"No, it is... just try to do what you did before, to think about your state."
I don't really understand the need to use so much technical jargon and not get to the point, but I'm not going to complain. In fact, it's easier for me to understand it that way.
"Oh! State! Now I get it!"
"..."
Well, it looks like she was able to do it.
In fact, I saw a semi-transparent purple screen with writing on it appear in front of Iris.
Curiously, Iris's logic was still working, which really leaves me wondering if that's a good thing or not, but thinking about it, the situation itself was so strange and fictional that her weird ideas somehow fit into all this...
Or was it done on purpose? Hmmm, that's also something to consider... Well, I can only guess, I better focus on the present. hmmm, I just have to think about self-evaluating. It's a little strange, but...
___________________________
Name: Astan Rothwell
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Profession: Massage therapist (2)
Sub-profession: Jester
Rmgo:1
Stats:
Strength: 4
Dexterity: 3
Vitality: 7
Defense: 20
Mana: 15
Charisma: 5
Perception: 8
Corruption: 0
Authority: Lethargy, ■■■■
Unique skills: Slumber of Sin, Eyes of Lethargy, Stigma of Lethargy (Fusion, Synchronization, Connection)
Skills (profession): (Massage therapist's eye(2), Fine Touch(2), Restorative Therapy(1))
Skills (sub-profession): [Mockery(2), Fool's Mask(1), Madman's Reason(2)]
___________________________
"Hmm, there's a lot there, I guess it's based on the logic of this place, but..."
There were many things I could guess and understand when I saw this, but it also leaves me with some more questions, such as how viable and accurate the division and quantification of living being values is.
I mean, this isn't a game, and something like that, at least for me, shouldn't be possible, but here it is.
And also leaving aside what a profession in this world implies, as well as the obvious Massage therapist, which I guess is obvious for that supposed great purpose, I really want to know what that 'Jester' thing is.
There was only one thing on my mind when I got to that part: 'why?' and 'what the hell?'. But again, it's too early for a judgment, without knowing anything.
I really don't understand the rest, starting with that authority and abilities, just the name doesn't give me a clue, so I guess I have to ask—
"Honey! See, we're still married, and look what I've got—a fusion! Let's do the fusion!"
"...Wait, let me finish understanding what this is about..."
I was thinking about starting to ask my questions when suddenly Iris came up behind me, threw herself on my shoulders, and shook me; if she was that excited, it probably wasn't going to be anything good.
Normally, I wouldn't care and would patiently listen to what she wanted to tell me or propose and stop any dangerous ideas she might come up with, but this was a situation I wanted to understand as best I could and couldn't be distracted, or so I thought until I heard what she said.
"Oh, honey, how can you be slower than me? That's why I'm telling you, we can do the merger! Oh, wait, your status is almost like mine, except for Buffoon? I have 'Berserk', hmm, well, your physical stats suck, ah, but look at the skills! You just have to think about what they do, and then an explanation pops up, do it with the Stigma of Lethargy!"
"Eh... mm, let's see..."
That was what I wanted to know, so I tried what she said...
___________________________
Stigma of Lethargy: After meeting the requirements, it allows you to place a special mark on targets.
[1/3: (Iris Rothwell)]
Connection: Creates a mental connection with those who possess the stigma. (+70%)
Synchronization: Partial fusion of skills and personality with a stigma holder. (+80%)
Fusion: Temporarily unites the user's 'Totality' with a stigma bearer. (+90%)
___________________________
"Oh, you have me instead, but see, I'm still Rothwell, so we're still married!"
"Wasn't it because you filled out the form with that name?"
"Oh, right... well, it doesn't matter, we both have the stigma, honey. Okay, now let's merge."
"Wait! We still don't know how things work here, plus there's a percentage there, we have to wait for the explanation of—"
"What explanation? You just have to wish for it, honey, for you and me to become one. Go ahead, do it! Put your love and will into it. Come on, honey, we don't have the earrings, let's do the dance!"
"...I really don't think this is the time for that."
She was really getting carried away, now that things—curiously—were turning out the way she said they would.
It's rare for her to be right, so it's understandable that she's excited... but at some point her luck must run out.
Besides, although there is a small explanation of the effects, it doesn't say exactly what it does and can be open to different interpretations, not to mention that inexplicable percentage.
She probably thinks, based on the name, that it's like those Saiyans... but something like that is ridiculous. A true fusion would not be free of abnormalities, such as duplication of body mass and so on.
Not to mention the mind: something so complex would be impossible to achieve, so she's probably wrong this time.
Maybe that will calm her down, although it's true that her ideas have been useful so far.
Well, I don't think it will work the same way. More importantly, I want to ask a few things.
"You said you would answer questions about this, right?"
[That's correct, I can answer initial questions about the system's functions and the missions to be accomplished.]
