“Good morning!”

Evelyn was wont to wake up at dawn, but, to her surprise, Arthur was wide awake and ready to leave. He put his favorite History book ‘Chronicles of Lost Eras’ on the table and stood up.

“Each of us will do their own thing. As an unsocial individual, you’ll have trouble but...do try to be patient with the villagers and possibly befriend them.”

With that said, he unceremoniously waved his hand and left the inn room. Evelyn, who was still not used to sleeping in the same room as other people, inwardly grumbled and swiftly readied herself as well, though she wasn’t uncertain about how to proceed.

***

The first place Arthur headed to was the Tavern of the Gods. There, by paying a meager 50 Blakin Coppers, he was provided with a full breakfast meal, one which gobbled up in a matter of minutes.

Then, instead of leaving, he approached one of the few customers in the hub and sat down.

“Hello, my friends!”

His sudden arrival startled the two men but they didn’t appear annoyed. They warmly welcomed him in their midst and, within minutes, they became friends… just like that.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say yer one of them nobles!”

Gary, a middle-aged tanned self-proclaimed trader emptied his cup of milk and spoke with an unpleasantly loud and hoarse voice. However, what was worse was his breath, which stunk, but Arthur’s bore with it and kept smiling like a fool as he spoke incessantly.

He was inquisitive, but in a subtle and non-suspicious way. He first learnt their names and occupation and properly introduced himself. Then, he talked with them about random and uninteresting subjects, such as annual festivals held within the village, their boring family matters, and even indulged them with his many adventures as an avid traveler, which- of course- he invented on the spot.

“So you must’ve faced many monsters, right? I once hunted one of them Grast Frogs by meself!”

Thaman, a slim and tall man with pale skin and beady eyes, cackled and declared with a proud tone.

“Quit yer lies, ye daft sod! Yer tales are bullshit!”

Gary burped disgustingly and snapped at his friend, but Thaman insisted that it was all true. Arthur watched them bicker pointlessly and only spoke when they grew tired.

“While I am not adept at using weapons, I can use Magic. What do you say, Thaman, could I join you in your daily hunts? Idling by in the tavern could get boring fast, as you well know.”

“Magic, ye say? Of course ye could come!”

Thaman seemed pleased as he banged the table and jumped on his feet. He fixed his loose belt and continued,

“Ye’ll see how we hunters seek and hunt our food! Not even them soldiers can face us!”

“Oh? I am impressed already.” Replied Arthur with a chuckle.

Gary sat there, brooding by himself. Technically, he wasn’t a hunter but he had been on a few expeditions on rare occasions. Seeing that even the newcomer will join, he resolved himself and yelled,

“Damn ye all! I’m coming too! Lemme grab me pitchfork!”

He ran off on his own, his bulging belly swinging left and right, which made the sight all the more comical.

It did not take long for Arthur to be taken to the Northern entrance of the village. Including him, there were six people; The three from yesterday, Arthur, and the duo he just acquainted with.

Greg, the biggest of them all, was wearing poorly-made leather armor with a special sheath for an old steel sword. Apparently, he was the veteran hunter of the village and would usually lead the rest.

“Alexander! It’s good to see you respond to our offer so fast! I’m sure you’ll have fun as well.”

As before, Greg was overly-friendly and welcomed Arthur’s addition to their daily hunt group. Vanraz, the ex-soldier, was stretching and conversing with Thaman. Adam, the short but imposing man, was glaring daggers at the excited Gary, somewhat displeased that he had come.

“You’re all ready? Alright! Let’s go.”

No unnecessary words of caution were uttered, not even to Arthur. Since he had come with them, they naturally assumed he was capable of fighting and protecting himself. Moreover, Gary was a blabbermouth and already informed the rest that ‘Alexander’ could use magic.

Soon, the group of six left the village and headed into the creepy forest outside. Since the region was devoid of bushes and plants, it wasn’t difficult to see what lay ahead and around them.

Since Greg, at least, seemed the most knowledgeable of the bunch, Arthur walked alongside him and did not shy away from asking things.

“Any idea why the trees are blackened and somewhat rotten?”

This forest, so to speak, was completely barren and lacked any kind of colorful flora. Excluding the fact that it looked plain and unwelcoming, the matter regarding its condition wasn’t mentioned in the books Arthur had read.

“The trees? Ah!” Greg caressed a trees he had just passed by while sighing,

“Long ago, our Lord was enraged by the unfaithfulness of our ancestors and cast a permanent. He stole life from the earth itself and thus it became like this.”

“Your Lord?”

