In the ethereal mists of reality, where the boundaries between worlds melt and twist, lies the origin of Ethan's sinister fate.
****
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Launch of the world.]
Ethan's consciousness was transmuted into the body of a parasite. He found himself trapped in a multitude of limbs. Furthermore, his rank offered him no comfort, as he was Class E, an insignificant being in the eyes of the giants of this world.
He was in a desolate planet, deprived of the caress of light, where perpetual darkness reigned supreme. Above, a sinister celestial body, whose crimson glow casts a menacing pallor over the earth, as if to mock life's feeble attempts to thrive in the midst of such adversity.
The creatures were grotesque abominations, whose very existence defied the natural order. Their gruesome forms moved with predatory grace, fueled by an insatiable hunger for mortal flesh. Their mere presence was enough to send shivers down the spine, for they were harbingers of terror and despair.
"You shitty system, why did you give me this body? What could I have done to deserve to become some sort of centipede?"
[Opening the system]
[Do you want to follow the tutorial?]
"No, screw you and your tutorial."
[Do you want to report an error?]
Ethan thought that by pointing out this mistake, he might have the chance to choose his reincarnation another time.
"Yes, I want to report an error."
[Opening of the signaling system]
[Indicate the cause of the error]
"The system crashed, I didn't want to become a parasite."
[Processing your report... CONGRATULATIONS, YOU WILL BE REWARDED!!!]
[Rarity of (????), number of rewards: 2]
[Do you want to open the rewards?]
[Yes]
[Non]
Ethan hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should really open the rewards. After all, the system hadn't helped him. But with this parasite body, he couldn't do anything. Eager for any help in this strange world he had found himself in, he finally decided to open them.
[Rewards opening...]
[You have obtained one SS+ and one S+ rarity reward]
[S+ reward: divine manipulation, ability to manipulate all living beings weaker than oneself]
[SS+ Reward: Mana Duplication]
Ethan felt a glimmer of hope rise within him. He thinks that maybe now...
[Error]
[You are too weak]
[Your rewards will adapt to your power]
Ethan was desperate. He didn't want any of that. He just wanted to be killed to get it over with. But the system wouldn't have it any other way.
[You have the opportunity to become a pretender to the throne of the Demon King]
[Would you like to become one]
[ Yes ]
[non]
Ethan was desperate, but the creature inside was not. Ethan didn't know why he said yes. Was it revenge against the system that had trapped him in this parasite body, or was it a desperate survival instinct? Maybe a little of both.
[Confirmation of your choice]
[You are now a claimant to the throne of the Demon King]
[Tutorial launch]
The strange silence of the forest did not bode well; a disturbing presence had arisen, shrouded in shadows and secrets. A colossal avian form had materialized, its imposing silhouette dwarfing the faint glow of the moon. With silent but imposing authority, the great bird had ensnared Ethan, rendering him powerless against his will.
The big bird grabbed Ethan's light body with its claws.
Ethan felt like a puppet in the claws of the great bird, helpless and vulnerable. As the bird carried him to its nest high in the trees, Ethan struggled mentally, desperately searching for an escape from this nightmarish situation.
The bird arrived at the nest, a pile of intertwined branches, hidden in the heights of the forest trees. Darkness reigned supreme here too, mingling with the darkness of this strange and hostile world. The bird carefully placed Ethan in the center of the nest, its sharp eyes peering at him curiously.
Ethan felt a shiver of fear run through him as he realized he was at the mercy of this gigantic creature. The bird did not hesitate to swoop down on him, its beak tearing into the parasite's flesh with merciless efficiency.
"HELP ME! HELP ME!"
[Using the parasite skill...]
Ethan opened his eyes, finding himself in the bird's body, his consciousness having been transmuted into it.
[Well done, your transmutation was a success] the system said.
He read the message displayed.
"I have been transmuted into another body."
"The path to becoming a demon king is going to be very easy."
[Copy the phoenix skills in 1h30....]
Ethan read the system message but didn't understand.
"Hey! System, what is this?"
[This is the time needed to copy the phoenix skills. Every creature with a higher mana core than yours will take longer to assimilate everything.]
"So why does the phoenix take an hour and a half?"
[The phoenix takes less time because its potential is already unlocked. But a creature that hasn't unlocked its potential will take longer to unlock skills and copy the mana core.]
"How can I see my core then?"
[Meditate, clear your mind, concentrate and you will be able to see the mana core.]
"Is there an easier way?"
[Yes.]
"What is he then?"
[Ask me to open your mana core and I'll show it to you.]
Ethan got angry but quickly calmed down. He wanted the system to stay as close to him as possible; after all, it was thanks to him that he was in this phoenix's body.
"System, do you have any advice?"
Right now, the only person who could help him was the system, and if he couldn't trust it, he would stay on this path without becoming a demon king.
[Yes...]
[I can advise you to take animals to increase your mana and not demons or humans. After that, you could look for a host that would be useful for you to use your full potential.]