Chapter 4: From Dinner to Disaster
I am a genius!
Monsters! Beasts!
When I consumed their nutrients, I discovered that the enhancement circuits engraved throughout this test subject’s body could function without mana!
In theory, it can even cast buff magic on its own!
Remember this clearly, you dumb bstards!
I!
I perfected a system that can use the demonic energy within beasts like mana!
Is that all? Hell no!
If I enter the awakening mode I’ve named Berserker… (continued)
In the central region of Monster Island.
Somewhere on the vast plain, just past the dense forest and before the rugged valley begins.
“Chwiik!”
An orc warrior holding a spear turned around.
Thick drool dripped from its snout, where sharp tusks jutted out.
Drip, drip.
In the air, where the hungry creature’s gaze was fixed, smoke filled with a delicious aroma rose.
Beyond the wooden barricade of the orc tribe, a grand feast was unfolding.
“Chwk chwk chwk!”
Hot steam puffed from the excited orc’s nose.
Just moments ago, roars and groans had erupted from the “meal” beyond the barricade.
Right now, goblins, gnolls, deer, and bears were likely being roasted alive over bonfires, each with a sweet apple stuffed in their mouths.
“Chwiik chwiik!”
Drip drip drip.
Drool mixed with steam dripped from the spear-wielding orc’s mouth, eager to devour perfectly cooked prey.
The feast had been going on for days.
Had there ever been so many feasts in such a short time?
No.
Catching so much prey daily and openly lighting such large fires, spreading the aroma everywhere, was once taboo in this tribe.
Because of the nearby gnoll tribe.
Deep in the marsh, just down the stream, those foul-smelling creatures were always a threat, ready to attack at any moment.
But at some point, they vanished.
Whether hunting boars or deer in the forest and valley, or gathering warriors to hunt tigers deep in the jungle.
The gnoll tribes that always interfered, sparking life-or-death hunts, were nowhere to be seen.
“Chwiiiiik!”
Drooling and grinning as if a tooth had been pulled, the orc felt no fear.
Now, the only threats in this area were the occasional lone gnolls, treated as rare delicacies when caught.
Eat them all!
Tasty things!
The orc, drooling thick saliva, had no way of knowing.
“Why” the rival gnoll tribe in the marsh had suddenly disappeared.
“What” had crushed those creatures even they wouldn’t dare face in all-out war.
For this orc tribe, oblivious to such things, only one direction needed guarding.
The distant mountain ridge.
As long as they avoided the massive ogres descending from there or the shadow of the thunderbird covering the sky, this tribe was practically the ruler of the region.
Rabbits, foxes, goblins, deer, gnolls, bears, and even tigers.
Unlike other orc tribes scattered across the island, they could hunt and tear apart these delicious, aromatic creatures whenever they wanted! Every day!
As the scent of roasting food grew stronger beyond the barricade, drool dripped again from the orc warrior on guard.
Drip, drip.
“Ugh, gross.”
The startled orc warrior turned its head.
Slash!
Its head was already separating from its neck.
In the final moment before death, the orc warrior saw a sight.
“Fck, that ruined my appetite.”
A monster it had never seen before.
It’s been weeks since I started this grueling routine.
Muscle training and real combat.
And eating dead monster meat.
Each time I pushed my damaged body beyond its limits to recover, it began to surpass human boundaries.
Repeating these horrific acts that tortured my sense of touch and taste, I fought countless monsters to the death.
Yet still.
I’m not used to this sight.
Step.
Inside the wide-open barricade.
Everywhere, monsters and animals writhed over bonfires, apples stuffed in their mouths as they roasted.
Around them, groups of orcs drooled foul-smelling saliva, tearing into the cooking flesh.
“The stench of their drool is fcking disgusting.”
That’s when it happened.
“Chwi?”
“Chwiik?”
Two orcs on the high lookout tower in the center spotted me.
As they reached for the massive gong hanging from the roof, I quickly grabbed the two daggers at my waist.
Crack.
Flinging both hands with all my strength, the daggers—stolen from a goblin—lodged into the necks of the two orcs.
The force was stronger than I expected, sending the struck orcs slightly airborne before collapsing over the tower’s railing.
Thud. Thump.
“Ehh, I’m still not great at controlling my strength.”
Still, the feeling in my forearms and triceps was pretty damn good, so I’m satisfied.
“…!”
Thanks to the fallen orcs kicking up dust, every orc gathered around the bonfires turned their gaze toward me.
In an instant, dozens of pig-like heads opened their snouts at me.
“Chwiik! Chwiik!”
“Chwk chwk chwk!”
“Chwihiiii!”
“Chwiik!”
“Tchiiiiik!”
“Chwiiiiik!”
Hideous creatures, fit for a sacrificial altar, grabbed knives and axes, spraying steaming drool in a spectacular display.
Unlike when I took down the gnoll tribe, I planned to move quietly this time, but controlling my strength is still tricky.
“Well, then.”
Might as well wipe them all out.
Grin.
Adrenaline surged deep in my chest.
As my fighting spirit boiled, heating every part of my body from toes to head, I roared.
“Let’s do this!”
“Chwiiiiiiiik!”
With a roar, my body shot forward.
Literally.
Boom!
