How do you fix years of mental damage that had never been addressed but just shoved down into a pit inside the mind? How do you even begin to address it? Jason had spent years suppressing so much, and it had festered during all that time. Unfortunately, it festered into anger and rage. On the one hand, that anger had helped save him, but as we all know rage is a rather unstable emotion. One that tends to make people lash out and act without thinking about the consequences of their actions. Jason didn't really have any aim to where he was going he just ran as fast as he could and didn't stop until he had run out of breath. He ended up about 17 miles from his house somewhere between the end of the rural area and the city area. Not knowing what to do, and extremely thirsty, he used his Odin to find the nearest convenience store. It was a few blocks away but he could still make it.
[Micro damage to muscles detected. Begining Cell duplication.]
[Human ability gain because of Cell duplication]
[Regeneration Lv.1 Gained]
As exciting as that would make anyone, Jason was too mentally disturbed to really care at the moment. As he walked towards the convenience store he started to feel rejuvenated but also very hungry. 'I guess I need energy for my abilities to work. But shouldn't I be using one of the tree energies for that.?' Jason thought, then the system answered.
[You still haven't learned to detect or use any of the 3 energies. Until then you won't be able to use them to power your abilities.]
'Wait what? But isn't Regeneration a psionic ability? I even read that Qi and Mana can be used for it. How come I haven't learned to use them? You said I was able to use them.' He asked going slightly wide-eyed.
[No. I stated you would be able to learn to use all three. That does not mean you automatically know how to use them. Right now your ability is being powered by your body's natural energy produced by the consumption of sustenance like food. Your stored fat, glucose, and other proteins are being used for that purpose.]
Jason contemplated the answer but then a lightbulb hit him, 'Wait, doesn't that mean there are more than three energies?'
[Technically that is correct. Except it is a bodily function humans have dubbed as Stamina.]
'But that means that even if my reserves of the three energies are empty, I have a fourth reserve and I can use my abilities longer!' Jason thought a bit excited.
[Incorrect. Stamina can only affect bodily functions and abilities related to the body such as regeneration.]
'Hmmm, so there are some abilities I will be able to use when my energies are depleted and there are others I won't be able to use.' He thought as he brought a hand to his chin, 'But that still gives me a bit of an edge if I'm ever in a fight.
[Correct]
By the time he finished his conversation with the system, he had reached the convenience store and went to the fridges to take out a bottle of water, a bottle of orange juice, and also grabbing some snacks that he could use as a replacement for breakfast. After buying his products he downed the water first before looking for a place to sit down and eat. He moved more to the rural area as he headed for a nearby park. Once Jason found a bench to sit down he started to eat, and although he had a conversation with the system that did distract him momentarily, that was all it was, a small distraction. He looked hollowed as he ate. His mind was a mess of thoughts and suppressed emotions that had surfaced. Jason had no idea what to do, let alone how to feel. He didn't hadn't realize how much he was really suppressing until today. Actually until last night in his dream. Part of Jason wanted to feel anger but the other part wanted to be sad, and another wanted to just go back to sleep. It felt like a weight was starting to crush him, and that confused him when just an hour ago he felt like a weight had lifted. 'Perhaps I just got rid of a small part of my baggage.' Jason thought. He just sat there, trying to clear his mind but it was trying to move a bunch of junk trying to organize it while being in a very small with little space to put everything separate of each other. At least that's how Jason felt. He was too engrossed in his own mind he didn't notice someone had come close and sat down next to him until he felt the bench move. Looking to his right he saw Luis sitting next to him with his back straight and his hands interlocked on his lap. Jason got angry as he looked away at the floor in front of him. Neither of them spoke and the silence linger for a few minutes until Jason asked, "How did you find me?" Luis in his usual calm demeanor said, "I never really lost you. I was just a few steps away waiting for you to calm down." Jason scoffed and then said, "Well I'm not calmed yet so go away." Luis quickly answered, "No." Jason then looked at him angrily and asked, "Excuse me?" Luis was just looking out calmly and just as calmly said, "I won't be leaving your side. Not now or ever." Those words confused Jason but it also angered him as he felt like that was a lie. In Jason's mind, he was convinced he would be abandoned once