Chapter 71 - A little calm during the storm

Even as his body had moved on instinct, mutating and acting as a beast driven by primal urges, the truth was that Adam’s consciousness had never fully faded. It had been there, buried deep beneath the overwhelming tide of hunger, pain, and rage. In the recesses of his mind, Adam felt as though he were trapped in a thick fog—a lethargic state where his thoughts were sluggish and fragmented, but never entirely absent.

At first, his awareness had been limited to flashes: the sensation of tearing flesh, the crunch of bone, and the reverberations of his monstrous limbs slamming into stone. His rational mind, distant and muffled, registered these events as if they were happening to someone else. Yet, as the chaotic battle progressed, something began to shift. The fog clouding his mind grew thinner, and moments of clarity started to break through, brief but enough for him to begin piecing together what was happening.

It wasn’t much—just enough for a faint semblance of strategy to emerge. He had instinctively summoned his phantom army, not merely as an act of raw aggression but as a calculated attempt to overwhelm his enemies with sheer numbers. It wasn’t the kind of decision he would have made under normal circumstances, but his mind, fragmented as it was, had started to recover, piece by piece, drawing on the parts of his psyche that remained intact.

The battle continued, and with every passing moment, Adam felt his thoughts solidify. By the time he fully awakened, the haze was gone, replaced by a startling clarity—but he was no longer in the Shaolin temple.

The first thing he noticed was his body. His hands darted to his chest, his arms, and his legs, searching for wounds, pain, or any sign of the damage he had taken before he had blacked out. Yet his body was unscathed. No missing limbs, no aching muscles, not even the faintest discomfort. His mind raced, recalling when he had sealed his skill [Resist Hunger Lv1] to deliberately activate his predatory form. The memories were vivid—too vivid.

But this… this wasn’t the aftermath he had expected.

His surroundings confirmed it, he wasn’t in the temple anymore. He had returned to the strange, otherworldly space inside his mind—an endless black void punctuated by floating ruins. Enormous, crumbling stone structures hovered in the air, defying gravity, their jagged edges glowing faintly with an eerie, greenish light. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of energy that seemed to emanate from the ruins themselves.

Adam turned slowly, his breath caught in his throat. The emptiness felt suffocating, the kind of emptiness that pressed against his skin, heavy and relentless. Why was he there again? The thought was sharp, clear, and filled with unease, he tried to step forward, but his legs felt like lead, as if the very ground beneath him resisted his movements.

He spun around, his eyes widening as they locked onto the enormous eye suspended in the void. It was unusually big this time, unlike anything he had ever seen, the sclera was dark and pulsating, while the iris glowed with an unnatural, shifting color that seemed to pierce through him. Around the eye, the long, massive tentacles writhed and coiled, their movements slow and deliberate, like serpents observing prey. The tentacles extended in every direction, some disappearing into the void, while others wrapped around the floating ruins, anchoring the monstrous entity to the surreal landscape.

Adam’s breathing quickened. His mind scrambled to make sense of what he was seeing, but no explanation came. It felt… wrong. Profoundly wrong.

What happened? The question burned in his mind, but he had no answers. His heart pounded as he took a cautious step back, only to realize that he had nowhere to go. He was trapped there again, in this impossible space, with no clear way out; the weight of his situation pressed down on him, filling him with an uneasy certainty: Until he regained consciousness, he was stuck there.

Adam clenched his fists in frustration; the boy’s mind raced with questions, but before he could spiral further into his thoughts, a sudden voice broke the silence. It was light and sweet, almost unnervingly cheerful—a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere.

“Adam!”

The voice chirped, its tone as warm and familiar as an old friend’s.

“Finally, you’re awake! I’ve been waiting!”

Adam froze. His eyes darted around the void, searching for the source. “

Who… who’s there?”

His voice cracked slightly, betraying his nerves. The voice giggled.

“Oh, come on, don’t act like you don’t know me! Look this way!”

