Humans

I focus my eyes on the corpse of the bear before saying a little prayer to him. I've had this habit ever since that day of the old couples death. Whenever I eat an animal that attacked me or when I killed it out of disgust, I always give a prayer to them to reincarnate as a better being,

Call me ruthless to not even let the corpse of my enemy remain but it's necessary for me to live. I must eat to see the next day and I want to see what my Devour skill is able to do.

"We had no envious nor hatred relation but I must kill you for the sake of seeing a new tomorrow. In the next world, may you live a humble and self-sacrificing life. Amen."

I say that as I take a big bite out of the meat. Its meat is surprisingly tender and juicy as I sink my teeth into its body like a hot knife against butter.

Due to its large size, even larger than mine, it took a while to finally finish eating but surprisingly I didn't waste a single bit of it. Even its bones couldn't escape from the wrath of my hungry mouth.

Now, time for a well-deserved nap.

[Congratulations! You activate Devour and gained the skill "Crystal Body"]

Just as I was about to sleep again, I hear that strange voice as it notifies my new changes. Hmm? I've gained a skill just like that? Interesting. My devour skill seems to let me take others skills after their death. I wonder if the skill has any limitation?

Welp, lets first test this out.

"Crystal Body!"

I shouted the name out as I have no clue on how to activate it, well I could probably use it just by thinking but I just felt like saying it.

Soon my fur starts turning red as a layer of red crystals start forming from my paws to my shoulders. Interesting, though it seems like the skill is not levelled up enough to make my entire body covered in crystals but this ability seems interesting enough. I wonder how I look if I get to have it across my body? Well, I can always wait and see when that happens.

I test out my Crystal covered arms out on one of the nearby trees but before that, I say a little prayer to the tree. It's a habit of mine to pray before I do anything major or might break.

Although I hit the tree with my new paw made of Crystals, it didn't do much on the trees compared to my claws but still caved the tree in. Hmm, so attack it considerably less, or it may be that my claws slicing ability is just too monstrous. I try again with my bare paws achieving a similar result but with less of a caved-in tree. Poor Tree.

Hmm, maybe my defence has boosted up? Well, I can't find out until I face other animals or whatever that Crystal Bear was. I believe the humans called them by other names like monsters, huh. But then again they also called me the same thing before and I rather not be put together with it.

Oh well, I'll think of a suitable name later. For now, let's take a nap, I've been wanting it for a while now.

>Next day<

Haaaaah, that was a comfortable nap. Oh, looks like its past noon already. I guess I was more tired than I expected. Oh well, I guess it's time to explore this forest and scavenge for breakfast. Hopefully, I can save a group of animals so I can eat the ones trying to kill them. Hmm? I'm a savage? Well, it's a dog eat dog world so what do you expect me to do?

I think that innocently as I stroll around the forest. I breathe in the fresh air, something I haven't enjoyed in a long time which made me walk slowly as I explore the forest. I enjoyed everything from the birds singing peacefully to the sounds of the river flowing and the wind that whistles in the wind. It feels like I'm home again, huh. The trees sway as if they're moving in harmony as the squirrel scurry around looking for food.

I followed the sound of the river that was further away then I expected but was still an enjoyable walk. Seems like my hearing has improved by quite a bit compared to my old body. I think that as I take a few mouthfuls of water before taking a dip in the river. I expected my devour skill to activate from drinking so much but nothing happened which left me a little dejected. No matter, though it's strange that I feel the need to level up these skills of mine, as if it's part of my instincts but I put it at the back of my head thinking that this is just part of me being curious.

I soon got out of the river as I quickly shake my body to get rid of the water on my fur. Hmm, I wonder if any of my new skills can help me with this?

First I activated my Crystal Body skill as it turns my forearms into Crystals again. I quickly undo the skill but to my disappointment, my fur is still wet. At least I now know that these Crystals of mine covers my body parts including over things like liquids. Hmm, if I'm ever bleeding after a battle I can simply close off the wounds with this skill. Well, assuming that this skill can develop further and cover my entire body that is.

Dejected from my failed test result, I try another experiment. I try activating my other new skill that I forgot to try yesterday after eating my meal. I wonder if the more I use my Devour skill, the more skills I would get? Well, I can't assume an overbearing ability like this would have no repercussions. I guess I have to use it sparingly. Just in case my body can't handle the strain.

I think that as I activate my Fire Breath skill. I feel something warm forming in my lungs as it slowly builds up before I released it by exhaling. My instincts told me to be careful of that skill and I'm glad I did so as I feel most of the water on my fur evaporate as soon as I released the Fireball.

Luckily I fired the fireball into the sky else this beautiful forest would've been destroyed and the poor creatures in the ecosystem would be forced to migrate. I need to find a way to both control the output and not use it often.

As I was about to make my way to find something to eat, I suddenly hear fast-moving steps coming towards me. I frown thinking my experiment caused other beasts, maybe demon beasts, to come towards me. At least I don't have to search for food when they come towards me like this.

I take cover by one of the trees as I hear more footsteps. A pack? I wonder if my stomach is able to handle that much food? It was only later that I was able to hear the voices of humans.

(Soldier 1): "Hey, you see anything that could've had anything to do with that Fire Ball?"

(Adventurer 1): "Not that I can see but this territory belongs to the Blood Crystal Bear. We should be alright as long as we take our cargo around its territory but the corpse of the Blood Crystal Bear is worth a fortune! Enough for us to live easy for a year, even if we split it evenly between the 6 of us."