he turned 18, so he felt the need to call out Luis on his 'bullshit', "Says the man that will leave on my 18th birthday." That's when Luis looked at him with a bit of pain in his eyes as he said, "That won't be happening in this lifetime." To Jason that was a very blatant lie because he believed people would only care about him if he was powerful or worth something. In short, Jason believed he was worthless in everyone's eyes, so in his eyes, everyone was just around him by necessity. He believed people only pretended to care about him out of pity or something else. This only helped to fuel the anger and hatred Jason had suppressed for years. "Bullshit!!" Jason yelled as he stood up taking a few steps away from Luis, "Don't pretend to care about me!! Don't you dare lie to me!! I don't need your fake pity and your lies!!! I'm not stupid or naive enough to believe anyone cares for someone as weak and powerless as me in wretched excuse for a world!! Humans have become nothing but a bunch of discriminating, power-hungry, disgusting excuses for a species!!! And is all society's fault!! Anyone could've said, 'No, let's not be consumed by these new powers.' But not one of them did so!!! They treat their weak and poor even worse than before and after all these years you expect me to believe you are different?!?!? Fuck you, Luis!!! Fuck you and society!!" Right now Jason was a bit red, his fist clenched and shaking as he felt the urge to punch Luis as hard as he could but he knew if he did he might end up beaten to a pulp, and that was unacceptable right now.
'I'll change this world even if I have to burn it to the ground first!! So until then, I will survive by any means necessary.' Jason thought as he got ready to receive a beating from Luis. Luis calmly stood up and walked towards Jason. Jason didn't dare take a step back. He felt that if he did he would betray his previous words and his conviction. As he expected Luis slapped him but not as hard as he thought he would. "That's for cursing at me." Luis said calmly before hugging Jason tightly. Jason was shocked as Luis had never been affectionate but his anger got the best of him as he proceeded to throw punches at Luis's body growling. It had no effect on Luis, and he didn't react to them as he knew Jason needed to vent out all that he was carrying. Jason kept punching and at one point he started to scream as he felt tears run down his face. He was having a full nervous breakdown. It was just too much. Too many things happening at once. The beating, the nightmare, the awakening, the pain, dying, reviving, the realization of the event, the conversation at the dining table, Luis's words, and now his hug. It was an emotional roller coaster and it was just too dam much for Jason. Jason had never allowed himself to cry because he thought he couldn't allow himself to be weaker than he already was, that he couldn't allow himself to be pathetic even if no one knew about it. But there isn't a body or mind that can endure endless torment. There's always a breaking point, and this was Jason's. It took Jason a full hour to finally get dead tired and go limp all over. Luis had to drag Jason to the bench and sit him down. Jason had an expression that was like a mix of blank and anger, red eyes, and streaks down his cheeks where tears had once traveled. Luis stood there looking down at Jason waiting for him to say something or do something. After a minute Jason finally looked up at Luis and his brow flurried again in anger as he horsly said, "This changes nothing." Luis took a deep breath closing his eyes before sighing and opening his eyes again as he began to say, "Jason. On behalf of everyone else and myself, we're sorry if we were keeping our distance before. We thought we were being kind since we would be called back to the main family after you turned 18. However, we have all decided to resign our posts and remain by your side." This momentarily shocked Jason but he thought he was just lying again. "Jason, you are as much a son to me as my actual son." Luis said as he held Jason's shoulders bending to one knee as he did so. Jason really wanted to believe Luis's words, but the world had been cruel to him and he was now like a porcupine with his defenses on high. Luis could see in Jason's eyes, that he didn't believe him. Luis sighed and stood back up saying, "Let's go home." Jason was tired and still angry but he wanted to go back to his room and just sleep the day away, so he got up and walked back home with Luis by his side, which had never happened. Luis always walked behind Jason whenever they were out together like going to the city, the mall, or just out for a run. The entire walk was silent as Jason just kept looking at the ground and Luis didn't wanna add more words Jason refused to believe. Once back home Maria ran to hug Jason. Jason was like a zombie, unreactive and unfeeling, but when he felt like it was enough he pushed Maria off him and left for his room without saying a word. He grabbed some clothes and took a quick shower before crawling into bed and just letting himself be taken by his exhaustion.
