Chapter 20: Experiments
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1. Preparing for the Experiment
The morning was quiet, the soft chirping of distant birds the only sound that broke the stillness. Alex sat cross-legged near the fire, the Parasite Core resting in the bowl before him. Its faint purple glow pulsed rhythmically, as though alive, and the writhing tendrils twitched faintly whenever Alex's hand drew close.
Lila leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "You're really going to mess with that thing, aren't you?"
"I have to," Alex said, his voice firm. "If this works, I could make my skeletons faster, stronger—maybe even smarter."
"Or it could backfire and kill you," Lila muttered. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Alex didn't respond. He was already deep in thought, staring at the parasite. It uses armor as a hive. Maybe it can bond with bone, too.
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2. Imprinting the Parasite
Alex summoned one of his skeletons, its bony frame rattling as it stood before him. The glow of its green eye sockets flickered faintly as it awaited orders.
He reached for the Parasite Core, his fingers brushing its slimy surface. A chill ran through him as the tendrils coiled around his fingers, responding to his touch.
"Here goes nothing," Alex muttered.
He focused his mana, channeling it into the parasite. The system responded immediately:
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System Notification:
Imprinting Attempt Initiated
Imprinting requires:
20 Mana (Initial Bonding Cost)
Continuous control during the process.
Risk of failure if concentration is lost.
Do you wish to proceed?
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Alex exhaled slowly. "Yes."
Mana surged from his body into the parasite, the glow of the core intensifying as its tendrils writhed violently. The skeleton stepped forward instinctively, its frame trembling as the parasite latched onto its ribcage.
The system updated again:
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Imprinting Progress:
Bonding: 20%
Mana Cost: -5/Minute (Active Control Required)
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Alex clenched his teeth, focusing his willpower as the parasite burrowed into the skeleton's chest. The tendrils spread like veins, wrapping around the bones and anchoring themselves into place.
"Come on," Alex muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.
The skeleton let out a low, unnatural growl as the parasite's glow merged with the green light of its eyes.
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Imprinting Progress:
Bonding: 60%
Warning: Imprinting process unstable. Risk of hostility if control is lost.
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Lila stepped closer, her dagger drawn. "It's shaking. Are you sure this is working?"
"I've got this," Alex said, though his voice wavered. He poured more mana into the connection, forcing the parasite to stabilize.
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3. A Successful Bond
After several tense minutes, the system pinged again.
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Imprinting Complete.
The Parasite Core has bonded successfully with your summon.
Summon Enhanced: Parasite-Infused Skeleton.
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The skeleton's movements steadied as the parasite settled within its frame. The green glow of its eyes was now tinged with faint purple, and its bones seemed reinforced, the tendrils acting like sinews.
Alex slumped back, exhausted but triumphant. "It worked."
Lila eyed the creature warily. "And now what? Is it still under your control?"
The skeleton turned to Alex, bowing slightly before standing at attention.
"It's loyal," Alex said with a faint smile. "For now."
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4. Observing the Changes
Alex activated Inspect on the enhanced skeleton:
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Parasite-Infused Skeleton
Type: Enhanced Summon
Abilities:
Increased durability and strength.
Minor regeneration (repairs damage over time).
Limited autonomy: Can act independently within simple commands.
Weaknesses:
Higher maintenance cost: -4 Mana/10 Minutes.
Risk of hostility if bond weakens or control is lost.
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Alex grinned, standing to inspect the skeleton up close. Its movements were smoother, and the tendrils binding its bones pulsed faintly with life.
"It's stronger, tougher," Alex said. "And it repairs itself. This could be a game-changer."
"Until it decides it doesn't like you anymore," Lila said.
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5. Testing Its Limits
Alex directed the skeleton to lift a pile of rubble, something his normal summons had struggled with. The enhanced skeleton moved easily, the parasite's tendrils flexing like muscles as it hoisted the debris and carried it across the camp.
Lila watched, her arms crossed. "Okay, I'll admit it's impressive. But what happens if it goes rogue?"
Alex hesitated, glancing at the system screen. "The system says the bond is stable. As long as I maintain control, it shouldn't turn on us."
"And if you can't?"
Alex didn't answer. He didn't want to think about that possibility.
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6. The Imprinting Price
As the day wore on, Alex felt the strain of the enhanced skeleton's mana upkeep.
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System Notification:
Active Summons:
Parasite-Infused Skeleton (-4 MP/10 Min)
Standard Skeleton (-2 MP/10 Min)
Net Mana Regeneration: +2 MP/10 Min → -4 MP/10 Min
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He realized quickly that maintaining the enhanced summon came at a significant cost.
"This thing's a mana hog," Alex muttered, dismissing the second skeleton to ease the burden.
Lila raised an eyebrow. "So you can only manage one at a time?"
"For now," Alex admitted. "But it's worth it. Look at what it can do."
The enhanced skeleton moved with precision, clearing rubble and reinforcing barricades with an efficiency the others couldn't match.
Still, Alex couldn't ignore the nagging thought in the back of his mind: What happens if the bond breaks? Or worse—if the parasite adapts?
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7. A Growing Ambition
As night fell, Alex sat by the fire, the enhanced skeleton standing silently nearby. Its faint purple glow reflected in his eyes as he stared at it.
Lila poked at the fire, glancing at him. "You're thinking about making more, aren't you?"
Alex didn't deny it. "If I can imprint one parasite, I can imprint more. An army of these things—stronger, faster, self-repairing... we could turn this place into a fortress."
Lila shook her head. "You're playing with fire, Alex."
"Maybe," Alex said quietly. "But sometimes you have to take risks to survive."
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System Update: Alex
Class: Novice Necromancer
Attributes:
STR: 8
DEX: 10
CON: 12
INT: 19
WIS: 18
CHA: 9
HP: 60
MP: 120 (Net Mana Regen: +2 MP/10 Min)
Active Summons:
1. Parasite-Infused Skeleton (-4 MP/10 Min