In the dark, chaotic forests of Nulkar, a small goblin knelt, his yellow eyes wide with confusion. He stared at his own hands, deformed and small, the greenish skin covered in dirt.
"What body is this? Where... where am I?" he murmured, his voice hoarse and hesitant, thick with disbelief. His expression betrayed a whirlwind of emotions—fear, bewilderment, and a hint of despair.
With effort, he stood up, but his trembling legs nearly gave way. "Could it be... I've been reincarnated?" he said in a low voice, still trying to process what was happening. Before he could gather his thoughts, a searing pain pierced his head like a sharp blade. He fell to the ground, clutching his skull with both hands as groans of agony escaped his lips.
"Aaargh! What... is this pain?!" he screamed, as the pain seemed to tear his mind apart.
For endless minutes, the forest resounded with his muffled screams. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain ceased. Like a wind dissipating into the void, it vanished without a trace. The goblin lay still, breathing heavily, his frail body trembling.
It was in this moment of silence that a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
YOU HAVE BEEN INTEGRATED INTO THE SYSTEM. CONGRATULATIONS.
The goblin froze, his eyes widening again. The voice was not coming from outside, but from inside his head. Its robotic tone was completely devoid of emotion, as if it were indifferent to his confusion.
Before he could react, the voice continued:
"YOU MUST HAVE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, SO I WILL ANSWER SOME OF THEM."
A heavy silence hung in the air. Taking advantage of the pause, the goblin asked, with a trembling and hesitant voice: "Who am I? And... where am I?"
Almost immediately, the answer came, direct and impersonal:
"YOU ARE A REINCARNATED BEING, SENT INTO THE BODY OF A SMALL GOBLIN."
The goblin felt his heart race as the voice continued:
"YOU ARE ON THE SERENE PLANET, MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THE DARK FORESTS OF NULKAR."
For a moment, everything was silent again, except for the faint sound of leaves rustling in the wind. The goblin remained still, staring at the ground. The information began to align in his mind, but it brought more questions than answers.
"Reincarnated... into a goblin?" he whispered, feeling a chill down his spine at the thought of the insignificance of his new existence.
---
The goblin remained there, sitting on the muddy ground, trying to calm his clouded mind. Each thought seemed like a current dragging him towards madness, but after a few moments, he finally began to focus. His eyes, previously lost in a sea of confusion, now displayed a calculating determination.
"So... it seems that this is my new life, from now on," the goblin muttered to himself, his expression serious, almost impassive, as he slowly stood up. The voice that echoed in his mind, cold and impersonal, seemed to be becoming a constant presence.
With a deep sigh, the goblin asked, in a serious tone, in search of more answers:
"System, what are your functionalities?"
The answer was immediate, sharp, like a command from a distant being, without any emotion.
"THE SYSTEM WILL GUIDE YOU UNTIL THE END OF YOUR LIFE, HELPING YOU BECOME THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN THIS UNIVERSE."
The goblin gave a light laugh, but his expression was ambiguous, as if he didn't know whether to believe or feel offended. The tone of the system's voice was indifferent, as if it were simply announcing an inevitability.
"Interesting...", he thought. An opportunity, but also a great risk. It was clear that something much bigger than himself was at stake. Expectation appeared in his eyes as he looked into the darkness of the forest. The arrogance, present in his voice, manifested itself when he asked with a sideways smile:
"And how are you going to make me the most powerful being?"
The silence that followed made the goblin feel even more anxious, as if a more complex answer was coming. When the system's voice finally spoke again, it was a distant but firm whisper:
THE SYSTEM HAS MANY FUNCTIONS TO MAKE YOU A POWERFUL BEING, BUT SOME FUNCTIONS ARE UNAVAILABLE DUE TO YOUR CURRENT STRENGTH.
The goblin frowned. "Inactive, because of my strength?" He didn't know whether to be intrigued or frustrated. A weak body, a mind full of ambition. The reality of his new existence was beginning to be revealed, but the answers brought more questions. What was he really capable of doing in this puny goblin body? How could he grow stronger, faster, if the system was so secretive about its methods?
The cold, impersonal voice of the system echoed again in Trogg's mind, cutting through the silence of the forest like a sharp blade.
"STATUS"
Name: Trogg
Cultivation: None
Skills: None
Bloodlines: None
Race: Goblin
Quest: Feed on 5 creatures 0/5
Trogg stared at the numbers and words that appeared before his eyes, dumbfounded. He never imagined that his new life would be so... impersonal. It felt more like a game than a real existence. His hands trembled as he tried to process the information. The mission seemed simple, but the fact that he had no cultivation or skills, and that his bloodline was empty, made him uneasy.
"I... have nothing?" Trogg muttered to himself, confused and frustrated.
"So how do I improve this?" he asked, eager for an answer that would guide him on his journey.
