The Monster Killer who Turned Into a Monster [Risk of Rain]

Note: The following story is based off a somewhat true story in relation to the game Risk of Rain. It's based off more how I felt when I played this way, and paints the "protagonist" in a darker light than usually desired. That's why there's two different dialogues: to give you 2 different views of the situation.

Also note, that Death and Blood are key themes of the story. If these offend you in any way, you should turn back now. Nothing gore is mentioned such as severed limbs or anything, but discretion is advised.

Day 1: Planetary Contact
I lay disorientated in the pod. I had been thrown about violently during the planet entry: there wasn't time earlier to adjust the course. Our ship was attacked by a humanoid-like creature who I've come to know as Providence. It's crash-landed too, but according to my ship-link inside my suit I've been made aware that the ship is functional. I need to reach it: I can't stay on this planet forever.

We'd made a trip before where we collected samples on our way to deliver some goods through the spacial postal system. Our ship the U.E.S. Contact Light was certainly a specimen: I was lucky to be a commando on board. I looked around the pod: everybody lay dead. The panic that ensued earlier had left everyone running for their lives, despite my desperate attempts to convince them to stay calm. I felt a sick sensation rise up inside of me: the people I knew here, the machines that helped us... They were no more.

Swallowing, I looked at the two box-like artifacts in front of me. The artifacts had been collected along with other one, for their unusual powers. I grabbed them both: from one I felt oddly powerful, yet... I couldn't be sure if I could take a hit. The other glowed softly, and had a strange keypad-like structure on it. I stuffed the artifacts into my storage facility on my back, and blasted open the pod door: here I was again.

I'm back planet, and this time in a bid to survive.

Monsters Journal 1: He's Back
He's back. That commando guy is back. So I see that there was a survivor to the attack on the U.E.S. Contact Light. He'd need disposed of quickly, or else he could become a threat. As an Imp Overlord, it's my duty to help Providence oversee these things.

Looking at him now, he seems desperate: before now he'd been friendly to the locals, but now everyone was trying to kill him. He has no choice I suppose: he has to defend himself after all. Once Providence gets a hold of this planet's people, he can make them attack for him. But I still wonder... For how long will Providence keep this up? He told me he'd wait for the human (I am told that's their species name) before directly confronting him: he was bound to show up at his ship.

Providence was right in this, but... How many would the Human have to kill to reach here?

Day 2: A Teleporter
I found it after a day of trekking. The Teleporter. In our previous journey we had encountered these strange machines capable of one-way teleportation. They were useful in sample collection for sure: and judging from the maps I've found in the pod there would be about 5 teleportations needed to reach the U.E.S. Contact Light. Activating the portal, I sit down for a moment as it heats up. I'd picked up some gear earlier that'd help me on my journey back: reviewing it now I have what appears to be a goat's hoof (It's increased my speed oddly enough), a syringe intended for military use (I feel stimulated, like I can hit much faster) and a strange red liquid (An infusion of sorts. All I know is it extracts power from enemies to add to my own health)

The odd thing is, is when I went to purchase an item through our coin operated chest systems (the chests have been strewn across the planet: once I'm done here I'll put the items back) it was like I was given a choice... That artifact with the keypad structure earlier. I'm not sure how, but I feel it's connected: I would think about what I wanted at that moment, and I was suddenly given it from a chest. It's odd to say the least...

And another thing: the enemies seem less resilient than last time I met them. Either that, or my theory about the other artifact is right: it HAS made me more poewrful, but at the cost of my ability to take a hit. Here's hoping I can survive carrying this. I was jolted off the ground: a monster horde was headed my way. Loading my gun, I prepare for a battle.

Sorry guys. I know we got on a few days ago, but you're putting my life at danger: I need to survive.

I'm so sorry...

Monster Journal: He's... Crying?
I couldn't believe it when I saw the Human cry over killing our hordes. Not just during but after too: he went around each corpse to pay his respects. I feel bad now for him: this wasn't meant to happen for him. But Providence wanted those artifacts back desperately. I don't think it was worth it: killing all those innocent lives aboard the human's ship. But Providence thinks otherwise, and now that he has most back, all that's left are our Command and Glass artifacts. The very ones that the Human now carries.

I spectate from beyond the scenes. Whatever happens now is beyond my control.

Day 5: Finally Out of the Fungal Haven
That place was next to hellish. Left and right, I was bombarded by mushroom-like creatures that emitted toxic spores. Not only that, but everywhere there were Lemurians (lizard-like life-forms), Wisps (Burning creatures) and Imps (What appear to be sentient plant-life, but their powers are beyond me). After finding another Teleporter, I was attacked by what I know as the Magma Worm. I'd met one prior to the Fungal Haven.

The Magma Worm is a long slender creature completely caked in fire, with what appears to be parasites immune to the burning as eyes for the creature. It attacks by surfacing then burrowing again, with striking precision. On several occasions it nearly got me, and the second time was no different. However, I was triumphant in both cases: after all, I'm alive enough to write this entry. From one I picked up a bazooka labeled "Behemoth". I thought it was just brilliant: the portable bomb launcher strapped to my gun nicely and was used as an explosive additive to my handgun. The other magma worm wasn't as giving, but still, more infusions were nice.

By this point I had hit my limit on Soldier's Syringes: my body trembled with their power as I shot faster than a machine gun. Every kill was getting me more and more health, as well as how I sapped health per shot. I slowly felt less worried about the need to kill: it had to be done and I had to accept it.

