Chapter 10

A week passed.

Since that first goblin Jae killed, he has ended many more—countless lives belonging to those pitiful monsters have ended in this week.

The main reason why, is simply because there were a lot of goblins about the forest, and for Jae, there was nothing to do other than to hunt and raise his level after he found a source of food.

Namely, that source of food in question was of course......

*gulp*

Skill「Gluttony」has activated Skill「Crafting [Lv.1]」was acquired Skill「Crafting [Lv.1]」has fused with skill「Crafting [Lv.1]」to produce skill「Crafting [Lv.2]」

“Oh, fuck off.”

Jae sat in the top branches of a tree while glaring at the notification in front of him.

He was having a rest while eating the remains of the goblins he had just killed. That was his source of food. He also drank their blood to quench his thirst. Of course, that tastes plain horrendous too, not to mention the unfortunate enhancement of his taste that just makes it even worse.

But, there was nothing he wanted to do about it.

Sleep? Ah, for that, Jae would simply go into the upper branches of a tree. No camping on the ground or anything, otherwise he'd just get bombarded constantly by goblins.

“Why the hell are there even so many with the「Crafting」skill anyway, huh? Fuck, if that’s what you’re good at, then just fucking stay home and do it.... Hah, whatever, it’s better than nothing. First skill today is a useless one.”

Some might argue to use the skill to make a weapon, but there is no point. Just looting the weapons of deceased goblins is enough, and even if he tried to make a weapon, it wouldn't be as good quality as the goblins'.

Anyway, it is said that humans are good at adapting, and Jae seems to have adapted to the situation splendidly.

He brought a nauseating, acrid piece of meat to his mouth and ate it without hesitation. Needless to say, the taste and smell precisely matched the appearance of the meat and the creature it came from.

At least it was somewhat cooked. Well, to the best of Jae's ability, although it didn’t help much. Though, fortunately, it was better than it normally would've been if he didn't have the「Cooking」skill. In fact, cooking and eating dead goblins is how Jae acquired the skill in the first place, which is rather strange.

It couldn't really be considered 'cooking', after all, could it?

Obviously, Jae could’ve restrained from eating the goblin meat and he could've been eating rabbit meat instead, but when he tried it, that didn't give him any skills, so he didn't bother.

To be exact, it was when he first ate goblin meat that Jae acquired「Gluttony」.

*gulp*

Skill「Gluttony」has activated Skill「Night Vision [Lv.1]」was acquired

“Oh, two in a row! Lucky! This one actually seems useful too.”

The effect of「Gluttony」seems to be that whenever he eats 'monster' meat, there is a very small chance of gaining a skill that monster had. Unfortunately, the chance is very small, and the limit is one skill per monster, though the chance seems to get better with every level.

What's more, because「Gluttony」gains proficiency every time he eats something, it has already become Level 3, catching up with both「Wrath」and「Envy」.

Regrettably, however, Jae has to eat all of the goblins and animals he finds, due to the side-effect of「Gluttony」. He'll only subject himself to the agonising pain of starvation if he doesn't eat constantly. Just like「Wrath」and「Envy」, the more「Gluttony」levels up, the stronger the amplification of that sin inside Jae becomes, too.

This is why, occasionally, Jae will have strange outbursts of anger or jealousy, and why his hunger is never fully sated.

Jae can only really be thankful that he doesn’t seem to gain any weight when over-eating.

Also, since, like he assumed originally, there is no water located anywhere near this part of the forest, it also means that Jae has had to drink goblin blood in place of it.

Well, there is a pond, but it's horrid and not drinkable, so Jae didn't dare to try it.

To be exact, Jae thought there must've been a water source somewhere in the area, since so many creatures live here, and he was right. There was a pond connected to an underground river of some sort. It was probably safe, too, since all the other animals drank from it, and even the goblins went there to gather water.