The system's response was immediate, direct as always. "You need a cultivation technique. By learning this technique, you will be able to absorb Qi, concentrate it, and enhance your body."
"A cultivation technique... how do I get one?" Trogg thought aloud, yet another question arising. He had heard of such techniques in legends, but he never imagined that a goblin like him would need one so soon.
Before he could ponder further, the system's voice continued, impersonal as ever, explaining it to him more clearly.
**"The cultivation levels that are available to you are as follows:**
1. Qi Condensation Stage
2. Qi Stabilization Stage
3. Spiritual Core Formation Stage
4. Spiritual Soul Awakening Stage."
Trogg pondered the names of the stages, the confusion on his face giving way to curiosity. He knew that each of these steps was a crucial step towards attaining power, but what he wanted to know most was how he could begin, how he could break out of this desperate weakness.
"So, these are the steps I need to take to become stronger…" he murmured, his eyes returning to the wild surroundings of the forest. "But how can I do that if I don't even know where to begin?"
Silence returned, and the forest seemed to close in around Trogg. The feeling of helplessness enveloped him again, but he knew that in order to survive, he would need to learn quickly. The goblin looked down at his small hands, feeling the weight of responsibility on his chest.
But the system's voice, even though cold and distant, still sounded like a distant promise of power. "The first mission, Trogg, is simple. You must feed in order to advance. When you consume the five creatures, the next step will be revealed." Trogg sighed, already beginning to plan his next move. He knew that in order to gain power, he would have to be patient and strategic. The path ahead would be arduous, but deep down, he felt that this was his only chance. With a calculating look, Trogg stood up and, still absorbing all the information, began to walk through the forest, in search of his prey. The sound of the leaves crackling under his feet and the distant rustling of the trees were the only companions he had. He knew that the journey was just beginning. __ The Nulkar Forest was a land immersed in dense shadows, where the trees intertwined like giant fingers, blocking any trace of sunlight. The air was thick with oppressive humidity, and the ground, covered in a thick layer of fallen leaves and twisted roots, seemed to swallow Trogg's every step. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the occasional hiss of unseen creatures watching his every move. Trogg, still reeling from the revelation of his status, knew he could waste no time. The system's mission was clear: feed on five creatures. Though the mission seemed simple, he could not deny the terror that nestled in his chest. He was weak. Too weak to face anything truly dangerous. His breathing was ragged, his mind a whirlwind of doubts. His yellow eyes moved cautiously through the dense vegetation, while his small, trembling hands searched for any sign of life. His thin, almost skeletal body was covered in dirt, its smell mingling with that of the earth and rotting vegetation around him. Trogg was nothing more than an ordinary goblin, and at that moment, he felt the full weight of his fragility. He walked slowly, his steps careful not to attract the attention of the forest creatures. Until, at the bottom of a small clearing, his eyes lit up when he saw something. It was a creature, a small animal, with whitish fur, and large, innocent eyes. It was a kind of wild rabbit, an unsuspecting herbivore that fed on the low-lying plants that covered the forest floor. Trogg stood still, watching the creature. His heart was beating fast inside his chest, his body hesitant, but his instincts guided him. Hunger, that insatiable need to absorb the energy of another life, drove him. He needed those five souls to begin his journey. With a low grunt, Trogg crouched slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible. His legs were shaking, his small claws barely touching the ground. He knew that at any moment, the creature could get scared and run away. Every movement had to be perfect, precise.
Trogg took a deep breath, concentrating. The system had told him about the need to absorb Qi, but he still didn't know how. He didn't know what to do with that weak and inexperienced body. But at that moment, he had no choice. He needed that prey.
He advanced towards the rabbit, his steps now faster, yet careful. When he was a few meters from the creature, Trogg jumped with all the strength his legs could muster. In the air, the goblin launched himself at the rabbit, his hands reaching out to catch the small creature.
For a moment, the rabbit froze, its eyes wide, but it didn't have time to react. Trogg grabbed the animal with surprising strength for such a small and fragile being. The rabbit tried to struggle, its little paws trying to free itself, but the goblin, with its teeth clenched, didn't let it escape. He pressed it to the ground, the animal's body struggling until it finally calmed down.
Trogg stood there, holding the rabbit in his filthy hands and shaking. The sight of the small creature, still alive, struggling in his fingers, made his stomach turn. But he knew what he had to do. The need to fulfill his mission, to become stronger, consumed him. The darkness of the forest seemed to close in around him, as if he were the only witness to his first kill.
With a final sigh, the rabbit ceased its movements. The goblin, still panting, watched the life drain from the innocent creature. He felt a mixture of revulsion and a primitive need to absorb the essence of that soul. A still unknown power pulsed in his hands, but it was not enough. It was not enough to change its destiny, to make it grow.
Trogg stared at the dead rabbit's body in his hands, a chill running down his spine. He felt something, but it was hard to identify. It was a bitter taste of power, of survival, but also of emptiness. Something was starting to ignite inside him. He didn't know what, but something was driving him to continue.
