Imposter System

Matt went through the rest of the papers and noticed that every paper until their deaths included his parents' names or citations. The last article was only three days before their death. After reading through it, he came to a scary conclusion. This article concluded after several years of collecting data that the alien metal would become a calamity for humans. The organism on its own while dormant didn't do much and could be manipulated.

However, when it was stimulated with animal blood, it grew. There was a discovery that when stimulated with human blood, it would grow much faster. The article was a collection of case studies from several soldiers that became infected with the alien metal. Once infected, they were sentenced to death. There was no drug that could get rid of it, and the metal was too strong to be removed surgically. It seemed to seek out blood and would quickly penetrate the marrow.

The most insane thing is that this was the basis of the Cyborg research. The research material continued on to discuss the applications of the alien metal in amputees, wounds, and those that lost organs to various reasons. The metal was capable of recreating the function and form of whatever it consumed. All of these signs were pointing to his theory of the Faceless Devourer. This meant that, although dead, the cell line of his parasite ancestor was still capable of absorbing and transforming.

Matt picked up his bag and put it on the desk. He slid open the zipper slowly and pulled open the flap. Then he took out each component one by one and laid them out in front of him. These were all the pieces of Cyborg Cindy that contained living metal. He took out a small knife and attempted to scrape out a piece of the metal but it only dulled the blade. He picked up the mechanical arm and inspected it from various angles.

However, when he gripped the arm to turn it over, he accidently pricked himself on a section that was sticking out. The blood from his hand touched the arm and the arm started to move violently. Matt tried to let go, but the arm had already transformed and gripped his hand. A few pieces of metal clanked to the ground from inside the arm as they were disposed. All of the living metal cells began to flow into Matt's body from his wound. That was the last thing he remembered before he went unconscious.

The cells continued to flow into his arm and spread throughout his whole body. Although he was unconscious, his body was working at maximum capacity in order to incorporate these cells into the host. The cells seemed to understand what they were meant to do and began to reinforce various skeletal muscles and bones. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough cultured cells to make a complete overhaul of Matt's body. Once the cells reached their destination, genetic material was extracted from the living metal and Matt's evolution points shot up.

Inside his head, Matt was trapped in a dream-like world. All he could see was darkness. His arms and legs didn't work when he tried to move them. After a while, he heard explosions, and he stood up and ran outside the darkness. Light reached him and he could finally see. It was a strange sight. The sky was red with two suns. There were hundreds of creatures with black armor-like bodies. They fought against each other; their attacks strong enough to destroy the terrain.

One of the black aliens approached Matt and spoke in a language he didn't understand. Matt nodded and charged toward the battlefield. He began to rip apart others with similar black bodies but different features. Matt realized this was some sort of racial war. Every time he killed one of the black creatures, he would consume the soft flesh underneath their armor-like body. This flesh empowered him and made him stronger. The war continued on until Matt had already devoured hundreds of these creatures.

After the war, Matt began to transform into a more powerful version of the aliens. The others of his race who were now half his size seemed to worship him. Once his transformation was complete, he waved his giant fins and launched himself from the highest point. The ground went further and further away and now he was in space. He saw the planet that was once his home behind him. He had no need for those creatures anymore. Matt sought out a new hunting ground.

Matt shook awake and fell off his chair. He remembered the dream he just experienced very vividly. It had felt more like recalling a memory than his imagination creating a dream. He stood up and felt a bit lightheaded. He checked his hand and the wound had healed already. Matt activated his personal device and saw that it had been at least thirty minutes since he was unconscious. Matt looked down and saw that the arm was completely gone.

Matt felt something was slightly different in his body so he opened his status and whistled in amazement. There was a string of messages declaring he received thirteen evolution points. It totaled up to one-hundred four points. Additionally, there was a message that made him very excited.

[Biological Reinforcement Lv. 1 has been acquired.]

[Host: Matthew O'Connely

Status: Grade 1+ Mind Slug

Evolution Points (EP): 164

Abilities: [Perfect Mimicry Lv. Max], [Improved Metabolism Lv. 2], [Mental Resistance Lv. 4], [Improved Reflexes Lv. 1], (NEW!) [Biological Reinforcement Lv. 1]

Skills: [Genetic Assimilation Lv. 1], [Toxin Resistance Lv. 5], [Weak Hypnosis Lv. 2], [Dream Walking Lv. 1], [Primary Reproduction Lv. Max], [Psionics Lv. 1]

Allies: [Alexis Alexeyev Grade 0]]

[Biological Reinforcement Lv. 1: "We have traveled the stars in search of a new land. The Ku'Lothri can no longer provide us with improvements. This body is perfect for interstellar travel, but it is too slow. Entering hibernation to conserve resources. Leaving Sub-body One active to maintain course."

]Damage Resistance: +25% (Vital)

]Strength Increase: 1.1

]Endurance Increase: 1.1]

[Unique Ability Progress: [Human] – Max% [Lower Yggdra] – 1% [Ku'Lothri] – 13%]

Matt's suspicions were verified. This ship and these cells were from a parasite like him. Something must have happened on that long journey through space that caused the original body to die. Matt only had conjectures about that, but he was now certain about a few things. The alien race he saw in his dream must be the origin of this near-indestructible metal. He looked down at the table and saw all the other parts that contained living metal and decided to absorb them as well.

However, before he could act, a message appeared on his device. The researchers he saw yesterday had finished collecting samples and sent them to his lab. Matt had worried about how he would show progress to the AI, but now that he discovered the origins and his ability to fuse with the living metal, he was no longer worried. This was the perfect opportunity to begin increasing his evolution points. Unfortunately, he was a little under a year away from his next sub-body to form. Therefore, he would focus on improving all of his current skills to their limits.

[Genetic Assimilation Lv. 1->2: There is no being in the universe with more potential than the parasite. This is not because of their individual strength, but due to their ability to steal all other beings' strengths. Instead of replacing the host for a more suitable vessel, absorbing the genetics of all creatures will allow the parasite to enhance, improve, and perfect a unique body.

]Ability: Detect Life (100m->120m)

]Absorption Grade Limit: 3->3

]Unique Ability Limit: 1->1

]Efficiency: 110%->120%

]Level Cost: 100 EP-> 140 EP]

The cost was high, but Matt knew the value of increasing this skill first. It would take a long time to receive the first ability from Martha and from the Ku'Lothri. Therefore, the best thing he could do was focus on unlocking the second ability slot for humans. This would be a huge investment but be worth it in the long run.

Matt thought about the best candidate for his second ability and he easily thought about Willard. Using only his blood to acquire the second ability from Humans would be extremely useful. If this wasn't possible, he would settle for the test subjects' blood. He packed up all of the mechanical pieces and made his way to his lab. Martha, who was lazing around in the living room, decided to follow Matt since she was bored. He entered the lift near his room and ran into someone he knew.

"Doctor O'Connely, I was just looking for you. Follow me to my quarters, I wish to discuss something with you."

"Ah, good morning Captain… Yes sir." Matt said with a neutral face, but internally he was trying to figure out what the captain knew and what this meeting was about. Matt prepared for the worst.