Awakened.

An earth-shattering roar resounded from distances away. Such a powerful display from a monster made all who were in the safe zone grateful that they did not have to witness this at a close range.

"Here it comes," announced a soldier.

The enormous creature that was many times bigger than a storey parted its mouth. A small energy ball gradually materialized in between its open mouth. It shot the energy blast at its human foe, causing several explosions that took down at least eight buildings.

"This thing is a pain,"

The creature's skin was tough, the soldier could not harm it as much as they would love to. All they've achieved so far is making it angry, all of which had led to lots of destroyed properties. The monster is also able to create smaller clones of itself. They are like its babies, except for the fact that their presence is causing additional trouble.

{"Take care of the smaller ones, leave this one to me,"} says the captain of this team.

In his hand is a huge firearm that grew even bigger when activated. Stationed on the roof of a building, he locked on the creature from behind and pulled the trigger. This action shot several bullets that inflicted minor injuries. He wasn't even close to killing it.

The giant being swung its arm toward the captain, destroying several structures, including that of the building the captain was located.

Most of the soldiers died or retreated. The strength of their monster foe was underestimated, thus, leading to this tragedy. Soldiers of the higher class had to intervene. Yet, due to the creature's tough skin, they had a bit of trouble before killing it.

Whenever a monster who is able to create smaller clones of itself dies or is killed, the clones usually dissipate. There are cases, however, when it doesn't always happen that way.

The oppressive number of the creature's clones are still present, causing more chaos than the parent. These tiny beings knew nothing but to ruin any and everything on their path, living or non-living. By the time they were all wiped out, a lot of irreplaceable loss beyond count had been done. Once again, lives and properties were lost that very day.

Angus, the general was greatly depressed by the report coming back to his table, how is he going to explain this? What excuse can he give to the civilians? many of whom might have lost a loved one.

"General," someone called out. A young man in his twenties. When he noticed Angus' countenance, he tried to return to where he came from.

"There is no need for that," says Angus; "please, speak up,"

"Sir. Maximus is here to see you,"

"...is that so... Let him in,"

Max walked in seconds later...

"I don't even want to know," said Maximus upon noting Angus' depressed mood. He came closer and then dropped an envelope.

"What is this?"

"Scan results,"

Angus open and went through it. There was a visible difference in his facial expression. He began to loosen up a bit thanks to the info.

"Finally, some good news," Angus breathe a sigh of relief.

"Blackthorn is dead. That thing did not survive," said Maximus.

"So it seems," Angus stood on his feet, one of his hands in his pocket; "We still have two Blood Demons and a Hammerhead to worry about."

"We will take care of them if they dare show their faces to us,"

_"While I was planning my escape fully aware that the hunters of this world might find and kill me, I heard footsteps further away, seemingly heading to my room. It seems my execution is close at hand.

I don't want to die. Even though I deserve it, I still want to live. I prepared myself, I will attack first. My capabilities are still a mystery to me but I am willing to test them out, right here, right now."_

_"What if the hunters sent to kill me are adapted to my power level and ability? What if I don't stand a chance?... then I guess this is truly the end,"_

To his surprise, there was no hostility emitted from these strange people. Nevertheless, Oliver stayed on guard.

"Creed?"

A middle-aged woman followed by a few other family members walked in. Behind them is Angus.

"You're... alive?" says Carson.

They were all dazed by what they are seeing. Oliver on the other hand didn't seem to understand why they were all gazing at him. Is he supposed to know them?

"Do we have a problem?" He said, breaking the silence.

The middle-aged woman gave him a warm hug with tears in her eyes;

"You came back to us," she said.

_"So it seems I have a family. My name is Creed. I have a mother and a younger brother, Qeturah, and Carson. I thought I would have a hard time due to my secret identity. That is not the case, not anymore."_

_"I can leave peacefully, pretend to be a human, and I'll have no blade coming after my neck,"_

Oliver is from a wealthy family known as the Gabels. Most of their extending family share the same land. This is a very vast plot about 156m on each side.

"Sir. Creed?" A female maid opened the door to Oliver's home but quickly regretted that.

Oliver was topless, just about to put on his shirt...

"I'm sorry, I'll try again,"

"No need." said Oliver, "What brings you here?"

"Your presence is needed," she said and left, doing so with haste, and closing the door behind her.

Oliver got dressed, he walked toward the family dining room. Only a few steps away and he could feel some discomfort in himself. He shrugged it off and continued onward.

"Damn it!" Oliver cursed, his voice became deep, a little too deep for a human.

"Not again,"

Oliver's claws grew bigger and sharper, his muscles enlarged, and his fangs became more visible. He leaned on the wall with his hand, but his claws easily dug in, creating a noticeable crack.

"Calm down, calm down... you are in control,"

Oliver tried to control his transformation, but it didn't work as much as he had hoped.

"Come on," he roared.

Everyone is present, waiting for the lost son who should have been here by now.

"Is he coming or not?" says Penina, the youngest in the family and Oliver's step-sister. She turned her attention to one of the servants;

"Didn't you say you called him?"

"I... I did,"

"Then why is he not here?"

"Peni... That's enough," says Eamon, the father.

Penina kept quiet, pouting her lips. She didn't like how her father spoke to her.

"Can we at least, eat?" said Briggs, a step-brother.

"No... we wait,"

Peni and Briggs rolled their eyes. What is so special about Creed's return?

_"If you haven't figured it out, my supposed father from this world had two wives, both of which bore kids to him. I and Carson are from one mother. Briggs, Peni the spot brat, and one more step-brother I am yet to meet came from a different mother.

I should spell this out; we are not united. We do not get along, especially due to how we were treated by most of the extended family."_

"Paige, please go check on Creed. Tell him to hurry up,"

The young servant bowed her head and then went away. She got to a corner of the house and noticed a crack on the wall, small plants had grown out of those cracks. This was not here before, was it?

"Sorry for keeping them waiting,"

Paige was taken aback for a second due to Oliver's sudden appearance.

"Did I scare you?"

"No... not at all... I'm fine,"

Oliver also noticed the weird damaged he had done to the wall;

"Plants?"

>>>

Oliver quickly found a seat in the dining room. Delicacies of all sorts were everywhere.

'How long did it take to make all of this?' he wondered.

"We thought you were dead. How are you here?" questioned Brigg. He had this smugness on his face for reasons best known to him.

Oliver did not answer, he doesn't have any memory, none that can help him.

"I was fortunate," he managed to say.

"That must be one hell of a fortune," said Briggs with a bit of sarcasm hidden there.

Oliver did not say anything. He doesn't need anyone to tell him, he can tell that Briggs doesn't like him. It doesn't seem like there was ever a time that they got along.

An awkward silence followed suit, only the sound of plates and eating tools could be heard.

"I hear you have awakened. Is this true?" Eamon spoke up.

His words drew everyone's attention. A few of them almost choked on their meal.

"You're awakened?" Carson whispered.

"What does that even mean?" says Oliver.

"That's impossible. He goes missing for two years, and then came back as an awakened...

...makes no sense,"

"Does it scare you, dear Briggs?" Carson teased, he did not hide the mockery in his tone.

Briggs got pissed. He tried not to reveal that fact. It would only make him the loser.

"Don't stay quiet, Creed. Prove it!"