The Decision to Stay
Zhao Xuan is discharged from the hospital. His "parents," arranged by the system, are conveniently away on a business trip, allowing him to return to his rental apartment alone and move without interference.
The moment he leaves the hospital, he re-equips the [Parasyte Component] onto his left hand. He is right-handed, and this choice is deliberate: he has discovered that the equipped left hand gains a conscious "will" similar to Izumi's Migi, but it is fully compliant with his commands, acting as a powerful extension of his will while also having an "auto-attack mode."
He plans to leverage this. Like Izumi, he can use his Parasyte-enhanced left hand to fight head-on while using his right hand to wield weapons, launching surprise attacks on the Parasyte's host body at crucial moments, exploiting their tendency to focus on the more dangerous Parasyte opponent.
Zhao Xuan also notices a general enhancement of his physical abilities, most notably his vision, hearing, and smell. He can see farther, hear fainter sounds, and detect subtle odors.
After experimenting with his new abilities at home, he considers the system's prompt to leave this world. After careful thought, he decides to stay for the time being.
He needs to test a hypothesis: If killing Shimada yielded the [Parasyte Component], will killing other Parasytes also drop loot? If so, he can hunt more Parasytes, use the [Loot Synthesizer] to combine the components, and create a far more powerful item.
Zhao Xuan doesn't dare to risk entering the next world with his current level of power. He decides to stay, become stronger by hunting more Parasytes, and increase his chances of survival in the future.
"Besides," he thinks, "it can be considered revenge for Yūko Tachikawa."
The thought of Yūko still brings a strange sorrow, despite his intellectual dismissal of her feelings. He resolves that falling into the emotional trap is foolish, just as Yūko made the "foolish" choice to sacrifice her life for him.
The Sensation and the Test
Suddenly, a strange feeling washes over Zhao Xuan—a peculiar sensation in his mind.
A Parasyte has appeared roughly 300 meters away, and it is rapidly accelerating toward his location. He recognizes this as the Parasite's unique psychic sense, which detects other Parasites and their killing intent. He can clearly feel a faint trace of hostility from the approaching creature.
A fight already? Zhao Xuan feels a mix of excitement, panic, and a strange thrill.
He walks to the window and sees the figure outside. He recognizes the person and smiles faintly before immediately unequipping the [Parasyte Component] in the system.
The approaching Parasyte—who is none other than Shinichi Izumi—suddenly halts, clearly confused by the loss of the psychic signal. Zhao Xuan's test is a success: removing the component instantly cuts off the Parasyte's presence.
Izumi looks up and spots Zhao Xuan at the second-floor window. He waves and speaks quietly to Migi (who has formed an eye on his thumb).
"Migi, you said... 'he' disappeared?"
Migi replies, "That's right! It's strange. I clearly sensed Shimada appear near your classmate Zhao Xuan on the second floor of that building! But then he suddenly vanished. It's very odd!"
Izumi shakes his head: "Could you have sensed it wrong? We both saw Shimada die right in front of us!"
"I couldn't be wrong! My senses are definite! I clearly felt Shimada appear! But for some reason, he vanished again. There must be something going on that we don't know about!"
"Never mind," Izumi says, walking toward the apartment. "As long as he hasn't harmed my friend or any other human! You scared me just now! I thought he had come back to kill Zhao Xuan!"
Migi urges caution: "Shinichi, you must not be careless! What if he has a way to hide his presence? Going in now is very dangerous!"
Izumi's face turns serious: "Then all the more reason to go! I don't want anyone else to be hurt!" Migi feels a sense of helplessness as Izumi quickens his pace.
Soon, Izumi arrives at the door and rings the doorbell. Zhao Xuan quickly opens the door.
"Sorry to bother you, Zhao Xuan-kun!"
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