[Your physical exercise has awarded you 1 Constitution stat point.]
'Please. Just let me sleep for now.' Jason thought.
While Jason slept Luis and the rest had discussed what happened and began to formulate a plan to get through to Jason. Among those plans, they had also begun to look for employment elsewhere before sending their letter of resignation to the Miller family. They knew the personality of Jason's parents so they had to prepare for the fallout. They were unforgiving and vindictive, and they would try to get in their of living out of spite. However, the main concern was Jason's mental health. After what had happened it was clear he needed help and they needed someone they could trust. Which weren't many, and there was one other factor. In a way, what Jason said was quite true. Humans had become very cruel and power-hungry. The strong those weaker than them as prey to bully or just pawns to use as they wish. To find someone genuinely willing to help Jason would be heart as it was still believed he was powerless. Bry was a doctor, but he was no psychologist and even if he tried to be one, he was too close to Jason and Jason had made it clear he didn't trust anyone. Which brought upon another problem. Jason distrusted everyone and the notion of having a complete stranger attempt to get him to open up to them felt like an impossible task. Still, they had to try something for his sake. For now, all they could do was prepare for the future and try their very best to earn Jason's trust.
Hours had gone by and it was now past noon. Jason was still asleep but Maria refused to let him sleep without food in his stomach. She woke him up, which annoyed him but he knew it was pointless to try to argue with her, and frankly he was still too tired to get into said argument. He figured the sooner he ate the sooner he could go back to sleep. Jason was practically dragged downstairs and sat down by Maria to eat. As he started to eat he noticed no one else was in the dining room and Maria was alone in the kitchen washing some dishes. He just figured that Luis and Bry had already eaten and were alone in their own rooms doing whatever it is they were doing. However, when Jason noticed it was almost dinner time he got curious. Especially when Maria came back to the dining room and sat down across Jason with her own plate of food. Jason had kept his hollowed uninterested expression and tone as he asked, "Where are the other?" as he took a forkful of food. Maria had a slight smile as she took her own bite before answering, "Looking for new employment." That got a reaction from Jason as he looked up at Maria and asked, "What?" Maria had taken another bite before she said, "Well we can't very well survive without a stable income and although this house had been paid and bought for, there are still bills we'll have to pay after we resing." Maria took another forkful while Jason looked skeptical at her words. "You expect me to believe that?" Asked Jason, but Maria responded, "I expect you to be ready for some changes. Luis might be out hunting beast, and Bry said he would try working at the local clinic, so they'll both probably be out more often." She then smiled looking at Jason as she added, "So you'll be stuck most of the time." Jason narrowed his eyes skeptical still. 'This smells like bullshit.' Jason thought, but then a part of him wanted to believe them. Despite his little outburst and his trust issues, whether he likes it or not, he had grown somewhat attached to them. Although a part of him hoped, another part of him still retained its stand on his skepticism. Conflicted between these two sides of himself, the only thing he could do was wait and see if what Maria had said was true. However, that did bring something to his attention. When they left him, he had to be sure, he was strong enough to fare for himself. The best way to make lots of money was to become a Hunter. After humans settled in the new cities, they had started to send people out to hunt beasts and bring them back to use their bodies as resources for weapons, armor, and other tools, while their cores were used for training, powering new tech, and also making beast core weapons and armor. Gear made from beast's body parts were strong and cheaper than beast core gear. Beast core gear had special qualities and some even complimented a person's ability and some weapons were capable of getting enhanced if you poured energy into them. As such, hunting a beast was very lucrative, but it was also very dangerous so it added to the price of what the hunters brought back. If Jason wanted to become Hunter, he needed to be strong and he needed to do it fast since he still believed he only had 3 years or perhaps less after his outburst. After finishing his meal he went back to his room, or at least tried as Maria said in a very serious tone, "Hey! You aren't going anywhere until you clean your dishes." He looked back at her confused and she said, "I may not have sent my resignation letter yet but I am no longer your maid, so you are gonna start helping out around the house more, and you'll be responsible for some chores. I may still cook for you but you are helping me with the dishes." Jason was, of course, confused, and slightly wide eye, but he just shrugged and did as he was told. 'Let's see how long you keep up the charade.' He thought as he did the dishes. After finishing the dishes he went back to his room and sat down at his desk ready to see what the system could do.
