Parasitic Talent

"Attention! Pay attention!"

A middle aged man in a dress shirt and some jeans was standing at the front of a classroom full of students.

"Today is the day where you all will be awakening your talents with the help of the Awakening Stone generously lent to us by the country. Those who have already used an Advanced Awakening Stone given by their families, you will be going first."

I sat at the back of the class listening to the teacher but I quickly stopped paying attention as my homeroom teacher had a penchant for talking in circles.

I was busy looking out the window while thinking about what I would do tonight for dinner. The chances of awakening a talent above D-Rank was less than 1 in 100 for us normal people. E and F-Rank talents were much more common for people, and if you got those you were seen as useless by society.

Talents were some of the most deterministic factor of one's strength. I had already resigned myself to a worthless talent. There were two rich kids in my class however that most definitely used Advanced Awakening Stones given to them by their families.

These stones were used to guarantee that someone awakened a talent above C-Rank. They were obviously extremely expensive, costing millions of dollars, and being incredibly low in supply.

While I was zoning out my homeroom teach, Mr. Stroh, shouted at me.

"Desmond Caine! Are you listening?"

"I doubt it will matter to him sir, he will definitely awaken a worthless talent. Trash will stay trash."

I looked bored as I made eye contact with the boy who said that. Randy Deluca, the only son of the Deluca family, someone who had everything given to him in his life. He was also my bully.

It all started because I had embarrassed him when he was bullying someone else in middle school. Back then I was considered a genius because I was gifted when it came to fighting.

However my parents passed away in a car accident in my 8th year of school, and I lost my passion for everything. With my grades dropping the teachers no longer cared to take my side. Instead they took Randy's side regardless of whether he was in the right or now, which allowed him to bully me without any intervention.

However he never crushed my spirit. Instead I became listless and drained of energy. I just didn't care anymore. So I let him beat me up because it was easier than fighting back, however it made him become more and more bored of me.

But he wouldn't let it go, so he started to drive others away from me and I eventually became isolated as well.

His favorite thing to do would be to try and publicly humiliate me, like now.

Mr. Stroh clearly heard him call me trash but he didn't bother to say anything. Instead just pretending like he didn't hear anything.

"You still need to act accordingly at the ceremony, since we will be before not only other schools but also the mayor. So be on your best behavior, and if I catch you not paying attention it'll be cleaning duty for the rest of the year. Got it?"

I nodded half heartedly and looked out the window again.

"Tsk... Okay everyone line up, we're going to head down to the courtyard and load onto the buses."

Everyone began lining up excitedly while I moved at a leisurely pace. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. Taking out my headphones from my pocket I was detangling them when I felt someone hit me on the back lightly.

Turning my head I was face to face with my childhood friend, Amy Richards, who was smiling brightly.

"Are you excited?"

I pushed her face away with my hand and I went into the line.

"No. What should I get my hopes up for when its obvious what the result is?"

I then felt a sharp pain in my arm as Amy pinched me hard.

"Ow! What the hell?!"

"You should at least pretend to be excited! I'm excited for you."

The line began moving.

"Sigh. What are you even excited for... The chances of me getting anything good is so low. I'm more excited about you. Your father got you an Advanced Awakening Stone, didn't he? I think you're going to get at least an A-Rank Talent."

"I'd be happy with a B-Rank Talent. I just want to be able to find a good party of friends and live comfortably. I don't care about becoming the most powerful person in the world."

Although she might not want anything more than a decent talent, I wished she would get something incredible, because I thought she deserved the best.

When my parents died everyone abandoned me. I became an outcast and no one thought it was worth being my friend because of Randy's bullying.

But Amy stayed. She never thought less of me, and even when my grades declined she didn't leave. She was never my friend because I was a prodigy, she was simply my friend. So while I didn't feel any particular way about my future I wanted her to have something good.

We soon got onto the bus and headed downtown. The Awakening ceremony was going to take place in a stadium next to city hall. After a short twenty minute ride we came to a stop outside the stadium and filed out of the bus row by row.

