Well, well, well, look who was king of the food chain now! Guster wiped the last greasy smears of Beaten Baddie Beef from his knuckles and let out a hearty burp that would've put a drunken ogre to shame. The twin moons were high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over his little culinary battleground. It was like someone had set the mood lighting for the world's most twisted dinner party.

As he stretched out his battered body, a tingle shot through him like he'd licked a live wire. This wasn't the usual food coma weighing him down – something was brewing in his gut, and it felt like a whole cauldron of crazy was about to bubble over.

Plopping down on a conveniently charred log, he watched with a mixture of fascination and mild constipation as a holographic window flickered into view.

**Iron Stomach has evolved into Alchemist's Belly (Lvl 3)!**

Guster's eyebrows shot up.

"Iron Stomach has evolved into Alchemist's Belly?" He scoffed. "Well, aren't I the regular master chef of the macabre?"

The words glowed with all the subtlety of a drunken firefly as they spelled out his newfound culinary prowess.

By gobbling down monster parts and whatever other freaky ingredients this twisted world could throw at him, he'd apparently unlock hidden abilities. Just once, he'd love for the cosmic job listing to be something simple, like a professional couch potato or professional nap-taker. But no, he had to be the guy who gained superpowers by eating things that could bite his face off.

**Alchemist's Belly (Lvl 3):** By consuming monster parts and exotic ingredients, you gain temporary buffs or unlock unique abilities. The effects vary depending on the creature or item ingested.

"Consuming Apex Predator (Gorstag the Gritblade)," the ghostly text scrolled by, sending a jolt of surprise through Guster. "Activating Alchemist's Belly (Lvl 3)..."

As if on cue, the ghostly text started scrolling, and Guster felt a familiar churn in his gut, like he'd just polished off a week-old haggis. Images of that ugly brute Gorstag flashed through his mind, the greatsword cleaving through the air with all the grace of a wrecking ball.

The sensations hit him like a sucker punch to the bread basket – his muscles swelled with newfound strength, his skin thickened like he was auditioning for the world's hairiest ballerina, and a primal power hummed through his veins. It was like Gorstag himself had taken up residence in Guster's digestive tract, and he was one helluva roommate.

Another window materialized, shimmering with all the subtlety of a neon sign in a red-light district.

"Alchemist's Belly (Lvl 3) Effects:"

* Increased Strength (+10) [Granted from Gorstag's immense physical prowess]

* Enhanced Durability (+7) [Reflecting Gorstag's thick hide and tolerance for punishment]

* Rudimentary Cleave (Passive Ability) - A chance to deliver a powerful sweeping attack that damages nearby enemies. [Mimicking Gorstag's brutal fighting style]

"Increased Strength? Enhanced Durability? A chance to unleash a sweeping attack that'll make nearby enemies wet themselves?" Guster whistled low, a grin splitting his face. "Golly gee, Santa, you shouldn't have!"

As he flexed his newly bulging biceps, a realization hit him like a ton of bricks wrapped in irony. By devouring that overgrown punching bag, he'd inherited Gorstag's power. Talk about a twisted take on the old "you are what you eat" adage.

Guster slammed his fist against his chest, the impact reverberating through him like a thunderclap. A hint of Gorstag's gravelly roar escaped his lips, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Looks like the student's surpassed the master, you overgrown slab of meat," he growled, eyeing the darkening forest with newfound hunger. If chomping down on that grumpy goblin could grant him such delicious power, who knew what other monstrous morsels awaited in this culinary carnival of the bizarre?

The night was still young, and the forest was teeming with all manner of creatures just begging to become his next meal ticket to greatness. He cracked his knuckles, a savage glint in his eye. Time to go hunting.

That's when he spotted them – a clump of glowing blue mushrooms nestled at the base of a twisted old tree, like a baker's dozen of tiny will-o'-wisps had taken up residence in the underbrush. Now, any sane person would've steered well clear of the pulsing, otherworldly fungi, but sanity and Guster had parted ways a few plot twists ago.

Plucking one of the luminous 'shrooms, he gave it an experimental sniff. The sharp, invigorating scent hit him like a lightning bolt to the nostrils, crackling with hints of citrus and pure, unadulterated electricity.

"Well, down the rabbit hole we go," he muttered, popping the entire mushroom into his mouth.

The taste was... indescribable. Imagine licking a car battery while someone zested a lemon directly onto your taste buds, and you'd be in the right neighborhood. A jolt of pure energy surged through Guster, every nerve ending tingling like he'd stuck his finger in a socket.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Suddenly, the world shifted into high definition. The rustling of unseen creatures in the undergrowth, the distant hoot of an owl – every sound was amplified to crystal clarity, like someone had cranked the volume on nature's personal surround sound system. He could even make out the faint bioluminescent glow of fireflies flickering through the night air.

But that wasn't all. A strange, nascent ability stirred within him, begging to be unleashed. Focusing every ounce of his willpower, he coaxed it forward, and slowly, a faint blue shimmer began to emanate from his hands.

He flexed his fingers, and the ethereal glow intensified, bathing his skin in an azure radiance that would've made a Vegas neon sign turn green with envy.

Another window materialized, and Guster let out a whoop of triumph as he read the glowing text.

**Night Vision has been unlocked!**

[ On / Off ]

"Night vision unlocked? Oh, this is gonna be fun!"

With a mental flick of the switch, his newly acquired night vision kicked into high gear, painting the forest in dreamy shades of blue and grey. The darkness was no longer a barrier – it had become his personal playground, a canvas of shadows and secrets just waiting to be explored.

