The way back.
I always heard about how hard self acceptance was, both to your body and self.
I also always was.. well, self conscious I suppose ...about my body that is.
When it came to personality.. um.. I had a similar problem but it's not the point!
In this world my body changed, and now I am worried for it in a different way.
Being a girl.. it's going to be hard to get accustomed but I.. I won't back down, I said I would try and try my hardest I will! This is something I am confident in, even if it makes me feel weird inside.
Promises mean a lot to me, and that declaration I made? It's a promise to myself, something I won't break.
When I was a goblin, the green skin weirded me out a bit, but I could like with it because if the idea it wasn't permanent, and now it's gone.
So as long as it's temporary I don't mind some parts of my body being a bit weird to me, like the ogre teeth for example! It doesn't affect my promise at all.
..that being said, when I said these things I didn't know I had a fricking tail!
Urg.. but knowing or not I will keep the promise, right now though.. I have more important things to do, like figuring out what's wrong with me!
...
...
With Veldora's help, I was able to identify everything "weird" about my body.
So let's list them shall we? From the simpler to the big ones!
First.. I am smaller than an average ogre.
I mean that's fine by me, I am not unnaturally smaller so I don't think it has anything to do with my condition, but it's worth mentioning, also I am conveniently the same height I was on Earth ...which intrigues me to say the least.
Second... Horns.
My horns have two segments! I mean I like it, but at the same time, it's very different from usual Ogres ..or at least different from the ones I saw in the show, hopefully they don't cause problems.
Third... Other horns!
..yep I had not noticed it before but I have more horns growing.. a bit to the side of my head near my ears, I mean it's hard to call them horns, they like very little ...not to mention my hair covers them, they are also open in the middle, I have no idea why they are here, but they are.
Final!
Shooosh.. Whip!!
My tail wips cutting the air.. this thing is deadly.
The sharp end, and slim shape is really good ..I also like the feeling of it.
....what? Expected me to be angry or sad? Expected me to complain about it more? Well.. me too!
But the truth is.. I liked it??? I mean I can control it fully.. it's so nice to touch and it's intimidating too.
I don't know what else to say about it, but I still don't understand why this is happening ..that is until Veldora says something.
"Your body shows so many different characteristics, that I don't believe apply to a specific species.. but more so that it might be a consequence of who you are."
"...of who I am? Can you please explain?"
"I shall, do you know about spirits? Almost all of them, including elementals, can take many shapes and forms even if they are all the same species, two fire elementals won't necessarily look similar, that is because of the nature of their bodies."
...that ...huh that does make sense! So..
"...So because my body, or soul, is part elemental, it's.. influencing my phiscal body..? Somehow?"
"Exactly so, or at least that is my current theory, your current self is being molded into something you would like, using your species as a base."
...something I like..?
...well I do find myself pretty, very pretty.. um it's embarrassing really.
And I guess I like the horns too, I always had a thing for ..uh certain types.
But a tail..? When could I have wished to have a-
Suddenly I remember what I said all those days ago..
"I reduced their numbers from 11 to 6 in less than a minute ..wait I kind of did that didn't I? Huh? Am I finally becoming cooler? Well as long as I don't get those weird gems in my head I am fine with it, a tail is nice though.."
...oh my god, that.. that throw away line, could it be..? I.. that's almost amazingly played, I would laugh if I wasn't shocked and a bit angry ...who am I kidding this is hilarious.
...
...
Having being pranked by this world, I continue to talk to Veldora about various things, he knows a lot after all, and I have the time now.
In fact I decided to spend an entire day here, I mean, the poor guy was alone for so long, and he did so much for me! it's only fair I help a bit right? I have the time now too.
In the mean time I checked my skills.
As expected I gained new skills by evolving, I didn't have time to take a look at it then, so let's review it now ok?
Let's start with Intrinsic skills! ...well skill.
[Strengthen]
Hmm, a simple skill all ogres have! It's useful though.. I hope I can evolve it having [Steel body] soon.
Now onto the extra skills because yes I got one! All because of this simple skill.
[Ogre flame]
I think it came around because of my fire skills, I mean I have high compatibility with it.
