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?
Day 1
We had never been to the labyrinth before but mother sent us there to fight other monsters. We would die for mother in battle, it is the reason we were born, and the reason we exist. However, our mother is so...nice to us and she doesn't just send us off to die as we expect. We lived peacefully with our mother in our burrow, eating, playing with the animals, and watching over our unborn brothers.
The moment we are born, we have knowledge of how our mother should act, our duty, our purpose. But our mother never acted as she should. She is supposed to be the queen who rules over her sons, the queen who sends us off to die for her sake, to make her stronger.
That is our singular purpose
Instead, our mother is gentle and kind. She always makes sure we are well fed and makes sure we don't hurt each other. She teaches us to protect the forest and the animals. It makes us feel like we have a purpose beyond just being a tool. Mother gave us a new purpose in life, a new way of life, we are grateful.
Before we came to the labyrinth, she wished all of us good luck and a safe return. She said she doesn't want any of us to die and that we must return safely on the tenth day. We didn't know why but we felt an incredible feeling inside of us. We are monsters, this feeling was very foreign to us. We promised mother that we would all return alive because we knew mother could count all of us quickly. She is really smart like that.
So we went into the labyrinth through the entrance mother once showed us. We were like a tidal wave, sweeping through the Upper Stratum without mercy. Mother was right, our instincts came alive and we were like beasts. The skills mother shared with us, we used with great might, and moderation just like mother reminded us.
Mother taught trained us, gave us knowledge. We used detection to move around the dark and cold labyrinth and then used appraisal on monsters we came across to determine their strength just like mother said. However, they were no match for us brothers who were together.
We came across a giant snake monster, as Mother warned. We all used our paralyzing evil eye to subdue it and then eat it alive. It tasted sweet when we ate it but we still preferred the apples that our mother fed to us. We devoured the snake and moved through the cave-like a death cloud. We came across a pack of wolves who stood no chance against us. We dismantled their formation by all shooting poison from our mouths, making it rain toxicity. They were dead by the time we finished and we moved on, continuing to sweep through the Upper Stratum.
Monster after monster we destroyed without losing a single member of our brood. Soon, we came across a group of humans that were frozen as we surrounded them. We hesitated, remembering our mother's words to contact her if we came across humans.
"Mother, we found humans!" We all said, awaiting her response.
"Are they hostile?" We heard mother ask us.
"Mother-"
"STAY BACK!" One of them screamed, raising his magic staff and shooting a ball of flames at us. We didn't move, our fire resistance reducing the weak attack to almost nothing.
"Yes mother, they are hostile." We answered.
"Do what you must." She replied lazily.
At her orders, we all collectively used our heretic magic to plant insanity directly into their souls. We watched them suddenly turn on each other, screaming and shouting about demons and spirits. We moved on, leaving the humans be for some strange reason. We wouldn't kill humans unless mother directly tells us to, we remembered her words, despite giving us the decision.
We continued in our journey to make our mother, our queen, stronger than before. We came across a large area that was occupied by three giant penguin monsters. Our Mother also told us about them and how they nearly killed her before we were born.
They saw us pour into the room and tried to attack with their big slow arms but we were much faster and had many more skills. We subdued them with our paralyzing evil eyes, stopping them in their tracks. Then we swarm them, tearing them apart as revenge for nearly harming our mother. We didn't use magic and instead used our physical strength to kill them off and eat them.
We continued on our journey, removing any other monsters that opposed us until we completely cleaned the entirety of the Upper Stratum of monsters. There was only silence throughout the caves. We found ourselves at the drop-off point our mother told us about.
The labyrinth had many different levels and the deeper the level, the stronger the monster. We contacted our mother through the link. "Mother, we have cleared the first level of all monsters. What should we do?"
"It has only been one day!" Our mother shouted, surprised by our strength.
"Does mother not believe in our strength?" We asked, worried about our prowess.
"No, I believe that my children are strong… I just didn't expect you to finish so fast."
"What should we do now mother?"
"Rest up and recover your strength my babies in the safety of the Upper Stratum. You will go to the Middle Stratum tomorrow." She told us happily.
"Yes, Mother." We replied with equal happiness.
"Please come back safely!" She adds, giving us a funny feeling.
"We will Mother!"
