A large cage of about 20x20 metres was wheeled out from the western side of the field. One that contained a coiled serpent of some kind, but was not paid attention to by the group. For just as this was being prepared, Lupa and Puella were dancing happily with their rabbit as the illusory Human, along with Kirin and Zabartik, each sat across from one another in the Lotus Pose. Of which was brought up by the guised Human who wished to meditate after such a battle.

Naturally, the Shade being one of the Divine of his race, despite a fallen one, knew of this and opted to join in on a small meditation session in order to reflect upon the battle. As they sat next to one another, they felt a disturbance in the air, and upon cracking an eye open, noted Karastak as he took up the same pose. Therefore, they each moved a little so that the three of them could breathe the same air as one.

The leader of their group knew of meditations, because in his last life he practiced several forms that helped him throughout his days and nights. Keeping one's posture was key to strengthening the energies which flowed within, he had found, and a steady breathing would keep the circulation running smoothly.

In any case, as the serpent was prodded out of the cage, it slithered here and there with its tongue darting in and out of its large maw as it tasted the air. Off to the sides were its handlers. Men and women who wore poison resistant leathers and wielded pike-like poles with charged points full of electricity. These were used to stun large creatures, rendering them useless as others moved in to secure them.

As though remembering their presence, the serpent hissed softly as its right eye stared at them in the hopes that one or all would become startled. If they were new, then it would have had some fun, but these were professionals who ignored the ploy of the creature before them, thus resulting in its loss of interest as it slithered around some more.

Ferguard, on the other hand, frowned at the creature before him before turning around and hobbling off towards the trio who sat in silence as a pair of children and a pony sized rabbit frolicked nearby. He didn't get very far, as the serpent noticed the rabbit and hissed with hunger before slithering towards it. Whereas the rabbit and children soon noted this, and became terrified of the creature who was stalking them.

However, as soon as it was near Karastak and his Warrior minions, his voice rang out across the field, “!” Within moments, a scintillating array of colours erupted from his position, stunning both minion and serpent alike as he stood tall once more.

has stunned 4 targets around you!

Minions: 1 Lesser Divine Shade, 1 Kirin

Beast: 1 King Snake

Humanoid: 1 Dwarf

Duration: 1 minute

He glanced off to the side and noted Ferguard's stunned expression as his eyes swiveled to stare at the illusory Human, who shrugged before turning his attention upon the beast before him. A hand reached out and ran its entirety over the scales until he reached the head. Here, he shook his own down at the creature, more so when its own eyes moved to watch him.

“You have frightened what is mine, 'King Snake',” he hissed at the beast, his own eyes burning with a tinge of red as his voice and posture remained aloof and calm, “For that, there can be no recourse.” Karastak's staff regrew in his hand, and he pointed it straight at the serpent who twitched underneath the spell.

A dark point appeared upon the tip of the diamond spike, one that cackled as dark grey energies flared around it. Slowly, it grew in size as the illusory Human growled down upon that which dared to strike out against what was his, eyes glowing a dark crimson as the energy at the tip had grown to the size of his own head. The air around it rippled, warped, and tore just as the King Snake broke free of the spell and reared back in order to strike down upon he who stood between it and its meal.

Just as it opened its maw to reveal a pair of elongated fangs, he howled out, “!” Darkness in the form of a massive wave flared outwards in order to encompass the whole of the serpent before him, and just the serpent. Those behind it watched with large eyes as a wave of non-light washed over the serpent, devouring it instantly. What is more, they each saw tears in the air and ground that slowly patched itself together as though someone had cast the spell upon it.

Once their eyes fell upon Karastak, on the other hand, they found him surrounded by his Warriors, who had covered their sight with their bodies and another faded blue robe. Here, they conversed over what they just saw, whereas he, himself, growled from the placards which shown before his eyes.

For your use of upon the whole of the creature called “King Snake”, you have rewarded with the following Active Skills:

For your use of upon the whole of the creature called “King Snake”, you have been rewarded with the following Passive Skills:

For your use of upon the whole of the creature called “King Snake”, you have been rewarded with the following additions to your body:

Scales in place of Fur and Skin

A poison sac added beneath your tongue

Your race is now

These changes will occur momentarily. Please stand by.

Karastak immediately growled out to his minions, “Shield my body. Do not let anyone see. .” Immediately, two more blue robes fluttered around them, and both Zabartik and Kirin hled them up in such a way so that very little was revealed as he dropped to his hands and knees. Atop the pair, staring down at his person were Little Mother and her Swarm, each squeaking softly as they watched what occurred next.

“Command,” another growl burst forth from his throat, his illusion had shattered to reveal his Foxman self, but the fur was already starting to fall away in clumps. Which became more visible as his robe and trousers evaporated from his desire to not soil them.

“[Awaiting Command,]” boomed the monotonous voice of his System.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I require no pain during this transforma-tion,” he grunted as his ears fell off and released a soft splat as they fell to the earth. Instantly, Little Mother dove down and scooped one of them up before returning to her perch atop Zabartik's hooded head. Where she clutched at it whilst nibbling upon the ear slowly. This led to her Swarm perking up as they stared down upon her master with hunger, but with one loud squeak, their eyes turned towards the fur and flesh that were falling away from his body.

