This summary covers chapters 3 to 12 of the light novel, detailing the protagonist's harrowing early life and her subsequent rebirth and discovery of her powers.
**Chapters 3-12: A Life of Abuse and the Dawn of Power**
The early chapters depict the protagonist's miserable existence from childhood. Raised by an abusive mother and father, she is subjected to constant neglect, physical abuse, and emotional torment. Denied education and basic necessities, her life is defined by forced labor and the constant threat of violence. Her mother inflicts physical wounds, such as cutting her arm with a knife for taking too long with chores, and forbids the use of hot water or bandages, forcing the protagonist to use torn clothing as makeshift dressings. Her father is equally cruel, verbally abusing her and forcing her to clean up after his drunken and debauched activities, even witnessing his urination. The protagonist's only sustenance is meager and often spoiled food, contrasting sharply with her parents' indulgent meals.
A turning point occurs when the protagonist, after enduring extreme abuse and neglect, including being starved and physically assaulted, reaches her breaking point. In a desperate act of self-preservation and revenge, she uses a kitchen knife to fatally stab her father. Following this act, her mother returns and, upon discovering the scene and the protagonist's state, becomes enraged. A violent confrontation ensues, during which the mother attacks the protagonist with a broken bottle, inflicting further injury. In a desperate struggle, the protagonist manages to kill her mother by biting her throat.
Following these horrific events, the protagonist finds herself in a forest, reborn into a new body. She is physically lighter and stronger, with silver hair, but is still shackled and clad in rags. The forest is a gruesome scene of death, littered with the corpses of humans and strange, mutated animals. Initially driven by overwhelming hunger, she discovers her ability to absorb the life force of others through a power she names "Gluttony." This power allows her to consume the life force of the fallen wolves and even humans, satisfying her hunger and replenishing her strength. She grapples with the morality of her actions, but her overwhelming survival instinct and the memory of her past suffering override any guilt.
While exploring, she encounters a mysterious woman named Cattleya, who possesses the "Lust" ability and can store the souls of those she kills. Cattleya, intrigued by the protagonist's "Gluttony" and her unique, mixed soul, takes her under her wing. Cattleya explains the concept of "Status" and acknowledges the protagonist's power, recognizing her as a "predator." She offers to travel with the protagonist, providing sustenance in exchange for the protagonist's willingness to be consumed by her, a concept Cattleya finds novel and enjoyable. The protagonist, desperate to avoid starvation and the pain of hunger, reluctantly agrees, though she finds Cattleya's nature unsettling and her motives unclear.
Their journey through the forest is fraught with danger. They encounter a formidable "Shadow," a creature described as a "fire dragon" and a "pestilence" that kills Cattleya. However, Cattleya's "Lust" ability allows her to survive and regenerate, and she reveals that the protagonist's "Gluttony" power, when activated by extreme hunger, can also be used to consume others. The protagonist's "Gluttony" initially causes her immense nausea when directed at Cattleya, but she eventually learns to control it, consuming parts of Cattleya to survive. Cattleya, in turn, seems to enjoy being consumed, viewing it as a way to feel alive.
The narrative progresses with the protagonist, now named Iris, and Cattleya traveling together. Iris struggles with her newfound powers and the implications of her existence, questioning her own humanity and the nature of her abilities. Cattleya, with her own selfish motivations and unique powers, guides Iris, teaching her about magic and the world, while also pursuing her own mysterious agenda. The chapters end with Iris and Cattleya continuing their journey, with Iris still grappling with her identity and the complex relationship she has formed with Cattleya.
