Within a grey forest at the outskirts of the Demon Lands, there was a strange ghoul looking at itself in wonder and awe.
"Hihihi! What an interesting body I've picked up. It's even better than I imagined. And to think this happened because the fool was too greedy. Hihihi, what luck! It's not fully mine yet but it's only a matter of time."
There was still an uncomfortable feeling from being in an unfamiliar body, but it didn't mind. It was sure that this body would fit it just as well as the others, maybe even better.
"Now then, now then. Let me check my status... A-a-amazing!"
[Unnamed
Race: Unique Ghoul (Ready to evolve)
Strength: 768
Agility: 487
Dexterity: 590
Defence: 450
Skills: Assimilation (Unique) | Curse Magic (MAX) (Rare) | Swordsmanship (level 3) (Rare) | Imbue Holy (Common) | Magic Eyes of Perception (Rare) | Fire Magic (level 4) (Rare) | Devotion (Special) | Berserk (Rare) | Hypnosis (Rare) | Forest's Blessing (Special) | Dark Magic (level 7) (Rare) | Necromancy (MAX) (Rare) | Bone Magic (level 6) (Special) | Mana Manipulation (Rare) | Barrier (Rare) | Superspeed Thought Processing (Special) | Drain Touch (Rare)
Titles: Unique One | Heretic]
This wasn't the first time it had stolen a body, but it didn't expect to see so many skills, especially an unique one. Skills were things either attached to the body or to the soul, but the better ones were almost always attached to the soul. Because of this, it had always missed out on stealing everything its previous bodies had to offer, but this was different.
Not only were Curse Magic, Magic Eyes of Perception, Dark Magic, Necromancy, Bone Magic, Mana Manipulation, Superspeed Thought Processing and Drain Touch carried over, it also had full access to the ghoul's skiils.
Although it was at amateur level, it wasn't able to see through the skills of the original owner with its Magic Eyes of Perception, but now the reveal was truly worth the wait.
'To think I would come upon a specimen with these skills. It's a good thing this fool wasn't awake for long or else he could have been a threat to my lord.'
It tried to remain serious but it was in this creature's nature to be curious. Therefore, it couldn't help but be fascinated by the unique and special skills it now had and their potentials.
'I'll be able to grow past my previous limit! Finally, my master will see that I was not mistaken! How could the summit of magic be reached in a mortal life?'
It was so enraptured in its own thoughts that it did not notice the passing of moons nor the abnormal stiffness of its body. Only when one of its fingers glowed, was it shaken out of its stupor.
"Hmm? Why is it glowing?"
It stared at the glowing finger for few moments before its eyes widened in realization and it reached for its previous body. Even though its robe was still there, the rings that should have been on its right hand were gone.
"Could it have been absorbed as well?"
It wondered about how this happened but it couldn't keep that one waiting.
It sent mana towards the glowing finger and once the mana touched it, the glow settled down.
"...rius, can you hear me?"
From the finger came a stern voice that was distorted by static. It was different from usual, but since the function was the same it quickly figured out how to respond.
"Yes my liege, your wish is my command."
"Good... how's your....sion going?"
"I've just about finished up. I should be back soon with a pleasant surprise."
"Oh, I look forward... it."
It was a short exchange but it couldn't help being reminded of nervousness whenever it talked to that esteemed one.
After receiving the call it made the decision to leave, but there were a few things left to do.
"You three, come here."
It remembered the three that were summoned by the original owner of the body and wanted to see if it had the same level of control. But unfortunately there was no response.
'Tch, it seems they can at least tell the change in masters. I should hurry up and gain full control of this body.'
They could resist its order but not when he cancelled their summoning. With the three potential threats gone, it checked its status once more.
'Yes, I should be able to do it.'
If it took the traditional method, then taking over this body was something that would be take months to years, but it was blessed by an opportunity that would speed it up to a couple hours.
It first used Barrier to create a safe space for itself before lying down. It then thought about evolving and waited for its mind to sink in unknown darkness.
When it opened its eyes again, it was before the evolution tree, a sight that it had never seen before since it turned straight from a human to a lich. On the tree, three options were revealed. Lich, Death Knight and Scavenger.
"It's just as I read but more impressive than I thought it would be. Let's see... should I go back to being a lich or should I try another path?'
It knew that time was irrelevant in this space so it planned on slowly considering its options. However, without any warning, the space was filled with cracks before shattering to infinite pieces.
"What in the lowest levels of hell!"
It was truly and absolutely frightened for it read that this place couldn't be infiltrated by any third party. Therefore any being capable of breaching this safe place had to be outside the norms. And the one that appeared before it left no disappointment.
"N-n-no, impossible! Even for you! You shouldn't be able to intrude here! No, even if you could, how could you pick the right time?!"
The being that revealed itself did not speak. It only gazed at him with its enormous blue eyes with slit pupils.
"Wait, could you have been watching me? Did you plan this yourself?!"
It received no response but continued to babble on as a way to distract itself from crushing fear.
"But for how long?! How long have you been watching?! From I came or from-"
"Enough. You are dismissed." Finally, a soft voice responded.
That was all it took. There was no wave of oppressive power or mesmerizing scene, those simple words broke it into pieces. But eventually, those pieces came back to together, but in a new shape.
'Huh?'
Wh-where, who...
For a moment I was completely distraught as I tried to recall the last thing that happened to me.
'I, I assimilated with that lich and then- ah!'
Before I could remember any more, my mind was struck by a sudden headache.
"You should stop there, my child. I've only gotten rid of that thief, the damage that has been dealt to your mind still remains.'
Unprepared for the gentle voice that spoke to me, I jolted backwards and stared with both eyes wide open. Rather than the fact that it didn't move its mouth, its appearance was more surprising.
...
Before my eyes was something that looked like it came straight out of a fantasy story, and it shocked me despite the fact that I should have gotten used to this sort of thing. But still, if what I had experienced so far was common fantasy, then this was the apex.
It sat under a gigantic tree that was as tall as a skyscraper, but though it was small compared to the tree, the creature was still comparable in size to a decent mansion. It had the green scaly body of a lizard but with a particularly thick tail. On its back was a pair of wings that was mesmerizing despite being folded. Its neck was long for a lizard and there were things that could be mistaken for vines or green whiskers near its snout. However, what shook me the most were its sky blue eyes that seemed to see through everything. It was a being that needed no introduction, one he could recognize with one look, a symbol of the fantasy genre. It was a dragon.