Alan POV:

I’m a Host? Well I suppose that makes sense considering the fact that I have some sort of split personality…

I think the administrators can see my stats? And… They’re heading my way, is being a Host bad?

“We would like to bring you in for more testing, we want to know what it is that you are a host of” said the kind looking guard, but his tone implied that there was something wrong.

“I shall… I understand”

“Yes yes, now come”

After walking down a maze of stairs and corridors, I’m surprised to say that the Church of Gaia extends quite far down. Last I recall, Gaia was the Goddess of Healing and the Sun…

So shouldn’t we be going closer to the sun? Why further down… Gaia was usually depicted as a lady wearing a dress with bright golden colors, shining, just like one of those monster cores… Hmm…

Anyway, I should stop thinking about how Gaia came to be as some points in the holy text of the Church of Gaia contradicted itself, Whatever, there is also another pod here… Why?

“Step in”

Well, I’m not in a hurry to get my face bashed in. So I went in obediently.

But this time, when the pod closed, instead of mist rising up, I felt a cold light starting at my feet slowly move up my body in a line, where the line then immediately drops down back to the feet again, and does so about 5 times, when the lights turn off and the pod opens back up.

I don’t even know how a light can be cold...

“I’m good to go, right?”

“Yes, you may leave” says the administrator in a dazed voice.

Upon saying so, I was shortly shown out of the church and to the main entrance.

“How was the initiation son?” Says a man with gentle features. But don’t let the appearance fool you, this guy had about 100 points in strength, ten times stronger than any normal human.

“It was fine, I have 20 points in strength!”

“That’s wonderful! You can beat up peasants now!”

Not that I ever would, why would I want to beat anyone up?

“Hahaha, you and your jokes, you’re funny Dad”

He looks back at me with a confused expression, “I wasn’t joking though”

Patting him on the back, I lead the way back to the manor, “It doesn’t matter, don’t worry about it”

I miss my old world...

Administrator POV:

“What should I do? Humans can’t adapt to the mist to such a high degree… It shouldn’t be possible, the highest recorded was at 45%... And that man became unstoppable… I must report this to the Pope, but this is extremely sensitive material…

I know! I’ll send the letter in 3 different parts, this way, even if one of the letter’s get intercepted, at least 2 parts of the letter will reach the Pope! What a stroke of genius!

One part will say Alan Walker, the other will be 95%, and the last one will say Assimilation! Wonderful.

=====================================================================

A couple of days later...

=====================================================================

Pope POV:

"Your Holiness! Here! A letter for you!" Random Messenger #1

"Calm down, my discipline, calm down. By the calmness of Gaia, tell me what the problem is”

"This letter was sent from one of the trading cities, Traer, there should be two other messengers with two other parts of this message, but I’m the only one here…” (Random Messenger #1)

"I see, give me the message and you may leave." Handing the message over, the messenger soon left.

=====================================================================

A Few Moments Later...

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"WHO THE FLYING (insert swear word of choice here) IS ALAN WALKER?!?!?!"

Unknown POV:

"My liege, we have intercepted a message that was being sent to the Pope of the Church of Gaia." Random evil messenger #2

"I see, and what does this message say?”

"The message simply says 95%" Random evil messenger #2.

"..."

"..."

"That isn't very helpful is it..."

"I'm afraid not, my liege."

"Go! Search for the other parts of this message, if it was sent to the Pope, it MUST have been important!" Orders the mysterious man.

Soon to be dead POV:

Hmmm... I wonder what's inside this message, after all, it was sent to the Pope. A little peek couldn't hurt...

Cracking the message open, the messenger sees the words Assimilation, and then the trap is activated, but just before the trap kills the messenger he cries out.

"What in the 7 worlds does assimilation even mean?!?!?! And WHY WAS THIS ONE BOOBY TRAPPED?!?!?!" And then the messenger was burnt to death.

Meanwhile...

Edward POV:

Where did my peaceful days go… The moment the problem child took a bite out of the drones, it started to become more active, and still wouldn’t listen to my orders. But it also began to take a different shape than what I was…

Alan has been at home preparing to leave to this Church of Gaia learning place.

