All It Needs Is Some Seasoning...

"Finally awake?" Kace said, concern lacing his voice.

"I s'pose so. What happened kid?" Durz replied as he opened his eyes, wincing in pain.

"Ah, try not to move. It took Vaskra the whole night to stabilise you." He said gently placing his arm on Durz's shoulder, "Someone did a real number on you. Vaskra said if it had even been the slightest bit more to your left we'd be saying goodbyes to you just now."

"Huh, that bitch got me good." Durz replied as he rubbed his chest. "How'd she seal me up?"

"Ah, about that. She didn't. She forced one of the captured heroes to do it."

"Hmm, I'm surprised any were left alive."

"Just luck I guess. They were found during the clean up. Best guess is they passed out from their injuries so nobody bothered to finish them off."

"Well, at least we can take it easy for a bit."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"Why not kid?"

"We got some good information out of them. Apparently it was just an advance force we defeated." Kace replied solemnly, "Our chances of winning next time are practically nill."

"Ugh, what's the kings plan then?"

"That's just it. He's not sure right now. There's talks of connecting other tunnels to the surface to provide a means of escape. Others believe we can win and that it's just false information. It's mostly the orcs voicing this though." Kace replied feeling frustrated.

"Hm, I don't know what he'll do but moving these numbers outside the mountain? That's bound to draw attention to us. Just when things were looking up for us these humans had to interfere."

"Yeah, it doesn't help that Kharja is fanning the flames either. You'd think he'd actually take the time to rest after losing an arm."

"Kid, that doesn't surprise me at all. Orcs are resilient so don't underestimate one on the level of Kharja." Durz sighed.

Kace remained silent. He was currently feeling uneasy. Despite their recent victory their very survival lay balanced on the edge of a knife. The slightest misstep and it would all be over. His frustration stemmed from his own weakness. Despite the exp he had gathered during the battle it was far from enough for him to gain a level. He had gained two hundred and fifty exp from it but that still left him below half of the requirement.

"I should let you rest." He eventually said.

"Sure thing kid. Let me know if anything happens." Durz replied weakly.

Kace made a gesture that let him know he understood as he left the small room. The caverns were mostly silent besides a few heated conversations that he overheard as he passed by. It was the same thing over and over. What will they do? Where could they go? Should they fight? Run? Save themselves? It was enough to give him a headache. Thus place had been his home since arriving here and he still did not have enough information regarding the world.

He sighed heavily as he allowed his feet to guide him. Apparently they thought it appropriate to listen to his stomach. Finding himself in this now nostalgic and familiar room he instinctively sniffed the air. There appeared to be something good cooking on the spits placed over the fire. As he approached the goblins who were surrounding it made room and bowed their heads with respect.

The one doing the cooking offered him one of the skewers, full of chunks of glistening meat, all for himself. Thanking the goblin he took it with gratitude. As he sat beside them around the warm fire he listened to their conversation as he chewed away. 'Hmm, I wonder what this is? I wonder if we could have it more often?'

[Digestion Activated. Awarding +100 exp and 10 DNA points.]

[DNA Manipulation has advanced. Upgrading from Basic to Novice. Three abilities from any strand may now be unlocked.]

[Assimilation Activated. Awarding +40 HP and +20 AP. Skill Absorbed. Awarding [Stampede].]

He was rather elated at having gained a new skill for nothing. Checking it through his 'Status' he was quite pleased.

Stampede (Active)

Cost: 5 AP

Description: A skill allowing the user to rush forward at extreme speed for up to 10 metres ignoring all incoming damage in the process.

With his DNA points and the new upgrade to it's level he opted for [Swift Foot] and [Fangs and Claws], maxing out the abilities he currently had available in his Wolf strand. This boosted his speed and strength respectively by five. He was a bit bummed out that with its advancement he did not uncover any new abilities. Testing out the effects of [Fangs and Claws] he discovered that he grow his canines and nails at will to form formidable, strong weapons to be used in close combat. 'That will definitely be handy to catch them off guard.' His excitement quickly wore off with the next notification though.

[Title Awarded: Man-Eater]

Kace would have thrown up the contents of his gut if he was not frozen solid in shock. He looked at the group of goblins who were feasting on man flesh as if it were completely natural. His mind turned numb. 'That's right. By all means I'm a monster now. But does that make it right for me to do this? To enjoy it?'

The more he thought about it the deeper his moral dilemma became. If he just accepted it as part of who he was now then there would be no going back. On the other hand what he had gained from committing this heinous act was too great too ignore.

In the end he chose to lie to himself. He told himself that it had been nothing but the usual animal meat he had eaten. Although he refused a second helping when it was offered. He was not ready not fully accept this new truth about himself just yet. He still had some attachment to his humanity.

"I hear I have you to thank for still being here." A deep, rough voice sounded behind him.

With a dead look in his eyes he turned to see who had spoken to him. Before him stood a tall, scarred orc. Bulging with muscle and a lethal aura. His right arm was missing up to just below his shoulder.

"Hmm. Gyn and your warriors were the ones who actually saved you. Not me." Kace replied still reeling from the loss of a small part of his soul.

"Still, if you hadn't told that little shit stain to help me then my carcass would be out there rotting right now."

"Just say whatever you have to say to me."

"Well it ain't thanks if that's what you're hoping for." Kharja growled at him, "However, until I repay this debt properly I'll be keeping an eye on you."

"How much use can you be without that arm of yours?" Kace scoffed.

