Protoplasmic Awakening
Surrounded by dense wildlife, in a cave quite far from any known civilization, a slimy mass of closed eyes, and shark toothed mouths rested.
That was until its eyes shot open the neon gold hue slightly illuminating the near pitch black space.
(MC pov)
"Ugh... What? Where... WHERE THE HELL AM I?!?!" The slimy horror spat out, it's multitude of shifting eyes examining the cave space frantically.
"Shit my head is pounding... Wait... Where are my hands?! Why can I see all around me?! Why does my voice sound like this?! Why-" It began to panic, its newfound situation being too much for the beings brain to comprehend.
That is, before a voice in his head suddenly rang out, startling him.
⟨Shapeshifter Tutorial Initializing...⟩
⟨10%... 32%... 59%... 63%... 81%... 100%!⟩
"What? Shapeshifter tutorial? What's happening??"
⟨Greetings sir Kane. I am your temporary tutorial system. For the time being, I shall suppress your unnecessary emotions.⟩
"Wait what?! What is happening-" Kane spoke before his eyes dulled, losing some of their luster.
"Ugh, that felt odd... So, tutorial, what is happening? Why am I like this and where am I anyway?" It spoke in a monotone voice, barely any noticeable hints of interest and confusion.
⟨You have been reincarnated into the world of Norkru, a planet not for differing from your own, though existing in the Althea galaxy.⟩
⟨Your existence has been modified, you are now an advanced species of mimic slimes, designated as Jargons.⟩
"Hm... Interesting, so do I have some sort of shapeshifting abilities? If so, how do they work?" He asked, intrigued by his predicament.
⟨Your abilities work hand in hand with your imagination, you being and advanced race, you are not as limited to your diet as other mimic slimes or mimics in general.⟩
"Wait, you spoke 'as limited' even after bounding my powers to imagination, so what kind of limitations do I have?" He interrupted, ready to state his grievances at the restrictions on his powers.
⟨‹Initiating demonstration mode...›⟩
Suddenly a small screen appeared, multiplying to match his large number of eyes. On said screens displayed what he presumed was his current appearance, of which he would normally cringe in disgust and fear.
Showing his body sitting in a white training room, another entity appeared in the room, it's body tall and skinny. Its eyes were sunken, appearing as two pitch black voids, while its unnaturally long and jagged teeth were exposed due to its lack of lips.
⟨As a Jargon, your shapeshifting relies on your diet, meaning the saying "You are what you eat" truly applies to you.⟩
The screen then showed a third existence appearing, a white bat with unnaturally large wings and neon purple eyes. The virtual rendition of his body suddenly consuming them both.
⟨You are able to mimic the abilities of any creature you devour along with their appearance, but a you may also mix appearances and powers of differing creatures, shown as you consumed a Gourge, the lanky and skinny monster, and a shift bat, the white bat who's ability is teleportation.⟩
His virtual self then started writhing, its slimy body contorting into the shape of the tall Gourge, but its eyes showed resemblance to the eaten Shift Bat, it's appearance resembling something of his past life, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Ⱡøø₭ ₣øɽ ₮ⱨɇ ɇɏɇ..." That was until he heard the distorted voice of his shifted form, reminding him of a singular game, pertaining to a singular mom. The Enderman.
"I can recreate game characters? That adds a new world of exploration..." He said, before realizing something.
"Doesn't that mean I have to consume monsters with powers equivalent to game characters to use them?"
⟨Congratulations Kane, you earned the achievement Smarter Than You Seem! You are in fact correct.⟩
"Well that ultimately puts a dent in things." Kane said while contemplating his next question, before he could though, he heard a strange sound.