(Note: This Zion has a Sacral Brain and can eat invertebrates, but can't turn into them) 

Zion Hendrix, a well-known Engineer in his hometown, but he has a dark secret. He's the internationally hunted Poacher named "Menagerie". For years, he's traveled the world to kill exotic animals and build connections in the criminal underworld to fund his expeditions. Though he hasn't been seen for a long while, many assumed he was killed. That however would be far from the truth. He was in fact brought to another world filled with magic and royal conspiracies. 

Zion pov
Zion: What the fuck....?

What the hell happened to me? Last thing I remember was going to sleep after a successful hunt, and now I'm in a burning house.

???: ...s-s.....son.....

I turn around to see a man and woman pinned under a wooden beam. Oddly enough, they look similar to me: brown skin, blue eyes, and black hair. Putting two and two together, I assume they're my parents, but how? My mom and dad died when I was 15 from a guy that hated me for my Devour power. Shrugging, I lift the beam with some effort and manage to pull them out of the house as it crumbles. Was it harder to do because of the smoke? Or was it something else entirely?

Mom: S...son.....are you o-ok?

They're dying. They've lost too much blood during the entire thing and the father was pierced by a beam during the early stages of the blaze. The mother has a few pieces of wood lodged in her, nothing fatal, but the amount of smoke she inhaled poisoned her badly. From the looks of the surrounding houses in the area, this world isn't as advanced to deal with carbon monoxide poisoning, so taking her to some doctor would do no good.

Dad: J-just put me ou...out of my misery.

Mom: G-gerald......

Zion: Mom, he's right. He won't survive being treated by a doctor and they'll do the same thing. You've been poisoned and they can't treat you either.

Mom: W....what?

Zion: The smoke you breathed in is killing you slowly, plus your wounds are infected as well.

Mon: H-how did you....-

Suddenly, I get the urge to dodge and do just that while holding them. Turning around, I see an angry woman with a ragged dress. The entire left side of her face is fully burned as well as bald as if her head was shaved purposefully. The right side of her face looks relatively normal with unkempt black hair and a clear blue eye, though a bruise is on her cheek. She seems to have several scars on her body with burn scars on her limbs and torso and a few small ones on her not burned face. What surprises me however is the flames in her burned hand.

Woman: You....you little bastard!

Zion: So you're the one who caused the fire.

Woman: Damn right I did! I'm gonna burn you all to hell for what you did to me!

Before I can say anything, she shoots a torrent of flames at me. I managed to dodge that and run with my parents.

Dad: Z-zion, s-stop!

His yelling made him cough up blood, so I did what he said and lean them against a tree.

Zion: Wh-

Mom: Son p-please.....just save yourself.

Dad: It's too late....for us. You'll...you'll die if you try t...to protect us.

Zion: But-

They put their hands on my shoulders and smiled.

Dad: L-live you-your life son, live i-it well.....

Nodding, I put my hands on both sides of his head and snapped his neck, killing him instantly. The mother takes something from his pockets and gives it to me. It's a map with scribbles on it.

Mom: P-please...live a h-happy life, for u-us Zion......

She gives me a kiss on the forehead before smiling at me. I give her the same mercy killing before going to confront the burnt woman. 

Zion: You may not have been my original parents, but I'll live my life for your sake.

I confront the woman, who gives a sadistic smile and unleashes more flames at me. She starts laughing and boasts about her victory, before getting a look of utter horror on her face. Why did she get it you ask? It's because I shifted my skin into that of Pangolin scales. 

Though I'm not fireproof, I'm lucky her flames weren't strong enough to cause me any serious harm. But I still need to be careful as I don't know the full extent of her powers. I decided to use hit-and-run tactics while using my armor to protect myself. She seems to have no formal training and uses her powers recklessly, so it's not hard to beat her. Plus she was scared, which was an amazing help to the entire thing. I'd broken her legs so she started crawling back as I slowly approached her. No matter how many times I do it, it's always fun.

Woman: Y-you monster! Stay away from me!

Zion: You try to kill me over people bullying you, and you expect me to do nothing? Hm, you're too pathetic for me to kill......

She gives me a relieved look, only for me to chuckle. I grab her by the dress and shift my head and neck into that of a Python.

Zion:.......but eating, that's another situation....!

