I rolled slowly behind a large rock.
If I had lungs, I'd be panting like crazy.
In front of me, a Flame Hound was sniffing the air.
Its body was huge, its fur singed at the tips like it had been licked by fire.
Its tongue slid across the dungeon floor like it was looking for chili sauce.
> [Scan: Flame Hound – Element: Fire – Rank C]
> Status: Hungry. Very hungry.
"…This is bad."
I, a rotten egg, had to lure it into choosing me. But not carelessly.
I wasn't about to be swallowed whole again and suffer inside a monster's belly. Nope.
This time, I had to become a **gourmet egg**.
I glanced around.
In a corner of the dungeon, there was a puddle of clear water dripping from a stalactite.
I rolled over to it, dipped myself in, then rolled into a warm patch of moss.
The moss felt like seasoning. Aha! The concept of egg plating was starting to take shape in my mind.
> "Welcome to Rotten Egg Kitchen. Today's dish: Nature-Spiced Dungeon Egg with a hint of natural fermentation."
A little stinky… a little shiny…
I activated a skill.
> [Active Skill: Hunger Aroma Lv.1 – Attracts monsters with refined taste]
**Wusss.**
A strange, pungent scent filled the air.
Oddly foul… yet somehow alluring.
Footsteps echoed.
The Flame Hound turned its head.
Its red eyes narrowed.
It started walking toward me.
**Thump.**
I froze. My heart — assuming eggs have hearts — was pounding like a marching band drum.
Closer… closer…
It sniffed me once.
Twice.
> "I'm ready…"
I spun a little to show my shiny side.
My most seductive rotten-egg pose.
Suddenly—
**SLUURP!**
I was swallowed. Again.
Dark. Hot. Nasty.
But I stayed conscious.
> [Absorption System Activated]
> Element: Fire – Base Power Absorbed (3%)
But this time was different.
This time, I knew what to do.
I activated my internal spikes (not permanent ones—just temporary digestion spikes).
**SREEK!!**
The Flame Hound howled in pain.
I was ejected—along with its puke.
My body was steaming… but—
> [Fire Element: Stored]
> [New Skill Unlocked: Rotten Flame Lv.1]
I… did it!
I'm no longer an ordinary egg.
I'm… a **Rotten Flame Egg**!
---
To Be Continued…