Azaria 2-12

Good Morning!

Chapter 12: Hostile Takeover

Lance

“You look… different. Have you gone all the way?” Luna asked after I let her in the hotel room.

I sighed glancing at the full mirror next to me in the hotel room. Different was an understatement. There was barely a trace of human left to see. The only thing I was remotely happy about was that my face remained through all the monster part absorptions.

My skin was a patchwork of hide, scale, fur, and chitin. There were several spikes and natural weapons poking off my body in various places. My senses were amplified to the point that I could tell you just about every detail of the last person that had stayed her. To make matters worse, my status said the same thing.

Lance Teron

Age: 20

Level: 37

Race: Chimera

Type: Harvester

Aether: 6579/7000

Skills: Harvest; Energy Harvest; Aether Barrier

Harvests: Heart of the Chimera – Breath of Fire

Incubus Tool – Mental Fortitude

Scale of the Corrupted Lizard – 50% Poison Resistance

Goblin’s Soul: Malice, Dark Vision, Concentrated Breathing, Dominate, Black, Heart’s Armor, Poison Breath, Natural Weapon, Eat Anything, Durable, Keen Hearing, Gluttony

Physic Toad: Telekinesis, Jump, Increased Tongue, Toxic Breath

Prey- Mantis: Acid Gland, Scythe Blade, Exoskeleton

Scorpion: Natural Armor, Heavy Pincer, Poison Gland, Burrow, Stinger

Kobold: Dragon Hide, Dragon language, Sense Treasure

Treant: Regrowth, Commune Nature, Photosynthesis

Human’s Heart – Chaos

Human’s Lung – Fortitude

Human’s Brain (x2) - Fire Water

Tunnel Rat Tendon – Scurry (+2)

Lower Mimic Storage Sac – Storage

Achievements: Trading With Chaos – You achieved something few could claim. While it might appear to be dumb luck, even luck has a place in the universe. Aether gain +1 per hour.

Solo Hunter – You defeated a dungeon on your own. Very few can claim the same. Great achievements deserve great rewards. Aether +1000

One That Became A Monster – You did it. You left your weak humanity behind. Ability: Aether Barrier

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but there had been a limit to the number of monsters that I could absorb. When I felt the initial change, I had just resigned myself. At least I got a faily useful ability out of the trade. My fighting style was very much in the face, so I generally had a lot of excess Aether.

“What happened, happened. Are you still interested in my deal?” I replied coming from my thoughts.

“Depends.”

“I need an organization. I don’t have to sit at the top, but I need more bodies to go from hunted to the hunter. You’re aiming to take over yours right?”

“In a few hours actually,” she said with a grin. “You want to be part of us?”

“I figured it would be easier to join one than to try and start one from scratch. That said, working from the bottom is likely to end up with someone reporting me to the authorities, or my numerous enemies. I’d rather be the shadow of someone in charge that will have my interests in mind.”

She crossed her arms and seemed to consider it. This was my first time trying to make a deal like this. “I see where you’re coming from. I have to admit you’d be a powerful asset for me to keep in reserve.”

“My strength isn’t going to stop growing. I would recommend you grab my tail before I figure something else out.”

“Literally?” She asked pointing at the base of my back. I sighed again and glanced at the three tails that sprouted. Unlike a normal scorpion stinger, they had merged with something else I absorbed and looked much thinner. They were still tipped with a deadly needle that dripped acid. I had already ruined the bed before I realized it.

“Sure, if you want to risk it,” I retorted moving the tail closer to her. She held up her hands in defeat.

“Please no.” Her eyes were looking at the large holes melted into the bed.

I held out my hand to shake. “We going to help each other?”

She looked at it for almost a minute before she took it. “I could never afford to work with Shinigami anyways. With you, I’ll have a nice safety net.”

“I’ll do my best…” I said when the hotel shook. We both looked to the door, but no one tried to get in. A red glow came from the window and I turned to see what was going on. A gash cut through the sky and almost appeared to be bleeding.

