“Hm. I see. What did she call herself?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t use Identify on her. It was useless. Do you know what caused that?”
“She’s carrying something with her. Something special, unique. But, without a name, I can’t give you any answers. Did she say anything else?”
“She said we’d meet again.”
“Ha. Then you’re bound to do so. Just forget about her until you do.”
“What do you mean?”
But Greed dropped into his trademark silence. He obviously knew more, but he wouldn’t tell me anything when he got like this. There was nothing to do but drop the topic.
I focused on the mountain path. Occasionally, I heard rustling from the bushes. Rabbits, perhaps, or foxes. Monsters were more prone to leaping out to attack than staying hidden.
At length, Greed and I arrived at a short, wooded cliff overlooking the ravine.
“So this is where the kobolds come from.”
“Finally, we can kill something new. The goblins were getting so very monotonous.”
“After we’re done scouting and gathering intel.”
Even in the trees’ shadows, hidden from the moonlight, Night Vision let me see everything. Wherever the kobolds came from, I would spot them from here.
After a short time, two kobolds appeared near the valley mouth, using the trees as cover. These dog-faced monsters bristled with bushy blue fur. Though they were canines that walked on two feet, they weren’t the least bit cute. As they neared, they came into Identify’s range, and I analyzed them. Both kobolds were the same.
Kobold Junior, Lv 25
Vitality: 880
Strength: 890
Magic: 350
Spirit: 400
Agility: 780
Skill: Strength Boost (Medium)
I changed Greed to his bow form and took aim . The magic arrow cut through the air with a whisper and hit the kobold straight in the forehead. One down.
Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +880, Strength +890, Magic +350, Spirit +400, Agility +780. Skill added: Strength Boost (Medium)
At the sight of its suddenly dead partner, the remaining kobold’s eyes darted about. It tensed, preparing to lunge at whatever it saw, but I wouldn’t give it the chance. I fired the second arrow. The kobold collapsed into the brush as the magic arrow passed through its forehead.
Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +880, Strength +890, Magic +350, Spirit +400, Agility +780
I waited a moment longer, but no more kobolds appeared. I was disappointed. Just two… I hungered for more.
“This is supposed to be the season for kobolds,” I said. “They come through the ravine and into the Hart family estate. But there’s not nearly enough of them.”
“My hunch is they’re playing cautious,” said Greed. “Every year, a holy knight drives them away, so they send the junior kobolds to scout ahead. They’re probably biding their time and waiting for the opportune moment.”
“Ah, so that’s what they’re up to.”
However, if they sent scouts and those scouts never returned, the kobolds might not come at all. The next time I climbed here, I’d have to give them more leeway before I acted.
My Gluttony was far from appeased, but there was no other choice—I had to endure it for now. Ignoring the hunger of my empty stomach, I returned to the path to the mansion.
Chapter 17:
The Deranged Dog Howl
T HE NEXT DAY started early, as it was the day of the grape harvest with all the villagers of Hart estate.
Lady Roxy finished a brisk breakfast and returned to her room. There was no need for me to get changed or to prepare anything in advance, so I waited for her near the mansion’s entrance.
I didn’t have to wait long. Lady Roxy arrived with her hair tied into a ponytail. Once again, she looked different from any other time I’d seen her. Her clothing was durable, ready for wear and tear. She struck me as a uniquely lovely farm girl.
In the past, Lady Roxy had dressed like a townsperson when we visited the Merchant District on her top secret inspection. Compared to that adventure, there was no flair to her present outfit. It was simple, yet the plain clothes seemed to draw out and highlight her beauty.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said. “Let’s go. They’ll be waiting for us.”
“Okay.”
I accompanied the enthusiastic Lady Roxy and we left. Greed stayed in my room. The Hart family estate was safe and secure, and there was no need to worry about bandits. Besides, Greed was for monster hunting; he would only get in the way of grape picking.
