Cil returned to my palm, its crimson edge humming—eager to taste blood again. I stepped forward calmly, watching the goblins scatter like insects. They squealed in panic, slipping and fumbling over one another.
I outstretched my hand. My invisible grip caught one mid-sprint.
It flew backward, flailing—then met the cold kiss of my blade.
A clean pierce through the heart.
Level Up!
An orb of energy, like a soft red flame, rose from the corpse and floated toward the goblin leader. It merged with the glowing flame in its chest.
The bastard stood tall. Unbothered by the death of its kin. Empowered, even.
"It's begging to be killed."
I ignored the last two goblins—they were trembling wrecks now. The real challenge stood in front of me.
As I lunged, Cil sang its bloodthirsty tune, carving the air with malicious grace.
"Afunza," the goblin snarled.
It raised its weapon. Too late.
My blade cut clean through its forearm.
Thud.
The severed hand hit the ground like raw meat.
"Eeik!" the goblin howled, staggering back, blood gushing from its mutilated limb. Its eyes, once dull, now blazed with fear and hatred.
It screamed again—a guttural war cry laced with mana. The very air trembled.
Enough.
I stepped in and raised my palm.
"Ignite."
Flames erupted on contact, engulfing the goblin's face. It wailed and thrashed as fire devoured its flesh. The stench of burning hair and cooked meat filled the clearing.
The other goblins fled without a second glance.
Level Up!
I didn't give chase. I didn't need to.
I approached the charred body of the leader. It was still smoldering, twitching faintly. My eyes fell on the severed arm.
"Finally… roasted meat."
I bit into the corpse. The texture was rough and leathery, but oddly satisfying. A crispy char gave way to dense, fatty meat.
As my teeth crunched through, something hard resisted.
"What's this?"
I reached into the blackened muscle and pulled out a core—a solid, glowing orb pulsing like a miniature sun. It was warm, radiating power.
Origin Eyes flickered. A gentle flame danced within it.
It seems... every life possesses 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.
A fitting name.
I swallowed the last of the meat and stood.
That's when the chill hit me.
Instinct screamed—danger.
I didn't think. I moved.
A wooden spear slammed into the dirt behind me—sharp enough to pierce bone.
I turned. Shadows dashed through the trees—green blurs, wild eyes, 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 surged into me from the roasted corpse. My muscles tensed. My mind sharpened.
Euphoria followed.
I launched forward. Cil flashed red. The first goblin's head flew off before it could scream. Its soul spiraled upward—drawn to me like smoke.
It entered.
And I roared.
I felt alive.
Each kill stoked the storm inside—strength, clarity, hunger.
I became a butcher.
One goblin lost its legs in a single sweep. Another died under my heel. I ducked, rolled, gutted a third from groin to throat.
They never stood a chance.
This world only respects power.
And I would carve mine into bone.
Blood drenched the clearing. Limbs scattered. My body buzzed with stolen life. A grotesque high.
*Level Up!*
*Level Up!*
*Level Up!*
I exhaled, surrounded by silence.
I thought I was past the thrill of slaughter...
But no. I wasn't.
I walked through the mess, storing each corpse in my inventory. Blood soaked the ground like spilled wine.
A masterpiece.
System, what's my current power level?
PowerLevel: 200
Not bad.
I dusted off my shoulders and continued exploring. Soon, a fire flickered in the distance. A goblin camp—at least forty.
Too many. For now.
I veered off.
The forest grew darker. The ground sloped downward, leading to a jagged, vine-covered entrance embedded in stone.
A cave.
I took a step closer.
Danger.
That same primal warning.
I stepped back. Camp first.
---
The Next Day
I butchered the stored corpses. The meat cooked evenly, dripping fat into the fire. The scent was... divine.
Meat tastes better cooked.
Tina poked her head from my collar, nose twitching. She hopped onto a rock and devoured her share like a beast.
+1 Dexterity
+1 Dexterity
+10 Dexterity
+3 Dexterity
+4 Strength
+2 Agility
Skill Acquired: Panic Boost
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 and watched the flames dance. My body felt full—not just fed, but satisfied.
Insatiable Hunger → Origin Devourer
The hunger that once tore at me was gone.
In its place—control. Focus.
I actually enjoyed the meal.
Later, I tested something new.
"Touch."
My palm glowed white. I traced a green thread in the air—visible only to me.
The moment I touched it, the wind shifted. Even my campfire flickered out.
-1 Origin
I reignited a flame. No mana spent. Just... Origin.
I reached for a blue thread this time.
Boom.
A massive water orb formed above me, fed by blue strands of energy. It grew rapidly.
-1 Origin
-1 Origin
It swelled, dense and dangerous.
How do I get rid of this thing?
I hurled it into the sky. A thunderous crash echoed. Roaring water followed.
Origin Magic Learned
* Origin Spell: Water Ball
* Origin Spell: Gale
I stared at my palm.
So this is Touch…