For advancing to Level 10, you have reached the next threshold of Physical power!

- Physical Essence Points +20

- For each new level advanced, Physical Essence gained is tripled!

- Passive Skill [Basic Fire Magic] gained!

- Passive Skill [Lesser Fire Resistance] gained!

Name: Fissyah [Level 10]

Species: Goblin [EVOLUTION AVAILABLE]

Combat Power: 150

Physical Essence:

- Physical Essence Points: 0

- Power: 30

- Will: 20

- Dexterity: 40

- Body: 30

- Worldliness: 30

Skills:

None

Passive Skills:

- [Basic Fire Magic - You can conjure and manipulate fire at a basic level.]

- [Lesser Fire Resistance - You are more durable to fire damage.]

Special Skills:

[Arc Symbiosis: Violet]

You have met the requirements necessary for two evolutions!

Goblin -> Gremlin

A Gremlin is a Goblin that has strayed into the path of the unknown by learning the arcane. You have unlocked a power that is not readily available to those who are not considered monsters, and by choosing this path, you risk making yourself a pariah to your kind.

- 100 Arcane Essence gained!

- For each new level advanced, Arcane Essence +10!

- Skill [Lesser Appraisal] gained!

- Passive Skill [Arcane Restoration] gained!

Do you wish to evolve into a Gremlin?

Goblin -> Hobgoblin

A Hobgoblin is a Goblin who has pushed their body beyond their limits and rapidly grew in levels in a short period of time. Your focus in strength shall lead you down a path that will inspire other Goblins to follow you, making you a natural leader to your kind.

- Physical Essence Points +50

- [Power] +10

- [Will] +5

- [Body] +10

- Passive Skill [Iron Body] gained!

Do you wish to evolve into a Hobgoblin?

Fissyah’s eyes snapped open as the Words of Drasel flashed. A deluge of notifications hit her at once, and she groused, rubbing her eyes. She took in the world around her.

“Where am—”

And Violet’s face poked over from the side.

* * *

“Hey you, you're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border? Walked right into that Dark Elf ambush—” I started.

The girl abruptly sat up, and we clashed heads.

“Ouch!” I yelped. “Well, actually, not really ouch. It didn’t hurt. I just said it because it seemed natural. But why’d you suddenly do that?!”

“This is… Korukh?” Fissyah blinked. “You’re Violet?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m Violet. Did you hit your head and forget who I was or something? Other than, like, five seconds ago when you sat up and hit me with your head.”

“No, I remember you,” she said, shaking her head. “I just remember being at Fort Erkaed… surrounded by bodies…” Her brows furrowed. “Did I dream all that up?”

“Nope!” I answered honestly. Then I tilted my head back. “I mean, unless you’re suffering from trauma from what you experienced there. If you are— yes. You dreamt all of it up. Please just forget any of it ever happened.”

“Oh, so Rioke’s still alive?”

“Uhm, ye—” I watched the girl’s shoulders sag and her expression deflate. I quickly amended my statement. “—sno. I said no. He’s very dead.”

And Fissyah brightened at that. I scratched the back of my head with my appendages, mulling over what to say next, when hurried footsteps rushed their way towards us.

I sighed in relief. “Oh thank god someone came in.”

Szen, the girl’s father, ran in and scanned the room. His gaze landed on his daughter; eyes welling up, he walked up to her and gave her a hug.

“Fissyah. You’re fine. You’re fine—”

She stared back at him with round eyes. Then she slowly hugged him back. “I’m fine, Papa. There’s no need to worry.”

Another figure hobbled into the room, shaking his head. Gort, the Goblin Chieftain of Korukh, leaned on his cane as he stopped right by the doorway. He wore a smile on his face, but he wasn’t as quick to celebrate as Szen.

“While I’m glad that things worked out in the end, I still feel the need to ask: what happened?” He hobbled over to us as the father picked up his daughter and carried her. “You have yet to explain the circumstance that led to this, Violet.”