However, it was very dark. The water was extremely questionable whether it was truly drinkable or not. Because it was dark green. The pond was coloured dark green, with some even darker, brown spots as well. Now, he couldn't be 100% sure, because he wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the river itself, but this just screamed 'sewage' to Jae.

Recalling that the toilets inside the palace had flush functions, Jae felt like throwing up. There was absolutely no way in hell he was drinking the shit and piss of those royal palace bastards, he thought.

Henceforth, Jae decided to stick solely with the goblin blood. It was that much more appetising, after all.

When Jae decided to open his Status window, he was amazed at the considerable amount of improvement that happened in the mere span of a week.

〔Status〕

Jae Kang [Cursed]

Level 8

Class : *Classes available

Health Points (HP) : 444 / 444

Mana Points (MP) : 352 / 352

Title : 「Apostle of Sin」

Strength : 36

Endurance : 32

Race : Humanoid

Dexterity : 31

Agility : 32

Age : 16

Magic : 34

Wisdom : 14

Trait :「Steadfast Mind」

Luck : —

Distributable Points : 0

Titles :「Apostle of Sin」「Cursed by a God」「Sinful God's Affliction」「World Traveller」「Resurrected [x2]」「Goblin Killer」「Ambusher」「Discreet Killer」「Goblin Eater」「Monster Killer」「Monster Eater」

Passive Skills :「MP Consumption Down [Lv.3]」「Automatic HP Recovery [Lv.1]」「Automatic MP Recovery [Lv.2]」

Active Skills :「Sneak [Lv.7]」「Power Burst [Lv.3]」

Enhancement Skills : 「Taste Enhancement [Lv.3]」「Smell Enhancement [Lv.2]」「Hearing Enhancement [Lv.3]」「Sight Enhancement [Lv.3]」「Touch Enhancement [Lv.1]」

Resistance Skills :「Mental Abnormal Status Nullification [Lv.MAX]」「Pain Tolerance[Lv.5]」「Slash Resistance [Lv.2]」「Blunt Resistance [Lv.2]」「Bleed Resistance [Lv.3]」

Combat Skills :「Combo [Lv.2]」「Close-Quarters Combat [Lv.2]」「Fighting Spirit [Lv.4]」「Throwing [Lv.2]」「Short-Sword Mastery [Lv.3]」「Axe Mastery [Lv.1]」「Club Mastery [Lv.1]」「Shield Mastery [Lv.1]」

Perception Skills :「Mapping [Lv.2]」「Night Vision [Lv.1]」「Concentration [Lv.5]」

Communication Skills :「Seronian Language Comprehension [Lv.MAX]」「Goblin Language Comprehension [Lv.3]」

Production Skills :「Cooking [Lv.1]」「Crafting [Lv.2]」

Other skills:「Envy [Lv.4]」「Wrath [Lv.4]」「Gluttony [Lv.4]」

Aside from the numerous skills that were acquired similarly to「Mapping」, Jae was looking more intensely at something else.

Times two....

Jae stared at the Titles list.

More specifically, at the「Resurrected」title.

Obviously, it had changed. To [x2].

Jae is unsure how many times he can revive, but he doesn't really want to find out if it means dying more. It's just that, after his first goblin kill a week ago, Jae suddenly woke up, and, just like when he first awoke in the forest, he was completely unscathed. On the contrary, his Max HP actually increased exactly like a week ago, as well.

Of course, it brings up the question of, will he resurrect after dying of natural causes, such as old age? Anyway, that type of thing is far in the future, so he doesn't need to worry about it right now.

Overall, Jae supposed it was something he should be grateful for, since, if he didn't have this power, he would already be dead two times over. Either way, he was fine with the events that occurred since he survived because of it.

Jae was a bit iffy about it because of the terribly ominous feeling it gave him, but there was nothing to do about it so he tried to ignore it.

If there was one thing he wasn't pleased about, it was his core stats—they didn't seem to do anything for him. What that means, exactly, is that he feels no physical difference, whatsoever, when compared to himself on Earth. Even though his stats have increased by almost double.

