"What was that?" one of the goblins snarled, his rough voice tinged with unease.
Before they could react further, the male goblin charged into the clearing. His movements were faster than they had ever been, his feet barely seeming to touch the ground. The first goblin barely had time to register what was happening before he was sent flying into a tree, unconscious from the sheer force of the empowered goblin's punch.
The others stared in shock, their bravado faltering. "You?" one of them sneered. "You think you can take us all on? You're still just a weakling—"
The empowered goblin didn't let him finish. He lunged forward with blinding speed, his claws slashing through the air. The goblin who had spoken tried to block but was thrown to the ground with a single strike, groaning in pain.
"Leave her alone!" the male goblin roared, his voice filled with fury.
The remaining goblins regrouped, snarling in anger. "Get him!" their leader shouted, and they charged together.
The battle that followed was fierce and chaotic. The empowered goblin fought like a being possessed, his newfound strength and agility giving him the upper hand against his tormentors. He ducked, dodged, and countered with precision, his strikes landing with devastating force.
For a moment, it seemed like the other goblins might overwhelm him through sheer numbers. They attacked from all sides, their crude weapons swinging wildly. But the male goblin refused to back down. Fueled by the thought of his partner's safety, he fought harder, smarter, using his enhanced reflexes to outmaneuver his opponents.
Kaito, sitting on the stone, remained perfectly still, his eyes closed as he maintained his connection to the goblin. Through his power, he could see the battle unfolding as clearly as if he were standing in the middle of it. A faint smirk played on his lips as he felt the goblin's determination intensify.
"You're learning," Kaito murmured to himself. "Good."
The tide of the battle shifted dramatically when the empowered goblin faced the leader of the group. This goblin was larger and more experienced than the rest, wielding a heavy club with an air of confidence.
"You think you've won, runt?" the leader growled. "I'll crush you and your pathetic little partner!"
The empowered goblin didn't respond with words. Instead, he met the leader's charge head-on, their clash sending shockwaves through the clearing. The fight was brutal, each strike shaking the ground, but the male goblin's newfound strength proved too much for his opponent. With a final, earth-shaking blow, the leader crumpled to the ground, defeated.
Panting and bloodied but victorious, the male goblin turned to his partner, who was watching in awe and disbelief. He rushed to her side, kneeling as he gently helped her to her feet.
"It's over," he said softly, his voice trembling with relief. "You're safe now."
She looked at him, tears streaming down her face, and embraced him tightly. "You saved me," she whispered. "I always knew you could."
From his perch, Kaito opened his eyes, his connection to the goblin fading as he withdrew his power. He stood, dusting off his coat, and watched the pair from a distance.
The male goblin turned to him, his expression one of gratitude and awe. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I couldn't have done this without you."
Kaito smirked faintly, his tone as cold and calculated as ever. "Don't thank me yet," he said. "I gave you power, yes, but what you did with it—that was all you. Just remember, power comes with a price. One day, I'll call upon you to repay this debt."
The goblin nodded solemnly. "I will. Whatever you ask, I'll do it. You have my loyalty."
"Good," Kaito said, turning to leave. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts. The world isn't kind to those who rely on others. Next time, protect her with your own strength."
As Kaito disappeared into the shadows of the forest, the goblin looked at his partner, who smiled at him with pride and love. Though they were forever changed by what had transpired, one thing was clear—they owed their lives to the enigmatic being who had given them a chance to fight back.
As, Kaito stepped out of the graveyard, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow over his figure. As the cold night air brushed against his skin, a vivid flashback pulled him into his memories.
He had entered the graveyard on a mission—to harness the power of the restless souls trapped within. The air had been thick with despair, the whispers of the dead echoing all around him. With his cursed powers, Kaito subdued and controlled the spirits, drawing their energy into himself. Each soul he claimed amplified his cursed energy, making him stronger, more formidable.
Amidst his grim task, Kaito encountered a desperate goblin couple. Against his usual indifference, he helped the male goblin by granting him immense power to save his partner. Watching the goblin's triumph, Kaito withdrew without fanfare.
Kaito turned sharply toward the graveyard, his gaze piercing through the darkness that loomed ahead. The cold wind carried the faint whispers of restless souls, their cries echoing in the distance like a haunting symphony. The graveyard was ancient, a place drenched in despair and corruption. Each step he took towards its gates seemed to draw the shadows closer, the air growing heavier with malice.
As he crossed the threshold into the cursed land, Kaito's cursed energy flared. His body began to transform, veins coursing with raw, demonic power. His muscles expanded, his skin darkened to a deep obsidian hue, and his eyes blazed crimson, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. His True Devil form had awakened. A deep growl escaped his lips, a harbinger of the battle that lay ahead.
Inside him, the restless souls and goblins he had absorbed began to stir violently. They clawed at his consciousness, trying to break free from the prison of his body. Kaito snarled, feeling the storm within growing stronger with each passing second. He clenched his fists, sparks of cursed energy dancing along his knuckles..