"someone with stronger soul will have a far higher bottleneck in terms of their vessel growth than someone like you with soul strength of 50 and they can reach their goal much faster because of their talent and potential being far higher"

Her tone carried quiet certainty.

"This example I gave you is only the most basic version of how it works."

Kelly was shocked, to say the least. As the woman’s explanation settled into his mind, the image she had painted became clearer and clearer. If everything she said was true, then Agawa was already standing far ahead of him even at the very beginning of the path.

Kelly imagined Agawa’s future strength through the example she had just given. And the result was terrifying. For the first time, Kelly truly understood the fanaticism surrounding him the admiration, the favouritism, the almost reverent way people treated Agawa. He wasn’t just talented. He was a genuine hero in the making.

’Fuck...’

Kelly swallowed slowly.

’With that kind of soul strength... he’s practically guaranteed to become a god’

"Do not let your thoughts run too far ahead, boy."

The woman’s voice cut through his thoughts like a splash of cold water.

"It is not that simple."

Her tone carried calm certainty.

"And do you truly believe that only that boy is special?"

She leaned back slightly on her throne.

"There are thousands with similar potential."

Her voice grew quieter, but heavier.

"And I have seen none of them reach godhood."

The words hit Kelly like a sudden chill. It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over his racing thoughts. Still, the blunt reality helped steady him. Little by little, Kelly’s excitement faded, replaced by a more grounded understanding of just how impossible that path truly was.

’Wait... that skill... could it be...’

The thought had barely formed in Kelly’s mind when the woman spoke again. It was as if she had read his thoughts.

"Gluttony is very special," she said calmly. "Even among the structure of skill sets, it is a one-of-a-kind ability."

Her voice carried a quiet weight.

"It possesses the power to give an ordinary person a mere mortal the potential to become a god."

She paused briefly.

"And that alone makes it something incredibly precious, kid."

Kelly held his breath.

A chill ran down his spine as goosebumps erupted across his skin. His heart began to pound faster and faster in his chest while he listened to her words.

"By now, you have probably already guessed part of it."

The woman continued without emotion.

"This skill devours souls to satisfy its endless hunger. When you kill a being, Gluttony allows your soul to completely dominate the soul of your victim."

Her blurred figure remained still upon the throne.

"And if you choose to..."

"...you may devour that soul entirely."

Her voice echoed softly through the darkness.

"When that happens, its strength becomes your strength."

"Its speed becomes your speed."

"Its wisdom becomes your wisdom."

She paused for a moment before adding the most important part.

"And most importantly..."

"...its skills and soul strength become yours."

Kelly felt his heart slam violently against his ribs.

"Each soul you devour increases your soul capacity and soul strength."

"Your potential grows."

"Your talent expands."

"Little by little, you begin to transcend the limits placed upon you by birth, by this world, and even by fate itself."

Her voice grew quieter.

"All you need to do..."

"...is continue devouring."

The faintest smile touched her lips.

"And ensure that your hunger is never satisfied."

Kelly took a deep breath as the woman finished speaking.

His heart was racing wildly now, pounding so hard it felt as if it might burst from his chest. His nostrils flared as he inhaled sharply, and in that moment his ambition surged higher than ever before.

The possibilities she had just described were unimaginable. But just as that excitement began to reach its peak, the woman smirked.

"If only it were that easy..."

Her words crashed down like a bucket of ice water. Kelly froze. The breath he had just taken remained stuck in his chest, and for a moment he looked like a fish pulled out of water, completely forgetting to even exhale. Watching his reaction seemed to amuse the woman slightly.

"The skill is not broken, obviously," she continued calmly. "It has limits."

She raised a finger.

"The first condition is compatibility, the soul of your victim must be compatible with your soul."

"There are many metrics that determine this compatibility," she added. "Various factors and measurements that you would not understand yet."

She leaned back slightly.

"But the basic principle is simple."

"If you truly wish to devour a soul and obtain its characteristics, your soul must be able to synchronize with it."

Kelly listened carefully.

"Do not worry," she continued. "You will know when it happens."

Her faint smile returned.

"Your hunger will tell you."

Kelly wanted to ask more questions, but the woman continued speaking without giving him the chance.

"After all, the beings you absorb also possess their own unique characteristics."

Her tone remained calm and matter of fact.

"So do not expect there to be no consequences."

She folded her hands lightly as she continued.

"You are not merely borrowing power you are devouring an entire soul. Its nature, its instincts, and even fragments of its personality will be assimilated into you."

The words echoed heavily in the dark space.

"Because of that, the effects may sometimes appear physically... and sometimes even emotionally, kid."

She paused briefly before adding another warning.

"So even if a being is compatible with your soul, you must still weigh your options carefully."

A faint hint of amusement appeared in her voice.

"I am sure you do not want to suddenly grow horns on your head."

"Wait...what the fuck!"

Kelly instantly grabbed his head with both hands on instinct. His eyes widened in panic.

"I just used the skill!"

He frantically felt around his scalp.

"You mean I’ve got horns now"