"An honor to work with you, Michael!" The redheaded Jenkins shook the hand back.
A short silence was followed up after the hands released each other.
Jenkins followed up while staring into the dark gold eyes with a dead serious expression.
"I get it if you have a thing for swinging around, but can't you at least cover up with a little...?"
Michael now saw his naked body. Exposed to the darkness of the tunnel he stood within.
"Ah, just a second. Wasn't paying attention."
Speaking out loud, clearly making sure Jenkings could see what was going on.
'He already saw me transform, so it doesn't matter now.'
'I think he really wanted a partner to work with. But why...'
Dark blue scales began to cover his lower region. It circled around the top of his hips, covering down to the feet joints. Both flexible and sturdy, it was both impenetrable and visibly appealing. Looking like some old denim's from earth.
Jenkins had a dumbfounded expression as he saw the transformation so smoothly proceed. His thoughts were heard only by himself.
"Uhm.." He muttered, still a little shaken by the scales pants.
"Can you show me your status really quick?"
Michael didn't mind, as they had signed a contract. But even so, he asked a question of his own.
"Yes, of course! Can you also show me your own? And while we are at it, let's discuss the next acions we plan to make. After all, chicken nuggets are best made with two people."
Jenkings's dumfounded expression was replaced with a touched smile. It made Michael feel a little awkward.
"How do you make your system viewable to other's again? Sorry, it's been a while since I last used it." He came up with an excuse for Jenkings to help him.
"Yes, just image it appear in front of you while looking down." Hurriedly, but understandably explained.
...
[Display engaged]
----------
Layer:General (middle)
Lvl:1/60
Name:Michael Frell Wiik
.
Race:Variant human Age:15
Mental status:Normal
Body status:Tired
Energy: 300/14 000
.
Bloodline(Integrated):Teratorn Peacock.
Bloodline storage:Night Dove, Leaf Dragon, Ghoul, Troll.
Mass:200
.
[ABILITIES] (active) (-)
(Sprint LvL 8) (Punch LvL 9) (Trick LvL3) (Muscle empowerment LvL 2) (Bone shatterer LvL1) (perceptionLvL8) (Berserk LvL 5) (revenge LvL6) (killer instinct LvL5)
(Deconstruction) (Storage)(Integration) (Assimilation)
.
[ABILITIES] (passive) (-)
(Super regeneration LvL7) (fatigue immunity LvL4) (Pain immunity LvL 9) (quick learner LvL4) (Primal instinct LvL1) (Charisma LvL1) (Beast aura LvL:1) (Mindful LvL1) (Precise striker LvL7) (Engraved path) (Thermal vision LvL1) (air manipulation LvL6) (Kinetic dispersion LvL8) (damage convertion LvL4)
(Filter) (Convertion) (Assort) (Hybrid)
.
[Titles]
[BETRAYED/EXPERIENCED FIGHTER/CHEATER OF DEATH/HYBRID/GEMINI/KINDLED/???/???
.
----------
Jenkings had scanned through every single ability and title several times. Always making Michael ask the system for an explanation.
Michael was standing still while the fragnant guy looked over his shoulder. Even though he was covered in blood soaked clothes, hus smell easily covered it.
"Are you done yet? I think you have been staring into it for something close to three minutes.."
Jenkins was shacken awake. His blue eyes darted around the screen once more, but slowly composed themselves.
"Yes. Sorry." He then stanced himself while starring into Michaels gold eyes.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Was there something in my stat..."
"WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?!" Jenkins started screaming at him, looking noticeably angered and confused. As the echoing scream dimmed down he then continued the rant.
"Reincarnated people usually have some sort of incredible blessing.. But THIS, THIS IS JUST HERESY! Goddamit, who gave you this one?! Was it Hel'nor? No..that guy only works with elementals.. Could be Chayah, however, that crazy woman only cares about wolfs. Ah! Akavish! Although she is a known spider-lover, there is no one other I can currently think of who would make something like this."
Michael starred at Jenkins while the rationality he had slowly left the thin body. Whispering into the brick roof which was now painted with small cracks from Marss's previous tantrum. He wanted to interrupt him before his brain cracked open, proceeding with stretching his built arm towards the maniac.
"Eh, I don't know any of them. The god which granted me the absorption abilities never gave me a nam.."
Jenkins snapped back to reality, looking into Michaels worried eyes.
