Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy - Chapter 197: The River Touched by the Breath of a Dragon (1)

A back-to-basics(?) monster evolution novel.

Just something I made to keep track of some of my favourite essences & powers from fics. {with personal twists}

Can't a man maintain his dignity while preparing for the end of the world? Is that too much to ask?

The Tower was all I knew... all any of us knew, and just like that, it was gone. Monsters the likes of which I'd never seen ravaged the land of my ancestors. They burst through the outer walls and stormed the city. No one could have been ready for that. But now... Now I have a second chance.

After the collapse of the known world, I woke up to find myself on the First Floor of the Tower. I was young and healthy, 18 again, and sitting in the same classroom that marked the worst days of my life. Confused and excited, I accepted this gift, deciding to use my vast knowledge of the future to climb the Tower in preparation for the end of the world.

Maybe I'll help some folks along the way? Who knows. Survival comes first.

The clock is ticking, and I'm left with only a century to build a Deck powerful enough to survive the end. Things to do... What's first? I need Essence, and I need power. I'll have to climb the Tower to acquire both of these. Some of the zealots will try to stop me, need to look out for those. What if-

“Hey, kid! Hand over the pouch or-”

Stab

Sorry, where was I? Ah... there's a spot of blood on my suit. What a lousy morning.

In this world of blood and fantasy, century-old Rowan Wilder has to not only survive, but thrive as he powers his way to the top of the Tower. The Demonic Plague that has twisted the creatures on the upper Floors is the least of his worries. Cane in hand and Summons by his side, he'll have to tear his way through the monsters, as well as the humans who want to stop his ascent. Of course, he can maintain a sense of decorum while he faces these trials, right?

In the year 3000, humanity was forced to leave the earth when a sudden mutation caused more than 70% of the planet's population to mutate either into zombies, werewolves or vampires. The humans put up a fight but didn't have a chance against the united front of the monsters and they were forced to leave. At least those who were rich and lucky enough to leave.

A century later, the chaos on earth had calmed down but the humans who were left behind were treated like slaves and were forced to join one of the three factions: The Undead, The Cold Ones or The Lycans when they turned 16.

It was a similar story for Ashton, who was one week away from being turned into one of the monsters as it was his 16th birthday. He decided to run away from his fate and join the secret resistance to battle against the monsters.

However, his plans came to a standstill, when a series of misfortunes leads him to be bitten by a Zombie, a Vampire and a werewolf before either of his powers could manifest.

He ended up receiving all of their powers, but at the cost of his humanity. Yet, he wasn't willing to let his humanity die. No matter the cost.

Will he be able to live his life, or was it already too late? Which faction will he join? Will he be able to find the secret behind the mutation?

There were too many questions, and only one way to find the answers: follow Ashton's journey as he fights back to retain his humanity.