Ogre

The forest has been my home for a while now, but staying inside the dryad's body has its limitations. It feels human, sure, but without the senses. I can't taste, hear, touch, or smell anything in this form—just sight. That's it. No sound of leaves crunching underfoot, no smell of the forest air.

"Ah, I see the cave wall," I mutter, finally spotting the rocky barrier ahead. It seems I've walked long enough to reach the other side of the forest. But something keeps me here. Maybe it's the idea that I haven't explored everything yet. I decide to stay longer, to search for any other creature that might be worth taking over.

The dryad's body has been useful, but the downside is that I can't earn any new skills while I'm in here. I need a new host—something stronger, something with more potential.

As I continue my search, I spot a cave nestled among the trees. It doesn't look like a regular cave—it looks like a home. Large branches and leaves are scattered around, arranged into something resembling a bed.

"Usually, a bear would sleep in a place like this," I muse, stepping closer.

Just as I'm about to turn around, something shiny catches my eye. A treasure chest. My heart—if I had one—skips a beat.

"I mean, who wouldn't go for a treasure chest?" I say, grinning to myself as I move toward it.

But just as I get within reach, I'm hit—hard. Something huge slams into me, sending me flying into the cave wall with a sickening crunch. The dryad's body hits the rock, and I feel it die instantly, shattering under the impact.

"What… did I just get hit by?" I think, disoriented, as I slip out of the dryad's head, my worm form creeping out to peek at what's left of my host.

A giant ogre stands over the dryad's broken body, holding a massive bone club in one hand. Its expression is unreadable as it looks down at the lifeless form. I don't get it—how did I not detect him?

I freeze, staying perfectly still as the ogre kneels down, inspecting the dryad. I know what's coming next. The ogre leans in, sniffing the body, and then begins to tear into the dryad, trying to eat it.

"Perfect," I think. "Now's my chance."

With the ogre distracted, I slip through its mouth and make my way toward its brain. Once inside, I activate [Parasitic Domination] and brace myself. I've done this before—this should be easy.

Or so I thought.

As soon as I take control, I realize something's wrong. I can't get full control of the ogre. It's like we're fighting for dominance. I can control it half the time, but then the ogre snaps back, trying to regain control of its own body.

"Okay, this is a problem," I mutter, struggling to maintain my grip.

Is it because of the level difference? The ogre is much stronger than anything I've controlled before. It's like trying to steer a wild animal—it's rampaging, stumbling through the cave, and I'm stuck inside, along for the ride.

"I need to get out of here once I grab a skill," I think, trying to focus while my new host thrashes about.

The ogre's strength is impressive, and its natural regeneration and durability are on another level. I can't even absorb its HP fast enough to kill it. My attacks probably feel like a tickle compared to what this thing can handle. I have no idea how much time is passing, but it feels like an eternity inside this chaotic mess of a body.

Finally, after what seems like forever, I feel it—[Natural Camouflage LVL II], an upgraded version of my [Camouflage] skill. The second I absorb the skill, I realize my [Parasitic Domination] has leveled up as well, giving me a small chance to absorb a host's stats—except for luck, of course.

"That's enough for me," I think, preparing to leave the ogre's body. I've had more than enough of this rampaging brute.

But when I finally crawl out, I'm hit with a wave of confusion.

"Wait... where the fuck am I?"

The once-dense forest is nowhere in sight. The ogre is lying on its back, sleeping peacefully on hot, grainy sand. And in front of me? A beach. An underground beach, with the waves gently lapping at the shore.

"Really? A beach... underground? Where am I?"