But even now, I'm scared of what power I'll attain and what I'll need to beat Providence.

Monster Journal: A Threat Indeed
He's only a human. Yet despite this he could take down a full-sized Magma Worm. Twice. I can't see what the human looks like from here, but I have a small amount of surveillance. Whatever this human is, he's pretty tough. I'd almost be scared if I wasn't as strong as I am. I have no need to worry just now.

But our people... I worry for their sake that Providence doesn't kill everyone through forcing them into battle. The human has no choice here: blood activates a teleporter once fully charged, and he's certainly not going to use his own. Not with his artifact of glass that is.

His? OURS. Not HIS. I nearly forgot that it belongs to us.

Day 10: Power Rush
Ten days now. I crawled around a strange cavern that was covered in pink gelatinous structures. I have no clue what they're made of, but they can either be solid enough to stand on or weak enough to walk through: albeit, being slowed by it.

I feel more powerful than ever. I've picked up so much gear now, yet it doesn't weigh me down. Around me are bundles and bundles of barbed wire, and on my chest are multiple chargefield generators. These things create an electrical barrier around me as I kill.

I've encountered multiple drone partners too, who I have fitted with Drone Armament Kits called "Arms Race". They're the Engineers experimental product. I miss that guy, but right now remembering his face is a haze... I had picked up a few now. My shoulders were each mounted with missile launchers and mortar tubes too, my back and arms caked in other upgrades. I miss cake now.

I feel so powerful. I might've mentioned that already, but I do genuinely feel it. I wonder if anything can stop me as is right now. I wonder.

Monster Journal: What is This Human?
Humans have never been known for power. And yet this one is trudging through. No, trudging is the wrong word now. According to my sources he no longer is having issues. Some are saying his power extends to such lengths that he need only touch a monster to end them. A power like that shouldn't belong to anyone, not even a human in need of survival.

I fear this person. What if I'm not cut out for taking him down? What if he beats Providence? All those lives lost will be for nothing.

Day 16: Elder Grounds
I entered what I'd say was the Monster Holy grounds. A shrine to the past, the place was protected by strange automonous beings who would construct themselves out of nowhere. They're unusual to say the least: like a torso with four legs and shooters of sorts, but no head or arms. I thought claymen were weird, hiding their faces in those pots...

Whatever. They died quickly to me. Everything did. Nothing could stand in my way. Nothing. The smell of blood had lined my suit: I didn't want it to go. It made me feel powerful...

I continued to search round more and more for chests: did I really need those items? Yes I needed more power! I need more! MORE! I have to become the strongest creature alive, and nothing can stop me...

Monster Journal: Why?
Just... Why!? There lay the final portal in front of him. The portal that would lead to Providence: to his ship. When he transported through it, he could've picked to head here, but instead he returned to where he started... Why? Did he thirst for more blood? The very human who was so different at the start, who cried over those he killed.

I nearly vomited when I heard. The portal he used was a special model, built for having 2 options: the second option is always to go to Providence portion of planet (where the ship is being held). And the human is now back where he started.

This fear is unlike anything before. I'm not sure I can take it.

Day ---: ---
Power... It surges through me... The smell of death is heavy in the air, and I'm loving every breath. I need only look at an enemy and they die. I've gone round this planet so many times I'd forgotten my ultimate goal. I guess it's time.

Time to go to my ship. Once there, I can return home... I will be known as the greatest human ever, who conquered this very planet.

Monster Journal: Finally, the Human Shows
He's finally here. How many has he taken now? I've lost count, but the amount of times I've cried myself to sleep out of fear and sadness... I don't want this any more. But how can we beat the human? HOW!? He's unstoppable: followed by an army of drones, surrounded by bundles of spiked metal, as well as electrical barriers.

What the hell is this human. Is it even human? I just know that my time is up: Providence today has asked me to face him out of desperation. I know I have no choice, but I don't want this. I don't want this. At all.

I waited at the cockpit entrance and-- what happened to him? This is not how I remember the human. Can you even call him that now? He was like a monster known as a collector, except... Worse. His human shape was barely recognizable behind everything on him. What scared me the most were the two masks he wore: both exactly the same in shape and pattern. They perpetually smiled at us. It was as if it was reflecting this humans exact face.

I stood proud like an Imp Overlord should, but inside I couldn't take this. Out of nowhere the human moved, quick as lightning leaving a trail of fire in his wake. He thrashed into me with what felt like a thousand gun shots. My time is near. This is where I di--

...

d@Y #~:>%
Hahaha... So much death, so much death, so much... Not even that Imp Overlord could stop me. I stepped into the cockpit of the ship, breathing heavily in, and exhaling. My breath was rotten but no need to fear: those before me left a sweetly bitter smell for me. There he was: Providence. Heh, too bad for him. No matter what I call you, nature's protection isn't coming.

He died swiftly. And might I add painfully. Hahaha, I can return home. I can show them who's the most powerful. I don't even think human military could stop me. Activating the... The... What was the ship called again? Used Context Lamp? I don't know, but don't care. It was here to take me off this planet: there was nothing left to kill.

I heard a beep. I heard another. And another. One after another, a beep resounded. I looked under the control panel: a red light was flashing.

It was a bomb, a specially wired model designed to be near impossible to crack. I gulped. Did the monsters do this? Those slimey good for nothing--

T h e e n t r i e s s t o p h e r e .