The faint glow of the wounded prey still flickered in my mind's eye as I weaved through the underbrush, my paws treading softly against the earth. The scent of blood grew stronger, iron-rich, and calling to me, beckoning me to gorge. A low, pained grunt reached my ears, followed by the faint shuffle of movement. My heart quickened as I crept closer, my curiosity pulling me as much asmy instincts, the shadows around me providing just enough cover to mask my approach.
There it was, a massive elk lay sprawled on its side in a small clearing, its chest rising and falling in shallow, labored breaths. Blood matted its fur, pooling around it in dark puddles. The shaft of an arrow jutted out of its neck, embedded and oozing with each exhale. Its eyes were dull and glazed, staring blankly ahead, death lingering just out of reach. This creature knew it was going to die, and it had accepted its fate.
I crouched low in the shadows, my tail twitched with anticipation. A beast this size would have been amazing to dominate, but in this condition, it would be deadly shortly. However, it wasn't dead, it was still alive, I bet I could last hit the thing and claim a boatload of XP. That would be a prize worth the effort. The experience alone would be delicious, not to mention the meal it would provide.
But the arrow made me hesitate. I wasn't sure what races lived in this world, but in my world, humans reigned supreme. If a hunter had taken down this elk, it would likely be tracking it, and I wasn't sure how far away it would be. Thankfully, my questions were answered shortly.
The faint crunch of boots on the forest floor approached our location, coming from the direction of blood spatters the elk had left in its retreat. My ears swiveled instinctively, catching the measured pace of someone heavily focused on their task. A figure emerged from the tree line, a young man, perhaps 17, though he could be 18 or 19, his face still round with the remnants of youth but hardened from a life of manual labor and survival. He appeared quite strong, but a bit lean; he was probably really banking on getting this meat and certainly looked like he needed the kill. He was dressed in simple hunting leathers and carrying a modest bow slung across his back. A hunting knife glinted at his hip, his hand hovering over it as he surveyed the area.
The boy stopped a few paces from the elk, his gaze hardening as he took in the sight before him. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of regret and determination. He knelt beside the great beast, running a hand over its blood-matted fur. The elk didn't flinch, and didn't try to move. It simply lay there, its breaths growing fainter with each passing second.
"I'm sorry," the boy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He drew his knife, the blade catching the faint light, and placed it against the elk's neck. "Thank you for your sacrifice."
In one swift motion, he slit the elk's throat.
The beast's body jerked once, a final shudder, before going still. Blood poured freely from the wound, soaking the earth beneath it. The boy bowed his head, muttering something under his breath, some kind of prayer, perhaps, before beginning the grim work of dressing the carcass.
I stayed perfectly still, my body pressed low to the ground. The midday light made my shadow step less effective, but in the dense undergrowth, I was still nearly invisible. My mind raced as I watched him work, the methodical way he stripped away the elk's hide and gutted it with practiced efficiency. He was young, inexperienced by the looks of him, but he wasn't weak.
I bet I could take him. His knife was a problem, but I could be on him before he knew there was danger.
I wasn't sure where that thought came from, but it sank its claws into my mind and wouldn't let go. A human, an actual human, was right in front of me. That meant humans at least existed on the planet, whether they were a significant presence was still to be said. My mind drifted, no it was pulled back toward the thought of slaughter. The experience alone would be monumental, but the possibilities...
If I could subdue him without killing him, if I could dominate his body and take it as my own...
My claws flexed instinctively, scraping against the dirt. I imagined the boy's wide-eyed terror as I lunged from the shadows, the way his limbs would flail before I pinned him down. Could I do it? Was it worth the risk? Humans were stronger than animals, their Willpower far greater than any beast I'd encountered. But with Neural Suppression Toxin and my current stats, I might have a chance.
My gaze flicked to the boy again as he wiped his blade clean on the elk's hide. He was focused, oblivious to the predator lurking mere feet away.
I could do it now. A quick strike, claws to his back, maybe sink my teeth into his shoulder, snap his arm or leg, anything to help disable him while the real me left this body to enter his. He wouldn't stand a chance.
