Deep in his sleep, Finn seemed to awaken—or perhaps he hadn't. It was a strange sensation, as if his body remained asleep, yet his mind floated weightlessly in a vast, featureless void. There was nothing around him but silence and darkness. Then, a faint glow appeared before him, the familiar system notifications materializing in the emptiness.
---
[Max XP reached]
[Finding possible evolutions…]
[Evolutions found]
[Processing possible evolutions]
---
As the text flickered, four options emerged before Finn, each name glowing softly as if beckoning him to choose:
1. Goblin Cook
2. Goblin Crafter
3. Goblin Warrior
4. Goblin Scholar
Finn's attention was immediately drawn to Goblin Warrior—the word itself exuded strength and promise. The quickest way to get stronger, he thought, feeling a spark of excitement. But something in him, perhaps a remnant of his old human rationality, urged him to remain cautious. Rushing might lead to regret.
Below the options, descriptions began to take form, scrolling into existence with clear detail.
1. Goblin Cook: A goblin specializing in food preparation and resource management. Cooks can create meals that enhance stamina, accelerate recovery, and provide temporary boosts to physical attributes. Essential for long-term survival in a group.
2. Goblin Crafter: A goblin skilled in crafting tools, weapons, and armor. Crafters possess dexterity and ingenuity, able to make crude but effective equipment, and improve items over time.
3. Goblin Warrior: A physically stronger and more durable evolution of a base goblin. Warriors excel in combat, boasting increased strength and endurance. Often found wielding basic weapons like clubs, swords, or maces, they are the frontline fighters of goblin tribes.
4. Goblin Scholar: A rare evolution focused on intelligence and wisdom. Scholars gain access to basic magical abilities, such as weak elemental spells or utility magic. Though physically frail, they are valued for their knowledge and potential to grow in arcane arts.
Finn's mind raced as he weighed his options. The Goblin Warrior still called to him—it promised strength, the ability to fight and defend himself in this brutal world. Yet the other choices intrigued him as well. A Goblin Crafter could ensure survival through tools and weapons. A Goblin Scholar offered the allure of magic, something far beyond his understanding but fascinating nonetheless. Even the Goblin Cook, though seemingly mundane, hinted at a path of support and growth through food and sustenance.
Finn took a deep breath—or at least he thought he did in this formless void. His decision would shape his path, and for the first time, he felt the weight of this new life pressing down on him.
"Which one should I choose?" Finn whispered to himself, his voice carrying softly through the vast, silent void around him. His words seemed to hang in the air, their faint echo bouncing back to him, as if the very space itself were waiting for his decision. The glowing options before him pulsed gently, a rhythmic glow that felt like it was urging him to make up his mind.
He stared at the four choices, each one tempting in its own right, but his mind kept returning to one phrase from the Goblin Scholar evolution description: A rare evolution. The words resonated in his mind, stirring something deep within him. Rare. That could mean something special, something that set him apart from the rest.
While the Goblin Warrior offered raw power and immediate combat strength, and the Goblin Crafter promised a future of useful skills and ingenuity, Finn found himself drawn back to the scholar's potential. What did 'rare' truly mean? It may not be the strongest choice, but it promised something more—something not everyone could attain. The idea of being different, of evolving into something unique, sparked a fire in his chest. It felt like there was more to the world than just brute strength or simple craftsmanship. Maybe Goblin Scholar wasn't just about intellect—it could open doors to new kinds of power, ones that no one had even considered yet.
As his thoughts swirled, Finn took a deep breath. He had considered all the options, weighed his choices carefully, and ultimately, the pull toward the unknown was stronger. With newfound resolve, he reached forward and decisively clicked on the glowing option.
"Goblin Scholar."
Immediately, a blinding light filled his vision, causing him to shield his eyes. The light wasn't painful, but it was intense—so bright it felt as if it were burning away his doubts and uncertainty. The air seemed to hum with energy, vibrating around him like the prelude to something monumental. As the light enveloped him, Finn's body tingled, and his mind buzzed with a strange sensation—as if something vast, something ancient, was awakening inside him.
For a brief moment, the void felt infinite. Time seemed to stretch, bend, and warp around him, but then, all at once, everything went still.
The notifications rang out, their voices firm and clear in his mind.
[Goblin Scholar selected.]
[Evolution commencing…]
[Adapting body to new form…]
Finn felt the transformation begin. It wasn't painful, but it was profound. His body reshaped, limbs twitching as subtle changes rippled through his form. It wasn't just his body that changed, though—his mind, his very consciousness, began to expand. He could feel a new awareness opening within him, unlocking parts of himself he hadn't known existed. Faint whispers echoed in the back of his mind—fragments of knowledge, bits of forgotten lore, like pieces of a puzzle he hadn't known he was meant to solve.
His senses sharpened—sight, sound, even his awareness of the space around him. The void seemed to melt away, and the dark expanse was replaced by the vivid feeling of knowing. He could hear the faintest rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds, and even the faint tremors of the earth beneath him. Every small detail felt amplified, as though his mind was now attuned to the very pulse of the world.
Then, as quickly as it began, the transformation ended.
[Evolution complete. You are now a Goblin Scholar.]
The light faded, and Finn slowly opened his eyes. His body felt lighter, faster—stronger, yes, but with a new sense of purpose. He could feel the magic buzzing faintly within him, waiting to be tapped. His fingers twitched as if they instinctively knew how to channel it. For the first time since his rebirth in this strange world, he felt different. Not just physically, but fundamentally different. He wasn't just a goblin anymore—he was something else, something more.
A smile crept across his face as he took a deep breath. The possibilities were endless now.