Chapter 2

"Divine Blessings?"

[Yes. Divine Blessings take form in any shape usually. But mostly they were in a sort of innate gifts or unique skills.]

"Is that so~ so this Goddess Atria is my patron? Who is this goddess and why would she gave me her divine blessings?"

[Based on facts and logic, then it would be that she, Goddess Atria, is the most beautiful and most awesome goddess in the world. Apology. As to why she gave you her favor, it cannot be accessed by the current level.]

"What's with that description? Favoritism?"

[The system did not have the concept of 'free will'. Hence, the possibility of favoritism is close to none-existent ...]

"The concept of 'Free Will' you say. But talking to you, I doubt such a thing didn't exist. Since you can answer my question freely and without any issue, you're not answering things with predetermined answers like some sort of a robot with fixed parameters. And if that is not the case, then, you as well 'Free Will', don't you?"

[... ...]

Rain smirked as if he had found victory; "Since you're trying to divert the topic and tried to cover things up, don't tell me you're in cahoots with this goddess, Sylphy? Thus, you serve as my support system. Am I right?" Rain pressed. "Well, if that was the case, it would not be surprising. After all, as you said, you came from her."

[........You're greatly mistaken.]

The short pause between question and reply made the latter completely unconvincing.

"Doesn't matter. Whether you wanted to deny it or not, is not really important anymore. I will be the who will need your help anyway, and it's not as if I have any other choices, either...heck, even the hardest exam gives you multiple choices. Therefore, you will be stuck with me for quite a while, so best regards Sylphy,"

[I will take care of my Master and support you as much as I can. It's my purpose to exist in this world--so please leave it to me,]

"You're quite reliable if you do that. Anyway, so I'll just choose right?" Rain smiled wryly. Then, he once again stared at the choices of abilities he could have. All three are good if only I can choose them all...

It's really hard to choose though since these skills are cheat-ish and awesome abilities…

However, there was only one thing that I needed right now…

“Sylphy, tell me what is this [Predation].” Is this what I thought it was? Rain’s heart almost skips a beat. He had read light novels before about protagonists with this awesome ability, such as the certain Goblin. It was one of the abilities you would surely abilities-like-to-have kind of list.

And it was the among the top either!

And as expected;

[[Predation] is an ability that allows its user to have a chance of getting abilities of other beings and things by eating them or a part of them. No matter how hard or poisonous something was, the user would be able to eat it.

The teeth could tear through the likes of iron and gold easily, while toxins would be restructured, rendered harmless and edible inside the body. The characteristics of whatever It's eaten, whether it be an item or another living being, would be absorbed and assimilated, so that the one that absorbed could use them as well.

Chances of acquiring ability – 20%.

Caution: Strength of the ability that was gained through absorption depends on the quality of the substance and its freshness. ]

“As I expected, it’s the strongest Goblin’s ability…”

Though it's ghoulish, it's better than the other three.

This is it! Rain shouted inside his mind.

What he needed right now is this ability… the ability to eat anything and survived!

He doesn’t know what kind of food he might find in this place. In survival programs he had seen in the past, food is always the first thing that one should solve first. Everything follows after it. However, you can never know if the available things within you are edible or not. There's no do-over as well, once you failed.

Worst is that, there might be nothing edible here, might be poisonous or worse, nothing at all. So, even if he can find nothing, he can still survive by eating rocks and whatever he might find until he finds civilization. So this kind of skill is really important.

Besides, additional ability while eating something… it’s a win-win situation for him.

Without any hesitation, Rain immediately choose; “[ Predation ]”

In an instant, Rain was enveloped by a warm light.

Ding!

[You have acquired the Unique Skill: [Predation]!]

[Well then, Rain, please be careful on your journey and hope that we meet again in the future—Atria.]

What was that message under the success prompt?

… …

Unknown places like this, one’s ultimate problem was finding food.

No matter what situation it is, that is a necessity!

But now, since Rain has acquired [Predation] ability, it can be said that it was more or less resolved. At the very least, he was not going to die starving—such worry had disappeared in his mind. In any case, starving is one of the most embarrassing ways to die. But with this, he doesn’t need to worry about food, or being poisoned, everything around him is food.

Rocks, metals, woods, everything can become his staple food!

So meals had been settled. Now then,

—unto the next problem.

“Where am I?”

