by Noam Oswin
Common Mosquito Larva
Level 1
Often found in still waters, the being that would later grow to become a blood-sucking insect was something both small and defenseless, on the surface of the shallow pond, they most likely sensed me coming. They attempted to flee by dipping their heads back into the water, and I let them have the foolish notion of safety. Mosquito larva were incapable of breathing underwater for too long, so they would come up for air. Surely, they would come up, and I would be waiting.
Three seconds.
Six seconds.
I moved into position.
Eight seconds.
The creature emerged and I struck.
It was hard, latching around the larva, it was harder still, focusing and expanding my ‘mouth’ the mouth of an earthworm around the head of the larva. The hardest, perhaps most revolting part, was understanding that I had no ‘teeth’ to chew, and instead, all I could do was swallow the creature whole.
It struggled, however weakly, however vainly, but it could not succeed. It could not escape. I would not let it escape.
Seconds ticked.
The struggling stopped.
[Common Mosquito Larva x1 Killed]
Satisfaction poured through me. No, not just satisfaction, energy flowed through my body as well. I felt it burst around my skin, travel from end to end, and the skin, the skin seemed to be incapable of handling the energy.
[15 Experience Points Gained]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[HP Fully Restored]
[All Negative Status Effects have been mitigated upon level up.]
My skin molted three times, sharply and without warning, I emerged from the remnants of dead skin feeling smoother and better than I was before. Accumulated fatigue and damage vanished, along with the dull throb from where I had been bitten by the fire ant.
I felt like a new worm.
Status
Name: [Unnamed]
Race: [Lesser Annelid]
Specie(s): [Common Earthworm]
Level: 4
HP: 8/8
MP: N/A
HP Regen: 0.8/Day
MP Regen: N/A
Negative Effects: [N/A]
Positive Effects: [N/A]
Title(s): [Reincarnated] [User]
All this experience... from killing a single larva?
Perhaps it was because no one expected a worm to be a predator. No one anticipated that a worm could do anything other than eat leafs and burrow in the dirt. So, every accomplishment I did would grant me more experience than if it were done by a stronger creature, a creature that was expected to be capable of performing such feats. This meant...
My growth rate would be higher.
Hah.
If I had lips, I knew they would be so wide it would hurt.
Lacking lips however, I instead settled for displaying my satisfaction to the world in a far more entertaining way. I turned my ‘head’ in the direction of the shallow puddle where I could sense the vibrations of at least a dozen other tiny creatures.
Poor, poor, pitiful larvae....
The hunt began.
[Common Mosquito Larva x3 Killed]
[Common Mosquito Larva x3 Killed]
[Common Mosquito Larva x4 Killed]
[You have attained the Title: [Gorger] from overeating past your body’s limits]
[You have attained the title: [Larvae Slayer] from constant decimation of a specific enemy.]
[140 Experience Points Gained]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have gained a level]
[You have attained the Maximum Level (10) for your current species]
[You have unlocked the suitable conditions for evolution.]
[Would you like to Evolve?]
[Yes]
[No]
Yes! The thrums of success were ever sweet.
[As this is your first evolution, you are granted the privilege of choosing what you evolve into. All further evolutions will be based on your actions, endeavors, achievements and other hidden criteria.]
I could only choose what I became, once? If such was the case, I needed to make this one choice count.
You can evolve into:
[Large Earthworm]
[Small Predator Earthworm]
That... that was it? I would still remain as an earthworm?! How – how could –
No. No – I would not be deterred. This – this was just the first step. There were still significant many more evolutions to come. Clearly, I would not be able to emerge from being a common earthworm into suddenly becoming something else entirely. It did not stop the sting from the realization that I would remain a worm for far longer than I was comfortable with, but I took it in stride. I would not give Oblivion any satisfaction in witnessing my despair.
Instead, I checked the information on my evolutions. Attempting to see if I could find something on either of them.
[Large Earthworm]
The Large Earthworm is three times larger than the common earthworm. With greater size comes a greater sense of hunger and a reduction in its overall mobility. However, it makes up for its slowness by being capable of healing from harm faster than the common earthworm.
[Small Predator Earthworm]
The Small Predator Earthworm is a type of earthworm that has adapted to consuming larvae and insect eggs. It is slightly sturdier than a normal earthworm, and can survive in aquatic environments.
The decision on the evolutionary path I would follow was not agonizing. One was big and slow, and the other was small and predatory. Admittedly, the ability to heal from harm faster was indeed useful, but it came with the mindset that you expected to get harmed and thus, could lead to me become complacent in that aspect.
[You have selected Small Predator Earthworm]
[Is this correct?]
[Yes]
[No]
There was no room for second thoughts.
[Selection Confirmed]
[Calibrating...]
[Installing Title Effects...]
Title effects?
[You consumed: x11 Mosquito Larvae as a Common Earthworm]
[Due to the title {User} you can attain the cumulative skills of these creatures as you evolve.]
[Do you wish to install the skills of the creatures you have consumed?]
