The God-Level Scavenger: Infinite Evolution System

Chapter 2: Not Just a Scavenger

"Screee!"

The goblin’s shriek cut short as Lucian’s jagged bone blade sank into its throat. Black, foul-smelling blood sprayed across his face, but he didn't blink. He twisted the bone, feeling the life drain out of the creature.

[Target suppressed. Would you like to 'Recycle' the Low-Tier Goblin (Living/Critical)? (Y/N)]

"Do it," Lucian growled.

[Recycle Successful!] [Gained: 20 Exp, +1 Agility.] [Gained: 1x Goblin’s Cracked Dagger (Trash Grade).]

The body of the goblin beneath him didn't just lay there—it dissolved. Fine, dark particles rose from the corpse, sucked into the palm of Lucian’s hand as if his skin were a vacuum. Within seconds, even the blood on the floor vanished.

"Clean," Lucian muttered, staring at his palm. "No evidence. No waste."

Nine more goblins were circling him. They were confused. The 'prey' they had cornered was no longer trembling. He stood tall, his broken leg now fully healed, his eyes glowing with a faint, predatory gold.

"Who's next?"

The goblins charged all at once, a chaotic swarm of green flesh and rusted metal. In the past, Lucian would have died in seconds. But now, every movement felt slower. He could see the trajectory of their daggers. He could smell their rot before they even reached him.

Step. Pivot. Thrust.

The jagged bone in his hand became a blur.

[Recycle Successful! Gained: 15 Exp, +1 Strength.] [Recycle Successful! Gained: 15 Exp, +1 Stamina.]

Every time he 'recycled' a corpse mid-battle, a jolt of energy surged through his veins. It was like a drug. His muscles grew tighter, his reactions sharper. By the time the last goblin lay twitching at his feet, Lucian wasn't even breathless.

[Mission: 'Clean the Floor' Complete!] [Calculating Rewards...] [Gained: 500 Exp!] [Level Up! Level 1 -> Level 4] [Gained: 1x First Evolution Core (Unique Rank).] [Gained: Passive Skill 'Inventory' (10 Slots).]

"Level 4... just from a bunch of goblins?" Lucian wiped the sweat from his brow.

Hunters usually took weeks of dungeon raids to level up three times. He had done it in ten minutes.

[Warning: Host's body has reached the limit of a 'Commoner.' Use 'First Evolution Core' to break through? (Y/N)]

"If it makes me strong enough to kill Miller, yes."

[Evolution Initiating. Please brace yourself.]

The pain hit him like a freight train. Lucian fell to his knees as his very DNA felt like it was being re-written. His skin rippled, his bones thickened, and a black, viscous liquid—the impurities of a Rank-F body—seeped out of his pores.

"Argh... huff... huff..."

When the pain finally receded, Lucian felt lighter. Stronger. He looked at the golden screen, his stats had nearly tripled.

---

Status Window Name: Lucian Thorne Level: 4 (Evolution: Phase 1) Class: The God-Level Scavenger Strength: 25 | Agility: 28 | Stamina: 22 | Intelligence: 20 Unique Skill: Extraction & Synthesis (Level 1)

He looked at the pile of 'trash' nearby—the broken shields and rusted daggers he had collected.

"System, can I combine these? Synthesis?"

[Synthesize: 5x Rusted Goblins Daggers + 1x Broken Mana Bag? (Cost: 10 Mana)]

"Proceed."

A bright light engulfed the items in his inventory. When it faded, a single, sleek dagger lay in his hand. It wasn't rusted anymore. The blade was obsidian-black, etched with faint silver runes.

[Gained: 'Scavenger’s Fang' (Rank E - Growth Type)] [Effect: 10% chance to 'Bleed' target. 5% chance to 'Extract' stats on hit.]

"Growth type..." Lucian gripped the hilt. It felt like an extension of his own arm. "Miller, I’m coming for you."

He turned toward the heavy iron doors. With his new strength, he didn't need a key. He slammed his shoulder into the metal.

BOOM!

The hinges screamed, and the door flew off its tracks, skidding across the stone floor of the next corridor.

The silence of the dungeon was gone, replaced by the sounds of distant battle. Screams. Explosions. And the terrifying roar of something much larger than a goblin.

Lucian moved through the shadows, his 'Sense of the Scavenger' skill painting a mental map of the area. He saw 'trash' everywhere—discarded potions, broken arrows, and even a severed human arm wearing a Blue Falcon guild ring.

"Looks like the 'Abyssal Sentinel' is giving them a warm welcome," Lucian sneered.

He rounded a corner and saw them.

The Blue Falcon team was pinned down in a large chamber. Borris, the Tanker who had crushed Lucian’s leg, was slumped against a pillar, his shield shattered and his chest caved in. Sarah was desperately trying to cast a healing spell, her face pale with terror.

And Miller? The "great" Captain was backing away, using his own subordinates as shields.

Facing them was a monstrosity—a ten-foot-tall suit of animated obsidian armor wielding a flaming greatsword. The Abyssal Sentinel.

"Miller! Help me!" Borris groaned, reaching out a bloody hand.

"Shut up, Borris! You're dead anyway!" Miller spat, his eyes darting toward the exit. "Sarah, keep that thing busy! I’ll go get reinforcements!"

"You're leaving us?!" Sarah shrieked. "You're doing the same thing you did to Lucian!"

"Survival of the fittest, darling!" Miller turned to run, but he stopped dead in his tracks.

Standing in the only exit was a shadow.

Lucian leaned against the stone archway, flipping his black dagger casually. His face was half-hidden in the darkness, but his golden eyes burned like twin suns.

"Leaving so soon, Captain?" Lucian’s voice was a low, dangerous purr. "The party is just getting started."

Miller gasped, his face draining of color. "Lucian? You... you’re alive? How?"

"Oh, you know me," Lucian stepped into the light, a cold, jagged smile on his face. "I’m a scavenger. We're very hard to get rid of."

Behind them, the Abyssal Sentinel let out a deafening roar, its flaming sword descending toward the terrified Sarah.

"Save her, Lucian! Please!" Miller pleaded, his voice cracking. "I'll give you anything! Money! Rank! Just kill that thing!"

Lucian didn't move. He watched as the Sentinel’s blade drew closer to Sarah.

"Why should I save a 'broken tool'?" Lucian asked, echoing Miller’s words from earlier.

He looked at Borris, who was gasping his final breaths.

[Detected: 1x Near-Death Hunter (Rank D). Would you like to 'Recycle'?]

"Wait your turn, Miller," Lucian said, his eyes locking onto Borris. "I need to upgrade my stats first."

Lucian moved. He didn't run toward the monster. He ran toward Borris.