'I've realized something in these 10 hours of observation with the changes that occurred from this child. It seems that the reason why I needed 5 whole years to recover was the fact that the homunculus didn't have the necessary amount of nutrients. From the moment I unlocked the ability to control and summon the devouring leeches, I gained its unique regeneration. But that ability requires me to have some nutrition which can only be obtained from digestion,'
"My body was banged up from the fall that broke most of my bones, my body was then wrapped in a preservation fluid. Which then turned into a protective cocoon that covered my body, protecting it from the harmful elements until I built an immunity. Natural regeneration can still occur without the use of nutrition, but that'll take a long time, hence the reason for my slumber."
Once he realizes the required materials to accelerate the conversion, he grabs a dozen pieces of edible meat he collected from the monsters. Neon places it near the cocoon where the child he rescued started to heal with the help of his experiment.
He watches as a few tentacle-like creatures similar in design to the devouring leeches burst from the cocoon. After a few seconds, when it was confirmed that the meat he placed was edible, it quickly pounced and devoured every single piece.
With this method, created after proper observation and realization of his ability, Neon could accelerate the regenerative process alongside the conversion of the child's organs. What was supposed to last a few months was reduced to weeks. And when he added another chunk of nutrients—weeks were changed to a few days.
However, he wasn't patient enough to wait for the results. After giving a few more of his rations, days were reduced to a matter of hours. With the help of his golden eyes, he was able to properly monitor the child's health.
[System: Race conversion was a major success. Since the guardian didn't perish, its stats and level weren't reverted to zero. Homunculus's unique regenerative ability originating from the devouring leech has closed and treated the subject's wounds. The guardian named [Alex Hersh] has been converted to the homunculus race.]
'Finally, it's time for the results of this conversion to see the light of day. If he doesn't accept the outcome of his form... I'll take responsibility for my actions, and I'll kill him without any form of hesitation. The thing that I've just tried to accomplish is the same as those demonic cultists that experimented on civilians. I'm only doing what I can to make this child's desire to live become a reality. As much as this will grant me access to evolve... I need to kill this child if he couldn't accept what he has become,'
After the confirmation from the system, he strides through the rough surface of the cave and manifests a bone. Sharp enough to easily shred the cocoon. With a single swing, the protective shell was perfectly sliced.
Once the preservation liquid had leaked, it revealed the perfectly treated body of the wounded child he chose to convert. Like Neon's experience, the child falls to the ground—and then he awakens to see his newly created form whilst he panicked.
"I'm alive...? I'm alive!!! What's this!? I know that I've died!!?"
With Neon's x-ray-like vision, he notices the increase in the beat of his heart. Confirming that Alex was panicking at the sight that conflicted with his memories—he's alive? And the first thing he sees as he opens his eyes was the rough surface of the cave and then a shadowy figure in his view.
[System: There are no signs of irregularity on the newly converted guardian. If you find anything wrong, we advise you to consult the system since your race is yet to be announced to the world.]
"You're finally awake... It seems that it was a successful treatment. Don't worry about your owners. They're already dead, though I wish I was the cause of their end. They simply had the worst luck I've ever seen. They got eaten by the monsters that approached your crash-landed vehicle,"
"If you have any questions that concern your current state, then wait for my arrival—I'm going for my daily hunt."
He stares back at Alex as soon as he utters those words, waiting to see if the child would heed them.
Surprisingly, Alex was pretty obedient and he even nods to his orders. It seems his behavior originated after becoming a slave. After confirming that Alex obeyed his orders, he left without a single word and repeated the cycle once more.
Though he acquired a long-range skill, his fight against the abnormality confirmed that he lacks defense and mostly relied on his special abilities. Though the monsters weren't a problem with his strength, it would've been a hassle if he faced them by himself.
'My next targeted territory will be the rigorous plateau, a place filled with a bunch of defense-focused demonic beasts. Their attacks aren't a problem, however they're packed with a bunch of formation-related skills. The more monsters that are present, their defense increases as another one appears. It's unavoidable that I'll need to ask that child to accompany me on my travels. Who would even want to spend the rest of their lives inside this hellish environment?'
With the help of his major increase in mana after he devoured those monsters inside the forest of illusions, he was able to summon forth another imp. Using the shard, he enhanced their power to a certain degree. His hunt was easily reduced to a matter of seconds before he retreated after hearing the howls of the higher-ranking demons.
"Welcome back," Alex waited at the entrance of the cave, bowing to show his appreciation for saving his life.
"Don't worry about acting like a slave. I saved you for a reason, so don't expect me to treat you like a completely normal child. This place is beyond your wildest imagination. It's a forest that reeks of death at every turn you take. And when you think you're finally alone, you'll be preyed upon by the countless monsters that inhabit this place."
"Even though I'm a slave, I've heard about this place when my hometown wasn't brought to ruin by an outbreak. This place was once the hellish environment that was said to produce a ton of high-ranking monsters. Millions of people would've perished if it weren't for the sacrifice of the guardians.
"I know it sounds a little stupid to hear this coming from my mouth, but I'm happy that I would've died. Even though I wasn't treated with respect after I was sold when I didn't have a single coin in my pocket... This place was the burial ground of my hero, the greatest alchemist that was born—Ernest Quelt," Alex replied to his question, his eyes filled with determination.
'As I thought, the act of slavery has appeared once I've died. Slave trading was one of the things I abolished after I took my position as the alchemist who donated to the poor. To think those bastards from the government are so corrupt that they neglected the people they promised to serve.
'It seems that my death had a major impact if the act of slavery resurfaced after I completely nailed it down. Apart from that, I found something interesting... he retained his emotions and sense of pain. It seems I'm just a special case due to my head injury that messes with my nerves,'
"Good... Very good! It seems you're smart enough to understand your current situation. You can call me Neon. I got stranded here for who knows how long I've survived in this area. If you wish to survive, then you'll have to assist me in my daily hunt.
"I'll teach you everything I know. I'll give you the right portion of your food and I will treat you as a person. As long as you follow my teachings, you'll live by the time we're strong enough to escape."
As soon as he realized the effects of his death on the outside world, Neon was motivated to escape as soon as possible. He reached out his hand to the child that crash-landed in this hell.
"I'll take you up on that offer since you're strong enough to survive this place. I'll address you as my master," In response to Neon's words, Alex raises his head and reaches for his hand, shaking it.
Together, the two returned to a part of the cave where Neon prepared every material to cook their meal.
For a long time, he was isolated from any contact with the outside world. Even if it was faint, he was happy. And even for a second, his face had a smile after he saw himself forming a new ally—one full of life. Something he didn't expect from a person turned into a slave, after suffering by the hands of his former race.