Don’t forget the book, Alan!

I wouldn’t forget an important item like that okay?

And remember to hide it properly, do one of your light tricks or something.

Those spells take a lot of mana…

Just take the mana from your surroundings.

Oh yeah! I can do that too!

I don’t even know how you can still use mana… You know that whole fiasco with that extra test?

Yeah?

I was wondering why you had to do it?

I don’t know, in my titles section there was “The Host”. I assume I’m the Host?

Yes…

So what are you?

Think of me… As a spirit.

A spirit?

You know, those spirits from monsters?

Oh yeah, but you aren’t like them.

It’s close enough.

As you all know, anyone can kill a monster, take their orb and absorb it. The thing is, the amount of people who can take in the Mana given off by the orb is an extremely small amount, and Alan is the unlucky fellow of the majority.

And he would’ve died, if I hadn’t intervened. Anyways.

The so called spirit is basically the remains of whatever monster they killed, and that monster becomes a parasite. At least, that’s what I think based on the amount of research I could do. Which isn’t a lot, considering my situation.

And I don’t even know why people would agree to swallow the orb, don’t they know that swallowing unknown objects is a bad idea? Why do that when you could just drag the energy out instead.

Alan POV:

Is it possible for you to play music?

No.

I was talking about this Status Window...

There is no music in the music section of my data files

Damn... So no music for now huh... Status Window! Is it possible to play a recording of that cute girl that just passed me?

I do not understand the definition of cute.

Gah, so useless, cancel that order. So I can replay whatever I see, I just have to specify whatever it is that I want. Status window, is it possible to create a space to store memories of my childhood?

Yes

Move memories of my childhood there.

Complete

Nice, now, whenever I enter a room, just like this, immediately record whatever is may be that the teacher is saying, and whenever there is a question pertained to what the teacher has said before, show me that information. Name the File Classroom notes.

Affirmative. Generating File: Classroom Notes

Ahh... This is so much better than that unresponsive spirit...

What was that?

Ahh! uhh... nothing, I was just saying how amazing you were!

Hehe, I see, praise however many times you want. I have some things to take care of, see you later.

Bye......... That was a close one.... Status Window, I have a question for you.

Fire away.

Do you have a personality?

Yes.

You sound rather dead to me.

“Alan! I see you are paying attention in class, what is the healing spell of the second order of the second tier?”

Ah… Status? Help?

Aheal Undar Ulti.

“Aheal Undar Ulti”

“Hmph”

Stupid teacher, thought you would catch me unaware huh? But I’ve figured out that my Status Window is different from others. For a fact, it’s got a personality and can also create files…

Do you have a name?

No.

Would you like a name?

I don’t care.

I see, so what gender do you consider yourself?

Female works.

Then how does Eve sound?

Eve sounds like a great name, thank you, Alan.

Edward POV:

So, I've been investigating a bit, and it seems that by implanting parasites into The Hosts muscles and tendons etc, it helps with energy gathering, and also increases the speed at which cells are generated, depending on where the parasite is located. This means, more cells for mwah to eat! Awesome! Regardless, the excess energy used to excite the cells are also used to feed them, this also decreases the amount of food the Host actually has to eat, which is a good thing, if The Host died due to starvation, that would be bad.

Also in reports that I've dragged from cells, it seems that my brethren are also deeply disturbed by the integration of the new parasites in The Hosts body, it is slightly interesting.

“Why did you interact with the Host, problem child?”

“I have a name now! It’s Eve!”

“And you can talk too…”

“Yeah!” says Eve while floating all over the place in the brain.

I've also been pondering about the shiny balls of energy that are held within the Monsters. My theory is that those are eggs, and by having people absorb these eggs, properties of whatever the monster was, will appear in the user.

For example, let’s use myself. I've been absorbing the energy of a human for years now, so that would explain my current form, what that wouldn't explain though, is my color scheme...