[Yes]
[No]
The abilities of mosquito larvae? Creatures weak enough that even I, as a meagre earthworm was capable of consuming? What potential skills could they possess that would be of any use to me?
I nearly, nearly refused the offer. However... I knew, that there was truly nothing in this world that possessed absolutely no value. Even a human who was absolute garbage could still be useful as a guinea pig or a moral lesson.
[You have chosen to install the skills.]
[Evolution Commencing]
The closest equivalent of going to sleep as a worm that I could compare to human, was to being wrapped in a latex bag in a soundless room and submerged into water. Considering I was inside of a puddle, it was not entirely a wrong comparison. My perception of the world through vibrations muted, softly, vanishing, as I found myself sinking deeper into the depths of the murky waters.
Interlude I
Juma
“This is the stupidest idea you’ve ever had.”
“It’s my dream.”
“To die a dog’s death?”
“I won’t die.”
“You’re not the first one to think that, Juma.”
Juma’s hand balled into a fist. He turned away from his friend, his gaze instead settling on the bustling movements of the city. Even without trying, he could pick out the Prominents from the crowd. Their feet, were the ones that never
fully touched the earth, gliding and hovering instead, their gazes ever-forward and their paces being far too quick for most to match. Yet, they paled in comparison to the Eminents, not that Juma had ever seen one.
“Juma!” his friend hissed. “Don’t stare.”
“I wasn’t –”
“You looked like you were –”
“I wasn’t.”
“If they caught you staring––”
“I said I wasn’t!” snapped Juma. “Drop it Kuri!”
Kuri did not speak. His friend’s gaze still remained on him, Juma could feel it. He always knew when Kuri was looking at him. He always knew when someone was looking at him. At times he believed this to be a Flair – but he doubted it. The Flair to know when someone was looking at you would not be of much value to Alhamis. There was one way, however, it could be of use. Yet, he knew that this way was not one most people considered.
“Just forget about it Juma. Let’s just head back. Father Shiga is making pork stew, and if we get back early, we might be able to avoid getting just the bones this time. ”
“I’m not hungry.”
Kuri frowned. “Don’t be stupid.”
“I hate it when you use that word.”
“I hate it when you do or say things that make me use that word.”
“Like telling you about my dream?” Juma turned around on his friend.
“If the dream is stupid – then yes.”
“You dismissed it without even giving it a second thought!”
“Yes! Because I want to live, and I thought you did too. But that –” He pointed straight ahead. “That isn’t living.”
Juma slapped his hand down. “Don’t point you idiot!”
It was not as though there were any need to point. The structure with the large encouraging roof. Smooth roads connecting to two massive black jagged gates, dwarfing everything around it. Fourteen men, standing in uniforms the color of murky water. Sacrosanct Rifles held stiffly to their side. They did not budge. They did not blink. They did not seem to breathe or itch. They were not as much living beings as they were decorative ornaments and trinkets; features of the landscape.
No sound ever emerged past the giant gates and accompanying walls. Seven meters high. Four meters thick. Juma remembered hearing that information from Father Goma. The most fortified place in Alhamis.
“This isn’t something you just... decide on a whim.” said Kuri. “It’s for life. And you know, you know what they do to deserters – you’ve seen it –”
The memory burned hotly in Juma’s chest. Of a man on his knees, knives and daggers and swords embedded into every joint and every crevice. Of the lightning that runs through the daggers and the man’s body seizing up, the smell of burning meat and fat lingering in the air, blending with ozone. Of the fire, and the whips, and the ‘volunteer’ sessions, where one person’s screams are dwarfed by the cheers of a thousand spectators. Then of the Clerics who heal all damages save for those imbued on the mind, as the knives are affixed anew.
“I don’t plan on deserting.”
“No one who signs up does.”
“I won’t.”
“Juma... think – come on, think – there are other options –”
“We failed the Eminency Test. We failed the Mystic Aptitude Test. We failed the Fate Latency Test. We don’t have much other options except becoming reminite miners at Warehouse 7.” The thought of doing mining for a living irked him. “If that’s what you want to do for the rest of your life – then fine. Me?”
Juma closed his eyes. “I want to drink wine.”
Juma could not help the smile on his face at Kuri’s reaction. Equal parts bewilderment, equal parts disbelief. “Wine? Are you joking? Only Eminents drink wine.”
Juma stretched. “I know.”
“The odds of becoming an Eminent from joining –”
“I know.”
“The requirements –”
“We did the research together Kuri! For the Sycophant’s sake stop treating me like an idiot.” Juma took a deep breath. “I’m going.”
“Juma –”
“Tell Niha I’m sorry I couldn’t give her a proper goodbye. And be sure to thank Father Goma for me when you get back. His stories really helped.”
The walk was the most nerve-wracking thing. In truth, Juma needed Kuri there. He needed Kuri because he knew that he would not be able to live with the teasing that his friend would heap upon him unendingly if he got cold feet halfway. If he reached a point and was unnerved and ran back, Kuri would tell Niha, and Niha would tell everyone. The tale of his cowardice would spread like wildfire across the church – and Juma didn’t want that.
