I Became A Monster

The warm glow of neon signs bathed the cracked streets of Haven City in a pulsating array of blues and purples. It was a city of contradictions, a futuristic skyline towering above neighborhoods riddled with poverty, a world where dungeons disgorged monsters daily, and humanity's salvation came in the form of Awakeners.

To Axel Cross, though, this world was nothing more than an endless grind. An E-rank Awakener with an ability so useless even beggars turned him down, Axel had nothing to look forward to except the cold inevitability of another miserable day.

He trudged through the bustling streets, his coat barely shielding him from the cold drizzle that began to fall. Around him, the world celebrated. Street vendors peddled, partygoers spilled from clubs blaring bass-heavy music, and holographic advertisements flickered across the sky.

None of it mattered to Axel. His girlfriend had left him for a B-rank swordmaster, his application to join even the shoddiest guilds had been rejected repeatedly, and now, after spending most of his credit on a cheap meal, he was on the brink of being completely broke.

"Fucking useless ability," he muttered, kicking an empty can.

Contract Bind. That was the gift the universe had given him, an innate ability to turn another living being into a loyal summon. The catch? They had to willingly agree to serve him. Other Awakeners could hurl fire, summon storms, or tame beasts with their power. Axel's was a glorified legal document.

As he approached the rundown apartment he called home, a notification pinged in his peripheral vision. The faint glow of the System Interface appeared, an intrusive but familiar display of digital text in his field of view.

[Daily Mission Complete: 500 Steps Taken. Reward: 1 Credit.]

"Wow, a whole credit," he scoffed. "Maybe I can buy half a slice of bread."

Before he could dwell further on his pathetic existence, his phone vibrated and a notification from his private messages appeared. He tapped it open, and his stomach twisted. It was from his ex, Kara.

---

Kara:

Hey, Axel. Just wanted to check in on you.

Also, just a heads-up, Trent is moving into the penthouse with me. He says thanks for keeping it warm for us. Hope you're doing okay.

---

"Fuck you, Kara," Axel hissed, his voice trembling with barely restrained anger. His fists clenched, and he felt the familiar pang of despair settle in his chest.

Inside his apartment, the silence was oppressive. The single bulb flickered above him, casting shadows that danced mockingly on the stained walls. His bed, a threadbare mattress on the floor, sat next to a cluttered desk where his one indulgence, a stack of dungeon guidebooks, mocked him with their glossy covers.

He sat heavily on the mattress and opened his system menu out of habit.

[Ability: Contract Bind]

Type: Utility

Rank: E

Description: Form a contract with one willing human. Bound subject gains enhanced physical and magical attributes. User gains 50% of bound subject's stat increases.

"Fifty percent of nothing is still nothing," he muttered, bitterly laughing at his situation.

For years, Axel had tried to contract someone, anyone. He'd pleaded, offered money he didn't have, and even resorted to begging. But no one wanted to give up their freedom, not even for a measly stat boost. Tonight, though, he was done. Done with the System, done with his ability, and done with the cruel, indifferent world.

"Fuck it," he growled. "If no one else will, I'll do it myself."

Axel stood and summoned the System menu, his finger hovering over the Contract Bind ability. The interface flickered, as if it were alive and hesitant.

[Warning: Cannot contract self. Target must be a separate entity.]

"Separate entity, my ass," Axel snapped. "I'm my own worst enemy anyway."

With reckless determination, he concentrated harder, pouring every ounce of his willpower into overriding the System's restriction. For a moment, the air in the room seemed to warp, and the faint hum of energy filled his ears.

Then, a message appeared.

[Condition Met: Willing Subject Detected. Contracting Self...]

[Contract Successful.]

[An Anomaly Has Occurred. System Integrity at Risk. Reevaluating...]

The world blurred. His body felt like it was being split in two, the sensation of tearing and merging almost unbearable. A searing pain erupted in his chest, and for a brief moment, he felt like he was dying. When the agony subsided, Axel collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.

The System pinged again, but this time, the interface was different, alien. The sleek, polished menus of the Awakener System had been replaced by jagged, crimson text.

[You have become your own summon.]

[Status Changed: Human → Monster.]

[Ability Rank Reevaluation in Progress...]

[Unable to Determine Rank. Assigning Maximum Possible Rank…]

[Ability: Contract Bind (SSS+)]

"What... the hell?" Axel whispered, staring at the display with wide eyes. His voice distorted, echoing like a growl.

The System pinged again.

[Alert: You are the first individual to possess an SSS+ rank ability. This rank is unique, and its power defies conventional metrics.]

His heart pounded as realization dawned on him. SSS+. He knew the rank of one's ability determined their ultimate potential. His ability, which was once E-rank, meant he was locked to mediocrity, unable to climb higher than the bottom rung. But now? Did this rank mean he could climb to the top?

"Does this mean I could... actually reach SSS+ rank? Is that even possible?" His mind swirled with questions, a mix of fear and exhilaration.

His reflection in the cracked window caught his eye. His pupils had turned into slits, glowing faintly in the dark. A strange aura pulsed around him, menacing and alive.

Instinctively, he flexed his hands, and sharp claws erupted from his fingertips. He swiped at the air, and a notification popped up.

[Skill Unlocked: Razor Swipe (Rank D)]

"D-rank?" Axel muttered in disbelief. "But I'm an E-rank!"

His gaze snapped back to the System interface, still glowing crimson. His heart raced as he took in the numbers.

[Status Updated]

Name: Axel Cross

Rank: Monster (D)

Strength: 12 → 24

Agility: 10 → 22

Endurance: 11 → 23

Mana: 10 → 50

[Skills Unlocked]

Razor Swipe (Rank D): A ferocious claw attack that tears through defenses.

Predator's Instinct (Rank D): Heightened senses for tracking prey.

The power coursing through him was intoxicating. He crouched and sprang upward, his head nearly brushing the ceiling, the motion so effortless it left him breathless.

"I've been weak and pathetic," he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. "But now? Now I'm something they'll never see coming."

Just then, a final notification appeared.

[Warning: SSS+ Ability Activation May Attract Unknown Variables. Proceed With Caution.]

---

A few days later, Across Town...

In a lavish penthouse suite, Kara lay sprawled on satin sheets, her bare skin glowing under the dim light. Beside her, Trent, the B-rank swordmaster, smirked as he lit a cigarette.

"You really think he'll be okay?" Kara asked, a trace of guilt in her voice.

"Who cares?" Trent sneered, exhaling a plume of smoke. "He's an E-rank loser. Guys like him exist to remind people like us how great we are."

Kara laughed softly, but her amusement was short-lived. The lights flickered, and a cold chill swept through the room.

"What the…?" Trent began, but a notification from his own System cut him off.

[Warning: Monster Presence Detected Nearby.]

"Impossible," Trent muttered, his smug look cracking. "No dungeon breaches have been reported."

But before either of them could react further, a dark presence loomed outside, its glowing eyes piercing out like twin orbs filled with malice.

---

Author's Note:

Hey everyone, Monarchofink here!

Thank you so much for reading my story. If you're enjoying it, please take a moment to vote and share your thoughts in the comments, it really motivates me and helps me improve. Don't forget to add it to your library so you don't miss any updates!

Your support keeps me writing. Thanks again!

—Monarchofink