Timeskip
After eating that witch, and regurgitating her dress, I buried my parents on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Afterward, I had some time to think and look through the memories of this body. I discovered that this is another me from an alternate world. He had my exact powers, but he was younger and used them to eat the brains of craftsmen and gain their skills. Because of that, he was somewhat seen as a prodigy among the apprentices of this little village despite being only 14. He was even smart enough to travel to other villages and eat craftsmen who wouldn't be noticed until days later. I also learned about Witches, women who have the ability to use magic. This world however sees them as the 'Fangs of the Devil' for it, which is pretty stupid but what can you expect from medieval worlds? They'll always have racism towards something that isn't like them. I just sigh and look at the water and headstones I carved for my parents. Luckily the villagers put out the fires with help from knights from some kingdom called Graycastle and paid their respects.

Zion: It's rude to stalk someone who's mourning you know.

???: So you knew I was here?

A man comes from the dense trees. He seems to be an older fellow evident by his white hair and wrinkles, but his height gives him an imposing presence. My guess is that he's either a knight or mercenary judging from his equipment. 

Zion: I did, I just wanted to see if you were gonna fight me or not.

Man: After seeing your ability? I may lose a limb or two.

Zion: What do you mean by my ability? 

Man: Turning into animals. The Church keeps their existence a secret to put them on their side, but ability users are rarer and can be more powerful than Witches. God's stone of Retaliation doesn't do a damn thing so the Church doesn't see them as hellish, but instead as reincarnated Angles sent by their God. If you don't mind me asking, what is your ability?

The man pats the spot next to him after sitting on a rock. Shrugging, I sit next to him. He offers me a drink of what I assume is alcohol. It doesn't smell funny, so I take a sip and hand the bottle back to him.

Zion: My ability is called 'Devour'. It allows me to eat living things and do what they do. For example, the scales of a lizard.

I shift my left arm into that of a lizard, specifically the Thorny Devil. For flare, I use the fire magic from the Witch I ate earlier, making him look at me with amazement as I take another swig of his alcohol.

Man: That's a strong ability you have, son. What did you do for a living?

Zion: I ate the brains of craftsmen to make things to sell. My parents were pretty poor, but they were good people who wanted me to live a good life. The Noble that owned our village made it mandatory for boys 12 and up to train with his soldiers. Frankly, it was an excuse for them to take their anger out on us. On the bright side, the local hunters would teach us how to survive in the forest and even how to use a bow. I prefer using my hands to fight others, but I drew up a weapon for myself.

Man: Really?

Zion: Yeah, but I don't have the materials to make the weapon or powder for it.

The man thinks for a bit as he drinks. The reason I'm spilling my guts is because what reason does he have to kill me? Plus, I can still take him on in a fight. I may be younger, but I still have all of my experience from my past life as a Poacher, martial artist, and soldier. Combined with Devour as well as my new fire magic, I'm basically a one-man battalion. He finally stops drinking and wipes his mouth of any stray alcohol.

Man: Hey kid, how would you like to join my free company of mercenaries? I can't-

Zion: Ok.

Man: Just like that? This could be a trap.

Zion: Well, my parents are dead and I don't have anything to my name. Going on adventures with colorful characters and meeting new people sounds like fun to me. Plus, would you really try to fight me?

The man chuckles as I finish the alcohol.

Man: What's your name kid?

Zion: Zion, Zion Hendrix.

Man: Well Zion, welcome to the Ashen Wrought Mercenaries.

He holds his hand for me to shake. I do that, sealing our pact and my place in his company.

Timeskip
11 years later
Zion: So this is how it ends huh?

I'm currently in the room of Conrad, the man who took me in all those years ago. His age finally caught up with him and he's dying. I was surprised he lived to be 86 in a world like this. During the 11 years I've been with him, I've eaten several different Demonic Beasts during the Months of Demons and gotten stronger. I haven't eaten any Witches other than a Risen Witch who could control snakes. Risen are these worm-like parasites that slowly take over a previously dead host until they go through a metamorphosis. Plus, I had eaten several Alchemists and combined that with my Chemistry knowledge to create gunpowder for my gun.

Conrad: Yeah. Sorry my death isn't dying in a battle.

Zion: Oh relax. You made good on your promise of death taking you when you're old. So how do you want your funeral to go?

Conrad: Just burn my body and scatter the ashes, or bury me if you want.