Once off the bus we were led all the way to the center of the stadium, where a large platform was erected and a bunch of officials were standing around a podium. We arrived and lined up next to two other schools that had arrived.

The ceremony wouldn't start until all four schools arrived, but soon the final school arrived. It was the private school where all the elites went to. Randy and Amy were two exceptions.

Amy begged her parents to let her attend a public school so she could have a normal school life, while Randy was just a freak who liked feeling superior to others so he attended a public school.

The moment they entered the arena I could smell the losers. They soon walked past us with their noses held high and their contempt was palpable.

I glanced at them while they walked by. A few of them were people I had met when we were younger, and I participated in school tournaments against them. A large student with a sharp jawline and broad shoulders stopped walking to stand in front of me.

He towered over me, but for the record I was 6 foot 2, he was just a giant.

"Hello Desmond. It has been a while since I saw you at any competitions."

I disliked this guy the most.

"Hey there Bruce. You probably haven't seen me because I'm just not as good as I used to be. My school only sends the best. Like Randy over there."

I pointed my chin towards Randy who was standing a bit ahead of me, and he turned his head to give me an annoyed look.

"His parents died. It was too much for his poor heart to handle so he became useless."

Bruce's expression hardened and he glared at Randy, causing Randy to turn away in fear. He then looked back at me with a gentler expression.

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I understand why I haven't seen you in recent years..."

Then he extended his hand and I sighed as I shook it.

"Good luck with your Talent today. I hope you get something good."

"You too, Desmond."

This is why I hated Bruce Newman. He was such a nice guy, but only to people he respected as rivals. Back when we would compete he would follow me around asking to spar all the time. He was annoying but a good guy.

He rejoined his school and the ceremony began. The schools would all take turns using the Awakening Stone, by sending one student at a time and taking turns that way.

First was our school, as we were this year's privileged school, but it was merely a way to show off. People payed very close attention to the first ones to awaken, so my school would obviously choose someone who would get a good one.

"Randy Deluca."

Randy stepped forward and made his way to the podium. After placing his hand on the stone on the podium a large cluster of lights appeared above him.

This was normal, but what varied was the scale of the lights. The brighter and more dazzling the lights will be. Randy's lights soon rose in brightness and soon died down after. On the big screen behind the stone his talent was revealed.

[Golden Body][A-Rank]

[Slowly hardens your skin and bones. The more damage you take the stronger it can become.]

Claps sounded from all around as Randy looked around with a proud look on his face. He was so excited he didn't even bother to rub it in my face. However I didn't care either way. Him getting a good Talent was not really going to affect me.

The next person was a student from Starlight Academy, the private school. Immediately though the air changed as they stepped onto the stage. They walked confidently up to the podium, and placed their hand on the stone.

[Herculean Strength][S-Rank]

[Possessor of legendary strength.]

Immediately roars erupted from the crowd and reporters snapped pictures excitedly.

Whatever momentum we had gained was gone in an instant, and now Starlight Academy had become the center of attention.

The other two schools went but they awakened two low ranked talents. It was back to our turn to send a student and Amy slowly walked up to the stage. As she walked nervously up to the podium she looked around the crowd before her eyes landed on me.

I gave her a big thumbs up and a smile.

'You got this. Give them hell.'

Smiling she straightened her back and confidently placed her hand onto the Awakening Stone.

This time however the reaction that happened could only be described in one word:

Divine.

Warm bright yellow lights appeared in the air around Amy, but more mystical was that another bright white light began to form a sort of avatar behind Amy. The stadium held its breath as if everyone was afraid to make a sound, in case they might scare away the apparition, but eventually everything disappeared. 

[Apostle of Helia][SSS-Rank]

[Helia is the God of Healing, and her apostle will spread her influence onto the world.]

I stood while looking at her in awe. I expected her to immediately start smiling brightly but instead I saw a look of despair on her face. 

'Why isn't she happy?'

She quickly made her way down from the stage but quickly spoke to the teachers from our school before leaving quickly. I watched in silence as she ran away from the stadium and what should have been a happy day.

From then on students continued awakening but there was not another student who had an awakening as impressive as Amy's. With Starlight Academy awakening only B-Rank talents and above.

