Monster

Duke Arlindor Highcrest, sovereign of the Emerald Highlands, was a man born into a lineage steeped in both privilege and ambition. His ancestral seat, Highcrest Keep, stood as a testament to the family's storied past, its stone walls draped in ivy and adorned with banners that fluttered in the gentle breeze.

Nestled among the undulating hills and verdant forests of the Verdantreach Kingdom, the keep was a symbol of power and legacy.

In the realm of Verdantreach, Arlindor wielded power second only to the king. Many believed he was more formidable than his title suggested, and not without reason.

Every noble title beneath the duke was held by a member of the Highcrest family. From the humblest baron to the loftiest marquis, their influence ran deep throughout the hierarchy of nobility.

Such a concentration of power would typically be anathema to any king. Yet, the Highcrest family had deftly woven themselves into the ruling class by marrying into it—a bold maneuver that few would dare to attempt.

However, a pattern emerged. Every individual who married into the Highcrest family mysteriously met their end shortly after giving birth to a son. This grim legacy had ensured that, for over two centuries, every ruler in these lands bore the name Highcrest, with a Highcrest guardian at their side.

The only recourse available to the king and the surrounding nobles was to command the duke to fortify the kingdom's borders against potential incursions from the Cragspire Kingdom.

In a surprising—or perhaps unsurprising—turn, the duke chose to marry his daughter to the first prince of Cragspire, intensifying pressure on the king and allowing the Highcrest family to thrive in peace—until now.

Highcrest Keep loomed majestically over the Emerald Highlands, its grand façade a blend of ancient architecture and noble elegance. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of polished wood and the faint aroma of herbs from the gardens below.

The grand mansion was a labyrinth of opulent chambers, each telling tales of triumph and tragedy, of feasts and whispers, of power and peril.

The throne room, a vast expanse of polished marble and intricately woven tapestries, was the heart of Highcrest Keep. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor, illuminating the room with an ethereal glow.

At the far end, a raised dais held the duke's throne, a magnificent seat carved from dark oak and inlaid with emeralds that sparkled like the hills outside.

The walls were adorned with portraits of past Highcrest rulers, their eyes seeming to follow every movement, a reminder of the family's enduring legacy.

Duke Arlindor Highcrest sat upon the throne, a figure of imposing stature and regal bearing. His hair, a cascade of silver, framed a face that bore the marks of both wisdom and weariness.

Deep-set emerald eyes, sharp and calculating, surveyed the room with an intensity that could pierce through the bravest of hearts. Clad in a deep green tunic embroidered with gold thread, he exuded an air of authority that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.

Arlindor's presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of all who entered. He was a man of contradictions; while his demeanor was often stoic and reserved.

A royal decree had arrived from the capital, commanding the duke to assemble his men and hunt down a monster that had been ravaging Count Belmont's lands, devouring everything in its path. To Arlindor, this was nothing but another desperate attempt by the old fool to diminish his power.

Ever since he had ascended to the rank of the high level wizard apprentice 200 years ago, the balance of power had been shattered. While the king remained a low level apprentice magician. The difference between them was as vast as the heavens compared to the earth.

The old fool had long awaited Arlindor's arrival, having nightmares about the moment he would come to claim his life and kingdom. But Arlindor would never grant him that mercy.

Why would he burden himself with the responsibilities of kingship when he could live freely, unencumbered by such duties?

Had he not achieved that fateful breakthrough, he would have perished, and the Highcrest family would have crumbled beneath its own weight. Instead, he endured, his soul immortal, relying on one of his descendants to serve as a vessel for his spirit. These descendants, of course, had to possess a suitable aptitude for magic and be destined to become the next duke.

Many family members harbored ambitions and laid claim to the title, but what could they achieve in the face of such overwhelming power? They could only curse their fate and be content with the scraps he tossed their way.

Yet, boredom was creeping into his life. His talent was mediocre at best, and he saw no hope of advancing any further. He would much rather be a big frog in a small pond than a tiny insect in a vast ocean, where he wouldn't even qualify to play the role of a minor player.

But now, a large monster, unlike anything ever seen before, had suddenly appeared, devouring everything in its path. This should prove to be extremely interesting.

Meanwhile, Adam surveyed his stats with satisfaction. He had spent the last ten days hunting anything that crossed his path and raiding some villages. Strangely, no one had come looking for him.

With all the ruckus he had caused, he thought the ruling class would send men to hunt him down. Yet ten days had passed, and no one had come for his head.

Unfortunately, news of a man-eating monster had spread, and said monster was now struggling to find humans to hunt. He truly felt sorry for them, but once he gathered enough points, he would transform back into a human and stop harming people. They just needed to tolerate him a bit longer.

"Just how can I get more points?" Adam muttered, desperation gnawing at him as he paced, brainstorming ways to maximize his efficiency. "Even if a thousand humans were placed in front of me, I simply can't consume all of them before the majority escape!"

[System Interface Activated]

Welcome, Host.

Initializing Status Report…

Core Information:

Name: Adam

Species: Tyrannosaurus Rex

Age: 110 Days

Evolution Points (EP): 237,189

Special Titles:

[Kinslayer] : Grants a 20% damage boost against family members.

Current Stats:

Strength: 30

"Your physical power has increased significantly. You are now a formidable predator."

Agility: 18

"Your movements are swift and precise, allowing you to outmaneuver most prey."

Intelligence: 11

"Your mind remains sharp, a remnant of your human past. Use it wisely."

Abilities:

[Enhanced Vision]

"Your eyesight is superior to most creatures, allowing you to spot prey from great distances."

[Slightly Hardened Claws]

"Your talons are now deadly weapons, capable of tearing through flesh and bone."

[Slightly Sharper Teeth]

"Your teeth are now sharper, perfect for tearing through prey."

[Night Vision]

"Your eyes have adapted to see clearly in low-light conditions."

Evolution Progress:

Points Required for Next Evolution: 1,000 EP

"Evolution is the key to survival. Gather more EP to unlock your potential."

Potential Evolution Pathways:

Predatory Instincts

"Enhance your hunting capabilities. Unlock sharper senses, faster reflexes, and deadlier precision."

Cost: 1,000 EP

Physical Augmentation

"Increase your strength and agility. Grow stronger, faster, and more resilient."

Cost: 1,000 EP

Cognitive Development

"Boost your intelligence. Retain more of your human mind and unlock advanced problem-solving skills."

Cost: 1,000 EP

System Notifications:

[Warning]

"Evolution is a double-edged sword. Each transformation may alter your instincts and desires. Proceed with caution."

Adam clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. He had come too far to be stopped now. The hybrid form was within reach, and he would do whatever it took to achieve it. The world would soon witness the birth of a new predator—one that would reshape the balance of power.