He left the cobbled path from Vaelmont, the road narrowing quickly as the trees bent inward, swallowing the sunlight in thick green shadows.
Each step dragged heavier than the last.
This wasn't training. It was ending a life.
His hands began to tremble, the dagger remained steady only because the fear hadn't reached his fingertips.
The deeper he walked, the quieter the forest became, soothing him. Even the whistle of the wind stilled, leaving only the wet squelch of his boots on the mud-soaked soil.
Thick black roots twisted across the ground, their dark sap oozing out–reeking of rot.
Clusters of fungi clung to the bark, their green light spilling over the stagnant puddles of brown water, reflecting distorted images. Vergil glanced once, then tore his gaze away.
Ahead, a dead oak loomed, its hollow trunk marked with a crude sign, signaling a territorial mark. He swallowed hard, tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand.
"So they're here." His voice was low.
He was finally here. His heartbeat pulsed like back then, when his heart was ripped out. This time he would do the killing, he couldn't hesitate now.
Vergil immediately ducked, slipping behind a tree to take cover, carefully avoiding pools of water. He steadied his breath as he peeked through the damp leaves.
A hunched figure was ahead. A goblin.
Barely the size of a child, its sickly green skin stretched over its bones. Jagged claws clutching a mangled human corpse, as its yellow teeth tore at its flesh.
The goblin's jaws worked greedily, strings of red meat dangling from its mouth, blood dripping from its chin. Its slitted eyes gleamed with satisfaction, enjoying the delicacy.
[Try using Analysis]
'Analyze,' he thought, gripping the dagger until his knuckles whitened.
A pale-blue screen flickered into view. Just for him.
[Goblin]
Race: Humanoid Monster
Level: 1
Tier: 0
Strength: 2
Constitution: 3
Dexterity: 4
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 2
Magic Power: 0
Mana Capacity: 0
Passive Skills:
Lesser Pain Resistance (F-)
Crude Weapon Proficiency (F)
Active Skills:
None
---
He steadied his breath and moved, the damp earth muffling his steps—until a twig snapped.
The goblin's head snapped up, its nostrils flaring.
"Ghrraaaahhhk?"
But it was too late.
The dagger sank deep, green blood spraying across his face, as it spasmed, claws scraping uselessly before falling.
It clawed weakly at his arm, its jagged nails scraping but failing to pierce. Vergil twisted the blade.
The goblin spasmed violently, gurgling blood as the dagger pierced its throat. Then—its struggles ceased, slumping against Vergil.
The goblin fell.
He didn't breathe. Not yet.
Then his stomach twisted. He almost laughed but threw up in the corner.
He wanted to wipe the blood on his mouth, to forget the smell.
Yet part of him wanted to look again, to understand why it didn't feel entirely wrong.
"Authority of Predation."
Black maws burst out of his palm. Jagged, wet, and hungry. Glyphs engraved on them like skin, as if they were a forgotten part of history.
The goblin's flesh and blood were consumed before he could even blink, leaving only a skeleton. It marked his first kill.
The feeling of consuming life was revolting… and yet, a rush of power coursed through him, thrilling despite the disgust.
[1 Strength point gained.]
[2 Dexterity points gained.]
[Acquired: Lesser Pain Resistance (F+), Crude Weapon Proficiency (F).]
Vergil wiped his cheek with the back of his sleeve.
'This skill is monstrous in its own way.'
Then his eyes fell on what the goblin had been feasting on.
A man's corpse. A small dagger stuck from his throat, blood long dried around the wound.
Vergil crouched beside it. "Analyze."
Edran Valmont
Race: Human
Level: 1
Tier: 0
Strength: 4
Constitution: 3
Dexterity: 6
Intuition: 5
Magic Power: 3
Mana Capacity: 3
Passive Skills:
Keen Focus (F)
Basic Bow Mastery (F)
Active Skills:
Quick Shot (F)
Vergil hesitated for a moment. His dagger hand trembled once. Then he extended his palm. "You didn't deserve this."
"Predation."
Black fanged maws erupted, sinking into the corpse and devouring it in seconds.
The sound of flesh ripping filled the clearing. When the black void receded, only bones and clothing remained.
[1 Strength point gained.]
[2 Dexterity points gained.]
[Acquired: Keen Focus (F), Basic Bow Mastery (F), Quick Shot (F).]
Vergil furrowed his brow. Strange. I didn't gain as many stats as I should have.
The system answered in its monotone voice.
[The corpse was already damaged, therefore provides fewer stat gains. Skills, however, are always acquired. As your strength grows, weaker lifeforms will give lower stats.]
Vergil exhaled slowly. "So it depends on both condition and strength."
Another notification blinked.