We scurry back into the cave, resting for the next day to come. We couldn't help but think about mother who wants us to come back safely. This funny feeling...we couldn't understand it...but mother made us feel stronger than ever.
I lay curled up around my eggs that were yet to hatch. I sent all of my children into the cave to gain battling experience. I was worried about them finding a monster stronger than them or worse case, coming across the queen but I underestimated them. For some reason, I felt incredibly proud of them, who I raised to be what they are now.
Experience points have reached a certain point. Individual, Queen Ferect, Mai Yumehiro LV1 has become LV3
Every basic ability rose, skill proficiency level up bonus acquired, skill points gained.
Currently, you have 500 skill points remaining.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralyzing Evil Eye LV1] has now become [Paralyzing Evil Eye LV3]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Detection LV8] has now become [Detection LV9]
Name: Mai Yumehiro
Type: Insect/Poison
Species: Queen Ferect
Level: 3
HP:3025/3025 +200
MP:3015/3015 +200
SP:3015/3015 (3015/3015) +200
Offence: 7005 +200
Defense: 3800 +100
Magic Power: 3004 +100
Resistance: 3004 +100
Speed: 7090 +300
I was surprised the system updated me so late but the increase my stats got pleased me. However, something strange happened to me. I could feel my skin peeling off and I instantly knew that I was molting. Centipedes shed their skin whenever they mature.
I moved away from the eggs and wriggled out of my old skin. It took me a while to wriggle out of the skin, and when I finally got out, all that was left on the ground was a husk of skin. However, I felt my skin start to peel again and I cursed inwardly once again.
For every level increase I would shed my skin, I concluded after shedding my skin for the third time. Surprisingly, I reduced in size as well. "So not only do I shed my skin with every level up but I also reduce in size.." I thought happily. Having such a large body had its advantages but I missed being smaller and it had many more advantages.
I pushed the three husks of skin to a corner of the main chamber and went back to my eggs. I curled around them and decided to check what other skills were available for me so they can level up within the allotted time.
MP Recovery Speed – 100
MP Lessened Consumption – 100
SP Recovery Speed – 100
SP Lessened Consumption – 100
These skills combined are 400 skill points. Do you wish to acquire them?
I happily agree to receive the skills and was left with only 100 skill points. These skills determined the longevity of children's survival as well. Once I acquired these restoration skills my children will have better survivability. I contacted my children once again, opening our soul link because I just wanted to check in on them once more.
"Have you guys found a safe space to rest before tomorrow?" I ask worriedly.
"Yes, Mother!"
I relaxed. "Remember, If you come across the Queen Taratect run and come back to me. We would stand a chance together." I told them.
"We will be careful, Mother."
I nodded inwardly and cut off the link. Just as I cut off the link, I could sense movement from my eggs. There were getting ready to hatch and the first egg burst open, revealing a ferect with my gold and black coloration. I activated the link and they immediately invaded my mind with words of praises and how they were hungry.
"Relax my children, Mother will feed you now," I told them, moving to accommodate them due to space but soon then rushed out of the egg chamber and into the main chamber. I look on in shock as they started eating my skin.
"Mother, our queen!" They chorused as they started to eat my skin.
I stood speechless.
"Mother, our brothers are eating your skin?" The other brood from the labyrinth asked.
"Yes, they are," I said, not understanding why they were doing this. I knew that some species of insects eat their own skin but this was just gross.
"Mother do not worry," They said, "eating your skin makes us stronger!"
Experience points have reached a certain point. Brood, Elroe Ferects LV1 has become LV3
Every basic ability rose and skill proficiency level up bonus acquired.
The system rang out inside my head and I, once again, was shocked. I couldn't understand the weird dynamic my children and I had but I knew nothing like this was mentioned in the description of As One. I smiled inwardly, despite my shock, I was glad that my children are able to grow along with me.
On the day of the deforestation, I was going to make sure they never step foot near the tree again. I already had part of the plan in my head. During nightfall, some of my children would be perched in the foliage of the big tree with the leaves hiding them. They can easily do sneak attacks from there.
I still need to make sure the plan was a success but I have a bunch of hungry newborns to feed. They were shouting in my head about food and I had no choice but to feed them some apples. I sighed inwardly, the life of a centipede mother is never-ending.
