My (Monster?) Hero Life

Phillip stood with his mouth agape. He was leading a group of heroes to try and find Lucas. A number of them that had abandoned Lucas during his fight had cone looking for him and others went looking for Sarah.

They had terrified looks in their eyes. Their bodies were shaking and they could not stop stuttering as they had tried to report the situation to him. He had immediately gathered his men and set out but the fate of Lucas was soon revealed.

Right there in front of him, as dawn was beginning to break. Hung the deceased body of Lucas. His gut had been torn open, his entrails ripped out and used as the rope to hang him by the neck from a chimney.

He had been stripped down to his underwear and various brutal injuries were on full display. Pieces of his flesh were missing, as if wild animals had been chewing on him.

The sound of vomit striking the ground could be heard behind him. Turning his sharp eyes to take a look he noticed that it was one of the newer heroes.

He decided to leave him alone. It was to be expected if you had never really seen how gruesome failing could turn out to be.

"Cut him down!" his voice was stern as he commanded this through gritted teeth.

Although he hated Lucas as a person he could only admit that he was indeed stronger than him. 'Foolish!' he spat inside his mind.

Without Lucas could they really still succeed here? The answer should be yes but he was full of doubt. From the reports he had received of the fight the monster who had committed this act had never shown this kind of ability before.

'It's evolving too quickly!'

Back over on the monsters side...

Kace was writhing on a bed, thrashing his arms and legs as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. His features contorted in a look of agony.

Grugda was just finished pouring some hot liquid into his mouth as Vaskra stood over them. Her brows knotted as tears ran down her face.

"I knew the boy was stupid but I didn't expect him to take it so far!" Durz banged his fist on the bedside table.

"Lucky you. Followed him." was all Grugda could respond with.

Fresh linen from elsewhere in the mansion were brought into the room. The wounds on Kace's body were ghastly. Every now and then a new one would appear. Where his body was tearing itself apart from the inside out.

"We have to help him." Vaskra said in a low voice almost as a whisper as the sobbing never stopped. Her shoulders rising and falling with each word.

"Not much. We can. Do. Just wait."

Four days passed as they took turns checking in on him. As he passed in and out of consciousness Kace noticed that they were looking the worse for wear. Grugda was covered in blood and gore on one occasion. On another he could have sworn he could hear the sounds of battle getting closer and closer.

On the fateful fifth day his fever and other pains had subsided. Allowing him to finally awaken with clarity in his mind. New notifications swam into view.

[You have been awarded 1000 exp.]

[Congratulations! You are now level 6!]

[You have defeated a Captain level Hero for the first time. Awarding +1 Level]

[Congratulations! You are now level 7!]

[Digestion Activated. You have been awarded +40 MP]

[Assimilation Activated. You have been awarded Hero strand DNA.]

[Congratulations! Your DNA Manipulation has reached Apprentice Level. Adjustments made. New choices Unlocked. You have been awarded +30 DNA points!]

He was left in a daze as he read the notifications. He had gained two levels from one fight! Curiosity got the better of him. Compelling him to check his DNA tab.

DNA Manipulation Level: Apprentice

Current DNA strands available: 8

Current DNA points available: 30

Amount of Enhancements/Skills available per strand: 4

DNA CHAINS:

WOLF:

[Fangs and Claws] Cost: Unlocked

Increases Strength by 5. Elongates and hardens hosts nails and grows fangs.

[Swift Foot] Cost: Unlocked

Increases Speed by 5.

[Padded Feet] Cost: Unlocked

Increases Agilility by 5.

[Natural Fur] Cost: 10 DNA

Increases the feeling of warmth in cold environments. Reduces effects of Ice magic cast against you.

Obtain greater mastery to unlock more options.

SPIDER:

[Venom] [Skill] Cost: 10 DNA

Use MP to spit a ball of paralyzing poison.

Obtain greater mastery to unlock more options.

GOBLIN:

[Family] Cost: 15 DNA

Increases all stats by 10% when 10 or more goblins are within 100 ft.