By the way, some of his stats increased passively? It was odd, but, basically, every time he levels up, Jae gets a '+2' in every stat (other than Luck of course), +10 Max HP, +33 Max MP and +1 Distributable Point, which is just a point he can put into any stat he wants (other than Luck of course). The drastic MP increase per level indicated that Jae was indeed a magic-oriented class, but, he had no magic, so the MP only really helped to use「Wrath」.

But other than that, Jae sometimes notices that stats increase on their own. Like after a long and tough battle, Endurance might increase by 1 point, or moving a lot in a battle increases Agility by 1, etc, etc. Jae thought it was a fun mechanic, and would make things like working out more fun, so he'd started to do that since he realised this point.

As well as this, Jae's figured out that 'something' is increasing his HP passively, though he doesn't know what it is yet. Currently, he knows that Wisdom and Endurance both increase one's MP and HP respectively, but he's talking about something else—the numbers don't match up for it to be the Endurance increase.

Either way, even with all that, Jae felt no difference to his body. It felt exactly the same as on Earth. Well, he just put up with it for now. After all, it will probably change after levelling up some.

However, his satisfaction about the growth of his status and the survival didn't get to last long.

"...There're more.”

Jae glanced down from his tree and spotted two goblins who seemed to be walking trepidatiously to somewhere.

“I thought I got them all, but it seems some were hiding, huh.”

He had ample rest, and even acquired the「Night Vision」skill, albeit only Level 1, but he shouldn’t have much of a problem fighting in the dark now when it's combined with「Sight Enhancement」.

Even though it's night right now, there was only two goblins out. This was too good.

Jae quietly jumped down from the tree branch and began to sneakily follow the goblin duo, using「Sneak」. Along the way, he could, to some extent, make out their conversation, though it was extremely difficult.

{A■■ s■■■ ■f w■e■■ t■e s■■■or ■r■■■■■■ a■■ ■i■t■rs ■■e?}

{■■. I■ ■■■■i■g a ■■■ ■■■■■■d... ■■■e yo■ h■■rd ■h■ r■■■■rs ■f ■h■ ‘G■b■■■ D■■■u■er’?}

Skill「Goblin Language Comprehension」has levelled up [Lv.3]→[Lv.4]

Hoh. It levelled up so much quicker than previously. Is it cause the goblins before would only ever just yell "Giii~" or whatever? ....Uh. Wait. Did that one just say....?

{■ey! D■■t s■■ t■■t! W■ n■■d ■o ■e■ b■c■ h■■e q■■c■....i■ ca■■ t■e G■bl■■ D■■■u■er r■■lly ■■e■ ■■m■.}

...The bastards. They're really calling me the 'Goblin Devourer'. Well, they're not wrong, but still.

Eventually, the goblin duo arrived at the opening of a cave concealed well by foliage.

Don’t tell me... this is where the goblins live? The 'Goblin Cave' or whatever, right? Hah. What?

As a result, it seems that the two little green goblins inadvertently led Jae straight to their home. They both walked into the cave without hesitation as Jae stayed outside to observe the exterior for a while.

Haha..... Hahuhuhuhu...

It didn’t take Jae long to come up with an idea.

With a devilish grin, Jae stared at the cave opening.

...Oh, this'll be sweet.

Screams of agony.

{GIiiIgigIiIIiiIiIiiiii...!?!?!?!!!!!}

Burning.

{GIIIGIIIGIIGI!!!???!}

The muffled screams of countless dying goblins could be heard emanating from within the depths of the cave, as thick, near-endless black fumes continuously poured out of it.

{GIIIIII!!!}

Skill「Goblin Language Comprehension」has levelled up [Lv.5]→[Lv.6]

Jae frowned slightly, trying to ignore the translations of what the goblins were saying. The skill had already levelled up twice now because of all the yelling and screaming. His ears were beginning to hurt due to it all, and not only that, but the flaming goblins were even rushing out of the cave in droves in an attempt to save themselves.

