(A/N) Check this story out on ScribbleHub under the same name ^^
Sniffing at the corpse in front of me, I decide to give it a go—eating a Beast, I mean, for the sake of harvesting Mutagen that can be used to improve my being. Placing my paw on the rat Beast's body, I lean down and take a bite, tugging on its flesh and ripping a piece free, tossing it up and swallowing the chunk. The taste isn't bad, carrying that smoky element that I discerned earlier whilst ripping its head off. While not being my favourite taste, it's undoubtedly pleasant to eat. There was no Mutagen granted yet, so maybe I need to devour the majority of the Beast before the reward is given? I lean down again, putting more weight on my paw as I yank more flesh off its corpse, happily munching on whatever I can rip from the bones. Cleaning the corpse of anything edible takes no time at all, lasting at most 5 minutes. By then, the notification appears, with flickering text hovering in front of me on a translucent red backdrop.
_
Mutagen source assimilated, granting the Host an appropriate amount of Mutagen corresponding to the prey's level and evolutionary stage in comparison to that of the Host.
[4 Mutagen acquired] ¬ Amount has been doubled due to an active boost.
[Total amount of Mutagen in Reserves: 6]
_
So, with 6 Mutagen, I can potentially mutate myself 6 times, or less, depending on how much mutagen is required. The concept feels foreign to me, yet it also feels familiar. The fact that I can improve my body without putting in the physical effort feels like a blessing, something I'm entirely unfamiliar with. Throughout my life, I've had to put in so much effort to refine my body, but with this Mutagen, it'll improve considerably by just eating a Beast I've defeated. And maybe Beasts that have already been defeated, too, though that's yet to be proven. With mixed feelings, I open the catalogue of options for mutations.
_
Select a mutation below:
Wings (+1) - Reinforce your wings in all capacities. Not only will the Host's wings improve structurally, but also defensively, durability-wise and enhance attacking capabilities (etc). This, ultimately, facilitates better flight and speed. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
Eyes (+1) - Improve your eyes in all capacities. Not only will the Host's eyes improve structurally, but also defensively, improve visual processing, enhance tracking movements and targeting accuracy (etc). This, ultimately, facilitates faster identification and helps the Host keep up with rapid excursions such as fights or exploration. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
Legs (+1) - Fortify your legs in all capacities. Not only will the Host's legs improve structurally, but also defensively, durability-wise and enhance attacking capabilities (etc). This, ultimately, facilitates better power, speed and manoeuvrability. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
Fire Glands (+1) - Enhance your fire glands in all capacities. Not only will the Host's fire glands improve structurally, but also durability-wise, elevate mana input and output and enhance attacking capabilities (etc). This, ultimately, facilitates longer and more powerful bursts of flames. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
Scales (+1) - Reinforce your scales in all capacities. Not only will the Host's scales improve structurally, but also defensively, durability-wise and thicken to diffuse the impact of attacks better (etc). This, ultimately, allows the Host to engage in longer, drawn-out fights and sustain less damage. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
Claws (+1) - Reinforce your claws in all capacities. Not only will the Host's claws improve structurally, but also durability-wise and enhance attacking capabilities, sharpening to improve penetration of defences (etc). This, ultimately, facilitates quick attacks, breaking through defences to inflict the most damage on enemies. ¬ 1 Mutagen is required for this option.
_
So many options to choose from... well, I have 6 Mutagen, so I could mutate everything once, but do I want that? The... thing that lets me do this... it gives a short description of what each mutation will do, thankfully. Despite the premise being the same, it gives examples. Currently, I have no mana, and from the description given for my fire glands, I'll be needing it if I even want to think of using that. So I can cross that off, no need to mutate something I can't currently use. Everything else will be beneficial, no doubt about it.
The wings mutation will, hopefully, grant me flight. Despite having wings in my beastkin form, I couldn't fly at all. Giving my wings a few flaps, the same proves to be true for this form, too. It wouldn't be the greatest to mutate something that I can't currently use, but it could also let me fly if I begin mutating it... this one is a gamble, something I can't chance on if I'm going to be staying in this dungeon for a while.
