---
Silence.
The dungeon was still, save for the echo of the boss's fading footsteps and the dripping of Rin's blood on stone.
He lay motionless, eyes half-lidded, breath shallow.
Dead, the boss must've thought.
Forgotten, the world might assume.
But Rin wasn't gone.
Not yet.
---
System: Rebooting Hope
DING.
A soft hum vibrated in his skull. Blue light shimmered before him once more.
> [WELCOME TO THE FOOD SYSTEM]
Initialization complete.
Status: Critical
Issuing Newbie Pack…
Three glowing orbs hovered above his chest. Each pulsed with a strange warmth.
> You have received 3 rewards:
1. Temp Body Boost – 10 Minutes of Peak Condition
2. Weapon: Bone Sword (Basic)
3. ??? Item: Sugar Cube
Rin blinked, dazed. "I… I'm dead, right? This is snack heaven…?"
The system glowed brighter.
> Claim first reward? [Y/N]
His hand—trembling, bloody—reached out. "Sure. Why not. Ghost rules."
---
Reward 1 – Temporary Body Boost
FLASH.
A surge like lightning coursed through his veins.
His wound sealed itself in a blink—no scar, no pain. His muscles tightened, his breath deepened, his vision sharpened.
He felt light. Quick. Alive.
He sat up with a jolt, staring at his arms. "I—I'm SKINNY?!"
He flexed. Lean. Fast. Strong.
He slapped his cheeks. "No way. No way. This is... ILLEGAL."
> Time Remaining: 09:59...
Rin's eyes darted back to the system.
> Claim second reward? [Y/N]
"…Give me something sharp."
---
Reward 2 – Bone Sword
With a crack of light, a crude white blade formed in his hands—chipped, but sturdy. The hilt was wrapped in cloth, still stained with old blood.
"Okay, ew," Rin muttered. "But also... cool."
He swung it experimentally. It hummed in the air like it wanted revenge.
---
Reward 3 – Sugar Cube
> Claim third reward? [Y/N]
"…Might as well."
A small glowing sugar cube dropped into his palm. That was it.
He stared. "Seriously?"
No instructions. No tooltip. Just sugar.
He sighed and slipped it into his pocket. "You better be magic candy later."
---
System Prompt – A Quest Appears
DING.
> New Quest Unlocked:
[Defeat Dungeon Boss]
Reward: EXP, Stat Points, New Recipe, System Access Expansion
Current Title: Level 1 Foodie
Warning: Body Buff expires in 09:00 minutes. When reverted, strength returns to previous state. Success unlikely post-transformation.
Rin's heart skipped.
"I—I go back to that in nine minutes?!"
The muscle on his arms still felt unreal.
If he didn't fight now, if he hesitated—he'd be slow again. Weak. Bleeding. Dead.
Again.
His fingers tightened on the bone sword.
He stood tall for the first time in a long time. "Guess there's no time for dessert."
---
Toward the Boss Room
He turned toward the tunnel where the horned beast had vanished.
His breath fogged the cold air. The lights dimmed the deeper he went.
The echo of footsteps—his own—was the only sound. But ahead… was rage. Power. Fire.
And destiny.
Rin grinned.
"I'm not here for a snack anymore. I'm here to bite back."
He raised his sword—
—and ran.
--