"Open full System." Jason said.
[Name: Jason Miller
Age: 15
Race: Human Virus
Level 1 0/50 Exp. (Experience points)
Hp. (Health Points): 30/30
Sp. (Stamina Points): 30/30
Psi.: 0/0
Qi: 0/0
Mp. (Mana Points): 0/0]
[Stats. (Status window):
Stat Points: 20
Con. (Constitution) 30
Str. (Strength) 20
Dex. (Dexterity) 21
Int. (Intelligence) 22
Energy. 1
VS. (Viral Strength) 50]
[Human Abilities and Skills:
Regeneration Lv.1]
[Viral Abilities and Skills:
Infect Lv.1
Consume Lv.1
Symptoms Lv.1
Cell Duplication Lv.1
Cell Replication Lv.1]
[Symptoms Window: None yet]
[Ability and Skill tree:
Human Points Available: 100
Regeneration Lv.1
Viral Points Available: 100
Infect Lv.1
Consume Lv.1
Symptoms Lv.1
Cell Duplication Lv.1
Cell Replication Lv.1]
[Quest]
[Messages:
Rewards Received]
[Shop]{Only available after level 25 and with Int. 50}
'Ok. Lots of information and lots of questions.' Jason thought, 'Where should I start first?' Jason then made the "Hmmm" sound. 'Maybe I should look at the message first. Open the latest message.'
[Rewards Received: Congratulations you not only completed the trials you also did so over the requirements and as such one of your ancestors who foresaw such a possibility occurring, prepared a few rewards hidden in your genes.]
[List of Rewards:
15 extra stat points
100 Human Ability points
100 Viral Ability points
Your pick of one of 3 Viral abilities
Your pick of one of 3 Human abilities]
[Would you like to pick your abilities now?]
'Yes.' Though Jason
[Viral:
1. Shapeshifting
2. Strengthening
3. Cross-Species transmission]
[Human:
1. Enhanced Senses
2. Energy Absorption
3. Adaptation]
Jason couldn't help but chuckle as he realized something. 'Don't you think it's a bit obvious what my ancestor is trying to make me pick?'
[Message received. Would you like to open it?]
'Yes.' Jason answered.
[If you figured out my intentions congratulations, I'll leave you two gifts. The first is an additional option of the abilities presented by each group. The second is a piece of advice. From one Human Virus to another. Never let anyone know what you are. Use any means necessary to confuse everyone and anyone. The moment you let people know what you are, you will be vulnerable. I'm not sure how humans have evolved or how much progress they have made, but use whatever you need to make yourself invincible. Because if they discover what you are, they will try to destroy you because they fear progress. And you 'are' progress. Perhaps even the next step in human evolution. So make sure you don't become extinct.]
'. . .' Jason got up walked over to his bed, grabbed his pillow, and screamed into it muffling the "WHAT?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!"
[Unable to answer.]
Jason dropped the pillow and with a defeated smile said, "Of fucking course~" He took a deep breath and sighed out as he dropped on his back into his bead. 'Is there a way to get all the skills' Jason asked the system, hoping for a yes.
[Like any skill or ability, you can earn them as you grow or you can buy them from the shop.]
Another sigh from Jason and he made his choice as he thought, 'Cross-species transmission and Shapeshifting from viral. Adaptation and Energy absorption from human.'
[Undestood. Choices completed. Abilities have been added to your list.]
[Notice. Some abilities that you have are shared between humans and viruses. As such those abilities and skills will be placed in a new window.]
[Human-Viral abilities and skills, has been created]
[The creation of this new window will now allow for human abilities to affect some viral abilities as well.]
[Cell Regeneration gained.]