Bruce Newman awakened an S-Rank Talent, [Berserker], which increased his damage the more damage he took. It was really fitting for someone like Bruce who would do whatever it took to win. There was nothing else noteworthy but the process went quickly. Soon it was my turn.

"Desmond Caine."

I looked up and made my way to the stage. I approached casually and placed my hand onto the stone. I looked around and noticed the distinct lack of lights.

'I figured as much.. But it is still a bit disappointing.'

Sure enough the screen soon showed my talent.

[Parasite][F-Rank]

[Become the host of a parasite.]

Silence.

However I knew it was just because no one felt it was worth it to even comment on it. I was thankful though. At least it wouldn't be annoying. Slowly I descended the stage and took my place back in the crowd. As I was standing there waiting for the last few people to finish their awakening I felt an odd sensation.

As if I could suddenly sense a new organ inside my body. Focusing on that a screen appeared before my eyes.

[Parasite]

[Plant an egg of your parasite within the body of others. After 30 days that egg will hatch. When taken into your body your parasite will consume it, implanting a copy of former hosts' talents and skills.]

[Parasite cannot copy talents or skills higher than it's own rank.]

[Current Rank: F-Rank][Parasites Until Evolution: 5]

I tried my best not to show my reaction to others but I had immediately realized what my talent could do. Not only could it get stronger, raising in rank, but it could copy other's talents.

'Everyone thinks I have only an F-Rank talent... Imagine what they will feel when they see me showing insane power.'

I listened closely for the rest of the talents but none of them were very important. However with the extremely long time it took for my eggs to hatch I needed to plant them as soon as possible. I looked around and saw one of my classmates named Michael.

He had the [Improved Senses] talent. It was just a solid talent that simply improved all five of your senses by a moderate amount. It was a basic Talent but because of that it was just nice to have. I walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

[Contact with potential host. Would you like to plant an egg?]

'Yes.'

Immediately I felt something incredibly small break through my skin and into his shoulder.

"Ow."

"Ow!"

I raised my hand off his shoulder and noticed a small drop of blood. Trying to play it cool I turned to Michael and looked wronged.

"What the hell was on your shoulder? Something sharp poked my hand."

"Man, I don't know? I was fine until you got here.. What are you even doing touching me?"

I put my hands up innocently.

"Hey I was just trying to console a fellow F-Rank Talent, but if you don't want it I'll leave you alone."

"Pfft. Your talent is probably worse than mine. At least I can do something with my Talent."

Annoyed but maintaining the smile on my face I backed off. I left him alone and checked the messages I got.

[Parasite 1 has successfully planted.]

[30 Days until egg hatches.]

I smiled as I listened to the teacher gather us back onto the bus. We headed back to the school and were told we would have another month before our final exam to graduate. Those who scored highly could catch the attention of large guilds.

Guilds were much like large mercenary groups, who would take missions from either private organizations or the government, and their work mainly involved subjugating monsters.

The other line of work for those who wanted to gain skills and fight were the Honor Corps. They worked for the government and hunted down criminals and also dealt with monster subjugation.

Since I was planning to be a normal person and work a normal job, I now had the opportunity to change my future.

'A month... The parasite will hatch by then and I'll have a decent chance to get a good grade. The only problem is that I have no money for magic items or skill books. My only choice is to go hunting as much as I can to try and get lucky with a skill book.'

I left the school in a hurry and made my way home to change. My school uniform would draw too much attention.

I hopped off the bus at the stop closest to my apartment and jogged home. I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited. I felt like I finally had something to work towards.

A life where I could make a lot of money and live peacefully.

I stepped into my dilapidated apartment building, walking past the flickering lights and moldy spots on the ceiling until I got to my apartment. Unfortunately the inside of my apartment was the same as the lobby and the stairs.

There were spots of water damage in the corners of different rooms, lights that either flickered or straight up didn't turn on, and finally white mold on the ceiling of my bathroom.

Ignoring the sad state of my apartment I grabbed a hoodie and some track pants. I changed quickly before grabbing a baseball cap and putting it on my head. I tucked my long black hair back and held it out of my eyes using the cap.

