29 - Rare Parasite!

Kai woke with the sunlight peeking through half-drawn blinds. Seren was still draped across the mattress like a noblewoman too comfortable to care about posture.

Her hair was a golden mess, her limbs tangled in the blanket he specifically told her to use below the bed.

He sighed, rubbed his eyes, and tiptoed out.

Manny was in his usual spot—perched on the armrest, legs crossed like a meditation master, furiously typing into Kai's old laptop. The screen blinked with code, schematics, and alien glyphs rendered through translation protocols.

Kai yawned. "Yo. How's my Gene Scanner? What did you even add this time?"

Manny didn't even look up. "See it for yourself, peasant."

"…Right. Thanks, pet."

"I'm not a pet! I am a micro-sized Heloxian genius with six patents pending!"

Kai waved him off and collapsed onto the couch. He pulled out the flat chip-like Gene Scanner, the glass display unfolding like a holographic tablet across his arm. He barely tapped the interface before the system chimed.

[DING!]

[Congratulations! You Leveled Up!]

[Congratulations! You Leveled Up!]

---

Two back-to-back pings. Kai blinked and swiped to his Core Stats.

---

▸ CORE STATS [Updated]

Host Name: Ottokai Von Seraphis

Host Level: 5 [+2]

Parasite Level: 5 [+2]

Gene Count: 3

Available Level Points: 5

Compatibility Check: [Available]

Rift Clearance: F– Rift [1/??? Completed]

Host Tier: Instinct Layer - Tier I

---

So it tracks Rift progress now too… and five level points?

Manny piped up behind him. "Remember what I said last time? Each time you level up, you get Level Points—they're currency for expanding your Parasite Evolution Tree. It saves you from needing a thousand Normalized Fragments just to unlock basic branches."

Kai scrolled down to the next section and selected Parasite Management.

---

▸ PARASITE MANAGEMENT

George 1

Rarity: E–

Mutation: [Thunder Mutation]

Level: 1

Type: Sky Parasite

George 2

Rarity: F+

Mutation: [Acid Saliva]

Level: 1

Type: Corrosive Crawler

George 3

Rarity: F–

Mutation: [Temporary Boost]

Level: 1

Type: Burst Enhancer

George 4

Rarity: F–

Mutation: [Bone Hardening]

Level: 1

Type: Exoskeletal Augmenter

---

"So I can level these guys up directly now?" Kai asked.

"Yep! Just feed 'em Normalized Fragments or apply Level Points if you want rapid evolution. I optimized the UI too—you can now preview mutation trees and toggle synergy detection with equipped gene plates."

"...You really are a genius."

Manny puffed his tiny chest. "Thank you. Finally, someone says it."

Level 5, huh? One Rift down, god knows how many more to go.

But at least now, I can plan. Build a proper mutation path and control which part of me mutates and when.

He looked at the flickering scanner again. The new UI gleamed with smooth transitions and better readability. The system looked like something from a real Devourer hub now.

Or well, his and the tiny self-proclaimed genius on the armrest.

Kai leaned back on the couch, arms behind his head as the data swirled in the air before him. The scanner interface blinked steadily—reminding him of an unused option.

---

[Parasite Count: 4/???]

[Would you like to use 10 Normalized Fragments to generate a new Mind Parasite?]

---

I've still got 22 Normalized Fragments left from the F– Rift scrap pile...

Why not? I need more variety anyway.

He tapped [Yes], and the scanner pulsed with a synthetic hum. Gene threads rotated on-screen, fusing in shifting patterns. The moment the light faded, a small, curled-up larva hovered in the center of the display.

---

George 5

Rarity: F+

Mutation: [Minor Healing]

Level: 1

Type: Support Parasite

---

Alright. A healer. Weak, but potentially life-saving. I could use this for patching up micro-damage during fights, maybe even delay gene backlash effects.

He slid another 10 Fragments into the slot.

---

[Processing Parasite Generation...]

[Congratulations! You obtained your first RARE parasite!]

[System Unlock: Rare Mutation Analyzer → Available in Parasite Management]

---

A flash of blue light, denser and sharper than the others, illuminated the scanner. The helix structure twisted like a double-layered web, unstable for a moment before it locked into form. Kai's heart skipped.

---

George 6

Rarity: D+

Mutation: [Serrated Blood Threads]

Level: 1

Type: Offensive Construct Parasite

Note: This parasite weaves serrated threads of blood into external weapons or traps. Increased instability risk.

---

His breath caught in his throat. The word RARE glowed golden in the corner of the frame.

He stood up.

Then, dropped to his knees.

"I got a rare parasite..."

"A rare one..."

"A rare one!"

Tears slid down the edge of his cheek before he could stop them. He wasn't even sure why. Maybe because it proved something. That he wasn't some half-rate Devourer playing scavenger in backwater rifts. That he could rise.

He would rise.

Manny peeked over the couch with a spoon of cereal in his hands. "Whoa. You crying?"

"I'm celebrating."

"With tears?"

"Shut up."

Kai wiped his face and stood, fists clenched, eyes gleaming.

Time to test what this thing can do. Serrated blood threads? That could be perfect for mid-range disruption—

—Or trap-based control. Maybe layer it with Bone Hardening for extra edge?

He smirked to himself.

"Alright," he whispered. "I have a plan!"

---

Kai was still wiping his face when he heard soft footsteps. Seren emerged from the hallway, rubbing her eyes and dragging the blanket behind her like some sleepy war princess.

She froze.

"You're crying?"

