The tribe had changed. Where once they had cowered in the shadows, scurrying in fear of larger predators, they now stood taller, stronger, and more confident. Kevin's victory over the massive wolf had shifted something deep within them all. The sight of their leader defeating a beast of such power was burned into their minds, and with it came a new understanding: they could be more than they were. Under Kevin's rule, they could evolve into something far greater than a pack of scavenging goblins.
But Kevin's ambitions had no intention of stopping with one victory. Standing over the wolf's carcass had only sharpened his hunger. He could feel the pulsing fire of his last evolution simmering inside him, urging him to take the next step, to push himself and his tribe to their limits.
In the days that followed, Kevin made a decision. The goblins had survived long enough by stealing, hiding, and retreating. That time was over. They would become hunters, warriors, and conquerors. The time had come for the first raid that would mark the beginning of their rise to dominance.
And so, Kevin called for his tribe to assemble under the cover of night.
They gathered near the mouth of the cave, the flickering fire casting shadows across their eager, green faces. Dozens of goblins, armed with crude weapons, watched as Kevin stood before them, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. His injuries from the wolf fight had healed quickly, and his body, strengthened by his evolving nature, seemed almost larger than it had been before. He was no longer just their leader—he was something more.
"We've lived in the shadows too long," Kevin began, his voice cutting through the silence. "For years, we've survived by scavenging what we could and avoiding the threats of this world. But that's not who we are anymore."
The goblins listened intently, some nodding in agreement, others still adjusting to the idea of change. The old ways had kept them alive, but Kevin's power was undeniable, and they could see the fruits of his leadership. The wolf's carcass had been feasted upon, its bones used to craft sharper weapons, and its fur now adorned Kevin's shoulders as a trophy.
"Tonight, we take our first real step forward," Kevin continued. "There's a village at the edge of the forest—a human settlement. Small, weak, unsuspecting. It's time for us to stop raiding for scraps. We will take what we want and make them fear us."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some goblins were nervous, their instincts telling them that attacking humans was dangerous, a gamble that could backfire. But others, fueled by the thrill of Kevin's victory, were eager to follow. They had never felt this kind of ambition before, this sense of purpose.
Rax, the goblin who had once doubted Kevin's abilities, now stepped forward. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and cautious curiosity. "What's the plan, then? We charge in, smash things up, and hope for the best?"
Kevin's eyes narrowed, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "No. We don't just charge in blindly. That's what we did before, and it got us nothing but losses. This time, we move with precision."
He turned, pointing to a crude map drawn in the dirt at their feet, outlining the nearby village. "We'll attack from two sides—split into two groups. Grom, you take the north side, cause a distraction. Make them think the raid is coming from there. Meanwhile, the rest of us will strike from the south. We'll move in quietly, and when the time is right, we'll hit them hard."
Grom grinned, his sharp teeth flashing in the firelight. He had proven himself to be one of Kevin's most loyal followers since the wolf fight, and he relished the idea of causing chaos. "Got it, boss. I'll give them a scare they won't forget."
Kevin nodded, his eyes scanning the faces of the goblins before him. "Remember, this isn't just about taking their food or their gold. This is about sending a message. We're not scavengers anymore. We're hunters, warriors—and we'll make them remember us."
The goblins grunted their approval, the fire of excitement beginning to burn in their veins. Kevin's words ignited something primal in them. For too long, they had lived in the cracks of the world, accepting their role as lesser creatures. But Kevin had shown them that there was another way, and now they were ready to follow him down that path.
"Prepare your weapons. We leave in an hour."
The moon hung high in the sky as Kevin's band of goblins crept through the underbrush, the village just ahead of them. It was a small settlement, no more than a dozen wooden houses, a handful of farm animals, and a central well. The villagers were asleep, unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond their peaceful homes.
Grom and his group had already moved into position on the northern edge of the village, and Kevin could see the faint glimmers of torchlight from where they waited. Soon, they would strike, creating the diversion that would draw the humans' attention. But Kevin's group—his elite, handpicked goblins—remained hidden in the shadows, waiting for their moment.
Kevin crouched low, his eyes sharp and focused. He could feel the tension building in the air, the anticipation of violence humming in his veins. He was ready, more than ready, to unleash his newfound power on the unsuspecting humans.
Then, the signal came.
A loud crash echoed from the north side of the village as Grom and his goblins knocked over a wooden fence, followed by the frantic barking of dogs and the shouts of startled villagers. Torches flared to life, and Kevin watched as several of the humans rushed toward the commotion, armed with nothing more than pitchforks and crude clubs.
"Now," Kevin whispered, and his goblins moved.
They slipped through the darkness like predators on the hunt, their steps silent as they approached the village's southern edge. Kevin's heart pounded with exhilaration, the thrill of battle flooding his senses. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the first true test of his leadership, the first real strike in his campaign for power.
As they neared the first house, Kevin motioned for the goblins to spread out, surrounding the small building. With a swift nod, they moved as one, kicking in the door and swarming inside.
The humans within barely had time to scream.
Kevin followed close behind, watching with cold satisfaction as his goblins tore through the house, grabbing anything of value and dragging the terrified inhabitants outside. He felt no pity for them—these weaklings were merely stepping stones on his path to greatness.
The attack was swift and brutal. The goblins moved from house to house, overwhelming the sleepy villagers with their sheer numbers and savage ferocity. Kevin led them with ruthless efficiency, directing their movements and ensuring that no one escaped. The humans fought back as best they could, but they were no match for the goblins' bloodlust.
By the time the raid was over, the village was in flames, the scent of burning wood and blood thick in the air. The goblins stood in the flickering light of the fires, their arms laden with spoils—food, weapons, gold—and their faces smeared with the blood of their enemies.
Kevin surveyed the scene, his heart still racing. This was just the beginning. The village had been nothing more than a test, a proving ground for his new way of life. And they had passed with flying colors.
He could feel the energy of the raid coursing through him, the thrill of victory feeding his hunger for more. The fire inside him flared to life, and he knew, without a doubt, that his evolution was far from over.
But something else stirred within him as well—something darker, deeper. As he stood over the bodies of the fallen villagers, a cold realization settled into his bones. This wasn't just about power anymore. This was about control, about bending the world to his will.
The goblins looked to him, their eyes wide with awe and respect. They had seen what he was capable of, and now they followed him without question. He was their leader, their warlord.
And Kevin—the boy who had once been nothing more than a face in the crowd—was ready to seize the world with both hands.
"Gather the spoils," he ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "We'll need them for what's coming next."
As the goblins set to work, Kevin turned his gaze toward the horizon, where the stars glittered like distant promises of power.
This was only the beginning.