I drew back a bit, trying to think of a distraction to shift the topic. I glanced over at the clock on the wall and exclaimed.

“Woah! Is that a clock? How’d you guys get a clock all the way down here?”

“The Dark Empire provides all of its settlements with a standardized clock to adhere to the Overworld’s daylight cycle,” Gort said simply. “What happened, Violet?”

“Did you know that we were gone for over a day? I thought we were only gone for only a few hours at most! Time really feels different here, huh?”

“Violet, while I do not wish to impose on a guest to Korukh such as you, I am still the Chieftain of this village. I need to ensure the safety of our people above all else. Please, just answer the question.”

I exhaled (or, rather, I made an exhaling sound.)

“I—”

“It’s not her fault!” Fissyah said, speaking over me. “Violet was just helping me. Even though she’s a guest who did so much for us, I gave her an unreasonable request. Then I acted foolishly. And despite that, she saved me.”

She pried herself off her father, placing a hand on her chest.

“Violet protected me. She kept me safe. And she even helped me grow stronger. Please, don’t blame her for this. It was my fault.”

Szen and Gort exchanged confused looks. I slid forward between them, explaining.

“Fissyah asked me to, uhm, deal with Rioke cause he keeps causing you guys trouble. But she secretly followed after me and was captured. So, I kind of killed half of the soldiers in Fort Erkaed?”

The Goblin Chieftain’s jaw dropped. “You did what?!”

“I know! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to kill that many of them.” I waved my appendages exasperatedly. “They just kept coming, and I had to protect Fissyah! I did deal with Rioke in the end, though.”

Gort massaged his temples while Szen pulled his daughter away from me. For some reason, I was being treated like a monster. Well, actually, I knew the reason— I was a monster. But a nice one!

“Look, I was just trying to—”

“I understand why you did what you did, Violet,” Gort cut me off. “And I’m even grateful that you did it. Killing Rioke and Ebsu means that their Second Lieutenant will be in charge, and as long as she’s still alive, all will be fine.”

“Is she the Ogre?” I asked, remembering someone like that guarding the gate.

“Indeed. And as an Ogre, Aisha will sympathize with our plight. She will ensure that her men cannot and will not overstep their bounds.” He bowed his head, and I backed up.

“Oh.” I thought about what the problem could be, if not that. “I know— then since Fort Erkaed is undermanned, you guys will be in danger of monster attacks, right?”

He shook his head. “Monsters rarely venture out of the Karhid Caves. Even if there is a monster attack, the soldiers of Fort Erkaed rarely arrive in time. We repel them on our own. Truly, you did us a favor, Violet.”

I peered at the Goblin Chieftain, and he seemed sincere. Mostly sincere. There was something else to it, but I hadn’t figured out what just yet. It was only when Szen spoke up did realize what the problem was.

“But my Fissyah was there with you,” he said, hovering protectively over his daughter. “Even if Aisha will reel her men back, they know she was involved with what happened in Fort Erkaed. There will be consequences.”

“Seriously? More problems? Ugh, those guys will never give up, will they?” I groaned. I had set precautions— I made sure that it was abundantly clear I was the one responsible for killing Rioke. However, considering that was before Fissyah got involved…

The situation was different now. They knew at least one Goblin also took part in what happened at Fort Erkaed. They’d be hunting her down along with me.

Gort let out a heavy sigh. “You really went and said it, didn’t you, Szen?” The Goblin Chieftain turned to me before I could speak. “I appreciate the help you’ve done for us so far, but I must ask you to avoid getting involved any further, Violet. We have accepted too much of your help, and it is up to us to resolve our own problems.”

“Mmm, that sounds good to me, I guess,” I said, deciding not to argue against him.

Unfortunately, Szen was unhappy with that arrangement. “What? Helped us? It’s because of her the soldiers of Fort Erkaed will come after us again. It is her fault and her responsibility to resolve this!”

