Chereads / Reborn, But I'm A Goblin??? / Chapter 8 - "A Scholar?"

Chapter 8 - "A Scholar?"

Waking up from his strange, dreamlike slumber, Finn took a moment to gather his thoughts before inspecting his body. The first thing that caught his attention was the series of intricate tattoos that now adorned his chest. They weren't like the simple markings of the other goblins he had seen—these symbols seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly energy, glowing softly as if alive. The patterns were foreign to him, and while he couldn't decipher their meaning, he instinctively knew they were tied to his newfound magical abilities. This must be related to magic, he thought, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of his transformation.

Raising his arms, he could see the physical changes too. He had grown taller, now standing at around a meter and a half, a full head taller than his previous self. His muscles had become more defined, his arms and chest noticeably more toned. Even his stomach had developed a faint set of abs, though he paid little attention to the aesthetic changes. What truly mattered to him was his status, the thing that would tell him what this evolution had truly granted him.

With a flicker of thought, Finn brought up his Status Window.

[Status Window]

Name: Finn (Muck)

Race: Goblin Scholar

XP: 0/30

Strength: 4

Durability: 5

Agility: 5

Intelligence: 8

Wisdom: 8

Skills: [Leap] [Fire]

"Leap..." Finn muttered, imagining a strange magic that allowed him to leap greater distances, and "Fire" seemed to be a power he had yet to fully explore. But the most pressing matter was the need to report to the elder about the details of his evolution.

He stood, his new muscles flexing as he made his way to the elder's corner of the cave. The elder was sitting in his usual spot, looking disinterested as he gnawed on a piece of meat. Finn approached cautiously, remembering his place in the hierarchy, despite his newfound strength.

When the elder noticed him, he raised a brow. "Well, Muck. It seems you've evolved. What are you here for?" His tone was dismissive, as though he wasn't particularly interested.

Finn took a deep breath and knelt before the elder, as was customary when speaking to those of higher status. "Elder, I've evolved, and I wish to report the details."

The elder gave him a bored look. "Evolve, huh? Let's hear it then."

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Finn recounted the experience. "I reached my max XP, and the system gave me several options for evolution. I chose Goblin Scholar."

The elder's expression didn't change at first. "A scholar? What does that even mean for you?" he grumbled, clearly uninterested in magic or intelligence-based evolutions.

Finn stood a little straighter, now feeling the power of his new abilities. "I gained two skills. One is called 'Leap'—it allows me to jump farther than normal. The other is called 'Fire.' I haven't fully tested it yet, but I believe it grants me some fire-based abilities."

The elder's eyes narrowed at the mention of fire, his expression slightly more curious now. "Fire? Huh... that could be useful. But, the scholar path? You'll need more than just that if you want to survive here. The world doesn't care much for magic. Strength, speed—those are what matter."

Finn hesitated, then spoke up. "I'll still need to prove myself. I understand that. But I thought you should know what I've gained."

The elder finally gave a grunt of acknowledgment, leaning back in his chair. "You've got some fire in you, kid. Now prove it. Go hunt something worthy and show the tribe what you can do. Don't expect any special treatment just because you chose some fancy evolution. We don't have time for that."

Finn nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I will, Elder."

The elder waved him off dismissively, his attention already shifting back to his meal. "Go on, then. And don't waste your chance."

Finn stood, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had chosen the Scholar path, but it was clear that in this world, intelligence alone wouldn't get him far. Strength, cunning, and survival were the true tests.

As Finn turned to leave, the weight of his decision settled on him. The forest outside awaited, and he would have to prove that his evolution was more than just magic—it was the key to his survival in this brutal world.

Finn left the elder's lair, his mind whirling with thoughts of what he had just learned. The elder's dismissal stung, but deep down, Finn understood. This world was unforgiving, and no one cared about potential unless it was backed by results. Magic was useful, yes, but strength and survival were the true currencies here.

As Finn stepped into the cool cave air and exited into the open, the familiar sounds of the forest greeted him. The rustle of leaves, the distant cries of creatures, and the hum of life surrounded him. His body felt different—stronger, more capable. But now was not the time to reflect; it was time to prove himself.

His first goal was simple: hunt something worth hunting.

He had already gained a taste of what the forest had to offer, but now he needed to test his new skills. "Leap" was still a mystery to him, and "Fire" was something he hadn't even begun to understand. But he would figure it out. He had to.

Finn decided to head toward the forest's deeper, more dangerous regions, where he had never dared venture before. The Elder had been right about one thing—strength was what mattered most. And with his new power, he felt ready to face whatever the forest had in store for him.

As he ventured deeper into the woods, Finn's senses were heightened. His eyes scanned every tree, every rustling bush, his ears straining to catch any sound that would give him a clue to the location of prey. His new agility made moving through the dense undergrowth easier than before, and the strength in his limbs allowed him to leap over obstacles with surprising ease.

Soon, a shadow caught his eye—something large, moving through the thick brush. Finn paused, his heart rate quickening. It was a creature he hadn't encountered before, but it looked big and dangerous. It was a large boar-like animal, with sharp tusks and thick, matted fur. Its movements were slow but deliberate, its nose sniffing the ground.

Finn crouched, his body low to the ground, and he crept closer, trying to get within striking range. His heart pounded in his chest as he assessed the situation. He had his knife, but it wouldn't be enough to take down something like that unless he was quick and clever.

He paused for a moment, considering his options. That's when his mind flickered back to the strange symbol on his chest, the tattoos that seemed to resonate with power. Was this the magic of a Goblin Scholar? He focused for a moment, recalling the word "Leap."

A feeling of warmth spread through him, and before he could think, his body moved. Without even consciously thinking about it, he leaped forward, soaring through the air with incredible speed. His feet landed lightly, but he was on top of the boar in a blink of an eye.

The beast was startled, turning quickly with a furious grunt, tusks aimed straight at Finn. He barely dodged the first tusk, but it was too close for comfort. His knife flashed in the sunlight, aiming for the creature's vulnerable underbelly. But just before he could land the blow, he felt the power of "Fire" surge within him.

Without thinking, he raised his hand. A tiny ball of fire sparked from his palm and flew at the boar's face, blinding it momentarily. The boar stumbled back, grunting and disoriented.

Seizing the opportunity, Finn lunged forward again, his knife cutting through the air, finding its mark just behind the creature's ear. The boar let out a guttural cry before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Breathing heavily, Finn stood over the creature, looking down at his kill. His body was shaking, but not from fear—he was filled with exhilaration. The combination of strength, speed, and magic had worked.

His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't waste any time. He began to butcher the boar, making quick work of it. It was far larger than anything he had hunted before, and though he wasn't sure how much he could carry back to the cave, the meat would be valuable. This kill would prove that he wasn't just some weak goblin anymore.

As he finished cutting the boar into manageable pieces, Finn felt a strange sensation—a pull, like his body was vibrating with new energy.

[You have killed a Boar, +5XP]

His XP count had increased, and Finn's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't just surviving; he was improving. His decision to become a Goblin Scholar had already proven its worth. With the combination of his magical skills and his newfound strength, he was becoming a force to be reckoned with.

After packing the boar's meat, Finn turned toward the cave. There was still much to learn, much to do. But for the first time since his arrival in this brutal world, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't just a survivor anymore. He was starting to become a hunter, a warrior, and perhaps something even more.