Dark Fantasy Normalized

35 – Parasite

The apprentice sat blankly on the bench.

The research materials submitted to the tower as the achievement of the semester were not just put on hold, but rejected.

“Scholarship completely excluded… Promotion on hold… Personal research lab application on hold…”

All sorts of terrible thoughts flashed through the alchemist’s mind.

“I saw your research materials.”

“…Yes?”

It was then that a figure approached and suddenly spoke.

“An antagonistic understanding of black magic from an alchemical perspective. It was interesting. Challenging. And that’s why it was rejected.”

“…”

“The tower is more progressive than any group, but at the same time, it is also more conservative than any group. You must never cross the line they have set.”

“…Master. What do you want from me?”

She was none other than the master of the Gray Tower. A being far above the apprentice.

A being who evaluates and judges the apprentices.

Despite the master’s personal interest, the apprentice showed a blunt reaction.

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed that she intended to give various advice and counsel under the name of guidance, but in the current situation, it was just rubbing salt into a wound.

“Shall I say I felt a sense of kinship?”

“…Kinship?”

You and I are the same. Where exactly are we the same?

The apprentice struggled to hide his displeasure.

“I wanted to pass your research materials. But. The other masters were strongly opposed. They said it would be a bad precedent that would sicken the tower. That it would have a bad influence on other students.”

“…So. What are you trying to say? Are you trying to personally tell me how my research materials were ignored by the respected masters?”

“I told you. I felt a sense of kinship. In fact, I went through the same thing as you.”

The apprentice sneered at her inwardly.

Went through the same thing. The confident way she spoke was disgusting and ridiculous.

What do I know?

The master, unaware of the apprentice’s inner thoughts, continued speaking.

“At the time, I didn’t know, but later I found out. When I took the entrance exam for the tower. They said the same thing at the top of the tower. They opposed it, saying that leaving a bad example like me would have a long-term negative impact on the tower.”

“… But you’re here now.”

“That’s right. It’s not recorded, but someone there raised their voice for me.”

“So, you were able to join the tower thanks to that person. Who was it?”

“I wanted to know too. But I never found out. The tower accepted me, but they didn’t fully acknowledge me. They didn’t record the meeting where they talked about me. So they could erase it anytime.”

The apprentice lifted her bowed head and looked up at the master.

The master nodded and continued speaking.

“It’s the same now. Formally, I’m a master of the tower, but I’m not recorded in the tower’s register. But, as you said, I’m here. People don’t acknowledge me, but they can’t deny me either. All because I had a chance. A chance to prove myself. And that chance was because of-“

“Someone who spoke up for you.”

“That’s right.”

The master extended a hand to the apprentice.

“I want to give that chance to someone else.”

“…”

The apprentice lowered her head again, revealing her emotions where the master couldn’t see.

It was the sly grin of a hunter who had found an opportunity.

Apprentice Tulan.

She composed her expression. The sly hunter quickly transformed into the inspired apprentice.

Tulan grasped the master’s outstretched hand and said,

“I won’t disappoint you, Master Didoa.”

An antagonistic understanding of black magic from an alchemical perspective.

The reason the tower rejected Tulan’s research was clear. There was no guarantee that her research would not deviate from the ‘right path.’

Those who dealt with unclean power were not placed above the apostles from the beginning.

Even those who walked the right path could easily stray and lose themselves.

The tower’s judgment was reasonable-

If we were to argue right and wrong, the one who made the wrong judgment would be Didoa.

Didoa knew this too.

Realizing that her judgment had not been rational.

Nevertheless, the reason she made a judgment that went against reason was, quite literally, because her emotions took precedence.

Didoa had lived her entire life persecuted as a half-demon.

If there was one most important event in her life, it was undoubtedly passing the tower entrance examination.

That single recognition transformed her, a mere half-demon, into the master of the magic tower.

If not for that, she would have ended up making drugs in the outskirts of the city.

Didoa had never forgotten that fact. That’s why she had always longed for it.