“Good thing I have a talented partner now,” Luna said with a tense laugh.

“That’s my luck,” I grumbled annoyed.

Looking closer, I thought the gash was actually near Azaria’s dungeon. Had she done something again? I doubted the top guns were going to just sit this out. Especially since it was the first dungeon Neo bought. He had some sort of special interest in the place.

“Ten dollars that some sort of demon comes out of that thing,” Luna said with a worrying grin.

“I’m not taking a losing bet,” I retorted. “Do you have a safe house or something like that?” I wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but I’d like to be in a less open place if there really is an invasion or something.

“Actually. The place we were about to head is underground.”

“I guess we can kill two birds with one stone.” I stretched, still getting used to my body after all the increases.

“You know it’s a good thing your face is relatively unchanged. You can just walk around like you’re wearing armor,” Luna said patting my chest. There was a solid thump but I could barely feel it.

“You think it will work that easily?”

She laughed and nodded. “Sure! As long as you’re not by yourself or coming out of a dark alley in the middle of night. Some of the boys in my gang have mismatched armor to make up for anything they lack.”

I gestured at the door. “Then lead the way.” The ground shook again, but it wasn’t as bad as the first time.

Luna led us back over to the main business, and much like she said, no one tried to stop us or screamed about monsters. There was enough light that they could see my face. Personally, I just thought everyone was distracted by the giant gash across the sky, but Luna threw me a thumbs up. I just chuckled at how carefree she appeared.

We went around back to a parking garage entrance. The goons watching the street just nodded when they saw me with Luna. An assortment of beaten up cars along with a few nice ones came into view. I spotted an elevator in our path and sure enough, Luna took us to it.

“So, what do you actually have planned?”

“I’m going to use the flute and have my dear boss commit suicide. Then I can step forward to take over. We might have challengers, but you make my life much easier. Right, partner?”

“I’ll be your muscle for now, but when this is over. The first thing I want you to do is clear my name of Kyle’s accusations. That will at least get the cops off my back.”

“Good idea. It might take a few days, but if I send in a statement, and with him being on ice and thus unable to pay any bribes. They should drop it fairly easily.”

“I certainly hope so.” That stupid wanted listing had caused most of my problems. I knew that the highlocks would still be on my case, but at least it would be one thing dealt with. I might even be able to check on my mom, though I almost dreaded it. What if she was secretly something tremendous as well. No. For now, let’s just be anger at one family member.

The elevator dinged, and we walked out into a club. It was still early in the night and there weren’t any patrons. The DJ and bartender were setting up for anyone that might still risk coming or they just didn’t know of the situation on the surface. Likely the latter.

“This way,” Luna said and dragged me over to an opening. A hall with private areas for parties lining it came into view. She pulled me along down the hall and through a few turns. We eventually arrived at an office. She turned another corner and motioned for me to stand in front of her. “I’m going to use the flute.”

“You know what you’re doing?”

“Yeah, I tested it after you gave it to me.” She pulled the instrument out and closed her eyes as she put it to her mouth. With a deep breath, she blew into the flute and one of the worst melodies I had ever heard in my life emerged. I had to dig my claws into my palms to stop from reaching out and crushing her wind pipe. She obviously knew she sucked as her face was bright red.

My restraint lasted and soon the office door we passed a second ago opened. A man in his forties walked out followed by a guard. They walked around the corner and were out of sight. Luna played a few more notes before she lowered the flute. I raised an eyebrow wondering what happened next when there was a gun shot.

“Come on!” She pocketed the flute and we rushed toward the noise. The guard was standing over the man with an bewildered expression. Luna hurried over to the body and I followed behind her. An impressive shot right into the brain from the mouth. “What happened?!” she demanded looking at everyone present.

“I… I don’t know!” The guard stammered. “One minute we were walking along, the next the boss just sighed saying he was done with this shit and blew his brains out!”

“Get the others! Now!”

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