Take 1
After several months of reading, I finally finished the books.
I feel bad for having killed people for them, but I do not regret it.
They illuminated the path toward understanding this body.
I finally understood why absorbing ultraviolet radiation is so easy for me.
In the human body, it is responsible for triggering the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin.
However, my body appears to convert it into a form of energy compatible with my own structure.
As a result, the longer I remain exposed, the more energy I absorb.
Even so, I have yet to learn how to convert or absorb the other properties of sunlight.
For now, there seems to be a limit to how many hours I can absorb energy this way, though I can feel that this limit is gradually increasing.
This reminds me of what happened in the library—when I was shot several times in the chest and stabbed in the neck.
Apparently, although my original form is not particularly hot, my human form generates an extremely high internal temperature.
The external heat is also abnormally high—enough to evaporate liquids within a few minutes.
Fortunately, however, it is not high enough to burn my clothes.
Next point: Biological energy.
I do not necessarily need to consume mutated humans in order to absorb energy.
However, there is a complication.
Each creature provides a different amount of energy.
For example, some mutated humans have given me enough energy to maintain my form for years.
Animals, on the other hand, only provide enough energy to sustain me for a few hours.
This may be related to the amount of energy stored within the organism.
This brings me to the next point: Inorganic matter.
Although it does not provide me with energy, this body is capable of absorbing matter.
This could prove extremely useful against stealth attacks.
Next point: my perception.
It seems to be based on detecting heat.
However, I can apparently also perceive the energy within a body.
For example, the unicorn I once encountered and Simon.
While the unicorn was the brightest creature I had ever seen, Simon was the darkest.
Perhaps this is related to their opposite natures.
However, in my human form this perception must be used consciously.
I still do not fully understand why.
Now, regarding my original form.
When I return to it, my infrared perception becomes far more natural and powerful.
By manipulating my cells, I can consciously increase or decrease their speed.
However, it leaves me unable to properly interact with the outside world, while my perception becomes limited entirely to infrared.
And lastly — though no less important.
Hypotheses:
First: regeneration.
This body is not biological, which means I have no organs. Even so, the fact that the bullet holes remained for a while still bothers me.
What is the limit of damage I can sustain? And am I able to reshape myself in order to regenerate?
Perhaps I need to expend energy to repair each instance of damage.
I will test this next time.
Second: the form.
Why is my human form so hot internally?
It may be related to the way I shape myself — the fact that I must mentally visualize every centimeter of the body.
Because of this, the stored energy is in constant motion.
And what about the exterior?
Is it hot because heat escapes through the cracks?
...
Possibly. But I do not think that is the entire explanation.
Perhaps…
The body is still imperfect.
That would make sense.
It is not as if I create a proper skin over it — it is more like a poorly formed shell.
Which may also explain why I must constantly activate this vision.
Which makes me wonder… am I truly using this body to its full potential?
Well… in time, I will find out.
...
The forest I am walking through has grown silent.
The air feels heavier than usual.
I should be used to this by now, yet I feel uneasy.
Then the silence broke beneath the sound of dry leaves being crushed underfoot.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a shadow—
Take interrupted…