'AH-HA!!! I knew it!!' Jason had to cover his mouth again so he could keep the excitement in his mind. It had confirmed his suspicion that the system adapted to his will yet also retain some independence. 'Show me the new window' He commanded.
[Human-Viral abilities and skills:
Shapeshifting Lv.1
Adaptation Lv.1
Energy Absorption Lv.1]
'Great. Now let's move on to the next question.' Jason thought as he thought, 'Talk to me about the ability and skill tree.'
[The ability and skill tree, allows you to use your points to expedite the growth of your abilities and skills. It also allows you to evolve a skill or ability into the next tire.]
'So I just pour those points into the skills and see them grow? How do I earn more points?' Jason asked.
[Yes.]
[You can get more points through leveling up, leveling up your current abilities and skills, and through infection.]
'Why are the only differences mentioned by the system is between abilities and skills? I thought the humans had abilities if they used psionic, skills if they were martial artists, and spells if they were mages.' Jason asked the system.
[In reality, abilities are connected to the body itself. Being able to use them without preparation brands it as an ability. A skill is anything that is used by the body with said preparation, like a spell. As for Martial Arts, they are also considered as skills but a brand of skills that are engraved into the body through training but they are still skills.]
Jason made another 'Hmmm' then moved on. 'Ok, that clears that up, but how do I earn points?'
[Leveling up, leveling up abilities and skills and through infecting other beings.]
'Infecting? You mean through my Infect ability? How does that help?' Jason asked.
[You have full control of your cells which all are viral cells. Your viral cells are capable of using all your viral abilities. Your Infect ability, allows you to send in your viral cells into another being's body. Once inside the body of another being your cells are still under your full control and they work like a virus. As you know a virus infects a host, then it infects the host's cells to replicate or in your case more than that.]
'More than that? You make it sound like I'm a different kind of virus. On that note, what kind of virus am I?' Jason asked.
[Your abilities should answer that question but since you want a clearer definition I'll attempt to explain. You started as a human virus capable of infecting, consuming, duplicating, and replicating. Now you are a human virus capable of shapeshifting, adapting faster, infecting other beings besides humans, and absorb energy as well. In short, the more you consume the more you can copy and grow your arsenal. How you use your abilities and what you add to yourself will determine what you are as a virus. On a more technical term, you are the kind of virus that breaks all conventions as you are able to reproduce, consume sustenance, and your abilities can also include those only accessible by humans such as magic and martial arts. You possess both DNA and RNA that you can use to copy other beings' DNA and RNA or even rewrite your own. You are in fact something new like your ancestor. However, your ancestor never named the virus or identified its type.]
This was a lot of information. Too much actually. Jason understood some of it but not all of it. In school, he had learned the basics of viruses but now he needed to learn more so he could understand what he is and how to expedite his growth. However, he needed to put his research on hold seeing as he wanted to learn more about the system first.
[If you wish to expedite your knowledge about viruses you can do so but you'll need to increase your Int. up to 50 so that your ancestors' knowledge can be passed to you. Although in his time not much was known about viruses.]
'Ok, now I really wanna know more.' Jason thought, 'But first the system. Tell me about my stats and how they work. Also how I can earn more points. I'm guessing that just like in videogames they are very important.'
[Correct. Your stats are a quantification of your body's capability as well as your mind. While you are the one that created your system with the TDCS collective knowledge and your own subconscious, they are an accurate measurement and will affect you since it's directly connected to your genes and your viral cells.]
[This is how your stats work and what they affect you:
Constitution: Health, Stamina, and Endurance.
Strength: Physical Strength, ergo carry capacity and lifting capacity, attack strength, and defense.
Dexterity: Agility, reflexes, speed, coordination, and balance.
Intelligence: Memory capacity, thinking speed, and mental strength.
Energy: Energy capacity and strength. As in how much Qi, Psi, and Mana your body can endure.
Viral Strength: Infection rate and speed, other disease immunity and capacity to assimilate, evolution rate, and mutation rate.]
'Well, that explains why my stats are a bit high.' Jason thought, 'I've been training basic martial arts for the sake of trying to triggering an awakening but mostly to help me fight back.'
