the pair as they led him toward their side of the camp. His eyes scanned the surrounding area, noting the size of Morris’s group and the way they responded to Morris’s presence with respect and blind loyalty mingled in their gazes.

‘Fools,’ Jason thought.

When they reached the right area, Morris gestured toward a tent set up slightly apart from the main group.

“We thought you might prefer some privacy. But if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Jason gave a noncommittal nod before stepping into the tent.

Once inside, Jason reclined his body and finally relaxed after the day's events. His mind, however, was far from at rest. He could feel it, a pull from within him, a sensation that had become familiar since he had awoken in this new form.

‘Gluttonous Brood’ stirred restlessly within him with an ancient hunger that craved flesh.

"Patience," Jason murmured to himself, his voice low as he closed his eyes and began to meditate.

His connection with ‘Gluttonous Brood’ pulsed faintly as the parasite was eager for the next opportunity to consume. But Jason knew better than to rush.

There would be time enough to indulge in its ravenous desires. For now, he needed to recover and plan for the following day.

"In time," Jason whispered once more, his voice filled with both anticipation and restraint.

And with that, he sank deeper into meditation. The Ascension trial was just beginning, and Jason had every intention of being the one to control the board.