Start as a Spiritual Planter: I Have a Game Panel

Chapter 185: Absorbing the first Mind Shadow Parasite

Coming back into the space, Ram let out a deep breath, the tension from the grueling battle finally easing. Exhaustion, both mental and physical, weighed heavily on him.

Ram didn't expect such a turn of events, he just got out of the space to check on others but had to return back again not long.

He wasted no time and lay down on a simple cot in the corner, allowing himself a brief nap to recover from the overwhelming strain of fighting Kain.

Willingly enduring Kain's relentless assault to buy time for Mai and the others had been no easy task.

Every blow had pushed him closer to his limits, but in the end, everything went well according to his plan.

Before disappearing into his space, Ram had made sure to send Mai and other a quick message: "I'm fine. Stay on course—I'll catch up soon."

He'd done this to reassure them and prevent any rash decisions they make if he didn't return.

The last thing he needed was for Mai or the others to misunderstand his prolonged absence and double back to look for him, only to fall into a trap or get caught by Shane or other gang members who are still lurking outside the city.

As he drifted into a light sleep, Ram's thoughts remained steady. Ram wasn't sure how long he had slept, but the moment he woke up, a sense of refreshment washed over him.

Stretching his body, he felt a wave of comfort as the lingering tension in his muscles dissipated.

Spreading his spiritual awareness, he noticed that there was only Korrin inside the housing plant, still meditating within his room in the housing plant.

Sensing Ram's movements, Korrin's eyes snapped open, and without hesitation, he rose from his meditation and stepped out of his room.

When Korrin spotted Ram approaching, he immediately bent his body in a respectful bow. "Master," he greeted with deference, awaiting orders.

Ram chuckled warmly at the display. "Ha-haa... Korrin, how many times do I have to tell you? No need to be so formal. We're all family now."

Korrin straightened but maintained a respectful posture. "Understood, Master. But still..."

Ram smiled and shook his head. The tension in Korrin's stance eased slightly, though his admiration for Ram was clear in his fiery eyes. "I understand, Master. Is there anything you need from me?"

"Yes," Ram replied, his tone growing serious. "Where's Kain?"

Korrin tilted his head slightly, his expression cautious. "Master, are you talking about the injured person you brought back with Groot?" He paused, then added with a slight frown, "We tried to save his life, but for some reason, his injuries worsened as soon as he entered the space. He didn't last long."

"Huh?" Ram's hand instinctively went to his forehead as he let out a groan of frustration. "Damn... I shouldn't have slept before checking on him."

He sighed deeply, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Well, he's already dead, and there's nothing we can do about it now. But why did his injuries worsen after entering my space?"

Ram's brows furrowed, but he didn't find any reasons. "Let's check his body," Ram said, gesturing for Korrin to lead the way.

The two moved through the housing plant, as they approached the place where Kain's body was kept, Ram's spiritual awareness stretched out, trying to sense anything unusual.

When they entered the empty housing plant, Kain's lifeless form lay on a wooden platform, his skin pale with multiple bone-deep injuries and marred by strange black veins that hadn't been there before.

Ram stepped closer, kneeling beside the body. He carefully examined Kain, his fingers brushing over the corrupted veins. "This wasn't here before... something's not right."

Korrin nodded solemnly. "We noticed it too, Master. As soon as he entered the space, these veins appeared, spreading rapidly. His life force drained in moments, and we couldn't do anything to stop it."

Ram's eyes narrowed as he focused his spiritual sense, diving deeper around the body, just then he found that the origin of this black vines seemed to be from the position of Kain's heart, Ram felt something foreign yet oddly familiar.

"This…" Ram muttered. "It's almost like a curse or... no, a failsafe."

"A failsafe?" Korrin repeated, confused. "Could it be related to the Shadow Society?"

But before Ram could respond, he felt a slight movement within Kain's body—a faint pulse of energy that caught him off guard.

His eyes narrowed as his spiritual sense honed in on the source. It wasn't just Kain's body exhibiting unusual activity.

Even the Mind Shadow parasite that's within Ram, still in the process of completing its transformation, began to stir.

Through their mental link, Ram felt a surge of intent—a primal, almost predatory hunger radiating from the parasite.

