Chapter 3 : The Stray Kokedama

 

Several days had passed since I began my lazy, parasitic life, dozing peacefully on the back of my landlord.

During that time, we went on hunts and engaged in battles several times, but there were few opportunities where prey was brought back to us alive.

Because of that, my level hasn’t increased, but I guess it’s fine since it means I didn’t recklessly raise my level and end up regretting it later.

So then, here are the newly acquired skills!

Small Kokedama (Kokemori Mari) — LV5

Status
HP: 52/52 (Green)
MP: 1102/1102 (Blue)
SP: 59/59 (Yellow)
       59/59 (Red)

Average Attack Ability: 29
Average Defense Ability: 68
Average Magic Ability: 1068
Average Resistance Ability: 68
Average Speed Ability: 48

Skills
HP Auto-Recovery LV1 / MP Recovery Speed LV1 / MP Lessened Consumption LV1 / SP Recovery Speed LV1 / SP Lessened Consumption LV1 / Status Condition Enhancement LV1 / Magic Power Operation LV2 / Magic Warfare LV1 / Magic Power Attack LV1 / Magic Power Conferment LV1 / Paralysis Attack LV3 / Sleep Attack LV1 / Poison Attack LV1 / Acid Attack LV1 / Moss Armor LV3 / Armor Talent LV1 / Spatial Maneuvering LV1 / Stealth LV1 / Concentration LV10 / Thought Acceleration LV1 / Foresight LV1 / Parallel Thinking LV3 / Arithmetic Processing LV3 / Memory LV2 / Hit LV1 / Evasion LV1 / Appraisal LV10 / Light Magic LV1 / Water Magic LV1 / Wind Magic LV1 / Earth Magic LV1 / Healing Magic LV1 / Physical Resistance LV1 / Status Condition Resistance LV4 / Acid Resistance LV2 / Faint Super-Resistance LV2 / Pain Resistance LV2 / Heresy Nullification / Night Vision LV10 / Five Senses Enhancement LV1 / Vision Expansion LV1 / Life LV1 / Ultimate Magic LV10 / Instant Body LV1 / Endurance LV1 / Strength LV1 / Sturdy LV1 / Deva LV10 / Talisman LV1 / Acceleration LV1 / Desire LV1 / Overeating LV1 / Divinity Expansion LV1 / Omniscience LV10 / n%l = W

Skill Points: 7200
Titles: None

I maxed out the skills that enhance MP and average magic ability, and raised the levels of other skills enough to get bonuses upon leveling up.

Thanks to that, my average magic ability skyrocketed into the quadruple digits, and my total MP reached values that should be impossible at this level.

I would’ve liked to acquire higher-tier skills that increased average attack ability, but for some reason, the skill [Strength] required a whopping 2000 points just for level 1, which inflated the total cost too much. In the end, I could only afford to get the very first level of it.

Other skills only cost around 200 or 300 points...

From the number of points required for magic-related skills, I realized there seems to be something like an aptitude system. Skills in Light, Water, and Earth required fewer points, but Dark, Fire, and Ice were completely out of the question.

When something demands 10,000 points to acquire, it’s simply impossible.

… I really wanted to be able to use all elements though.

After that, I just grabbed a bunch of skills that seemed useful and got my preparations done.

I left a few skill points over, but even so, the 40,000 points I originally had were almost completely spent all at once.

There were other interesting skills, but for now, I’ll just wait and see.

Like Telepathy—it doesn’t seem useful yet.
And there were some shady-looking skills too...

Another thing I realized is that using Appraisal comes with risks.

I had been casting Appraisal over and over on the Kokedama in the herd, but every time I did it, the target would seem displeased and wary.

When I started wondering, "Huh?" and getting suspicious, the landlord gave me a scolding.

It wasn’t exactly a cry or any actual sound, but somehow a mental image of anger was transmitted to me, so since then, I’ve been refraining from unnecessary uses.

Right now, I’m practicing [Magic Power Operation] to handle magic properly.

Thanks to [Omniscience], even though the information is enormous, I can grasp the flow of magic precisely. I’m trying hard to memorize the sensations of channeling and concentrating magic.

Alright then—another day of training... huh?
A very strong reaction—no, two of them.

I noticed that two presences, comparable to Ark, were ahead in the direction our herd was moving.