As you can imagine another fire skill means that..
[Ignition] [Ogre flame] and [Fire Nullification] became [Control Fire].
So that's nice.
What I didn't expect was that the tail came with a skill.
[Sharpen].
Uh.. it's simple but deadly, it sharpens a body part, it won't make it more resistant or give it more cutting edge even, it just.. makes the already sharp part, even sharper!
My tail whips!
Shooosh! Whip!
So yeah pretty simple but deadly.
With that I finished, those are all my new skills, from there on I went back to speak with Veldora some more ...but I grew hungry.
Unfortunately I didn't have food left, so I had to eat that.. that bat.
"U-urg..!"
"...I do not envy beings that need to eat to acquire sustenance, and I don't think I ever will."
You.. urg..
First I use my tail to cut a piece of the meat, then I use [Control water] to clean it.
When I am done i use [Control Fire] to "cook" it, I am not a bad cook you know? ..but I can't do much with this.
When it's finally "ready" I go and take a bite.
...It was disgusting ...and still so bloody!
I urg.. do I have to eat it..?
No, no I can't, not like this.!
...ok a new tactic.
I cut and clean another piece.
But this time when I am going to cook I use both [Control fire] and [Control water] to steam it before.
[Acquired skill [Create Steam] Successful].
...uh didn't expect that, but anyway!
After that I cook it once more... And now to try it..
I slowly take a bite...
....it's.. it's..
"...still pretty bad."
..not awful, but kinda disgusting still.
Also hopefully it doesn't cause illnesses.. I mean I have poison resistance but I don't know if it applies..
After that I really wanted to distract myself.. so reviewing my thoughts I grew curious.
"Hey, Veldora, my species.. the reincarnated spirit thing, does.. um does it have a name?"
"...that is a good question, your case, I assume the answer is no."
No, huh?
"Um.. is.. there a reason for that?"
"There is and it's quite simple, I know of all the history of this world, and in all its existence ...you're the first of your kind."
...really now?
"Of course, it could also be that one of you did exist, and just didn't make history ..however that is non plausible for me, I refuse to believe a being like that would not have the slightest impact in the world and be known, it's more likely you're the first."
...that's.. insane..
"...I.. I see.."
The first of my kind.. that sounds so good ..but.
"..then.. what do we call me?"
Even the world doesn't know what to call me, it always adds the "?" At the end of my name.
"Ahhh-Haa-haa-haa-haa"
Why?
"That is simple!"
He would be grinning if he could.
"We shall name it ourselves!"
Oh.. this is going to take a while.
And this we spent way too long thinking of a name.
...
...
...
"It is decided! To reference the fact you are the perfect version of a half spiritual life form, 100% monster and 100% spirit.. you shall be called!"
He looks at me to finish.. urg. Alright let's go!
"A Demi-spirit"
We say at the same time.
And yeah that's the name we came up with.. look Veldora is not good at this ..and I am not good at this either! ..but I find it acceptable enough.
Suddenly I feel something different.. I analyze myself and-
[Ogre (Demi-spirit)]
...wow, that easy huh?
"Ahhh-Haa-haa-haa-haa!!"
...Veldora analyzing me laughs.
"As expected, the world recognized the name we created!"
...well no takes back now.
"I am a Demi-spirit, Karia the first Demi-spirit."
With this, we finally resolved the mystery of what I was, and now I can move on confident in it.
...
...
Sometime passed, Veldora was so nice to me wasn't he? So I decided to give him a gift.
".. transfer memories through Thought Communication? Yes I do know how.."
...hehehe.
I can't help but grin.
"Then as a gift to my friend I will introduce you.. To the world of Japanese anime culture!"
Veldora looked on, curious about I was talking about, we would then go on the rest of the day watching some of my favorite animes, I was careful to pick ones with dragon characters and fighting, because that seems to be what he likes, I also made sure to not choose any of the ones Rimuru seems to watch so that the experience isn't ruined.
...which ones? Eh, maybe I will tell you another time, but for now I am too busy satiating the boredom of an old dragon with weeb stuff.
