Chapter 3

"So, Gideon, what's wrong with her?"

"Well… she grew a tail."

"I KNOW THAT! But why did she grow a tail?"

"I'll be frank, Cassandra," said Doctor Gideon as he removed his glasses. "Your daughter, like most mutants, is a mystery of nature. Some say they're the next step in human evolution, but as a doctor, believe me, the X-gene isn't evolution—it's something else that modern science can't explain."

"I-I... I see. But will this affect her in any way?"

"From the limited tests I could run with the equipment I brought, aside from getting used to having a tail and the spikes on her back, there shouldn't be any major complications."

"Oh… thank you, Gideon, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Don't worry, Cassandra, that's what family is for. One last thing... it might seem minor compared to the tail, but a second set of teeth is starting to grow behind her original ones."

"WHAT!"

…

"Mom didn't take that well," muttered the little girl responsible for all this commotion as she listened in from her room.

"But a second set of teeth? Wait! The retractable mouth! How did I forget? But the system didn't mention it. Thinking about it, my hearing and smell have also improved, and my fingers have turned into claws, so maybe the system isn't mentioning all the changes."

"And the doctor said they're still growing, so I can't use them yet. But will they grow with time or when the template percentage increases?"

"So many questions, so few answers... I guess I'll find out in time. Speaking of the system, 'Status!'"

[CTG System (Classes, Template, and Gacha)

Current Class: N/A

Previous Classes: N/A

Current Template: Xenomorph Warrior 1%

Previous Templates: N/A

Abilities: Negative Emotion Absorption Level 1, Corruption Level 4

Gacha Spin Points: N/A

Missions: N/A

Items: N/A]

'Well, the template is at 1%, I don't have more gacha spins, and my class slot is empty. I don't know how to increase the percentage to get more gacha spins. I probably need to go out, which is dangerous... besides, Mom won't let me. I guess I can only choose a class.'

As soon as this idea came to mind, several options appeared before her:

[Available Classes:

• Novice Manipulator of the Cause: You, who have carried the Cause since birth and have always borne this force, are the perfect host to wield its power.

Skills: Basic Cause Control, Paranormal Sense, and Mental Resistance

WARNING: The Cause is a force prone to going out of control.

• Hidden: You, who have spent your whole life hiding from others, can choose this class to continue doing so… but better.

Skills: Hide, Presence Diminishment, Concealment, and Shadow Protection

• Stalker: You, who possess the innate abilities of a hunter and natural assassin, are perfect for hunting from the shadows.

Skills: Basic Tracking, Lightning Strike, Enhanced Senses, Presence Diminishment, and Night Vision

• Lone Hive Warrior: You, who have the abilities of a warrior who would give everything and more for their hive but belong to none, are worthy of this class.

Skills: Tough Skin, Quick Slash, Minor Regeneration, Enhanced Resistance, Battle Instincts, Skill with Natural Weapons, and Last Stand]

"… Well… that's… something," the girl muttered with mixed feelings.

"The first class, it's obvious where it comes from, and while it's tempting and I'll definitely take it at some point… not today."

"The second… well, it perfectly describes these past five years of my life. I admit it looks useful, but it doesn't give me any abilities to defend myself or even run, just to hide."

"Stalker describes the xenomorph well, and it definitely looks useful. The best attack is the one your enemy doesn't see coming. As for warrior, I wonder if I had a normal xenomorph template, would this class be about drones and construction? Overall, it seems useful, more focused on direct attack."

After this, Velariel fell silent for several minutes, thinking about what to do until she finally decided between the two templates.

'The stalker is useful, but battle instincts and last stand look more promising,' she thought as she chose her first class.

[Sistema CTG (Classes Template and Gacha)

Current Class: Lone Hive Warrior

Previous Classes: N/A

Current Template: Xenomorph Warrior 1%

Previous Templates: N/A

Abilities: Negative Emotion Absorption Level 1, Corruption Level 4, Tough Skin Level 1, Quick Slash Level 1, Minor Regeneration Level 1, Enhanced Resistance Level 1, Battle Instincts Level 1, Natural Weapon Skills Level 1, Last Stand Level 1

Gacha Spin Points: N/A

Missions: N/A

Items: N/A]

'Alright, tough skin makes my skin harder, quick slash improves my attack speed with my tail, claws, and other sharp objects, minor regeneration doesn't regenerate limbs, but it does heal minor injuries, enhanced resistance makes me tire less, battle instincts improve my combat skills, natural weapon skills improve my abilities with things like my claws and tail, and last stand boosts my physical strength when I'm gravely injured.'