My flames also evolved when I turned 18, but I used so much magic during that time that I had passed out. When I woke up, my flames turned blue. Though, only the mercenaries and select allies know about my ability and my magic to keep the Church off of our tails. Especially since I killed some of their God's Punishment Warriors. I ate them but didn't get anything special other than indigestion.

Zion: It's been fun, traveling with you for these 11 years. I have a lot of stories to tell thanks to you.

Conrad: Well I'm glad you enjoyed our adventures and I hope you lead the Ash Wrought mercenaries with pride and honor.

Zion: I will, gramps.

Conrad smiles and uses a dagger to cut his thumb.

Conrad: Remember Zion, Ashes to Ashes......

I smile back and bite my thumb, drawing blood and pressing it against his.

Zion:.......Dust to Dust

Conrad draws his final breath, signaling his soul is no longer of this world. I sigh sadly and put my armor on before picking up his corpse and taking it to a bloody field. We had finished our final battle against a group of rebels of Graycastle who disagreed with some stupid issue. Conrad had to sit it out as age was getting to him, so I consoled him after the battle. The members of the Ash Wrought mercenaries had prepared a hole and a coffin for him. His coffin was made of pure iron and inside was the pelt of a Demonic Beast, so he's getting buried in style. Putting him in the coffin with his armor and sword, I close it and bury it with a few tears in my eyes. I sigh and wipe my eyes.

Zion: Dammit old man, I can't believe you convinced me to do this.......

As I chuckle, the members light a few torches around the abandoned fort as a ceremony. After that, the second in command gives me the signal to start. With a heavy sigh, I start singing one of the songs our company sings out of boredom. 

https://youtu.be/Vs8B6U2iB_w

After that, I look at the 7 lieutenants. Conrad operated his large company in a way that when he died, a special protocol would take place. Every lieutenant would take an even number of soldiers with them and do their own mercenary work, but his successor would still lead them when the time was needed. Basically, he somehow got his hands on 8 of these black war horns that make portals to lead one group to the other. My horn has orange runes on it and has two tunes: one to summon one group, and the call to war that calls all 8 of them. I possibly won't use it, but who knows?

Lieutenant 4: So what are you going to do now Zion?

I look at my helmet as the mercenaries get drunk.

Zion: Maybe I'll travel the world even more. I found my parent's treasure, which was a lot of gems and jewelry that they collected over the years.

Lieutenant 2: Well remember kid, you'll always be an Ash Wrought.

I chuckle at his statement and put my helmet on. Conrad had my armor custom-made with some parts from Demonic Beasts, but I told him to use the iron I got and smelt it with a specific process. He did just that and was surprised at how strong my armor was since it was made of steel and not iron. Hell, I recently added a retractable blade to my left gauntlet for added brutality.
(Remove the shield)

Zion: Maybe I'll visit Border Town, I heard they defended themselves against the Demonic Beasts with Muskets. At least that's what it sounds like

Yeah, I made Muskets for some of the mercenaries. It's pretty weird though, not all of them jump to use one. There's like 50 of them that always use Muskets and know how to maintain them, repair them, and make their own ammo. 

Lieutenant 7: Oh yeah, they use those loud weapons like you do don't they?

Zion: Yeah, but my gun is louder and doesn't have that much of a range.

The 4th Lieutenant just groans.

Lieutenant 4: Come on guys, stop with the chatter, and let's enjoy the Commander's death.

Zion: As dark as that sounds, she's right. He wouldn't have wanted us to waste a celebration by talking. Plus, you guys gotta send me off.

They laugh and giggle at my joke as we all drink till we're unconscious. The next day, the Lieutenants all see me off on my journey.

Lieutenant 1: Damn, it feels like just yesterday you were that kid who we saw as a little brother.

Lieutenant 4: Now look at you, all grown up and off to travel the world.

Zion: Yeah. I'm gonna miss all of you.

Lieutenant 7: We'll miss you too Zion.

After several tearful hugs and doing our motto together, I set off with my armor and weapons.

Zion: Border Town, here I come.....

Timeskip
1 week later
Ok, buying a cloak seemed to be a good idea. I'm a 6'10 guy with a large cleaver, a shotgun with a hook, and horned armor. The people here are pretty nice with some advanced weaponry like Cannons and Rifles, but I scared a soldier by looking at him. They have questioned the weapons on my back, but they've left me alone for the most part. I haven't done much to make them suspicious of me, but always bringing back animal parts such as meat, horns, claws, and pelts while sleeping in the forest does make me seem like a weird hunter. The citizens of Border Town actually like me because of everything I bring and how little I ask for in return. Right now, I'm carrying the parts of a bear to a local trader.

