Chapter 6: The Human-Faced Rat
After Wang Lesheng's Mind Demon devoured him, its head mutated into a human face. Lu Li, observing this transformation, ceased the shifting shadows. Rats don't rely on vision for navigation; otherwise, the phrase "blind as a rat" wouldn't exist.
The rat spoke, "Hey, human, how about I share some modules with you, and we part ways?" [TL: A talking mouse]
"Hmm? You've already inherited your master's intelligence?" Lu Li, frequenting forums, knew some things about the Mind Demon class.
Mind Demons often stemmed from a part of the player's inner thoughts. This could be their fears, memories, or even fantasies. Someone once suggested that the Mind Demon class essentially involves the mutation of part of the player's psyche. This theory had garnered substantial support.
Typically, a Mind Demon's abilities couldn't harm its master since they were part of the player's own inner composition. However, if the Mind Demon's power could manipulate external entities, that was a different matter.
As a player's will weakened, the Mind Demon could reverse roles, applying its abilities to its master. Should the Mind Demon succeed in taking over, it would acquire all of the player's attributes, including memory and intelligence, albeit in a more ruthless form.
Crucially, a Mind Demon that overthrew its master would also be recognized as a legitimate player by the game, able to continue playing. Such Mind Demons had a common weakness: their original master.
Even after taking over, they were fundamentally tied to their master's psyche. If the original master perished, the Mind Demon, like rootless water, would gradually fade and lose its player status. Hence, the rat had swiftly absorbed Wang Lesheng.
"In a way, I am his true master," the rat said with a cunning grin. "I am the embodiment of most of his desires. He never escaped his desires' control, so I am his rightful master."
"Interesting perspective. So, you propose giving me a portion of the rewards to spare you?" Lu Li said, unfazed. "But I currently hold the advantage. Killing you would also yield substantial gains. Sparing you could make an enemy out of you. What reason do you have to convince me otherwise?"
"No, no, no," the rat shook its head, "it seems you haven't experienced as many games as my former servant."
"Killing players can yield modules when the skill slot shatters, but this is inadvisable," the rat explained. "Do you know how the game shop refreshes its modules?"
"Ah, I see," Lu Li realized. "When a player dies, their skill slots collapse, and all modules return to the game itself, entering the game shop as inventory. So, stealing modules from a dead player is akin to competing with the game itself."
"Exactly," the rat confirmed. "It may seem profitable, but the game masters will undoubtedly mark you down. Your future dungeons will become increasingly difficult, with frequent anomalies."
Lu Li recalled his last mission with Hu Wenxu, Gao Xiaowen, and Xu Haoran. They had likely engaged in such reckless behavior, resulting in that bizarre and challenging instance. But why was he, a newcomer, placed in such a death group? Was it due to excessive gains in the trial dungeon or other unknown factors? He pondered, then listened as the rat continued.
"Moreover, I'm not like my previous servant who was easily intimidated. While you currently have the upper hand, I will fight back fiercely. You might be able to kill me, but you will suffer considerable damage, wasting game points on healing."
"As for becoming your enemy, there's no need to worry. I am composed of Wang Lesheng's primary desires, mainly greed. I value benefits and am willing to befriend a strong player like you, so I won't hold a grudge."
"So, one, attacking me would offend the game officials. Two, my desperate counterattack would injure you. And three, I am willing to give up some modules for peace. Why not?" The rat concluded, making its case persuasively. Lu Li nodded thoughtfully.
However, Lu Li raised a question, "If that's the case, sparing you isn't out of the question. But I have another question. As Wang Lesheng's Mind Demon, you should know what he knows. Why do you seem to know more than him?"
"..." The rat hesitated before sighing. "Fine, it's not a big secret. I'll tell you, but keep it to yourself."
"You're aware of the forum theory that the Mind Demon class is a variant of the Mutation class," the rat began. "That theory is only partially correct, or rather, incomplete."
"Why is the Mind Demon class rated with the highest potential, followed by Mutation, and then Implant?" The rat shifted the topic to class potential rankings. "Implant users embed demon or ghost entities within themselves, extracting power directly. Their strength develops quickly but is limited by the implant."
"Mutation class users entirely alter themselves. While this offers good potential, humans, even mutated ones, have limited potential unless the mutation options are exceptional."
"Only the Mind Demon class combines both Mutation and Implant classes. It mutates part of the inner self and incorporates external elements. These could be traits of demons, ghosts, or even other extraordinary entities. This combination gives Mind Demons immense potential. Whether the original master subdues the Mind Demon or vice versa, both have the potential for extraordinary growth."
"I was created from Wang Lesheng's desires combined with traits from a creature called the Human-Faced Rat. This rat is a non-natural magical entity born from the deaths of certain cultists. When Wang extracted its traits, some information was incorporated into me, including details about this game. I suspect that cultist was a player."
"Ah, so that's how it is," Lu Li nodded, his gaze returning to the Human-Faced Rat.