(Adventurer 2): "Stop yapping and focus on looking out for Damn bear. We have to get back soon to finish our original mission on transferring the cargo. It's a good thing our client has too many guards that he even let us hunt for the Demon Beast."

(Soldier 2): "Yes, our lord is quite merciful and likes taking advantage and giving opportunities like these. It's the reason we make quite a fortune on the market."

Looks like 4 males and 2 females. Oh? It seems like they've mistaken me for that Bear Beast. Huh, so it's called a Demon Beast. From the looks of it, they're just like the greedy humans from my past life, maybe even worse since they're fueled by greed instead of their foolish superiority complex.

I was prepared to deal with them quickly until I heard their next conversation.

(Adventurer 3): "Yeah, Lord Freese sure is an amiable man. He even gave us discounts for Slaves."

(Adventurer 2): "Yeah, I have my eyes on that one kitsune girl with the big rear. She thinks she can hide it so easily but it makes my glands salivate."

(Soldier 2): "Haha, you two seem good people so I'm sure my lord will discount the price for it by quite a bit. I'll even try to vouch for you."

(Adventurer 1): "Seriously? Thanks, mate, let's have a drink when we get back!"

(Soldier 2): "I'd love to."

(Adventurer 2): "Then we'll party till we get drunk!"

Human males say that cheerfully as the females look at them with both annoyance and disgust. Looks like they're celebrating an early death. But seriously, it seems that their foolishness don't seem to leave. Is it a genetic thing? If that's the case then the human race is doomed.

Well, no reason to give them a prayer. I'll deal with this swiftly before dealing with the ones behind them. I'm sure they'll find it suspicious that a group of their members have suddenly disappeared so this is bringing me more trouble if anything.

Well, it's not like I can leave after hearing what they planned to do after this. Not to mention that they seem dead set on finding the cause of the fireball.

I activate my two skills: Retractable Claws and Crystal Body. It seems like even if my Crystals body skill is activated, my Claws are still able to pierce through them. Oh well, it's just additional protection at this point. After all, if there's one thing I know about humans, they'll abandon their comrades to preserve their lives and they'll use underhanded methods to deal with those they're weak against.

Ok, make that two things. Oh well, I silently approach the group of six who casually stroll in this dangerous forest. It's unfortunate that I don't have many skills that that's not flashy but I make do with my abilities at hand as I sink my claws into one of the humans wearing light shiny armour.

(Adventurer 1): "Chris!!"

One of the humans say as they mourn for the death of their comrade. Weak. I think that as I look at the rest of the group whilst activating my bloodlust skill. The anger in their eyes soon got cloudy in fear but surprisingly they handled it well as they regained their former hatred.

Looks like I underestimated them too much. As a reward, I'll kill you without too much suffering. I think that as I dodged a sword.

(Soldier 2): "You filthy beast! Die!"

One of the soldiers says that as tears start forming in his eyes. Seems like he's genuine about his friendship with the other man. No matter, they wanted to kill me so I can't just let them leave. Especially after revealing myself by this much.

(Adventurer 1): "What is that thing?"

(Adventurer 2): "I don't know but it seems to be some kind of breed of the Blood Crystal Bear."

Oh? They mistake me as the offspring of that little cub? Amusing answer but you're not correct. And for that, you shall die a slower death.

(Adventurer 2): "Take this, Fireball!"

The adventurer says as he forms a small fireball before throwing it towards me. Just like with the bear, I devour it as I feel a strong suction force. My purple fur starts having a red hue as I feel the energy invigorating every cell in my body. Looks like I can get addicted to this feeling.

(Adventurer 1): "Wha-"

The man couldn't even finish his sentence as he soon has his body split into two from his waist. Two down, four to go. I think that as I quickly deal with the others that hardly pose much of a threat as they try dealing with me by slashing their swords at me or using other forms of magic.

(Adventurer 4): "Thunder bolt!"

One of the female humans spoke as she uses her magic to conjure up lightning. Interesting, I open my mouth and absorbs all the electrical energy as my fur starts having a yellowish glow along with the red tint. Interesting, I think that as I use my fire breath skill to decimate her body.

(Soldier 2): "You bastard!"

Seems like the more I kill the angrier they get. It's unfortunate that these humans seem to be the better of their kind but they still wanted to kill me.

I easily deal with their remaining attacks as I release an even thicker bloodlust as I charge at them. The two get stunned by the sudden increase in pressure as their heads start rolling off their necks. The rest seem to be the more weak-willed members of the party as they soon turn around in an attempt to run away but soon meet their demise. Foolish humans, never turn your back around your enemy.

I soon revert back to my original form as I scan the areas for any surprise attacks or creatures nearby. Seems like it's calmed down now. I think that happily as I soon devour the humans, gaining an interesting title and skill.

[Congratulations! Your level has increased to level 18!]

[Congratulations! You've earned the title "Hunter"!]

[Congratulations! You've learned the skill "Claw Combat"!]

[Due to users Combat ability being higher than Claw Combat skills, Claw Combat will increase directly to level 3]

[Congratulations! You used the skill Devour and gained the skill "Thunder Bolt"]

Seems like these skills are proportion to my abilities, hence the levels and the titles depends on what I do, like achievements. I guess it gives me something to brag about to any companions I make in the future.

(A/N: Alternative Titles: "Akira is a hungry boi", "Poor Humans", "Skills and more skills")