"Years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated." My voice was feminine. "Now, it would just be weird." I stared at my chest, technically it was Lara's chest.
For the past hour I've been studying my new Biomass shifting. From what I've gathered, it allows me to transform into any templates I've absorbed.
Including Dexter Morgan, Bob Belcher, John Nolan, Marcuse Holloway, and at the moment, Lara Croft.
Two things I've learned so far. One, the transformation process takes a moment, around a minute, but I can focus it and speed it up. The second thing, it doesn't include clothing. So every time I shift, my body changes but my clothing doesn't.
Either way, it's awesome.
I flexed my/Lara's arms. From the look of it, the version I absorbed resembles the one from Shadow of the Tomb Raider. While she's pretty looking, she's also pretty jacked.
I tried shifting into Yu, but was unable to. Internally I can feel my reserves struggling. Biomass shifting is odd. It's sort of like Play-Doh. I'm not creating matter, just rearranging what I already have.
So while I can transform into most of my templates, I can't transform into Yu. Considering Yu's appearance near the end of his WEBTOON, I probably don't have enough Biomass to replicate his body.
Since I can't absorb people like Alex Mercer could, I have to find another way to generate mass. Luckily, there's been a natural way since the beginning of time.
===
Oct 21 (3 Days Later)
As it turns out, my theory was right. Fat cells count as Biomass. It feels kind of ironic that the one way for me to get stronger is to get fat.
Well, not really. Despite the fact I cooked and ate everything in my home, I haven't gained a single pound.
That's the neat thing about Biomass shifting. It ignores the laws of mass and conversion. In the games, Alex could absorb things ten times his size and not gain a single pound.
That piece of information made me wonder, what else from the game am I capable of doing?
Right now I'm in the garage, using it as a makeshift testing area.
The Compact was shoved into a corner. I didn't want to accidentally trip over it and unplug Instagram.
Back to the point, if Biomass acts like it does in the games, then it's an insane power boost in more ways than one.
With a simple command, my stomach began to shift. A small gut formed, but it quickly faded. In an instant it shifted into a four-pack, then it transformed into a six-pack.
Using a nearby mirror, I locked eyes with my reflection. I blinked, my eyes turned blue. The same color as John Nolan. I blinked again. They turned into a hazel brown, identical to Dexter Morgan. With a final blink, my eyes reverted back to their normal brown.
From the looks of it, I can alter individual parts of my body. Which could come in really useful, especially if Gacha gives me an ability that could alter my appearance. Like the eyes of Gojo, or wings from Hawkgirl or Hawkman.
Honestly, the ability was oddly convenient. Sometimes it makes me wonder, is the Gacha actually random? Because it seems to give a lot of stuff, and usually just when I need it.
Ignoring that for now, let's see what else I can do.
In the main game, Biomass shifting ignored the rules of mass and energy. Allowing Alex to contain a large amount of biomaterial within him. Even if you try to explain it by saying he condenses the material, it doesn't explain the weight factor. Somehow he was capable of controlling his density, making himself either weigh the same as a normal human or weigh hundreds of pounds in an instant.
As I jumped into the air, I was suddenly yanked back to the ground by gravity. The floor cracked underneath me, unable to handle the weight of me slamming on top of it.
Alright, so now I know I'm capable of modifying my weight and density. For now, I'm just going to call it Density Shifting.
Now it's time to check out the Mass Distribution. My legs began to pulse. Blood-red tendrils enveloped them. With a single motion, I leapt into the air.
Bam
"Fuck," my head slammed into the garage roof, cracking a support beam in the process.
As I hit the ground, dust and wooden splinters slowly landed on my head.
"I have an IQ of at least 170, but I'm still doing stupid shit." I grumbled. It didn't hurt, but the sensation of hitting my head was annoying.
That reminds me, now that I have enough Biomass.
With a single thought, my body began to shift. I tripled its size, not in height, but in width. My tan skin went white, almost pale. Something happened to my eyes. Somehow they seemed tired, lifeless, empty.
The process was over, and I had to admit Yu was horrifying looking. He was absolutely massive in terms of muscles. He, well, technically I, could give Cap a run for his money. It made me wonder.
If Yu is jacked, why aren't I?
A few theories ran through my head.
Maybe the other templates held it back. Dexter and Nolan are kind of muscular, but nowhere near Yu. Bob had a dad bod, maybe they weakened Yu somehow.