Greg seemed to like that Arthur was interested in their history and, most especially, their ‘Lord’.

“Our Lord is the guardian of this place. The protector of us all and an entity worthy of our faith and loyalty.”

“He is our God. One that we revere and respect since ancient times.”

With a serious expression, Arthur nodded and asked again, “Why, then, did he cast a curse?”

“Them idiots from outside attacked us and caused the wrath of our Lord!” Chirped Gary in annoyance.

“It happened forty years ago or close enough to not matter.” Clarified Greg as he sighed a second time, “I was but a babe back then yet I could hear the Lord’s mighty roar of anger. He unleashed his wrath upon the soldiers and brought to us peace… at a price, that is.”

Thaman, eager to join their conversation, appeared at Arthur’s left and said,

“You should believe and have faith in the Lord! He will grant you salvation and prosperity!”

“I don’t know…” Arthur seemed hesitant and he pondered in silence for a couple of breaths, “I was never a religious person. The concept is yet foreign to me, you see…”

“It’s alright!” Continued Thaman as he pointed at his comrade, “Vanraz too, wasn’t sure about it. He was a soldier, as you know. He was discarded by them outsiders but it was ultimately for the best! His life got much better and he lives in happiness, like all of us!”

Arthur glanced at the silent and scary-looking scarred Vanraz. The man definitely did not look that happy, nevertheless, he- yet again- chose not to voice any unnecessary remarks.

“Alexander, my friend, please offer it some consideration. You might be new to our village, but we welcome any and all. Our Lord does not discriminate.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, is the Lord actually present in the village or…?”

“Hahaha, our Lord resides in the Earth and the Heavens. He is everywhere and nowhere! An omnipotent celestial entity, who’s existence we cannot fathom. We can but pray and curry his favor.”

‘What a load of absolute bullshit.’ thought Arthur as he tried not to show an expression of mockery or disdain.

…

“Ye rotten shit! I gotchu!”

Gary dragged his fat body and slowly ran at an over-sized horned black-skinned boar. The animal was busy charging at Adam, who criss-crossed his twin swords and stopped it momentarily.

Gary failed in his attempt to stab the boar, though Greg and Thaman were successful. The former cleanly cut the huge boar’s short tail and the latter stabbed his spear into the target’s belly.

Even after suffering so much, the boar grunted and snorted as it shook its body and tried to back away. Vanraz was upon it and slashed from the side, causing it to stagger and retaliate even more fiercely.

The hunters looked expectantly at Arthur, who stood a few paces to the back and used his Magic.

A yellow barrier half its caster size appeared, it was rectangular in shape and looked sturdy enough.

Fascinated, the men witnessed the barrier shoot at the boar with an alarming speed; It crashed into it, blowing the poor animal meters away before it struck from above, pinning tightly on the ground.

Thereafter, the kill was assured as the boar had no way to resist or flee.

“Yer damn great, Alexander!”-Gary

“Indeed. It’s the first time I’ve seen Magic like that.”-Greg

They showered Arthur with praises, mainly about his Barrier Magic. However, Arthur did not use its full potential and neither did he change its basic form.

The boar was weaker than the Hollow Alligator, therefore, it was significantly easier to incapacitate it.

After hunting the boar, they continued for two more hours, in which they hunted five more boars. When asked why they were not targeting the Hollow Alligator, Greg said that the Swamp’s water was dirty and poisonous, thus it wasn’t advised to eat alligator meat.

“Today’s hunt has been extremely good. All thanks to your Magic, Alexander.”

As they returned to the village, Greg praised Arthur again and offered to give him one whole boar.

Since he couldn’t keep all the corpses to himself, Arthur naturally agreed and happily carried the slightly heavy boar in his bag.

“Join us at night! We will have fun drinking.”-Greg

“You did good.” Said Adam, the only quiet person in the group. The man rarely opened his mouth, but, from his expression, it was clear he was impressed by Arthur’s magic.

All in all, the hunting trip was fruitful and proceeded smoothly… flawlessly, even. Arthur was pleased as, instead of returning to the inn, he exited the town again.

He made sure he wasn’t seen and soon ended up back in the gloomy and eerily silent forest. With his magical bag on hand and the corpse laying next to his feet, Arthur ascertained that he wasn’t followed then proceeded to swiftly possess the two corpses.

It took him barely a minute to possess the Hollow Alligator then jump to the boar then back to Leonis’ body.

Only then did he take some time to read through the series of notifications that floated in the air.

