My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 244: Becoming A Hydra

Kace was rather overenthusiastic as he opened the system's menus. With practised ease, he navigated his way to the DNA menu. All of the familiar chains and their corresponding skills nestled neatly inside the menu. He quickly scrolled down to the bottom of the list to find his latest acquisition. His eyes went wide, and he gasped as he quickly scanned the details.

HYDRA:

[Hydra Regenration] [Skill] Cost: 25 DNA

Consume 50% of total AP value to rapidly recover from any injuries. This skill is upgradeable. Current stage: 0/4

[Natural Defences] [Passive] Cost: 30 DNA

Increase Endurance by 20 points. Your blood takes on corrosive attributes. Your enemies will lose hope as they struggle to penetrate your thick skin. Even if they do, it will come at the cost of their weapon if it has not been made for the job.

[Poison Breath] [Skill] Cost: 25 DNA

Your digestive system filters out the small amounts of poison found in your everyday food and drink, before redirecting it to be stored in special sacks in your lungs. At the same time, your lungs filter out and directly store any poisonous materials in the air you breathe, storing it in the same sacks. These are then mixed into a lethal gaseous concoction to be used when needed.

[Nine Heads Are Better Than One] [Passive] Cost: 25 DNA

Gain a controllable phantom Hydra head. You share its five senses. The head can not be seen or touched. This skill is upgradeable. Current stage: 0/8

"Fuck!" Kace slammed a fist on the bed frame in frustration. 'Every one of those skills is amazing! How am I meant to choose when I only have fifty DNA points?' 

Kace felt gloomy when he realised that there was no way he could get the full combination right now.' Two of the skills are growth types which means I'll benefit the most from them the early I get them. However, the other two are just as amazing. One will round out my defence considerably while the other gives me an amazing offensive skill.'

'Of the two growth skills, Hydra Regeneration will be the most difficult to use just now. It's basically just a single-use life-saving skill unless its AP usage decreases when it gets upgraded.' Kace held his chin as he thought seriously about his options.' Nine Heads Are Better Than One is an amazing utility skill. It will make it easier to avoid any attacks I would not have been aware of before.'

Kace spent some time going over the pros andirons of each skill. Eventually, he decided to discard Natural Defences for now. 'It's too expensive, right now. If I get it, I can't afford a second ability. Right now, I need more bang for my buck.' He cast a critical gaze over the remaining three skills. This was where the decision became difficult. 

'I only have to remove one from contention, but it's difficult. I have a life-saving skill, offensive skill and a utility skill.' Kace thought back to all the battles he had fought so far. He was trying to figure out what kind of skills needed more. Then his thoughts turned to his fight with the Hydra to gain inspiration from how the beast used these skills. His eyes suddenly shone with delight at this point. 'I've made up my mind!'

[System: You have chosen [Poison Breath] and [Nine Heads Are Better Than One]. Total Cost: 50 DNA. Confirm selection. Y/N?]

'Yes!'

[Processing Skills Unlocked.]

Kace felt a stinging pain taking over his lungs. He could literally feel the aforementioned storage sacks growing inside his lungs. The pain only lasted a few seconds before it faded away. He took a deep breath. As the air entered his lungs, he could feel a small amount being siphoned to the sacks. 'I guess this skill will also depend on how much they can hold or use with each attack.'

He furrowed his brows as he considered the extra cost to use the ability. 'Still, it's a good buy.' His eyes went through the system to find the exact cost of each breath attack. The DNA menu never stated the actual costs to cast any of its skills. When he found the skill, his eyes opened wide in shock. '100 MP! That's fucking insane!'

Kace suddenly felt like he had been spoiled by his abilities so far. Considering most of them were meant for lower levels, it was to be expected that there would be a gap in the cost. 'It's clearly not meant to be a spam attack. It's more like a tactical nuke.' Kace sighed, but he still felt like it was worth it. 

'If I copy the Hydra and direct the attack at the ground, it can spread out in all directions. Acting as crowd control and a lethal shield. Or I can deploy it against large crowds to remove them from a fight permanently.' Kace had realised that this ability was not solely an offensive one, it could be used in several ways. 

' Now, let's see about this other head.' Even though he knew he could not see it, he still felt the need to look around. To be honest, he was worried in case it actually materialised, and he ended up looking like a freak. 'Though, I guess I probably already am by human standards.' Kace lightly chuckled to himself.

His self check-up revealed no abnormalities, which made him feel relieved. 'So how the fuck am I meant to use it?' He tried flexing his muscles to try and discover where it was connected to his body. This was to no avail. 'God damn it!' He slumped back on his bed, exhausted from the efforts of trying to figure it out. 

As his mind aimlessly wandered, he felt a sudden twitch from a spot in the centre of his back. Kace got a fright when his vision suddenly split in a bizarre manner. His head was currently turned towards the hole that acted as a doorway. There were two dark spots at the edges of this vision before a perfect view of the wall behind him was projected.

"What the fuck!"