???: Excuse me.

I turn around to see the fourth prince of Graycastle, Roland Wimbledon. From what I heard about him at first, he was a lazy hedonist who didn't want to do any work whatsoever. Recently, however, he's gotten much smarter with the knowledge of an Engineer from my time. If I had to guess, he may be in the same situation as me. 

Zion: Yes?

Roland: I'd like to speak with you in the Town Hall if you don't mind.

Zion: Not at all. Lead the way, Your Highness.

He smiles and brings me to the Town Hall. I haven't really spoken to him and barely even see him around. The only times I do is when he's walking around town or giving praises to the First Army. Many of the citizens look intimidated by my presence so close to the prince, but they assume I'm his protector or something along those lines. His guards occasionally glance at me, but the taller one seems more curious rather than cautious. We make it to Roland's office where I take a seat across from him. 

Roland: So, what brought you to Border Town?

Zion: I wanted to travel after the Ash Wrought mercenaries disbanded. I had come here after hearing you managed to survive the Months of Demons and even took over Longsong Fortress.

Knight: THE ASH WROUGHT MERCENARIES?!

Zion: Yeah. I was taken in by them after a Witch burned down my family home. It's alright though because I killed her with my own two hands......

Everyone tenses up at what I say. Even the magic signature in the corner flinched. So I was right, Witches live in this place. To create Cannons and Rifles, you need some pretty advanced forging techniques combined with advanced forging technologies. Even if Roland found out how to control the temperatures, he'd still need a smeltery or furnace that can become hot enough to melt the metal and techniques to get rid of impurities. 

Roland: It seems like you have bad experiences with Witches.

Zion: Just one. Just because I had one bad experience doesn't dictate my entire perspective about Witches as a whole. Like the Witch in the corner right there, how can I hate her if I've never even met her?

Roland's eyes widened and his breath hitched a little bit. The Witch in the corner finally reveals herself.

Witch: How did you know I was here?

Zion: I can see magic.

Witch: That may explain your magic. It looks like a blue flame, but there's also small wisps that act like snakes.

Zion: That's because of my ability: Devour.

Tall Hunter: You're an ability user?!

Roland: Ability user?

Zion: Our existence is kept secret by the Church. Ability users are people who wield a supernatural power that's usually stronger than a Witch's magic, but we're incredibly rare. Plus, we don't use magic for our abilities to work, so God's Stone of Retaliation doesn't work on us.

Roland: 'That sounds like something from an anime.....' So what's your ability?

Zion: Devour allows me to eat living things and copy what they do. Like this.....

I shift my left arm into that of a Bear and my right into a Tiger's while growing a Wolf tail. They all look amazed before Roland gets hit with a horrible realization.

Roland: If you have magic, but ability users don't have magic.....

Zion: Yes, I've eaten two Witches throughout my entire life. The first was the Witch that burned my house down, and the second one was a corpse infected by Demons.

They all shiver at what I tell them. The only one who doesn't is the tall hunter. Guess he's gotten an iron stomach.

Roland: Well um...

Zion: Zion.

Roland: Well Zion, I'd like to hire you to be a sort of bodyguard as well as a Captain in the First Army. You'll receive a wage of 1 Gold Royal a month and accommodations within Border Town.

Zion: Alright, it may be fun.

Roland: Just like that?

Zion: I don't have a reason to decline, and I think using Witches to further your technological and industrial advances is a smart idea. If possible, I'd like to help you advance this place even more. I may not look like it, but I was an amazing craftsman for the Ash Wrought mercenaries. Even when I first joined at a young age, I was the person they went to to repair their weapons and armor.

Roland holds out his hand for me to shake.

Roland: Well Zion, allow me to welcome you to Border Town officially.

I smile under my helmet and shake his hand. The two men put their hands on my shoulders with smiles.

Knight: I'm glad to have you as a comrade Zion. I'm Carter Lannis, His Highness's personal knight. 

Tall Hunter: I'm Iron Axe. I heard the Ash Wrought mercenaries killed several Demonic Beasts throughout their time and I'd like to hear about the beasts you've killed.

I take off my helmet before standing in front of my new allies. There aren't as many dark-skinned people who live in this region, but they aren't surprised by my appearance.

Zion: I'm honored to fight by your side.