"Are you hungry?" Ram murmured, more to himself than anyone else. The parasite's feelings came through loud and clear, a wordless yet insistent craving directed at Kain's body or the Mind Shadow parasite inside him.

Ram understood what's happening, this should be caused due to the new skill effect of [Consume & Evolve], the surge of intent grew stronger.

Korrin noticed the shift in Ram's expression and stepped closer. "Master, is something wrong?"

Ram raised a hand to halt him, his gaze fixed on Kain's body. "Stay back, I think it's the Mind Shadow Parasite that caused him to die, as soon as it appeared inside the space, it should have lost its connection to the Shadow Society and might have triggered some failsafe."

Thankfully the parasite inside his body became independent after becoming his pet, or else he might have died long ago. But this incident also made clear that his decision to not let Sid and Mai enter the space was the best outcome, or else who knows the same might happen to them.

Korrin hesitated but obeyed, retreating a few steps while keeping a watchful eye on the scene.

Ram directed his thoughts inward, focusing on the parasite within him.

"Is this what you want?" he asked, his tone calm, focusing on the faint connection he shared with it. The response came swiftly—wordless, but unmistakable, it sure wants to consume the Mind Shadow parasite.

Ram let out a slow breath, "Fine. But if you're going to consume it, how do you do it?"

Soon he got another response, "Alright," Ram said, exhaling slowly. "Let's see what you can do."

Ram gave the parasite permission to act, extending his spiritual energy toward Kain's heart, where the black veins seemed to originate.

Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand over Kain's chest, spiritual power gathering at his fingertips directed toward Kain's body.

The moment his power connected, a wave of dark energy surged from within him, responding to the parasite's intent.

The black veins pulsed violently, as if resisting, but Ram's parasite was far superior.

Its One-Star General quality easily overpowered the weaker parasite, crushing any opposition.

Dark energy spread from Ram's hand, enveloping Kain's body and drawing out the sinister presence hidden within.

Slowly, a shadowy tendril emerged from the black veins, writhing as though alive.

Its aura was suffocating, oppressive, and filled the room with an overwhelming weight.

Korrin instinctively stepped back, his hand hovering near his weapon. "Master, that thing... it feels dangerous," he said, his voice tense.

"It is," Ram replied, his gaze fixed on the dark tendril, he could feel it, the parasite inside Kain was also Tier 4. "But it's also exactly what I need."

The parasite within him tugged at his mind, its hunger palpable as it began to consume the foreign entity.

Piece by piece, it absorbed the shadowy essence with terrifying efficiency, growing stronger with every moment.

As the process continued, the black veins retreated, fading into nothingness. Kain's body, now free of corruption, lay still and lifeless.

The faint pulse of energy Ram had sensed earlier had vanished entirely.

The parasite within Ram withdrew, its intent calm and sated. He could feel its power subtly increase, though it would likely take time to fully digest the energy it had consumed.

"It's done," Ram said, rising to his feet. He turned to Korrin, who had been watching the entire process with wide eyes.

"Master... what just happened?" Korrin asked, his voice filled with awe and uncertainty.

Ram dusted his hands off and looked down at Kain's lifeless body. "That was a failsafe left by the Shadow Society.

It was meant to kill anyone who might escape and control their bodies. Luckily, my parasite could handle it."

Korrin nodded slowly, absorbing Ram's explanation. "And now? What do we do with him?"

"What else? Just burn it," Ram replied back. "There's no telling if there's anything else left behind in his body that might cause trouble later."

Korrin gave a sharp nod. "Understood, Master."

With a simple gesture, Korrin summoned a wisp of flames to his palm, the intense heat radiating off it causing the air to shimmer.

He crouched near Kain's lifeless body and let the flames drift onto it.

"That should take care of it," The fire caught immediately, consuming the body in seconds. The flames burned with a peculiar intensity, leaving no ash or residue behind—just an empty space where Kain had once lain.

However, what Ram doesn't know is that his simple plan of devouring other Mind Shadow parasites to improve his own parasite has already averted a huge upcoming crisis on Blue Star.

And so it began at this moment, with Kain becoming the first victim.