My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 37: Victor-y Feast

Kace made it back to the battlefield as the clash ended. There stood Grugda, only a heartbeat away from death. The ground around him was decimated as ruins of earthen domes were strewn about the place. It had obviously been a very close call.

That was not the most shocking thing though. Where Victor had stood there now an almost twenty foot tall mausoleum made from hardened earth. Kace rushed to the Eljein as he collapsed.

His mana completely expended alongside almost all of his health. His body hit the ground before Kace could get there though and began letting out loud snores to the disbelief of the surviving monsters.

They cheered loudly however after confirming that they had indeed won the fight. Kace called a number of them over and them carry Grugda's body inside of the Mages Association building to recuperate. Stationing a good number more as guards for him.

He was curious as to how Victor met his end within the mausoleum so he approached it cautiously. There was an opening about the size of eight foot where a door should be. A cold air blew out from within.

As he stepped inside he noticed the smooth walls were covered with a layer of frost. 'It really does feel suitable to house the dead.' he could not prevent himself from thinking.

His footsteps echoed off the walls as he walked down the corridor, finally reaching the centre. The entirety of the centre room was open all the way up to the ceiling. Writhing the centre a block of ice stood holding the body of Victor. Chips of ice were scattered all around along with broken tips of earth spears.

Spears of earth had erupted from many different angles from the walls and the ground all converging on the ice block. Although many of them had broken seven of them had pierced through the ice to the body within. Obviously being the cause of death for the mage.

One of Victors hands was exposed due to a spear breaking off a chunk of the ice. Kace felt drawn to a ring that was gracing one of his fingers. The ring itself was a blue stone inlaid into a silver band. 'Maybe it's worth something?' Kace thought as he removed it.

Removing his right gauntlet to place it on his own finger. He suddenly felt a rush of power. Checking his stats his total MP had risen by fifty points. 'This is a good find!' he was secretly elated, glad that he come to see the situation.

Eyeing the exposed hand he suddenly had a thought. 'I should probably eat that right?' he thought as he considered the dense amount of MP Victor had possessed as well as the spells he had used.

With a reluctant sigh he snapped the frozen hand off. Pulling the cloth mask down to expose his mouth he tenderly placed the fleshy part in between his teeth. Although it was frozen, due to his monster nature, he had enough force in his jaws to bite through it. Tearing a chunk off into his mouth.

'Tastes like lamb.' This thought confused him slightly. Was the monster part of him adjusting the taste of things he found unappealing to make it more manageable?

As he swallowed he realised he no longer felt the usual disgust or urge to barf. Before long the usual notification appeared preceded by a new one.

[Glutton Activated: Doubling all rewards.]

[Digestion Activated: Awarding 400 Experience.]

[Assimilation Activated: Awarding +90 MP, Skill: Ice Spear Unlocked.]

With raised eyebrows he expanded the information on Ice Spear.

Ice Spear (Active)

Cost: 10 MP

Description: Freezing the moisture in the air you create a fast moving projectile as cold as the embrace of death.

He was pleased with these new gains. Especially the addition of a long range offensive spell. It would give him more options in combat. To top it off his MP was no longer the shadow that it was. Having caught up to his AP thanks to the increase from Victor and the ring.

Saying his farewells to the frozen treasure chest that was Victors body he left the mausoleum. Kharja and Gyn were waiting for him outside. The sounds of battle throughout the town were dying down. Almost reaching its conclusion.

"Shagrat came in with the main force. They're finishing off the remnants now." Kharja explained.

"Hmm, it won't be long till it's over then." Kace replied unflinchingly at the thought of all the dead humans.

"His Majesty has ordered the bodies to be collected for a grand feast. In celebration of our great victory. As well as to welcome the new brothers and sisters we will soon have." Gyn contributed.

"Help them out then. I'm going to find a bed. Wake me when it's time."

"As you wish."

After finishing the conversation with the pair they headed off to help with the arrangements. In the meantime Kace wandered past the guards he had placed in front of the Mages Association.

As he headed through the hallways he was too tired to care about the items and books on display. Finding a room for himself he went inside and collapsed on the bed.

'I'd forgotten what a real bed felt like.' he thought as he pulled his hood down and removed his helm. As soon as he had sat the helm beside him he fell into a deep sleep.

*

He awoke to being shaken by a rough hand. Groaning he rolled over still half asleep.

"Vaskra you need to quit this shit!"

"Since when am I so ugly?" Kharja laughed.

With a groan he opened his eyes to see the burly orc standing over him.

"Ugh, what time is it?"

"Almost daybreak, the ceremony and the feast are about to begin. Let's go."

Still groaning he dragged himself out of the bed. Picking up his helm and carrying it under his arm with his halberd in the other hand.

Kharja waited for him before walking alongside to him to the venue. As they walked through the streets towards the town centre decorations had been hung up. Ofcourse they were not your usual decorations. Human heads and body parts, weapons and armour all these things had been strung up from the buildings using entrails as rope.

"They've outdone themselves." Kharja said admiringly.

When they neared the town square he spotted the heads of Ben, Yasmin and Connor. 'I guess that's a few loose ends I don't need to deal with.' he thought only feeling a slight bit of regret for Ben who had been kind enough towards him.

As he glanced around he noticed the head of Roger was conspicuously missing. 'Maybe he's hanging out on another street.' he laughed at his own terrible internal joke. Causing Kharja to give him a strange look.

When they entered the square the goblins were gathered and standing in solemn silence. Bonfires had been lit creating a path to pits like the one that Kace had emerged from when he first arrived. Leading him to wonder how these things were made.

A couple of hundred children were being led into the pits one by one to start their new lives as goblins. They whimpered, cried and begged as they dragged down the path. 'They will definitely make up for the goblins loses during the fight. His Majesty's army will bolstered greatly.' Kace mused as he watched the proceedings.

After waiting around for all the new goblins to be "born" it was finally time to begin the feast.

Tables, cookware and other things had been dragged out from the houses.

Taking a seat near the King and Vaskra he was served upon by a female orc. She places dish after dish before them. Occasionally making eyes at Kharja who returned her amorous glances in kind.

Kace gave him a knowing look and punched him on the shoulder.

"Looks like someone's in for a good time eh?"

"Hah, she'll do for now. We orcs aren't so possessive as to stick with one mate." Kharja replied unashamed.

Kace looked a bit let down that his teasing had failed to get a reaction. On the other hand he was point blank ignoring the looks that Vaskra was sending his way. Sending her into a foul mood.

"What do you think our odds are for the next fight lad?" Shagrat asked, his speech having become more refined with the passing of time in his new role.

"I'm not sure. It depends on how soon they come back. Grugda is still recovering and the damage, especially around the Mages Association will be noticed. So our previous plan will be useless." He sighed dejected.

"Hmm, well we have to prepare as much as we can. I'll start assigning jobs once everyone has rested. You'll be no exception lad." Shagrat continued.

They continued to talk about the arrangements they would have to make as they enjoyed the feast. The town rang out with laughter and the boisterous antics of the army. One of the trolls made an attempt at a dance to the drums of the goblins. Causing a riotous laughter to ensue. Kace smiled fondly at this new family of his. Finally beginning to feel like he was truly one of them.

His abilities had activated a few times as he ate. Increasing his experience by a further 150, coupled with 300 from the people he had slain for an extra 450 in total. His HP had seen an increase of 30, AP by 25 and MP by 40. All in all it was truly a night of benefits for him.