That leaves me with eyes, legs, claws and scales. Mutating eyes will let me track fast-moving enemies and, maybe, make these hues less... obtuse. I'll definitely mutate that at least once with my current 6 Mutagen. Then there are my legs, better speed, manoeuvrability and power? Yes, please. If I also combine that with mutated claws, it'll grant even more damage with my body. Quicker swipes, more power held in my legs, sharper claws, more damage. Perfect. And mutating my scales is a given. I want to survive longer, which means I need to be able to take more hits and come out unscathed. Or, well, with less harm done to me.
Nodding to myself, I mentally probe the option of mutating my claws first. A tingling sensation begins to build up, eventually erupting into a searing, burning pain deep from within my claws, travelling through my nerves into my paws. The previous feelings of pain, both from the massacre and my Esse-Statera, don't compare to this at all. Those times, I had adrenaline, the pain was numbed, lasting fleeting moments before I was sucked into unconsciousness. But now? There's no adrenaline, no chance of being knocked unconscious, only the feeling of pain scorching through my paws and claws, filling all of my senses.
Dropping down low in the bushes, I bite hard into the bones of the rat Beast, muffling any slight grunts I can't help but let out. Thankfully, it lasts no more than a minute, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I guess that's the payment for the sudden improvements in my body. Both the pain and the effort of harvesting Mutagen, that is.
Willing myself to continue, I select my next mutation, that of my scales. The same feeling overcomes me, this time piercing all of my scales. Now more prepared, I force back all the grunts and noises of pain I let out earlier, hoping not to draw in any unwanted attention. Once the pain passes, I move on to the next, but before I do so, a thought enters my mind: what if I can do more than one mutation at the same time? Thankfully, I can. However, now that I've mutated my claws and scales once, the price for the next mutation has increased by one. Hmm, interesting.
I mull my options once more, which would I want to upgrade a second time? My eyes can wait, so my current options are my legs, scales and claws. Legs are mainly granting me more speed, claws for more powerful attacks and scales for defence. From higher-level enemies, both defence and attack will do little to help, but I could potentially get away safer if I'm faster. So, legs it is.
_
Selected mutations:
Legs (+1) - 1 Mutagen required, and Eyes (+1) - 1 Mutagen required.
FOLLOWED BY: Legs (+2) - 2 Mutagen required. _
Bracing myself, I confirm, and pain quickly follows, this time lasting three minutes in total. I manage to conclude that (+1) mutations last a minute while (+2) mutations last 2. So, after each mutation, it increases by one minute and one Mutagen each time. Since the... thing... said 'followed by', it waited until my (+1) mutations were done before beginning the mutations of my (+2). Interesting.
Stretching my limbs, I move on to the next thing of interest, my skill points that I've accumulated.
[A/N] From now on, I'll be putting Saskia's status at the end of chapters below :)
Name: Saskia
Level: 1
Species: Dragon Hatchling (Vampriae) [I]
Attributes:
Strength: 32
Durability: 29
Intelligence: 50
Will: 37
Mana Points: 0/0 (FORM YOUR CORE""FORM YOUR MANA VEINS)
Stamina Points: 30/30
Skills:
(Species Skill) Claw Swipe: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Harden Scales: Level 1 [I]
(Species Skill) Tail Slap: Level 1 [I]
(Exclusive Skill) Morph: Level 1 [I]
Available Morphs:
Drakkaris (draconic beaskin) - Required mana: 50
Dragon Hatchling (Vampirae) [I] - Required mana: 20
Modifications:
Eyes: (+1)
Claws: (+1)
Scales: (+1)
Wings: (+1)
Legs: (+2)
Fire Gland: (+1)
Reserves:
Mutagens: 0
Skill Points: 2
(A/N) Check this story out on ScribbleHub under the same name ^^