It’s only thanks to the absurdly wide detection range of [Omniscience] that I could sense it. Neither the herd members nor even Ark, our landlord, seemed to have noticed yet.

Even so, the herd kept advancing without stopping, so a collision with those strong presences became inevitable.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

My consciousness was bleached white for a moment.

A deafening roar echoed through the cave, crushing my heart with an illusion of overwhelming pressure, blowing away all thoughts, emotions—everything.

W-what…?

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Fear Resistance LV1] acquired》

Even though my heart screamed, I couldn’t lose consciousness.

That was surely thanks to [Faint Super-Resistance], but that also meant I couldn’t just pretend I hadn’t seen anything and escape.

I burned the battle unfolding before my eyes into my mind and soul.

A dragon with a massive, imposing purple body used its thick limbs and physique to repel all magic and attacks.

A white, lean and sleek dragon soared through the air, mercilessly striking down any opponent that showed an opening with blade-like weapons on its arms.

Against this unbreakable fortress and the storm of white blades, the herd charged without hesitation or fear.

The Greater Kokedama held the front lines, enduring attacks with their bodies even though they could only last a brief time.

The Winged Kokedama darted around through gaps, despite the risk that even a graze could split them in half or scatter them entirely.

And the colorful Kokedama hovered near the front line, constantly watching for openings, immediately flying in to fill gaps in the defense and trying to inflict status ailments.

A deadly battle where neither side took a step back.

A selfless charge, knowing it meant death.

Without thinking, even knowing it might provoke them, I had used [Appraisal].

—That is an Earth Dragon.

—That is the power of a strong one.

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Desire LV1] has become [Desire LV2]》

Perhaps unable to ignore the sight of comrades falling one after another, the Ark Kokedama, the master of the house, charged forward using a speed and spatial maneuvering it had never shown before.

I clung on desperately, almost thrown off by the sudden acceleration.

My siblings had already burrowed deep into the moss when the battle started, and I was the only one standing idly on the surface.

Then, using its massive body, it became a shield for its comrades.

It pulled the gravely injured Greater to the rear and gathered magical energy to exert pressure.

Seeing the Ark step in at last, the Earth Dragons grew visibly cautious.

The Ark and the other Kokedama glared at each other in a tense standoff.

From the status I saw earlier, the Earth Dragons and the Ark Kokedama were roughly equal—if anything, the Earth Dragons seemed slightly weaker. However, the Earth Dragons worked flawlessly in pairs, covering each other's weaknesses. While an individual Kokedama might be manageable for them, against the entire swarm their chance of victory was slim.

A brief standoff—yet it felt like an eternity.

Then, the situation finally began to move.

The purple Earth Dragon began to retreat while creating walls and platforms with earth magic.

Meanwhile, the white Earth Dragon dashed forward, moving in a way that emphasized keeping the enemy in check.

Against these dragons, the Ark and the Kokedama rained down a barrage of magic.

Perhaps because I had continued watching without hiding or averting my gaze, I failed to notice in time the white Earth Dragon's blade closing in on the Ark as it shielded me.

The blade's trajectory targeted the upper part of the Ark Kokedama. If both continued their current motions, the attack would only graze slightly. But for me, who hadn't hidden or fled, it was an all-too-lethal blade heading my way.

The sounds of wind and explosions disappeared—

The colors of the world faded—

The information I perceived purified, leaving only the sensation of the approaching blade and my reactions—

And then… it barely missed me—

——!!

I tumbled through the air.

Up and down spun rapidly, and my vision lost all meaning.

However, thanks to my heightened perception, I could fully grasp both my own situation and my surroundings.

I realized I'd narrowly avoided a direct hit, but the wind pressure from the blade had sent me flying, knocking me off the Ark Kokedama’s back—and before I could react, the dark ground was rushing up to meet me.

—Guh…!

I crashed hard against the rocky ground and rolled, sliding all the way to the cave wall.

There, I slammed into the wall, bounced high into the air once, and then slowly fell back down.

Ah… Ugh…

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill...》

A voice echoed in my mind again and again.

But I couldn’t clearly register it as my consciousness wavered in pain, barely held together at the last moment.

As I vaguely took in my surroundings, the Earth Dragons and Ark Kokedama were still fighting, unable to land decisive blows.

The Earth Dragons steadily retreated, creating obstacles as they widened the distance.