[It seems like the Master was transported accidentally in a Monster Lair found in the Boundary of the Desolate Plain…]

But the answer to that question is something, he would never like to know.

“What?! A monster lair? You mean, monsters as in, there are monsters here?” Rain’s eyes widened in shock. This is not the fucking time for worrying about meals, damn it!

One mistake and everything would be a game over!

If there were really Gods... then, how shitty can Gods be if the starting point is at the middle of monsters? Wouldn't that be like throwing a defenseless lamb into a pack of wolves?

What a shitty game!!

[Affirmative!]

Sadly, the cold and mechanical AI doesn’t seem to care about Rain’s lamentation as it answered with the usual icy cold voice.

“Are you joking me?! Why am I inside a Monster Lair? I don’t care if it’s not in a human city or whatever, I can stomach it if I was transported inside a huge forest, trying to find my way out like those in novels but… why the heck am I inside a monster lair?” Rain wanted to cry. “Do you want me to get a game over just after being transported in this world? I don’t want to die twice simultaneously!! Oh dear god!”

[… Master, it’s out of my capability. Your transportation was rather… an unfortunate accident…]

“Is this your Goddess way of joking?”

[It may be unbelievable but the Goddess Atria wasn’t a part of this accident …]

Rain wanted to believe her words but just, a part of him was doubtful.

He really wanted to cry now, how can he be so unlucky?

“Then how can I get out?”

[ … … ]

“Hey! Aren't you my support system or something? Isn't this your time to shine?!”

[Master, try your best! Good luck! I will always be here, supporting you!]

Ding! Dang! Ding! Dang!

A cheer-type tune resounded inside his mind.

Goddammit!!

And here I thought you are completely reliable!! I want to eat the past me who thought of such a thing!!

“Stop that!” Rain gnashed his teeth in frustration. He tried standing up but suddenly, the moment he steps out the Stone Pedestal, he finally noticed that the pedestal he was in was actually levitated from the ground. According to his estimate, it’s around 3 – 4 meters high. Not high, unfortunately not low either. Still, it’s jumpable.

Looking at the darkness that covered his surroundings, Rain can only sigh in helplessness. Just what do the Gods wanted me to do anyway...? Isn't this like asking for the impossible?

The darkness is quite scary for some reason...

“– Well, first things first. I think I need to check what things I currently have on hand. If only there was such a weapon," But why would I carry weapons in the first place...? Rain sigh. "Anyway, no time to dream of what's not there..." Then, just like any survival play-off game, Rain muttered to himself and sat back again on the hard, cold and rough pedestal, reaching for his backpack.

Aside from the plastic bag carrying his newly bought cup noodles which were nowhere to be seen, fortunately, he managed to retain his bag with him. He was carrying it on his back, probably the reason why he managed to take it with him in this world.

Truthfully, he really wished he had brought the cup noodles with him since those things can be eaten even without being cooked or hot water and most of all it can last him for quite a long time if he economizes…

But wish will always remain just a wish...

Regretting that point, he began taking everything out from his backpack.

What was taken out were –

A set of clothes; a jean, two pair of shorts, two T-shirts; one was jet-black with an image of Iron-man on it and the other is a dark crimson color with Wolverine – his spare clothes for work. Both bought on a bazaar of second-hand items, extremely cheap and still looked new…

Two white towels.

4 5 – 6 inches sized strawberry chocolate bars and another 5 milk-chocolate flavors.

A 25ML mineral water.

His smartphone and his favorite cheap second-hand black headphone. And lastly, a second-hand, Glen’s spares solar power charger, with 3 charging outlets – Which was in fact, just a borrowed item from him. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to return this though. Rain once again sighs. He suddenly realized, the times he sighs today was double the times he did usually.

Shaking his head, he grabbed his smartphone and opened it but as expected, there was no signal, besides its already losing power. I forgot to charge it when I’m still in the shop…

Well, in this world, this was already useless… Still, maybe there’s something I can use it for in the future~

"It's already 8:45 AM... well, did I sleep through a night?" Rain shrugs and puts the phone back inside the bag.

Next were the chocolate bars… for now, this will be the most important thing in his possession. Of course, at least until he can find a staple food, other than rocks… he wanted it to make an emergency food for drastic situations. In any case, they will not spoil as long as he won’t open the wrapper. And lastly, the already half-filled mineral water….