I knew how dangerous having my hair blocking my vision could be but I didn't have any hair ties. This cap was the best I could do for now. Finished with that I slipped on my beat up sneakers and headed to the bus station again.

'These shoes are tight... I need to get a good pair of shoes when I can. I guess it's been a while since I actually trained.'

As I sat on the bus my leg bounced from the anxiety and I bit my nails as we neared the dungeon I planned to go to today.

The Grey Wolves' Den. A dungeon with F-Rank monster that anyone who was trained could kill. The monsters couldn't use mana so they were some of the easiest monsters to hunt.

However they were not very profitable. Their pelts didn't sell for much and they rarely dropped mana cores. However I was going to start there for now. The place was a popular noobie spot, so they sold basic weapons and armor. However the prices were expensive and I looked down at my phone.

[Account #XXXXXXXX9808]

[Balance: $431]

'Sigh... I'll be lucky if I can even get a usable weapon. In the end it all comes down to money.'

[Arriving at the South Gate. Next stop, SE 163rd St.]

I raised my head when I heard that it was the South Gate stop. I hopped off the bus and made my way towards the gate itself.

All around the city were large stone walls and the only reasonable way in was through the four gates. North, South, East and West Gates. Heavily guarded to prevent criminals and monsters from entering the city.

The entrance to The Wolves' Den was a 30 minute walk from the South Gate so I would have to walk the rest of the way. I showed my ID at the gate. They wrote down my name and asked me what my business was heading outside the gate.

I told them I was going to the dungeon and they all smiled before wishing me good luck. I obviously wasn't the only newly awakened that headed straight out to the dungeons to start training.

I stepped past the guard checkpoint and began making my through a densely packed forest. Monsters didn't only exist in dungeons, they also roamed outside, but with regularly scheduled hunting parties sent outside the walls the monsters no longer come near the city.

There was a forest path that I was following and along the way were other people walking towards the dungeon too. I listened to them along the way and I even saw a few people I recognized from school making their ways towards the dungeon. The people they were walking with were most likely family friends and people a few years older than them.

However I didn't have people like that in my life, instead I was going to go in alone, but that was okay too. Bigger groups offer more security but the security it provides removes the opportunity to improve yourself.

After the half an hour walk I finally arrived at the dungeon entrance. There was a small store located to the right of the building that I entered.

"Hello! Welcome to the Wolves' Den shop! Can I help you find something?"

I smiled politely and walked towards the counter where she was standing.

"I was wondering what kind of spears you have for sale? The... The cheaper ones please."

Smiling with understanding the clerk reached behind her and pulled an assortment of spears down onto the counter top.

"I have three spears I think you can consider. The first one is a long spear for $500. It is a well balanced spear that is heavy and durable."

I shook my head and she went to the one in the middle.

"This is a trident, so not exactly a spear but it shares a similar fighting style. It's made of wood with an iron tip. It's $300."

I was tempted but I asked to see the last one just in case.

"The last one is a short spear. They were a lot less popular because they do not provide the ability to keep your distance as much as conventional spears and they are not the best for close range contests of strengths either... But if you buy this I could throw in a piece of leather equipment. How does that sound? I really need to get rid of this thing."

"Deal!"

I immediately accepted the deal for the short spear. If I could get a piece of armor as well as a weapon that was more than I could possibly have asked for with the amount of money I had.

"Okay, let's go with the spear and... How about a chest piece? The wolves' claws are always underestimated and a lot of people manage to avoid bites while still coming out with claw wounds on their sides. How about $450 for both?"

I happily payed using my phone. I was not going to even try to barter. Leather chest pieces were usually over $200, and the spear was iron all the way through. It was durable although awkward to use, so as long as I practiced it would be fine.

After the transaction went through I thanked the clerk and headed to the entrance of the dungeon. Since I was not in a party using the system once I took a step through that portal I would be in the dungeon by myself. 

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and steeled my nerves.

I then let out that long held breath before taking the decisive step forwards. The step that would be the first to change my life.