But hesitation crept in. If I failed, if he managed to fight me off... Humans sometimes didn't hunt alone. Where there was one, there could be others. Even shaking aside that thought, if it killed my host there was no telling that he would bring my body back with him. I could be left out in the woods for the vultures while he took the real prize back. It's possible he would return to collect my pelt, but I could be out here for a day or more if he didn't return fast, increasing the odds that a stupid bird would consume me. Could I afford to gamble my progress on this one boy?
I crouched low, my body tense, muscles coiled like springs. The human boy remained oblivious, humming a faint tune under his breath as he worked. He'd made quick progress, peeling back the elk's hide with steady hands and setting the organs aside. He was certainly better than me at this, as a lynx or a human honestly. The knife gleamed in his hands and I wanted to back off, but something drove me forward.
It's now or never… I exhaled slowly, focusing on the rhythm of his movements. I wasn't sure if this would work, but part of me wanted to try it. I prepared Neural Suppression Toxin, wondering how it might work from the fangs of a host. My claws itched with anticipation, as his soft murmurs filled the clearing, still oblivious. The light dappled his shoulders, the shadows flickering as he leaned forward.
NOW!
I launched myself from the shadows, a blur of sleek fur and sharp claws. The world narrowed to the human's broad back, the vulnerable flesh of his shoulder exposed as he bent over the elk. My leap carried me silently through the air until–
CRASH.
My claws raked across his leather vest, tearing into the fabric but missing his skin and sending me tumbling over him.
[Damage Dealt: 5 Points of Damage. Neural Suppression Toxin Activated: 1/5 stacks applied.]
[Mana: 38/42]
It worked! It actually worked! Oh my god, this was amazing! I had to keep applying stacks to him, I had to knock him down and keep working down his defenses.
The boy yelped, stumbling forward and spinning around with wide eyes. His knife flashed in his hand, clutched tightly as he darted about trying to find the attacker. I had sailed too far when he leaned down and he still thought I was at his back, but I scrambled to my feet, stirring up brush and twigs, causing him to meet my gaze as he flicked over to bring his attention to all the noise.
"What the—" His voice cracked with fear as he caught sight of me. His gaze darted to the elk, then back to me, realization dawning on his face.
A predator. A lynx. His elk. Food.
He didn't run. Instead, he crouched low, his knife raised defensively. "Stay back," he growled, his voice trembling but firm. "I'll kill you if I have to."
Brave human, you don't have what it takes to stop me! I wasn't able to say that though, instead I let out a feral hiss and returned to my task.
I circled him, my body low to the ground, tail lashing with irritation. My first strike had failed, but that didn't mean I was out of options. My mind raced, calculating. If I could distract him, make him falter for just a moment, I'd have an opening.
I lunged again, aiming low this time, my teeth flashing toward his leg. He slashed at me, but my enhanced dexterity made me faster. I twisted mid-leap, avoiding the blade, and sank my teeth into his calf, trying to limb him a bit, making it harder to escape.
[Damage Dealt: 8 Points of Damage. Neural Suppression Toxin Activated: 2/5 stacks applied.]
[Mana: 32/42]
The boy cried out, kicking wildly as he tried to dislodge me. I released him, retreating a few paces as he staggered, his movements already slowing. His eyes darted around the clearing, panic setting in as the toxin began to take hold.
"What... what did you...?" His words slurred, his stance faltering. He tried to steady himself, but his limbs betrayed him, trembling under the weight of my toxin.
Good, I need to keep wearing him down if I want to get anywhere.
He swung his knife wildly, his strikes clumsy and uncoordinated. I was unsure if this was due to his inexperience, or the panic mixed with the toxin flowing freely through his bloodstream. I darted in and out, claws flashing as I landed glancing blows, each one chipping away at his resolve.
[Damage Dealt: 4 Points. Neural Suppression Toxin Applied: 3/5 Stacks.]
[Mana: 24/42]
Finally, he dropped to one knee, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His knife fell from his hand, clattering to the ground as he clutched at his chest. "No... not like this," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
I paused, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched him crumble. This was it. The moment of truth. I could finish him off, snap his neck, or pin him and make the leap into his mind. My body quivered with anticipation.
I took a step closer, my shadow falling over his prone form. His glazed eyes met mine, a flicker of defiance still burning in their depths.
