A sharp pain suddenly shot through my entire body. The bright, blinding light blinded my eyes. I had neither the time nor the opportunity to react and somehow influence this situation.
A moment later, the pain stopped, and the lighting became very comfortable. I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but ... I can't?.. I can't breathe? What's happening?
Absolute emptiness all around. I can't even feel my body! It was as if I was completely separated from the real world. And how did this happen? The last thing I can remember is leaving the grocery store, mentally resenting the "tricky" discount on sausage. How did I know that half the cost is not so easy to cut off! But no, I'm in a hurry! I'm in such a hurry that I allowed myself to buy a "golden" sausage. For such a price I could take a couple of kilos of meat!
Inhale, exhale. For a start, at least the mental ones. Of the reasonable options for what is happening, only an operation comes to mind. It exactly is an operation, not a coma. No, I wasn't in a coma, of course, but during the operation under anesthesia, there was something similar. I was relatively lucky then: I didn't fall asleep completely. I couldn't move or feel the whole body, but the pain was very strong. But, if you think about it, it's clearly not the same! Now I don't feel anything at all!
Okay, stop! This is all very interesting, of course, but what is going on? How long have I been here? A few hours? Maybe a few days? Or just a few minutes? For the sake of epicness, I will consider that during my universal reflections in the real world, decades pass!
But what if this emptiness will last forever? I don't remember exactly, but I definitely once heard the version that the dead also hang in the void, endlessly living their past lives. What if I did die and I just had a "young" spirit that had only one life? And at this moment, the other me is quietly living your own story, and then his memory will mix with mine, gradually changing my personality…
Scary! Better not think about it! I'd rather believe in stories about rebirth with powerful benefits, and not in such nonsense. It remains to wait for the connection to the "system" or the arrival of the local "goddess". Better, of course, first the second option, and then the first…
[…]
What?.. Some noise in the distance?..
[…]
I can definitely hear something... But why is it so quiet? Lady "goddess", speak up!
[Welcome, ... nameless]
A slightly dry old voice, which reminded me painfully of someone, sounded in the void. I don't know if he can read all my thoughts, so I'll try to concentrate first and…
- Gray hair!!!
[???]
I could almost feel his astonishment. Yes, unfortunately, HIS. The cliched goddess with the great figure has a day off today? I wouldn't take she with me, of course, but I would definitely like to see it.
[Ahem]
Oh, I almost forgot...
-I-I'm sorry…
[Nothing… In your condition, it's perfectly normal to be a little out of your mind]
Now that this old man has talked more, I finally remember! Morgan Freeman, is that you?
[Definitely not]
Oh! So, there was no need to mentally "yell" initially?
[It turns out, so]
Ahem, okay. While I remember, why I suddenly became "nameless?" What is wrong with my past name?
[Name not set. "New life - new name". Do you want to set the name yourself, or do you trust random generation?]
Of course, I'll choose the name myself! I never trusted random generation! However, we digress. The situation is more than intriguing. Still, where am I, and what's going on?
[You died]
It's ... sad. Although not quite the answer to my question! I realized this almost immediately. Hmm ... usually, after such a hero gets a new life and cool opportunities! It can't be that I will only be allowed to choose a name!
[Don't worry, your new life in a new world will soon begin]
A new world, of course! If I were to be reborn in the normal world, it would be the most boring rebirth possible.
[You will be reborn in the world of Pagnera]
Hmm. Interesting name. Something like one of the original continents… It doesn't matter, though. I can't wait to start my new adventure! It would definitely be better than hanging in the void for who knows how long.
[The species of creature is defined by…]
[The species of creature is defined]
[You will be reborn with the following status:]
So, I hope I get lucky! Dragon to the studio!
[Level 1]
Not zero, already good!
[Characteristics:
Strength: 21
Resistance: 12
Survivability: 15
Mind: 40
Will: 25
HP: 186
MP: 0]
[Skills: Suction (3 level), Compression (1 level), Vibration Sense (2 level)]
Hmm, the strange skills. What does Suction even mean? And the Vibration Sense? How about something more clear and powerful? Yes, and the numbers are small...
...Why do I have a bad feeling?
[Plant-type Creature: Small Root of Horror (Blood-sucking)]
So, here's my new spe... species?!
...
