I stood over the Cave Fang's corpse, my chest rising and falling as the aftershocks of the battle settled in. My arms ached from the struggle, but something was different. I felt stronger. Not by much—but enough to notice.
[Strength +1] [Agility +1]
[Skill Acquired: Quick Reflexes (F)]
I clenched and unclenched my fists. My movements felt a fraction sharper, my muscles slightly more responsive. It was real. The Devourer's Mark worked.
I had killed. And in return, I had grown.
A grin stretched across my face, sharp teeth glinting in the dim torchlight. This wasn't just survival. This was evolution.
A Predator Among Prey
The other goblins hadn't noticed my kill. That was good. I wasn't strong enough to fight them yet. If they realized I had something special, they'd either kill me out of jealousy or force me to serve them.
I crouched down and inspected the Cave Fang. Its fur was coarse, its body still warm. My stomach twisted with hunger. I had no choice.
I bit into the flesh.
The taste was foul, metallic with the lingering rot of whatever disease it carried. I forced myself to chew. I had to eat. Strength came from food, and right now, I needed every bit of it.
As I swallowed, another notification flickered before me.
[Minor Vitality Increase from consuming raw flesh.]
So I could get stronger by eating. Not just through my Devourer's Mark, but through actual sustenance.
I'll take every advantage I can get.
The System's Hidden Power
I leaned back against the cavern wall, licking the blood from my fingers as my System Interface flickered open.
"Status," I whispered.
[Name: None]
[Race: Goblin]
[Level: 1 → 2]
[Strength: 2 → 3]
[Agility: 3 → 4]
[Vitality: 2 → 3]
[Intelligence: 5]
[Skills: Quick Reflexes (F)]
[Unique Skill: Devourer's Mark]
I leveled up.
That confirmed it. Killing enemies and consuming them didn't just make me stronger—it pushed me beyond what a normal goblin could achieve.
I wasn't stuck at the bottom. I could climb.
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to think rationally. There was still a long way to go. Even if I had a way to grow stronger, I was still too weak to challenge the stronger goblins.
For now, I'll stay unnoticed. Hunt in the shadows. Grow stronger before they even realize what I've become.
But one day…
I will devour them all.