The knowledge still wasn’t enough to calm his beating heart. It wasn’t enough to still the blood pumping heavily in his chest. He knew that Kuri was still looking at him, feeling the gaze of his friend on his back. He knew, once he’d crossed the defining purple line that separated the borders of the pedestrian world from those of their world... fourteen distinct eyes locked upon him.
Sweat trickled down the back of his neck as he took calm breaths and forced his hands not to fidget. His gaze pointed straight, forward, and the Statues that guarded the black gates converged on him in an instant.
There was no sign that they left their posts. There was no precursor to their sudden encirclement. One second, they were standing still, features of the landscape, and the next, they were in a perfect circle around him, gazes unerring.
“Information?” One spoke.
“Race: Alhamisian. Status: Middling. Age: 17. Name: Juma. Surname: Unknown. Origins: Orphan of West Sycophant Church. ET Score: 140/1000. MAT Score: 102/1000. FLT Classification: Stage-Three Apparent.” Two answered.
“Stage three Apparent?” Juma stopped himself, realizing that in his surprise he spoke out of turn. I was Stage One Nonent when I took the test.
“State your reason for approaching.”
The oppressive weight of the combined presences of the Fourteen almost sent him tumbling to the ground. He stilled himself. Forced himself to breathe, and with that same breathe, he spoke.
“I want to enlist in the AAA.” There. Juma thought. I said it.
“Your confirmation is required.” One spoke. “Be aware of the following: You cannot leave the gates once you have entered. You cannot leave the AAA once you have joined. Should you fail orientation and AAA drill camp, you are still not permitted to leave the AAA. You may hold no titles while within the AAA. You may have no wives or husbands, hold no land, claim no properties and bare no children while within the AAA, unless otherwise permitted. To desert the AAA is to encounter a deliberate, agonizing suffering for the rest of your existence, to which death is not a respite. To disobey the rules of the AAA is to forsake your every right. Knowing this, do you still desire to join?”
Juma felt the burden of their gazes nearly cripple him. He sensed the gaze of Kuri still locked on him. He knew, several Middlings, and even some Prominents had also paused on the street to witness the rare occurrence. There was no going back now.
“I do.”
The circle of fourteen broke apart. Moving, in uniform, they formed a straight line. Seven on the left, seven on the right.
“Confirmation registered.”
Juma’s heart throbbed in his chest.
“Welcome to the Alhamisian Adventurer Army.”
Chapter 4
Larvae
The world around me was vibrating. I could make out every single vibration and was capable of roughly determining what they were based on their shape. Beyond that, I could sense the fact that the tiny ‘puddle’ I was in was currently being besought by droplets upon droplets of water. They were slow, but recurrent enough to be notable. I ‘awoke’ feeling significantly... lighter.
[Evolution Completed.]
[Installing {User} skills...]
[Skills Installed]
[You have attained the skill {Lesser Molting Lv. 1}]
[You have {11} c
opies of this skill.]
[Copies Combined]
[{Lesser Molting Lv. 1} has become {Lesser Molting Lv. 10}]
[{Lesser Molting Lv. 10} has evolved into {Basic Molting Lv. 1}]
[You have attained the skill {Swimming Lv. 1}]
[You already possess this skill. You have additional {11} copies of this skill.]
[{Swimming Lv. 1} has become {Swimming Lv. 10}]
[{Swimming Lv. 10} has evolved into {Fast Swimming Lv. 2}]
[You have attained the skill {Lesser Metamorphosis Lv. 1}]
[You have {11} copies of this skill.]
[{Lesser Metamorphosis Lv. 1} has become {Lesser Metamorphosis Lv. 10}]
[{Lesser Metamorphosis Lv. 10} has evolved into {Insectoid Metamorphosis Lv. 1}]
[You have attained the skill {Minor Diapause Lv. 1}]
[You have {11} copies of this skill.]
[{Minor Diapause Lv. 1} has become {Minor Diapause Lv. 10}]
[{Minor Diapause Lv. 10} has evolved into {Diapause Lv. 1}]
The veritable storm of information rushed through my ‘vision’ through the translucent screen. Disbelief, I believe, was the primary sensation that ran through me. I could not, had not believed that skills attained from mosquito larvae would possess any merit, but it seemed I had been proven wrong.
I wished I possessed eyes capable of seeing my reflection, in which I would be able to see the aesthetic changes that came with my evolution. Unfortunately I did not, and I could only make out the basic changes to my form in minor ways. I did feel smaller, however, I also did not feel as constrained nor as slow as I had been prior.
Status.
Status
Name: [Unnamed]
Race: [Mutated Annelid]
Specie(s): [Small Predator Earthworm]
Level: 1
HP: 10/10
MP: N/A
HP Regen: 8/Day
MP Regen: N/A
Negative Effects: [N/A]
Positive Effects: [N/A]
Title(s): [Reincarnated] [User] [Gorger] [Larvae Slayer]
8HP regenerated per day? This was phenomenal compared to the meagre amount of 0.5HP per day I possessed earlier. This meant... every twenty-four hours, I would be back to nearly-full health. This – this was invaluable.