It was another one of those days of unrivaled pastoral beauty. As we walked through the vineyards, we saw the villagers had already begun. Lady Roxy approached the oldest person among them, an elderly woman.
“Thank you for everything you’ve already done,” she said to the woman. “It looks like we’re in for another good harvest.”
“Well, well. Lady Roxy, it’s you.” The old woman bowed her head with great reverence.
Realizing the estate’s young master had arrived, the villagers paused and gathered around; they brought large, juicy grapes, freshly picked. They wanted Lady Roxy to see the literal fruits of their labor, into which they had poured their time, care, and effort.
“My, the grapes are in wonderful condition this year, too,” Lady Roxy added. “I could tell as soon as I saw the ones you sent to the manor in Seifort.”
“We’re grateful for your kind words, Lady Roxy.” The old woman, who appeared to be in charge, passed a single grape to Lady Roxy with a delighted smile.
“Very well,” Lady Roxy said, “just one. Oh, they’re so sweet and luscious!”
The villagers were thrilled. Some actually jumped for joy. I could tell, in that instant, just how much they all adored her.
When Lady Roxy’s welcome was over, the old woman sent everyone back to work. Then she noticed me standing next to Lady Roxy, and her face lit up in another smile.
“Ah, you must be Fate. I heard about you. The others said you were here all day yesterday, helping with the harvest. Lady Roxy’s personal servants really are something.”
“I… Well, let’s not exaggerate,” I mumbled, embarrassed. I still wasn’t used to compliments.
However, Lady Roxy looked thoroughly pleased. “Fate is a servant I chose myself!” she said.
“Well, I’d expect nothing less of you, Lady Roxy. Shall we get started?”
“Yes! Fate, are you ready? Let’s go!”
“After you, Lady Roxy!”
I worked as hard as I could. I didn’t want to admit it was because I was in front of Lady Roxy, and wanted her to see my best side, but…there was a little of that, to be sure.
As expected of a holy knight, Lady Roxy’s stats were a marvel to behold. She could hoist several baskets of grapes all by herself. Every time she did, the villagers let out a cheer.
Being in such a welcoming environment suddenly scared me. How long could I stay here, really? Should I even be at the estate at all? My Gluttony meant my future would be an endless battle. Could a person like me live in a place like this? Was a person like me necessary? When I followed this line of thought to its conclusion, I had a feeling that, sooner or later, a time would come when I had to leave Lady Roxy’s side…and her protection.
When the harvest was complete, Lady Roxy and I walked back to the mansion. I offhandedly asked her something that had been on my mind since we arrived.
“Why are all the vineyards south of the estate? Barely anything’s growing in the north.”
“Oh… There used to be vineyards there, but kobolds razed the fields. I believe that happened in my great-grandfather’s generation.”
But if it had happened so long ago, then there had been more than enough time to regrow the vineyards. Yet they hadn’t. Why?
“They say the kobold that came from the north that day was a wicked beast with silver fur,�
� continued Lady Roxy. “Unfortunately, my great-grandfather was away from the estate at the time, and for that reason, the losses were especially great. The soil of the northern fields was stained with the blood of a great many villagers.”
She looked toward the northern fields as she spoke. When I followed her gaze, I noticed that they were blanketed with flowers in a rainbow of colors. Ah, so they were a graveyard; they wouldn’t be used as vineyards again.
“I do not wish to make the same mistake,” Lady Roxy said.
***
In the dead of night, I slipped out of the mansion. It would have been a lie to say I didn’t feel a little guilty. But I had to do this, for my own sake—for my survival. If I neglected to hunt monsters and devour their souls, then within a week, my Gluttony would force me into starvation mode. If I let that go on too long, I would lash out at anyone to satiate it. The time and the place wouldn’t matter.
If I didn’t want to become a monster, I had to hunt them.
The gloom of clouds bathed the land, hiding the moonlight, but with Night Vision, my gaze was clear.
