“It's not known if Protectors chose Vanguard with certain... inclinations, or if their AIs are actively encouraging them, but there is an active trend for many Samurai to modify their bodies with animal characteristics.

And so, Dear Members of The Board, I present to you the newest addition to our Samurai fashion line that will make us our next billion:

CAT. EARS.”

--Internal presentation by Louis, H&M.

I believe you would benefit from a Class II Type 89 Splicer Kit for two hundred points.

‘What’s that?’

It’s a kit that allows you to enhance yourself with the sample of another creature. In other words, you can become part raccoon. It will enhance all of your senses, including your night vision, to a certain extent, along with improving your adaptability. It will set you up with a stable foundation for future mutations.

‘Okay, sure. What should I spend the other two hundred points on?’

First off, I believe you should put a small minimum point boundary in place for medical supplies. You don’t want to end up wounded and unable to deal with it.

‘Fair point. Let’s say fifty points for emergencies then for now.’

Understood. In that case, I would recommend a further sensory upgrade. If you’re hunting in the dark, you should remove the light that reveals you from a mile away.

‘Sure, what should I go for then?’

The Class II Nighteye Viral Sample would be a good fit for one hundred points.

‘Okay, let me finish this and we’ll buy them both.’

I stop getting distracted talking to Cyon and dig into my meal in full, enjoying the rich taste of what is definitely real meat. The food is gone before I can blink and I discard my tray before glancing down at my siblings siting contentedly next to equally empty trays.

Being a Samurai is amazing.

‘Okay, hit me with the first one then.’

New Purchase: Class II Type 89 Splicer Kit

Points reduced to… 233

A black box with a cartoon raccoon wearing a lab coat and holding an oversized syringe appears in my lap. I open it to find a familiar glass and metal injector, filled with a thick grey solution, along the top of the case. Underneath it are two smaller, empty syringes and a small glass bottle filled with a clear yellow liquid.

‘Woah.’

This one requires a little more effort on your part, can you handle that?

‘Rude, I’m not dumb!’

I never said you are. Now, take a sample from one of your siblings with one of the smaller syringes please.

I pull the small cylindrical tube of glass from the box and reach out to pick up Stripe. I place her in my lap and gently pat her head before placing the metal of the syringe against her leg. She lets out a small squeak as it stabs her, but doesn’t squirm.

She sits still like the big strong girl she is and gets several seconds of well-deserved pats for it before I pull the syringe away filled with her dark red blood. She remains on my lap even after I let go and turn my attention to my splicing kit.

‘What now?’

Place the syringe against the sealing film on the separating agent.

I pick up the small glass bottle and place the blood syringe against the thin, springy film on top of it. A small needle sticks out and pours blood into the bottle until it's almost full before retracting.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Discard the syringe and shake the bottle for a few seconds.

I toss the syringe away and shake the bottle vigorously. As the liquid within settles, I see it’s split into two layers. On the bottom is a thin layer of dark crimson and filling the rest of the space is a faded red.

Extract the sample with the other syringe.

I’m already reaching for the syringe, barely needing to be told what to do at this point. The syringe plunges through the sealing film and draws up the thick crimson from the bottom of the bottle, leaving everything else behind.

I take the sample and lift the final syringe, looking at the back of it and finding a small film.

‘I inject the sample here, right?’

Correct.

I place the crimson syringe against the other, and it pours the vibrant red solution into the translucent grey. I watch the grey shift, turning to a light pink.

‘Do I not need any booster with this one?’

No, those were one-time boosts that were solidified with your mutation. You will eventually reach a new limit, but then we can purchase stronger boosts to raise it once again.

‘Okay, here goes nothing I guess.’

I place the syringe on my chest, feeling a spike of pressure and watching the glass tube empty. I flick it away once I’m done with it and brace for the incoming pain.

A cold fire ignites my chest, spreading with each beat of my heart. It only takes a moment for it to fill my entire body, and I start shaking uncontrollably, collapsing to the ground to writhe in agony. It continues for a few seconds before vanishing completely and leaving me gasping for breath.