He turned slowly, his eyes scanning the void until they fell on the mass of tentacles. His stomach lurched as he realized the voice was coming from there. The tentacles, which had been writhing aimlessly before, now began to shift, gathering together in a grotesque display. They twisted and coiled, pressing into one another, merging and reshaping themselves. Slowly, they began to form a vaguely humanoid figure.

The resulting form was… disturbing. Its body was vaguely human-like, with long, slender limbs and a distorted torso. Its “skin” was a patchwork of writhing, pulsating tentacles, some of which still moved independently, twitching and curling. Its head was an uneven mass, featureless except for two hollow, glowing eyes that radiated a sickly light, but despite its appearance, the voice retained its cheerful tone.

“There we go! That’s better, isn’t it? Now we can talk properly!”

Adam stared, his blood running cold. His instincts screamed at him to run, to fight, to do anything but stand there. Yet he couldn’t move. He could only stare at the bizarre, nightmarish creature before him, trying to reconcile the sweetness of its voice with the terror of its form.

“What… what are you?”

He finally managed to choke out. The mass of tentacles writhed briefly before stilling, then spoke again, its tone bright and chipper despite its grotesque appearance.

“Oh, not even like this? Okay, how rude of me, let me introduce myself properly then!”

It said, sounding almost apologetic. The limbs shifted, folding and twisting in on themselves until the creature’s humanoid outline was slightly more defined, though its unsettling appearance remained.

“I am the Overmind, the manifestation of the hive consciousness that resides within your mind!”

Adam froze, his eyes narrowing as the words sank in. His body tensed, though he managed to keep his voice steady.

“The… Overmind?”

He echoed, his unease growing, he immediately remembered that the name was tied to his Parasite’s description.

“That’s right!”

The Overmind chirped happily, as if its appearance and purpose were nothing out of the ordinary.

“Oh, it’s such an honor to finally meet you face-to-face—well, as close to face-to-face as we can get! You, Adam, are truly special! My favorite champion!”

The Overmind’s voice practically radiated joy like a very happy kid, and Adam was taken aback by the sheer enthusiasm with which it spoke. Before he could process what it had just said, the entity continued, heaping compliments upon him.

“You’re the first of your kind to perfectly merge with one of my parasites! Truly remarkable! Do you have any idea how rare that is? No one else has ever managed it—not like you. And oh, how proud I am to see how far you’ve come! You’re an anomaly, a prodigy, a masterpiece—”

“Stop!”

Adam interrupted, raising a hand and taking a step back. The Overmind’s barrage of praise was overwhelming, leaving him feeling both bewildered and oddly uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, but please, just… get to the point.”

The Overmind recoiled slightly, its glowing eyes dimming in what seemed to be embarrassment.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I got carried away. It’s just… I’ve never had the chance to talk to one of my champions before. Usually, they’re… well, incapable of speech. Most of them don’t even have coherent thoughts after their fusion, let alone the ability to converse like this. But you, Adam, you’re completely unique! Even my master, “The_Hunger”, has taken notice of you!”

Adam’s stomach twisted at the mention of the patron. The name alone brought back the memory of the deal he’d been offered, the oppressive presence, the weight of the decision hanging over him. His expression hardened as he looked at the Overmind and started talking.

“Your master, yes, “The_Hunger”, offered me a deal. What’s so special about that?”

The Overmind leaned closer, its voice dropping to an almost conspiratorial whisper.

“Oh, Adam… that’s beyond exceptional. My master doesn’t make deals lightly. In fact—”

It paused, as if savoring the moment.

“—there’s only ever been one other individual like you to make a pact with “The_Hunger”. And they weren’t even from this world-channel.”

Adam blinked, his mind stuttering to a halt. World-channel? The term was foreign, incomprehensible, but it sent a shiver down his spine. He stared at the Overmind, his voice sharp.

“What do you mean by that? What’s a world-channel?”

The Overmind froze, its glowing “eyes”, or whatever those were, widening.

“Oops! Forget I said that!”

It exclaimed in a high-pitched, almost comical tone.

