Using the mouse's body, it cautiously began to move deeper into the forest.
Despite walking slowly, its tiny stature made the human-sized trees appear colossal from a rodent's perspective. Roots and weeds obstructed its path.
Its miniature frame turned massive trees into towering giants. Exposed roots and wild plants blocked the way.
-(Back when I was human, I never stopped to consider what life was like for small creatures,how hard it must be to move through forests. It's nothing for humans.)-
The experience was uncomfortable, but not entirely unpleasant. The body was surprisingly agile and able to slip through tight spaces. Exploring that vast forest felt intriguing.
Along the way, something unusual caught its attention.
-(Maybe this isn't Earth...)-
The thought surfaced.
There were plants it didn't recognize. If that were the only issue, it might've blamed a lack of botanical knowledge. But then it noticed a tree wrinkled in a way that resembled a human face.
Investigating further, it saw a strange-looking bird beneath the tree—unlike anything it had seen before. One of the tree's branches snatched the bird and stored it in its hollow.
A monster.
-(What a horrible thing! I'd better leave before it eats me!)-
Farther ahead, it reached a small clearing where light shone through a gap in the foliage. It paused, looked up, and started to assess its situation.
-(A different world, huh? What kind of place have I landed in? This feels like something out of a comic or a movie.)-
After everything that had happened, it was now certain—this was not its world.
-(Reincarnation in another world… this just keeps getting more exciting.)-
Now moving more fluidly, it sought to adjust to the rodent's body. But it also wanted to test its viral capabilities.
It had heard the mental announcements regarding its base virus abilities, but being a virus was more complex than it initially seemed. Though it already controlled the mouse body, deeper investigation was necessary.
Its perception of reality had drastically changed since its human life.
The first discovery was the ability to visualize the virus. Focusing its attention, it saw it as red sand-like particles—that was its new form. A chilling concept. Using that ability on the mouse's body, it observed the infected cells multiplying. The virus replicated by converting normal cells.
Had it not been his own body, it would've seemed disturbingly grotesque.
-Chii... (This is so weird...)-
A sigh escaped as it reflected on this new viral perspective. It tried to shrug, but its body no longer allowed it.
Next, it reviewed the second announcement it had heard
"Ability and symptom manifestation."
Broadly speaking, this seemed to refer to the power to freely activate or suppress special effects in infected hosts. It felt almost surreal, like a video game mechanic.
The third ability was "Infection Transmission."
Very simple information, just the types of transmission.
The most striking skill was "Domination."
Though it had become a virus, its consciousness remained intact and unified, no matter how many times it replicated.
It would've been absurd if every virion had its own personality.
Without limbs, it still had control over particles within its visual field.
-Chiii…-
It exhaled softly. Red sand spilled from its mouth, scattering pathogens.
They floated for a few seconds before vanishing.
It soon realized that without a host, the virus was weak and perished quickly. Its spread radius didn't exceed two meters.
But at least it could activate traits and symptoms during transmission.
-(If used wisely… it has potential.)-
Nearby, it saw a flower and coated it with virus containing [Replication I] and [Infectivity I].
The red pathogens stuck to its petals—but then a buzz and mental announcement interrupted:
Unable to apply [Replication] to host. Lifeform not Animalia.
Unable to apply [Infectivity] to host. Lifeform not Animalia.
Unable to read RNA from host. Lifeform not Animalia.
-Chii!! (Ughh—damn voice, could you be a bit more subtle with your announcements?)-
With those repeated mental alerts, it was clear: it couldn't infect plants because they weren't animals.Then a skill came to mind, one it hadn't used yet.
[Devour]. It had no idea what the ability did, but the name was straightforward—it had to eat.
So in front of the flower, it bit into a petal.
-Munch… (Ugh, this thing tastes awful...)-
Bitter and unpleasant, but if its hypothesis was correct, the ability should activate.
A buzz, followed by an announcement:
New chemical type detected. Beginning RNA and composition analysis.
Confirmed organic: [Plantae]. Copying RNA.
New chemicals acquired:
[Antipyretic I] [Analgesic I]
It appeared that [Devour] analyzed every compound the host consumed and granted abilities accordingly. That flower was likely a medicinal plant.
It figured that consuming rarer or more dangerous plants might transfer their properties to the virus.
An amazing ability.
With this new intel, the virus had enhanced its lethality. Used properly, it could become legendary in this world.
-(If I collect more RNA from plants, it'll make my task easier.)-
It focused on another identical flower and ate another petal to see if deeper analysis was possible.
Another buzz and announcement:
Chemical type already analyzed. RNA from lifeform [Plantae] will not be re-analyzed.
It seemed the [Devour] ability only scanned an organism's composition once.
-(Are skill acquisitions limited by the level of [Devour]?)-
At this pace, natural infection alone couldn't trigger a full-scale epidemic.
It found that unfortunate.
It discovered it could alter symptoms in nearby infected hosts—either intensify or suppress them. Just by thinking about it.
An immensely useful function.
-(Things are getting interesting...)-
Although euphoric about being a virus, being a rat was perfect—a classic carrier of disease.
-Chichichi (For the sake of this world… I'll do whatever's necessary)-
While lost in thought, a chill ran down its spine. Darkness returned. Silhouettes emerged alongside ragged, wild breathing.
It felt the gaze of a beast.
[Danger Detection I]
-Chi? (Danger?)-
Terrified, it looked up.
A gray-furred wolf loomed nearby. Pointed ears, long snout, visible fangs.
Its hungry stare fixed on the rat.
-(This situation… doesn't favor me.)-
It stepped back, but a rat's stride meant nothing. The wolf didn't react.
The tension was unbearable. The wolf moved first.
[Cowardice I]
It turned and ran as fast as it could. Winning was impossible—the virus wasn't enough.
It'd be devoured before it could react.
-Chii!! (Damn it, why is this skill activating now?)-
Trying to escape was futile. The wolf's shadow loomed closer.
-Grrrrar!-
-Chi—Chii—CHIII! (IT HURTS! IT HURTS SO MUCH!)-
Vision darkened. It felt its entire body being bitten.
[Domination] -Grrrr!?(Mh?)-
A low growl came… from itself.
Its perspective was higher now, though still on all fours.
-...grrr (Hm?)-
Crunching sounds echoed from its mouth. Flesh and fur, strong-smelling blood.
The sensation was revolting—it felt like vomiting. Yet it was delicious.
Below, a trail of blood… with a rat tail.
-...gulp (That was delicious! Though I admit, that sensation was horrible. And it was my own body I just ate!)-
After swallowing, it felt satisfied, albeit slightly unsettled.
The conclusion was clear:
Its consciousness had left the devoured rat and taken control of the wolf's body.
Survival of the fittest.
A buzz and announcement:
New host abilities acquired:
[Ferocity I] [Agility I] [Endurance I] [Smell I] → [Smell II]
It didn't matter if the host died—its consciousness leapt to the next infected creature.
The wolf had eaten the infected rat and been possessed. A common trope in parasitic characters.
(Even if it feels immortal… getting eaten was like dying. I don't want to go through that again. Physical verification is needed… but it was worth it.)
This discovery changed everything. It meant it had infinite lives. That would deeply affect how it lived in this new world. Without fear of death, it could go further than ever before. -(Now things get even more thrilling. This life… no, this viral life, I will fulfill what I promised.)-
With the wolf's body under control, it moved forward with a clear mind.