Now there was only one question on my mind, what made me start my cycle of consumption. My guess what that it was Monstrous instinct. I didn’t have any proof but it’s called monstrous instinct and not enhance instincts or something similar to that.

[Condition met, More info revealed on Monstrous instinct(Rare) - your instinct starts to change into something monstrous. If not careful you will start to act like the same as monsters you hunt. Gain a 1% increase in Reaction per skill level. The effect grows 10x stronger in battle.]

Well, that was a problem, so now I have to constantly make sure not to act like a monster. Great, that was going to be fun, at least I know now. Not noticing my blood-soaked visage I sigh and hit yes to transfer to the next stage.

The first thing I do even before looking at the objective of the floor is charge the wyvern that just appeared in front of me. Quickly getting into a battle of tooth and claw, my claw strike rakes its scales as my teeth sink into the wyvern’s neck it screeches in panic clearly not expecting the complete savagery that I showed. The fight lasted 30 seconds of me ripping and tearing the wyvern to pieces. I came back to myself as I was ripping a chunk of flesh off the now dead wyvern. “Dang, almost lost my cool there,” I say jokingly. Not seeing any reason I shouldn’t continue the eat the wyvern, I take a bit out of the wyvern before looking over my notifications.

[Entered Stage 4. Full Replenish. Goal obtain the [Scales of the Wyvern(Epic)] skill]

[Claw of the Departed Dragon(Uncommon) levels up to level 11]

[Giant’s Form(Epic) levels up to level 3]

[Ogre’s Skin(Rare) levels up to level 2]

[Scales of the Wyvern(Epic) 21%]

[Defeated lvl 4 Wyvern Exp Gained 35%]

That’s weird how there is only one skill this time. Huh, whatever can’t always win. Then I stood up and notice that I was a lot taller than before and felt much stronger. I was 6 feet flat before the system and if it was to be believed I was 7 feet tall now. Oh, and my clothes grew with me. Hopefully, I can change my height later when I get really tall but for now, this was fine. Rolling my shoulders I hop on my feet ready for the wyvern to spawn. I don’t have to wait long before the new wyvern pops into existence 100 feet from me. Smiling I start running at the wyvern. It sees me and roars before flexing its wings and torpedoing after me. We colid in the middle and right away I notice that this one is much stronger than the last one I fought. Knowing I can’t trade blows with this wyvern I try to attack the joins on its left wing only for it to flex said wing and send me tumbling backward. As I’m getting up the wyvern turns to me sucks in air and breaths out a beam of purple fire. I only have a second before it hits me, acting on instinct I use Claw of the Departed Dragon hitting the beam dead on. The beam washes over me diminished from my attack but still strong enough to burn. My skin boils where it hits me, I let out a cry of pain. When the beam stop I still stand but vastly weakened from the burns across my chest. Every breath is pain but I let out a guttural roar challenging the wyvern. Saying in the bestial tongue ‘is this the best you have because it’s not enough’. The wyvern is still recharging from its last attack so I start moving, slowly picking up momentum until I’m at a dead sprint charging at the wyvern. It sucks in another breath, I dive to the left as the beam passes right where I was. Rolling to my feet I let loose an attack on its right-wing. This time it hits home resulting in a loud crack as the bone breaks. The wyvern reels back in pain letting out a screech, but I don’t let up. I rake my claws across the wyvern’s side, carving deep groves. It starts to flail ineffectually. I hop back before driving in with a claw strike to the neck paralyzing the wyvern. Its head flops to the ground as its eyes lock on mine. Only fear exists in those eyes now, it knows that it lost. Taking a step closer I active claw strike the plunge my hand into its chest to pull out its heart. Unable to screech the wyvern’s eyes show true terror before going blank. With the wyvern now dead I devour the heart the notification roll in.

[Defeated lvl 10 Wyvern Exp Gained 100%]

[Level up +1 to all stats and Full Replenish]

[Anything you can do(Unique) triggers, you gain Scales of the Wyvern(Epic) - Scales cover your body, claws grow on your hands, your teeth sharpen. You have taken the first step on the path of the dragon. You gain 2 resilience per skill level.]

