Return.
Cil returned to my palm, its crimson edge humming as if eager to taste blood again. I stepped forward calmly, watching the goblins scatter like insects. They squealed in panic, slipping and fumbling over each other. I outstretched my hand, and my invisible grip caught one of them mid-run.
It flew backward, flailing wildly—before meeting the cold kiss of my blade.
A clean pierce through the heart.
[Level Up!]
An orb of energy, like a soft red flame, emerged from the corpse. It floated toward the goblin leader, merging with the glowing flame in its chest. The bastard stood tall, unbothered by the deaths of its kin. On the contrary—it looked empowered.
"It's begging to be killed."
I moved with purpose, ignoring the last two goblins. They were trembling wrecks, no longer threats. The real challenge stood in front of me.
As I lunged at the leader, Cil hummed a bloodthirsty tune, cutting through the air with malicious grace.
"Afunza." The goblin growled in its native tongue.
It raised its weapon to block—too late. My blade carved through the air and sliced cleanly through its forearm.
Thud.
The severed hand hit the ground like raw meat, bouncing once before going still.
Eeik! the goblin howled, its voice sharp with agony. It staggered back, clutching its mutilated arm, blood gushing like an open faucet. Its eyes, once dim, now blazed with hate and primal fear.
It screamed again—this time a guttural war cry, drenched in mana. The surrounding air trembled. Even the ground vibrated slightly.
Enough.
I stepped in, my palm outstretched.
"Ignite."
My flame erupted on contact, engulfing the goblin's face and spreading rapidly. It wailed and thrashed as the fire ate through its flesh. The stench of burnt hair and cooked meat filled the clearing.
The remaining goblins turned and fled, not daring to look back.
[Level Up!]
I didn't chase. I didn't need to. I calmly approached the charred body of their leader. It was still smoldering, twitching faintly. My eyes locked onto the severed, blackened arm.
"Finally... roasted meat."
I bit into the corpse. The texture was rough, leathery, but satisfying in an odd way—especially for someone like me. A crunchy layer of char gave way to dense, fatty muscle.
As my teeth crunched through the tissue, something hard resisted.
"What's this?"
I reached into the burnt meat and pulled out a core—a solid, glowing orb, pulsing like a miniature sun. It was warm in my hand, radiating energy.
Origin Eyes flickered. I saw it. A gentle flame within.
It seems … every life possess origin.
+4 Dexterity
+2 Strength
+1 Agility
+1 Agility
+10 Intelligence
Skill Acquired: Black Communion
Black Communion: Devour the soul of a dead target to temporarily strengthen yourself and your allies.
Black Communion. A fitting name.
I swallowed the last of the roasted meat and stood.
That was when the chill hit me.
Instinct screamed. Danger.
I didn't think—I moved.
A wooden spear struck the ground behind me, sharp enough to pierce bone. I turned slowly, my gaze sweeping the foliage. Figures dashed through the trees—green blurs with wild eyes and dripping weapons.
Reinforcements.
I didn't smile, but I felt it—the thrill.
"Let's test it out, shall we?" I whispered.
"Black Communion."
Power flowed into me from the roasted goblin's corpse. I felt it surge—muscles tightening, mind sharpening. A wave of euphoria washed through me.
I launched forward, Cil flashing. The first goblin's head left its shoulders before it could scream. Its soul twisted upward—drawn to me like smoke.
It entered.
And I roared.
I felt alive.
Each kill added to the storm inside. Strength. Clarity. Hunger.
I became a butcher.
One goblin lost its legs in a single sweep. Another died as I slammed my foot into its chest. I ducked a blade, rolled forward, and gutted one from groin to throat. They didn't stand a chance. Not now. Not against me.
"This world only respects power."
And I would carve mine into my bones.
Blood painted the clearing. Limbs scattered. My body buzzed with stolen life force. A grotesque high, euphoric and sharp.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
I finally exhaled, surrounded by stillness.
"I thought I was past the thrill of slaughter…"
But no. I wasn't.
I walked slowly among the corpses, storing each one in my inventory. Blood soaked the ground. It looked like spilled wine.
A masterpiece.
"System, what's my current power level?"
PowerLevel:200
Not bad.
I dusted off my shoulders and resumed my exploration. Soon, I spotted a fire in the distance—a goblin camp. At least forty of them.
I watched from the shadows.
They where too many for now.
I veered off, keeping low. The forest darkened. The ground sloped, leading me to a jagged, vine-wrapped entrance nestled within stone.
A cave.
I took a cautious step forward.
Danger.
That primal warning again.
I stepped back and searched for a place to camp instead. A short hike later, I found a hollowed tree surrounded by large rocks. I gathered twigs and built a fire.
The Next Day
I butchered the corpses I had stored. The meat cooked evenly, sizzling and dripping fat into the fire. The scent of roasted flesh filled the air.
"Meat tastes better cooked."
Tina poked her head from my collar, sniffing eagerly. Her small nose twitched as she hopped down and perched on a nearby rock. She dove into her portion like a beast, chewing with abandon.
+1 Dexterity
+1 Dexterity
+10 Dexterity
+3 Dexterity
+4 Strength
+2 Agility
Skill Learned: PanicBoost
Panic Boost: When health falls below 20%, gain +50% to all stats for a short time. Cooldown: 3 hours.
Useful. Very useful.
I leaned back, watching the flames flicker. My body felt full—not just fed, but satiated.
Insatiable Hunger→Origin Devourer
The restless hunger that once clawed at my stomach was gone. In its place—control. Focus.
"I actually enjoyed the meal."
Later, I tested something new.
"Touch."
My palm glowed white. I traced my finger over a green thread suspended in the air—visible only to me.
The moment I touched it, the wind flow increased. Even the flame of my campfire vanished.
-1 Origin
I reignited a flame on my palm, curious. No mana used. Just... origin.
I reached out to a blue thread this time.
Boom.
A massive water orb formed instantly, suspended above me—growing rapidly, dense with power. Blue threads fed it energy like veins.
-1 Origin
-1 Origin
It grew to a monstrous size.
"How do I get rid of this thing?"
I hurled the orb skyward. A second later, a thunderous crash echoed across the trees, followed by the sound of roaring water.
Origin Magic Learned
Origin spell: Water Ball Acquired.
Origin spell: Gale Acquired
I stared at my hand.
"So this is Touch…"