"Don't worry about that. Between the Dwellers and Scavvies they reckon they have a good way to solve the problem. I'm not much of a thinker, so I don't really get it. A new arm that's not really my own. Something like that."

"Ah, I get what they mean. Didn't think that would be possible?"

"Anything's possible. As long as you have the strength to grasp it!" Kharja claimed proudly. "Anyway, I just stopped by to tell you that. And don't look so dead. It's up to me when you die! Remember that!"

Kace chuckled as he watched the orc storm away. 'Contradict yourself much? One moment you tell me you'll ensure I survive and the next your threatening to kill me.' his thoughts swirled in his mind, 'I guess he did manage to pull me out of my doom and gloom though. For a meathead I guess he does have some use.'

Drums rang throughout the caverns. The goblins still seated around the fire looked around with confused faces.

"Should we see what it's about?" One of them said.

"Hmph, you go. I just finished cooking this and I'm bloody well going to eat it!" another replied as he waved a skewer in the air.

After some grumbling only two of them got up to leave. Before Kace could move to follow an armoured goblin ran into the room.

"Everyone! Prepare yourselves! His Majesty has made his decision! We must not fall behind!" this newcomer announced excitedly.

"Tell me! What was his decision!" Kace demanded, fixing the goblin with his cold, golden eyes.

"Aww, you're going to get a kick out of this sir!" he replied, flashing his best attempt at an evil smile...

***

For those who want to know his character stats after the upgrades. I'll probably start putting this in auxiliary chapters I think after this one.

STATS

Name: Kace

Title: Glutton, Man-Eater

Level: 3

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Race: Chimera (Monster)

Rank: Captain

Legendary Feats: 1

HP 200/240

AP 180/200

MP 40/40

Exp 365/600

Strength: 13

Endurance: 7

Intelligence: 7

Willpower: 9

Agility: 17

Speed:15

Charm: 5

Luck: 3

Skills:

Racial: Basic DNA Manipulation (Passive)

Description: Having absorbed enough DNA strands into your own DNA chain has unlocked the Chimeras natural ability to alter themselves. Using accumulated DNA points you may choose only one genetic enhancement or skill from each strand per level of Mastery. Spend DNA points to rank up. Next Level: Apprentice. Current points: 10

Just think 'DNA' to activate.

Racial: Digestion (Passive)

Description: Able to eat the meat of any living thing absorbing a portion of its Experience for your own. Slight chance to trigger Assimilation.

Racial: Assimilation (Passive)

Description: A racial ability of the Chimera. When triggered randomly increases HP, AP or MP as a percentage of subjects Max Value. Slight chance to randomly gain an ability or knowledge possessed by the subject.

Racial: Chameleon (Passive)

Description: Your Chimera bloodline his awakened the ability to give a false reading of your status. Allowing you to "blend" into the world of humans with great ease.

Tracking (Active)

Cost: (None)

Description: Heightens users sense of hearing and smell allowing them to 'see' recent paths of passing lives.

Night Eye (Active)

Cost: (None)

Description: Allows user to see in the dark.

Kinetic Vision (Active)

Cost: (1 AP/ per Second)

Description: Heightens the users ability to track fast movements resulting in faster reaction speeds.

Stampede (Active) (New)

Cost: 5 AP

Description: A skill allowing the user to rush forward at extreme speed for up to 10 metres ignoring all incoming damage in the process.

Instinct (Passive)

Cost (None)

Description: 70% chance to detect a stealth attack aimed at the user. 30% chance to automatically react to what would be a lethal blow preventing a killing strike.

Spider Thread (Active)

Cost: (3 MP)

Description: This is the innate skill of soldier level spider monsters. Able to secrete a mana enriched spider thread. Can be made tough like steel or extremely sticky. Highly versatile.

Flame Spit (Active)

Cost: (5 MP)

Description: This is an innate skill of the Salamander. Using magic you turn air into flammable liquid in your left lung. The right lung sets natural gases on fire. When you breathe out the two mix in your throat to create a high temperature flame. As you breathe out magic power mixes in to greatly increase the propulsion rate. Please note that while magic will keep you from harming yourself internally a serious case of dry mouth may be inevitable.

[DNA] [Padded Feet] [Passive]

Increases Agilility by 5.

[DNA] [Fangs and Claws] [Passive] (New)

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

[DNA] [Swift Foot] [Passive] (New)

Increases Speed by 5.

[DNA] [Mind Numb] [Active] Cost: 3 MP

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

HUNTER STATS

Name: Kace

Rank: F

Level: 2

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Race: Human

HP 160/200

AP 140/160

MP 20/20

Exp 155/200

Strength: 5

Endurance: 4

Intelligence: 4

Willpower: 4

Agility: 8

Speed: 9

Charm: 2

Luck: 2

Skills:

Tracking (Active)

Cost: (None)

Description: Heightens users sense of hearing and smell allowing them to 'see' recent paths of passing lives.

Instinct (Passive)

Cost (None)

Description: 70% chance to detect a stealth attack aimed at the user. 30% chance to automatically react to what would be a lethal blow preventing a killing strike.

Stampede (Active) (New)

Cost: 5 AP

Description: A skill allowing the user to rush forward at extreme speed for up to 10 metres ignoring all incoming damage in the process.

DNA STATS

DNA Manipulation Level: Novice

Current DNA strands available: 6

Current DNA points available: 0

Amount of Enhancements/Skills available per strand: 3

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.

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:

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: 10 DNA

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