Returning to the cave, Finn made his way toward the elder with a sense of pride swelling in his chest. The boar's meat was heavy in his arms, but he was used to the weight by now. The elder sat in his usual spot, that rickety chair perched in the shadowy corner of the cave, eyes glinting with an unreadable expression. As Finn placed the meat in front of him, he could feel the elder's gaze shift to the prize.
The elder's lips curled into a strange, almost predatory smile, a flicker of approval in his eyes. Without saying a word, he reached for a large chunk of the boar's flesh, tearing into it with surprising ease, the meat dripping from his gnashing teeth. The fact that the elder didn't bother to cook it made Finn's stomach twist slightly, but he quickly reminded himself that this world wasn't the same as his old one. Things here were different.
"Well done," the elder finally muttered between bites, his voice low and gravelly. "I guess you can at least do the basics."
Finn stood silently, unsure whether that was praise or just a hollow comment. It didn't matter much to him anyway. He had done what he set out to do: bring back a kill that proved his progress. But he didn't linger for long. The elder had already waved him off, dismissing him as if his achievement was just another ordinary task.
Finn didn't mind. He wasn't here for the elder's approval—he was here to prove to himself that he was stronger, smarter, more than just another goblin.
As he turned to leave, he glanced back at the elder one last time. That creeping smile still lingered on the elder's face, but Finn knew that it wasn't meant for him. The elder wasn't interested in his growth; he was just another tool in the tribe's system. Finn, however, was something more.
As Finn left the elder behind, he felt a surge of determination coursing through him. The cave seemed quieter now, the murmurs of the goblins blending into a dull hum in the background. But Finn's focus had sharpened. He wasn't going to stay here forever, doing menial tasks for the elder's approval. He knew there was more to this world—more to his own potential—that needed exploring.
The forest outside the cave was dense, filled with the sounds of wildlife that felt both strange and familiar to him. It wasn't just the hunt that was calling him now; it was the knowledge that he had evolved. He wasn't the same weak, pathetic goblin from before. The tattoos on his chest, the magic coursing through him, and his new skills—everything had changed.
He decided that it was time to test his new abilities.
Finding a secluded spot in the woods, Finn took a deep breath and focused on his newly acquired skill: Leap. He visualized the motion in his mind first, the sensation of propelling himself forward with the power of magic. His feet shifted, his muscles coiled, and with a thought, he sprang into the air.
For a moment, he felt weightless, flying through the air with an exhilaration he had never experienced before. His feet hit the ground a few meters away from where he had started, and he staggered slightly but managed to stay on his feet.
Finn's heart raced as he processed what had just happened. He had jumped farther than he had ever thought possible, propelled not by mere strength, but by magic. He felt alive—thrilled by the sudden freedom the skill offered.
But there was no time to linger. Finn needed more than just one skill. He needed to test everything, to see just how powerful his evolution had made him.
He looked around, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. A movement caught his attention—a small creature darting between the trees. It wasn't much, just a small rodent, but it would do for now.
Finn crouched, readying himself. His breath slowed as he focused on the creature, calculating his next move. He raised his knife, preparing to use his Fire skill.
With a flick of his wrist, a small flame sparked from his hand, crackling to life as it hovered above his palm. He aimed, steadying his breath, and with a focused thought, he hurled the flame at the creature.
The flame shot through the air, striking its target with precision. The rodent squealed as it was caught in the fire, its body writhing for a brief moment before it fell still.
[You have killed a Forest Rodent, +1 XP]
The notification flashed before Finn's eyes, but this time, it didn't excite him. The kill had been easy. Too easy. It was clear that the fire skill, while useful, had already become almost mundane. He needed to push further, test himself in more dangerous situations, find creatures that could challenge him.
But for now, it was enough. Finn had taken the first step. He had hunted. He had evolved. And he wasn't going to stop there.
With the taste of victory still fresh in his mouth, Finn made his way deeper into the forest, ready to seek out greater challenges. He knew the world beyond the cave was dangerous, but that was exactly why he needed to get stronger.
The next day
The sun hung low in the sky as Finn ventured deeper into the forest. The air grew thick with the scent of damp earth and the sharp tang of the wild. His heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline of his recent victory still buzzing in his veins. But there was something else now—an insatiable hunger to grow stronger.
Finn pushed forward, his eyes darting around as he listened to the sounds of the forest. His ears twitched at the distant rustle of leaves and the snap of twigs underfoot. There were creatures out there, ones that could pose a real challenge, and he was eager to face them.
He moved cautiously, stepping lightly as he surveyed his surroundings. He couldn't afford to be reckless. His evolution had made him stronger, yes, but there were limits to his power. He needed to be smart.
As he rounded a thick bush, a large shadow loomed in front of him, and Finn froze. A creature, unlike anything he had seen before, stood before him. It was roughly the size of a wolf, with thick scales and glowing red eyes that fixed on him with predatory intent.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, without warning, the creature lunged.
Finn's instincts kicked in. He leaped backward, Leap propelling him out of harm's way just as the creature snapped its jaws shut, missing him by mere inches. The real fight was about to begin.