(A Compendium of Knowledge on the World of Essence of Parasite)
[This volume serves as a comprehensive guide to the world of Essence of Parasite. While this information is gradually revealed in the main story, it is compiled here for ease of access. Some details may contain minor spoilers.]
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1. General Information
❖ The Parasites
The parasites are ancient, mysterious entities that invade the human body through the nose, seeking to merge with the heart. Once fully connected, they extend into the lungs and trachea, absorbing nature essence, a pure energy required for their survival.
Each parasite can convert absorbed nature essence into a specific element, such as fire, water, lightning, or darkness. These elements determine the host's abilities, granting them powerful transformations.
Parasites do not possess intelligence but act on instinct, seeking hosts capable of surviving the merging process. If a host is too weak, they either die or become a Hollowed, mindless beasts that hunger for essence.
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❖ The Hosts
Humans who successfully merge with parasites are known as Essence Users. These individuals gain supernatural abilities based on the parasite's element. However, the merging process is not without risk—those who fail become Hollowed.
Only those with exceptional physical and mental strength can endure a complete fusion. The stronger the host, the stronger the bond with the parasite, allowing them to harness greater power.
Nobles, individuals born with superior bloodlines, are naturally more compatible with parasites. They can merge faster and wield greater power, making them leaders in the fight against the Hollowed.
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❖ The Hollowed
When a human fails to fully merge with a parasite, they lose their mind and become Hollowed. These creatures resemble monstrous beasts with grotesque, mutated features. They retain fragments of their former selves but are ruled by primal instincts.
Hollowed seek to devour essence from living beings, particularly humans. Over time, some develop low intelligence, allowing them to form packs or follow an Alpha, the strongest among them.
Unlike Essence Users, Hollowed cannot store nature essence within their bodies. Instead, they must consume essence constantly to survive.
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❖ The Devourers
Not only humans can merge with parasites. When animals fuse with these entities, they become Devourers, monstrous creatures fully controlled by the parasite. Unlike human hosts, animals have no willpower to resist, making the parasite the dominant force.
Devourers act as natural predators in this world, hunting both humans and Hollowed to sustain themselves. They are often seen as weapons of destruction, used by those who seek chaos.
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2. Essence and Power System
❖ Nature Essence
The purest form of energy in the world. Parasites require it to survive, and only through merging with a host can they efficiently absorb and convert it into elemental power.
Humans cannot directly use nature essence. They must rely on parasites to process it and grant them abilities.
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❖ Essence Absorption
When a Hollowed or Devourer is slain, their heart transforms into soul essence, a condensed form of power. Essence Users can absorb this energy to strengthen their parasite bond and increase their abilities.
However, overuse can lead to instability, making the host vulnerable to losing control and turning into a Hollowed themselves.
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❖ Soulbound: The Path of No Return
Some individuals, in desperation for power, sell their soul to their parasite. These Essence Users gain tremendous strength but at a terrible cost:
They lose control over their emotions.
Every use of their abilities feeds their parasite with memories and emotions, erasing their sense of self.
If they continue down this path, they become permanent Hollowed, with no chance of recovery.
Soulbound warriors are feared for their power but pitied for their fate.
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3. Hierarchy and Society
❖ The Nobles
Nobles are humans with stronger bloodlines, making them naturally superior hosts for parasites. They merge faster and wield immense power, giving them control over armies and cities.
While some nobles serve as protectors of humanity, others abuse their power, seeing commoners as expendable. This division creates tension between those who fight for survival and those who seek dominance.
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❖ The Knights and Commanders
Knights are trained warriors who merge with parasites to fight against the Hollowed. Commanders, more experienced and powerful, lead entire battalions in battle.
Their primary duty is to hunt Hollowed, protect cities, and prevent parasite outbreaks.
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❖ The Essence Cultivators
Individuals who dedicate themselves to cultivating their bond with their parasite, seeking to reach higher levels of power. This path requires intense training, meditation, and battle experience.
The cultivation process follows six major stages, with five sub-levels in each:
1. Awakened – The first connection with the parasite. Weak and unstable.
2. Bonded – A stable link, allowing elemental abilities to manifest.
3. Evolved – The parasite and host achieve harmony, unlocking powerful transformations.
4. Ascended – The host becomes an extension of their element, wielding it effortlessly.
5. Sovereign – Near-complete fusion, granting godlike elemental control.
6. Transcendent – A being of pure elemental essence, but at risk of losing humanity.
♧Each level has some skills you can know about it while reading this novel.
Nobles often reach higher levels faster than commoners due to their natural compatibility.
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4. The Dark Threat: Dominus
❖ The Lord of Destruction
In the shadows, an ancient parasite known as Dominus seeks to summon a greater evil into the world. This parasite embodies power, control, and absolute dominance, but with a cruel irony—it ultimately robs its host of control.
Those who merge with Dominus become its puppets, consumed by an insatiable hunger for destruction. The parasite does not grant power—it takes it and uses its host as a vessel.
The rise of Dominus marks the beginning of a nightmare unlike any before.
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Final Words
This is the world of Essence of Parasite. A world where humans fight to survive, where parasites hold both salvation and damnation, and where the strongest thrive while the weak perish.
But power comes with a price.
Will you rise above it?
Or will you become another Hollowed, lost to the parasite's hunger?