As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest, Koy felt the pangs of hunger gnawing at his stomach. He had managed to gather enough berries to stave off starvation for a bit, but he needed more substantial food if he was going to survive and grow stronger. That's when he heard it—a cacophony of shouts and raucous laughter.
Curiosity piqued, Koy crept toward the sound, careful to stay hidden behind the trees. What he found was a small goblin camp, the ground littered with bones and remnants of past meals. A fire crackled at the center, surrounded by a group of goblins, each armed with crude weapons and dressed in ragged clothing.
Koy felt a wave of unease wash over him. These were his kind, yet they looked feral, living off the scraps of the forest. But if he wanted to grow stronger, he couldn't avoid confrontation forever.
"Time to test my luck," he whispered to himself, gripping the rusty dagger tightly.
Drawing a deep breath, Koy stepped into the clearing. The goblins turned, eyes narrowing at the sight of a lone level one goblin approaching. A moment of silence hung in the air before one of the larger goblins, with scars crisscrossing his green skin, let out a roar of laughter.
"Look at this one! A lost pup!" the scarred goblin mocked. "What do you want, weakling?"
Koy felt a surge of defiance rise within him. "I'm here to take what's yours!" he shouted, raising his dagger. The goblins burst into laughter, but Koy's heart raced. He wasn't backing down.
"Who does this little runt think he is?" another goblin sneered, stepping forward. Koy tightened his grip on the dagger, readying himself for the fight of his life.
"Let's see if you can back that up, little goblin!" the scarred one challenged, lunging forward with a club.
Koy barely managed to dodge, adrenaline surging through him. His dagger was rusty, but if he could land a hit, it would be a start. He darted to the side, using the tree as cover while the goblins closed in around him.
As the fight unfolded, Koy realized this was his chance to prove himself. He would not just survive; he would claim his place among the goblins. This was only the beginning.