As anyone would expect, he was in love with it, and me? I had a good time, I told Veldora that there is no shame in a re-watch.. I can only hope he can use it to entertain himself while Rimuru doesn't arrive.
He even kept watching when I went to sleep, kinda weird but ok.
Morning arrives and I had a small chat with him.. it's time to go.
"KARIA!! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME ON A CLIFFHANGER LIKE THAT! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT NOW!? THIS ISN'T WHAT A FRIEND SHOULD DO!!"
...he sounds so betrayed, and a lot more like his anime counterpart.
But he had a point.. it would be cruel, but what to do?
"...um.. oh I know! Here!"
..then I transferred the remaining of the arc into his mind.. but they were closed like I was trying to suppress the memories..
"!? This is.."
"As long as you analyze them one by one you should be fine!"
"...."
He only looks in at me for a moment and then-
"Ahhh-Haa-haa-haa-haa!!"
Of course..
"As expected of the one I call friend, you have the finest of ideas Karia!! I shall treasure this gift until the one you told me of arrives and frees me! Hmm, no! In fact I will continue to honor it afterwards too! As you said when you watched with me "there is no shame in a re-watch!" Those were words of wisdom beyond your years!"
...um.. thank you? I know he is exaggerating as always but.. it does feel good to get a compliment fromm something I actually did, differently from the people of the goblin village who complimented and praised me for.. nothing at all.
This one feels a bit... Too good in comparison..
Uh.. I mean..
...A-ANYWAY! Its almost time to go I am just waiting for..
[Acquired skill: [Select space] [Isolate Space].]
Hehehe..
Hmm? How did I suddenly get these skills? That's easy..
I look over at Veldora ...more specifically at the giant space globe around it.
...yeah, that's right, I was analysing [Unlimited Imprisonment] this whole time!
..but differently from Rimuru I was only trying to get an idea of how it worked, not trying to fully comprehend it and take it down.
Because of that it didn't take that long at all, and I now have some extra skills that probably are a part of it.
With this I grow once more!
[Skills [Select space] and [Isolate space] have been integrated into Unique skill [Space Dominion] Successfully].
...
...oh.
I mean.. that's good! It means I got even stronger than I thought!
..it's just..
...that it feels like I added two different tools to the already full Tool box that is [Spacial Dominion].
[Skills: [Space manipulation] [Pocket dimension creation] [True Portal creation] [All of space Detection] acquired. Combining and upgrading to extra skill [Spacial domination] success].
..eh?
It.. integrated further..? Hold on..
..now [Spacial Dominion] only has two extra skills ..yet it feels stronger than ever.
..um.. well I am stronger now so I won't complain.
I do wonder though.. if I can get it to evolve if I keep this up? Hmm.. food for thought, I suppose.
..now for important things.
"..Veldora, to make sure some events play out the same way they should, please promise to not tell anyone about me."
It's the best way to ensure I don't mess up the plot.
"hmm, I see.. very well I shall pretend that our meeting has never happened, you have my word."
...I let out a sigh of relief, I am happy I didn't have to convince him.
With this everything I had to do in the cave has been done, I can finally leave this place.
I turn to Veldora, I am so grateful to him.. for everything.
"...well, that's it then, again, thank you for everything you did for me."
I smile, so happy and grateful.. so much so but I'm going to force myself to say something this embarrassing...
"You're a great friend.. in fact you're my best friend!"
...not that it means much because except from him I am friendless, but to Veldora...
"Gah.!?"
He stumbles back a bit.. I can see his tail, it's almost waving, he looks away and scratches his head behind his non-existent ear.
...again, cute ..but also sad.
He never had any of this did he? It's kinda depressing.
"Ahem! I.. yes! Of course I am a great friend, also so are you, you Karia will succeed in your objective and tell me all the mysteries later as we laugh about it outside this cave! Ahhh-Haa-haa-haa-haa!!"
...he is really looking forward to it huh? ...heh.
"..alright! This isn't a goodbye but a see you later.. take care Veldora!"
"Go fourth and show the world who you are, my friend Karia!"
