Astralis City – The Hunter's Bounty Board
The bustling Hunter's Guild was filled with activity. Warriors clad in combat armor, cloaks, and high-tech gear gathered around bounty boards, discussing potential missions and high-value targets.
Kai stood quietly in the back, scanning the glowing digital bounty list that displayed various creatures roaming the Titanwood Expanse.
He wasn't looking for just any monster.
He was looking for a slime.
Among all creatures, slimes were often considered weak, but their biology was unique—many possessed regenerative properties and elemental resistances.
And if Kai could consume one, then…
Regeneration. Poison Immunity. Near-indestructibility.
It was the perfect foundation for survival.
---
The Hunt Begins
After memorizing a few bounty locations, Kai left the guild and made his way back into the Titanwood Expanse.
The deeper regions of the forest held stronger monsters, but for now, his focus was on tracking a Lesser Regeneration Slime, a rare variant that had been sighted in the area.
As he walked, his Sinbound System activated.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Hunger Level Rising…]
Kai paused.
This was new.
Hunger Level?
Before he could dwell on it, his instincts flared.
Something was watching him.
---
The Gluttonous Blade
A rustling in the trees. The scent of something unnatural.
Kai tensed, his body ready for combat.
Then—a sharp metallic glint caught his eye.
Buried beneath the roots of an ancient tree was a rusted sword.
It looked ancient, its blade dulled by time, but the moment Kai's gaze locked onto it, his hunger surged.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Gluttony Relic Detected.]
[Do you wish to consume?]
Kai hesitated.
A weapon? Could I really… devour something like this?
His curiosity won over his caution.
He knelt, reaching out—and the moment his fingers touched the hilt, a surge of energy shot through his body.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Sinbound Armament Unlocked.]
The rust flaked away, the metal shifting, transforming in his grip.
What had once been a ruined relic was now a midnight-black blade, its edges jagged like the teeth of a beast. The handle pulsed, almost alive.
Kai's breath hitched.
Then, the system spoke again.
[Sinbound Weapon: Devourer Blade Activated.]
[This weapon will evolve as it feeds.]
Kai's grip tightened.
A weapon that grows stronger through consumption… just like me.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
This was his first true step toward mastering Gluttony.
---
The First Kill – A Slime's Regeneration
A wet, squelching sound echoed from deeper in the woods.
Kai's attention snapped toward the noise.
There—a Lesser Regeneration Slime.
It was translucent green, its core pulsating faintly. It slithered across the mossy ground, seemingly unaware of his presence.
Kai's muscles coiled.
This is it.
With a single, fluid motion, he lunged forward—his Devourer Blade flashing in the moonlight.
The moment his sword struck, the slime twisted unnaturally, splitting apart and reforming instantly.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
It can regenerate that quickly?
Fine.
Then I'll make sure there's nothing left to regenerate.
Kai activated Gluttony.
The Devourer Blade pulsed in his hands, its edges warping, shifting into serrated teeth.
And then, it did something terrifying.
It bit into the slime.
The blade absorbed the creature, draining its essence into the weapon itself.
Kai shuddered. He could feel the process happening—as if the sword was feeding alongside him.
The slime's body collapsed, its form shrinking until only its core remained.
Kai lifted the pulsating crystal, his hunger raging within him.
Without hesitation—he ate it.
---
Evolution & A Sin's Growth
The moment the slime's core slid down his throat, Kai's entire body tensed.
A new sensation flooded his veins—cool, fluid, yet unbelievably powerful.
Then—the system spoke.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Digesting Natural Monster Essence…]
[Absorbing Trait: Regenerative Flesh.]
(Grants enhanced healing speed. Fatal wounds may heal over time if properly nourished.)
[Absorbing Trait: Acid Resistance.]
(Reduces damage taken from corrosive or poison-based attacks.)
Kai flexed his fingers.
His body was already changing.
The exhaustion from earlier? Gone.
The soreness in his muscles? Already healing.
He clenched his fists.
I can heal now. I can last longer in a fight.
Then, another notification appeared.
[Gluttony Sin Progress: 10%]
Kai's breath caught.
So my Sinbound abilities evolve the more I feed?
That meant his power wasn't static.
It would continue to grow.
His smirk widened.
"Good."
---
The Road Ahead
Kai left the Titanwood Expanse stronger than before.
The Devourer Blade pulsed at his side, eager for more.
His body healed faster, resisted poisons, and could endure more punishment.
And most importantly—he had unlocked the true nature of Gluttony.
This was only the beginning.
Now, there was just one thing left to do.
Find out what happens when Gluttony reaches 100%.
---
To Be Continued…