Finn hesitated, but his curiosity burned too fiercely to ignore. Mustering every ounce of courage, he stepped forward, weaving through the murmuring goblins toward the towering figure that stood near the center of the group. The creature's crimson skin seemed to glimmer in the firelight, muscles rippling beneath its rough, scarred surface. Its horns curved backward like a ram's, and glowing yellow eyes scanned the cave with an air of authority.
Finn stopped a few feet away, craning his neck to meet the creature's gaze. He swallowed hard, gripping his knife for comfort—not that it would help if things went wrong.
"How many evolutions have you had?" he blurted out before he could second-guess himself.
The question hung in the air for a moment, drawing the attention of a few nearby goblins. The red-skinned giant's movements ceased entirely, its glowing eyes narrowing as they locked onto Finn. A wave of sheer intimidation washed over him, and he realized too late that he might have made a mistake.
The creature turned its massive frame toward him fully, towering at least eight feet tall. Finn instinctively stepped back as its shadow swallowed him. A low, rumbling growl emanated from the beast's throat—a sound more animal than goblin. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
"Bold," the creature rumbled at last, its voice deep and guttural, like the earth itself was speaking. It leaned down, bringing its sharp-toothed grin uncomfortably close to Finn. "Do you even understand what you're asking, runt?"
Finn's legs trembled, but he clenched his fists to steady himself. He couldn't back down now, not after coming this far. "I… I just want to know," he said, forcing the words out despite his dry throat. "How many evolutions? I need to understand what's possible."
The creature chuckled—a dark, rolling sound that made Finn's heart pound harder. "You're either brave or stupid," it said, standing upright again. It gestured to its massive chest with a clawed hand. "Five. I've had five evolutions. Each one harder than the last. Each one paid for in blood, pain, and sacrifice."
Finn's eyes widened. Five evolutions? He hadn't even imagined that was possible. He had barely survived the fights he'd faced so far, and this creature had gone through five transformations.
"Still curious, runt?" the creature asked, its tone tinged with amusement. "You think you want this? You think you can handle what it takes to evolve like me?" It took a deliberate step closer, its massive foot thudding against the ground, making Finn flinch. "It's not just about killing or surviving. Evolution isn't handed to you. It's earned. And every choice you make shapes what you'll become."
Finn nodded quickly, his throat tightening. "I… I understand," he stammered, though he wasn't sure he truly did.
"Do you?" The creature's glowing eyes bored into him, as though searching for weakness. "Then prove it. Show me you're worth answering next time, runt." It turned away, its massive form casting long shadows as it rejoined the other evolved goblins.
Finn stood frozen in place, his heart still hammering in his chest. His mind swirled with questions. Five evolutions. What did that even mean? What had this creature endured to reach such a level? And most importantly, could Finn ever reach that same height—or was he destined to be crushed before he even had the chance?
He clenched his fists. If nothing else, one thing was clear: he needed to grow stronger. And he needed to do it quickly.
The decision settled in Finn's mind like a flame igniting in the dark—steady, resolute, and fiercely burning. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination unlike anything he'd felt before. That towering, red-skinned monster might have once been like him, but it was clear the path to such power required more than slow progress and safe hunts. If he wanted to evolve, to prove his worth, he would have to face the kind of challenge that tested every fiber of his being.
With his resolve hardened, Finn turned away from the cave and strode into the forest. The familiar undergrowth crunched underfoot, but this time, it felt different. There was no hesitation, no looking over his shoulder. He wasn't going to waste time on boars or bugs today. His target was clear—another wolf.
The memory of his first wolf hunt flashed in his mind: the vicious snarls, the teeth that had almost torn into him, and the exhaustion that followed. That battle had pushed him to his limits, leaving him battered and barely alive. But it had also made him stronger. And now, he needed to push beyond those limits again.
As he moved deeper into the forest, