The forest was quiet. Shafts of moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting pale patterns on the mossy ground. Raizo, exhausted from days of travel, knelt beside a fallen log and pressed his back against its rough bark. His crimson eyes—a gift of Gluttony—gazed into the shadows, ever watchful.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to rest. His stomach rumbled, a reminder of the strange hunger that pulsed within him like a living thing.
Suddenly—a sharp snap echoed through the trees. A twig split under heavy weight.
Raizo's eyes snapped open. He slid his hand to the simple metal dagger at his waist and rose silently to his feet, muscles coiled like spring steel.
He advanced toward the sound, each footfall muffled by leaf litter. There, in a small clearing, he found a goblin—its green skin mottled with dirt and blood. It lay collapsed against a tree root, chest heaving, one arm wrapped around a gash that bled dark fluid onto the ground.
The creature's amber eyes flickered open and widened at the sight of a human. It tried to rise, but its wounded leg gave out with a pained crack. It slumped back to the earth, groaning.
Raizo hesitated. Every lesson he'd ever heard spoke of mercy… and of the goblins' cruelty. Yet this one was barely alive.
His heart pounded. Memories of his baptism, the cruel whispers, and the nun's vision flooded his mind.
Then, as if compelled by fate, Raizo charged.
He leapt forward and drove the dagger into the goblin's stomach. The creature howled in agony, its body shuddering once before going limp.
Raizo pulled the blade free. The forest fell silent again—no wind, no rustle, only the echo of the goblin's dying scream.
A soft, mechanical voice broke the stillness:
> "Gluttony ability activated."
Raizo blinked as a shimmering panel of light appeared before him, hovering in midair. Lines of text scrolled upward:
GOBLIN (WOUNDED)
Ability: —
Stats Gained:
Atk: +5
Def: +4
Sta: +8
Mana: +15
Skill Gained: Basic Craftsmanship
The panel dissolved, and Raizo felt warmth flood his limbs. He closed his eyes and ran through his mind's eye at his own statue:
Raizo's New Stats:
Atk: 6 (was 5)
Def: 5 (was 4)
Sta: 9 (was 1)
Mana: 16 (was 1)
Magic Elements: None
Skill: Basic Craftsmanship
Raizo's lips curved into a triumphant grin. "I knew it," he whispered to himself, voice trembling. "It's just like that Isekai anime I watched in my past life."
But even as excitement fluttered in his chest, a darker thought crept in.
My hunger will only get bigger…
I need to keep feeding if I want to grow stronger.
He sheathed his dagger and sat back down on the log. The goblin's body lay motionless at his feet, and the forest seemed to hold its breath.
Raizo clenched his fists. "So this is the cost… the constant need to feed." He closed his eyes, imagining the endless road ahead—monsters to hunt, abilities to devour, power to claim.
He opened his eyes, crimson light reflecting in the darkness. "I'm not afraid," he murmured. "I'll do whatever it takes."
With that, Raizo stood. He scanned the moonlit trees, steeling himself for the journey.
In the distance, an owl hooted—a lone witness to his first taste of true hunger.