"Looks like I spaced out. However, I wasn't referring to the absorption abilities. I was mainly looking at the one named 'Hybrid'. This sort of genetic fusion is really difficult for your average god, as bloodlines hailing from farleng are hard to modify and virtually impossible to perfectly combine like this. I mean, even your energy level went directly to the general layer."
Jenkins once more drifted towards insanity as he continued.
"Not only can you fuse opposing animal genes perfectly, you also possess the 'Assimilation' ability! Granting you the power to combine the skills gained from the new evolution. You can also mix togheter beasts of the same species togheter! sadly, however, those combined with 'assimilation' will never end up in same heaven defying cathegory as the ones generated by 'Hybrid'. It really only make it easier to keep track of all the integrated bloodlines before you evolve."
He once more starred into the roof while mumbling..
"If..If you assimilate a phenoix and a duck togheter... No, the phoenix bloodline would overpower it... Then a turkey mabye??"
Michael was once more going to interrupt him, but jumped back as Jenkins started to franticly scream at him. Starting to back away.
"WH..WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! ABSORB ALL THE MONSTERS YOU DEFEATED! I, I need a minute... What about a 'Fresh water Reaper' and a Whalemonger...."
He started to chew on his fingertips. The clipping sounds were heard loud and clearly. Michael figured he would just go back into the black alloyed room as Jenkings regained his mind back.
....
[Already existing 'Ghoul' bloodline absorbed]
[Lesser Balrog genetic code absorbed]
[Lesser Balrog: This creature originates from the ???? of the ????. A subspecie of the mighty Balrog. It is known to posses an innate ability to generate and manipulate sulfur gas, originating from it's ancestor's 'Flame Control'. It reaches it's growth limit at the 'lower general' layer.]
[Bone Crusher Dog genetic code absorbed]
[Bone Crusher Dog: Known to travel in packs of 20. They are usually found hunting in flat mountain land. It is known to be able to kill higher level prey using its brutishly powerful bite. Reaching the level of an attack from a 'half-step king layer. It reaches max potential at the 'lower general' realm.]
After absorbing all the piles of meat, Michael chose to wait with the integration.
[Display engaged]
----------
.
Layer:General (middle)
Lvl:1/60
Name:Michael Frell Wiik
.
Race:Variant human Age:15
Mental status:Normal
Body status:normal
.
Energy: 2000/14 000
Bloodline(Integrated):Teratorn Peacock.
Bloodline storage:Night Dove, Leaf Dragon, Ghoul, Troll, Bone Crusher dog(new), Lesser Balrog(new).
Mass:16 000
.
[ABILITIES] (active) (+)
.
[ABILITIES] (passive) (+)
.
[Titles] (+)
.
----------
Finding himself a little confused by why his body was able to turn more human like again, he asked the system for an explanation.
'System, how does the permanent mutations happen?'
[Mutations will happen when user's physique levels up. The changes may become more and more discernible as you get stronger.]
His understanding of the processes grew as he read, but it fell down the drain as the system continued.
[Error has occurred]
'What error?'
[The previous mutations seem to have 'Split' between host's identified as 'Marss' and 'Michael'. Allowing for a more controlled burst of change]
[This 'split' only happens because the two souls can more easily share the burden placed on host's expanded 'Spirit']
[Mental and instinctive changes will, however, affect the host who is 'present' while transforming]
[Some 'Instinctive' and 'habital' changes are currently unable to be removed]
"Wait, slow down! What is spirit? and what does it have to do with physical mutations?"
The system was going too fast. Leaving behind several detailes unexplained.
[Spirit: Living organisms have an invisible energy field surrounding them. It protects the 'soul' togheter with the physical body. Like an egg with two shells. Both the body and the 'spirit' are malleable, in that they can become stronger if one or both parts are trained properly. Spirit helps regulate body changes. Those who possess a strong spirit usually have a smaller physique]
Things slowly made sense. He felt like a child listening to some sort of story.
[As 'spirit' and body is the same thing, one will always be affected if something happens to the other]
[If body experience's a rapid growth, the spirit will be stretched. This will affect host's sanity level]
[If spirit experience's rapid growth, the body's cell's will start to self destruct and liquify. For although it is covering the body, it acts as the layer closest to the soul.]
[If soul experience's rapid growth, the body and spirit will be under pressure.]
