Title: A Centipede Wants to Live Peacefully.
Summary: I always wished to escape reality, believing in fairy tales, and immersing myself in books to distract myself from the duties of an adult. I wished to live in a cottage somewhere in a forest, free from the bustle of the city. I could never imagine that I would lose my life and then be reincarnated as a monster. Is my wish possible?
I lay curled up underneath the boulder, motionless, stewing in righteous anger and sadness. To be referred to that word again pissed me off and it was slowly chipping at the confidence I had built over the years. She didn't directly call me a mistake but she was implying it. This made me recall my past and why I tried so hard to be confident, bold, and smart in everything I do.
I had a decent childhood growing up despite being poor and growing up with my grandmother and sickly mother. My father? He had already passed away, lost at sea during a freak storm. I was going to school and working a part-time job at a local supermarket at night to help with the expenses and almost every cent went towards my mother and grandmother.
I was decently pretty at school but not very different from other girls. Signature long straight black hair, dark eyes, and cutely shaped face. I was just like any other Japanese girl minus the air of depression I carried with me that only few noticed. I still suffered through years of bullying for being poor in high school because I didn't have the latest phone or some days I couldn't buy lunch. I could only work hard for my family because we needed the money for her sickness and for other household items.
For some reason, my mother resented me because I reminded her so much of my father. She was the person to ever think I was a mistake. I was hurt and couldn't understand why she thought of me like that. For a long time, I was depressed but still showed a smile for my friends at school and at home. I was incapable of showing my feelings to anyone for fear of being ridiculed. I carried on, working even harder to get a good education, and I managed to land myself in a good college via scholarship.
In college, I was able to finally able add another person to my small list of friends and someone with whom I could share my problems. He was the first person I really opened up to on a personal level because he didn't judge me. I let him through the wall I built up for myself and the troubles at home with my mother didn't seem to matter so much. He was my best friend and I loved him like the brother I never had.
However, that changed quickly when he went from my savior to my nightmare. He confessed to me and I rejected his confession because I just didn't like him in that way. Our friendship ended there as he couldn't take that I rejected him. It was then he revealed his through colors, starting rumors about me and telling everyone about our personal conversations. Despite all of this I endured the taunts and teasing throughout my college life, forming friendships with other people wasn't complete bigots. I just didn't allow anyone into my heart anymore afterward.
When I left college I ended up working at his company, much to my displeasure. I knew he was rich but I didn't know he would be the son of the CEO at the company I applied to. Since he knew a lot about me, he used it to his advantage to pressure me into dating him. He even approached my family making my mother angry at me but luckily my grandmother didn't like him also. He was the second person to ever tell me that I was a mistake and that he should have never met me because I broke him with my cold and unfeeling heart.
My working environment became a battlefield and I disliked working at the company but I wanted to show him that he couldn't break me. I was stubborn to a fault and would not give in to him who abuses his power to suppress others. Still, depression was still ever-present in my life and books became my escape from work, immersing myself in the world of fantasy and romance. Another favorite pastime of mine was also going out to enjoy nature. I even took up a gardening class because I loved the outdoors so much. The lives of those in the books seemed much better than mine despite the constant danger and schemes they encountered but maybe that had more to do with them having the protagonist halo.
But they had their own purpose and I was just living to supply myself and my family a decent living since my dad was gone. I was a real living person that had no purpose in life that even characters from a book seemed better in comparison. Between the verbal abuse from my mother, stress at work, and strangers gossiping about me, it was all too much so I did the only thing that worked and that was retreating into various worlds by inserting myself into the story as a character or going on long walks at the part, and doing gardening.
Eventually, I slowly became a cynical person with a distrust for others, projecting a bold and confident persona but only I knew the truth. It was my defense so as to not get hurt anymore. The things that I used to enjoy as an escape no longer worked. The very day I decided this was when I was on another pointless errand for my boss aka my ex-college-mate, to deliver lunch to his nephew at school.
