Two days passed and Yukie had finally managed to find a Demonic Critter.
I was currently walking through a forest from Yukie's information. Most Demonic Critters like to hang around in the wild, and they are very distinct. They have a mark on their head that's similar to a goat.
After wandering around, I approached a hole. When I looked down, it was filled with centipedes.
I felt a chill go up my spine as I watched them crawl over each other. Christ…
[There it is, a Demonic Critter!]
Demonic Critter? All I see are large regular looking centipedes that look like they can tear me apart if I were to drop in there.
But eventually, I spotted one with a goat crest on its head. Guess she wasn't lying. The question however is how I am going to get it?
I looked around for anything that I could use as a rope or fishing line. I could see that the centipedes were attempting to climb up the hole but failed. Maybe they need something for them to cling to better.
I snatched a long vine from a tree and threw it down the hole while holding it in my hand. A few seconds after I threw it, I saw a few centipedes climbing the vine. It's working alright…
I walked over to a tree and tied it there. Then I climbed the tree and sat on a branch above the hole. I waited till the Demonic Critter climbed up the vine.
Once it got onto the surface, I activated Wolf's Blood and tracked the Demonic Critter. It was easy to tell which was which even when I couldn't see them because the Demonic Critter had a red outline unlike the regular centipedes which had green outlines. Though I'm a bit worried since red means it is dangerous.
[Do not fret, for it is harmless…]
"Huh, I don't know whether I should trust you or the Wolf's Blood."
[Trust me, it will only hurt when it enters your body but you will feel pleasure immediately after…]
"Hmm, we'll see."
I eventually found the Demonic Critter trying to climb a tree and I grabbed it when it wasn't looking. The Demonic Critter shrieked and attempted to wriggle out of my clutch but it just acted like a rebellious baby.
"So what do I do now?"
[You will have to consume it…]
"What? I have to swallow this thing?"
[Either that or you risk getting hunted down for the rest of your life…]
Crap, that is true. But it's a little inhumane to eat a bug… live.
[Reminder that you have already abandoned your humanity…]
"Really? I still feel human."
[But you don't feel remorse when you slaughter a creature nor do you feel disgust holding a Demonic Critter in your palms…]
I must say she is right. After killing those wolves, I didn't even feel the slightest of regret. It attacked me so I just did what was natural. This centipede or Demonic Critter is no different than a stick in my hands.
"But wait, if I abandoned my humanity, then what am I right now?"
[That is for you to figure out…]
So I'm not human anymore… not only did I cast aside my humanity but I also became something else. What did I become though…?
All I know right now is that I'm still mortal as Noctis said so I definitely can't be some god or immortal being unless he was talking about it mentally. I could be an immortal being, but I received pain and it still hasn't healed up.
But I can do that now since I have a Demonic Critter in my hand.
"I guess I'll have to figure it out… so…"
I'll just have to eat this. Once I do, I can abandon my former appearance and live a new life. I was given a second chance and I will use it right. I'll change my appearance and my name. I am no longer Naoko, the weakling with no future. I'll give myself a name and throw away the one that was given to me at birth. A name that will fit my new awakening!
…
I quickly shook my head and slapped myself. What am I doing, monologuing to myself?
But… I will change my name. After all, I need a new identity.
Hmm…
Neiro... Nero... Nero Akuma...
That will be a perfect cover up to my original name.
After I do this, I can register myself an ID and Naoko is no more.
Now all I have to do is consume this.
I'd hover the Demonic Critter over my mouth and let it crawl inside.
At first, it felt painful as the Demonic Critter was traveling through my body. But after a while, I felt it latch on to my heart and I eventually felt my consciousness fade away.
***
When I awoke, I was in a dark area. There was nothing but darkness and I was walking on shallow water again. Then I spotted something.
Is that... my body?
I looked down and I couldn't see my body at all. Was I separated from my body?
[Tell me your preferences and it shall be granted...]