He could see everything – the skittering of spiders, the lumbering form of some unseen predator lurking in the distance. The nocturnal symphony was now a private concert, and he was the guest of honor.

The forest floor squelched beneath his boots as he stalked through the moonlit undergrowth, his senses tuned to every rustle, every click, every telltale sign of something deliciously monstrous lying in wait.

That's when Guster spotted it – a massive spider, its body the size of a washtub, perched on a web spun between two gnarled branches. Eight hairy legs twitched with predatory anticipation, but this wasn't just any eight-legged freak. This was an all-you-can-eat buffet, and he was the hungry diner.

Any sane person would've turned tail and ran, but sanity was the least of Guster's concerns at that point. A primal hunger rumbled in his gut, and he charged towards the spider with reckless abandon.

The creature hissed in defiance, unleashing a spray of caustic webbing that he dodged with surprising agility. Snatching up a sturdy branch, he jammed it between the spider's gaping mandibles, rendering its most dangerous weapon as useless as a wet noodle.

Then, with a ferocious yell that echoed Gorstag's own battle cry, Guster let loose. His fist, imbued with newfound strength, connected with the spider's bulbous abdomen in a sickening squelch that would've turned even the strongest of stomachs. The creature screeched in agony, its legs flailing like a deranged dancer before going terribly, blissfully still.

He ripped his hand free, the acrid stench of venom clinging to his skin like a twisted cologne. Wasting no time, he butchered his prize, his movements practiced and efficient. Hey, when you've got a stomach like an industrial-grade cauldron, you learn to work fast.

As Guster was basking in the glow of his culinary conquest, a familiar fluttering reached his newly sensitive ears. He crouched low, his night vision painting the clearing in vivid shades of blue and grey.

A monstrous bat – a creature the size of sails, with razor-sharp fangs and leathery wings that beat the air with a menacing whoosh – swooped down, its echolocation clicks bouncing off the trees like a deranged sonar.

Well, if it was a fight the ugly bugger wanted, it was a fight it would get. Guster launched himself towards the bat, dodging a snapping bite by a hair's breadth. The fetid stench of the creature washed over him, but he was riding the high of battle frenzy, and no amount of gut-churning odors could deter him now.

The bat screeched, its echolocation clicks intensifying into a disorienting barrage that scrambled his senses for a hot second. But that echolocation trick was a double-edged sword, and thanks to his newly acquired night vision, he saw the faint ripple in the air moments before the overgrown rat with wings launched its next attack.

It was a gamble, but at this point, Guster was all in. With a surge of adrenaline and that primal fighting spirit he'd absorbed from ol' Gorstag, he unleashed a powerful upwards swing, channeling every ounce of brute strength coursing through his veins.

He felt a satisfying crack as his fist connected with the bat's leathery chest. It wasn't a clean hit, but the blow reverberated through the clearing like the opening riff of a heavy metal concert. The bat shrieked in pain, momentarily stunned by the unexpected counterpunch.

Seizing the opportunity, Guster unleashed a bellow that would've put Gorstag's legendary roar to shame. That guttural, bloodcurdling cry echoed through the woods, sending a tsunami of fear crashing through the nocturnal scene. Nature's nighttime jam session hit the pause button real quick.

Emboldened by his unexpected battle cry, he remembered the rudimentary cleave ability he'd gained from chowing down on that surly slab of muscle. A holographic window flickered into existence, reminding him of the sweeping attack's brutal potential.

[Rudimentary Cleave activated!]

[Rudimentary Cleave (Passive Ability) - A chance to deliver a powerful sweeping attack that damages nearby enemies.]

Time to put that bad boy to the test.

He dropped into a low stance, channeling every ounce of Gorstag's brutal fighting style. A primal instinct surged through him, guiding his movements with the grace of a rampaging rhino. With a ferocious yell, he spun on his heel, his arm whipping out in a wide arc.

[ Rudimentary Cleave → + Unarmed Combat ↑ ]

The rudimentary cleave activated, and a surge of raw power erupted from his fist like a miniature shockwave. The forest floor trembled, and nearby leaves scattered like startled birds fleeing a natural disaster. The monstrous bat, still reeling from his first blow, was caught in the full brunt of the cleave. It let out a sickening screech as it was slammed into the side of a nearby tree, its leathery wings crumpling at an unnatural angle.

Guster stood there panting, his chest heaving like he'd just run a marathon through a volcano. The wild, primal feeling receded, leaving him slightly shaky but utterly exhilarated. He'd used the power of a fallen enemy to defeat another, evolving through this twisted culinary alchemy with every bite.

Cautiously, Guster approached the bat's monstrous form, now deathly still. A wave of giddy disbelief washed over him as he surveyed the scene. Just moments ago, he was a scrawny, unremarkable nobody trying to eke out a living in this bizarre world. Now? Now he was a force to be reckoned with, a walking, talking culinary dynamo with the power to devour his enemies and steal their strengths.

As he gazed up at the twin moons hanging low in the night sky, a maniacal cackle bubbled up from the depths of his being. This was only the beginning – a mere appetizer in the grand feast that awaited him. With each monstrous meal, he would grow stronger, more powerful, until no creature could stand against the might of the Mad Feaster.

The forest trembled in fear as his laughter echoed through the trees, a dark omen of the deliciously twisted power he now wielded. Bring on the next course, he thought with a wicked grin. This chef's appetite had only just been whetted.

( The adventure continues! If you're hooked, hit that 5-star button and let others know There's more to come...)