It could also be that when I assimilate templates, it isn't perfect. I absorbed Lara, but it's not like I changed gender. Yu is white, but I stayed brown when I absorbed Yu. It's too bad the Gacha didn't come with a more detailed guide, It could save some confusion.
[Ding]
Huh, a notification from The Gacha?
[Quest Completed: Make a successful gaming company]
[Would you like to accept the reward: ??? (Yes/No)]
Finally, we made Flappy Bird over a month ago. Heck, we even gave it an Instagram account where we post weekly rankings.
Which reminds me, we should probably add a ranking system to the game.
Either way, it's time to see what this mysterious reward is.
Ring, ring, ring.
My phone rang. Apparently fate likes to Gacha Block me.
"Hello," I answered the phone. It was Harry. "What do you mean we need a group call?"
===
3rd Person POV
"Holy shit!" Ned cursed as he saw the Flappy Bird analytics.
The group was currently in the middle of a group call. Ned and Peter seemed to be in shock.
Harry looked like he was still processing, and Leo looked smug.
"Did we just make $11,000… in one day?" Peter asked, almost as if he was expecting to wake up from a dream.
Leo just smiled. "Yep, and from my calculations, our profit margin is only going to increase."
"This is awesome…" Ned stared in amazement. "What should we buy first?" The amazement shifted into excitement.
"Wait?" Peter interrupted. "What about Instagram?"
"Actually, I wanted to show you something else." Harry switched the screen.
"Holy shit!" Ned cursed. "We're thousandaires!"
"While Flappy Bird growth is a little slower," Harry began to explain, "Instagram is growing more every minute." He glanced at the screen. "Heck, 150 more people just joined mid-sentence."
"Idea, what if we buy go-karts," Ned pitched.
"I'm into the idea, but later." Leo smiled. "If my predictions are correct, Flappy Bird and Instagram will only grow with time."
In Leo's original world, he once remembered reading that Flappy Bird made an average of $50,000 a day. The fact that the news reported that Harry Osborn helped make the game helped give it a head start.
"What makes you think it'll last?" Harry asked, being the realist he is.
Leo smiled. "I have a feeling it'll last. But if it doesn't, well, I have some new ideas to pitch."
"Another game? But we haven't released Crossy Road or Doodle Jump yet," Ned exclaimed.
"True. Which reminds me, we need to upload them soon. Also, Ned, I need you and Peter to design a ranking system for Flappy Bird."
"Oh, I already have one made." The group, except Peter, gave Ned a confused look. "I've been using it to keep track of me and Peter's scores, so we don't always call or text each other when we reach a new high score," he explained.
"What's this idea you wanted to pitch?" Peter asked.
"Please don't tell me we're going to be working day and night again. That shit was exhausting enough when we were making Instagram," Harry let out a groan. Just the idea of doing that again made him exhausted.
"Not exactly." Leo activated screen share. "Behold, the first two proper subsidiaries of Omni Work."
Leo clicked to the next slide.
"Omni Entertainment is mainly focusing on our, well, entertainment things," Leo explained. "Right now it only has our current mobile games and future ones, but eventually it will have shows, video games, toys, and movies."
"Shows, movies, video games?" Harry, Peter, and Ned spoke in unison.
Leo ignored them and switched to the next slide.
"Omni Media, on the other hand, will manage our social apps, ads, future news, anything that's more informative than entertainment."
"Wait, apps?" Peter noticed Leo's plural use.
"That's what I wanted to talk about." Leo clicked to the last slide.
"What are those?" Ned asked.
"Instagram is meant for pictures, short-time experiences," Leo began to explain. "But YouTube and Twitter, that's a little bit more complicated. Twitter is for statements, debates, public conversation, real-time updates."
"So a better news app?" Harry guessed.
"Yep. But YouTube, that's the fun part. Imagine somewhere where you can upload any kind of video. Game tutorials, animation, home movies, or shows."
"Cool idea," Harry interrupted, "but how do you expect us to make this? We are just four people, five if you count Gwen."
Leo smiled. "Which is why it's time for us to hire coders."
"For real?" Ned asked.
"Are you sure we're ready for that?" Peter asked nervously.
Harry let out a pained groan, probably realizing what he needs to do.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm going to have to look for and rent a building, aren't I?" Harry asked.
"The coders need somewhere to work. They can't all work over a video call," Leo explained.
Ned and Peter nodded in agreement. When they made Instagram, they mainly did it over video call, and there were definitely some difficult moments during the process.