Even if he had enough food, he can’t last without water!

Fortunately, it still has about 2/3 of water inside. He returned it back inside the bag and hides it behind the pedestal. He can’t lose them –

Now, for the next part, Rain needed to find a way out now… at the same time, he needed more information to assess his situation.

Thus, he set out!

[Master!]

Sylphy suddenly called out the moment Rain jumped.

Crack! Crack! Rain heard something cracking under his feet the moment he landed. When he looked down, his eyes widened in shock!

Bones…

That’s right, under his feet, was countless bones and skulls were gathered. It wasn’t clear due to the lack of light before. But now he can see them. Clearly...and wishing he shouldn't have seen it.

Countless bones scattered all over the place.

Gulp. Rain swallowed as another Crack! sound echoed when he steps.

What is this place…?

Rain felt as if he smelled the smell of danger rushing towards him as he slowly walked around. Trying to observe the entire place, his mind went overdrive in vigilance.

[Master, there’s something I forgot to tell you… I have one good and bad news for you…]

And the unlucky one once again strikes…

“The bad news…” Rain frowned as he listened to Sylphy’s words.

Grrrr...

Rain’s heart almost jumped out of his chest the moment he heard something growling, like a wild beast.

Now, he finally knows what fear means…

Rain started stepping back, slowly, as he can.

In his field of vision, two, no, three dog-like monsters with a height that had almost reached an adult’s chest and with gleaming red eyes came out from the darkness. They looked like the Labrador Retriever from Earth but these dogs had two long canines in front of their jaws, almost like saber tigers in the prehistoric era.

Under the dim light, their black fur has a metallic sheen on them, making it as if they were made of metal.

[I can sense mana activities around you so it means there are monsters in the vicinity.]

WHY DID YOU NOT SAY THAT A LITTLE EARLIER!!!??

Rain wanted to scream but his throat seemed to have clogged up as no sounds came out. Even his throat seems to have been dried up.

This place… could it be… a breeding GROUND!??

A realization struck him as if being hit by a Heartbreak Shot.

[The good news is that it seems like they are just weak Bone-Eaters… Master can beat one of them…]

“AND YOU CALL THAT GOOD NEWS!!!? What am I a fucking Superman?!!” Rain finally couldn’t hold it in and cursed at the top of his lungs before turning around and dashed away, towards the levitated pedestal.

He was running away as fast as he can. He doesn’t know if that pedestal can be of use, however, it’s safer than in an equal ground.

“Damn it! What’s with that name!? Do you mean that they will eat even my bones, leaving nothing left behind?! Their appearance ain't conspicuous enough, you all gave them another scary-sounding name?!” Rain continued running.

Not looking back and not even thinking anything. Just following his instinct to run away further from the monsters. He had some scuffles with other people before, fistfight and brawl were normal. However, he had never fought against a wild beast before.

Even a freaking bear was cute compared to them!

Obviously, the Bone Eaters immediately give chase. Of course, they are much faster than him so in just a few seconds, they have already reached him.

And this is what she meant by me able to beat them?!

Are you joking with me?!

Groaww!

One of the Bone Eaters leaped at Rain while raising its sharp claws. Rain’s face immediately lost its colors. His face colored with despair. It felt like his blood was being drained and he can feel his body stiffen in fear. He was going to die.

That was the only thing in his mind.

The ferocious eyes of the Bone Eaters and sharp canines, Rain can imagine his miserable death. Eaten, ripped apart, scattered his intestines and… his bones. They would play catch with it and…

As Rain’s mind came to a standstill, [Master!!] Sylphy’s voice echoed inside his mind, waking him up from his daze.

From who knows where his courage comes from when Rain saw the inches away claws of the beast, Rain’s mind blank and before he knew it, he had already curled his body in a hurry causing him to drop on the ground and rolled out.

The beast claws brushed past his cheeks, causing a cut wound on it. However, Rain successfully delayed his death.

Rain’s sharp blue eyes turned cold, like a machine.

Even his expression was cold.

There are… two? No, there were also other silhouettes behind them… judging from the height and appearance, classic goblins?

There are about four goblins that are trailing behind. They all have clubs or stone weapons. A couple of them have bows as well. Still, they could hit me dead between the eyes with an arrow and I wouldn’t flinch. However, this is the Master’s body… I can’t let it get hurt more than necessary…

‘W, what is going on?’