Shall we try to reach 400 votes quickly? I'll post an extra chapter for each goal reached.
I'm going to start writing chapters of 1500 to 2000 words (from chapter 19 onwards) The chapters are too short and that bothers me lol
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It was my first time using the skill, so I had no idea how it worked. What would happen to my body when I took control of Zen's? I hadn't thought about it—I just hoped for the best.
My vision suddenly shifted.
Then I noticed my sight was slightly obstructed by the mask I was wearing. 'This is Zen's vision.' Right in front of me stood a tall, muscular man.
I stared at him and saw ears above his head. Animal ears.
'I'm sure I've seen him before,' I thought.
I tried to recall his name, and then someone came to mind—Ottar, the captain of the Freya Familia. 'It's him. I'm sure of it. Damn, this guy is dangerous. The aura he gives off is out of this world.'
Is this what Zen was feeling? This fear and tension? I didn't think my clones were capable of emotions, but apparently, they are.
"So, who are you? Another one of those things?" Ottar asked.
Should I respond? I can't maintain control over Zen's body for too long.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"Oh? Finally decided to speak?"
"Who are you?" I asked, pretending not to recognize him.
"You know who I am."
"..."
"Who are you? And why are you all so strong?"
"Strong? Do you have any idea what you're saying? My strength doesn't even compare to yours."
"But you don't have a falna. You thought I wouldn't notice? And you're not even a human, are you?" Ottar asked, staring at me coldly. "I've seen your face before so that mask is useless."
Hearing his words reminded me of what happened to Chen.
"So it was you."
"Hm?"
"It's nothing."
"I'll ask again: Who are you? You're not human, are you?"
"What do you think I am?" I smiled behind the mask. "A human? A monster? A Xenos?"
"I have no idea. I don't even know how many of you there are, but I know there's more than one."
"I'm not so sure about that. So what are you going to do now? Kill me?"
"I'm not here to kill you, don't get the wrong idea. I'm here for information."
"Did Freya send you?"
"..."
"She's curious about me? What an honor. I'm sorry, but I don't feel like sharing anything with you," I said to Ottar, pointing my sword at him.
"You can kill me in a second, but I don't care…" I looked at Ottar coldly.
I'm feeling confident enough to say things like that. But I'm confident because this isn't my original body.
"Do you have a main body?"
"Who knows?" I smiled behind the mask.
"..."
"So, now that you've had a little chat with me, what will you do? Run back wagging your tail and kneel before Freya to report everything that happened?"
"Trying to provoke me is pointless. I don't care about your words." Ottar turned to leave.
"Leaving already? Don't want to find out more?"
"Will you tell me if I ask?"
"Of course not."
"I figured. Enjoy yourself while you can. I'm sure we'll meet again soon."
Before I could reply, the NeuroLink skill deactivated, and I returned to my original body. When I came to, I was standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by people staring at me.
"So that's what happens." I coughed and walked back home.
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When I got home, I started thinking about the mess I'd made. I have just provoked the strongest adventurer in Orario… Holy shit, I've lost my mind. "But for some reason, I feel good about it."
Ottar didn't react, but I felt like he was slightly bothered.
"But now that I've done something so reckless, I need to grow stronger even faster."
For now, I have to stay hidden.
Ottar knows my face. If he sees me around, I'm screwed. If he finds me(the main body), things will spiral out of control.
No doubt, my life will become hell. That's if I don't get killed.
"I should receive all the battle experience from my clones, right? Then why do I still feel like I can't fight properly?"
Then, a system message popped up.
[Would you like to assimilate?]
"Oh?"
Of course, I said yes.
Then my body began to glow, a warmth surged through me, and my mind was flooded with information. For several long seconds, my head was in chaos.
I thought I'd get a headache or something, but nothing like that happened.
"This is…" I looked at my own hands, feeling something different. I feel like I can fight any monster now. I feel like I can wield a sword like no one else.
All the movements are in my mind, and I know I can replicate them with ease.
"So this is how the skill works?" It feels like I've trained in swordsmanship for years.
This is insane.
I grabbed my sword's hilt and, sweating cold, started moving my body as if I were in combat. There wasn't much space in the room, but even so, I could move with surprising fluidity.
My movements were flawless.
I kept going for several minutes, sword strikes flowing as imaginary battles unfolded in my mind.
When I finished, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and gave a smug grin. "Work hard, clones. Soon, I won't have to worry about that Freya Familia idiot anymore."
Then, after just one more day, I reached level 20.
And when I did, I was greeted with a surprise.
[You can evolve!]
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Read more chapters on my patr eon: patr eon.com/ZhangYe
Next chapters: Chapter 16 - Creator's Mask. Chapter 17 - Eight clones. / Chapter 18 - Rank D.