Someday, she too would become someone who could give others such an opportunity.

Thus, Didoa vowed.

No matter what, she would trust Tulan.

“You foolish girl. How dare a mere half-demon pity me? Fine. Pity me all you want.”

The opportunity Didoa gave became an unparalleled chance for Tulan.

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Didoa, who had been persecuted all her life as a half-demon, was clumsy in dealing with people.

“Miss Didoa- Ah! I’m sorry. Miss Didoa just feels so familiar… What? I can call you that when we’re alone? I’m happy!”

Tulan did not miss the gap in Didoa’s heart that she showed him and thoroughly exploited it.

“To be Miss Didoa’s assistant… I’ll try my best!”

Didoa granted Tulan more authority than just an assistant, and Tulan thoroughly utilized it.

He interacted with the people of the magic tower in Didoa’s name.

He freely used the research materials of the magic tower in Didoa’s name.

He conducted research in Didoa’s name.

He filled Didoa’s surroundings with his traces.

“Tulan? It seems like the chair at my desk has changed?”

“Ah! Yes! I changed it!”

“Why?”

“I sat on it and it was too uncomfortable! It’s all for you, Miss Didoa, you know that, right?”

“…I see.”

At some point, Didoa realized that there were more of Tulan’s belongings in her laboratory than her own.

“How could you do this to me?”

“Tulan-“

“Enough! If you don’t allow this, I’ll quit being your assistant.”

“…This is really the last time.”

“Really!? Thank you, Didoa! You’re the only one for me!”

Didoa, who was clumsy in dealing with people, grew through his relationship with Tulan and realized.

That he had allowed Tulan too much in the name of understanding.

To Tulan, he was neither an understanding person, a friend, nor anything else.

Just an object of exploitation.

Didoa tried to correct it, even if it was late.

But by the time he realized the problem, it was already too late.

“Didoa. What kind of manners is that when speaking to Master Tulan?”

When Didoa tried to speak, the response came from the apprentices around Tulan.

“…Apprentice. What are you talking about? Master Tulan? Tulan. Can you explain?”

“How dare a filthy half-demon girl!”

An apprentice pushed Didoa. Didoa was so shocked that he couldn’t even react and was pushed over.

Tulan looked down at Didoa with cold eyes and said.

“Didoa. I told you to restrain yourself when others are around.”

“…Tulan?”

“I must have been too lenient with you. Didoa. You are ordered to one week of reflection. Take this time to look back on yourself.”

The power given to a demon follower by a demon, ‘Parasitic Oblivion’.

It worked perfectly as all conditions were met.

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▶Fate 44: Parasite

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[Title: Wow, the Parasite Fate story is freaking crazy]

Content: Parasitic Oblivion ＜ Isn’t this guy totally OP?

It’s like a mass hypnosis app effect.

If you can’t conquer the world with this, you’re an idiot.

– : I tried to learn it too, but it wasn’t like that…

– : If you try it yourself, you’ll know. The conditions are so strict that it’s almost impossible to use.

– : It might only work on mobs that don’t go beyond level 10.

– [Author] : ? Then what about Didoa?

– [Author] : This guy is level 45?

– : That’s not a lie, it’s because it’s Didoa.

– : Poor loser Didoa ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

– : Because he gave his liver and gallbladder to Tulan as a friendship fee, the parasitic amnesia effect triggered.

– [Author] : What are the conditions?

– : Equip with items that have ownership to oneself + Achieve higher favorability with all characters who have activated favorability with the target.

– [Author] : Well, the first condition is understandable, but the second one, is that even possible?

– : Tulan is a social butterfly, and Didoa is a total loser.

– : Think of it as the most popular kid in school stealing the friends of the biggest outcast.

– [Author] : Ah.

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[Title: So what is Didoa ＜ this guy doing?]

Content: What is he doing without killing Tulan?

– : Tulan is gaslighting him.

Saying if he kills him, he can never go back to the way things were.