But who knew I would meet my death the moment I stepped into the school? A God from another world somehow caused my death and that of others. Should I be happy? No, I shouldn't be happy but I feel relieved. It was a blessing to be away from those who had me under the ball and chain. For me to even think my situation now better shows how much I disliked my previous life.
I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time which could be touted as true since I hated my boss. But I'm here now so what can I do?
Cry?
Scream?
Beg?
I tsked inwardly, knowing that nothing was ever easy or simple for me. I lay there lost in my thoughts, completely oblivious of the danger that would soon be coming my way. I fell asleep, dreaming of my old life, but in my dreams, I was happy and had a good life. I was living life the way I want and not at the beck and call of someone else. I lived in a cottage deep in a forest, growing crops, and tending to both domestic and wild animals. I had a loving husband and wonderful kids. This was my dream.
I woke up suddenly, back to reality, as vibrations coming from the floor woke me up. My antennae moved from side to side quickly, sensing movement just outside of the large boulder. My instincts told me to move, and I obeyed, scampering from the shelter, putting some distance between me and what was coming.
BOOM!
I looked up at the large green snake that destroyed my home. I knew I was weaker than the monster with a quick appraisal but I didn't intend to run away this time. I was stubborn to a fault and would not go down without a fault. I couldn't live peacefully until I was strong but I wasn't strong. That dream that I dreamt? I wanted it. I steeled myself. If I am going to accept death then I won't go out without a fight. At least I go out fighting on my own terms and not someone else's. I retreat slowly and trying put some distance between me and the snake but it didn't allow me to do that. The snake lunged at me, its jaws wide ready to devour me. I curled myself up, rolling to the side like a wheel and dodging the killing bite, allowing the snake to smash headfirst into the wall.
Skill proficiency reached. Acquired skill [Fear Resistance LV1]
My instinct is telling me to escape but I fight the feeling of fear thanks to the new skill I received. I launch myself onto the snake, clinging to its writhing body, and I bite it immediately with my mandibles, injecting my paralyzing poison into it. Met with some resistance, I somehow manage to penetrate its hard scales with my mandibles using my strength skill. The snake shakes wildly, going mad because of my attack. I held on tightly, slowly crawling across its body so I could reach its head. When I reached the head it started throwing itself around madly.
"What the hell?!" I screamed inwardly, my vision growing dark as the snake slammed me into the wall but I hung on desperately, stabbing its head repeatedly, and pushing more poison inside while simultaneously eating it alive to regain energy.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Strength LV1] has now become [Strength LV2]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Shell LV1] has now become [Shell LV2]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Attack LV4] has now become [Paralysis Attack LV5]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Fang LV4] has now become [Paralysis Fang LV5]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Motion Perception LV2] has now become [Motion Perception LV3]
I ignored the words that appeared in my mind as I held on for a long time. The resistance of the snake gradually weakens and I knew the paralyzing poison was working with the amount I pumped out. I suddenly felt tired, weak, and looking at death's door. The bottom half of my body is crushed and it came down to the shell ability, saving whatever was left of my body. I hit the ground hard and the snake followed behind me. I could barely move.
"Is this it, for me, already?" I thought in disbelief, fighting to not faint. I sensed more movement and in the corner of my eye, I can see the snake moving slowly. I wondered if it already built up a resistance to my poison so fast. I sighed, staring up at the rocky ceiling. It hissed loudly as it raised its head over me, ready to deliver the killing blow.
Silence...
Suddenly, I feel the ground vibrate. I slowly look left and I sensed the movement of multiple figures coming. I couldn't see through the dark tunnel ahead but I knew something was coming. The snake moved away for me, going in the same direction the movement was coming from and hissing loudly. I appraised the dark tunnel.