The moment a deep footprint sank where I stood, my body vanished with the rising dust.
“…Chwk!”
Just colliding with the lead orc was enough to send its foul-smelling body flying far back.
Crash!
The orc’s body flew in a straight line like a clothesline, knocking back the others behind it.
“Kwik!”
“Chwk!”
“Chiiip!”
“Chwp!”
Like bowling pins, the orcs scattered.
As their grotesque squeals erupted from pig-like snouts, I saw two orcs stabbing knives and axes toward my previous spot.
Tap.
Landing lightly, I grabbed their heads with both hands and slammed them together—
Crack!
With the sound of watermelons splitting, the two orcs collapsed.
Movement stirred behind me.
“Chwiiiiik!”
A spear this time.
Swish.
I dodged by bending my waist, then spun and swung my elbow.
“…Kwik!”
The orc’s jaw shattered, and it crumpled to its knees.
And then.
“Hup.”
Kicking up the falling spear, I caught it with my right hand and gripped it tightly.
“Hah!”
Flex!
My muscular right arm, thick with veins even I found freakish, pulled back over my shoulder.
“Graaaah!”
Whoosh!
A black line streaked through the air, and the spear pierced the charging orc horde.
Staring at the skewered orcs, I grinned with pride.
That’s when I felt a sharp sting at my side.
An axe blade was lodged there.
In the moment I’d focused on unleashing superhuman strength, an orc from the back had thrown it.
“Chwihihihi!”
Behind the dozens of orcs charging at me, one smirked with smug victory.
Grin.
Returning a smile, I took a deep breath and crouched low.
It was time to unleash it.
The limit of this body, pushed further by devouring monsters up until yesterday.
“Huuuuh.”
Inhaling until my chest and stomach swelled, I focused on every muscle, nerve, and sensation.
Thump! Thump!
Tightening my core.
Exhaling every bit of held breath, I unleashed the mysterious energy coursing through my body.
Raaaaar!
A roar that sent tingles from head to toe erupted, and the accumulated energy surged through me.
“Phew.”
I don’t need to see it to know.
My muscles have expanded, and strange steam rises from my body.
Each footprint on the ground glows with heat, and my eyes must be gleaming with an eerie light.
“This… is Berserker Mode.”
A kind of awakening state described in the secret lab’s journal, achieved through weeks of grueling training, combat, and consuming dead monsters.
This “test subject” body doesn’t just have muscles beyond a drugged-up human.
It can store the excess nutrients from monsters’ flesh and unleash them explosively!
The power is so great that—
Clank.
The axe blade lodged in my side fell out, my muscles swelling and hardening even more.
“Chwiiiiik!”
“Chwiik! Kweeeee!”
“Chwk chwk chwk!”
“Chwihiiii!”
“Chwiik!”
Kicking the jaw of the lead orc charging with murderous intent.
“…Chwp!”
Grabbing both ankles of the airborne orc with my hands.
“Raaaaah!”
Spinning in place, I used the orc to sweep away the others charging at me.
Whoosh!
A bizarre whirlwind formed.
Dust rose from the ground, blood poured from the spinning orc’s mouth, and the blood and flesh of other orcs scattered in the air, mixing into a massive tornado.
“…Chwi, chwiiiiik!”
“Giant Swing!”
“…Chwiiiiiiiik!”
“Fun, right? Huh?”
One spin.
Two spins.
Three spins.
The heavy sensation in my hands with each spin made my heart race.
Was this the feeling of training with a perfectly synced partner in peak condition?
This surging vitality!
This uncontrollable explosive power!
“Kweeeeee!”
“Chwi, chwiiiiik!”
“Chiiik! Chik! Chiiiiik!”
My spinning vision.
The more I spun, the louder the orcs’ screams grew, and something splattered over me.
Judging by the stench, it was blood and flesh, but I didn’t care.
Whoosh!
When this workout ends, nutrients to grow this overworked body will be waiting.
That means even greater performance, and even greater growth…
“Ahhh.”
Survival is one thing, but isn’t this the perfect cycle every athlete dreams of?
Tasty exercise and perfect growth!
I’ve finally found the ultimate routine!
Licking the blood splattered on my lips, I thought, “Fck, this is happiness.”
Probably.
“Chwiiiiiiiik!”
The orcs’ faces, briefly caught in my vision, were filled with sheer terror.
At the same moment.
Somewhere on the continent across the Dead Sea.
“Oh? Is this what I think it is?”
“That’s right. Congratulations.”
“Oh no, oh no!”
“Haha.”
A royal messenger stepped out of a luxurious carriage, smiling warmly at the flustered head maid of the household.
The letter in the maid’s hands bore the seal of the Carbon Kingdom.
Both the sender and receiver knew exactly what this letter, sent at this time, contained.
“A royal ball!”
“Seeing you so happy makes me happy. Hurry and deliver it.”
“Deliver it? You bet!”
The Carbon Kingdom’s ball, hosted for nobles from surrounding regions.
The pinnacle of social events, and the young lord of the Hellinger family had been invited!
“Even if he acts indifferent, our young lord has been waiting for this.”
Of course, the head maid had no idea.
Iban Hellinger.
The troublemaking young lord who received the letter would soon head to Monster Island in the Dead Sea to make a splash at the upcoming royal ball.