As my first meal went on, a series of notifications went through my mind.
[A new skill has been obtained.]
[Holy resistance has greatly improved.]
[A new title has been unlocked.]
However, much like the bits of clothing that entered my mouth while I was chowing down, these were ignored. Nothing could tear my attention away from this dish. Only after bits of bones were left of her upper body, did I feel full and regain control of myself.
Once my scant humanity returned to my undead shell, I quickly backed away from the scene and leaned on a nearby tree. Even if I tried to throw up the contents of my stomach, it was a battle that I was destined to lose.
'What did I just...'
I didn't want to accept the fact that I just ate someone. I thought I understood that I was no longer human, but that was wrong. As inhuman as I was becoming, this was likely the final taboo that I thought would never be broken.
"Master, are you okay?"
As I relied on a tree to keep me stable, my servent looked at me with concern. Even though it didn't fit his original personality, he was now completely loyal to me with barely much left of his own will. As I saw his clear eyes that didn't look the slightest bit troubled after I ate someone in front of him, the resistance of my human side died off.
"Yeah. Go finish it." I replied to the swordsman.
I didn't specify what but he still happily went to the rest of the priest's body and helped himself to it. I turned away once more. My adaptability was frightening even to me, but I wasn't comfortable with this sight yet. I felt neither emotional disgust, not rational disagreement. Only the part of me that still responded to a name felt bad. I wondered if I should cherish this part or let it go, but as if by natural selection, it died down.
As I tried to move on, I checked on my status.
[Unnamed
Race: Unique Zombie (Ready to evolve)
Strength: 76
Agility: 34
Dexterity: 44
Defence: 63
Skills: Assimilation (Unique) | Curse Magic (Rare) | Swordsmanship (level 3) (Rare) | Imbue Holy (Common)
Titles: Unique One | Heretic]
"Huh? Were my stats always this high?"
It didn't seem like a major glitch but the last time I checked I wasn't supposed to be this strong. Well, it was a good thing though so I didn't spend much time on it.
Imbue Holy was rather straightforward so while surprised that an undead like me could use holy magic, I looked at my new title.
(I also wondered how I got the skill just by eating her but I was trying not to think about it too much.)
[Heretic
Given to one who has committed a blasphemous act against a devout member of the church or the church itself.
Races under the domain of the God of Light, all stats - 10.
Races under the domain of the Evil God, all stats + 10.]
I felt mixed feel-, hmm, never mind I was mostly happy due to gain I got from this title.
'Man, I wish I knew how to unlock titles like these. It's just too good.'
While I distracted myself from the crunching noises that came from behind my back, he finally finished up.
"I'm done master."
When I turned around there was not even bone left. I didn't how our stomachs worked so I hoped I wouldn't get indigestion from this.
'Hmm, guess I'm fine with these kinds of jokes already.'
The remaining piece of my humanity was fading but I couldn't stop it nor did I particularly want to. Even if I became the most selfish person, if I could still be considered one, my own peace and quiet was all I would care for. I had no interest in using these powers for evil, but I was no hero either. I was just an ordinary guy. Good times...
I looked at my servant and was about to call him when I realized something.
'I didn't give him a name did I?'
I knew what his human name was but I didn't want to call him by that. It was okay for now, but since I was planning on using Assimilation on the other two bodies there would soon be need for description.
This was the first time I would name another living (?) creature but I treated like a minor quest.
"Hey, #1. Come."
Even I knew it was a lazy attempt but it wasn't like anyone was gonna stop me. After #1 approached I absorbed him and felt as if I was finally whole again. Even though we were one, I couldn't sense his consciousness and my mind was completely clear. I knew I was about to take a risk but I hated the idea of wasting good stuff that was right in front of me.
Maybe I could give up on the fighter but the magician was a must-have. I walked over to her corpse and took a deep breath before I used Assimilation. She turned to dust and was drawn into my body. And with her came a rush of memories that was less burdensome and also missing more pieces here and there compared to the time with #1. Even so, it wasn't something I could handle without dropping to one knee.
Carly and Ron were childhood friends, very close ones at that. Even though the magic teacher in their village told her to go to a magic school to learn more, she stayed in the village so she could be with him. However, Ron was different from her. He longed to see the world. So once he was sixteen he left the village, and she followed after him.
At first she was okay with becoming an adventurer with him since she could always have his back, but then someone interfered. She had made sure no one tried to enter their party but after a close call while hunting kobolds she couldn't stop Ron from seeking another member. She at least wanted it to be a man but once Ron spotted that girl no matter what she said he was determined to recruit her. And the lone hope she had that she would refuse was crushed.
'Why?! Why did you have to do this?! Why?! Even though I love-'
She burned with envy on the inside but acted friendly to the new member, Shia. The two quickly got close, even to the point where Shia told her about how her village was massacred by undead and she was taken in by the church. However, Shia never knew. About the malice hidden behind Carly's friendly smile.
[Assimilation successful.]
[A new skill has been obtained.]
[A new skill has been obtained.]
[A new skill has been obtained.]
[Magic limit has increased.]
[Magic resistance has increased.]
[Strength +5
Agility +7
Dexterity +4
Defence +3]
Since I now knew how much I was losing out on it hurt my poor heart when I saw that I could only get a portion of her stats. Luckily her skills were all mine now, hehehe.
By the end of the assimilation I realized why the priest was so quick to kill herself.
'With a past like that she must really hate my kind. Not that it matters.'
Along with the clump of boring memories I learned a lot about the surrounding area and about magic in general. However, before I could plunge into that I went over to Ron. It seemed that the more time that had passed since death, the less memories I would be able to absorb but I still had to prepare myself.
I learnt that Ron was actually just like #1 said he was, an idiot. Till the end the guy actually didn't know about Carly's feelings and was there simping for Shia. Tsk tsk, I tell you about youth these days. Then again, can I call them youth if they're actually my seniors in this world?
[Assimilation successful]
[Physical damage resistance has increased.]
[A new skill has been obtained.]
[Strength +30
Agility +23
Dexterity +12
Defence +23]
I was now bursting with power but there was still one more thing to take care of.
"Let's see now how do I...evolve..."
The moment I thought about evolving my head felt whoozy and the ground rapidly came closer to my face. Before I could feel uneasy about going night-night in a place like this, I was already out like a light.