“[Acknowledged.]” Immediately, he felt a wave of euphoria envelope his body as he felt more of his flesh fall away. This led to the Swarm to squeak more and more as they fell upon the free meal.

Sighing softly, Karastak grunted and peered behind himself, only to frown as his legs melded together as one whilst stretching themselves into an elongated tail. The frown only deepened when it coiled around himself three times, resulting in the thought, 'My Illusion spells will not cover this.'

An Illusion spell, by the by, creates a glamour to hide one's self amongst others. It does not remove the feeling of extra extremities, if they have any, from their bodies. In other words, his elongated tail, though not apparent to the naked eye, would still be felt by himself and others who trip or step upon it.

Pulling up his Status Menu, the forming Naga tapped and held and elongated claw atop his Class. Of which caused a pop-up to appear, revealing all manner of classes for him to choose from. Just like his Subclass, when he scrolled to the bottom, he found the selection. Once selected, a keyboard appeared before himself so that he may detail that which he desired to create, which he did so immediately, but with a shortened description of, “One who hides in plain sight whilst mimicking the movements and life style of others.”

This was called Custom Class: .

Warning!

By changing your Class, you will forfeit all levels and skills gained from your Class.

Do you wish to continue with the change?

Y/N

“No it won't,” he growled out, swiping the placard away, but frowned as it blared in his face once more just as sea foam green scales appeared all across his body. This denoted that his change to the Naga race was almost complete.

Ignoring the final touches of his body, he called out once again, “Command.”

“[Awaiting Command.]”

“Command, remove these annoying placards from my face. You have already acknowledged my right as the one in charge of the system. Do we need to go through another session with you as a rat again?” There was silence from System's voice, but he knew it would listen because the sessions as a rat were always painful for it. Especially when Karastak constantly demanded it to become one with the creature as he continued to kill it over and over, again and again.

Finally, after only a minute of passing, Command responded with, “[...Acknowledged...]”

After which the placards dropped from his face, evaporating as his Class changed to Mimicry. Which meant three things occurred. The first being that he lost all spells pertaining to his Illusionist Class, except for and his Creation spells which were not a part of the class to begin with. Whereas the second, after changing his Class, caused him to lose the title due to him and Puella no longer having the same Class. Instead, it was replaced with his title, showcasing who was in charge of the System.

The final change came in the form of several placards which revealed what he gained and lost during the transfer.

Your Class has been exchanged for the Custom Class !

All skills pertaining to have been removed!

Skill(s) gained from :

Self Polymorph:

Cost: 0 mana (innate ability)

Description: Transform yourself into any living creature you have seen

Duration: Until canceled

Spells available to choose from:

All available classes within System (Unnamed)

Congratulations!

For vanquishing a 250 year old King Snake, you have been awarded 50,000 EXP!

Congratulations!

You have leveled up 3 times!

Your Level is now 10!

EXP needed to gain Level 11: 64,000/85,000

You now have 60 unspent Ability Points!

Congratulations!

Your Race has successfully changed from to !

Passive Skill: gained!

Strength of the River:

x2 STR; +15 DEX, +30 CON

Immediately after swiping away all, but one of the placards, Karastak pulled up his Status Menu and plugged in 19 points into his Charisma score, 21 into Intelligence, and 20 into Wisdom.

Karastak

{Race: Naga (Demon Lord)}

{Age: 25}

{Level 10; until Level 11: 64,000/85,000} {STR: 60; DEX: 45; CON: 110; INT: 61; WIS: 60; CHA: 150}

{Health: 320/320} {Mana: 500/500}

{Class: Mimicry} {Subclass: The Lord of Hosts}

{Mimicry Skills: }

{The Lord of Hosts Skills: ; ; }

Contracted Creatures: 1/500

Summoned Creatures: 89/1000

{Other Skills: ; ; ; ; }

{Passive Skills: ; ; ; ; ; ; }

{Titles: Soul Bound; Tamer of the Unknown; Indomitable Will}

{Titles Equipped: Indomitable Will}

“,” Karastak grinned as his tail slowly retracted into his body, becoming legs once more as hair grew atop his scalp, and everything else appeared as they were when he had his illusion in place. “Much better,” he sighed slowly before incanting, “,” three times.

The first created a pair of trousers to hide his lower body, the second was his faded blue robe, and the third were a pair of boots. The last was because he noted that they were torn away from his transformation, and were also being nibbled on by Little Mother's Swarm. To which he shook his head as he slid the new pair on before looking about himself.

All around him were a hundred pairs of eyes staring up at his own, each squeaking as they turned back to scrounge for more of his old fur and flesh. Many, on the other hand, were lapping up the blood that was slowly sinking into the ground. Whereas the little white bat herself landed atop his scalp in order to wiggle against it so that she may sleep for a time.

Smiling softly at this, he reached up and lightly stroke her back, resulting in her wiggling from the affectionate touch before nestling down with a soft squeak. Which led to him frowning as he stared at the only placard to remain in his peripheral. One which read as “All available classes within System (Unnamed)”. “Command,” he called out to the open air just as Kirin and Zabartik folded the extra robes against their bodies to show the world that their master was well.

“[Awaiting Command.]”

“Command... What is 'System (Unamed)?”