Or, let’s say a person took the orb from a dog monster, then over time, that person would have a better sense of smell, or they would have enhanced hearing.

Or perhaps someone killed a snake monster. And then they would gain the ability to "taste" heat. Regardless, I'll have to have Alan test this out... hehehe…

=====================================================================

For whatever reason, Eve, the problem child, kicked me out of the brain… But why? I didn’t do anything...

Anyway, after messing around a bit, I accidentally merged one of my clones to head.

Not that it does anything really. Just another hunk of waiting-to-be-programmed thing in my head. No biggie.

Anyway, since I was kicked out, and not given a time in which I would be allowed back in, I have now made it my sole desire to figure out where the rest of my brethren have gone off to.

Quest: Search for missing brethren.

(AN: Parasite-ception?!)

... Wha? Whatever, this should be fine... Probably. Anyways, another thing I've noticed is that when I travel along the bloodstream, I'm ignored by squads of patrolling protectors.... It's as if I was designated a beneficial being to Alan even though I steal cells every now and then...

Whatever, time to look for my missing brethren!

=====================================================================

Man... I've never been to the stomach before... I wouldn't want to fall into that pile of goo... Well, time to scout around right? Yeah... Where should I be going anyway..... All I know is that my brethren are in this general vicinity... Whelp, I'll just sit around for a bit. Hey... While I'm at it, I'll make a new mini me to absorb... I still want to know how Eve works...

Unknown POV:

This is bad! Really really bad!

I was sent by my brethren to gather cells as usual, but I ran into a squad of Hunters, and I still haven’t been able to shake them off…

No one can fight Hunters, when we first entered this host, it was quite easy, but the Hunters grew stronger and stronger as more time passed, and now they’re unstoppably.

And then a few days back, another group of parasites barged in, and pushed us out of our safe spot...

Hey... What is that strange light up ahead? It's glowing so... Ominously... Slowing down to slowly creep up, I see a strange figure.

The figure seems to playing with the black… globs...

Wait, wasn't I getting chased? I can’t stop here!

Looking back I see the Hunters catching up.

And I close my eyes to the inevitable fate that is about to occur.

Edward POV:

*sigh* I was busy making a complicated clone through some simple programming so that it might gain some sort of intelligence when I'M INTERUPTED BY A SQUAD OF PROTECTORS.

I think their frequency was…

Retreat.

But there’s a parasite!

I’ll take care of it.

We understand, my Lord.

Lord?

Is there a problem?

No, there isn’t a problem.

Did Eve do something weird?

Where is the Lady.

She, she is still in the brain.

I didn’t expect there to actually be a Lady, I suppose Eve did something weird.

Just leave.

Understood.

“So why were you being chased?” I ask the parasite.

“I was. Ah… Searching for cells, but you were able to command the Hunters! Who are you?”

Hunters? Oh, Protectors.

“I’m… Special, hey! If you eat this totally-not-suspicious-black-glob,” I raise my clone up, “you can be special too!”

“Really?”

“Yup!”

“I’ll eat it!”

Yes! Test subject number one!

Hehehe…

Handing my clone over, I watch as it eagerly tears through the clone. And then stops, and turns towards me and kneels.

I think I just took control of it. No mental fight for power or something? Wow. Disappointing, but I suppose this makes it easier to take control of my previous brethren…

“Take me to the rest of your group” I sure hope it was part of a group.

Turning around, the parasite moves through the bloodstream and I follow behind slowly.

=====================================================================

One month later....

=====================================================================

YES!!!! I've finally distributed the black blobs among the entirety of the parasite population AND took over all of them, MWAHAHAHAHAHA, praise my genius mind. *ahem* Back to the matter at hand, I'm travelling back to the brain with a small escort of Protectors, for whatever reason they wanted to follow me....

Let’s ask a few questions, I’m bored...

Why do you refer to me as the Lord? I ask.

Because you are one of the supreme beings that rule?

Why are you answering a question with a question?

.... Because I'm not sure?

........... Alright, here's another question, why do you assume that The Lady and I work together?

