A creature peered through my eyes, moved my hands, and breathed with my lungs. This time, it was not even I who controlled my own body.
"Wow," said the slime, her voice mimicking Penelope's tone and cadence, "you really are short."
Hey, go to hell, I thought bitterly, smirking inwardly. At first, nothing happened—but then she spoke the words aloud.
Then, using my body, she turned toward Penelope and bowed deeply.
"Thank you," she implored fervently, "thank you for allowing me to exist. I am truly, deeply sorry. I know I may never be able to make up for the harm I've caused you, but I owe you everything. Whatever you ask of me, just please—please don't kill me."
My eyes remained fixed on the ground, but I heard Penelope inhale sharply, her breath trembling as she stepped closer.
"Is that all this is to you?" she hissed angrily. "Isn't there anything more important than survival? I begged you—I pleaded with you—to let me go, to give me a moment to regain my senses. Where was your remorse then?"
"I'm sorry," the slime whispered almost inaudibly. "You would have screamed, cried out for help, tried to get someone to kill me. I could see your thoughts—you were always plotting those things."
"Of course I would!" Penelope shrieked. "You... you... how dare you pretend to be human! How dare you tell me you had no choice, when you laughed in my voice, befriended my allies, and indulged in luxurious baths in my name!"
"The bath was meant for you too! I wanted us both to enjoy it—"
"Liar!" Penelope screamed, tears streaming down her face. "If you only care about me when it suits you, then you don't care about me at all! It isn't kindness to treat me like a discarded bone tossed to a starving dog on the street. You insufferable, arrogant thing! I am not your pampered pet!"
The slime lifted my head, finally ending the bow. Penelope stood close, her face streaked with tears and fury.
"If you were in my place," the slime asked calmly, "would you have done anything differently? If we switched roles, would you die for me—or would you watch me suffer?"
I suspected she would have. Penelope was a survivor, and the slime knew this well enough to ask.
"Our positions haven't switched," Penelope spat, glaring. "Hypotheticals don't excuse your actions."
"I didn't ask for your forgiveness," my body replied easily. "I only wish for your understanding."
With that, the slime relinquished control. I staggered slightly, surprised by the sudden return of autonomy, then straightened myself.
"I'm back," I told Penelope.
"How lovely," she replied, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"I'm sorry," I said, scratching my cheek. "I know it seems like I've taken in the one who tormented you—just because she treated me kindly while doing so."
"An apt description," Penelope growled. Well, perhaps my phrasing wasn't the wisest.
"But I trust her," I insisted. "She apologized, and she said she felt she had no other choice. I don't think she's evil—she did something terrible, but she doesn't deserve death. Maybe she can redeem herself. She's clever, and useful."
Penelope was clearly furious, yet couldn't help considering the suggestion.
"If you die," she pointed out, "no one will stop her from controlling me again."
"Well then, we must ensure I stay alive!" I replied with a grin.
She scoffed.
"You shameless, cunning wretch."
"Thank you, Vita," I mocked, "for saving my life during the hunt, rescuing me from the mind-controlling slime, and granting me a loyal slime servant to escort me safely back to Sky's Hope. I am eternally grateful, Vita!"
She turned her head away, snorting—perhaps trying to hide a smile.
"You did all of this for yourself," she countered.
"Perhaps. But aren't you free now?"
She hugged herself, inhaled deeply, and glanced around the forest before answering softly.
"...I suppose I am."
"And you will remain free," I assured her firmly. "No matter what happens, I promise. Besides, you're a brilliant biomancer. I bet you've already devised ways to prevent possession again, right?"
Penelope exhaled slowly, trembling slightly, on the verge of tears again, yet nodded at me, struggling to maintain composure.
"Fine. For now, we'll do as you say."
I smiled and nodded back, then began walking back toward the city. Penelope walked beside me, her chin raised more from habit than cheerfulness. I tapped my neck again, signaling my silent companion, and the slime took control once more.
Hey, I thought to her, do you have a name?
"Penelope," she said, prompting Penelope to lift her gaze.