It was another day in the life of Caspian Baker. I was sure I ran out of tears I couldn't cry anymore. I stare at the rattan ceiling, thinking about my situation much clearer. I'm a baby again, and I thank god that I was born a boy again. I couldn't imagine being born a girl.
I shuddered.
Although I'm a baby and couldn't do much yet, the least I could do was figure out my powers and this world. If this was really like those isekai novels then there should be a system that I could access or something. As if reading my thoughts, a screen popped up in front of me. I jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion but I focused on the words and was surprised.
[Tears Shed: The user's tears crystalize and those crystals can be consumed to perform powerful effects such as buffing status, shooting beams, restoring HP or MP.]
So this is my ability...to think my tears would be useful in a world like this, I thought. Then I realized that my parents sold a bunch of my tears. I could only hope that no one would swallow them and discover their usefulness.
If there are skills them maybe there are skill points?
Number of skill points in possession:20000
I start to feel hopeful for the first time in a long time. Is there any skills I can buy, I ask the system in my mind.
Currently, you have 20000 skill points. The skill [Telekinesis LV1] can be acquired by spending 1000 skill points.
Do you want to acquire it?
Only one skill?! I wanted to cry but I calmed down, thinking about it carefully. I'm a baby that can barely move around for some reason. I should be at least able to crawl. Maybe I was underfed because my body was smaller than usual. I pondered it for a moment before pushing it to the back of my mind. This skill will come in handy. Yes, I want to buy it!
[Telekinesis LV1] was acquired. Remaining skill points: 19000
Now, I need to try out this skill. I remember the magic shows I used to watch when I was younger and used them as references before attempting. I was going to try using it on my body first.
"Telekinesis!" I yelled in my mind.
I squealed as my body lifted from the crib and I start to float in the air. I positioned my body upright to look around the room. After getting a good look, I carefully lowered myself back into the crib and suddenly felt weak. That took a lot out of me, I thought. I need to practice every day on smaller items before I can move effectively.
I also needed to learn how to creep and move around. I couldn't just cry all day and lay there hopeless. It will be hard but I can do it.
The first step is to learn how to crawl around and rollover.
Lastly, to learn how to use my powers effectively.
I start thinking about the harsh journey ahead of me and start crying.
I am a crybaby after all.
Note: I removed the stats from the beginning of the chapters but I will leave the one at the end as a reference for me and maybe the readers. There are so many skills to manage so I use this so the reader can keep up (and me too).
Name: Mai Yumehiro
Type: Insect/Poison
Species: Queen Ferect
Level: 3
HP:3225/3225
MP:3215/3215
SP:3215/3215 (3215/3215)
Offense: 7205
Defense: 3900
Magic Power: 3104
Resistance: 3104
Speed: 7390
Stat Skills:
Skanda LV10, Herculean Strength LV1, HP Auto-Recovery LV1, MP Recovery Speed LV1, MP Lessened Consumption LV1, SP Recovery Speed LV1, SP Lessened Consumption LV1
Attack Skills:
Poison Attack LV6, Enhanced Paralysis Attack LV6
Enhancement Skills:
Poison Enhancement LV5, Paralysis Enhancement LV5, Piercing Enhancement LV5
Active Skills:
Expel LV10, Herbalism LV1
Leadership Skills:
Fartalk LV10, Egg-Laying LV5, Cooperation LV4, Leadership LV4
Perception Skills:
Detection LV9, Arithmetic Processing LV7
Magic Skills:
Magic Power Operation LV7, Shadow Magic LV5, Heretic Magic LV4, Poison Magic LV6, Harvest Magic LV1, Pure Water Magic LV6
Evil Eyes Skills:
Paralyzing Evil Eye LV3
Resistance Skills:
Status Condition Nullification, Acid Resistance LV3, Heresy Nullification, Rot Resistance LV2, Fear Resistance LV2, Fire Resistance LV8, Cutting Resistance LV1, Pain Resistance LV6, Faint Resistance LV6, Destruction Resistance LV5, Pain Mitigation LV5, Piercing Resistance LV1
Passive Skills:
Stealth LV10, Shell LV8, Concealment LV1,
Other Skills:
Taboo LV6, n% I = W, As One, Appraisal LV9, Toxic Brew, Fertile Nature, Satiation LV2, Shelter LV1
Titles:
Foul Feeder, Assassin, Kin Eater, Hedge Witch, Poison Technique User, Commander