Kai looked up with a manic grin stretching across his face. "You're here. Perfect."

"Wha—?"

"I have a plan!"

"Why do you look like that when you say plan!?"

He stood up, clapping his hands once as if he were unveiling some glorious invention. "You will be... Experiment Number One!"

"What!?"

"Just a small test. Now—important question—do you have a parasite in you already?"

"What even is a parasite!?"

"Well, in case you do have one, I'll just slide this in—shouldn't cause too much disruption. Two's a little harder to control, but you'll manage."

"Kai!?"

"I mean, I control like... six. So, you'll be fine."

Her eyes widened. "Six!?"

"Don't worry. I have a good feeling about this."

---

They sat on the couch. Kai adjusted her posture like a doctor prepping a patient. Seren looked deeply, profoundly uncomfortable.

Kai held the translucent, still-wriggling form of George 6—his rare parasite. The thing pulsed with a blood-red glow, like veins knotted together into a mind.

George 6... this is your new home. Be a good boy. Show her what it means to hold my power.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Kai pressed the parasite to her ear.

It squirmed inside.

Seren jerked. "A-Ah! What—!?"

"Just relax. You'll feel... something."

She twitched, body spasming once, twice. Then stilled.

Her pupils sharpened. Blood began to seep from her palms. Thin red threads burst from her skin, weaving outward like razor wire forming a spiderweb. Then—snap—the blood retracted into her wrist and her hand opened up. A hole had formed, lined with flesh and pulsing like a weaponized organ.

"W-What's happening!?" she screamed, looking at the mutation. "KAI! AM I DYING!?"

Kai leaned back, hands behind his head. "Nope. That's just George 6 saying hello."

"WHO IS GEORGE 6!?"

"Your parasite."

"My what!?"

He laughed and pointed. "That thing in your blood now? That's mine. I gave it to you. It's called Serrated Blood Threads. Try thinking about forming a net or a blade."

Seren's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. "You—inserted something into my brain—without asking!?"

"You're welcome."

She growled and punched him, though her fist was still half-morphed. He blocked it casually.

So it works. Her body didn't reject it.

"Just imagine what you'll be capable of once you practice," Kai said with a smirk. "You've officially joined the club."

She looked at her hand again. The hole closed slowly, skin sealing over like time-lapse surgery.

She blinked. "…So, I'm like you now?"

Kai leaned forward. "Not yet."

"But you will be."

Seren was still staring at her hand, flexing it like it wasn't hers. The parasite's influence had faded, but she still felt something pulsing deep under her skin. She glanced at Kai, eyes wary.

"But… why do you want me to be like you?"

Kai leaned against the couch, arms crossed, gaze unfocused.

"Well, that's because I want you to enter Wolfram Institute with me."

She blinked. "That's the school, right?"

"Yeah, but it's not just a school. There are two parts to it. One's just the regular stuff—classes, papers, history, learning how to sit still without going insane. You know, human stuff."

"And the other?"

"That's where things get serious." He looked at her, his tone lowering. "The second one is where the Institute runs experiments. If you join that side, you'll be treated like a GeneDevourer. You won't write essays—you'll fight. You'll enter Rifts. You'll survive or you won't."

That's where the Midnight Band was.

She hesitated. "But… why do you want me to be a GeneDevourer?"

Kai looked away. "Because in case I can't protect you… I want you to protect yourself."

She didn't respond. Her silence stung more than a slap.

"I don't believe in my power right now," he added quietly. "I believe I'm weak."

Seren sat still. "But you fought through a Rift. You saved me. You burned an entire castle."

"It doesn't matter," he said, brushing her praise aside. "It wasn't enough. That spider, that thing—if I hadn't pulled you and Albrecht out at the same time, you both would've died. And that was just an F- rank Rift."

If one misstep meant death back there, what about the next one? What about something I can't punch through with stone fists?

"I don't want you standing behind me when it happens," he continued. "I want you fighting beside me."

Seren looked at her hand again. The parasite inside stirred, sensing her thoughts.

"…So you're going to turn me into a weapon?"

"No," Kai said. "I'm going to make sure no one else turns you into one."

And if Wolfram tries… then they'll learn what happens when you corner something that devours.

"How about… let's eat in a restaurant for once?" Kai asked.

Seren's eyes lit up. "Really? Like the ones with menus and chairs?"

"Yes, Seren. Those are called restaurants."

They both laughed and ended up sitting in a cozy corner place, tucked between a bookstore and a bank. Seren pointed at everything on the menu like it was a magical scroll. Kai just smiled, ordered for both of them, and let her talk about how Earth air "tastes different."

They were happy.

Kai took a sip of his drink and glanced at her.

I can't believe I'm ruining her… dragging her into my world, into parasites and Rifts and things she can't imagine yet.

But she was smiling. She was talking about coffee like it was a spell and poking a pancake like it might fight back.

Still. This is for the best. If our enemies are strong… if it ever comes down to it… I could make her run while I stall them. At least then, one of us makes it out.

After the meal, they wandered again—shops, alleys, neon signs that blinked like city stars. Seren pressed her face to every storefront glass and asked about things she didn't recognize. It reminded Kai how normal the world could feel if you forgot what waited on the other side of a Rift.

And finally, they boarded a train.

The window beside Seren blurred with the countryside, city lights fading behind into forest.

She leaned forward, eyes wide. "Where are we going now?"

Kai leaned back in his seat, arms folded.

"To the Wolfram Institute," he said.

Seren blinked. "Is that far?"

He looked out the window. "Far enough."