My (Monster?) Hero Life

[Stampede]! Just as Kace suspected it could be used in mid air. The skill never specifically said that it had to be used on the ground!

Now it was Gregory's turn to be caught off guard. He never expected this move. Gritting his teeth he continued to barrel onwards.

With a resounding boom Kace's halberd and and Gregory's fist collided. Kace had already refreshed his [Cursed Weapon] skill. Thanks to that combined with the effects of stampede he sent Gregory spiralling through the air. Crashing into the walls.

Checking his opponents health he saw that it had taken quite a beating throughout the fight. Hovering at only 190 left. Kace on the other hand still had 285. It was getting more obvious that he held the upper hand. The only problem was that he was sure that Gregory would not be his only opponent during this siege.

He threw out another [Ice Spear] while Gregory was still stunned from the blow. It successfully pierced through his arm rendering it useless. This dropped him to 140 HP left.

Gregory realised the danger he was in and began seeking a way to escape. Kace had already landed and launched himself at him yet again. Brandishing his halberd he swung for Gregory's gut again.

This time as Gregory attempted to jump back he felt something solid strike him. Pushing him into the path of the blade. As he glanced behind in despair he realised that the other monster had been keeping an eye on their fight. Grugda had struck him with a stone bullet at just the right timing!

Since the Eljein had stayed out of the fight so far he had subconciously ignored it only now realising how foolish he had been. 'There monsters! Of course they won't have a fair fight!' he admonished himself.

Right then the halberd bit deep into his flesh, easily ripping through his soft armour and tearing chunks of flesh with it. Gregory felt his entire body go weak as he fell to his knees. His intestines began to slide out of the gash that just been created.

Hurriedly and in disbelief he tried to shove them back in using his hands. Even though it was already too late. He raised his head without a single teardrop in his eyes and watched as the halberd split apart the rain as it encroached on his neck.

With his last moments of life his eyes could see the heroes and Urien charging for the walls. As his severed head flew through the air to meet them.

[You have gained +300 exp!]

Kace smiled at this notification. Now positive that he could probably gain multiple level ups during this fight. Looking at the still kneeling body of Gregory he had a thought. 'Thanks for the meal!'

Uncovering his mouth he bent down and tore a chunk of raw flesh from the remains of Gregory's neck.

[Digestion Activated: You have gained +20 exp!]

[Assimilation Activated: You have gained + 30 HP]

[Injuries Detected: Converting food to health. You have fully recovered!]

Now this was a pleasant surprise! He had never had this notification before. Mind you he had never eaten someone during a fight before either. That must be the trigger! His opponents were always dead with no further risk to himself when he had eaten before. Now however an entire army was still out there.

Hearing cheers from the monsters stationed within the town he turned to look. Many of them had their weapons raised and were cheering his skill! In response he raised his own halberd in celebration. Causing the atmosphere to become almost fevered.

Meanwhile on the allied forces side...

Urien groaned as he witnessed the death of Gregory. He had hoped that Gregory would avenge his fallen son. Not once imagining that he would fail.

"You lot! Take Roger to the city! Alert them to everything that has happened here. We have to make preparations incase this goes any further south." He commanded.

"At once sir!" the group replied uniformally before breaking off from the charge. Heading back to the base that they had made at the edge of the forest.

'Forgive me...' Urien thought. Before letting out a battle cry, reinvigorating his forces.

Lucas on the other hand was secretly ecstatic and Gregory's downfall. It meant the quest reward was still in play! What's more, right now he was in the best position to be the one to claim it!

As they neared the crevice that Grugda had created he let out his earth magic. Forming a wide bridge to the other side.

"Anyone who can use earth magic keep this bridge stabilized! Don't let the enemy destroy it!" he commanded.

A number of voices rang out in acknowledgement. Right before they paused and set up stone walls to protect themselves. Hiding behind these walls they used their mana to reinforce the bridge. Preventing Grugda from trying to collapse it.

Although he was powerful compared to most present on the battlefield he could not afford to waste mana on a futile endeavour. This allowed the allied forces a clear path to rush the walls.

Lucas then recognised the sound of catapults thudding once again.

"Prepare defences!" he screamed.

At once many earth walls and pillars rose from the ground to prevent as much damage as possible from occurring from the stone blocks that were being launched at them.

A fresh wave of screams called out. As not all of them were fortunate. Some of the walls and pillars shattered, failing to stop the projectiles. Crushing those who have taken refuge behind them.

This continued for awhile until the catapults ran out of ammo. 'They were indeed short of those.' Lucas thought to himself. Having already guessed the situation when they failed to fire them at the mercenaries who first charged in.

"Forward!" he yelled as he collapsed his own stone wall, "Air users set up a wind barrier! Stop those arrows!"

The air began to shimmer as different air currents were created. Halting the arrows in their tracks. By now he had gotten close enough to the walls. He could see the Eljein standing above him looking down on him.

"Tch! Just who do you think you are! You damn monster!" Lucas scoffed under his breath.

He felt the earth beneath him begin to vibrate. Immediately he slammed his palm onto the ground. Infusing it with magic as far as he could. Unfortunately there were many outside of its range though as earth spears exploded out from the earth beyond his influence.

Scores of heroes were suddenly impaled before reaching the walls. Almost all of the earth users in the allied force were safe though. Apart from those who had used up too much mana on the bridge and preventing the catapulted debris.

It was obvious just how useful earth magic was in war. It was truly versatile. Lucas congratulated himself for choosing to focus on it himself.

Grugda did not follow up with any more attacks as he had already locked on to Lucas who would be his most troubling foe to date.

Lucas noticed this and grimaced, 'I don't have time to play with you!' he thought.

Back on the walls...

Grugda was inwardly infuriated at the pathetic human who dared to compete with him for control of the earth as he locked his eyes on him. Cursing him in his mind. His mana perception was great enough that he could sense the figure preparing an earth column to launch himself up onto the walls.

However something was strange. 'This angle? I'm not. The target?' This confused Grugda greatly. As he looked to where the figure would arrive if he allowed the spell to continue.

His eyes flashed as he noticed it put him on a collision course with Kace! 'Don't think. I'm so. Easy to. Ignore!' he thought furiously.

Transmitting his mana through the stone walls and into the earth. Cancelling the spell that the figure was about use.

From his vantage point atop the walls he could see the look of fury the figure directed at him. This time when he felt the mana fluctuations from the target he could tell that he had achieved his goal and gained his attention.

He felt the same spell from before being transmitted into the earth. However this time the figure was aiming for him. With a small unnoticeable smile appearing on his face he awaited the figures arrival. Deliberately allowing his spell to come to fruition this time.

As the figure flew up riding his column he could see the serious expression painted on his face. Nodding in his mind at the determination his opponent was displaying.

He allowed Lucas to land atop the walls without impeding him at all. He had debated skewering him mid air but that might have turned into a waste of mana. After all he had no idea as to the full extent of the abilities this one had.

They stood only a few feet apart glaring at each other. Sparks almost seemed to fly. Finally Grugda spoke.

"I hope. You're resolved. To die!"