[However, there are other factors they affect:
Constitution, Strength, and Dexterity affect Qi flow and control.
Intelligence, Dexterity, and Constitution affect Psi and Mana flow and control.]
[Earning points is done so by leveling up which grants 10 points per level. Individual stat points will be earned depending on your training and your actions.]
'Wait a minute. If that's true, why are all of my energies at 0?' Jason asked a bit angry.
[Because you haven't been able to sense them and know how to use them or how they flow through you. Because you don't know this information, the system can't calculate how much you have, how much flows through, how fast it regenerates, or how much you can use before your body needs to rest.]
'Then how do you know my stats if even I don't know them?' Asked Jason confused.
[Focus your mind inside you. Into your cells]
Jason did so closing his eyes and trying to picture his blood cells in his veins. It only took him a second to suddenly see his entire body structure, before then seeing what he wanted. In his veins, he could see millions of red cells and white cells and he knew exactly what they were, which is also why he could also tell that they weren't normal at all. To the naked eye, they seemed normal but Jason could see inside them and he saw what was his virus mixed with them. The virus and the cells were the same, not two things connected, but completely joined into one. It was proof that the virus was him and he was the virus. He then focused on activating the virus part of his cells and they transformed. Each cell looked like it was exposing tendrils and spikes and when he focused on them moving. On his command, they moved and did exactly as he wanted, and then he understood why the system knew all his stats. 'I get it now. My cells are feeding information to the system through my mind. However, because now my mind is connected to the system, that information is being displayed. The measurements and quantification are because of the nature of my cells. My cells know all of my functions down to the cellular level which is something only I can do so the information is beyond accurate' Jason thought excitedly.
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 22 -> 23]
'YES!!! I was right!' Jason thought smiling and trying really hard to keep his excitement from coming out and making noise. Jason then began a conversation with the system, 'So tell me. You said that I could consume, copy and replicate to grow my arsenal. I'm assuming you mean that if I infect someone or something and make my virus consume their cells I can copy their DNA and RNA. But what I don't understand is how copying their DNA and RNA helps... WAIT!!!' Jason was hit by a realization and had to bite his pillow again just to stop himself from screaming. 'Our genes are connecting to our power, and those genes are inside our DNA and RNA, so if my virus consumes cells with said DNA and RNA, and then duplicates them and splices it with mine after I retrieve it then I can essentially copy their powers!!! Or at the very least their energy level and get me more points for my abilities and skills!!! I'm still not sure. Am I close?'
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 23 -> 24]
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 24 -> 25]
[It is true, you copy their genes but to copy their powers it will depend on the type of power and how far your virus evolves. Abilities that involve the body are an automatic a yes. However, abilities like spells, martial arts technique, and some psionic abilities, won't be copied unless you can figure out a way for your virus to.]
Immediately Jason interrupted as he said, 'A virus ability that lets me enter the brain, access memories and maybe even the mind!!! And one that copies muscle memory!!!'
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 25 -> 26]
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 26 -> 27]
Jason's excitement then reached its peak and fueled his curiosity. He wanted to know how the virus entered a body, how it infected cells, and how it replicated itself. 'First. How do I infect a person?'
[Right now, blood contact.]
'Shit. I was hoping for airborne or skin contact.' Jason thought disappointed.
[If you level up your Infect ability your virus might mutate.]
'AH-HA!! Bullshit!! If I increase Infect I can definitely gain a new method to infect someone!! It just needs to be high enough!' Responded Jason in his mind.