“Forget you said—”

Adam started, but the Overmind cut him off, speaking quickly.

“Anyway! You should accept that deal as soon as possible! I’ve overheard my master saying that “Infinite_Gaze” and “The_Black_Sphinx” are also interested in you. But they’ll have to wait for the regular process before they can even communicate with you.”

It said, its cheerful demeanor returning. Adam’s brow furrowed, his mind racing. He forced himself to sound calm, though his thoughts were anything but.

“Regular process? What’s that?”

He asked, feigning interest, the Overmind’s tentacles twitched, and it let out a delighted hum.

“Oh, it’s when you reach Eden, of course! I have no doubt you’ll make it there. Normally, only when a user gets to Eden can they—”

But suddenly, the Overmind’s voice cut off with a sharp cry of pain. Its form jerked violently, the tentacles convulsing as if struck by an invisible force.

“OUCH!”

It yelped, its tone filled with genuine pain and surprise. Adam stepped forward instinctively.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

The Overmind straightened slowly, its glowing eyes narrowing.

“It’s nothing, just a… reprimand from my master. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”

It said curtly, though its tone was tinged with irritation, it then turned its gaze back to Adam, scrutinizing him.

“Wait a minute… Did you trick me into saying something I wasn’t supposed to?”

Adam’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly put on an innocent expression—a terrible one at that. His awkward smile and stiff posture made it painfully obvious that he was lying.

“What? No, of course not! I’d never do something like that.”

The Overmind tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing slightly before it let out a soft laugh.

“Oh, Adam, of course you didn’t! There’s no way you would even try, so everything is okay! You’re my favorite champion after all, almost like a son to me! I’m sure you wouldn’t do anything to deceive me.”

Adam’s forced smile tightened, and he resisted the urge to grimace, “almost like a son”? Seriously? … The Overmind’s jovial tone returned.

“Anyway, feel free to ask me more questions! Just… try not to get me in trouble again, okay?”

It waved a tentacle dismissively, its carefree attitude almost making Adam forget the monstrous form it inhabited.

The boy’s fingers clenched into fists as he took a slow, measured breath, his mind racing. Despite the Overmind’s cheerful demeanor, he knew he needed to tread carefully. Its earlier slip had revealed far more than it intended, and Adam couldn’t afford to let his guard down now, so he straightened, his tone deliberate and calm, masking his apprehension.

“Alright, let’s take a step back. Do you know why I’m here? The last thing I remember is being held captive by that woman Abbess. I… I activated my 'Vicious Devourer' state, but after that, everything went blank… Oh right, I did that.”

Adam began, locking eyes with the amorphous figure and remembering the reason why he had done so, it was because all his team was killed and there was no way out either way. However, at his words, the Overmind’s glowing “eyes” narrowed, its playful energy dissipating into a serious stillness. When it spoke, its voice carried an uncharacteristic weight.

“Okay, first and foremost, Adam, listen carefully: never activate the 'Vicious Devourer' intentionally again.”

The firm declaration startled him. He opened his mouth to protest, but the Overmind pressed on, its tone grave.

“That form is a death sentence. For most mortals, activating it means succumbing to irreversible mutations once their hunger is sated. Their bodies cannot withstand the transformation. But you…”

The Overmind’s voice softened, a reverence seeping into its words.

“You are different, Adam. Your body is special. As an undead, you can endure what no living host could dream of. It’s… remarkable, really.”

The entity’s tone shifted abruptly, returning to its excitable admiration.

“In fact, your body is absolutely perfect for my parasite! The compatibility, the resilience, the sheer—”

“Stop, please… Just… get back to the point.”

Adam cut in sharply, raising a hand to silence the Overmind’s growing praise. The Overmind paused, its glow dimming slightly in what seemed like embarrassment.

“Ah, yes, of course… where was I? Oh, right. The second reason you’re here. Your consciousness is within this space because… well, your parasite has taken full control of your body.”

Adam’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. He stumbled back a step, his voice rising in alarm.

