Chapter 19: The Temptation of Survival
1. Examining the Remains
The early morning light crept into the ruins, illuminating the twisted remains of the Plains Sentinels. The shattered armor lay in heaps, with their pulsating cores still faintly glowing. Alex crouched beside one of the broken chestplates, inspecting the parasite's writhing mass with a mix of curiosity and revulsion.
"It's still alive," Alex muttered.
The parasite's tendrils twitched, oozing a dark, viscous liquid that glistened faintly with mana. Its purple glow pulsed weakly, like the last embers of a dying fire.
"You're not seriously thinking about eating that, are you?" Lila asked, standing a few paces away, her arms crossed.
Alex hesitated, his stomach twisting at the thought. "It's disgusting, yeah. But what if it works? This thing is saturated with mana. It's how it powers the Sentinels."
"And what if it kills you?" Lila shot back. "Or worse, turns you into one of them?"
Alex frowned, glancing at his system screen. His mana regeneration had improved from the fight, but it was still slow compared to what a creature like this seemed capable of.
"We don't know that," he said quietly. "We're surviving on scraps, Lila. Anything that can give us an edge is worth considering."
Lila groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But if you start glowing purple or sprouting tentacles, I'm putting you down."
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2. Testing the Parasite
Alex used the tip of his spear to prod the parasite, watching as it recoiled. "It's still alive, but weak," he muttered. "The system might tell us more."
He activated Inspect, focusing on the writhing mass.
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Inspect Activated:
Parasite Core
Description: A mana-rich biological organism adapted to inhabit ancient armor. Contains dense concentrations of magical energy but may have unknown side effects if consumed.
Properties:
Restores 50 Mana if ingested.
Temporary increase in mana regeneration (+1 MP/10 min for 1 hour).
High risk of adverse effects due to foreign biological nature.
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Alex's stomach churned at the prospect, but the benefits caught his attention. "It could restore mana and even boost regeneration," he said.
"And the 'high risk of adverse effects' part?" Lila said, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a gamble," Alex admitted. His fingers hovered near the parasite before a darker thought crept into his mind.
What if I could use this to enhance my summons?
The idea struck him like a lightning bolt. The parasites clearly thrived in armor, adapting to fill the void left by the absence of intelligent life. If they could infest his skeletons, they might make them faster, stronger—even self-sustaining.
Alex's pulse quickened at the possibility. A parasitic army, feeding off the ruins and the land itself... it could change everything.
"Alex?" Lila's voice snapped him back to reality.
He looked up, startled. "What?"
"I said, what are you doing?" Lila asked, narrowing her eyes.
Alex hesitated, his grip tightening on the spear. "Just... thinking."
"Don't think too hard," Lila warned. "You're already looking at that thing like it's a meal ticket."
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3. Making the Choice
Alex stood, staring at the parasite as if it held the answer to his survival. His mana reserves were nearly full from natural regeneration, but if he ever found himself in a desperate situation, this could be a game-changer.
"I'm not eating it now," Alex said, scooping the parasite into an empty bowl from their supplies. "But I'm keeping it."
Lila wrinkled her nose. "That's disgusting."
"It's practical," Alex countered. "If we're ever out of options, this could save us. Or..." He trailed off, his earlier thought resurfacing.
"Or what?" Lila asked.
"Nothing," Alex said quickly, placing the bowl among their camp's small storage pile.
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4. Exploring the Ruins
After securing the remains of the Sentinels, Alex and Lila decided to search the ruins for clues about the parasites and their presence in the plains.
The Outer Buildings:
The small structures around the central building were mostly rubble, but they found a few scattered tools:
Rusted Nails and Boards (Useful for repairs)
Metal Fragments (Could be fashioned into weapons or traps)
The Central Chamber:
In the largest structure, they found faded carvings on the walls depicting armored figures standing over kneeling creatures.
"What is this?" Lila asked, running her fingers over the worn symbols.
Alex squinted. "It looks like the armor was revered—or feared. Maybe these Sentinels were created by whatever civilization lived here."
"Or maybe the parasites just moved in after they were gone," Lila said grimly.
Alex nodded. "Either way, it means these ruins are more than just a shelter. They might hold answers."
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5. Fortifying the Camp
Returning to their camp, Alex and Lila used the materials they'd scavenged to strengthen their defenses:
Barricading Entrances: Using rubble, boards, and nails, they blocked off two of the larger gaps in the building's walls.
Creating Spike Traps: Alex fashioned crude spikes from the metal fragments, placing them around the most vulnerable parts of their camp.
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6. A Growing Unease
That night, Alex couldn't sleep. The parasite pulsed faintly in the bowl, its weak glow casting eerie shadows on the wall.
His stomach growled, and his mind wandered. What would it taste like? Could it give me an edge?
He shifted uneasily, his thoughts darkening. What if I used it to enhance my skeletons? The Sentinels were fast, coordinated. What if I could make my summons like that?
The idea tugged at him, a blend of fascination and dread. I'd have to experiment. But how? How would it react to necromantic magic?
He reached for the bowl, his fingers trembling.
"Alex."
Lila's voice cut through the silence. She sat up, her dagger in hand. "If you eat that thing, I'm seriously putting you down."
Alex froze, withdrawing his hand. "I wasn't going to," he lied.
"Sure," Lila said, lying back down. "Go to sleep, Alex."
But as Alex lay staring at the ceiling, the parasite's faint glow gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.
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System Update: Alex
Class: Novice Necromancer
Attributes:
STR: 8
DEX: 10
CON: 12
INT: 19
WIS: 18
CHA: 9
HP: 60
MP: 120 (Net Mana Regen: +2 MP/10 Min)