Wait, what?.. A plant?! Just a pathetic plant?! I certainly could be called a person, who sometimes lived in a "greenhouse" in front of a monitor that replaced the Sun, but not to the same extent! Hey, not-Morgan! Is there any other option?!
[You can change the species of a creature by using evolution]
Yes, yes, I know about evolution! But it's one thing to develop as a human, or in extreme cases a monster, but to evolve from... the root?.. to develop successfully, it's almost impossible, isn't it?! Even if there is an evolution, into what? In the tree?!
[The options for evolution depend on your species and actions performed before the beginning of evolution]
Great! A plant "certainly" can perform so many different actions! Such a rich selection!
[Good luck]
Well, thank you! I'll definitely need it!
I'm already beginning to feel the surrounding space changing. The shining emptiness has been replaced by blinding darkness, but I definitely feel like I have a body now. Appearing as if from nothing, it begins to grow at an incredible speed.
After probably a few minutes, this process stops completely. So I grew up, didn't I?.. It looks like it is.
So, I really was reborn. In another situation, I would have been happy, but now ... yes, in fact, my situation has not changed at all! I still can't see anything, I can't hear anything, and I don't know what to do next! That's just no hope for a change in the situation is now clearly not expected!
How ”lucky" I am! How was it possible to “win” the rebirth into a plant? Yes, any other option would suit me much more! Inhale, exhale. There's no point in getting yourself depressed. We need to do something. I do not believe that this is a hopeless situation! How do these monster plants live? Why don't I try it?
What should every self-respecting person in a similar situation? Open the "system menu", of course!
I hope it works.
Status!
[Species: Small Root of Horror (Blood-sucking)
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Level 1/5
Strength: 21
Resistance: 12
Survivability: 15
Mind: 40
Will: 25
HP: 186
MP: 0]
Skill Points: 1
Biomass: 0
Skills: Suction (3 level), Compression (1 level), Vibration Sense (2 level)
Mutations: None]
Skill points and Biomass. It is logical to assume that the latter will be used to obtain mutations. Not for nothing, there is such an item in the menu?
Fortunately, even if it's only one, I still have a skill point. I can't make a mistake! Surely there must be something that can help in this situation?
Now the main question is: how to get a new skill?
[Skill points can be used to acquire additional skills and develop existing]
It makes sense. Thanks for the answer! What are the options?
[Skills available for acquisition:
Stabbing Attack: More accurate and effective stabbing attacks.
Crushing Attack: More accurate and effective crushing attacks.
Sense of Direction: allows you to better navigate in space, helping to determine the direction of movement relative to any point of the path passed or a predetermined point.
Hidden Attack: Faster, more accurate, and more subtle surprise attacks.
Disguise: Improves disguise abilities]
[Additional skills can be unlocked after evolution or as a result of special actions]
Hmm. Of course, I would like more options, but it is also enough. If assume that I will get one point for each level, it turns out that I can acquire all the available skills up to the limit of the levels. However, there are practically no useful ones at the moment. Why do I need combat skills if I can't even move? And the skills for the "traveler” I definitely won't need them soon! And even if I could move, how could I act without being able to see the enemy?
Perhaps the only thing that can help in my situation is a Disguise. As long as I can't defend myself, I need to somehow improve my chances of survival. The disguise would at least allow me some time to think about the current situation.
[You wish to acquire the Disguise skill, cost 1 skill point?]
Of course, I confirm it!
Hmm, that's quite interesting. My whole body felt a little light for a moment. I don't think I immediately became “transparent”, but I would like to believe that this skill will be of some use.
Of the positive aspects I can highlight, I can only notice that I can already vaguely feel the vibrations. Quite an impressive number of vibrations. However, unfortunately, no specifics. At the moment, my limit is to understand the direction and approximate strength of the vibrations. The semblance of echolocation is still far away… But the main thing is that the development potential is at least there, isn't it? True, it is a good question, which affects the efficiency more: body structure or a specific skill? I will need to track the changes after I level up.
Hmm, if you think logically, all the basic skills should be quite effective, because they largely depend on the survival of young representatives of the species. Besides, these skills usually determine the basic direction of development, thereby developing the most strengths. And since I can see the description when choosing a skill, it's time to find out what the existing ones are doing!
Hmm ... compression! Overview!