“What?! What do you mean, taken full control?!”

“Calm down, it’s not what you think. Let me explain.”

The Overmind soothed, raising several tentacles as if to placate him. Adam’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited, his mind spiraling with worst-case scenarios.

“Normally, a parasite like mine has its own mind. Over time, it gradually asserts dominance, taking control of its host naturally. But in your case, things happened… in reverse.”

The Overmind began, its tone patient and reassuring.

“What does that mean?”

Adam demanded, his voice tight. The Overmind tilted its amorphous head as if trying to offer a comforting smile, though its unsettling form made the gesture unnerving.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“It means that instead of the parasite controlling you, you have completely taken control of the parasite. Your thoughts, your personality even, your very essence—everything that makes you you—has overwritten the parasite’s mind. It’s not separate from you anymore; it’s part of you. So, when I say it’s taken control of your body, all I really mean is that you’re on autopilot. Your body is still acting just as you would, guided by your own instincts and consciousness.”

Adam’s shoulders relaxed slightly as the explanation sank in. He exhaled slowly, his fear subsiding a bit.

“So… it’s like the parasite is a backup of my mind?”

The Overmind let out a soft hum of approval.

“Precisely. A perfect analogy, if I may say so.”

That brought Adam some measure of relief, though his curiosity remained.

“Alright, that explains why I’m here since I’m technically unconscious, but what’s happening out there while I’m in… whatever this place is?”

The Overmind’s glowing “eyes” brightened, a hint of excitement returning to its tone.

“Oh, if you’re that curious, I can show you. Would you like to see it?”

Adam hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yes. Show me.”

The massive eye behind the Overmind, which he had barely noticed in his earlier panic, began to glow intensely. The light bathed the entire space in a pulsing, otherworldly hue. Without warning, a vast screen appeared before him, hovering in the void like a giant television.

Adam squinted as the screen flickered to life. Slowly, an image materialized—grainy at first, then sharpening into perfect clarity. It was a view from his own eyes, a perspective so familiar it sent a chill down his spine. His breath caught as the screen fully lit up, revealing the scene before him, the first thing he noticed was the sheer speed of his own attacks. The movements displayed were so rapid they were almost imperceptible, nothing more than fleeting blurs. Yet the sheer force behind each blow shook the ground like an earthquake.

He squinted, focusing harder on the chaotic exchange of strikes. His body—no, the thing his body had become—was locked in a brutal clash with Abbess Xinhui. At first, he didn’t recognize her. Her appearance was grotesquely altered, her once serene and commanding aura replaced by something monstrous. Her skin was mottled with blackened veins that pulsed unnaturally, and her limbs seemed longer and more jagged, her hair, which he remembered as smooth and pristine, now whipped through the air like coiling tendrils.

“Is that really… The same woman?”

Adam muttered aloud, his voice trembling. His hands tightened into fists as he watched the distorted figure, his disbelief warring with the undeniable familiarity of her movements. It was her, or at least what remained of her.

A sharp gasp escaped him as one of the appendages protruding from his own back—a grotesque, sharp limb resembling a skeletal blade—pierced through her arm with terrifying precision and shook it violently, pulling her closer with a horrifying crunch of bone. His body capitalized on the moment, his fist swinging with brutal efficiency as the punch landed squarely on Abbess’s face, and the force was cataclysmic. Her body was launched downward like a missile, slamming into the ground with a deafening impact that left a massive crater in its wake. Dust and debris exploded into the air, obscuring the area in a thick, choking cloud.

Adam recoiled instinctively, his heart pounding in his chest. His eyes darted back to the screen as he tried to process what he had just seen, but the chaos continued unabated.

Out of the swirling dust, a swarm of monstrous figures charged toward his body. Adam’s blood ran cold as he recognized them—creatures reminiscent of the Jiang Shis he had fought before. Their twisted forms, their jerky movements, the soulless hunger in their glowing eyes—it was all too familiar.

