January 12th, 2022
***
The interior of the dungeon was spacious, spanning dozens upon dozens of rooms - ranging from beautiful stone-carved dining areas with sculptures, to pleasure and entertainment. None of it made sense.
After all, the rock TVs didn't function; the basket of stone fruits wasn't edible, and only a handful of goblins were around in the first place. The space could easily house hundreds of them. So where were they? And who did this?
The three wound up lost in no time, endlessly searching for a way to progress. The shameless copies and bland hallways melted into their minds.
Rio was especially frantic, she hated feeling trapped and was partially claustrophobic. The three decided to split up and head in different directions, agreeing to yell as loud as possible if they ran into trouble they couldn't handle.
It was not an ideal method, but they had no other way to contact each other in the dungeon. And forget trying to use landmarks in this hellish maze.
Reed went left toward the bedrooms; Koga proceeded straight – into the kitchens and pantries, and Rio claimed the right, heading into the dining rooms.
***
Reed peered at the assortments of beds. Twins, queens, kings, and any other human sleeping arrangement you can think of. Some bedrooms contained child-like qualities, with small nightstands and nightlights lining the walls. Others represented the average adult, with bits of décor and picture frames.
While traveling, one room caused him to stop for further inspection. A child's bedroom, containing a racecar bed, a nightstand, and a bookshelf. A stone bear lay at the foot of the bed, an exact copy of a child's stuffed bear that they'd hold while sleeping.
The bear was missing one eye and one leg. Scratches were carved into the replica, an effort made to show how much use the original got.
Did this one get any use? Was he traveling through the bedrooms of little goblin kids, seeing how they mimicked human etiquette and design? He felt uneasy, trying to grasp the meaning of it all.
Several footsteps jostled his thoughts. The frame of a giant goblin appeared from the doorway on the other side. Their ripped physique was matched by a stupidly big sword.
Inwardly, his emotions collided, a mixture of concern and joy. Koga reached level ten just a couple of kills sooner, deciding to spoil the class ability they unlocked.
Turns out, it's a damn good one.
In the grand scheme of the System, it was an ability synonymous with the Guardian class.
Reed grinned at the creature, his legs shaking slightly while he approached.
It was time to test its usefulness.
[Double Strength.]
His entire body quaked; the once average frame doubling in muscle mass. The skill was very simple but scarily effective. It also heavily encouraged Guardians to focus on strength since one point turned into two with the ability.
Much to his delight, he grew about 6 inches in height.
By now, the elite goblin was cursing its cautious approach. Reed launched his body forward, bringing his shoulder back.
The goblin's eyes widened in shock at the blade whipping toward their side. So much danger radiating from a simple attack; they just had to deflect it, and counterattack... Right?
*crack*
The 'deflect' part of its plan ended horribly. Their entire arm fractured at the moment of impact. Just one swing forced it to kneel, and another was already coming.
Reed's blade thundered down at his weakened opponent. His breathing grew heavy, his adrenaline spiking in the moment.
The goblin stood no chance. Their arm endured two more strikes, snapping completely on the second. With nothing to block him, Reed's blade penetrated their throat.
The air felt saturated with perspiration and the adorable racecar bed was caked in blood.
Reed felt a little bad about ruining the bed, but it was nothing compared to the destruction from the others.
***
[Teleport.]
-A giant axe split the table, smashing stone cups, plates, and assorted foods. Rio seized the moment to catch her breath, staring down an elite goblin.
'Finally,' she breathed.
Her mana raced through her body, taking advantage of the respite. This is what she wanted all along.
The goblin moved forward, ready to hop over the table and smash her. It just didn't move fast enough.
Midway through climbing over-
[Slice – 5%]
-A small mana blade cleanly removed one of their legs.
The creature careened over the side of the table, falling flat on its face. The cold stone floor was the last thing they'd ever see.
[Slice – 5%]
A bloody goblin head rolled across the ground.
***
[Double Strength.]
A kick knocked the wind straight out of the goblin, pinning them in the stone wall.
Koga was just as excited to be using his new ability. The transformation of his scrawny body was quite hilarious to see in person.
He flicked his wrist, impaling the goblin with his sword.
*ping*
A new notification appeared.