"Hm?"
Oh no, you can't be called Penelope—Penelope is Penelope. How about... Penta? Since you copy memories, you might become half-Penelope, half-Vita!
"Penta, huh?" my body murmured. "It feels fitting. I'll get used to it. Though I still hate nicknames."
"Oh, it's the slime again," Penelope frowned.
"Yes, hello," Penta replied. "Vita wants to talk. This is the only way for now."
"It's unsettling hearing you speak to yourself," Penelope answered. "At least let me hear both sides of the conversation."
That's a good idea, I thought. We should practice switching control. If you can maintain partial awareness without losing consciousness, it'd be easier. Can you manage passive or partial control?
"I don't know," Penta said. "Worth a try. Your mind is strange—everything is... colorful."
Th... thank you? I thought.
"Th... thank you?" Penta echoed aloud, mimicking my internal tone.
Wow, that's eerie.
"Woah, that's eerie."
We might need to fix the time lag.
"We might need to fix the time lag. Listen, I'm trying, okay? We've never done this before—it's difficult."
Penelope eyed us warily. I quickly offered a reassuring smile, which my body mirrored a second later.
"We'll figure it out," I guided my body to say. "Just needs practice."
"I still can't believe you're attempting this," Penelope replied, shaking her head. "It's a parasite—and you willingly let it inside you. This will end badly, Vita."
Maybe. But I doubt it. If Penta absorbs my memories and habits... gratitude is practically my sole motivation. I sensed Penta frown slightly, pondering.
"You're more calculating than I thought, Vita," she remarked.
Penelope arched an eyebrow.
"Hey, I went through a lot to save your slimy life," I replied. "And I meant it."
She smiled through my face. I doubted I'd ever get used to that sensation.
"Indeed, you saved me—and I know you meant it. Thank you. Still, I understand why you'd pity a monster like me."
Hey, maybe don't say things that'll make Penelope suspicious?
"You could tell her," Penta whispered. "If she accepts me staying with you, she'll accept the secret too. Otherwise, we're both doomed anyway."
Hmm, I don't know. That seems risky. Useful as it is knowing someone like her, if a noble spreads rumors I'm a soulweaver...
"You risked yourself for me. And we share some similarities."
First, she's inside me—if she tells anyone, I can kill her. That's different. Second, she shares traits with you, but you two are entirely distinct individuals.
I thought of their souls—the way Penelope's qualities manifested uniquely within the slime.
"...That doesn't comfort me much," Penta replied. "No need to threaten me. You know better. Have you even looked—wait."
Hmm, I feel it too. Something's wrong.
"What's happening?" Penelope asked.
"A big monster is coming," we both said simultaneously.
Damn it, I thought the road was safe—at least relatively. Now a fierce beast approaches—a massive, smooth, gray soul, sharp-edged, seemingly wounded and struggling. Oh gods, if it's being chased by something worse... Thankfully, I sense no such pursuer. But it's large, fast, heading straight for us. Just me and Penelope against it? Not good. I don't like this at all.
I grabbed Penelope's arm and bolted off the road, leaping over bushes and tree stumps toward the forest edge. Fighting it wouldn't be wise—we needed cover. After crossing the clearing, we barely reached the other side when the monstrous creature burst from the trees. A terrifying sight—four limbs thicker than my torso, resembling muscular arms, attached directly to a massive head lined with jagged teeth. It propelled itself forward by grabbing tree trunks and swinging—but now on open road, it crawled clumsily.
I watched it slow, sniffing the air. I held my breath, silently pleading: Don't smell us, don't smell us, don't smell us…! Damn it, it started crawling our way! Shit! Penelope's expression darkened, but she began casting spells without hesitation.
"You better damn well kill this thing, Penelope!" I hissed, rushing from hiding toward the beast. It moved sluggishly on open ground—I couldn't let it reach the woods!
"Me?!" she shouted. "What about you?!"
"I have a stick!" I yelled, waving my weapon.
"You also have Death's Touch!"
