Did I… Die again?
[Hello host, your body is currently undergoing rapid destruction and reconstruction due to me being injected into your body]
Alright… Since I'm not dead I guess we are in my mind or something.
Could you introduce yourself, thing that inserted itself within me without consent. And what is happening to my body?
[I am Nanobot X-341, [classified] project Phoenix.
Because of the presence of multiple genetic codes present in your body that do not possess identical or simultaneous awakening methods, the overseer program Hermes chose to inject you with unstable genetic [classified] and [classified] project phoenix Nanobot which is me.]
Basically I'm currently dying and coming back to life repeatedly… just… great. Am I speedrunning life or something ?
[Ding! Two of you genetic codes "cuttlefish" and "giant squid" have fused to become "hiding kraken"]
[Ding! Genetic codes "black mamba" and "jellyfish" have fused to become "toxic black snake"]
[Ding! All of your animal genetic codes have fused, "unknown" genetic code obtained.]
[Initiating complete fusing with human DNA.]
…
[Complete and stable genetic mix obtained, reorganising genetic helix with codes… Unknown species do not have an existing arrangement, manual control given to the host.]
A video game panel appears in front of me, it resembles one of those RPG character customization screens except the thing that stands in the middle is not human, not even remotely.
An eldritch horror with deformed limbs, tentacles, slime and scales mixed up like a spider.
What the hell i-
[Host, you are now in the process of defining your beast characteristics, as this genetic helix has never been found before you have been given full authority.]
… This thing... is me? Am I really that ugly?
Will I stay a virgin during both lives?
Hell no. Let's make myself look good, at least. I'll maybe be able to find myself a pretty monster… Better not think about this.
There are a lot of options and buttons everywhere. Poison sacs with different types and stats, claws, thorns, scales, eyes, organs and so much more.
Even with all the biology knowledge from my past life a lot of it still doesn't make sense. Several brains, sure. A silicon based lifeform, no problem. Cells that can't turn into cancer… I'll take this actually.
Let's start with an outline…
An unknown amount of time passed before I was satisfied with my form. I mean if I'm gonna be stuck with this body then I should at least put in some effort.
Now that I'm thinking of this, if all the clan members go through this "ceremony" why don't they look like monsters or beasts at least?
[The bestial genetic material is hidden inside of Nanobots injected within a human body and can be released to switch to a beast form. Usually, humans possess one or multiple compatible codes and will be injected with standard "capture" or "bloodline" nanobots. Unlike them you have been injected with me, a superior nanobot.]
I see… Wait, did you just praise yourself ? Nevermind, I turn around towards the screen and observe the beauty I have just created .
A tall bipedal reptile with a body similar to a spinosaurus with tentacles rising from its back, some of which having a dart at the end.
I made sure to make most of my body poisonous with both the snake and jellyfish toxins I had at hand.
[Do you wish to confirm? YES / NO]
Yes
[Please input name for this new species.]
Hmmm, let's come up with something cool but not cringy… Overbearing but short…
Let's go with Dream reaper.
It can camouflage itself with the cuttlefish membrane, paralyse or make its prey fall asleep with poison, a silent but deadly dream. And since it can also slice, lacerate and impale targets with its claws, teeth and spines from unexpected angles, I thought calling it a reaper sounded adequate.
[Confirm]
Yes
[Reconnecting the host's mind and nervous system to the body…]
And then it hit me. The pain that my body felt the entire time I stayed in my mind and was held back, like a dam keeping the water finally breaking under the pressure and releasing everything at once.
There was no way for me to remain conscious.