[Anything you can do(Unique) triggers, you gain Breath of the Wyvern(Epic) -Your lungs grow stronger, and through extreme exertion, you can unleash a powerful beam of fire. You have taken the second step on the path of the dragon. Deal damage equal to 4x skill level. Uses 50 Stamina.]

[Anything you can do(Unique) levels up to level 7]

[Slime regeneration(Epic) levels up to level 14]

[Claw of the Departed Dragon(Uncommon) levels up to level 14]

[Monstrous instinct(Rare) levels up to level 12]

[Giant’s Form(Epic) levels up to level 6]

[Ogre’s Skin(Rare) levels up to level 6]

I feel my skin healing, my muscles growing stronger, shooting up two feet, and micro scales replacing my skin except for my forearms which larger scales cover and my nails turn to claw. It feels like I’m shedding my older weaker form so that I can continue to grow. Before I get too much into it I get a notification.

[Congragualtion on completing the tutorial, there is one final optional stage where, if won, you can upgrade and change a monster skill into one of your own. Be warned this stage is not balanced in your favor. Will you proceed? Y/N]

There was only one real option. After pressing Y a countdown pops into my vision counting down from 10. When it hit zero I was teleported to a large cavern with a massive gold dragon laying in a pile of gems. As the dragon’s head moves my body freezes and I realize that I’ve made a mistake coming here. The dragon’s mouth open, I brace myself to be burned alive. Then it speaks in the most powerful voice I’ve ever heard. “I see you have you’ve taken the first step on a long journey. This is your last chance to chose another path and still make it to the pinnacle. Will you continue on the path of the Dragon?”

Without missing a beat my body reacts and I say “Yes.”

The dragon laughs, “Spoken like a true dragon, never let doubt control you,” the dragon pauses and observes me for the first time. “Given your class, I decided on your draconic name. You are the Chimera Dragon, you consume your fallen foes to take their strength and turn it into your own.”

The words resonate with my soul. Chimera Dragon… my soul shakes and something changes.

[Scales of the Wyvern(Epic) - Scales cover your body, claws grow on your hands, your teeth sharpen. You have taken the first step on the path of the dragon. You gain 2 resilience per skill level.

---> Scales of the Chimera Dragon(Legendary) - The scales on your body become your own. They can now take on the property of certain things you’ve eaten. Properties gained: 2 Resilience Per skill level.]

[Skill Scales of the Chimera Dragon(Legendary) consumes Ogre’s Skin(Rare) to gain a property. Property gained 1 Resilience Per skill level.]

“Now go youngling and show your world what a dragon can do.” The dragon punctuates this by poking me with a claw larger than my whole body. When it touches my body my vision goes black but I can see the notifications.

[Congradualtions on completing the whole tutorial, your reward for the bonus stage is already used. You have unlocked the Title function, the Friends function, and the Party function.]

[Reward for regular tutorial completion Will of the Hunt(Rare) granted]

[Will of the Hunt(Rare) - Makes one want to join the hunt. Does not level.]

[Spawn group found, Joining group]

So with still torn and blood-soaked clothes I appeared in a group of scared and confused people. They all scurry back from me in fear when they notice me. I can’t really blame them, a 9-foot tall dude with scales on his hands just pop into existence right in front of them. Very quickly though a small number of people with weapons show up.

“State your name or I will strike you down beast.” The last word was spoken like a curse. The man who spoke looked picture perfect making me wonder what his tutorial was. He had blonde hair a baby blue eyes with a handsome face and strong looking body, looking exactly how most people would think a hero would look.

The man levels his blade at me and I remember that I haven’t spoken yet I smile my best smile, considering my new teeth did not look very friendly. I point toward my face and say “ Me? Names Jace. You?”

The man nods and lowers his blade. “Names Luke and I’m a hero,” he says while showing his pearly whites.