Epic of Caterpillar

429 Side Chapter; David Armand Perspective III 1/4: The Hero Develops

After defeating the first Boss of the Fiery Lava Dungeon, the 'Blaze Hydra', David was pressured by Vastrasz, the Dragon Soul residing within his body to hurry up and eat the flesh of the fiend he had just slain.

"While it's still fresh? What do you mean? You gluttonous dragon, can't you calm down?" said David, mildly annoyed by Vastrasz words.

"Just eat it! You will grow stronger from it, you fool! Don't disobey my words! I am only seeking cooperation. I gave you my power, you give me my delicious food! And you will end up growing stronger from it!" said Vastrasz, bewildered by the lowly human words.

"Power?" asked David, his eyes seeing the corpse with a different light.

"Indeed! I was no simple dragon when I was alive, kid. I was known as Vastrasz, the Living Deity Dragon of Hunger!" said Vastrasz, proudly.

"Of Hunger? No wonder…"

"You don't know about gods? Whenever a mortal tries to ascend to godhood, you have to first become a Living Deity Species! I was one once, but never managed to become a Demigod…" muttered Vastrasz.

"I see… that's quite the shocking news…" said David.

"My power consisted of devouring the flesh of reptile and dragon-type monsters, obtaining their talents, abilities, and bloodlines! My powers could quickly make me grow into a terrifying god, and this is why they killed me before that could have happened!" said Vastrasz.

"Hm? Who killed you?"

"We are going too off-topic! Go eat it, now!" roared Vastrasz.

David was feeling incredibly hungry after using large amounts of Mana and Stamina in the previous fight, his entire body was trembling in exhaustion. He tried to move but his legs trembled, as he fell over the floor.

"David-sama!" shouted Blaire, the Half-Salamander Priestess, concerned in David's life.

She rushed towards him and conjured a White Flame Magic Spell, creating flames that entered David's muscles, relaxing the tension and pain he had.

"Blaire… thanks," said David, resting in the ground over a mantle.

"You're such a weak vessel… sigh…" said Vastrasz, disappointed.

David glanced at the dungeon ceiling and at the large Blaze Hydra corpse, his hunger, influenced by Vastrasz grew higher.

"David-sama, should we butcher the Blaze Hydra?" asked Kaze, the Fox Beastmen Ninja.

"He seems hungry! Let me take it into pieces… should we grill it. Oh, the meat already tastes like it is grilled!" said Leonia, the Lion Beastmen Unarmed Fighter woman. She took a piece of flesh of the Blaze Hydra and tasted it herself, the richness of the blood was delightful, and the meat already tasted as if it were grilled.

"Please, give me some. Raw its fine, anything…" muttered David.

"On it, David-sama!" said Kaze, taking out his knife and swiftly butchering the gigantic beast with Leonia's help.

David immediately began to feast; the flavors of the meat were something completely different than anything he had ever tried before. It was even more flavorful than the wyvern meat he had once tasted in the house of royalty.

"Delicious… Why… why do this tastes so good?" wondered David.

"It's because you possess my bloodline! You inherited my powers, which means that the flesh of dragons and reptiles is the most delightful for your paladar!" said Vastrasz from within David's soul.

"Ah… I can feel… my body… it's burning" muttered David.

"D-David-sama?"

Blaire seemed worried about how fast David was devouring the Hydra, despite his size, he was already eating more and more without his stomach bulging at any moment. He had his metabolism in a rush, everything he ate was being completely turned into energy and proteins.

"David-sama is hungrier than ever…" said Leonia.

"Could it be because of that Dragon he talked us about?" asked Kaze.

"David-sama, don't eat so fast, you will choke!" said Blaire.

"I can… my body… it's burning… my veins, even my muscles!" David stood up, glancing at his body sweating as if it were about to set ablaze, even steam began to come out of his body.

"Feel it! Feel my power, kid! Bwahaha! Delicious! Finally, a good meal!" laughed Vastrasz, frenetically.

Then, David glanced at the System notifications.

[You gained +100 HP, +40 MP, +30 Strength, +20 Magic, and +20 Speed by devouring a strong Dragon!]

[You acquired the [Blazing Hydra Bloodline; Level 1] Skill!]

By using his newly awakened strength, David felt anew. He felt as if his body had suddenly become more akin to a monster. His muscles tightened and his entire body felt lighter but sturdier at the same time.

After having rested for a few hours, David and his party quickly advanced through the dungeon. David had received a substantial boost on his physique, and now he felt like he could do anything.

He even gained the ability to shapeshift even faster than before, while being able to stay as a Dragonoid for far longer.

Using this boost, he slew the monsters that came his way and devoured those that were reptiles or dragon-type.

