Ready Player Two

[Host: Matthew O'Connely

Status: Grade 1+ Mind Slug

Evolution Points (EP): 56

Abilities: <Perfect Mimicry Lv. Max>, <Improved Metabolism Lv. 2>, <Mental Resistance Lv. 3>

Skills: <DNA Absorption Lv. 10>, <Toxin Resistance Lv. 5>, <Weak Hypnosis Lv. 2>, <Dream Walking Lv. 1>, <Primary Reproduction Lv. 0>, <Telepathy Lv. 1>]

Matt and Alexis sat together in the bathtub after returning to their quarters. She had dropped a major bomb on him, but Matt had no reason to hesitate. He explained one more time that their two parasites would have a main body and sub body relationship, she simply nodded her head in understanding. Matt didn't know exactly how Primary Reproduction functioned, so he offered to explore it together before completely deciding.

Fortunately, the last six days were spent very fruitfully. Matt had managed to reach fifty-six evolution points so he had just enough for the reproduction skill. After giving his status one lasts check he pulled up Primary Reproduction and unlocked it.

[Primary Reproduction Lv. 0->Max: You have created a sub-body that has inherited a portion of your skills and abilities. You are able to communicate with the sub-body instinctively without need for excessive use of mental energy. The body is immature and will need Evolution Points in order to grow. Once mature, the sub-body may be combined with the main body to evolve to the next grade.

>Number of sub-bodies: 1

>Evolution Cost: Mature Sub-body]

[Sub-Body Alpha:

Host: Matthew O'Connely

Status: Grade 0 Parasite

Evolution Points (EP): -10

Abilities: <Infection Lv. Max>, <Growth Lv. Max>, <Fascination Lv. Max>

Skills: <DNA Absorption Lv. 0>, <Weak Hypnosis Lv. 0>, <Inferior Transformation Lv. 0>, <Inferior Spawning Lv. 0>]

[Infection Lv. Max: While the Sub-body is immature, it may survive outside of the spawning host for long periods of time. During this time, it is able to take root in a living creature's body. Once the sub-body matures, this ability is lost.]

[Growth Lv. Max: During the phase of the sub-body's development before maturity, it will gain one Evolution Point at every interval of growth. The interval can be determined by the host. Immature parasites cannot gain Evolution Points through any other means.

>Current Interval: 24 hours]

[Fascination Lv. Max: You are the first descendent of a parasite which has unlocked the Eldritch Horror path. You inherited a portion of their mental energy and manipulation skills in the form of an ability. When in close proximity to intelligent life of their species, they always have a positive reaction at baseline to the host. The affected individuals are also more susceptible to your requests and whims.

>Toggle: On/Off]

Matt explained the sub-body as best as he could to Alexis through telepathy while learning the information himself. Originally, in the game, the sub-body was simply a string of words on your status bar. There was no special animation since it was 'inside' your avatar. However, in reality, Matt felt the splitting and tearing feeling. Fortunately, it wasn't as painful as it sounded.

The sub-body was still attached to his main body but Matt understood he could detach it at any moment. The infection ability made Matt think about the parasite that was first given to him. Perhaps while it was in a very long interval of growth, seemingly one year per point, it still enhanced and protect the host. Matt shared his thoughts with Alexis and she thought that it made sense.

Fascination was an incredible ability which made Matt realize that perhaps Perfect Mimicry was also an ability passed down to him by his 'parent.' He had just assumed that it was part of the Parasite package, but it seemed he was truly lucky to acquire that as his ability. However, while going down that line of thinking, Matt suddenly realized something. Why exactly did he need Perfect Mimicry to act like Matt if he was Matt?

{Matt, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Is something wrong with the parasite?}

{I… Why do I need to mimic myself? I don't understand, aren't I me?}

Alexis didn't answer him right away. She hadn't thought about it before either. However, something didn't seem right about the ability. They sat in silence thinking until Alexis suggested offhandedly that perhaps the main purpose of the ability wasn't to mimic, but as an autopilot. It suddenly made sense to Matt with that little comparison.