[Compression: more efficient use of capturing and compressing acceptable-sized targets]
Great, it works!
So I'm the root - no, the Root - who will squeeze his enemies and then "drink" them?.. However, I can also learn the details of my species from the system itself. I hope the situation is better than I think.
[The Small Root of Horror is one of the basic members of the Blood-sucking Plant monster species. Uses heat sensitivity to identify prey and allied members of the species, with which it usually cooperates to capture and absorb the target. Capturing the victim with strong and flexible roots, deals significant damage, gaining access to blood]
Interesting. I'm not as weak as I thought! Although my species, of course, apparently, is not a "death machine", but also not just some pathetic weed! And the possibility of working together with "allied representatives of the species" should not be forgotten.
It remains to deal with the main problem at the moment - vision. Of course, I have big plans for the Vibration Sense, but I still don't want to remain without the usual vision.
Of course, the thermal imager can hardly be called "normal" vision, but even this is better than nothing. I need to focus! Perhaps I'm just not used to this kind of vision yet.
It seems that the problem really was in my "perception". I'm not sure, but most likely, even without much effort, after the same few hours, my consciousness would have adjusted to the current organs.
At first, it seemed to me that everything was completely dark, but now, even without much effort, you can see a few fuzzy, but quite distinguishable silhouettes. Of course, there is no question of any comfort at all, but for the first time, I will have to be content with what I have.
Since the problem with vision, however, has been solved, it is worth paying a little attention to the rest. For starters, skills.
[Vibration Sense: Improves vibration sensitivity]
[Suction: improves suction ability]
Very ... informative. Although, what did I expect at all? It's still better than nothing.
Now that not only the description but also my own feelings confirm that I can move quite well, I need to start this exciting activity!
By focusing as much as possible on one root, I begin to find out what this body is still capable of. Although all my roots were originally were underground (logical, right?), bringing one of them to the surface was even easier than I thought. Apparently, they really aren't that weak. Bringing my new "hand" closer to the thermal radar, I examined this root club as closely as possible. Yes, that's what my limb looks like. About one-third of the root, starting at the end is covered with creepy-looking spikes. Even a baton with nails hammered in doesn't make such an impression!
Although I can not determine the size of my body, I managed to understand the approximate structure. Having carefully measured my main body by using the roots, I at least understood its approximate shape. A barrel-shaped stump, from the lower part of which sixteen flexible, powerful roots emerge.
The thermal radar is located approximately in the middle of the main body. They are arranged so that I can see everything that is happening around me, but only in a straight line. The angle of view is far from perfect, but it could have been worse. The disadvantage is that my "eyes" are firmly fixed in the body, and I can change the angle of view only by changing the position of the body itself. It turns out that I look as if through a rather narrow slit.
I can't even tell you how long it took to figure it all out. I'm sure it's been a long time. Be that as it may, all these actions were extremely necessary. What's next on the plan? Hmm ... exploration?
Now that I have more or less learned how to control my body, I need to finally examine my surroundings. Although the thermal radar is not able to change the viewing angle independently, the rest of the body can compensate for this disadvantage.
Of course, my vision is difficult to call good, but it can convey a general understanding of the situation. And the situation is not as bad as it might seem at first glance.
For starters, I'm in a cave that's thickly filled with all sorts of monster plants. My body was located right next to the cave wall, squeezed on both sides by the ”big brothers". And since the two of them aren't going to attack me, even though there are external differences, we belong to the same species, which is good news.
The main body of the neighbor on the right resembles a bloated ball, with a wide bottom and a rather narrow upper part. From below, coming out of the massive body, several tubes wriggle, their structure resembling hoses. Judging by the fact that something is constantly dripping from these pipes, and this “something” is very hot, getting under the jet of this sprinkler is not a good idea. The light smoke rising from the ground above the places where this liquid enters also indicates the danger of my neighbor... It's good that there is some distance between us. I would not like to test my resistance to acid…
Hmm ... I didn't think about it before, but why is my main body so shaped? Certainly not to store acid or anything like that inside. Hmm, but really! Stomach! If I'm a vampire to some extent - though more like a mosquito - I need to store all extracted blood somewhere! I'll have to check it out later... but in the meantime, I'll continue my inspection.