“Is it really, though?” I gave him a dubious look.

Szen clenched a fist. “You—”

“That’s enough, out of you,” Gort bellowed, slamming his cane down on the dirt ground. “Do not forget that Violet is the one who saved your daughter twice now, Szen. And she has saved your and your brother’s life too. I ask that you do not repay her kindness with disrespect.”

“That’s…” The Goblin father grabbed his daughter’s arm, gritting his teeth. “I just want my Fissyah to be safe. They’ll be coming after her, now. And I don’t know if I can protect her from them.”

“I can protect myself,” Fissyah said, pulling away from him. “I’m stronger now. My Combat Power is 150. I’m at Level 10.”

His eyes grew wide. “You’re at Level 10 now…? And your Combat Power— when did this happen?”

Gort’s gaze flickered towards me, and I shrugged.

The girl continued, “And more than that, I…” She pressed her lips thinly together, considering whether to continue. Eventually, she made her decision. “I got an evolution.”

“You did? That’s amazing!” Szen stared at her, a mixture of surprise and pride passing through his face. Then he narrowed his eyes. “But why haven’t you undergone your evolution yet?”

“That’s because I was given two options. And I wasn’t sure which to choose. The first is to become a Hobgoblin. And the second… to become a Gremlin.”

This time, it was Gort who looked upset. His brows snapped together as he ran a hand through his beard. “A Gremlin… Fissyah, you are aware that Gremlins are not welcomed in Korukh, yes?”

“I know,” she said, not backing down. “But I will become a Gremlin, anyways.”

Szen sputtered, “That’s—”

“Wait, wait, wait!” I spoke over him. “What’s a Gremlin and why aren’t they allowed here?”

Gort settled onto the bed, taking in a labored breath. “It is an evolutionary path a Goblin can undergo, but one that is not accepted in Korukh, and not accepted in any Goblin village in the Dark Empire. They are those who have done vile and terrible things— studied the dark arts itself— to become a monster.”

I felt a shiver run through my spine. “To become a monster…” I repeated after him. Then I crossed my arms. “Wait, but I’m a monster. And aren’t those giant lizards you guys ride considered monsters, too? What’s the problem here?”

“The difference is that Gremlins aren’t born monsters. To become a Gremlin means to sacrifice a part of yourself to become something else. It is a betrayal of our race that cannot be accepted.” The Goblin Chieftain hung his head, leaning on his cane. “I knew of a man who became a Gremlin. Three decades ago, back when I was still but a boy.”

“Wait— you’re only thirty years old? That’s still pretty young. And here I thought you were pushing ninety!”

“Well, I am the elder of the village,” he said.

“If you’re an elder, I must be middle-aged…” I literally deflated. (Unlike Fissyah, I could melt into a smaller puddle and lose most of my bodily shape.)

“His name was Oblec,” Gort continued, “and he had done so much for Korukh. For our village. Due to his high level, he could fend off monsters and grow crops with magic. But when he made his decision to evolve into a Gremlin, the village exiled him. There was no hesitation. They sent him to the Karhid Caves to die.”

The girl pursed her lips, and he stood back up.

“He was my best friend, Fissyah. I should’ve stopped him from going down that path. I realize now I could’ve stopped him before it was too late. Please, don’t do this.”

“If I have no choice but to leave Korukh to become stronger, then so be it,” Fissyah said, already resolved. “I will become a Gremlin.”

Her father was not happy to hear that. “Fissyah, I will not allow you to—”

She slipped away from him, starting for the doorway. “I know Mama’s death still weighs heavily in your heart, Papa. But you cannot protect me forever. Eventually, I’ll need to protect myself. I’ve already made my decision. Do not stop me.”

With that, she left the room. Szen chased after her, calling out.

“Fissyah, wait—”

I watched as the pair left. Then I turned to Gort.

“Well, that went pretty poorly, huh?”