Satou sat in the dim, damp cave, his stomach growling loud enough to echo off the moss-covered walls. The air was thick with the stench of wet fur and rotting meat, making his empty gut twist in protest. He was still lost in thought, trying to figure out how to use his new devouring skills, when the rustling of footsteps snapped him back to reality.
The old goblin shuffled in, followed by a hulking brute twice his size. Between them, they carried a cracked wooden plate, its surface slick with something dark and wet. Blood dripped from the edges, leaving a trail of crimson splatters on the uneven stone floor. Whatever was on that plate, Satou couldn't see it clearly—just a lumpy, glistening mass that made his skin crawl.
As they passed, the old goblin tore off a chunk of the mystery meat and shoved it into a nearby baby goblin's mouth. The little creature gnawed happily, juices running down its chin.
At least it's edible, Satou thought, relief washing over him. His stomach roared again, louder this time. He couldn't help it—he threw his hands up and let out a loud, desperate cheer.
"Yes, finally, some food! It's been a day since I came to this world, and I haven't eaten anything!"
But then his excitement faltered. A cold doubt slithered into his mind.
Wait… what do goblins even eat? Do they cook their food? Or do they just tear into raw meat like wild animals?
The questions piled up, but before he could dwell on them, the two goblins stopped right in front of him. With a wet plop, the plate hit the ground, and the contents spilled out—a mangled heap of flesh, bone, and gristle, still dripping with dark, congealed blood.
Satou's throat clenched. His stomach lurched, bile rising in the back of his mouth. He barely managed to swallow it down, forcing his face to stay blank. The other baby goblins were already digging in, chewing noisily, so he couldn't afford to look suspicious.
The old goblin's beady eyes locked onto him. "Eat. You will need the energy."
Then, without another word, he turned and moved to the next baby goblin.
Satou stared at the mess in front of him, his hands shaking.
So today's the day… the "selection" thing they've been talking about. If I want to survive, I don't have a choice.
His fingers curled into fists, nails biting into his palms.
*Those two gods… I swear, once I get stronger, I'll make you regret this. I'll kill you both myself.*
---
Days later…
The cave hadn't gotten any less disgusting, but at least the baby goblins could now walk properly—clumsy, wobbling steps, but steps nonetheless. Satou sat hunched over, clutching a chunk of something that might've once been meat. It was cold, slimy, and reeked like a week-dead carcass left in the sun.
His stomach twisted in protest, but the hunger was worse. He hadn't eaten in days. If he didn't force this down now, he wouldn't stand a chance in the upcoming selection.
Gritting his teeth, he clamped a hand over his nose and took a bite.
It was horrible.
The taste was like chewing on rotten eggs soaked in sewage. The texture was worse—rubbery, with bits that crunched in all the wrong ways. His eyes watered, but he kept swallowing, bite after miserable bite.
Then, as the last piece slid down his throat, something inside him shifted.
A burning, writhing sensation exploded in his gut—not pain, but something deeper, like his body was rewriting itself. His stomach churned violently, breaking down the rancid meat like it was nothing.
A bright notification flashed before his eyes:
[Skill Acquired: Goblin's Iron Stomach]
Skill Effects:
1. Rot-Eater's Resilience
- Can eat spoiled, raw, or even slightly poisoned meat without puking.
- Gets some nutrients from garbage (better than starving, but still feels like eating wet cardboard).
- Downside: Now has permanent bad breath and a faint rotting smell.
2. Crude Toxin Resistance
- Handles weak poisons (rot, basic venom, etc.).
- Useless against magic or strong alchemy.
3.Pain Dulling
- Terrible food just gives a dull ache instead of crippling cramps.
- Side Effect: Might not notice if something's actually deadly.
Satou blinked at the notification, then grinned.
"Yes! This skill is a lifesaver! Now I won't have to taste this disgusting—"
He paused. The skill wasn't done. Scrolling down, another message appeared:
[Skill Acquired: Demon Wolf Enhanced Senses]
- Keen Smell: Track prey, sniff out hidden enemies.
- Night Vision: See clearly in near-total darkness.
- Enhanced Hearing: Catch even the faintest sounds.
- Weakness: Too much noise or stink can overwhelm you.
Nearby, a baby goblin sniffed the air, then gagged. "Ugh. Who died?"
Another one pointed at Satou. "Him. His breath smells like a corpse's butt."
Satou scowled. "Oh, shut up. Like yours is any better."
The first goblin took a deep whiff of its own armpit and grinned. "Nope. Mine's *worse*."
Satou groaned. Great. Now I'm stuck in a cave with monsters who take pride in smelling awful.