In the country of Brita, the streets were full as the people welcomed the Hero Party after their victory against the demon king.
Kings from around the continent personally came to congratulate the heroes and reward them with mountains of riches.
That day was made a public holiday — the Day of the Heroes.
"So Shin betrayed us and ultimately died by the demon king's hand," some people in the crowd murmured as the heroes stood on stage and delivered this news with grim faces.
The news spread quickly, reaching the far corners of the continent as it was a continent-wide broadcast.
After the heroes finished their speeches, they were summoned by the goddess.
"Goddess of light and creation, mother of humanity and its protector. We have completed our mission and await new orders," the party leader said as he knelt down before her.
The goddess sat on her throne in silence. She was gorgeous and far exceeded human standards. She had long, glowing blonde hair and wore a white linen and silk dress.
"If you truly have finished your mission, Bjorn... why is she still alive?" the goddess asked as the air became suffocating.
Bjorn and the rest of the heroes knelt down in silence, unable to answer and in fear of angering her further.
"None of you has the guts to answer?" she asked, but silence was her only reply.
"Well, at least that annoying Shin is gone," the goddess said as she rose from her throne.
She appeared right next to Bjorn, who immediately tensed up. "Just go... I'll summon you when you are needed," she said, turning her back on them.
"Yes, your majesty," Bjorn said as they all rose and left the room.
"That damn demon girl... when I get my hands on her, I'll tear her limb from limb!" the goddess said in anger.
**********
"How are his vitals doing?" the demon general asked.
"Perfectly fine, ma'am," a scientist answered.
She gave the scientist a nod and walked across the room to the huge incubation tube at its center.
She stared at the person inside. He was very tall, with pale white skin and two robotic legs and an arm. He also had a black, mirror-like mask on his face, hiding it. The mask had a slit across the mouth area.
The person slowly started opening his eyes, though no one could see them. Where am I? the man asked himself.
"Ma'am, it seems he's waking up," a scientist said as he tapped at the computer.
"Good. Now inject the demon king's blood into him," the general ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," the scientist responded as he pulled down a lever. The man had pipes connected to his veins using needles. Black liquid began to flow from the pipes into him.
What's—! the man jolted as he felt his blood boil and his right shoulder started to burn like acid. A large wave of energy burst from it, knocking out the electricity for a few seconds before it returned.
Everyone in the room was silent as they all looked to the center.
"Shin..." the general blurted out in a daze. Just as she said that, the incubation tube burst open and sent her flying back.
Shin finally stepped out of the incubation chamber. Everyone remained silent. The general got up and looked at Shin with a wide grin, but a few moments later it disappeared.
Shin's body began to contort as he underwent some sort of transformation. He grew six horns on the front and sides of his head. The mask began to show cracks akin to a shattering mirror, around the sides of the mouth.
His right arm ripped in two as it healed into two different arms. The robotic limbs began to clank as they too forcefully changed. He grew a large, wolf-like tail with sword blades for fur.
He let out an otherworldly scream, announcing the arrival of a beast they had not expected to create.