Nameless Centipede LV1 Elroe Ferect Nameless LV2 Centipede Elroe Ferect Nameless LV2 Centipede Elroe Ferect Nameless Centipede Nameless LV1 Centipede Nameless Nameless Nameless Elroe Ferect Elroe Ferect Elroe Ferect Elroe Ferect Elroe
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Appraisal LV3] has now become [Appraisal LV4]
Skill proficiency reached. Acquired skill [Heresy Resistance LV1]
I screamed inwardly as countless bits of information flew into my head. The pain was excruciating but the Heresy Resistance reduced the pain a bit but there was still a deep lingering pain. I'm going to die for sure. However, my last moments alive didn't stop me from witnessing my family who I thought abandoned me swarming into this area. The snake noticed its fatal mistake and tried to run away but the swarm of ferects brought it down. I lay there watching as they easily killed the snake together. They tore into its body viciously and it was unlike when I first saw them take down other monsters. When the snake was dead, they started eating its body as usual.
Experience points have reached a certain point. Individual, Elroe Ferect, Mai Yumehiro LV3 has become LV4
Experience points have reached a certain point. Individual, Elroe Ferect, Mai Yumehiro LV4 has become LV5
Every basic ability rose
Skill Proficiency Level Up Bonus acquired
Skill points gained.
I got healed completely thanks to my "family" taking down the giant snake after I damaged it so much. I got up and watched them, not moving from my spot. I was saved by them. One of them came up to me, holding a fat piece of meat in its mandibles. I froze, slowly taking it from the centipede with my mandibles, and tore into its flesh, devouring it using my serrated teeth. If monsters could express themselves...right now...I would be crying because this meat tasted so bad.
[Foul Eater] title acquired.
Skill proficiency reached. Acquired skill [Rot Resistance LV1]
After I finished the meat, the other centipedes left nothing but the bones from the snake. They didn't leave but instead stayed for some reason. I crawled back over to the rock and the centipedes created a path for me. I was too shocked by my own previous thoughts to notice at first but then I become surprised by this discovery because they had left me before. I...felt strangely happy. I crawled back under the big rock that was still standing even after the snake smashed into it. I gained two levels for this battle, new skill levels, new resistances, and a new title. To distract me, I checked my skill points to see if there was a new skill I could buy but I first wanted to appraise myself.
Name: Mai Yumehiro
Type: Insect
Species: Elroe Ferect
Level: 5
HP:
MP:
SP:
I sighed, glad that I could at least see my status bars now. I would be able to see more than just the bars if I raised the level more. Hey, system, how many skill points do I have and what skills can I buy? I ask tiredly.
Number of skill points in possession: 100
Currently, you have 100 skill points. The skill [As One] can be acquired by spending 100 skill points. Do you want to acquire it?
Sure.
[As One] title acquired. Remaining Skill Points: 0
[As One: Upon acquiring, the female Elroe Ferect becomes linked to all the male Elroe Ferects, which means that wherever the female goes, they go unless she commands otherwise. Furthermore, any skill that the female Ferect knows with some exceptions, also becomes the male ferects own, and in exchange, every single Ferect that is linked to the female ferect contributes all of the experience points, skill proficiency experience points, along with the improved growth capacity for every ability to the female ferect. The experience points are increased greatly by the number of Elroe Ferects under her control.]
Acquired skill [Fartalk LV10]
Proficiency has reached the maximum level. Skill [Heresy Resistance LV1] has now become [Heresy Nullification LV10]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Taboo LV1] has now become [Taboo LV5]
I read the description over and over because I couldn't believe I gained such an unbelievable skill but I was even more excited that my experience gained will increase. However, the real problem was that taboo jumped four levels?! What was so wrong with acquiring that title?! I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to get an answer. I still acquired two new skills. Heresy Nullification completely protects me from attacks on my soul. If I thought about it logically, the other centipedes were linked to me, and having so many linked to me could be damaging to my soul.
I activated my Fartalk skill and immediately thousands of unintelligible sounds entered my mind but I was unaffected by it thanks to heresy nullification or else I would've gone mad. The strange thing is that I can understand them as they talked to me. They said things like…
"Are you hungry?"
"Do you need food?"
"Protect. At. All. Costs."
"Our future queen must be protected."
"Kill all enemies!"