– : What kind of gaslighting is this, it’s like mental magic.

– : Didoa has a very low resistance to mental magic (pretending to be friendly).

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[Title: How do you break this parasite fate ㅋㅋㅋ]

Content: Do I just kill Tulan?

– : You have to do to Tulan what he did to Didoa.

– [Author] : ?

– [Author] : Fill Tulan’s lab with Didoa’s stuff and make people like the total loser half-demon Didoa more than the super popular Tulan?

– : Yes.

– [Author] : Is that even possible?

– : Fucking shit!!!! If you grind your ass off, it’s possible, but

– : Usually, it’s such a fucking shit!!!!!!!! grind that you just wait for the side quests to pop up and clear those

– [OP] : What’s the side quest?

– : It’s about catching Didoha, who’s doing a shooting spree and escaping the magic tower, and bringing her back to the tower for trial

– : Seriously, when you see Didoha’s psychological portrayal in that, it’s fucking heartbreaking

– : She believed killing Tulan would solve everything, but there’s nothing like that, just ‘apprentice’ Didoha who killed ‘Master’ Tulan, lol

– : After that, she went crazy, killing other apprentices and fleeing the tower, and they’re making you bring her all the way back to the tower for a trial, like seriously;

– [OP] : Nah, that’s kinda messed up;;;

– [OP] : And then you can’t complete the ‘Fate’ challenge, can you?

– : Bondales already has a bunch of fates that are a pain in the ass to clear even without that, lol

– : Seriously, the thing with the necromancer and master assassin teaming up, that’s just some bullshit

– : Two region boss-level enemies appearing at the same time, it’s legendary, legendary ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– : For Bondales, just skipping all clear is good for your mental health ㅇㅇ

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*

*

*

“Risir.”

Ahem. Meltas cleared his throat with his characteristic cough and patted the seat right next to him.

Risir. Come and sit over here.

Risir’s brow furrowed. It was a facial expression that showed an unavoidable physiological disgust.

“…”

Meltas, looking hurt, began a secretive conversation. Instead of Risir sitting next to him, he lowered his voice.

“Risir. How about reconsidering it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What else? I’m talking about entrusting the ‘spirit’ to Didoha.”

“Is there any problem with that?”

“…”

Meltas’s mouth moved hesitantly. He looked like he had so much to say but didn’t know how to start.

The public perception of half-demons was not good.

Born with a relatively sensitive mana responsiveness, they show a manic obsession with mana!

The half-demons are the kind who would even devour their own parents for their magical power!

This was the public perception and prejudice against the demons. Most people were not free from such prejudices. Meltas was no exception.

In fact, Meltas had heard some unpleasant stories related to this.

There were stories that Didoa was secretly siphoning off various research materials from the alchemy hall. It was said that if it weren’t for the protection of her master, Tulan, an audit would have been conducted long ago.

Meltas also knew how foolish it was to judge people based on prejudice and rumors. But as a human being, he couldn’t be completely free from those two things.

They say that if three people gather, they can create a tiger. Many masters and scholars spoke ill of Didoa in front of Meltas.

Meltas tried to maintain neutrality as much as possible and said,

“Come to think of it, I think I might have spoken inaccurately before. When I said that any skilled alchemist would do, I was speaking based on Tulan’s standards. I think it would be better to seek help from other masters-“

Meltas stopped mid-sentence and turned his gaze in the same direction as Lisir.

He saw Didoa with her palm to her ear, amplifying the surrounding sounds.

She was eavesdropping on their secret conversation. Her clumsy appearance made it more fitting to call it an imitation of eavesdropping.

“Didoa. What are you doing?”

“I was curious about what you two were talking about.”

Perhaps it was thanks to her still expressionless face and tone.

Her absurd behavior left room for various interpretations.

“…”

Meltas felt embarrassed, thinking that Didoa’s actions were mocking his own behavior.

It felt like he had been caught speaking negatively about her behind her back.

“We were discussing how my elixir is of such high quality. We were talking about how it would be best to consume it under optimal conditions.”

