A girl awakens, suspended in a tube of green liquid. She blinks slowly, the thick substance allowing her to breathe despite the unnatural feeling. There's no warmth, no comfort — only the rhythmic hum of machines and the faint glow of monitors.
Her thoughts come sluggishly. She doesn't know where she is, or why. All she knows is one thing.
Her name is Aika.
'Aika... that's me, right?'
She tilts her head, gazing out through the transparent glass. Scientists in pristine white coats bustle around, completely unaware of her. Wires snake across the floor, connecting countless devices that blink and whir in hypnotic patterns.
Despite the strangeness, Aika doesn't panic. There's no fear. Just... quiet curiosity.
'Is this... normal? I think I'm supposed to feel something.'
She lifts a delicate hand, the slow movement sending gentle ripples through the liquid. Her silver hair drifts around her, strands floating like threads of silk. It's calming, in a strange way. Yet, something feels incomplete — like there's a part of herself that she can't quite reach.
A sharp spike in her heart rate disrupts the peace. Outside the tube, a monitor beeps in response. Aika flinches at the sound, watching as one of the scientists — a nervous-looking man — glances up. His eyes widen.
"Narin... the package... it's awake."
'Package? I'm not a package... am I?'
Aika lowers her hand, fingers brushing against the glass. The man's fearful expression makes her hesitate. Carefully, she raises her other hand and gives him a tiny wave — uncertain, but polite.
The scientist's jaw slackens. He steps back, practically tripping over himself.
"It waved," he mutters. "It... it waved at me."
"Interesting."
The voice is cold, clinical. The scientist stiffens as a woman strides forward. Her dark green hair frames a face that is sharp and unreadable, with eyes that seem to pierce through everything they see. There is no warmth in her gaze.
Aika shrinks beneath it.
'She's... scary.'
"Has it gained consciousness and intelligence?" the scientist asks, voice trembling.
"Clearly." Narin's voice remains calm, but the slight twitch of her brow betrays mild interest. "Record this. I'll run further tests later."
Aika watches as they continue their work, ignoring her once again. The girl lowers her hand, her soft violet eyes dimming.
'I'm not sure what I am. But... I think I'm supposed to be more than just a package.'
Somewhere Else...
Cassian wakes up.
And immediately regrets it.
"Ugh, what the hell?"
It's not just the disorientation. It's the overwhelming wrongness of everything. His body feels sluggish, like he's made of... slime? Panic surges as he wriggles, only to realize — he has no arms. No legs. No fingers to flip off whatever cruel god did this.
"Okay, okay, let's assess the situation. Maybe I'm just dreaming. Or hallucinating. Or in some edgy sci-fi horror game."
He tries moving again. Nope. Still a worm.
"I'm a worm."
A beat.
"I'M A GODDAMN WORM!"
Cassian thrashes, his tiny noodle body wiggling pathetically. Trapped inside a glass containment tube, there's not much else he can do. The liquid around him bubbles slightly from the movement.
"This is some next-level cosmic bullying. Who gets reincarnated as a parasite? Was I a corrupt politician in my past life? Did I kick puppies for fun?!"
It's then that a screen flickers into existence before him.
[Terminal Window: Cassian]
Name: None
Evolution: ___
Evolution Points: 0/???
Race: Parasyte (Worm)
HP: 30
Stats:
Strength: N/A
Dexterity: N/A
Intelligence: N/A
Wisdom: N/A
Charisma: N/A
Constitution: N/A
Skills:
Drain Leech
Passives:
Animal Instinct, Parasitic Regen
Cassian stares. Then stares harder.
"Wow. My stats are as nonexistent as my dignity."
He glares at the 'N/A' across the board, the sheer disrespect practically radiating off the screen.
"No strength, no dexterity, no charm. What am I? A sentient spaghetti noodle with social anxiety?"
He squints at the skills.
[Drain]
Once in/on a host, drain its EXP, HP, or Vitae, granting Evolution Points with a chance of Spending Points.
[Leech]
Once in/on a host, suck its blood, dealing damage while gaining Evolution Points in the process.
"Ah. Fantastic. So I'm basically a mosquito with commitment issues."
Cassian grumbles to himself, trying to figure out how he's supposed to evolve into something that isn't utterly pathetic. Just as he's getting into the mental gymnastics, the door to the lab hisses open.
A tall figure strides in. Dark green hair. Piercing gaze. Narin.
"Great. It's Evil Lady McDeadpan."
Behind her, Aika follows. The girl looks around nervously, her silver hair trailing behind her like wisps of smoke. She seems… hesitant. Fragile. Yet there's a strange stillness to her. Unlike Cassian, she looks human. Mostly.
"Why does she get to be a cute sci-fi waifu while I'm stuck as literal pest control?"
Narin approaches his containment, not bothering to acknowledge him. Instead, she pulls on a pair of gloves and withdraws a syringe filled with a glowing orange liquid.
"Oh no. Nope. That's a hard pass from me. I know exactly where this horror movie is going."
A small cage slides open on the side of Cassian's tube, releasing a mouse. The tiny creature scurries around, clearly terrified.
"Wait. Is this my lunch? I mean… I'm not really into fine dining, but I'm starving."
Cassian instinctively uses [Drain], and the effect is immediate. The mouse's energy seeps into him, warmth flooding his small body. The system chimes in.
[Terminal Registry Updating…]Acquired 8 Evolution Points.
"Hell yeah, free EXP! You see that, Narin? I'm leveling up! Who's the pathetic worm now?!"
Of course, no one hears him. Narin simply watches, then raises the syringe.
"Wait, wait, WAIT! Let's talk about this!"
The needle pierces through the containment, injecting the orange substance directly into Cassian. Agony explodes through his body. His screeches are muffled beneath the fluid, his form writhing uncontrollably. Every nerve screams.
"WHAT IS THIS?! HELL?! THIS HAS TO BE HELL!"
Just as quickly as it began, the pain ebbs. Cassian's vision darkens. A notification pings faintly.
[Terminal Registry Updating…]Gained Attribute: Ra-
"Ra…? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
No answer comes. Only darkness.