I got emotional for some strange reason because no one back in my old world protected me like this or cared about my well-being. I don't know if I'm just really lonely or hungry for love but I got a soft spot for them I crawled out of my small rocky home and surveyed the area. I constructed a plan in my mind to make this my home because it was big enough to hold all of us, there are two exits, and it was a central location where monsters and adventures pass by. I could see a lot of rocks that the snake dislodged when it was smashing me against the walls. I looked at the rocks and remains of the snake and smiled inwardly.
"Alright guys, we are going to build our base here so listen up!" I said through the link we have and every single centipede stopped when I spoke.
I relayed my orders to them and immediately they got to work on building our new base. Thanks to the "As One" skill they gained my skills which include the strength skill. I gave out orders to my knew mini-army while giving them my sincere thanks each time. An hour later, I looked at our new home that looked like it came straight from the caveman era with the bones of the snake serving as a fence around the boulder-stacked house. However, before I could thank my family through the link the voice of the system rang out in my head.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Motion Perception LV2] has now become [Motion Perception LV10]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Strength LV2] has now become [Strength LV7]
I was shocked at how effective my new title was and I could see myself becoming very powerful quickly but I couldn't get cocky because there will always be something way stronger than me. I sense a lot of movement coming from the second exit of this area and command everyone to crawl onto the walls and maintain the camouflage ability.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Stealth LV2] has now become [Stealth LV9]
I crawled on top of my newly built house, watching as a pack of 10 six-legged wolves came running into the area that was as claimed by me. They came towards my home, sniffing as if looking for food. I inwardly smirked and activated my fartalk skill.
"Kill them all!"
My order was obeyed instantaneous and the centipedes dropped their stealth and descended on the pack of wolves who weren't expecting the sudden attack. The wolves stood no chance as the thousands of centipedes under my command paralyzed them completely and killed them.
[Assassin] title acquired.
Acquired skill [Shadow Magic LV1]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Attack LV5] has now become [Paralysis Attack LV7]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Fang LV5] has now become [Paralysis Fang LV7]
Experience points have reached a certain point. Individual, Elroe Ferect, Mai Yumehiro LV5 has become LV6
Every basic ability rose
Skill Proficiency Level Up Bonus acquired
Skill points gained.
"Thank you everyone for your hard work!" I said through the link. I crawled over to the carcasses that were left untouched by them which surprised me. I grabbed one of the wolves and carried it back into my home.
"You guys can eat the rest."
I didn't have to look back to know that they were already eating the other 9 wolves. I felt safe for the first time in either world and was actually a bit happy to have a weird centipede family. I'm not a mistake I told myself, trying to stave off the depression that I could feel rearing its head. I will show them all that I'm not a mistake!
I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter. We get to see a rough summary of Mai's life and we will see more of it soon in more detail. Also, I hope you don't mind that Mai got such huge boosts this chapter. Unlike the others, she doesn't get a ruler title so I have to create my own. She still has some chapters to go to reach her maturity level/evolution level.
At some point, Mai will eventually meet all of the reincarnators but she will probably meet Kumoko first (Who is Arachne at this point). As for romance, there is romance planned but way later down or until Mai meets the reincarnators. Please give me some feedback on Mai's current skill build. I'm trying to make her unique as there isn't much information on Ferects either way. The "As One" ability is kind of like kin control but way better as those connected to the link cannot escape Mai's rule unless it's by death.
Name: Mai Yumehiro
Type: Insect
Species: Elroe Ferect
Level: 6
HP:
MP:
SP:
Stat Skills:
Skanda LV10, Strength LV7
Attack Skills:
Paralysis Attack LV7
Enhancement Skills:
N/A
Active Skills:
Paralysis Fang LV7
Leadership Skills:
Fartalk LV10
Perception Skills:
Motion Perception LV10
Magic Skills:
Shadow Magic LV1, Heretic Magic LV1
Resistance Skills:
Poison Resistance LV3, Paralysis Resistance LV1, Acid Resistance LV2, Heresy Nullification LV10, Rot Resistance LV1, Fear Resistance LV1
Passive Skills:
Shell LV2, Stealth LV9
Other Skills:
Taboo LV5, n% I = W, As One, Appraisal LV4
Titles:
Foul Feeder, Assassin, Kin Eater