Harry just pinched his brow. "I'll look for something, but don't expect much. Finding coders, on the other hand, that's not going to be easy."
Leo waved off his concern. "Don't worry, I already have an idea on how to handle it."
"What are you planning?" Ned asked.
"It'll be a surprise. Now before we end the call, does anybody else have something to share or pitch?"
Peter raised his hand.
"Yes?" Leo asked.
"Are we doing anything for Halloween, like as a group?"
===
Leo POV
Well, that's going to be interesting.
I've never hung out with friends during Halloween in my past or new life, but now apparently I'm going to a Halloween party with Ned, Harry, and Peter.
This is either going to be a fun experience or an exhausting one. Heh, guess I'll wait and see.
Back to the point—the quest reward.
[Quest Completed: Make a successful gaming company]
[Would you like to accept the reward: ??? (Yes/No)]
"Yes."
The Gacha screen let out a multicolored light, and a small box was displayed.
[The Gamer Package: A little kit filled with gaming-based gifts. Open it up and see what's inside.]
"Alright?" The Gacha is weird.
Like always, a set of cards were displayed.
[Item: 1x Game Token]
[Random Game Token: When activated, it will limit the Host's draw pool to one game.]
Awesome, but I should probably save that for later. I'm not sure if the leveling system restricts it. I should probably wait to use it until I'm a higher level.
[Ability: Saiki K's Thoughtography (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)]
[Thoughtography: The ability to generate images onto papers. Could be used to make concept art for future games.]
I'm conflicted. While it's a superpower, it has no combat use. At least it'll save me time for the future- holy shit! I just realized, Omni Work now has the ability to dominate the manga and comic industry.
[Ability: Loadout (Gacha)]
An item from The Gacha. I didn't know the Gacha had items.
[Loadout: An extremely restricted pocket dimension. The Gacha has been studying you. It likes the idea of Persona, so it decided to add something extra. Loadout allows you to store Persona weapons and armor, but it must be a part of Persona. Random weapons and armor cannot be stored unless it's a part of a Persona.]
I took in a deep breath and cursed.
"Holy fuck."
This raised several questions. What the hell did it mean it's been watching? I mean the Loadout ability sounds awesome, but the idea that somebody is behind The Gacha screen, maybe managing, maybe more, it was worrying.
It raised the question: what are they doing? Why are they doing it? Is the Gacha truly random?
After a few minutes of questioning everything, I decided to forget it for right now. I mean, what else can I do? The Gacha screen is a floating screen. It's not like it has a customer support option.
"I should probably test out this Loadout feature."
I walked to the laundry room and opened the hatch.
At the moment, I've been keeping my Ghost outfit and weapons in the basement. Right next to the chemistry setup. Good thing the basement hatch was hidden. It would be hard to explain a makeshift lab and a black ops uniform with some guns.
As I put on my Arkham Under Armour, the Ghost uniform, and equipped my weapon, I glanced at the chemistry supplies, reminding myself that I should set up.
The main reason I stole it in the first place was so I could use it to make Stimpacks. While most of the material can be bought, I'm still missing a few things. Mainly blood, and now that I have biomass shifting, I'm not risking any side effects by using my own.
As I holstered my pistol, a screen appeared.
[New Persona Detected: Register Ghost (Yes/No)]
"Yes."
In an instant, the clothing and the weapons all vanished. Leaving me standing in my basement, nude.
Okay, this is a little weird, but how does it work?
"Ghost," I said out loud.
The clothing reappeared.
Okay, so I have to say the name.
"Leo?"
The clothes vanished. I was standing in my boxers again.
"I wonder?"
My body began to shift. The elastic of my boxers expanded as it transformed into Dexter.
"Ghost?"
The clothing repaired itself, somehow adjusting to fit Dexter's physique.
"Okay, that's actually pretty neat." I examined my outfit. "The idea of somebody spying on me is worrying, but this is definitely going to help me."
With a simple command, I opened The Gacha Status.
[Name: Leo Faith]
[LV 2 (120/500)]
[Quest: None]
[Skills: (Click to expand)]
[Abilities: (Click to expand)]
[Templates Absorbed: (Click to expand)]
[Templates in Progress]
[___]
[___]
[___]
[Summons: Om Nom]
[Personas: Ghost]
Every day, it feels like The Gacha is getting more complicated.
[Ding: New quest]
Wait… did whoever's watching me do that on purpose?