[All mobs cleared. The boss has spawned.]
His heart dropped. He turned back around and started yelling.
"Rio! Reed!"
"Koga!"
"Koga!"
All three voices rang out, allowing them to meet back near the center.
"Any idea where the boss is?"
Rio shrugged.
"Nope."
"Not a clue," Reed said.
-No need to look for me, I'm right here."
The three spun around, taking in the heavy countenance of a bearded goblin.
Rio scanned it up and down, her expression hardening at the results.
"He can use mana," she whispered.
Truthfully, the goblin frightened her. It was the second most capable mana manipulator she had seen. While the monster still sat far behind Richter, it was enough to outclass herself in all aspects.
This fright grew worse as the creature started floating, lazily showing off his capability.
"There is no need to rush, I want to hear all about your lives."
The situation was far from what they expected. Rio and Koga raised their eyebrows, glancing at the conspicuous goblin.
"Are you the one who made all this?" Reed stepped forward, piecing together a few things.
"I am. I have a keen interest in growth and evolution, among other things. I ask every human who ventures here about their lives, so that I may recreate their experiences. If humans are capable of making so much progress, why can't we? These rooms are vital in allowing my kind to grow."
An uneasy feeling gnawed at Reed's insides. The floating wrinkly goblin was too shrewd. It knew by now how apprehensive they were.
"So then... Where are the other humans?"
The goblin gave a short chuckle, grinning at the fresh meat.
"We goblins have to eat too you know."
Koga exploded. "You sick freak!"
Rio dug her heels into the ground, fighting to keep him back.
Meanwhile, Reed spaced out, picturing the fate of those who came before.
He could see it: a loving parent, desperately describing their son's room, from the wear and tear of their favorite toy to the furniture and bed frame.
Their love, sweat, and tears reduced to a still, superficial replica. Just one of many in this hellish maze. All that, topped off by becoming someone else's meal.
Tears flooded down his cheeks before he could stop them. The repressed thoughts of his wife's miscarriage hit full force.
He should have done more.
Reed stepped forward, ignoring his companions.
It was his fault for not noticing, she was right to leave him. But it was a depressing situation for both of them, could she not see that?
[Double Strength.]
He took another step.
Did she not see how much it hurt him too? The pain that wracked both families – the pity, the looks, the hushed conversations surrounding them. He tried SO hard to defend her—
[Double Strength.]
Another step closer.
"R-Reed?"
Rio and Koga backed away from the rapidly growing beast. A trail of tears followed his heavy footprints.
—He was the one who suggested the name. Didn't she see that he was just as invested in being a parent as she was?
[Double Strength.]
Rio and Koga turned pale in fear, staring up at the new monster before them. The bearded goblin was no different, feeling inexplicable fear. The entire room shook, quaking at every footstep of the eight-foot-tall man.
—He cared so damn much did she not see that? He'd give anything to go back and fix it. Why couldn't they work things out?... There had to be something he could've done.
He clenched his fists, compressing the air within them.
'I swear I cared, I swear...'
He wiped his nose, letting out a slow breath.
'I know I'm not strong enough right now.'
[Double Strength.]
'But that will change. And in the future-'
He held his right arm up, bringing it to the left side of his body.
'-if you're still out there-'
He tensed the his muscles.
'I swear I'll make it up to you.'
His arm swung around, delivering a backhand to the empty space. The looks of his companions were confused, expecting some kind of skill or ability to trigger.
But the reality was: he didn't need any skills right now.
The pure force of the slap registered moments later in the goblin's mind. A concrete wave of wind pancaked him into the wall of the room. The impact broke every bone in his body.
"I'm sorry Liz..." Reed whispered.
He passed out, falling into the anxious embrace of his best friend, who had stuck by him from the beginning.
"I've got you man," Koga popped open a healing potion, pouring it between his lips.
Rio stared awkwardly at the situation, briefly registering their success. The blue swirling portal appeared several feet away from them.
"Who's Liz?"
Koga clicked his tongue, "It's a long story. And frankly, none of your business."
"Right. Well, let's go." Rio answered, unphased by his response.
And so, Rio, Koga, and Reed left the nightmarish dungeon of replicas.
***