Lisir felt that Didoa’s actions were a playful expression of dissatisfaction.

Let me join in.

It seemed as if Didoa was saying that with her characteristic emotionless tone and expression.

“How high quality is it? I’m curious. If possible, could I take a look?”

“Here it is.”

Ah. Ugh.

Meltas was momentarily shocked by Lisir’s casual handing of the elixir to Didoa, but he decided to respect his judgment.

After all, she was the assistant of ‘Master Tulan’. Would she dare to pull any tricks in front of another master?

“Let’s see.”

Instead of taking the elixir, Didoa put her hands behind her back and leaned forward. She adjusted the position of her head and observed the elixir in Lisir’s hand.

“A peculiar way of observing. Is that also one of the techniques of alchemy?”

“No. I thought you might be displeased if my hands touched the precious elixir.”

“?”

Rishir suddenly felt the subtlety of empathy.

Is this how people feel when I joke about b*stards?

Rishir did not insist on offering the elixir to Didoa, who declined. Instead, he moved the elixir around to make it easier for Didoa to observe.

“Hooh.”

After a brief observation, Didoa let out a small exclamation.

Her expression and tone remained unchanged, but it was her way of expressing amazement.

“It’s the work of the Gosraltan alchemists. As you said, it’s an incredible top-grade product.”

“Gosralta…? Can you tell just by looking at it?”

Rishir examined the elixir in various ways, just like Didoa. To his eyes, it was just a transparent liquid and a bottle with no distinctive features.

“Rub the neck of the bottle carefully. You’ll feel a slight embossing.”

“…Oh, indeed-“

“Gedratsa.”

“Gedratsa?”

“It’s a secret technique where Gosraltan sorcerers include the container itself in the alchemical process to store the solution.”

“Uh…”

“To put it simply, not just the contents, but the bottle itself is an elixir.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Gedratsa is one of the highest known reagent techniques. Even with the same ingredients, making an elixir with Gedratsa can elevate its efficacy by a level.”

“Is it the sorcerers’ technique?”

Meltas asked with a dubious attitude. Didoa straightened her upper body and continued the conversation.

“On the contrary, it’s because it’s the sorcerers’ technique.”

“Explain in detail.”

“Black magic, necromancy, spiritism, magic. To sorcerers, it’s all part of sorcery. In fact, except for wizards who strive to follow the right path, it’s the same for everyone. They have blurred boundaries in handling power, and thus, they have no hesitation in dealing with different powers.”

Didoa pointed to the elixir with a gesture.

“Gedratsa is an alchemy reinterpreted through sorcery, adding the principles of black magic. It’s a technique that minimizes the inevitable loss of components in the manufacturing process by substituting it with the life force of the maker.”

“…!”

The true nature of my beloved elixir?

Lisir was startled and checked the elixir.

Didoa continued his story.

“That’s why, even though the elixir made from Gedratsa has high efficacy, it’s hard to fully recognize its value. Because it contains the power of black magic, if taken incorrectly, it could cause magical distortion.”

“Is my elixir okay?”

Lisir asked with a worried face.

“I was just about to say that – in that regard, your elixir is the best of the best.”

“Really?”

“The chronic flaw of Gedratsa, the aura of black magic, is not felt in your elixir.”

Lisir was thinking the same thing.

Huh? If it contained the aura of black magic, I should have felt it by now.

“Maybe through additional processes, the power of black magic was removed – amazing. It’s incredible that such a thing is possible. Even more so that it was actually put into action.”

Lisir suddenly remembered the first time he received the elixir from his master, Pamon.

Come to think of it. I think I felt a slight prick in my hand at that time –

“If it had gone wrong, not only would the power contained in the elixir have been distorted, but the distorted power would have flowed into the body and caused magical chaos. Only a madman with nothing but alchemy in his head could do such a thing. As a fellow alchemist, I feel a sense of awe. Do you know anything about this alchemist? If possible, I’d like to meet and share knowledge.”