Blaire, Kaze, and Leonia were surprised by their master's sudden increase in vitality and enthusiasm but were happy that he didn't seem to be so gloomy as before.

Perhaps he could finally grasp such power and grow strong… strong enough to avenge his fallen friends and wives?

Or would he use that strength to protect what he has left in his life?

He did not know yet, but he knew that he needed to speak with this Dragonoid Sage and ask for his assistance, it was one of his first steps towards his goals.

The days went by and the party finally reached ten floors deeper in the Dungeon, reaching a large, crimson door.

The second boss room came not much long after, the party of heroes glanced at the fiend, a large Two-Headed Hellish Wyvern. A twenty meters tall wyvern with long wings on his front limbs, covered in dark red scales and possessing two furious heads, which exhaled fire that could even melt iron.

David embraced the challenges and fought bravely; he knew that through challenges was the only way for one to grow stronger. Each time he completed a task or an event on his Epic, he would be rewarded, and such rewards would boost his strength and growth exponentially.

He had already obtained someone as useful as Vastrasz bloodline, and could not wait to get something even better and beneficial.

"Everyone let's go!" shouted David.

"White Flames Blessing! Protection!" said Blaire, chanting support spells over the three fighters while she stayed in the back.

David, Kaze, and Leonia rushed towards the Wyvern and used their quick movements, skills, and techniques to distract him and corner it. It seemed to be less annoying than the Blazing Hydra as it lacked regeneration abilities.

Kaze fired several poisoned daggers towards the wyvern's eyes, blinding it. Meanwhile, Leonia used her powerful strength and fist to smash the wyvern's legs and make it fall to the ground, David then rushed in a heroic demeanor, raising his blade by enhancing it with his No-Attribute Mana and piercing the Wyvern's first head, its brains exploded outside of the skull while the other head cried in pain.

"Wind Ninjutsu; Slashing Winds!"

Kaze conjured a powerful Wind-Attribute Magic spell, releasing a barrage of slicing winds towards the remaining head, slicing its face, and causing the fiend to shriek in agony.

"Growl!"

"Take this! Hammer Kick!"

Leonia jumped with her powerful and muscular legs, kicking the wyvern skull, and cracking it.

Clash!

"Uuooh! Mana Blade Slash!"

Flash!

David came for the finishing move again, releasing a slash of pure mana towards the cracked skull.

"Gryaaaaaa…!"

The Two-Headed Wyvern died on the spot. David's new strength seemed enough to easily defeat the second boss with two finishing moves.

[You reached Level 140!]

[The Level of the [Increased Flexibility and Speed; Level 3], [Blazing Hydra Bloodline; Level 1], [Dragonoid Emperor Lineage; Level 2], [Mana Blade Techniques; Level 3], and [No-Attribute Magic; Level 2] Skills have increased!]

[David Armand] completed a [Trial Scenario] and defeated the Boss [Two-Headed Hellish Wyvern; Gaz]!]

[David Armand] received the Item [Two-Headed Hellish Wyvern Prized Chest] x1!]

[David Armand] received the Item [Hellish Wyvern Blood Elixir (Mythical+)] x1!]

Without waiting for a second, David, with the help of Kaze, Leonia and Blaire began to butcher the creature. The flesh this time was tastier than before, making David exhilarated.

"Yes! This is what I was talking about! Bwahaha!" said Vastrasz, only David could hear his draconic voice.

"Sigh… Seeing how David-sama eats so much, it really makes me happy… but…" muttered Blaire.

"But?" asked Kaze.

"He had become such a glutton now… I am quite concerned… is it fine to be? Perhaps I am being too paranoiac?" wondered Blaire.

"Well, I can't really blame you, it is quite concerning…" said Kaze.

"You two, the master is still quite young! David-sama is still growing, so eating a lot is the way to do it! That's what they taught to me!" said Leonia.

"Hm? Ah… I suppose I have become awkward all out of a sudden, aren't I? Sorry… It's just that Vastrasz had just awakened some ability in me. The more I eat the flesh of dragons or reptiles, the stronger I become… and it also made me desire them a lot." Said, David.

"Uwah! N-No! David-sama, not at all! Please do not apologize, feel free to do as you desire! I was just a bit concerned, but I am glad that you haven't let to such desires unwillingly" said Blaire.

"Hm, I suppose I have become a bit more savage. It must be because I obtain the bloodline of the reptiles or dragons I ate. It strengthens all of my physiques and probably makes me 'savage' in result" said David.

"Haha! It's not like I don't mind a more savage master, it is actually very attractive!" said Leonia, shamelessly flattering her master.

"Indeed, a wild man has his charms," said Kaze.

"I think that David-sama's new tendencies are not bad. David-sama will always be David-sama, no matter what!" said Blaire.