As I hurried up the path to the ravine, Greed spoke. “What’s bothering you, Fate? Something has made your thoughts murky today.”
“How do you know? You don’t have Telepathy.”
“I can read it in your pulse. Well, what’s bothering you?”
I didn’t want to say. Didn’t want to ask whether I would someday have to leave Lady Roxy’s side. And I didn’t want to admit that the thought wouldn’t leave my mind. I felt like, if I said it, I’d make it true.
“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to,” said Greed. “At any rate, that holy knight girl is running those kobolds out of here starting tomorrow, right? So you’d best get your fill of them tonight.”
“Yes. That was the plan.”
I had only devoured two souls yesterday. If I didn’t satisfy my hunger tonight, Lady Roxy would drive my meal away. Furthermore, since she planned to keep watch over the area for another two days after her hunt, she would force Gluttony to fast during that time. Even if I could endure that, I would have to go goblin hunting as soon as we returned to the kingdom. I would be walking on thin ice.
“If I were a betting blade, I’d put my money on your going crazy with hunger on the way back. There’s no way you would last that long.”
“Would you quit it with the pessimism?”
As I chewed Greed out for his bad sense of humor, we arrived at my wooded cliff perch before the ravine from the prior night. From there, I could see the entire northern ravine, and because I was downwind, the kobolds wouldn’t catch my scent.
Hours passed. I wondered whether, by killing the two scouts, I had put the kobolds on edge. A yawn almost escaped my lips when Greed noticed something.
“They’re here.”
I squinted and spied two blue-furred kobolds sneaking down the ravine. Scouts. If I killed them now, the other kobolds wouldn’t show. I slowed my breath and hid in wait. After checking the area, the two scouts disappeared back up the ravine.
“And now the pack comes?”
“There is no doubt. They will come.”
Just as Greed predicted, the kobolds flowed down the ravine like a river of shuffling blue fur. There were at least fifty. Most were kobold juniors, but five looked much bigger. One, with silver fur instead of blue, was even larger than those.
Greed sensed its danger immediately. “Something wicked this way comes. That there is a crowned beast.”
“A crowned beast?”
“A monster with a unique name. Monsters like that are born out of accumulated hate, built up over many, many years. It’ll be quickest just to Identify it and see for yourself.”
I did as Greed suggested. What?! This thing’s stats are…six digits?!
The One Called Howl
Kobold Warrior, Lv 50
Vitality: 200,000
Strength: 200,000
Magic: 125,000
Spirit: 135,000
Agility: 125,000
Skills: Brawl
It was a kobold warrior, but it stood more than a cut above the rest. The name also differentiated it. So that was what Greed meant by a “crowned beast.”
“Fate, if that monster ventures onto the estate grounds, expect terrible things. See how it’s flanked by four ordinary kobold warriors? Against them, a young holy knight on her own would be like a lamb in the slaughterhouse.”
“You mean…”
“Yes. If you don’t hold them back here, they’ll wreak havoc.”
I took a deep breath and reviewed my own stats.
Fate Graphite, Lv 1
Vitality: 50,201
Strength: 50,051
Magic: 23,501
Spirit: 23,501
Agility: 35,901
Skills: Gluttony, Identify, Telepathy, Conceal, Night Vision, One-Handed Sword Technique, Two-Handed Sword Technique, Strength Boost (Low), Strength Boost (Medium), Vitality Boost (Low), Vitality Boost (Medium), Health Regen
The villages of the Hart family estate deserved protection. I gripped the black sword Greed tight…and made up my mind.
I would devour all of them, and I would leave no survivors.
Chapter 18:
Gluttony of Gluttonies
I KEPT A CLOSE EYE on the kobolds as I began to move.
“Fate, do you have a plan in mind?”
There was a hint of amusement in Greed’s voice, like he already knew.
“I’m going to fight like a starving man.”
