Using the mouse's body, it began to advance cautiously toward the depths of the forest. Despite walking at a slow pace, due to its tiny size, its stature made the trees—gigantic to the human eye—appear colossal from a rodent's perspective. Protruding roots and weeds obstructed its path.
-(When I was human, I never stopped to think about what life was like for small creatures, how difficult it is for them to move through the forest; humans don't find it difficult)-
It was a somewhat uncomfortable form, but not entirely negative. The body was surprisingly agile and could slip through narrow spaces. Exploring this vast forest was intriguing.
And during the journey, it noticed something unusual in the distance.
-(Maybe this isn't Earth)-
The thought arose in its head.
There were plants it didn't recognize. If it were just that, it would attribute it to its lack of knowledge. But a tree with wrinkles resembling a human face—upon investigating more closely, it saw a bird wandering beneath the tree that seemed curious because of its appearance; it had never seen such a strange bird, and one of its branches caught the bird and stored it in its orifices. A monster.
-(What a horrible thing! I better leave before it eats me!)-
Further ahead, it found a small spot where the light was clearer; a hole in the foliage let the sun's rays shine through. It stopped and looked up, beginning to analyze its situation.
-(A different world, what kind of world is this? This seems like something out of a comic or a movie.)-
After so many experiences, it was clear that this wasn't a world like its own.
-(Reincarnation in another world... I need to investigate more about this world.)-
Now it was moving to get used to the rodent's body, but it also wanted to test other capabilities. Mainly, to know its potential as a virus.
It had heard the mental announcements about the virus's base abilities, but it seemed that being a virus was more complex than it appeared. While it already controlled the mouse's body, it was necessary to investigate more thoroughly. Its perception of the world had changed radically since it stopped being human.
The first thing it discovered was the ability to see the virus. When focusing its attention, it visualized it as red sand particles. That was its new form. A disturbing idea.
When using the [Replication] ability on the mouse's body, it noticed that infected cells increased. The virus used normal cells to replicate. Up close, the virus's appearance seemed silly; there were two protrusions resembling eyes, its soft body swayed as if it were a bubble, making very silly sounds from what appeared to be a mouth. It found it curious. If it weren't itself, it would find it too disgusting.
-Chii...(This is very ugly...)-
A sigh escaped its mouth as it thought about this new perspective of the virus. It wanted to shrug, but its body wouldn't allow it.
Next, it reviewed the second announcement it had heard earlier: "Manifestation of abilities and symptoms."
Broadly speaking, it seemed to be the ability to freely activate or deactivate special effects on infected hosts; this resemblance to video games seemed unreal.
The third ability was "Transmission by infection."
Its information was very simple; it was just the types of infection available.
The ability that stood out most was "Domination."
Although it had become a virus, its consciousness remained intact and unified, no matter how many times it replicated. It would be absurd for each virion to have a personality.
Despite not having the flexibility of limbs, it could control the particles within its field of vision.
-Chiii...-
It exhaled slowly. Red sand came out of its mouth, spreading the pathogens.
It floated for a few seconds, until it disappeared.
It soon discovered that, without a host, the virus was very weak and died quickly. The dispersal range didn't exceed two meters.
But at least it could activate traits and symptoms in its spread.
-(If used well... it has potential.)-
Nearby, it saw a flower and sprayed it with a virus containing [Replication I] and [Infectivity I]. The red pathogens adhered to the petals, but a buzz and an announcement resonated in its mind.
*Unable to perform [Replication] on host. Life form not Animalia.*
*Unable to perform [Infectivity] on host. Life form not Animalia.*
*Unable to read RNA of host. Life form not Animalia.*
-Chii!!(Agghhh- damn voice, couldn't you be a little more cautious with your announcements!)-
With these incessant announcements that arose in its mind repeatedly, it was clear it couldn't infect plants because they weren't animals. But an ability it hadn't used yet came to mind.
[Devour] had no idea what this ability did, but its name was very clear; it just had to eat, so in front of the flower, it prepared to eat a petal.