‘Fuck that’s awful.’

I sit back up and crack my neck to reset myself mentally.

{Okay?} Stripe squeaks, nudging my side with her head.

Yeah, I’m fine. I reach out to pet her in appreciation before freezing.

Did I just understand what she meant?

I stare down at my sister in confusion.

{Okay?} she squeaks again, tilting her head to the side.

‘I can understand her.’

I reach out to give her a reassuring pat.

‘Is this from the splicing?’

Yes. It appears the mutation has allowed you the ability to communicate with your siblings to a certain extent. You won’t be able to speak back to them in their tongue yet, but we can fix that with another upgrade. In fact, that same mutation can fix your voice issue early.

‘Really? How much is it? I want to talk to my siblings!’

I practically bounce in place at the suggestion. Can you blame me? I’ve never been able to join their little conversations before!

It will cost you seventy-five points.

‘Perfect. I’m doing it after the eye upgrade!’

New Purchase: Class II Nighteye Viral Sample

Points reduced to… 133

Another box with a raccoon graphic spawns. I pop it open and find a syringe with a dark black liquid. I place it against my chest in an already boringly repetitive motion before bracing for pain.

This time it’s not as bad. Only my eyes feel like they’re being ripped out, and the buzzing pain spreading across my face isn’t even that excruciating!

I’m surprised I’m not crying already if I’m honest. I guess my desire to not hear my voice is just stronger than the pain. Should I consider that a win?

The pain finally subsides, and I rub my eyes, considering why I’m doing this to myself. The moment I open them, I realise why, because the entire pipe is shockingly clear, as if the sun was shining high above.

‘Woah…’

I look to the far end of the pipe and focus on a small cockroach crawling along, counting its tiny legs.

‘This is incredible.’

I reach up and turn my head torch off, finding the pipe doesn’t dim even a little.

That’s a Class II eye upgrade focused on night vision for you.

‘Now the light won’t give me away at least. Is it a good idea to look into stealth later? Sneaking up on the plants could be good, right?’

Of course. Stealth would be a great idea for you. In fact, you may want to look at some stealth mutations for your siblings too. They will be safer in a fight if they can hide and utilise their small sizes to run away.

‘That’s a good idea. First though, voice please!’

New Purchase: Class II Chatterbox Viral Sample

Points reduced to… 58

A final box decorated with a screaming raccoon forms in my lap. I open it to find a sickly green solution this time.

Maybe this one won’t hurt?

The stabbing pain in my throat moments later proves that hope was wishful, but it’s manageable compared to the other mutations. I clench my throat with both hands and wait out the change, trying to breathe despite it feeling like my airway has been crushed.

The pain vanishes as suddenly as it comes once again, and I cough for a few moments before opening my mouth and trying to say something.

“H-“ I start, wincing when I hear the same low tone as usual.

However, when I think to raise my voice, I feel a strange shift in my throat.

“Hello,” I try again, hearing a scratchy, high-pitched tone instead.

It’s not pleasant by any means, but it doesn’t send chills down my spine like usual.

It will take you some vocal training to get used to using your modified voice box. You have a lot finer control over it than a normal person would, and you will even be able to mimic other people’s voices if you practice well.

My eyes widen in surprise.

‘Really? How long will it take till I can talk in a more natural voice? I don’t know what I’m even meant to aim for?’

We can purchase some vocal training resources once you gain more points. That added to a processing upgrade, which you will need to remove your reliance on Hyper Thought anyway, and you should achieve your goal voice in no time.

I can’t help the happy smile that stretches my cheeks. I may finally like how I sound.

I take a deep breath and try to speak again, this time focusing on communicating with my siblings.

{Hello,} I let out a high, rumbling chirp, and all three of my siblings’ heads snap up to lock eyes with me.

{Sister?} Chip squeaks, tilting his head, and I can’t help the tears that pour from my eyes.