“Perhaps, I might have done it myself.”

Didoa pondered for a moment – “Ha.” He lifted one corner of his mouth unnaturally.

“Interesting. I don’t know much about jokes, but I like all of your jokes.”

Although it seemed sarcastic, Didoa was genuinely enjoying himself.

It wasn’t that Lisir’s joke itself was funny, but rather that he found joy in the situation of Lisir joking with him.

So instead of arguing, Lisir said to Didoa.

“Mr. Didoa, you seem very knowledgeable in this field. So, I have a request. Could you assist with the consumption of the elixir?”

“You mean, you want me to analyze the ingredients of the elixir and give my opinion?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

Before answering, Lisir looked around.

The interior of the alchemist Tulan’s laboratory.

Traces felt throughout the laboratory.

Nod.

Lisir’s resolve became even firmer.

Rather than asking Tulan, it’s better to ask Didoa in front of me.

“Yes. Please.”

“Shouldn’t we also ask Master Meltas for his opinion?”

“If you ask for my opinion, honestly, I was quite surprised. Didoa. I didn’t expect your insight to be that deep. I can’t understand why Master Tulan spoke so poorly of you.”

“Master Tulan seems to be a bit of an odd person.”

“Oh. What do you mean by that, Lishir?”

“…”

Didoa’s expression, which had been emotionless all along, wavered.

“Lishir…”

She was about to speak cautiously when someone opened the door to the laboratory.

It was Master Tulan and her followers, the apprentices.

“Didoa. Guests in the laboratory without my permission-… Master Meltas!”

Tulan was about to scold Didoa harshly but then noticed Meltas and put on a friendly smile.

“Without any notice, what brings you here!”

“Ah. I was just going to ask you to assist with the elixir intake. By the way, didn’t you say you would return around sunset today?”

“What? Me?”

“Didoa said so.”

“…”

Tulan openly showed signs of embarrassment.

That was enough.

Meltas and the apprentices cast disapproving glances at Didoa.

Ahem.

Meltas spoke.

“In fact. I was just about to ask Didoa to assist with the elixir intake in your absence.”

“To Didoa, who lied about me being late… What did Didoa say?”

“For now, she expressed a willingness to help positively.”

“Didoa…”

Tulan still maintained a friendly smile.

That action only made the gazes directed at Didoa sharper.

“The half-demon girl is making Master Tulan uncomfortable again…”

One of the trainees muttered.

Didoa was restless.

The first thing she did was to observe Lysir’s reaction.

“…”

Did he feel animosity towards her as intended by Tulan’s remark?

His once gentle expression had hardened.

“Ah.”

It felt like even the last narrow foothold was crumbling. Didoa lowered her head.

For a moment, it felt like she had escaped this terrible nightmare.

For a moment, the man who had made her dream was now becoming part of the nightmare.

The anxiety she had forgotten through her encounter with Lysir had taken shape again.

‘I will never escape this nightmare.’

Didoa’s emotionless eyes, the faint light within them, grew even dimmer.

It was the moment she was about to mutter some spell as if spitting it out.

“Sir Meltas?”

Lysir whispered something into Meltas’s ear.

“…!”

Meltas, shocked, asked Lysir again.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. I swear on my power.”

“… Alright.”

After that, they had another conversation, and suddenly the atmosphere of the place changed.

*

“Meltas…?”

Tulan was bewildered.

Suddenly, Master Meltas was showing hostility towards him.

“Master Tulan.”

At that moment, a man he had never seen before handed Tulan a bottle and spoke.

“Can you recognize what this is?”

“It’s an elixir, isn’t it? Ah, are you the owner of the elixir Master Meltas mentioned? It seems like this is our first meeting – shall we introduce ourselves?”

Tulan responded with a smile that was naturally endearing.

Lishir nodded and said,

“Sorry, but could I ask Assistant Didoa to help with the elixir intake?”

“What did you say?”

The friendly expression on Tulan’s face cracked.