It was then that one of those goblins spotted him and tried to attack him for some reason, instead of prioritising the survival of its own burning body.

....Low intelligence. What dumbasses.

At this rate it would set him on fire too. Now this isn’t what he wanted. As Jae’s frown deepened, he picked up a nearby rock, and, almost immediately, as soon as he held it within his grasp, the rock set alight as though it were mere tissue paper, before quickly throwing it at the goblin’s head.

*Bam!*

It seems the goblin either couldn’t see it coming or it was already in too much pain to try and dodge as the head of the goblin lightly burst on impact, ending its pitiful and short life.

This is where the「Throwing」skill really shows its effect.

You have levelled up

Of course, it's not like the death of one goblin could level Jae up. He looked around and nodded in satisfaction as he spotted all the other charred goblin corpses. Still, within the cave itself there'd be many more similar looking things.

Really, they just couldn’t handle the scorching heat and flames, and so died as a result soon after exiting the cave.

You have levelled up

The fire would be even more dangerous outside of the cave, since there is more oxygen for it to feed on.

You have levelled up

Though it’s not like those inside are safe either.

Of course, this was because of the smoke emitted from the burning wood that Jae had chucked into the cave, since the fire produced by「Wrath」, on its own, doesn't produce smoke.

Basically, they either die of asphyxiation, carbon monoxide poisoning, or burning.

Those are three pretty bad ways to die, so pick your poison I guess. Fucking goblins.

You have levelled up

...It really is an effective method of grinding levels rapidly though, huh.

[Hahaha! What pitiful creatures! Oh, what? Going to go cry to your ugly mother? Worthless shits!! What is it? A Hobgoblin? Ah, maybe even an oh-so-scary Orc Warlord? No, not even an Ogre Champion would be a good enough match for me!! I AM THE STRONGEST!!! KUAHAHAHA!!]

"Chill out, you're literally not even doing anything. I came up with the plan and used you as the skill, so just be quiet."

....But it was strange―all of Jae’s ‘Unique’ skills have levelled up inexplicably fast up until Level 4, but somehow, they no longer seem to want to level up.

I mean, it definitely is odd how it only took a mere week for them to reach Level 4 in the first place...

「Envy」grew by constantly looking at the goblins' souls,「Wrath」by using it until his mana drained completely in every fight, and「Gluttony」by eating the remains of every goblin he came across.

Although it is true that certain skills level up significantly quicker than others, as is the case with the sole Level 7 skill Jae owns,「Sneak」. Because that's the case, it's not like Level 4 is the max, either...

Coincidentally however, Jae didn’t have to wait long before this strange peculiarity was uncovered in the form of a notification window.

The proficiency of skill「Wrath」has reached the current accessible limit

“....Huh?”

Jae reflexively spurt out.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

But it wasn’t done quite yet.

The level of skill「Wrath」cannot be raised further until the user’s Status reaches the appropriate level Level Up process blocked until user reaches the appropriate level Usage of the「Causality Interference」System is denied

“...”

...Huh? What am I supposed to do about it then. It says, “until the appropriate level”, so does that mean I have to level up until it says I can use it? What the fuck is this, huh?

[Hmph. Boy, you are fragile and weak. Indeed, just like these mere goblins.]

[To handle the greatest heights of my power, you need to be strong.]

[So, annihilate everything that stands before you. Grow strong. Become powerful. Moreso than anything that else. So that you can control the true power of Wrath.]

[And..... If it is you...... It shouldn't take long.]

[AH! But, make sure you do it BEFORE the other bastards get there! You hear me!? I will be the first!]

“.....Right. Thanks for the encouragement, I guess.”, spoke Jae in a monotonous voice.

Well, whatever. I don’t know what that「Causality Interference」system is, but I’ll get it in due time.

While waiting for the goblins’ nest to be completely smoked out, Jae sorted out all the stuff in his head.