[When host suffered from 'incompatible souls' the body and spirit was at the breaking point before 'fusion' was initiated]
"So you are telling me that mutations are more easily controlled since my spirit has been strengthened..?"
[Affirmative]
It made a little more sense now. For although his body grew stronger, the spirit didn't follow at the same pace. And since he also had now begun to fuse with the original host of this body, it was all getting better.
As he was closing the transparent screen, some small footsteps could be heard coming from the tunnel's direction.
Jenkins's figure slowly appeared. Noticing the now more cleaned room, he smiled more. Not caring about only having one arm.
"Oh, by the way, Michael. Just ignore the red ball you smeared on the wall. It originally belonged to a human after all." He happily started to chat about the grotesque painting which filled his chamber. Not holding a grudge any longer.
"Yes, I noticed when coming into contact with it. So, mind showing me your status?"
*Silence once more*
"I would, but it's gone! Forgot to tell you about it, haha, it's a real funny story."
Michael stared at the laughing Jenkins. Reluctantly beliving his words. After all, they signed a contract.
"Fine, but would you mind telling me what you planned on doing forwards? I was thinking about clearing out most of the animals found in the forrest outside. But if you have anything urgent it can surely wait, as I have a easier time transforming into the Teratorn Peacock. Despite this however, it will be harder to hide the mutations as I Ievel up."
Jenkins then remembered the incredible abilites Michael possessed. Thinking about the next move they would make.
"Yes! well, I may need your help with something. But it can wait if you can accomplish one of my tasks."
Starring at the red haired beauty who was swinging it's remaining arm around, Michael didn't even wait any longer to respond.
"That depends. What did you have in mind?" He was a little curious. After all, the goal 'Old Head' gave him was a little similar to the one Jenkins had.
"So, first, I need you to combine all the different beast species you can currently handle with your 'assimilation' skill. You know what I mean, right? birds with birds and lizards with lizards?
Michael was growing a little interested, as this was already the plan he had in mind.
"Yeah, I get what you mean."
Jenkins was pleased and smiled more. His plans were building up the joy resting inside his new heart.
"Combining all their abilities so that the integration will be less stressful. After that, you will throw them in with your pigeo...peacock! Secondly, level up and evolve, fusing all of them togheter. I need you to reach the upper king layer before we start the main plan. I will be getting a new body and some materials while you are out training. Here is a piece of my dungeon core, we will be able to communicate now, so keep it safe."
A purple stone was cracked of the previously white orb. Flying towards him slowly.
"Yes, that piece is connected to my dungeon. So if you find any good cores or nuclei then just will them to go inside. I never really liked storage rings, as a portable dungeon is much more badass."
"Also, I can teleport you inside if anything happens. As it can summon living beings in but not out! The range is 10 or so kilometers away. Is there anything else? For I will be out for a while. The sooner we start the better."
Michael was attently listening to Jenkins. Even though this guy was hard to trust, they were going to fully support each other for now.
"Can you at least tell me what plan you are cooking up? I really am curious." He looked at the carfree individual speak while smiling. Not caring one bit for the world and it's problems.
"That's a secret until you come back! Haha. Don't forget to get a beast able to use magic! It is crucial!"
Michael became even more curious. Wondering what the grand plan was going to be.
"Anyways, kid. Lets begin! Come back here after you are done reaching the upper layers of king class. I will be here every fourth day if something urgent is to show up. The dungeon is not that big, but finding it with the piece should be easy. again DON'T lose it."
Michael only nodded at him. Preparing to depart but was hurriedly stopped.
"And Michael!"
The golden hair brushed against the wind as he turned towards Jenkings.
"Yes?"
A even more profound smile was building up on his face.
"I won't forget to bring her back"
Michael smiled back at Jenkins. Leaving through the tunnel, and finally reaching the golden wall, teleporting outside.
Watching the golden haired boy disappear made Jenkings breath a sigh of relief.
"I really struck gold this time! This great lord truly is the smartest individual to ever walk the seven plains! Was this mabye fate?" Even though he was praising himself, the smile slowly disappeared.
"Just you wait, you damnable bunch of bastards." A hideous expression now covered his beautiful face. Twisting and turning.
He clenched his hand as a black aura exploded from the current body he controlled. The dungeon shook even harder than when Marss was on a rampage. As the black aura expanded outwards, all the bloodstains and leftovers were turned into dust and disappeared.
"I will make you all pay for your crimes....."
"Pay for doing this to me...."