Chapter 2: Pitiful and Helpless, but A Glutton Like No Other
The Great Love Immortal Lord's Achievement System is divided into active and passive achievements.
Shinho Aburame's achievements are entirely passive, triggered randomly through specific actions.
Others, like Hinata Hyuga, have active achievements, which can be tracked and refreshed upon completion.
Each achievement is deeply tied to the individual's circumstances.
Shinho feels that these achievements are more like wish-fulfillment milestones—he's simply making dreams come true.
"Wuwuwu!"
It's so good!
Hinata Hyuga was devouring the bowl of tonkotsu ramen, her eyes sparkling with delight.
She couldn't tell whether it was due to her intense hunger or Shinho Aburame's culinary prowess, but the taste was simply divine.
Before long, the entire bowl of noodles was gone.
Hinata let out a soft sigh of contentment.
After a brief hesitation, she left a bit of the soup in the bowl. Finishing it completely would be impolite.
If her father were to learn of it, he would surely be disappointed.
"Hinata."
Shinho returned, carrying yet another bowl of steaming tonkotsu ramen.
"Yes!"
Hinata instinctively answered.
"Eat."
Without waiting for a response, Shinho took the empty bowl away and replaced it with a freshly filled one.
Hinata opened her mouth as if to protest but found herself hesitating.
She wanted to explain that she was already full but… wasting food wasn't something she could bring herself to do.
After convincing herself, she happily continued eating.
Shinho nodded approvingly.
'I really am quite a good cook.'
When Hinata wasn't paying attention, Shinho quietly got up and returned to the kitchen.
Two bowls of ramen wouldn't be enough. In the original story, Hinata participated in an eating competition and consumed an impressive forty-six bowls of ramen.
Though she was still young now, eating seven or eight bowls shouldn't be an issue.
Hinata set down her chopsticks, feeling a subtle sense of fullness at last.
"Eat."
Shinho replaced the empty bowl again.
"I… I…"
Hinata stammered, looking up with wide eyes, her words faltering.
She couldn't help but feel that continuing to eat would be unusual.
Her younger sister Hanabi only ever ate a single bowl at a time, and her father typically had two.
"What's the matter?"
Shinho looked at her calmly and asked, "Didn't like the char siu ribs in this one?"
"No… it's not that."
Embarrassed by his direct gaze, Hinata quickly lowered her head, her cheeks flushing an even deeper red.
There was something oddly mysterious about Shinho Aburame. Even though he was around her age, he exuded an air of composure well beyond his years.
And he was so skilled. She couldn't help but feel envious.
After finishing her third bowl of ramen, before she could say a word, another bowl was placed in front of her.
Hinata's expression shifted, torn between confusion and hesitation.
'Does he think I eat a lot?'
"A new flavour: tomato and egg," Shino said calmly. "The tomatoes are homegrown, completely organic and pesticide-free."
Even tomatoes? He grows his own food too?
Hinata had briefly glimpsed the vegetable garden behind the moon orchid earlier and now it seemed to all make sense.
It felt like she was living in a dream.
Once again, she picked up her chopsticks, silently telling herself that this bowl would definitely be the last.
But when the fifth bowl of ramen appeared before her, she was stunned—…whyyy!?
Her dazed expression was almost too cute, prompting Shino to chuckle.
Seeing his smile, Hinata shyly bowed her head.
She wanted to summon the courage to refuse, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
So, she continued eating.
Hinata Hyuga was feeling happy.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she understood what it meant to be truly full.
She accepted the next four bowls without complaint.
After finishing the ninth bowl, she let out an involuntary burp.
Realizing her breach of manners, her face flushed crimson again, as if steam might start rising from her head at any moment.
Shinho couldn't help but wonder if she was going to faint.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Pitiful and Helpless, but a Glutton Like No Other" for Hinata Hyuga. Reward: Black Boar Gu.]
[Black Boar Gu: A Rank 1 Gu, this Gu refines the user's body, providing a fundamental increase in physical strength.]
A passive achievement?
Black Boar Gu, what a great reward! This is a huge win.
Strength is invaluable.
And it's rare to find something that provides a permanent increase in strength.
Even if the Black Boar Gu dies, its effects won't fade, and it can still be passed on to others.
When a ninja loses their chakra, they fall into a state of helplessness.
The same is true for Gu Masters who lose their primeval essence.
But having raw physical strength makes all the difference—you can continue fighting with just your fists and feet.
It's similar to watching a mage hit someone with their staff.
The only drawback is that the Black Boar Gu requires feeding—three mouthfuls of pork every five days.
Shinho's thoughts drifted inward, sinking into his aperture.
The aperture can be understood as the dantian or the Purple Mansion, where primeval essence gathers.
As a Rank 1 Gu Master, his aperture showed the color of turquoise, like a Bronze Sea.
Each drop of seawater represented primeval essence, the fruit of his years of cultivation.
Within this sea, three Gu insects soaked leisurely: the Miracle Hand Gu, Moonlight Gu, and the newly arrived Black Boar Gu.
Gu typically have their own will, and capturing them requires subduing their willpower—a rather difficult process.
However, the Gu provided by the system had no willpower, functioning purely as tools.
"Are you full?"
Shinho glanced at the nine empty bowls on the table.
"Full… I'm full!"
Hinata instinctively raised her voice, waving her hands around.
This time, it was true—even her little stomach had become noticeably rounder.
"You need to eat well to grow stronger."
Shinho smiled faintly.
That's what you call nurturing from a young age.
It's criminal, truly criminal.
Hinata buried her head in embarrassment once more.
At home, she would never dare to eat this much.
"I'll walk you back."
Shinho stood up, ready to leave.
The thought of the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter going missing was enough to cause trouble.
He didn't want to be tracked down and scorned by their cold glares.
Hinata instinctively clenched her small hands.
For some reason, a feeling of loss and reluctance welled up inside her.
But she didn't say anything, silently following Shinho out of the cabin and into the snowy woods.
"Lady Hinata!"
As they stepped into the grove, a panicked voice approached from afar.
A figure soon appeared in front of them.
"Tekku, I'm fine," Hinata Hyuga said softly, shaking her head.
She turned to look at Shinho Aburame, but he had already turned and was walking away.
In the swirling snow, his figure gradually faded into the distance.
Hinata bit her lip, a sudden pang of reluctance flashing across her face.
She had forgotten to ask his name.
Shinho didn't return to the cabin.
Instead, he stood before an unfamiliar tree.
After acquiring the Black Boar Gu, he could feel a noticeable increase in strength.
But by how much? That remained unclear.
Now he was ready to imitate a certain reverend by testing his strength on the tree.
Shinho clenched his fist and swung.
He inhaled sharply.
Thuk
'Ouch! That hurt too much!'
He had completely forgotten about the principle of force acting reciprocally.
Newton's grave wasn't spinning just yet.
The tree merely trembled in acknowledgement of the punch's impact.
Shinho was slightly disappointed.
'Is that it?'
Suddenly, a cracking sound echoed through the air.
The tree, thick as an adult's waist, snapped and toppled backward.
Shinho stared at his fist, smaller than a sandbag.
This punch… could make someone cry for quite some time.
Feeling pleased, Shinho returned to the cabin, opened the fridge, and searched for a snack.
But there was no food left.
Taking care of Hinata really wasn't easy.
[tl/n: I think it's clear that mc has the perspective of a child with the knowledge of an adult]