..saying goodbye to a friend, I finally get moving, I have a long road ahead of me after all, with the blessings of the storm dragon, and my convictions in place I move forward.
...
...
The walk through the cave is going as expected.
Mostly boring while sometimes..
Whoop!
...I step away from the armorsaurus giant weird tendrils.
This thing is an annoyance, the scales are definitely too hard for me to cut with only my hands or tail, I remember Hakuro cut Rimuru while he had body armor, I am probably.. no most definitely phiscally stronger than him, I have no technique to do that ...I also have no sword as well.
I doubt I will be able to get any skills from it too ..because the only skill it has is body armor and I don't have compatibility with it for obvious reasons.
Whoop!
"...there's no reason to fight it there..?"
I casually avoid the armorsaurus, I am not even using [Thought acceleration] to its maximum but.. this thing is so slow! ...no I guess I just got faster.
Either way, I should probably get going but..
This thing attacked me.
Sure it's not intelligent at all but.. IT IS trying to kill me ...there should be a punishment for that shouldn't it?
I mean it's just an armorsaurus, no one will miss it.. I can get creative and find a way to hopefully make myself stronger by killing it can't I?
...
...ok I know what to do.
This is something I thought about before I even got reincarnated.
You know the simple skill [Thought Communication]?
It's not an attack.. more so a support skill that helps.. well, communication.
It basically allows me to transmit my thoughts and even memories to others.
I always had a question about it though..
"...what happens when I use it on non intelligent beings?"
I activate the skill, I try to speak to the armorsaurus.
"Hi"
"..!..!.!...!"
It takes a few steps back in instinct.. but like I guessed, no big thoughts in its head, only simple actions and reactions..
It makes sense, it phiscally isn't and can't handle being intelligent.
...but what happens if these thoughts are given to it?
"..I will have to ask you to die for me, sorry but consider it your punishment for attacking me."
..without any delay I send memories to the monster, they are encrypted like the anime I sent Veldora, and then while doing it, I watch it struggle.
The armorsaurus stumbles back.. it's mind can't really take this kind of complex thoughts and images.
A simple thought would be asking too much of the primitive beast, but this? Even humans would get a headache.. anyone that couldn't analyze the information, could accelerate their thoughts or has some kind of resistance would struggle.
"..like I thought then.."
This is going to be a bit cruel but.. no let's do It, I need to get stronger.
...I start to loop the memories, sending one after the other and repeating it non stops
The armorsaurus let's out a pained shriek, it's mind is breaking.. being overwhelmed by incomprehensible thoughts that aren't theirs, if it had basic intelligence it could try to isolate the thoughts or resist them, but it can't.. so it starts to painfully scratch its own head with its claws.. slowly tearing through its own armored carapace and damaging it's flesh.
....this is so cruel I feel bad, but at the same time not too much? I should feel worse, Ogre's aren't supposed to be that cruel ..maybe it's because it attacked me but still.
At this point though.. I won't let it's suffering go in vain, [Prodigy Sense] at full power I keep watching it and..
[Acquired skill [Mental attack Resistance] Succesful].
...good, now.
I take out some water from my pocket dimension and fire it like a slash at High-speeds towards the exposed part of the armorsaurus head.
[Acquired Skill [Water blade] succesful].
[Skill [Water blade] has been integrated into Extra skill [Control water] success].
As expected, but still.. nice.
The armorsaurus is hit, letting out a small pained shriek.. but also almost relieved? It's body falls, it's death was it's rest from madness.
"..."
...I went way too far didn't I? Sure it attacked me so It deserved to be killed, it wasn't intelligent so It wo even care about second chances.
..even then it didn't deserve that, I guess I should try to calm down a bit with the experimentation-
[Acquired skill [Mental attack] [Madness Resistance] succesful].
....oh come on!
How am I supposed to regulate myself if you're rewarding me from being evil!?
..urg..! Do you have any idea how hard it will be to resist doing something like this again?
..sigh.. at least i got stronger ..not that I want to use [Mental attack] any time soon.
...
...
I keep on walking through the cave, because of [Perfect Memory] I have the layout from the entrance to the deeper parts in my head, it's like a perfect map.
