Overall, I'm hooked. The mix of gritty industrial reality and sudden fairy-tale twist is intriguing. The emotional core with Lorin and his mom is strong enough to carry the clunky political exposition. I want to see if the pacing evens out in the second part and if that damn malachite pendant becomes important later.
The setup of the Blade Catcher organization is interesting. It’s not a secret society; it’s a public institution, but it’s so dangerous that no one signs up. The fact that they get tax exemptions and a monthly salary of rice and money shows the state is willing to pay a lot for these jobs. It makes the "why" of the danger even more ominous.
The skill "Predation" upgrade from "Gluttony" feels like a natural evolution. He’s not just eating for stats now; he’s actually devouring skills. The desire from the soul to hunt everything is a bit creepy though. It sets up a potential slippery slope. Will he become as mindless as the other goblins in his hunger for power? That moral gray area is compelling.
I love the little worldbuilding details, like the well in the courtyard and the noodle business. It grounds the story in a tangible setting. Makes me wish we got more about how the Lin couple originally found Shen Lian.