Eri didn't want the goblin to stay with them, but he insisted on following her. He was sticking too close and getting too friendly for her to be comfortable.

The white-haired man saw that the goblin was leaving with Eri and closed the door to his tent. Hmph, stupid woman! You're only asking for trouble if you're kind to a goblin. That should teach them a lesson, he doesn't have to move a finger to see them suffer.

... ...

"Miss, if you are preparing dinner now, where should I set up the fire?"

The goblin fiddled his hands and look at Eri eagerly.

"It's fine. I've brought my own firewood. You don't need to help."

Eri made a polite wave of goodbye. She didn't want to look at the goblin too much. His eyeball that was the size of a chicken egg was really unnerving. It was light brown in colour and protruded from the socket like a marble.

The goblin went forward and almost grabbed Eri, but she avoided and stepped aside. Sorry, she didn't mean to discriminate, but she's not fine with strangers touching her.

"No! Miss, please, I've been starving for ages! I'm useful..."

Eri sighed. It was hard to get angry at this little demon.

"...We'll be cooking up the slope. It'll help us out if you can collect large rocks to set up around the fire."

She took her tent out and set it up with Rei. They decided to leave Alfie inside to rest.

... ...

The three climbed upslope again and went upstream. Rei started teaching Eri to catch fish by manipulating water. The goblin watched them for a while and began to collect large rocks and pebbles along the river bank.

He went further down the river after a while and checked behind him cautiously. It should be fine now. His eye has been a little painful ever since he was in the presence of those three people. That green-haired man was especially weird. He can use elemental magic without casting spells...

Although those people smell dangerous. But where there's danger, there are always prizes.

He threw the pebble in his hand back into the river. Tsk, who do they think they are, despising him. He'll see how they can look at him like that after he becomes a hobgoblin!

The goblin ran quietly towards the waterfall and reached the slope. He observed the pink tent and found that the white-haired man wasn't going to come out any time soon. His eye moved to the plain brown tent that the couple owned. That little beast should still be inside.

The goblin sneaked towards the brown tent and slipped in. He looked greedily at Alfie that was curled up on a pillow. His eye has been itching ever since he saw this beast.

[Eye of truth]!

His eye turned golden and he saw a dazzling ball of light inside the beast. This is not a nucleus...it's a heart! Even he doesn't have a heart! If he swallows this, he might even become a hobgoblin king!

But this dog-like cat...no, cat-like dog...God know what this is...even his true eyes can't see through its species.

The energy leaking from its body is making him salivate. It's so fresh, so tender, and so very delicious...

The goblin crept up slowly and pounced forward abruptly.

"Hah!"

He grabbed Alfie by the wings and ran out of the tent. Where can he go? The most dangerous place is the safest place. Alfie woke up in his grip. He struggled but couldn't get away.

The goblin reached the edge of the waterfall and hopped agilely down to the rocky cliff area. He found a space amongst the densely packed rocks and started striking Alfie's body against the cliff. The more the better! Stimulate this beast! Prepare his flesh! Make his blood boil! When he eats its heart it will be overflowing with aura!

Wham! Wham!

"Gauuuuu!"

Alfie bled from the snout and struggled. He couldn't fly free.

Rrrip!

The goblin tore apart Alfie's wings with all the strength he could muster. But only a clump feather fell from his hands. This sturdy beast! He threw the feathers on the ground.

At the moment, Alfie broke free and bit into his neck.

"Gah!"

The Goblin clawed at Alfie's body and tried to pull away. No! He can't die here!

Zzzzap!

A current of electricity ran from Alfie into the goblin's body and the goblin started convulsing. No! No! He can't die!! How can this beast display the power of lightning?! The goblin's eye turned golden with anger.