My SSS-Rank Gluttony Talent: I Can Evolve Limitlessly
Chapter 75: The Chief’s greed

Chapter 75: The Chief’s greed

A few minutes later...

Riley stood quietly in the middle of a wide, grassy plain.

The air was cool, and the wind rolled across the field, rustling the grasses around his boots.

Behind Riley stood a massive, burly man whose physique would have frightened most.

His shoulders were thick as tree trunks, and a long red scar was carved from the side of his forehead down to his chin.

His head was bald, shining brightly under the light, and his face was rugged.

But despite his intimidating appearance, Burus was shivering uncontrollably in the presence of Riley.

He looked like he wanted to run away. and forget this meeting ever happened.

However, his legs remained frozen to the ground, refusing to obey him.

Even though this was supposed to he his farm, his hands were trembling behind his back, his breathing heavy.

Each time his gaze flicked up and met Riley’s, he felt something squeeze him in his chest, making it harder to breathe.

It was like an instinct... screaming at him not to do anything that might offend Riley, or that might be the last thing he would do in this world.

Riley still wore the disguise of that young man with long black hair and blue eyes, but Burus had already seen beneath the mask.

Just minutes ago, Riley had broken his disguise... and for only a few seconds, Burus had stared into the real face hiding underneath.

Burus could still remember how fast he had dropped to his knees when he saw it. How quickly the apologies came tumbling out of his mouth, even before his brain could process the words.

It was only when the disguise returned that he found the strength to breathe again, but the fear hadn’t left.

If anything, it had grown worse.

Because now, he remembered the news he had heard happened just yesterday. Everyone in the village had heard them by now.

About the Hungry Demon, and how it had walked into the village square... turning it into a graveyard.

He heard it consumed people like they were snacks, sucking them into its large, gaping maw.

Burus had been lucky that day. He hadn’t gone out, only tending to his damaged crops in the fields.

After that, he rested throughout the day, cancelling out any disturbance with one of his many treasures.

Only later did he hear what had happened. The deaths, chaos, and the ruined village square.

And now, thinking back to the strange power used by Riley to devour those rats back then... it sounded too similar to what the hungry demon used.

It didn’t make any sense, especially since their appearances were anything but alike.

However, he could feel it... a strong chill in his bones that told him this person in front of him could be the hungry demon.

And that feeling suffocated him, making his skin crawl.

And then Riley turned, his gaze briefly meeting that of Burus.

The latter quickly turned his gaze away, and unbeknownst to him, a strange glint flashed across Riley’s eyes.

Then, he spoke.

"What you told me about..." Riley said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Is it true?"

Burus shivered violently.

His mouth opened, but the words didn’t come out immediately. He swallowed hard, eyes flicking to the side again before he finally managed to speak.

"Y-Yes... It’s true."

His voice was barely above a whisper, cracking slightly as he spoke.

"The village chief... he asked me to give him full control of the farm. Said they needed it for something important."

Riley’s brows furrowed.

’They want to use his farm for something, huh?’ he thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’I wonder what that is.’

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on Burus, who lowered his head again.

Back when Burus discovered Riley’s true strength, he had tried to curry favour from him, and it was clear he needed his help with a problem.

That was why he’d come back to the farm today. To find out what exactly was going on.

And now... it made more sense why the farmer had been so desperate.

The village chief had been pushing Burus relentlessly. Trying to take over the farm by any means necessary.

It started with a simple, harmless offer, then pressure, and now it had devolved into full-blown threats.

Riley’s eyes darkened slightly.

He still didn’t know why the chief was going to such lengths to seize a piece of farmland. If it were just greed, that would’ve been easy enough to understand.

But based on Burus’ explanation, that didn’t seem to be the case.

The chief had been unusually persistent, almost like he was obsessed with claiming the farm.

However, Burus didn’t want to surrender the farm.

It was his life, the only thing he had to make a reasonable living.

There was no way he would give it up so easily, even if it killed him.

Riley’s expression twisted into a frown, his arms slowly folding across his chest.

’I wonder what they want to use the farm for...’ he thought. ’This better not be another ploy from the demons.’

He stared at the ground for a few seconds, thinking.

It was too early to jump to conclusions, but the pattern felt... somewhat familiar.

His jaw clenched.

If this was another groundwork being laid down by the demons, then he had to find out, or things might play out the way they did in his past life.

His eyes narrowed.

Just then, his ears perked slightly, picking up the faint rustling of grass behind him.

Riley scoffed, but he didn’t turn his head and simply waited.

And sure enough... the noise grew clearer. He could hear murmurs, as well as chuckles mixed in between.

Then—

A group of five men emerged behind him and Burus, clad in brown armour, the same type of armour known to be used by the village guards.

Each one of them held a sword, and it was clear they weren’t here to joke around.

Burus, behind Riley, stiffened in horror.

And then, Riley slowly turned around, his gaze meeting that of the village guards.

The moment the five men laid eyes on Riley, their faces twisted in rage.