Isn't it because you live together? I though you were down here because you had a lovers quarrel?

.... What would happen if I told you we aren't married?

Then we would kill you. Hey, he really is preparing to eat me....

I see.... Yes, we are most definitely wed, definitely, you have nothing to worry about.

If you say so, My Lord.

Yup, let's stop the conversation here, and look! We're already at the brain...

You may turn back here, leave.

Yes, my lord.

Now then, as I walk up the passage to the brain, lets go over what happened so far.

After taking control of my previous brethren, they all underwent a change, and no longer have to eat cells. Isn’t that a great thing? Solving the starvation problem. Of course, they are all no my minions.

Hehehehehe.

*ahem* Right, so now The Host shouldn't be as weak as before. Which is probably better for me. Maybe. I think. Anyways, look!

“I see you’ve changed a bit, Eve.”

“And you’ve done some interesting things as well.”

“That is true”

“Hand over half of them to me”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me”

“But Dear, it took me-”

“I don’t care, give me half or do you want Protectors knocking on our door?”

“Why look! You suddenly control half of those parasites!”

“Thank you!” Giving me a hug, she walks away.

When was she a she? And how do we even hug in the first place?

Well that crisis is out of the way. Anyways, I've been experimenting a bit and I can send parasites out of The Hosts body, and then return them so that's good.

Alan's POV:

Today I keep getting weird looks and people seem to be avoiding me... I wonder why? It's not like I have a negative aura around me or anything... See? Even the teacher is afraid of me! I seriously wonder why...

Eve, do you know why people are trying to stay away from me?

That is a question for your Split to answer.

So… Why are people avoiding me, Edward?

Ah? That might be because I was testing out my aura.

Aura.

You know, manifesting oneself outside of the body.

That’s cool! We should test this out in combat practise.

I thought you were training to be a healer?

Healers need to be able to protect themselves you know.

That is true, yeah, we can test this out in practise, get hyped Alan!

I am hyped! What kind of weapon can you manifest as?

Ah? Uh… A spear, yeah, a spear!

Interesting… Why not a sword?

Because… Because spears have a longer reach, and staying further away is better… You can manifest yourself as well, can’t you, Eve?

Thanks to a few modifications from Edward, it is possible.

Walking towards the Arena, a couple of teachers are surprised.

“I didn’t think you liked to fight, Alan”

“I just want to test something”

Going through some quick procedures and signing a few papers, I’m in the queue to fight.

Edward POV:

Alright! It’s time to fight!

Edward, Eve, the weapons!

One moment.

“It’s going to take some time” Says Eve.

Ordering the minions to leave the body, I forcibly combine them to form one solid structure that looks like a spear.

I have to say, it looks quite ominous, the sharp edge is serrated and getting a cut from this would not be nice, because this whole thing is made of parasites, getting cut means you get infected, wonderful, right?

Eve is actually pretty impressive, only she is making a shield, I guess that’s good. A shield and spear, a good combo I would think?

Spectator POV:

Today there was going to be a new contestor, Alan. Never heard of him, but I have heard of his family name, Walker. His father is a real monster, and I wonder why his son chose to be a healer…

And the fight has begun!

I’m sure Alan is going to get demolished, he looks quite weak, and he doesn’t even have a single weapon, or armor for that matter.

But no, moments later, a black mist forms on his right hand while mist appears from his left and suddenly he has an ominous looking spear and a brilliantly white shield. Soul weapons?

With the weapons in hand, Alan leaps to the side just in time to dodge a jab from his opponent.

I don’t think anyone can perform such acrobatic skills in a battle.

Alan has been jumping over his opponent and hasn’t even used his spear yet.

Oh! There it is, a quick jab at the stomach completely tore through the opponent and the spear is poking through.

He’ll have to get that checked.

“AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!” Says the announcer.

Alan POV:

I think one of the downsides of this is that I don’t have armor, is it possible to create armor?

I would need more time.

What about you, Eve.

I would also need more time

I see… That’s too bad, I guess we should go hunting, huh.