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 27 -> 28]
While Jason couldn't exactly dance, he did, however, made his cells dance and it was a good enough outlet. Once again fueled by his excitement he went back to feeding his curiosity. Now that he knew how to infect, he wanted to know how it worked. He wanted a demonstration and then a new form of his cells appeared when Jason wanted to see what it would be like infecting another person. Some of his red and white cells transformed completely into something that looked like a drill mixed with a snake or an eel, but it also had tiny tendrils that looked like spider legs just beneath the drill part and the tail part. Then the oddest thing happened it kept changing its shape. It went from its snake drill to a circle like a red cell but black and with tendrils that became sharply spiked tendrils moving around then touching the wall of the vein and crawling like a spider before digging into the wall and spreading its tendrils turning the cell wall into more virus forms then back to normal. Then another white blood cell turned into another drill form cell, then proceeded to make another demonstration as it also changed its form again into a sphere with more tendrils spreading them wide then when it cathed a red cell it wrapped itself around it before making its way into the red cell and hiding completely. Moments later the cell exploded but all that came out was the same cell looking exactly like a red cell. 'Wait, is that how it hides?'
[Yes, but it makes more cells when it explodes, and the disguise is not perfect. There's always a chance the disguise will be found out by the immune system, even if the cells disguise themselves as white cells. However, the higher your Viral Strength the easier it is for your cells to hide and the faster they infect the host.]
Jason took a moment to think again making the 'Hmmmm' sound once more. 'If the obstacle in the way of my virus is the immune system, wouldn't it be better to infect the immune system itself and compromise it completely? Then I can make the immune system work for me instead of against me.' Jason asked.
[A clever idea but as it stands you don't have the means for it right now. Your cells aren't strong enough and you don't have the symptoms or the viral ability for that.]
'Ok. Perhaps I should think of this as warfare.' Jason thought, 'When I infect a person or creature, Is it possible to infect some cells and then retreat? Right now my goal is to grow stronger so all I really need is to infect, consume DNA and RNA, but I'm assuming after my viral cells consume I need to take them back. So instead of full infection go with gorilla warfare. Hit and run tactics should be enough to assist my growth while preventing discovery and being hit by the immune system.'
[Int. has gone up by one. Int. 28 -> 29]
'YES, MY CHILDREN!!! DANCE FOR ME!!!' Jason thought as his cells danced to his own mental tone of his favorite song. 'Btw can I name the forms my virus takes?'
[If you wish.]
'Ok. The drill form let's call it the 'Infiltrator'.' Jason commanded.
['Infiltrator form' logged.]
'The spider-like one, that gets into the walls and the tissue to hide, I think the name 'Wall Spider' while obvious I like it so I don't care if it's obvious.' Jaso commanded again.
['Wall Spider form' logged.]
'The circle one with the long tendrils, I'm not sure what to call it. I'll look online to see if I can come up with a good name. For now, let's just call it 'Roper'. Wait! No, 'Tendriling'.' Jason commanded before feeling foolish as the name sounded like he was trying to make it sound cute. '. . . Ok I don't fucking know. Screw it. Call it 'Trapper' for now. I'll come up for a better name later.'
['Trapper form' logged.]
'Before we move on, what other shapes and tricks can my cells take? Or are those threes the only ones?' Jason asked.
[Those three forms were premade to fulfill the purpose of each of your abilities. They are also essential in your viral warfare.]
['Infiltrator' for infection. They're quick and meant to quickly make their way through an open wound or opening via your blood contact. They drill through walls to expand through the body. Think of them as scouts or delivery agents.]
['Wall-Spiders' for further infection and cell duplication. They hide in cell membranes, capillary walls, and preferably fenestrated capillaries to hide. While they hide they spread themselves through where they hide duplicating themselves to increase the number of cells. They work like hidden time bombs and their main purpose is to spread as fast as possible to increase the number of viral cells before being discovered. Essentially Army makers for your warfare.]
['Trappers' much like 'Wall-Spiders' are for further infection, but cell replication and consumption. They work as the main attack force, and adding to your army further but more violently, faster and this is why they can be detected faster. This also makes them useful for distracting the immune system while your infection expands further.]
This made Jason smile as he thought about how to improve on his virus to further increase his warfare efficiency. 'Can I make new cells or redesign already existing cells?' Jason asked with a smile still on his face.
[Not yet. You need blank cells to design your own, and you need to increase your VC to redesign already existing ones. Increasing your abilities level will also help with your desire to redesign and the production of new cells. Redesign and improvements can also occur through mutations and evolutions.]
'Oh, I am definitely gonna have some fun with this power.' Jason thought.