Without hesitation, he swallowed the creature whole, feeling the cold flesh slide into his body. The metallic taste of life was still in his mouth, but he didn't have time to think about it. The system soon manifested itself in his mind, indifferent to the experience he had just lived.
"CURRENT MISSION: 1/5."
Trogg closed his eyes, feeling a tingling sensation in his hands. The Qi, something he still didn't fully understand, seemed to be moving inside his body, but he didn't know how to manipulate it yet. However, something had changed. He felt like he had taken the first step on his journey.
With an expression of indifference, he stood up, ready to hunt more. Every step of his journey was now marked by an insatiable need for power. And although the forest was still dark and unforgiving, Trogg knew that his fate was in his own hands, and he would do whatever it took to achieve the strength he desired.
But for now, he needed more. More lives to fuel his growth.
The forest of Nulkar continued its sinister vigil under the dim light of the moon. Trogg, now a little calmer, but still with the bitter taste of his first hunt in his mouth, advanced through the dense vegetation. The sound of his footsteps, muffled by the rotting leaves, seemed almost lost in the immensity of the forest. His frail, skeletal body still trembled, but something inside him began to solidify. He had taken the first step.
The air was heavy and the humidity almost unbearable, but Trogg did not allow himself to think of weakness. He needed more. More souls. He needed to grow stronger. And though his body was weak, the hunger for power was already growing within him, insatiable. With his yellow eyes fixed ahead, Trogg moved through the winding paths of the forest. With each step, the feeling that he was being watched grew stronger, but he could not afford to be distracted. He needed to find more prey. Hours passed as he made his way through the forest. Finally, something caught his attention. It was not the simple rustling of leaves in the wind. It was the sound of something heavy, something moving through the undergrowth, leaving a trail of broken leaves and broken branches. Trogg hid in the shadows, his eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and desire. Something was approaching. A large, low shadow moved slowly, almost imperceptibly, moving with the grace of a panther but the confidence of a predator. It was a creature similar to a boar, but with glowing red eyes and sharp teeth that protruded from its mouth. His tusks gleamed in the moonlight, and his breathing was heavy, as if he were hunting something. Trogg stood still, watching intently. The boar seemed unaware of him, focused on its path, following an unfamiliar trail. He was vulnerable, distracted. This was the perfect opportunity. Senses heightened by necessity, Trogg took a deep breath and crouched low, making as little noise as possible. He was in no position to attack directly; the boar was too big, and a mistake would mean death. But he had to try. He had to. Trogg used the vegetation around him as cover, moving with the agility that his goblin body offered, however limited. Each step was a silent dance among the dense vegetation, each movement calculated. He followed the boar for a long time, until the creature approached a small lake, where it stopped to drink.
The sight of the animal crouching down, distracted by its need to quench its thirst, was the chance Trogg needed. He moved faster, already close to the creature. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his sharp claws going straight for the boar's neck. The creature had no time to react. Trogg grabbed the animal's jaw with unexpected strength, his sharp teeth sinking into its neck, while his hands tried to keep his prey under control.
The boar tried to struggle, its brute strength against Trogg's weakness, but the goblin held on with everything he had. He could not fail now. The struggle lasted for a few seconds, but the boar, in its attempt to free itself, weakened, and in a last desperate effort, Trogg pulled with all his strength. In one sudden movement, the creature's neck snapped.
The struggle ceased. Silence took over the scene, except for the distant sounds of the forest. The goblin stood, panting, staring at the body of the boar lying before him. He could feel his breathing heavy, his lungs burning with the effort. His first larger prey. Another soul he could consume.
Trogg knelt over the body of the boar, the sight of the creature lying before him making his stomach churn, but he knew what he had to do. He couldn't waste time. Bringing his trembling hands to the beast's body, he devoured it. The metallic taste of the fresh, warm flesh mixed with the earth of the forest, and for a moment, Trogg felt a tingling sensation in his body. The Qi seemed to be moving within him, but not yet in a controlled manner.
Trogg's body seemed to slowly absorb the energy of the creature's soul, a new sensation, but one he was beginning to recognize. A bitter yet sweet taste. He felt a lightness in his extremities, and a sense of growing power, but it was still not enough. He needed more. There was no time to waste.
"CURRENT MISSION: 2/5."
The system's cold, impersonal voice rang in his mind, as always. Trogg paid it no mind. He stared at the boar's corpse, his gaze cold and calculating. He had taken another step. But now he was hungry for more.
The forest seemed more and more alive as he went deeper. The sound of other animals lurking around made his heart beat faster, but it wasn't fear he felt. It was excitement. He was no longer at the mercy of his fate. He now had a goal, and nothing could stop him.
And so, Trogg moved on, more confident, more cunning, in search of his next prey.