Obtain greater mastery to unlock more options.

HUMAN:

[Adaptability] Cost: 15 DNA

Increases all abilities by 1

Obtain greater mastery to unlock more options.

SALAMANDER:

[Solar Powered] Cost: 10 DNA

AP costs/drain reduced by half during the day but doubled at night.

DREAMSCAPE MOTH:

[Mind Numb] [Skill] Cost: Unlocked

Magic that causes opponents thoughts to be slightly clouded. Occasionally causing slower thought processes.

[Curtain of Night] Cost: Unlocked

Passive ability that greatly enhances the hosts natural stealth. Without great perception the host may as well be invisible to their surroundings.

ELJEIN:

[Rocksteady] Cost: Unlocked

Passive that increases hosts Endurance by 5 points.

[Nomad] Cost: 15 DNA

Magic allowing the user to commune with trees to have them provide you with a safe haven.

[Landslide] Cost: 15 DNA

Magic that turns solid earth into mud. Range of 20 metres.

[Natures Pact] Cost: Unlocked

Passive granting immunity from poisons possessed by plants.

HERO:

[Herculean] Cost: 20 DNA

Passive increasing your Strength by 10 and HP by 100.

[Magus] Cost: 20 DNA

Passive increasing your Intelligence by 10 and MP by 100.

[Ranger] Cost: 20 DNA

Passive increasing your Speed by 10 and AP by 100.

Obtain greater mastery to unlock new options.

He could feel drool dripping from his mouth as he looked at the new options. Especially those of the Hero strand as they would provide a massive boost to his combat potential!

Next up was a quick look at his attributes to decide what he needed most from his DNA choices.

Name: Kace

Class: Hexblade

Title: Glutton, Man-Eater, Predator, Goblin Lord

Level: 7

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Race: Chimera (Monster)

Rank: Captain

Legendary Feats: 2

HP 390/390

AP 310/310

MP 370/370

Exp 995/5400

Strength: 25

Endurance: 21

Intelligence: 20

Willpower: 17

Agility: 24

Speed:22

Charm: 14

Luck: 7

Skills: [Expand]

'Damn! That experience that's needed!' he could feel his heart weeping at the sight. 'Isn't there an ability to gain experience faster?'

He really did feel like the amount of experience for the next level was unjustified. Though his gains this time were definitely solid.

'What do I choose? Obviously it has to be something from the Hero strand. The effects are just too good.

If he was to do it based on attributes then his Intelligence was the lowest of the three. That was the stat that controlled how much damage his magic could do. It was sure to become a staple in his fighting style later.

On the other hand with Strength he could 've more prepared for future close combat fights. Especially after the notification that Lucas was only Captain rank. Meaning there would be others far more powerful than him.

Speed. Well it's obvious right? He could run away faster if caught in a bad position! Although he was lost in thought a noise kept penetrating into his mind. Trying to pull him back to reality.

As the noises got louder he realised what they were. The sound of weapons clashing! 'Shit! They must be close!' he swore to himself as he punched the bed. Here he was relaxing when he had no idea if his friends were still okay!

Fuming with himself he hurriedly climbed out of the bed. Struggling to get his clothes and armour on due to the haste he was attempting to display.

His halberd had been cleaned by someone, probably Kharja and lay against the wall. His hand reached out, wrapping it in his fist. He was clenching it so tightly that if you could see his knuckles they would be white as snow.

His heart raced as his footsteps pounded through the mansion. Some stray magic must have landed on the building as the glass windows in the corridor he was running down were all shattered.

The view outside was devastating. So many buildings in the area had been completely demolished. It almost seemed like everything had been given to defending this one.

Just then a head came flying over the garden wall. Halting Kace in his tracks as he recognised the features. His lips began to tremble as an indescribable sense of loss rushed through him.

Still holding his halberd sunk down to his knees and let out a deafening wail. Tears flowed freely from his eyes, soaking his cloth mask as it absorbed them.

His friend, who had been beside him to give him support for so long. Was gone.

"Durz... I'm sorry..."