Driven by anger at their fallen comrades, the Kokedama kept up their pursuit.

The Earth Dragons and Kokedama swarm gradually disappeared from view, leaving behind only the already-dead Kokedama and those too gravely injured to move.

And I, too, was left behind…

It… hurts… it hurts so much…

Unrelenting pain attacked me.

A sense of loss, as if part of my body had been torn away, gnawed at me.

Yet my consciousness didn’t fade. Facing death, stray thoughts vanished and clarity returned.

Though still weak in effect, I composed the most beautiful and fastest healing magic I ever had and repeatedly cast it on myself.

Then, crawling over, I approached one of my comrades—the still-breathing but dying Kokedama...

Looking up at the Kokedama whose HP was about to fall into single digits, I—

《Experience has reached a certain level. Individual, Small Kokedama has leveled up from LV5 to LV6.》

︙

《Experience has reached a certain level. Individual, Small Kokedama has leveled up from LV8 to LV9.》
《Various basic stats have increased.》
《Skill Proficiency Level-Up Bonus acquired.》

︙

《Conditions met. Title [Foul Feeder] acquired.》
《Through the effect of the title [Foul Feeder], skills [Poison Resistance LV1] and [Corrosion Resistance LV1] acquired.》
《[Poison Resistance LV1] integrated into [Status Condition Resistance LV4]》
《Conditions met. Title [Ally Killer] acquired.》
《Through the effect of the title [Ally Killer], skills [Heretic Attack LV1] and [Taboo LV1] acquired.》
《Conditions met. Title [Kin-Eater] acquired.》
《Through the effect of the title [Kin-Eater], skills [Heretic Magic LV1] and [Taboo LV1] acquired.》
《[Taboo LV1] integrated into [Taboo LV1].》
《Proficiency has reached the required level. [Taboo LV1] has become [Taboo LV2]》

—Fufufu… ahaha, ahahahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Desire LV2] has become [Desire LV3]》

As I confirmed my pain-free body, I perceived my surroundings in perfect clarity.

Perhaps I had taken too long devouring it, for now I was the only living Kokedama left.

The swarm had already advanced to the edge of my sensory range, too far for me to catch up.

I stood motionless before the remains of my devoured comrade, doing nothing.

—Ah… I ate again… even though it was a comrade this time…

I sat there in a daze, tasting the bitter, grassy aftertaste and the vile flavor of bodily fluids lingering in my mouth.

The torn moss and murky yellow fluid before me displayed to the world what I had done.

The lifeless eyes of the fallen Kokedama scattered around me seemed to accuse me...

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Overeating LV2] has become [Overeating LV3]》

Fufu… Ahaha… sorry, everyone… but we’re all together, right? You’re all part of me now…

Because we were comrades, siblings, family—I chewed thoroughly and turned them into my flesh and blood.

I won’t forget, I won’t forget, I won’t forget, I won’t forget because...

《Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Desire LV3] has become [Desire LV4].》

That’s why… I’ll become stronger. For everyone’s sake.

Wounds that not even Vile Immunity could block carved themselves into my soul.

They shattered something inside me irreparably, but they gave me an unquenchable fervor and relentless resolve.

Having devoured all the Kokedama corpses, I stood there, pledging my resolve in sorrow.

I will live.

For everyone’s share—stronger, longer, and to grasp more…

And so, I began to move forward.

Leaving the horrific scene behind, I walked on.

I sensed a battle happening a short distance away.

A horde of monkeys was attacking a small spider monster—but it was the spider who held the advantage.

I didn’t care who won.

I had to become stronger.

I—
I—
I must… grow… STRONG.

My thoughts remained cool, yet I marched on, drunk on feverish passion.

Without knowing where the path ahead would take me.

The girl who had eaten the fruit of hell was now bound by defilement, her tears falling all the while...

***

Author's Note

Mari Kokemori
She has broad connections with the entire class. Small in stature and beloved for her cheerful demeanor, but no one can quite keep up with her outlandish actions, so she doesn’t have any classmates with whom she shares a deep bond. She drifts between the Urushibara group and the Hasebe group depending on her mood that day. A formidable person who also used to play pranks and tease Hiiro Wakaba. She’s almost too honest with her own feelings and was apparently a very difficult child to handle in her early years.

To be honest, I’ve been deciding the stat numbers and modifiers rather arbitrarily. I don’t really have a clear standard.

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