But before they could even reach him, something tore through them at an impossible speed. A blur of gold streaked across the battlefield, and in its wake, the Jiang Shis were obliterated. Limbs and torsos were severed cleanly, their bodies disintegrating into ash almost instantly. The source of the carnage revealed itself—a skeletal figure wielding four enormous golden scythes instead of hands, its movements graceful yet deadly, Adam’s breath hitched as recognition dawned on him.

“That… that’s…”

His voice trailed off, too stunned to finish the thought. The skeletal creature was one he knew intimately, its presence deeply ingrained in his memories, but before he could react further, the ground trembled beneath the screen. A massive shadow loomed into view, and Adam’s heart dropped as another familiar figure emerged. A colossal, spectral beast with demonic features towered over the battlefield, its translucent form exuding a menacing, otherworldly energy. It stepped forward with slow, deliberate movements, each footfall shaking the ground.

The beast turned its focus to the crater where Abbess had been thrown, and without hesitation, it began stomping the area repeatedly, its immense strength pulverizing the ground. Dust and rubble flew with each crushing blow, and the beast’s haunting roar echoed through the air.

Adam’s head spun. The monstrous scythe-wielding figure, the demonic colossus—these weren’t just random entities, he knew them very well from the last two scenarios. Finally, he turned away from the screen, his wide eyes locking onto the Overmind.

“What is happening?! What is all of this?!”

Said the boy with urgency in his voice, but on its end, the Overmind’s glowing form tilted slightly, as if amused by his reaction.

“Oh, that? Your body has awakened the gift bestowed upon you by my master.”

Adam’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“What? “The_Hunger”? What gift are you even talking abo… Is this the nature of [The True Hunger] trait?”

The Overmind’s glow pulsed rhythmically, almost as if it were chuckling.

“Ding Dong! Correct! But perhaps it’s better if you read it yourself.”

“Read? What do you mean by read?”

Adam asked, his confusion deepening. With an air of mischief, the Overmind responded.

“I can retrieve the message history from the game logs. Would you like to see?”

Adam’s eyes narrowed once again.

“What do you mean by game?”

The Overmind’s glow dimmed momentarily, as if caught in a mistake.

“Oops. Did I say game? I meant… uh… system! Yes! Messages from your abilities!”

Before Adam could press further, a series of glowing text boxes began to materialize in front of him, hovering in the air like holograms. Line after line of messages scrolled into view, detailing events and triggers that had led to this moment. His eyes darted across the screen, scanning the information with mounting dread.

⌠The skill [Torture of the 1001 Curses] has marked you as its target.⌡ ⌠The 1001 curses will be applied to the affected user one by one. Their effects are cumulative.⌡ ⌠Your Strength has increased significantly.⌡ ⌠Your Speed has increased significantly.⌡ ⌠Your Senses have increased significantly.⌡ ⌠...⌡ ⌠...⌡

The words blurred together for a moment as Adam tried to comprehend the enormity of what was happening. The notifications kept coming, a seemingly endless list of enhancements and transformations applied to his body. It was absurd—almost comical—how far the text scrolled.

Adam felt his knees weaken, not from physical strain but from the mental effort of processing this… A thousand curses? It was unreal, his mind flashed back to the last time he had gained buffs in the last scenario—only eight of them stacked together had been enough to elevate his physical abilities to superhuman levels. And now… a thousand?

“This... this is insane.”

He whispered, gripping the sides of his head as the truth hit him. His trait ‘Malediction Reversal’ had turned every curse into a blessing, stacking enhancements beyond anything he could have imagined.

⌠Your perception of time has been enhanced exponentially.⌡ ⌠Your reflexes have reached inhuman thresholds.⌡ ⌠Your body now emits an aura of overwhelming dominance.⌡

And then, finally, the warnings began to appear.