David felt strange. He did not expect to be flattered instead of reprimanded some more.

"Y-You guys should be more casual with me, there is no need for formalities now… especially when the Athetosea Kingdom is gone. I am no longer anything. I am not a noble either. We are all surviving together." Said David, with a gentle smile, befitting of a true hero.

"David-sama, you're too humble sometimes… You saved our lives when we most needed someone, we cannot just treat you casually after what you have done. We have a genuine feeling of gratitude" said Blaire.

"That is right, I have sworn loyalty to you, David-sama. I shall be the one to protect you even in the shadows. You have given me a new purpose in life after rescuing me from slavery, I cannot simply treat you casually" said Kaze, with a mild smile.

"There is no need to apologize, and I won't change my mind either! David-sama! You're my master, and the one I have sworn my loyalty and life!" said Leonia.

"Sigh… you guys really don't understand. Anyways, it should be better to rest after eating" said David.

After eating a large amount of the flesh of the Two-Headed Hellish Wyvern, he also decided to drink the Elixir which Vastrasz had insisted to consume with the flesh.

David once again felt his body slowly changing… his senses strengthened, and he felt like his muscles became livelier. His body became filled with the vitality of a great dragon.

[You gained +70 HP, +30 MP, +20 Strength, +30 Defense, and +30 Magic by devouring a strong Dragon!]

[You acquired the [Hellish Wyvern Bloodline; Level 1] Skill!]

[The Levels of the [Strengthened Muscular Strength; Level 4], [Magic Affinity; Level 2], [Enhanced Flame Senses; Level 4], and [Fire Attribute Magic; Level 3] Skills have increased!]

After having things done, David took out from his Item Box a special artifact capable of generating clean water by infusing Mana, using this, he washed and then let the rest of his party take a quick bath in a separate and cleaned room of the dungeon.

Quickly going to sleep, David felt his body fall into slumber faster than he expected… his mind blacked out.

As David's consciousness dived through his dreams, he felt the overwhelming presence of Vastrasz.

"Kid, you did well these last days." Said Vastrasz.

"Vastrasz… are you willing to help me out?" asked David.

Vastrasz, who appeared as the head of a giant dragon, had his eyes glowing with interest.

"You mean… defeating the demon that did that to your wives and friends?" asked the old dragon.

"I… No… I have been always feeling conflicted about this. What should I do? Should I seek vengeance?" asked David.

??Why are you asking me such a thing, kid? Vengeance is a feeling that surges from within your very soul. It's not something that you ask others to be allowed to have. If you are so doubtful, then perhaps directly seeking such thing is not what you truly want" said Vastrasz.

"I… I have felt like that for a long time. I just want to find a safe place to sit and have my family prosper, will I even get any answers from the Dragonoid Sage?" asked David.

"You should continue through this Dungeon, even if what you seek may not be in here. You are growing stronger by eating every boss. This dungeon is perfect to strengthen your body and leave the rookie leagues that you are in" said Vastrasz.

"Rookie leagues?" asked David.

"For someone blessed by a god and given an Epic. You're incredibly weak!" said Vastrasz.

"Ah… I suppose so" muttered David.

As David and Vastrasz talked more and deepened their bonds like teacher and apprentice, the eyes of the dragon gods glanced at their 'Hero'.

"He's getting a lot of help from that Vastrasz, we did good in allowing his soul to become the Hero's bloodline," said a sea snake-like dragon god.

"If he successfully conquers the dungeon, he may be able to finally awaken into a Hero. We must show ourselves to him in that time, and tell him the truth about the Gods and Kireina…" said a fat and yellow dragon god.

"We will. We shall also bless his main party. Blaire, that mortal, seems promising as well. All of them should be good tools for defeating Kireina, and helping out the other Gods Pantheons" said a giant red dragon god

"It seems that our sister doesn't want to cooperate with us anymore…" muttered the sea serpent-like dragon god.

"She is too worried about her own children; we cannot force her," said the yellow and fatty dragon god.

"Hmph, that irresponsible woman… I don't want to talk with her anymore!" said the giant red dragon god.

"Although I am concerned about my children, I do not think that joining that monster would be a good decision…" muttered the sea serpent-like dragon god.

"It is too risky after all, we cannot do much, even if we tried to join her. She will inevitably die" muttered the yellow and fatty dragon god.

"Indeed, at the side of the Supreme Gods is where we should truly be… if she decides to leave our Pantheon, she will become a Loner God and be preyed upon other Loner Gods, such foolishness" said the giant red dragon god, glancing at David peacefully sleep. David was more than a champion for him… it could even become a good vessel for his body if it grew strong enough.

"Hopefully that rascal Vastrasz does as he was told" thought the giant red dragon.

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