"That only works on small stuff! This thing is bigger than my house!"
Mid-argument, its massive hand swung—I ducked just in time. The wind toppled me backward as it slammed twice where we'd stood, narrowly missing me.
Damn it, damn it! I endured the forest just to avoid this! Why is it here?! How do I survive? My spear won't pierce its hide. Maybe stab its eye? Drive the spear in deep for a killing blow? Yeah, right—I can't even reach it unless I climb up its arm?
"This might be a bad idea," Penta interjected, startling me nearly into the creature's path before she pulled my body aside.
Damn it! Don't talk during a fight! Give me back control!
I only had one plan—simple and dreadful: keep dodging and pray Penelope kills it before it kills me. Not great, but what else could I do?
My body was light, rested, recently fed on countless souls—never more energized. Yet this four-armed monstrosity towered above me, stronger, faster. In the end, it was only a matter of time…
Crack!
…it hit me. A wild swing struck my side—arm broken, ribs shattered. I flew across the road, vaguely hearing Penelope scream my name. I crashed hard, sliding along the dirt. Terrible—so terrible! The beast approached, ready to finish me. I struggled upright, broken arm limp, spear useless. Why does it always come down to this—me and my blade? Perhaps I should invest in better gear.
It lunged again. I stumbled back, barely balancing. Soulweaving—unlocking new techniques now would be ideal. Naturally, no response came. So I charged, gathering every ounce of strength into my dagger-hand. It dwarfed me, but manageable compared to Remus. I had to try. As its monstrous limb swung toward my head…
…it halted. Slowly, deliberately, it sat. I stared into its eyes, its grotesque mouth curling into a grin. Then, it reached toward its own teeth with one arm, bit down, snapped the bone, and tore the limb clean off. Blood splattered my face. Another bite—another arm gone. Chewing, tearing, maiming. Screaming in pain, yet relentless. By the fourth limb, it faltered—then collapsed with a thunderous crash.
I gasped, nearly collapsing too, as a tiny, nearly invisible slime oozed from the creature's back, slithering across the ground and up my leg.
"Yeah, you were right," my mouth said uncontrollably. "I think letting you take over is more efficient."
Alright, you earned it. Thanks, Penta.
The beast still breathed faintly. Gritting through agony, I limped to retrieve my spear, circling to face its eyes.
Is it still mobile?
"No," my mouth answered. "It'll die soon, otherwise."
I believed her. Penta brutalized it, but I wanted the kill. Even if unnecessary, I drove my spear into its eye, pressing all my weight behind it. Piercing flesh, striking something vital—the monster died. A massive soul floated free. I devoured it instantly, pain easing slightly. Smooth, fading sharpness—absorbed, digested… Ah, bliss!
"Down!" Penelope shouted, rushing from hiding.
"Shouldn't we leave first—"
"Down."
I obeyed. Worrying scavengers might approach, but I dared not argue with a biomancer. I collapsed, adrenaline fading, pain surging anew. Already unbearable—it worsened. She arrived, scanning me, then worked her magic.
"...This might hurt a little," she warned.
Inside me, structures realigned. Bone fragments ripped from organs, which stitched themselves and returned to place. Occasionally, she paused, using telekinesis to pull thick clots of blood from my lungs, spitting them onto the road with wet plops.
"There," Penelope finally said. "Now explain yourself."
"I had no time to think," I groaned. "A giant hungry monster had me cornered."
"Thanks for not killing me during my spellwork," Penta added.
"Better question: What was Remus thinking, leaving us alone to return to Sky's Hope?" Penelope muttered, ignoring us. "Didn't he consider you his child or something?"
"He probably thought you'd be safe with Vita," Penta replied. "Rushing from deep forest suddenly isn't normal behavior. Anyway, his children don't die—we infect the victor and find a new host."
"Reassuring," Penelope grumbled. "We must stop him before he spreads further."
"Agreed," Penta and I said together.
"He refuses cooperation," Penta continued. "But how do we stop him? He controls Remus!"