Yukie spoke but I couldn't see her anywhere. Oh yeah, I forgot she is only a spirit or system.
Preferences...
I want to be handsome. Dangerously handsome.
[Processing...]
Give me an athletic but slim body. I don't wanna look weak you know. Make my height average. 175 cm could do. For facial appearance, fair and pale skin would do. My hair can stay the same. My eyes... I'll leave that up to you actually.
[Processing...]
Hmm, I should also go with cosmetics. That wouldn't hurt to add. But first I want all the scars on me to be removed. Can you apply tattoos?
[Yes...]
How about some torn wings? They'd look good on me. I've always wanted a tattoo but never had the money to get one.
[Processing...]
Lastly... a bigger-
But suddenly I felt exhausted and I dropped onto the ground.
[Limit is up, host will now be returning...]
W-wait, I didn't say my last one yet!
[Don't worry, I already know what you want...]
Well then, you better...
***
I woke up and I was blinded by the sun. As I picked myself up, I felt a little different.
I looked at my hands and they looked a little larger than usual. Then I looked at my arms and they were fit. I looked at my chest and it was muscular. I noticed that my skin tone was also palish yet fair and I felt a little taller when I stood up.
...
Looks like it worked.
I'd run towards a lake I had passed along the way and once I arrived, I inspected my face.
Sure enough, I looked handsome alright. I had a narrow facial shape, a prominent chin, etc. No signs of acne or anything that would affect the face. I also noticed that my eyes were blue with a hint of purple on the inside. I had shadow trims around my eyes that made me look a bit... gothic. My hair had also become longer down to shoulder level. I'll have to tie that up once I get back.
Well... guess I can't complain. This is exactly what I needed. I wonder what my charisma is now.
"Status," I spoke and my voice sounded different. It was high-pitched or low, it was somewhere in the middle.
Ding!
{Status}
Name: Naoko Akujin
Title: Inept Hero
Class: None
Status: Normal
Level: 12
Mana: [405/405]
Strength: 22
Agility: 23
Technique: 11
Perception: 16
Charisma: 666
Stat Points: 21
{Abilities}
Passive Skills: Sprint, Bloodlust
Active Skills: None
Skills: Analysis, Wolf's Blood
------------------
666?!
[Consider yourself lucky master. Normally all demons who used the Demonic Critters would get points up to 100. That is only because they do not know how to abuse the appearance changing ability the Demonic Critters provide. Reviewing the preferences you've provided me with, this is the outcome...]
"I see... but 666 is a cursed number, right? It's got to have some downsides."
[Yes, your appearance will only affect humans with weaker and same psychological resistance than you. This goes the same for demi-humans but not as much. Demi-humans will be a difficult one for you to enchant and persuade. For demons, it does not affect them...]
"I see. So I'm only charming to most girls. Wait demons? There are female demons?"
[Yes, however-]
"Nevermind, don't tell me."
Well... at least I don't need to worry about my appearance anymore. With this new body, I can redo my life... in this world, that is.
Fate won't play with me anymore. All ties will be abandoned and it won't toss me around like it did when I was Naoko. I will not walk under the shadows of those in my past life.
I am Nero... and I won't allow my new life to be of waste. Everything will be different, I'll be the one to control my own destiny.
[Name registered!]
[Moniker has been altered!]
[...]
[Passive Skill Obtained: Allocation(Locked), Exceed(Locked)]
[You do not meet the requirements to use these skills...]
"Hmm? Why?"
[You must figure it out yourself...]
New skills yet they are locked. Looks like I'll just have to figure them out.
I took the royal coins out of my pocket and stared at them.
I'll need clothes, gear, and someone to protect my back.
Recalling to those slaves from two days prior, I heard a shop opened up. As inhumane as it is, I just need one that can protect me until I become stronger. With my current stats, I won't be able to go up against another adventurer, let alone one of the heroes. I'll exact my revenge once the time is right...
.
.
.