Chapter 11: Goblin (End)

Walking in the unexplored lands made me wary. I don't know what's in here after all. I used whatever I could. My senses, the tracks on the ground, smell of the surroundings and such to be able to react in any situation. I don't know how long it will take me but I'm hoping I can find a place where I can live.

I am walking between trees, a space that is not so wide but not so narrow. I want to be versatile in case I need to run. As I was walking, I heard a noise. A cry or it seems more like a signal. As soon as I heard the cry, I knew it was calling for me, it was speaking to me. I walked faster to see what was it about.

For some reason, I was feeling happy. I was elated. It's the type of feeling that you get when you find something that was missing for decades. I could not contain my excitement, my curiosity. What is it? That's making me feel this way...

Pushing the bushes aside, I emerged from it and stepped forward. What I saw was shocking but it is a welcoming find. It is one of my goals for coming here, the goal of meeting other members of my race, goblins!

****

Didi was born just this last month but he is already walking on two legs and contributing to his village. Didi doesn't know what he should be doing but fortunately, there was an elder that taught the basics of life in his village and his instincts that helps him in crucial times. It was hard at first but when he learned the circumstances of life in a place surrounded by many big things, he strengthened his resolve and participated in the training

Didi, after weeks of training under the elder, learned that he was the son of the previous village chief. His eyes was sparkling upon hearing that but not because he was the son. He was fascinated and mesmerized upon hearing the stories of the village chief. To them, the village chief is the cornerstone of the village and also its protector. He was a crucial being and a dependable chief.

The village was peaceful thanks to the village chief and apparently, he was not like the usual chiefs that harassed and kill their own men because they did their jobs wrong. He was a kind and loving father to all. He was that kind of a legend for the people living here.

That is why when he heard that he fell to another village chief, he was enraged. His anger and blood was boiling and he wanted to go and kill that Chief right now. That was only natural for a guy like him who acted on his instincts but Didi was smarter than he thought. He knew that if the village chief who was adored by the people was killed by that bastard, he wouldn't stand a chance. That is why he decided to get stronger and went to the Elder to ask about ways of getting stronger.

As such, time passed on peacefully while the flames of anger burned fierce on Didi. Everything changed however when someone that is an outsider to the village came. He said words that were a nightmare to the people but a dream for Didi, "Surrender to the great Raen!"

Raen, the chief of the goblins located from a far distance away from this village and the killer of Didi's father and hero. The being that he wanted to kill so bad sent a message. This message indicated that day for his revenge was drawing near but he knew he was still weak. The ways of becoming stronger told by the Elder was through getting blessed by the battlefield. So he decided to go out of the village and look for strong opponents. To reach higher heights and to protect his people, he went out of the comfort of his home.

On his journey to become strong, he hunted many dangerous beasts and monsters. He was blessed by the battlefield. As proof of this, he knew how to use his body more efficiently and how to strike his enemies at vital points. He continued for some more days, knowing that Raen will not be able to come to his village this early.

He was about to go back to his village but for better or for worse, he was stopped by a pack of monster bones. The number of the monster bones was 20. They were physically weaker than Didi but with the numbers, he was gradually getting cornered.

He fought and destroyed some of them but he still lost his strength, waiting for the finishing blow. Seemingly having decided to accept his death, he had not move from his position and despair was evident in his eyes. One of the monster bones saw this as an opening and started to run to strike him.

Didi closed his eyes, knowing what's about to come but even after some time passed, no attack came down on him. He opened his eyes to see another goblin. His body was bigger and the fangs protruding from his mouth was sharper than the ordinary goblins but his skin being light green, which was known as a sign of being weak, was seen. The monster bones sneered at him as if to say "Another one!"

To the eyes of Didi, he was also just another goblin who will soon be killed by the monster bones. Thinking that he was one of the people that he wanted to protect, he moved his body and walked towards the goblin. He tried to reach out but the other goblin suddenly spoke.

"What are they? They don't have meat..."

The goblin was frustrated by the fact that they don't have meat. He clicked his tongue and suddenly ran towards the monster bones! This action was unexpected for Didi and he shouted out to him.

"W-wait! You, run!"

He expected the goblin to die. Of course he would. In the village that he was part of, only weak goblins was there. The Elder is strong but aside from him, there was no one who can beat Didi. The goblin ignored his words of warning and punched the nearest monster bone.

What happened next completely shocked Didi. The monster bones that were supposed to be winning are being killed with one punch! It happened so fast that all of the living bones, in the blink of an eye, died. The goblin then turned and walked towards him. Didi was happy that he defeated the enemy but now that he looked closer, the goblin was not part of the village. A goblin that is not part of the village is an enemy, Didi thought.

"Hmm, your injuries are bad. Can you understand me?"

The moment he spoke, Didi felt something stirring in his heart. The presence emanated from this person was not ordinary. He felt scared about this unknown goblin but he instinctively knew that he could not win and that he can do nothing but obey

him. This was a first for Didi so he didn't know what to do but he answered him.

"Y-yes, I can."

"Hmmm"

The goblin frowned. Didi was scared! Am I gonna be killed for answering, he thought. He looked at the face of the goblin and chill ran down his spine. The goblin with a scary look on his face spoke.

"Do you belong in a pack?"

W-what is he gonna do! is the honest thought of Didi. It seemed like the goblin in front of him would slaughter his people and use their meat for food! He was quivering but he knew that nothing could be done by being scared so he pleaded.

"Y-yes! But please do not kill them! You can use my meat!"

The goblin's reaction was definitely not a pleased one and he became even scarier looking for Didi. He motioned with his hands and spoke.

"Lead the way."

****

After coming out of the bush, I saw a monster that was composed of bones and a single goblin. My heart was beating faster upon seeing the sight of my injured brethren and I felt like my chest is being gripped by something. I wanted to go save him this instant. Of course, if he turned to be an enemy I would just kill him but this is my first time seeing another one of my race. How could I leave him to die?!

And so, I went and destroyed them like the bones they are! The goblin however seemed to be scared of me. I wonder why? I just asked him a question but he said something funny. Am I that scary? Well, there's no problem if he will answer me even if he is scared. I was surprised by the fact that he can understand me too.

I went and asked if he belonged to a group and lucky I was to find out that he is! I was happy because I could finally join a pack. I lived alone since my birth and I always had to be wary of my surroundings when sleeping so I am grateful that I won't have to do that every night.

After walking for some time, we found ourselves in a village. The houses were crudely made and it was small. There are probably only 30 goblins here or so. The goblin who I saved talked to me with a voice full of desperation.

"H-here is our village! P-please, do not kill them and only take my meat!"

Again, he said something funny. He doesn't have to be that wary of me does he? Do I look like a monster that kills everyone and destroys everything in its sight?

"I won't so go, introduce me to them."

The goblin was still scared and ran as if his life depended on it. Still, despite being covered in wounds he can move pretty fast and it looks like his body is now regenerating. The regeneration of us goblins is no joke.

I sat on the ground and waited for a while then a group of goblins emerged from the center with the goblin from before and a clearly old goblin.

I stood up and then spoke with a peaceful voice.

"I wish to join your group."

The goblins however flinched from my words and then the old goblin prostrated on the ground. I was surprised but even the other goblins was bewildered by this action of the old goblin.

"We will grant you your desire, king."

He then said some words that I did not expect at all.