"Please," he rasped, his voice breaking. "Don't..."
I took his shoulder in my mouth and thrashed wildly as I bit down.
[Damage Dealt: 15 Points of Damage. Neural Suppression Toxin Activated: 4/5 stacks applied.]
[Mana: 14/42]
Decide, Lucian, there's no going back after this. Look at him, you really fucked this kid up, but he isn't going to die, not if you take him over and provide him with aid. This is it, you've finally reached the pinnacle of evolution, you can be a human again, and not a bad-looking one. You could really turn this kid into a man, you can fill him out, go out into the world, and start living for once.
[Neural Suppression Toxin Activated: 5/5 Stacks. Mana: 2/42.
I still had to make it to the brain, but for the first time, I was able to cast all my stacks of Neural Suppression Toxin, and boy did it feel good.
[Host Bond Leveled up to 3 from 2.]
I stared down at the crumpled human, knowing what I had to do next. That's when I returned back to my real form and gazed around as I was surrounded by brain matter. I began to tear free from the tendrils that leeched into the mind of the lynx. As I was finally loose, the lynx collapsed down lifeless on the hunter, pinning him to the earth and I moved to escape the predator as quickly as I could.
I tore through the head, dashing with all of my might to escape. I pried through the nostrils and gazed down at the human who was fading in and out of consciousness. I sprung from the lynx to the human and shoved my way into his nose, pushing past all the snot,and reaching the thin barrier that kept me from the brain. I pushed onward and entered his brain. His body was going nuts, signals blasting from his mind to his body to keep him alive. I ignored this and squirmed over to the standard entry point and dug down.
Munch!
[Experience Gained: 100 XP.]
[Bonus Experience Gained: 100 XP.]
Good god, this might be worth just munching down and hoping for the next creature to come by. I could get insane amounts of XP just working through the body over the next couple of days. I'd probably rise a dozen levels, but I would give up the chance at being human again. I decided the levels weren't worth it, I needed to take this body.
I made it deep enough and extended my tendrils, trying to take over the body. The speed at which I made it to the brain passed over the notifications as to how close I was to the brain. There was still another notification I was familiar with that blared at me.
[Neural Integration Progress: 10%.]
It's fine, I'm inside now, I can do this, It's just like any other creature.
[Neural Integration Progress: 30%.]
The toxin is in effect, I just have to be patient and confident that this will work out.
[Neural Integration Progress: 50%.]
The boy's resistance ebbed, his thoughts growing faint as my presence expanded within him. My tendrils latched further into the brain's key centers, intertwining with the neural tissue and overriding the remaining defenses.
[Neural Integration Progress: 70%.
I paused, my mana had begun to regenerate as the final stage loomed, but I wasn't relying on it so much anymore. I felt the boy's body slump to the ground, completely subdued. The fear and anger in his mind faded, replaced by a dull, resigned acceptance.
[Neural Integration Progress: 90%.
"Almost there."
[Neural Suppression Toxin Activated: 5/5 Stacks. Mana: 16/42. Neural Integration Progress: 100%.]
[Host Fully Subjugated.]
[XP Awarded For Subjugating Humanoid Predator: 2,000 XP]
[Bonus Experience Gained: 2,000 XP]
[Total XP: 6,692/3,200]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 9!]
[Total XP: 6,692/6,400]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 10!]
I felt a moment of triumph as the boy's mind gave way, his body now an extension of my will. For the first time, I was in control of a human. The sensations were overwhelming, the strength of the boy's muscles, the dexterity of his fingers, the vivid clarity of human sight.
I blinked, raising my new hands to inspect them. Calloused palms, steady fingers, and the faint scent of leather clinging to my skin. A grin stretched across my face as I was unable to contain my excitement.
"I did it. I'm human again… sort of."
The boy's memories were faint, and disorganized, but I could piece together fragments: the feel of the forest, the pride of a successful hunt, and a nagging fear of something lurking in the woods.
"Let's see what you knew, kid."
I rose to my feet, steadying myself. The elk carcass lay at my feet, untouched since the struggle. I glanced at the knife nearby, picking it up and running my thumb along the blade.
"I'm going to enjoy this."