[User has gained a total of 9 skills. 6 more required to unlock the second function of Authority of Predation.]
He let out a dry laugh. "So that's what you were talking about, Weever."
As he rose, something caught his eye. Amid the goblin's remains, a faint blue glow pulsed. He crouched and picked it up.
"Analyze."
[Astralyth Stone] (F-Tier)
The weakest type of energy stone in Eternia. Can serve as a power source or be absorbed to accelerate cultivation for different pathways.
Vergil turned it in his palm. "No wonder these are valuable."
A silver necklace gleamed against the bones as Vergil reached for it, untouched from predation, etched with the name Elira Valmont. Beside the body, a bow and quiver rested on the moss.
He touched the necklace lightly.
"Mother, then… he must be single."
His jaw tightened. "You never stood a chance. I'll take what you left behind and make it count."
Vergil tucked the necklace and stone into his inventory before continuing.
A faint rustle drew his gaze. Two goblins crouched in the bushes ahead, whispering guttural noises.
"Grhh… kreeehhh…"
Vergil reached for the bow. His movements were awkward, his grip stiff. He nocked an arrow, breath shallow.
Thwip!
The arrow struck one goblin's shoulder. It screeched, stumbling.
The second goblin shrieked back, charging him with a rusted dagger. Its steps splashed mud. Vergil drew and loosed again.
He's faster than I expected… stay calm, aim for the weak spot.
Thwip!
The arrow sank into its skull. The goblin dropped face-first into the dirt, twitching once before falling still.
The first goblin writhed, clawing at the shaft in its shoulder. Vergil closed the distance. His blade plunged into its chest.
Its scream cut off in a wet gasp. Blood bubbled at its lips before its body sagged.
"Predation."
The corpses were stripped bare in moments.
[1 Strength point gained.]
[1 Dexterity point gained.]
[1 Constitution point gained.]
[Acquired: Dash (F), Lesser Poison Resistance (F-).]
[Level Up! User has reached Level 2.]
[3 stat points gained.]
"All in Constitution."
[Constitution increased by 3.]
The system's voice faded, but the words lingered.
He looked at his hands, now cracked and bloodstained.
"Endurance… because if I break, none of this matters."
Hours had passed, as the sun dipped lower and lower. Bleeding its crimson, vibrant glow through the branches, Vergil stood. Blood both dry and fresh on his clothes.
"Looks like I've cleared this section," he muttered. "Took longer than I thought."
He pulled up his Status.
Name: Vergil
Level: 3
Title: Commoner
Lifespan: 65 years
Spouses: None
Race: Human
Stats:
Strength: 6 → 11
Constitution: 8 → 11
Dexterity: 7 → 15
Intuition: 6 → 8
Magic Power: 3 → 4
Mana Capacity: 4 → 5
Equipment:
Basic Clothing (+2 Defense)
Metal Dagger (+5 Attack)
Passive Skills:
Keen Focus (F)
Basic Bow Mastery (F)
Lesser Impact Resistance (F-)
Basic Pain Resistance (F)
Crude Weapon Proficiency (F)
Lesser Poison Resistance (F-)
Wild Instincts (F)
Active Skills:
Authority of Predation (???)
Throwing (F-)
Pack Tactics (F)
Quick Shot (F)
Dash (F)
Feral Bite (F)
Arts: None
Available Stat Points: 3
Vergil smiled. "Analysis said one had Dim Vision, the other Camouflage."
The mouths surged from his palm, swallowing the corpses again. A pulse of strength echoed through him as the system confirmed the acquisitions gained.
Another screen appeared.
[All conditions met. Unlocking second function of Authority of Predation…]
[Unlocked: Skill Combination (EX).]
Vergil's eyes widened. "Combination…?"
The system explained.
[Skills can now be fused. Compatible ones can create stronger forms. Incompatible attempts may fail or downgrade.]
He blinked, half in disbelief. "So I eat monsters, and now I get to mix and match them?"
[Temporary fusions unavailable.]
"You have an awful sense of timing," he muttered.
[Correct.]
His lips twitched. "Figures. Let's see how far this goes."
"Fuse Pain Resistance and Impact Resistance."
[Fusion complete. Acquired: Endurance (E-).]
[Endurance (E-)]
Grants resistance to physical impact and pain. Allows user to withstand blows more effectively without staggering.
Vergil exhaled. "Useful. This will keep me standing when it matters."
He closed the screen, breathing in the forest rustled faintly with the night wind.
"It's time to head back," he murmured. He stored the bow and necklace away, his steps quiet as dusk bled through the branches.
His mind turned to Edran. A pitiful individual, yet he would serve a greater purpose, becoming the foundation for Vergil's strength, moving forward.