-Munch..(Ugh this thing tastes very disgusting)-
The taste was very bitter and unpalatable, but if its hypothesis was correct, the ability should activate. A buzz followed by the announcement was heard in its mind:
*New chemical type detected. Beginning RNA and composition analysis. Confirmed to be organic [Plantae]. Acquiring RNA copy.*
*New chemicals acquired in analysis:*
*[Antipyretic I] [Analgesic I]*
It seemed that [Devour] analyzes all types of compounds ingested by the host, acquiring abilities after analyzing them. The flower was probably a medicinal plant. It thought that if it could eat more rare or dangerous plants, it could transfer the chemicals to the virus.
It was an incredible ability. With this new information, the virus had been able to increase its lethality; used correctly, it could make history in this world.
-(If I collect more RNA from plants, then it would make my job easier)-
It focused on another identical flower and ate another petal to check if it could analyze the plant more deeply.
Another buzz and the announcement.
*Chemical type already analyzed detected. RNA of organic being [Plantae] will not be analyzed.*
It seemed that the [Devour] ability only analyzes the chemical composition of the consumed organic being once.
-(Is the acquisition of abilities limited by the level of [Devour]?)-
At this rate, it didn't seem possible to cause an epidemic through natural contagion. This situation seemed unfortunate.
It discovered that it could alter the symptoms of other nearby infected individuals, intensifying or suppressing them. It was enough to think about it. A function that would be very useful.
-(This is getting very interesting)-
Although it was euphoric about being a virus, being a rat was perfect. It was the classic example of a disease carrier.
-chichichi(For the good of the world... I'll do whatever is necessary)-
While it was joyful and lost in thought, a chill came down its spine; darkness enveloped it again. Silhouettes began to appear, along with agitated, savage breathing.
It felt the gaze of a beast.
[Danger Detection I]
-¿Chi?(Danger?)-
It looked up, terrified.
A gray-furred wolf was stalking it. Pointed ears, long snout, and visible fangs. Its gaze, full of hunger, was fixed on it.
-(This situation... is not favorable for me.)-
It backed away, but a mouse's step meant nothing. The wolf didn't even flinch.
The tension was unbearable. It moved first.
[Cowardice I]
It turned and ran with all its strength. Winning was impossible. The virus wasn't enough. It would be devoured before it could react.
-¡Chiii!!(Damn it, why is this ability activating?)-
Trying to escape was useless. The wolf's shadow was catching up more and more.
-¡Grrrar!-
-Chi– Chii– ¡Chiii!(IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!)-
Its vision turned black. It felt how its entire body was being bitten.
-¡Grrr!-
A low growl emerged... from itself. Its perspective was higher, although it still walked on all fours.
[Domination]
-...grrr(Hm?)-
Crunching sounds came from its mouth. Flesh and fur, blood that smelled strong. The sensation was unpleasant; it felt like it should spit it out, but at the same time it seemed delicious.
Below, a trail of blood... with a mouse's tail.
-...gulp(How delicious! Although I admit the sensation was horrible, and also that it was my body that I ate!)-
And after swallowing it, it seemed satisfied, although a bit disgusted.
The conclusion was clear. Its consciousness had abandoned the devoured mouse and had taken the wolf's body.
Survival of the fittest. A buzz and the announcement:
*New abilities from new host acquired:*
*[Ferocity I] [Agility I] [Endurance I] [Smell I] > [Smell II]*
It didn't matter if its host died. Its consciousness jumped to the next infected one. The wolf had eaten the infected mouse and, with it, had been possessed. A common trope among characters with parasitic abilities.
-(Although it feels like having immortality, being devoured... was like dying. I didn't want to repeat it. Physical things had to be verified... but it was worth it.)-
This discovery changed everything. It meant it had infinite lives.
This would profoundly influence its way of living in this new world. Without fearing death, it could go even further.
-(This will get more exciting. This life... no, this viral life I'm going to fulfill what I promised.)-
With the wolf's body under its control, it continued on its way with a clear mind.