The neighbor on the left seems less dangerous. He resembles a miniature willow tree, densely covered with leaves. I wonder what this guy is doing here. How is he going to hunt? Although I wouldn't even be surprised if it's just a disguise. Would he drink blood by using leaves? Hm...
I would like to see the surroundings better, but due to the rather specific environment, my already weak vision does not allow me to assess the situation more accurately. Surprisingly, this underground tunnel was full of moss hanging from the ceiling and quite dense vegetation. Yes, relative to the usual vegetation, not the monster plants. However, how all this flora manages to exist normally in such a place is a very good question.
Plants of various shapes and, most likely, colors, were so many, that I couldn't see the whole even the neighbor across, sometimes clacking his jaws. We're like partisans in an ambush! Although I still haven't seen anyone who could be my potential lunch date.
If think about it, I still haven't eaten anything. And since I'm clearly a predatory plant, I can't survive without hunting. Not only am I underground, where, of course, there is no light, but I also have no leaves! However, the rest of the flora, this fact somehow does not particularly interfere. Ah, I think I'm starting to feel hungry. That's why I thought of it…
It would be so much easier if I had heard in addition to my sight. Unfortunately, what is not there is not there. I will have to get used to using thermal radar and Vibration Sense to the maximum!
As I carefully surveyed my surroundings, getting used to the control of the roots, the Vibration Sense caught some movement. Instantly reacting, I aimed the thermal radar in the direction of the approaching guest. And this skill is really useful! As long as the enemy is moving on the ground, it doesn't really matter how many degrees my thermal radar sees. I can always put my "Predator's eye" on him.
Hmm, strange. It's been about ten seconds since I noticed the movement, and my colleagues haven't responded to the intrusion. Looks like we're really sticking to the ambush technique. I didn't think plants could use such a well-coordinated tactic. Even some people are not capable of this!
Finally, the first non-plant opponent appeared in my field of vision. Now that it's getting closer, I can see for myself that this bug is really huge! No wonder I “heard " it beforehand! I even had to swing back and forth a couple of times to adjust the angle of view to get a full view of this huge body.
He certainly doesn't look the friendliest. In height, it is at least two times higher than my main body. Six strong legs, three on each side. The upper half of the body vaguely resembles a human. A centaur beetle? I can only find such a comparison. His upper body is large and bulky. Even through the layer of armor, I can see the heat radiating from it and the rippling muscles. Seriously... The beetle's muscles?.. In addition to its obvious physical strength, the arms of this giant beetle end in long, sharp claws. Oh... why, he's almost at my hiding place! Why isn't anyone doing anything?..
No sooner had I started to build theories like "everyone around is full" or "it is not included in our diet", as the surrounding terrarium suddenly came to life! As soon as the overgrown beetle took a few more steps, the surrounding vegetation abruptly stirred. As if waking up from a dream, all my "brothers" suddenly launched an attack! From this, it became a little creepy even to me, although it is obvious that ”their" Blood-sucking plants do not touch. Although it is still unknown how we will divide the loot...
The neighbor on the left, whom I carefully watched with the side thermal radars, especially surprised me. Suddenly leaning towards the giant beetle, he made a swift leap. A moment later, my leaf-covered brother appeared on the “front” thermal radar, surprising me even more. All these seemingly soft and harmless leaves suddenly began to vibrate at an incredible speed. Why it's a whole ball of little electric jigsaws!
As I watched my older colleagues, the giant beetle seemed to be having a very hard time. On one side, the toothy mouths of the neighbor across from him were gripping his legs in a tight grip. On the other hand, almost half of the body was already covered in acid from the neighbor on the right. Thirdly, several sharp vines had already pierced his back. And finally, the electric jigsaw of the plant world was flying straight at his head!
I even felt a little sorry for him. Yes, this bug definitely a bad day. Although he looks very strong, his strength clearly pales in comparison to our numbers.
Stop. OUR quantity? This whole battle is happening right in front of me, but what did I do? And do I need to do anything at all? I'm sure this beetle will have no problem chopping me to pieces if I risk attacking it head-on! But I have to earn experience somehow… And for this, at least, you need to strike at least one blow. It is even possible that the experience is gained only by the one who deals the last blow. I have to find out as soon as possible. It looks like I have to use the good old finishing tactics! Although, in extreme cases, you can just try to have time to fill your stomach after a "joint" victory...