He had been using Perfect Mimicry as autopilot since the beginning. However, he never made the connection before that he didn't need it in order to act like Matthew O'Connely since he had his memories anyway. Perfect Mimicry simply did the actions of the original automatically and efficiently. This was why he remembered things easier with the ability active since it was very efficient in "remembering."

The existence of Perfect Mimicry was a quiet reminder that he wasn't really Matthew O'Connely but an imposter just pretending. However, with this little change in his mentality along with the history he dug up on his life, Matt finally felt like he was really himself. Everything he went through was slowly helping him down this path of acceptance. I may be the Parasite this round, but I am not an imposter anymore. However, there was still an imposter on the ship, and he would make sure to root them out.

{Ah, I'm kind of jealous of the ability you'll have, Lexi.}

{Which one?}

She thought while her face showed her excitement. Originally when she made the decision, her purpose was to become someone like Matt. She didn't want to let him live this isolated life without anyone he could completely trust. However, when she discovered she would receive powers like Matt, her last few anxieties dissipated.

{I gave it the name, Fascination. Essentially, you will become a bewitching vixen!}

{Ah, so no change…} The two of them sniggered at the joke.

{Seriously though, people around you will instinctively consider you a person close to them. This has many advantages but some drawbacks too. Fortunately, you can choose whether it is active or not. You'll become like the main character of a romance novel with this ability. Everyone will be crawling over each other to please you.}

{I already have some thoughts on how to use it…}

Matt thought that her expression seemed a bit unnatural, as if staring at her prey. He even wondered who the parasite was at that moment. Alexis caressed his thigh while formulating her future plans. For a second he thought that perhaps this would be like giving wings to a tiger. He already couldn't resist her charms anymore.

"Ehem, anyway, back to the explanation…" Matt said before transitioning back to telepathy.

{It looks like you have the potential to go down the same path as me. I already explained some of my abilities to you, and these are something you would eventually have access to as well. You can also go down the path of transformation or the path of spawning.}

{What are the advantages of each?}

{Well, I don't have any personal experience, but based on my instincts there is some useful information. The transformation path has the attributes of strength and espionage. Being able to control your body with transformations you should theoretically be able to enhance yourself.}

Spawning is very straight forward with the attributes of speed and flooding. Creating many organisms from your body that will grow separately from you and become your servants. It is really fitting for a name like Hive Queen.}

Alexis nodded and thought about her choices. For now, she would carefully consider the options while she had the time. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She inched closer to Matt in the bath, sliding her legs under his. Her eyes looked like they were saying 'I'm ready.'

Matt closed his eyes and focused on the parasite in his head. He commanded it to detach and move into his mouth. Once he felt the tiny parasite, the size of a ladybug, land on his tongue, he leaned forward and gave Alexis a long kiss. His tongue entered her mouth as he explored her mouth which he had grown accustomed to. Their tongues wrapped around each other and their saliva mixed together.

After several minutes, they separated. Matt licked his lips and Alexis rolled her eyes. The parasite was already delivered, it was now only a matter of time. Seeing that nothing happened immediately, Alexis turned around in the bath so that her back was facing Matt and leaned back. She stretched her legs out and rested her head on his chest.

Matt played with her hair while sensing for the sub-body. While in the process of taking root, it seemed to have gone radio silent. Although his worries didn't last long because after about half an hour, a notification came up for Matt. The notification almost made Matt jump in excitement.

<Congratulations. You have infected your first lifeform. Do you wish for the new host to activate the Imposter Support System? Y/N>

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(Author walks home from long day of work. Outside of his house is a strange person dressed as a clown. Author notices he is holding two balloons and sticks his arm out to hand them over. Author accepts and continues walking. However, he overhears the clown saying 'Write another chapter or you'll float too.') - Side Story for Novel_Equilizer. Thank you for the generous support!