My SSS-Rank Gluttony Talent: I Can Evolve Limitlessly
Chapter 73: New path

Chapter 73: New path

Riley sighed softly, brushing some dust from his sleeve.

"There’s no need to beat yourself up about it," he said. "You’re strong, but sometimes... some are just better, more talented."

Yano’s head shot up, eyes widening as the words rang in his ears.

He clenched his fists even tighter, his heart pounding in his chest as anger coursed through his veins.

’Is he mocking me...?’ he thought, his brows twitching uncontrollably.

As someone used to growing up being praised as the ’talented’ one, and the best among his generation, those words sounded like the cruelst jab imaginable.

But what he didn’t know... was that Riley wasn’t mocking him at all.

In his past life, Yano had always compared himself to Terry.

However, despite all his early accomplishments and the noble air he always walked around with, Yano could never outshine Terry.

That comparison... it had eaten Yano alive.

No one had known it at the time, but that obsession was what pushed him to insanity. It was what eventually led him to abandon his humanity and turn to the dark side—joining hands with the demons.

In truth, if possible, Riley would’ve preferred if he hadn’t ended up like that again.

If he stayed on the ’good side’ and helped fight against the oncoming war against the demons, he would surely prove to be a huge help.

But...

’I just don’t like him,’ Riley thought.

It wasn’t some noble sense of judgment or wisdom. It was plain and simple dislike.

He hated Yano’s attitude and the way he constantly looked down on others.

Besides, he could still remember how much hell the Noble Lions Guild put him through just because he wanted to join them.

It was something he would never forget as long as he lived.

Even so, as much as he hated to admit it—he couldn’t deny Yano’s strength.

He might’ve been a pompous jackass, but his power was still terrifying.

As time went on in their past life, Yano had grown into one of the most powerful players in the game, striking fear into his opponents with his blood magic.

Unfortunately, he was too selfish and obsessed with being the best.

Riley clicked his tongue faintly, brushing his fingers down the side of the scorpion’s corpse.

’Doesn’t matter whether he turns bad or not,’ he thought. ’I’ll be there to smack them all down anyway.’

Suddenly, a strange glint flashed across his eyes, and his brows furrowed.

’Maybe that would even be for the best... because I can get the chance to devour him, and absorb his talent...’ he thought, the edges of his lips curling up slightly.

Terry’s eyes suddenly shifted to Riley.

The smirk on the latter’s face was already gone, replaced by a cold, nonchalant expression.

Nonetheless, the sight of it had already been burned into Terry’s mind, never to be forgotten again.

He narrowed his eyes, a chill running down his spine. ’What was that I just sensed...?’

It hadn’t lasted more than a second, but it hit him like a cold splash of water.

A wave of something vile, crawling over his skin like a disgusting bug, before vanishing.

’It felt... evil,’ he thought, his lips parting slightly. ’Like something that doesn’t belong... in this world.’

But before he could process the feeling any further—

BOOM!

A violent rumble suddenly tore through the area.

The entire earth beneath them trembled as though something massive had been awakened underground.

"W-What the hell?!"

"Earthquake?!"

"No way..."

Gasps echoed as dust leapt into the air and several players lost their footing.

Terry’s head snapped up. "What now?"

Rocks on the far edge of the boss zone began to tumble down violently.

The huge mountain formation that had once marked the boundary of the area started splitting, cracks rapidly spreading across its surface like lightning bolts.

Large chunks of stone broke away from the mountains and plummeted to the earth below, smashing into the ground with deafening crashes.

BOOM!

BOOM!

"What’s going on?!"

"I thought the boss was dead?!"

"The mountain’s breaking apart!"

"Is this another monster?!"

Panic spread fast.

Some players had already begun to retreat, their faces pale with fear.

The thought that another monster—possibly even worse than the Crimson Blood Scorpion—was about to emerge was enough to make several low-level players sprint away without a second thought.

Even Yano turned sharply to the disturbance, his brows furrowed, mouth slightly open as he stared at the crumbling mountains.

’What the hell is going on...?’ he thought, his heart thundering in his chest.

But then his gaze slowly snapped back to Riley.

And he froze.

Because while the mountain collapsed and the players screamed... Riley didn’t move, not even an inch.

He stood with his arms folded, his eyes calmly watching the destruction like it was just a mildly interesting spectacle.

’H-How is he still so calm...?’ Yano thought, his throat tightening.

’Is he... responsible for this?’

He stared harder at the black-haired figure, but no answer came.

Riley didn’t even glance at him.

He simply tilted his head a bit and exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly.

’It’s finally happening.’ he thought.

As soon as the thought flashed through his mind, a notification suddenly appeared before him, along with all the other players in the novice village.

[The first city ’Montville’ has started to open up!]

[A new path has opened for the players... how will you utilise this new path to your benefit?!]

"W-What?!"

"The first city?!"

"It’s finally happening!"

Gasps of shock and excitement erupted in the crowd, quickly overpowering the panic.

The mountain wall, which had once seemed like an impassable border, was now cracked wide open—revealing a wide, dark valley beyond it.

Faint rays of golden sunlight spilled into the darkness, illuminating what looked like a newly formed path leading out of the boss area.

Riley’s gaze lingered on the notification for a moment, then dropped to the path behind the broken mountains.

At the far end of the wide valley, a massive black gate slowly revealed itself, and the players cheered in excitement.