The City of Blacksteel Pt. 3

"Fuck, I can barely walk," I muttered, wincing with every step. My legs felt weak, and my stomach had been rumbling since I took over this body. It was all I could do to keep moving.

I glanced around. Maybe I should ask for food. Hell, I'd even resort to begging if I had to. This body was barely hanging on, and I couldn't afford to let it collapse right after taking control.

As I was about to approach a group of adventurer-looking types, I paused. The group, five in total, stood around a campfire, laughing loudly and clinking their tankards. They wore a hodgepodge of gear—one had a massive broadsword strapped to his back, another carried a crossbow slung casually over his shoulder. There was a female elf with leather armor and dual blades, a dwarf covered head to toe in heavy plate armor, and a lanky cat humanoid whose eyes darted around, ever alert.

But it was what they did next that made me stop.

The elf kicked someone—a small child—hard in the ribs, sending the kid tumbling across the dirt.

"Get outta here, brat!" she snarled, her voice as sharp as the blades at her side. The rest of the group laughed as if it were nothing.

Maybe begging wasn't the best idea after all. This body was too valuable right now. I couldn't risk getting beaten down, not when I still had use for it.

"Maybe I should parasitize all species," I muttered to myself. "Gain their abilities, learn what makes them tick." The idea was tempting, but I needed to stay focused. That could come later. First, I needed food.

As I wandered deeper into the city, I found myself stumbling into a crowded, bustling marketplace. It was alive with energy. Merchants shouted their wares, their voices blending into a chorus of haggling and banter. Dwarves peddled finely crafted weapons and armor, elves sold potions and enchanted trinkets, and beastfolk vendors hawked exotic fruits, spices, and meats. There was a heavy scent of sweat, metal, and cooking food in the air. Customers moved from stall to stall, their arms filled with goods, chatting and arguing as they bartered for the best price.

I needed food, and fast. I wasn't about to beg. No, I had another idea.

With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching, I darted through the market, weaving between stalls with practiced ease. A moment later, I snatched a few apples and some candy from a vendor's stand, too quick for anyone to catch me. The vendor didn't even notice the theft until I was already halfway down the street. I kept moving, my new body surprisingly nimble despite its condition.

I ducked into a quiet alley, far from prying eyes, and stuffed my mouth with the stolen food. I ate like a human who hadn't seen a meal in days, tearing into the fruit with a hunger that wasn't entirely my own.

As I swallowed the last bite, I wondered if maybe this body still had some consciousness left in it. I had high enough regeneration to keep it alive, but I could feel something deeper—a resistance. But also… a quiet acceptance.

"Not that I care," I muttered, leaning against the wall. "I keep your body safe, isn't that enough?"

Just then, a strange sensation rippled through my mind. A voice. Faint, but there.

"My little sister…."

"What?" I froze, looking around, but quickly realized the voice wasn't coming from my surroundings. It was inside my head. A weird, disorienting feeling.

"Save my little sister… and I'll give you my…"

"Oi, don't leave me with a cliffhanger," I grumbled, annoyed. "And where the fuck is your sister? Don't sleep on me, kid!"

But the voice was fading. Whatever remained of the boy's consciousness was slipping away.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. "I guess I'll go back to where I found this body and do him a favor."

I made my way back to the spot where I had found the boy, my mind racing. This wasn't part of the plan, but maybe finding his sister could be useful. I searched the nearby area, looking for clues or signs of the sister. Nothing. No one seemed to know or care about a missing child.

"Eh… I'll deal with it later," I said, ready to turn away.

But before I could leave, my body suddenly jerked. My legs moved on their own, as if guided by something else. It wasn't me—it was him. The boy's will was strong enough to take over, just for a moment.

"Guess I'll let him lead the way," I muttered, slightly amused. I let the boy guide me through the winding streets, his body moving with surprising determination.

He led me to a rundown building, hidden in the back alleys of the city. We descended into an underground residency, a place that looked like it hadn't seen upkeep in decades. The hallways were narrow, the stone walls crumbling, and at the very end of the corridor was a single, broken apartment door.

Inside was a girl—his sister.

She was half-dead, starved and frail, her thin body lying motionless on a ragged blanket. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow.

"Kid, I can try to save her," I muttered, "but I don't think I can."

I slipped out of his body and entered hers, my parasitic powers working quickly to give her the life force she so desperately needed. Her body trembled, and after a moment, I felt her heart beat stronger.

"Oooh, I think it's working," I grinned. I guided her weak body to chew as her brother fed her the stolen food.

"Give her more," I said, helping her swallow each bite. Little by little, color returned to her face, and her breathing became steady.

"She's going to be okay. She just needs rest."

The boy, still in his weakened state, gave a nod. He didn't need words to express his gratitude.

"Thank you… as I promised… I will give you my body," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he closed his eyes and collapsed.

I slipped back into his body, steadying him before he could hit the floor.

"Well, kid," I muttered, "I guess we're in this together now."