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +12% Experience*

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +10% Experience*

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +13% Experience*

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +12% Experience*

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +14% Experience*

*You have slain ‘Dalmak Boar’: +10% Experience*

*You possessed ‘Hollow Alligator’: Nameless*

*Successful possession: +15% Experience.*

*You have gained a new skill: [Poison Resistance(Passive Lv2)]*

*You have gained a new skill: [Long Breath(Passive Lv4)]*

*You have gained a new skill: [First Attack(Passive Lv2)]*

*You have gained 30% of the Hollow Alligator’s stats.*

*You have possessed ‘Dalmak Boar: Nameless*

*Successful Possession: +15% Experience.*

*You have gained a new skill: [Cold Resistance(Passive Lv1)]

*You have gained a new skill: [Tusk Damage(Active Lv3)]

*You have gained a new skill [Magic Resistance(Passive Lv1)]

*You have gained 30% of the Dalmak Boar’s stats.*

*TITLE(S) : NONE

NAME : Arthur Bilgart

RACE : Blood Parasite

Lv: 6 (23%)

-

Strength : 139

Intelligence : 85

Agility : 99

Wisdom: 69

Vitality : 111

Dexterity : 81

Skills: Vampire Bite (Active Lv10) - Full Moon [Passive-Active] - Physical Enhancement (Passive Lv7) - Blood Succor (Active Lv7) - Mana Control (Passive Lv4) - Possession (Passive LvEX) - Universal Human Language (Passive)- Basic Arman Language(Passive)- Sadistic Torture (Active Lv5) - Corpse Dissection (Active Lv12)- Medical Field (Passive Lv4) - Knife Mastery (Passive Lv2)- Sanguis(blood) Barrier (Active Lv5)- Axe Mastery (Passive Lv3) - Woodworking (Passive Lv2)- Poison Resistance(Passive Lv2)- Long Breath(Passive Lv4)- First Attack(Passive Lv2)- Cold Resistance(Passive Lv1) - Tusk Damage(Active Lv3) - Magic Resistance(Passive Lv1)*

*[Tusk Damage(Active Lv3)]: Use your tusks to inflict damage upon a foe.*

“That’s it? That’s the explanation you give me? Tsk!”

Dissatisfied, Arthur looked at the other new skills that seemed interesting.

*[First Attack(Passive Lv2)]: Before entering Combat Mode, if the user is the first to strike, the inflicted damage (magical or physical), will be doubled.*

*[Long Breath(Passive Lv4)]: Allows the user to breathe underwater for a prolonged period of time: Lv4 : 6 hours.*

The remaining skills were self-explanatory but nonetheless a welcome surprise. However, after possessing a handful of corpses since the beginning of his new life, Arthur has come to a logical realization.

Usually, if not always, the targets of his possession have skills that they should normally have. For example, an Alligator could breathe underwater for a long time, thus did it have [Long Breath]. Furthemore, alligators generally stay hidden and wait for a target to draw near, which explains [First Attack].

Still, there might be cases where Arthur’s target of possession might have additional skills. Greg mentioned the poisoned Swamp water, so the presence of [Poison Resistance] could have been anticipated.

[Magic Resistance], however, was a welcome surprise to Arthur. Not only that, but it made him thoroughly think about the circumstances of its appearance.

After he pondered for an undetermined amount of time, he came up with a plausible theory; What if, before it is killed, a target could be influenced to obtain skills… skills that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.

At least that would explain why the Boar would have [Magic Resistance]. What if, by getting hit by Arthur’s barriers, it automatically received that skill. Although evidence led to such an assumption, Arthur, as of yet, had no way to confirm it once and for all. Nevertheless, it was worth investigating more in the future.

The concept of the System and its myriad skills was still foreign and unfamiliar to him. However, it was only by using it and his Racial Skills to his advantage that he would gain more power.

Once again, his stats increased by a decent amount but he felt no tangible difference. Arthur looked at the boar’s corpse then lifted it. It did feel heavy, but not as much as before… It was a noticeable but still small difference.

Now that he had possessed the alligator, he did not need to keep it in his magical bag anymore. It did not mean he longer had any use for it. After all, he was a parasite and an alligator was a more suitable host than the boar, despite the fact that the corpse had sustained many wounds when it was attacked by Mort and the vampiric rabbit.

Arthur carried the alligator corpse further away from the village and, with great difficulty, found a hidden spot, a perfect location to hide a body.

After confirming the absence of any beasts or monsters, he possessed the alligator and, though uncomfortable, quickly got used to the new and large body.

‘It’s time to properly check the swamps, I guess…’