The timer ran out.
I felt suddenly ill, dropping to my knees. My skin tore and rebuilt itself, muscles and bone growing where none were before. I felt power bubble from within. My hunger crescendoed into a dull roar as my mouth split into the same. I stared down and watched in amazed horror as my second set of arms grew out like tree branches.
I screamed as the changes finished. I could feel that my nervous system had the extra sensory connections for my new arms, nestled below my shoulders near the center of my torso. My four hands clenched as the hunger that was a dull roar surged into an inferno. My thoughts swirled into the back of my mind as-
HUNGER.
HUNGER.
FEAST!
My senses returned some time later. I stood maybe a foot taller than before. I was spattered with blue… something. A sweet aftertaste was in my mouth. Half the table was missing, with the other half with almost comical bites missing. Guide was nowhere to be seen. I felt like I had something stuck in my teeth. Guide’s bowtie.
Oh God.
A door that wasn’t there before opened and a Guide in a different colored suit stepped out. This one looked as awestruck as the original.
“All Devourer,” the new Guide said with a reverent nod.
“What just happened?” My voice was weirdly the same as it had been before my transformation. “Did I just-”
“Eat the first Guide? Yes, as they wished it to be!”
Curiously, I didn’t feel any nausea from the guilt that flooded over me. “What the hell is happening?”
“The System is often mysterious in its machinations. The Omnis Vorare selection has not been available for a very long time. And before you ask, yes, Xorian blood is blue and, yes, you may also call me Guide.”
“Why did I lose control?” I looked down at my four clawed hands.
“The first transformation can be harrowing depending on your selection. It's worse if you let the time run out like you did. Coupled with your initial hunger, this was unfortunately inevitable.”
“Will I lose control again?”
The guide shook their head. “Likely not, unless you refuse to eat anything going forward. Do you see the flashing in your HUD?”
Having been a bit preoccupied, I hadn't noticed it. When I focused on it, a series of notifications appeared.
You have devoured Level 10 Xorian Guide. Their highest stat was Vitality. Your base Vitality has increased by 5 points. Bonus stats from eating a Xorian Guide of a higher level than yourself. All stats increased by 1. You have no class to gain experience, so none is as yet rewarded.
“That's so messed up, man,” I said as I read.
“Be that as it may, that alone has tripled your health and dramatically increased your other stats as well. Shall we discuss your class now?” Guide waved for me to sit.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
It felt like sitting in a chair designed for a child.
“Good. Let's fix this first.” Guide waved their hand and the table disappeared and reappeared intact. The table, as before, was empty. Guide waved again.
My vision exploded with color as a new window appeared. Unlike the other blue windows, this one swirled with numerous changing colors.
Class Selection
Begin? Yes. No.
Before I chose, I pulled up my status screen to check if what Guide had said was true.
Status
Name: Dan Trench
Humanoid Race: Omnis Vorare 0
Class: None
Profession: None
Health: 90/90
Stamina: 60/60
Mana: 50/50
Agility: 3
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 3
Perception: 3
Strength: 3
Vitality: 9
Wisdom: 2
Skills: All Stats Must Be Eaten. Unique.
All-Consuming. Unique.
Infinite Tank. Unique.
Guide was correct indeed. I hadn't really noticed the increase, but figured I was just getting used to my new form. I chose yes and looked over my options. As with race selection before it locked in the Omnis Vorare, there were many options. The difference this time was that there was an option for the system recommendations. There were three recommended classes.
Primal Hunter. You are a hunter who needs no weapons but your innate natural ones. Whether through stealth or direct confrontation, you excel at up close, hand to hand combat.
Stats per Level: +2 Agility, +2 Endurance, +1 Intelligence, +3 Perception, +3 Strength, +2 Vitality, +1 Wisdom.
WARNING: Your All Stats Must Be Eaten skill reduces the abovelisted stats per level to 0.
Skill Gained: Natural Weapons. Description available upon selection.
That warning was listed below each of the options. I'd have to consume 14 points worth of stats to keep up. And, not needing to rely on external weapons would likely end up being a good idea. I decided to review them all before asking questions. The skill point allocation increased by 2 points with each of the new choices. I found I could adjust how the points were displayed, as they didn’t matter to me.
Transmuter. Pulling upon the strings of magic, you change yourself or allies to optimize the battlefield. Bolster your stats with natural armor, bursts of speed, or sharper senses.
Total Stats per Level: 16
Skill Gained: Transmutation Rune. Description available upon selection.
Hypocrite Revolutionary. As you fight those who oppress the common peoples, you yourself rise to and above the stations of those you fight. While this is surprisingly common historically, you try to keep the ideals with which you began.
Total Stats per Level: 18
Skill Gained: Eat the Rich. Description available upon selection.
“Hey, Guide, can you see my recommended class options?”
“I cannot, but I have some knowledge of skills.”
“Alright,” I read them the first option.
“Natural Weapons will increase the damage you can deal with your hands, feet, and mouth.”
“Do you know by how much?”
“It is 5% per rank increase.”
“Rank?” I asked, feeling like I was asking too many questions.
Guide did not seem annoyed at all. “Skills usually begin around Inferior. They progress as Inferior, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Ancient, Legendary, Mythic, Divine. Unique skills fall outside of the typical grades for various, generally unknown reasons.”
“Thank you.” I read the second entry.
“The Transmutation Rune will allow you to change your physicality, such as musculature for increased speed or strength, longer claws or sharper teeth for improved damage, and a few other options. As you improve the skill, you can use the rune on other targets, larger targets, etc. A very useful skill for your race.”
I nodded, thinking for several moments before reading the final option.
“Eat the Rich is a skill that allows you- agh,” Guide grabbed their head with both hands as they fell over screaming.
I froze as Guide began to seize up, shaking violently before lying very still.
What the fuck?! As I was trying not to freak out, the door opened and another Guide stepped in and bent to pick up the dead one. They put the body on the table and nudged it in my direction.
“I cannot tell you about that particular skill, obviously. I do not know why.” This Guide had the same voice, again. “Before you choose, eat.”