⌠Warning: The level of cursed energy exceeds the maximum capacity the user can endure.⌡ ⌠Notice: The trait ‘The True Hunger’ is responding to the overwhelming cursed energy inside the user.⌡ ⌠The user Adam Scholar and the treasure ‘Overmind’s Parasite’ resonate with the extreme power gained.⌡ ⌠Notice: The trait ‘Vicious Devourer (Incomplete-Acolyte)’ has temporarily evolved into ‘Perfect Vicious Devourer (Hunger Acolyte)’.⌡

The phrase sent a chill down his spine. His body was no longer just his own—it was transforming, adapting to something monstrous. The Overmind had hinted at the dangers of Vicious Devourer, but now it had evolved into something far beyond what he could have anticipated.

The next notifications pushed his dread even further:

⌠Notice: Demon-type entity has responded to the call of its master. The overwhelming cursed energy has allowed it to fully manifest in the physical plane.⌡

[ Daemonium Gigantiphage - Rank A+ ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠An extreme high-tier ghost specter of destruction, the Daemonium Gigantiphage embodies dread itself. With its demonic visage—wings stretched wide, jagged horns reaching skyward, cloven hooves pounding the earth, and a barbed tail whipping through the air—it is clad in a war suit etched with the runes of ancient, cursed craftsmanship. This entity shifts effortlessly between ethereal and physical forms, making it an unstoppable force against mortals and immortals alike. In its world of origin, it is not merely a monster but a legend of devastation, feared as a walking apocalypse. It can conjure the skills [Ethereal Cataclysm Lv10], [Soul-Shattering Wail Lv10], and [Gigantiphage Annihilation Strike Lv10].⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ [Notice: The creature is being fully controlled by the user due to the effects of the skill ⌠Hivemind Lv1⌡.] [Hint: While in full control, the user can use the ‘Daemonium Gigantiphage’ skills at will.]

⌠Notice: The ‘Sacred Guardian of Envy’ has resonated with the cursed energy of its master, temporarily evolving into ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’.⌡

[ Cursed Emperor of Envy - Rank A+ ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠The pinnacle of the Golden Pavilion’s twisted creations, the Cursed Emperor of Envy transcends even their masterpiece, the ‘Cursed Lord of Envy’. It possesses twin-crowned heads, eternally watching the past and future, making it an unparalleled strategist. Its chest houses a flickering blue flame—the manifestation of its soul—shielded by layers of unyielding enchantments. Four arms, each ending in a gleaming golden scythe, and insect-like legs grant it an unnatural speed that belies its size. The Cursed Emperor of Envy is a force that defies logic, earning its moniker as the ultimate spear and shield, a symbol of perfection in both attack and defense. It can conjure the skills [Golden Bastion of Eternity Lv10], [Eclipsing Scythe Lv10], [True Anti-Healing Lv10], and [Perfect Hex of Envy Lv10].⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ [Notice: The creature is being fully controlled by the user due to the effects of the skill ⌠Hivemind Lv1⌡.] [Hint: While in full control, the user can use the ‘Cursed Emperor of Envy’ skills at will.]

⌠Notice: The treasure ‘Spectronomicon’ has resonated with the cursed energy of its master, temporarily evolving into ‘Ancient Ethernomicon’.⌡

[ Ancient Ethernomicon - Rank A+ ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠The final normal evolution of the ‘Spectronomicon’, the ‘Ancient Ethernomicon’ has transcended its original form. Now a sentient and humanoid entity, it manifests as a slender, featureless mannequin-like figure of translucent cursed energy. Where its head would be, a perfectly spherical mass of roiling ectoplasmic energy pulsates with eerie luminescence. Possessing infinite knowledge about ghosts, specters, and all ethereal beings, it wields absolute dominion over such entities, summoning them at will or erasing their existence entirely. Its curious and mischievous nature often leads it to toy with mortals, pulling them into strange, spectral games with terrifying stakes. Though it seems whimsical at times, its actions are driven by an inscrutable, eldritch logic. It can conjure the skills [Phantom Codex Unbound Lv10], [Soul Weave Sphere Lv10], and [Let’s make a death wish Lv10].⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ [Notice: The creature is being fully controlled by the user due to the effects of the skill ⌠Hivemind Lv1⌡.] [Hint: While in full control, the user can use the ‘Ancient Ethernomicon’ skills at will.]