"Definitely the right decision," she said after reflecting on her abilities.

"Velariel, come down to say goodbye to your uncle!"

"Coming!"

After going down the stairs.

"So, little one, remember to tell your mom if you feel any discomfort, bother, or other changes, and sell immediately. Take a lollipop."

"Thanks! And I will tell mom," said Velariel before putting the lollipop in her mouth.

"Never change, little one," said the doctor while stroking the space between his niece's horns.

"Well, I'll see you later. If I don't come back, my boss will kill me."

"Goodbye, Gideon."

"Goodbye, Uncle!"

Mother and daughter said goodbye to her brother and uncle before closing the door.

"Sigh Well, I'm going to make dinner. Please, no more surprises until then."

"Giggle I can't promise anything."

"Sigh Yeah, sure you can't."

…

That night, the little demon encountered an... unexpected problem sleeping.

"I can't sleep on my back... I guess this is what he meant about getting used to the tail and spikes," she said with annoyance in her voice.

"Well, I guess I'll sleep on my stomach," she decided.

She changed positions, feeling a bit uncomfortable at first, but over time she got used to it. Just when she was about to fall asleep.

[New Mission: Go for a Walk

You have been hiding behind the four walls of your home since birth. While this is for your own protection, you know this isn't truly living. Therefore, you should step out for a nighttime walk where no one can disturb you and you don't have to hide. After all, you are a being that thrives in darkness.

Reward: 1 Gacha Spin

Do you accept?]

"…"

The little girl found herself at a crossroads: to remain in the safety of her home, which had been all she'd known, or to do something she had always wanted, with a reward waiting for her. After a moment of hesitation, she opened her bedroom window. "Sorry, Mom," she whispered, and with that apology, she accepted the mission.

…

Escaping was easy with the climbing skills of a xenomorph. Her window opened to the backyard, and since she lived on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by trees, she probably wouldn't have to hide much. However, during the day, the path in front of her house was often busy, and even distant neighbors were still nearby.

"…"

As she stepped outside, she froze for a moment, feeling the grass beneath her bare feet. In her first five years, she never noticed it, but now that she was out, she could feel, savor, and enjoy… freedom.

After standing there for several minutes, one simple thought consumed her: run. Run as if her life depended on it, and that's exactly what she did. She ran—maybe for minutes, maybe for hours—she didn't know, and frankly, she didn't care. She just ran through the forest she had only seen through her window all her life.

Panting Panting After exhausting herself, she stopped, breathless, but with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

"That pant was fun," she said quietly to herself.

"Did you hear that?"

"No, what?"

"Must've been my imagination."

But all good things must come to an end. After hearing that first voice, she hid behind a tree trunk, facing away from the direction of the sound.

"How much longer until the shipment arrives?"

"No, it shouldn't be long; these guys have never disappointed us, and I don't see why they would start now."

"Good point."

The two voices, clearly male, began to talk, and as if it were a signal, the sound of a vehicle approached.

"Finally, this place is getting on my nerves."

"Me too."

The vehicle stopped, and the footsteps of two more people were heard.

"I have to get out of here," Velariel thought in fear, but, as a twist of fate or perhaps a goddess's joke, a message appeared in her vision.

[New mission: Aren't you curious?

You overheard two people talking about a shipment in the middle of the night, quite suspicious, right? Why not go take a look?

Find out what this substance they are talking about is without getting discovered.

Reward: 4 gacha spins or 8 gacha spins if you can steal one of these goods.

Do you accept?]

"…"

Then the little demon girl started climbing a tree.

…

"Do you have your part?"

"Yeah, and you?"

"Me too. Let's do this like always."

"Alright."

Both groups, each consisting of two men, placed a briefcase between them and stepped back a bit before opening it. The briefcase belonging to the first men contained a large amount of money, but the other held something rarer: several tubes with syringes, each of different colors.

"Alright, it looks like everything is in order," said one of the men after counting the money.

"Everything's fine here too."

"In that case, we'll be on our way." With those last words, the duo with the money briefcase got into their vehicle and left.

"Man, those guys are weird."

"Definitely."

"And what does the boss want with these serums?"

"... Don't tell anyone, but I heard the boss is working on a formula superior to the super soldier serum and needs these serums to create it."

"Damn, really?!"

"At least that's what I heard. I don't know, but the pay is good."

"And damn right it is."

As the two men were preparing to get into their vehicle, a shadow fell on the first man. The second man, startled, couldn't react in time before the shadow struck him on the head, leaving him unconscious.

The shadow then grabbed the briefcase and ran off into the forest.