Chapter 7: Origin of evil
Joe Phillips
October 20, 1945
Shelter A5-058
United States
I still remember when this country was called the land of opportunity. Not for nothing, for even without unique skills or magic, you could live a full life, with great opportunities and a very safe environment.
For 20 years I have lived in this country, which many called the greatest power in terms of military, magical and economic development. I never thought that this country would fall into terrible disgrace. All because of that damn beast.
The divine beast better known as "Mercury" appeared only a few days ago and has already wiped several American countries off the map. Due to the panic, the economy collapsed on American soil and food became scarce. In less than a week, the United States was hitting rock bottom.
Our country, faced with such a threat, sent over 2 million wizards and wielders of unique abilities to combat the threat.
Powerless civilians like myself were placed in shelters near teleportation crystals while we waited for news.
God have mercy on us.
Joe Phillips
October 26, 1945
American Immigrant Shelter
Spain
America has disappeared from the map. Mercury destroyed every piece of land in its vicinity. Forty percent of the civilian refugees only managed to escape. The rest had no time to react.
Mercury managed to defeat more than 2 million wizards and talent holders without getting hurt. The world is quite frightened.
All the nations of the world have sealed an agreement of peace and mutual collaboration in order to eradicate the divine beast.
Joe Phillips
January 26, 1970
American Immigrant Shelter
Spain
After almost 25 years, Mercury was assassinated. In the process 2/4 of the population of wizards and Talent holders died. Oceania, the continent where the great battle took place, was shattered.
So mankind has managed to survive another day but what if another divine beast should appear again? Seeing the combat power, the United Nations has created a secret weapons development project of which I am a part.
Science may be our last salvation in the face of future catastrophe.
Joe Phillips
May 7, 1990
Secret Laboratory
After 20 years, my research on the beasts is bearing fruit. I have found a way to use the blood of beasts to enhance the abilities of ordinary beings.
We civilians would no longer have to wait for mages and Talent wielders to fight for us.
I just hope I can convince the higher ups tomorrow of the effectiveness of my research.
Joe Phillips
May 9, 1990
Secret Laboratory
My research was denied and taken into custody. These fools cannot understand the value of my knowledge.
While a soldier died from being injected with beast blood, it was because of the purity of it but those knuckleheads don't know what they're missing.
I will be exiled to the border of a new country called Eternity, a place which according to my contacts does not have much security, so I will take the opportunity to carry out my research without anyone bothering me. When they see the fruit of the same, they will come back begging to me.
I have already hidden some beast eggs in my suitcases, which I will hatch myself to get better results.
Joe Phillips
October 18, 2010
Subway Laboratory
Eternity
Every time I move, I feel an intense pain in my bones. I have lived a very long life; I have seen the world fall and rise again; new countries appear and old nations disappear.
Today I have finally accomplished what I set out to do. I have synthesized a serum from the blood of beasts modified and bred by me. There are no mistakes. With this I will be able to earn my respect again and be praised by all.
I get up from my seat and appreciate the whitish-blue serum I had obtained as the fruit of my research. I look at the beasts I have bred for 20 years. They are already huge. I have grown fond of them so I will release them into the night to feed on something very tasty. After all, no one cares about these losers.
Releasing the beasts outside, I am left alone in front of the test tube. I drink its contents without leaving a drop. I felt no immediate effect, except a lot of sleep, so I headed to my room to take a nap.
Joe Phillips
October 20, 2010
Subway Laboratory
Eternity
I open my eyes after a great rest. I feel very energized so I get out of bed and go to the bathroom as a foul smell emanates from me. My body felt very light as I walked. The aches and pains related to old age had disappeared, so I assumed my serum had some effect.
I went into the bathroom and went to the mirror to check if there was any physical change. I was impressed to notice an image I hadn't seen for a lot of years, my body was in its best physical shape and my face seemed to have rejuvenated some 60 years. All traces of aging magically vanished.
I went from being an old man with joint problems to a young 20-something. Despite this, I was somewhat disappointed because the purpose of my research was to empower a person, not to make them look younger. The excitement I had initially felt turned to disappointment and finally to great anger. My anger was such that I punched the wall where the mirror was located.
As I hit it, something happened that I did not expect. The entire wall and part of the house was destroyed by the impact of my fist. At that instant two translucent windows appeared before me.
[Beast Blood]
[Inside you, the blood of a beast flows harmoniously. Because of this, your body has been rebuilt from scratch and endowed with the strength of a beast. As you consume blood, your body will gain more beast-like characteristics and improve blood efficiency]
[Passive ability]
[Bestification]
[You can partially or fully transform into the beings whose blood was consumed]
[Active Skill]
My experiments had worked. I had become the first user of unique abilities artificially. I could become the greatest scientist of mankind but my head had greater purposes.
-Sir, are you all right?" my young neighbor shouted.
It seems that the noise caused by the destruction of my house attracted my three neighbors. It's a good time to test my new skills.
-That old man seems to be buried under the rubble. It must have been him who destroyed your house with one of his madness," said an older man.
-I haven't been able to cope with the noise he makes at night. I hope he is-
Before he finished his words, I hit one of my neighbors in his abdomen. Not knowing how to measure my strength, my fist ended up going through him until it reached his back.
-A monster," exclaimed the older man as he tried to run away.
I quickly grabbed the older man's neck and squeezed it hard until it was completely destroyed. It was so fast that he did not have time to fight for his life. The third of the neighbors was frozen with fear. I knew his death had come but I decided to kill him in an artistic way.
[Bestification]
Two black tentacles protruded from my back and split the third guy in half. After finishing with my three neighbors, I approached the corpse of my first victim and bit into his neck until I took a piece into my mouth. To my surprise, the meat tasted good, similar to chicken but stronger. The smell was even exquisite, I was fascinated so I decided to drag the three bodies to my laboratory to continue my feast.