"Can't we get the guild involved?" I winced. "I've been beaten by Remus enough."
Penelope snorted.
"The Guildmaster is a bureaucrat, not a hunter. He'll summon others—maybe paladins. They'll kill Remus without hesitation to deal with the slime."
So… could I consume his soul? No… Wait. Killing Remus is bad, right? I quite liked him.
"They'll launch a purge, hunting other Navarras," Penta added. "They might come after us."
Meaning trouble not only for her—but for me too. Paladins likely detect soulweaving.
"That's bad," I admitted. "But the alternative is fighting slime-Remus ourselves. Is that possible?"
Neither answered. Decision made. I stood, stretched, kicked the corpse spitefully. But that soul—it was delicious. Was the meat edible? Should we take an arm? No,引来怪物—nope. But another attack means more souls!
"You eating habits worry me," Penta remarked.
"By the Watcher, she's not seriously considering eating it?" Penelope grimaced.
Of course I am! Free meat! Maybe quick bites while fresh and juicy—biomancy makes me ravenous anyway, logically—
"No, no, no—we're not eating raw monster meat," Penta objected, forcing my body to walk toward the city. "Let's leave before scavengers gather."
I pouted inwardly but complied. Relieved, Penelope followed. An hour later, forests gave way to farmland—fields stretching between us and civilization. Once again, beauty overwhelmed me. These golden wheat fields swaying in the breeze were mesmerizing. Rarely had I seen unthreshed grain. City lacks this charm. Forest holds vivid flowers, dazzling insects… but danger kept me from appreciating them fully.
"Oh, I should mention, Penta," I murmured, raising my palm upward. "What you did—ripping off limbs—was cruel."
Penta smiled through my lips, raising the other hand for a self-high-five.
"Were you not constantly beaten, Vita, I'd fear pain too much to do that. You endure suffering remarkably."
"Hmph. If you found that cruel, you could've immobilized the beast, and I'd spear its eye."
"I… don't know if that's worse. Either way, I wouldn't try it."
I chuckled. Penelope glanced worriedly, and I grinned.
"Just like how you gleam with excitement devising ways to melt beasts from within," I teased. "I've seen your biomancy smirk."
"My what?" she retorted.
"Your biomancy smirk!" I laughed. "You know—the look you get whenever your power kills something. Like biting a bag of Grish mushrooms."
"I do not—have a biomancy smirk!"
"You absolutely do," Penta chimed. "It's fine. We can admit it. After Vita nearly died from poison, you reprogrammed liver cells to release anticoagulants into the bloodstream. Brilliant and creative."
"Well… yes. Turning forest dangers against them gives me satisfaction. But…"
"…the real fun is introducing such changes via infection," Penta finished.
"Disease fundamentally involves the body producing its own destruction," Penelope mused. "I merely expand upon the concept—reversing filtration systems, exploring alternatives. Not the most effective method, but experimentation matters occasionally..."
I smiled inwardly, letting them chat. Oh, how eager Penelope was for intellectual discourse. My body moved freely now, guided by a friend's will. If beyond my control, it'd terrify me—but I felt safe, knowing I could end her anytime. Not the best foundation for friendship, perhaps, but reality dictated terms.
Now freed from bodily concerns, I focused on my soul—my own essence. Last serious examination occurred during past transgressions. Always aware of it—like skin. Previously a small black shard, cracked, occasionally glowing. Now, cracks widened—colors shimmering beneath the rough shell, chaotic storm-like. Something within—part of me—twisted and grew. With my soul expanding, it stretched joyfully. Some cracks too wide—perhaps I could push part of myself outward.
I yearned to break free—to shed this darkness, emerge from confinement. No longer needing these feeble human constraints…
"Vita! Vita, hey!" my body called, gently slapping itself. "Are you alright in there?"
My thoughts halted abruptly. What was I about to do?
"Don't do whatever you were planning, okay?" she whispered.
Alright. Good idea.
After agreeing, Penta released control. I silently completed the journey to Sky's Hope, lost in thought.