“Ah, you finally get it. It’s about time you leveled up from regular old battle strategies. It’s been a real pain watching you scrabble. Anybody can fight, but for us, it’s like nibbling at crumbs. Far from gluttonous.”
I made sure to stay downwind of the kobolds and readied the black bow. My target was a kobold junior. The magic arrow pierced its eye with unparalleled accuracy.
Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +880, Strength +890, Magic +350, Spirit +400, Agility +780
The echo of the metallic voice in my head was a signal: the hunt was on.
I released a second and third arrow at the kobold juniors, and the droning voice informed me of my rising stats. The kobolds fell into disarray as they realized they were no longer safe. However, the crowned kobold let out a roar to silence them. It had determined my location, and it barked orders to the surrounding kobolds. As I expected, even though this crowned kobold was viciously strong, it was also exceedingly cautious. Its personality had been evident from the scouting parties it sent earlier.
The crowned kobold stood in place, unmoving. It sent two kobold warriors and ten kobold juniors to the area in which I hid.
“They’re coming. Time to get moving.”
“Yeah.”
I silently retreated deeper into the trees. Come to me. Follow the scent to your prize…
I proceeded until I found a boulder and hid in its shadow. I knew they would find me; they would have no trouble following my scent. But I needed that; I needed them to find me. I needed them to take the bait.
“They’re here, Fate.”
I peeked my head out from behind the rock and analyzed a sinewy, muscular kobold warrior with Identify.
Kobold Warrior, Lv 40
Vitality: 50,000
Strength: 50,000
Magic: 27,000
Spirit: 28,000
Agility: 45,000
Skills: Agility Boost (Medium)
I beat them in terms of strength and vitality, but only by a little. That meant the kobold juniors were first on the menu.
The kobolds surrounded the boulder where I hid, and as they did, the first strike was mine. I leaped up on the boulder, letting loose multiple shots from the black bow. Five, six, seven kobold juniors perished. None would escape. The kobolds tried to run for cover, but the magic arrows chased them down. Every arrow hit its mark. All ten kobold juniors died in their attempt to corner me.
I’d lea
rned from hunting goblins that even weak monsters could give you decent stats if you ate enough of them. I felt a smile curl upon my face as a familiar metallic voice echoed in my head. Only the two kobold warriors remained. I beat them in terms of stats now, but the difference wasn’t profound. If I could take one out while they reeled in dismay at the loss of the juniors, the second one would be easy.
And delicious.
I jumped from the boulder and shifted Greed from black bow to black sword. The nearest kobold warrior, coming back to its senses, brought its right paw down in a swipe, aiming to shred me to pieces with its razor-sharp claws. Too slow. I evaded the strike and lunged forward, cutting the beast’s trunk-like body in two. Blood sprayed into the air as the kobold warrior’s torso slid to the ground.
Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +50,000, Strength +50,000, Magic +27,000, Spirit +28,000, Agility +45,000. Skill added: Agility Boost (Medium)
With these stats, beating the remaining kobold warrior would be a cakewalk. To me, the monster was now no different than a kobold junior, and just as easy to hunt. Instinctively sensing a change in my bloodthirsty aura, the kobold warrior crept backward, keeping distance between us. Then it turned and broke into a sprint, running on all fours. No doubt it meant to go crying to the crowned kobold for help.
“Don’t let it get away,” Greed said.
“I won’t.”
I transformed Greed back to the black bow and fired several arrows at the kobold warrior; its tail whipped as it ran. The arrows pierced the back of the kobold’s head one after another, ending its life before it had a chance to make a sound.
Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +50,000, Strength +50,000, Magic +27,000, Spirit +28,000, Agility +45,000
An immense rush of satisfaction surged through me, as though Gluttony itself reveled in the feast. I grappled to control the pulsing joy as I analyzed my current stats.
Fate Graphite, Lv 1
Vitality: 161,641
Berserk of Gluttony (Light Novel) Vol. 1 Page 13