"Missions? No, first of all, I want to know: will you be with us from now on, or is this just a one-time thing?"
[I will be here permanently.]
"Hmm... you said 'here,' which means you're tied to this place and not to us."
[That's correct.]
"Okay, continue with your explanation. The other questions will come later—"
"Oh, look, honey, a window popped up saying, 'Do you want to initiate the fusion with the bearer of the stigma, Astan Rothwell?'"
"Yes, I see it too, but let me— wait, Iris, don't touch that, it's—!"
At that moment, when I was thinking of letting this system finish explaining everything so as not to ask unnecessary questions, Iris once again reminded me why it was a bad idea not to pay attention to her.
I should have been more alert, with so many new, unknown, and potentially dangerous things she had just obtained.
It was a serious mistake that resulted in, even though I tried to stop her hand, it was too late to prevent her from touching the button that said 'yes' on the screen that appeared in front of her.
"Huh? Nothing happened, why can't I touch it?"
"Ugh... luckily nothing happened."
Fortunately, it seems it wasn't something tangible, and her finger passed through the screen without any result.
[Physical acceptance is not necessary; expressing your willingness to accept is sufficient.]
"Oh!"
"No, wait, don't do it—"
"Oh!! We're glowing, come to me, honey!"
This time I couldn't even stop her, and before I knew it, both she and I were glowing brightly. I felt a strange sensation running through my whole body.
"stop this... ugh."
"Fusion!!"
On top of that, she stepped forward and hugged me. For a moment, I felt slightly dizzy and a lot of things I couldn't explain running through my whole body. This continued until...
..
"Huh? Is it over?"
For a moment I didn't understand. Suddenly everything stopped, there was no more light, and now I was alone in the room... but from what I feel I think I understand what happened, but I needed to confirm it.
There was a mirror, and I approached it to see what was going on.
There I saw my current appearance, wearing a large white robe, as I said before, although I was taller and more muscular, my black hair, dark brown eyes, and face were similar to always, Yes, I felt comfortable with this appearance.
"Wait, I'll be similar here too... oh! It's a little bigger, before I was a monster and now hehehe~"
I thought about it when I saw my new build, but my friend down there was bigger, I knew that even when he was in his inactive state.
If I thought about it, the possibilities were endless... No! Wait, that wasn't the important thing.
"Hey, system, isn't this wrong? What happened to this? Why do I look like this? Isn't it supposed to be a perfect hybrid of both of us? I mean, I should have red hair with black streaks, or vice versa, at least heterochromatic eyes. What happened, why do I only look like Astan? What happened to Iris?"
[The fusion was performed correctly. Right now, both of their minds are the same, their bodies are the same, but due to the nature of this authority, for now they can only take on the appearance of one at a time.]
"Oh, so that's how it is, I see, hmm..."
I found it interesting. Everything was new and interesting, and it seems that, as I thought before, things work mostly by simply wanting or desiring, willpower and so on.
That was convenient.
Now I just thought about transforming into Iris and saw how the image in the mirror changed to a red-haired elf with cyan eyes. It was an instant change. Let's think of it as something magical for now.
"Hmm, as I thought, it was an excellent choice. I'm hot, these big breasts were definitely a good choice. There's also a lot to explore on this side, the possibilities are now mine, hehehue~."
Yes, it's different from what I'm used to, but it will definitely work. The more I look at it, the hotter I get.
"Ah! I no longer have 'Excalibur'. Well, it's obvious... I wonder if at some point I can be a hybrid... hmm, am I a virgin? Again? Can I check? No, it's not really the time for that, I can find out later. How long will this last? Hey, do you know how long I'll be like this?"
[Until the user jointly agrees to separate or mana is scarce...
Alert! First client detected, postponing introductory section, establishing mission section.]
"Huh? What's going on all of a sudden? Is it time for our grand purpose? If so, how do you expect me to do it? I already said I don't know how to massage and have no experience. Ah! What is it now? Let's see..."
It was an abrupt change. From what he said, I could guess what it was about, but that's why I questioned it.
But before I got an answer, something interesting appeared in front of me again: another semi-transparent screen.
___________________________
Missions:
---
"Satisfied Customer"
Objective:
Ensure that Azalea Blackthorn, an important customer, agrees to a future appointment.
Rewards:
+5 to free stats.
Skill Card (profession or subprofession).
200 Myrr.
Failure penalty:
+2 Corruption.
---
"Chains of Lethargy"
Objective:
Establish two stigma users within a month.
Rewards:
Unique skill upgrade- Stigma of Lethargy
Upgrade in Massage Therapist profession potential.
Mimetic Card
+25 free points to upgrade stats.
+1 Charisma.
-2 Corruption.
Failure penalty:
Random death of one of the users.
+4 Corruption to the remaining user.
___________________________
"Damn it!!..."