Because of this it, it really shouldn't take long at all to leave the cave, in fact it should take even less time than before because I don't have to search for Veldora, just leave.
..yet, It still is taking a while, at this point I am accustomed to days of travel but still.. it's so annoying.
That's why I am learning how to create portals and teleport as soon as I get to the goblin village.
[Spacial motion] has to be a part of [Space Dominion] ..in fact [spatial Domination] should have the skill shouldn't it? Why wasn't I able to use it when it was [True portal creation] though? Is it not the kind of portal I thought it was?
..too many questions, too little time and no place to test it.
I suppose I will keep it in my head though.
...
...
Continuing on, I saw a giant spider and promptly avoided it.
I don't like giant.. well bugs? I know spiders aren't bugs but you get me right? Still they are nowhere near as bad as bees and hornets.
..though they could have skills ...hm ok I will spy on them..
...
And spy on them I did, this thing is scary .. though it doesn't make my skin crawl with repulsion quite ...yet.
It's large web is Blocking the path too..
If I had fire I would be in the clear but.. [Control Fire] doesn't create fire, and I won't waste the Small wood I have left behind for cooking on something like this..
[Acquired skill [Paralysis Resistance] succesful].
...there we go! ..but uh, no sticky steel thread? I must not be compatible ..that's a shame.
...well maybe one day in a further evolution for now.. water blade.
A blade of water shoots towards the Spider's web cutting it in half.. I take the opportunity and run through, all the while the spider is left confused at what happened.
Yeah I won't kill them, have no reason to.
In fact I was being way too cruel.. just in this cave I drowned, burned and drove to madness my opponents so far, reflecting on what I did made me realize how horrible it was, I mean I still remember my morals, and I know how much worse it can get.
So I decided something... That unless someone really wronged me I shouldn't kill them, and with monsters I should try to make their deaths painless.
Think of it as a way to keep some humanity in me-
...just a moment.
The cave is silent for a moment.. before I hear the wind moving and cutting towards me with a flap of wings, something is rapidly accelerating towards me.
...but I already noticed it.
I turn to see a giant bat, like the one from before is diving in for a surprise attack on me, but this time I am prepared.
I learned from my mistakes.. I won't ever turn off [Magic sense], combining it with [All of space Detection] and, I am good to never get ambushed again.. even if it takes some mental effort, I mean do you have any idea how weird it is to use [Parallel processing]? It's like I am having multiple thoughts and doing multiple things at the same time! Even with [Prodigy Sense] I still get lost sometimes, I wish I had [Sage] so I can at least understand everything better and think even faster.. but for now it just means I need to get accustomed to it! ..or find a better way to do it.
That being said I am still being attacked huh? Honestly I am way too fast for this poor thing.. well time for my counter attack!
I pull my fist back clenching it, then I activated [Strengthen], I am going to use it at full force!
With everything ready, i punch the vampire bat mid air! Right in the face too! And then-
Splat!?
...wha-!? E-ew!
The vampire bat's upper half exploded into a bloody mess! It's organs flying everywhere! And blood splashing on me!
"E-ew!! D-disgusting!!!
[Acquired skill: [Blunt attack Resistance] success].
...disgusting, absolutely disgusting.
But useful I suppose-
SCREECH!!
A sonic attack is fired towards me! ...but I will never be ambushed again!
I jump back dodging it.. though it's still very loud, I look around and see more Vampire bats, I didn't think they were the kind to swarm you, but there are six of them here.
"...won't you leave me alone!?"
...these things, how annoying.
This was the enemy that gave me the most trouble in this cave, I don't do well with bleeding, and this thing? It made me bleed, it made me remember my death, I feel myself getting a bit angrier..
...oh well, I guess it's time to let out some stress.
"...all of you will die here."
I will have no mercy on those who made me feel this way.
I have to be indulge myself a bit more don't I? I won't put myself in a position to try to sympathize with these things.
I won't let a single one escape, I will kill and grow stronger from it, all of you will fall and be one more stone in my road forward!
This is the path I will take towards my future.