Adam felt his stomach churn. The entities—the ones that had once seemed like allies—were now transforming into something even more fearsome. Their power, once contained, now felt untethered and volatile.

Finally, the last notification appeared, its weight crushing Adam’s already spiraling thoughts:

⌠User Adam Scholar has obtained the title ‘Commander of the Truly Strong’ for commanding three or more entities of rank A or higher.⌡ ⌠Congratulations!⌡

Commander…? Adam’s thoughts cracked as he read the words. It was absurd. A cruel joke. He hadn’t commanded anything—he was being swept along by forces far beyond his control… It seemed that the system didn’t take into account the process, just the result.

Before his spiraling thoughts could take over completely, the Overmind’s voice pierced through his mind like a warm, almost soothing melody.

“Oh, Adam, what you’ve experienced so far is but a fragment—a sliver—of what you’re capable of with my master’s gift. You haven’t even begun to grasp the depths of your potential.”

It cooed, its tone carrying a strange mixture of delight and mockery. Adam clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

“A fragment?”

He muttered under his breath, his voice shaking.

“Yes, a fragment, this is merely a glimpse of what awaits you should you accept the pact with “The_Hunger”. Do you see it now, Adam? The parasitic nature you fear is not one of mere consumption. No, its true purpose is far grander: evolution.”

The Overmind continued, its tone growing even more pleasant, as though savoring the moment. Adam’s gaze snapped upward.

“Evolution?”

“Exactly, look at what my influence has done already. Two of your most cherished minions have ascended to levels they could never have reached on their own. And the other one has borrowed a fragment of my power to manifest… no, actually, her power.”

The Overmind purred, its voice wrapping around him like velvet and having its focus shifted momentarily, with Adam following its gaze. His eyes landed on the writhing mass of tentacles imprisoning the Undead Empress.

“You see, Adam, even the one who bears the title of ‘Lord of the Undead’ cannot stand against them now. Together, your minions would reduce her to nothing more than ash and memories.”

Said the Overmind while Adam’s stomach churned. The weight of the entity’s words sank in, but instead of the awe it likely intended, a sense of unease began to bubble within him. His body may have been at the center of this transformation, but his consciousness, his self, remained detached—an observer of the nightmare unfolding.

He gritted his teeth.

“No, this… this isn’t right.”

The boy muttered, cutting through the Overmind’s monologue, who paused, clearly unaccustomed to interruptions.

“What isn’t right, my champion?”

Adam took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet the entity’s gaze.

“This isn’t me. What I’m seeing—it’s not me. It’s my body, sure, and maybe even a backup of my personality, but it’s not me. If you want me to accept whatever it is you’re offering, I need to feel it. I need to experience it in my own skin, in my own mind.”

The Overmind tilted its head, considering him carefully.

“You’re asking to return your consciousness to your body?”

“Yes, can you do it?”

Adam replied firmly.

“Perhaps.”

The Overmind admitted, its tone now laced with curiosity.

“You’re a curious one, Adam, most would revel in the detachment, the freedom. But you…”

Its voice trailed off, and for a moment, silence filled the void between them. Adam turned, his expression softening as he locked eyes with the Overmind’s manifestation.

“Please, I’m asking you, as your so-called champion. Let me feel it for myself.”

He suddenly said, his voice filled with sincerity, making the Overmind’s form shimmer slightly, its energy flickering as though caught off guard. For a brief moment, it remained silent, and Adam wondered if he had overstepped. Then, with a sigh that sounded almost reluctant, the entity relented.

“How could I refuse such a heartfelt request from my favorite champion? Very well, Adam. I will return your mind to your body.”

It said, its tone tinged with amusement while its presence grew more intense, its voice wrapping around Adam like a cocoon.

“Are you ready?”

It finally asked, its tone serious now. The boy swallowed hard and nodded.

“I’m ready.”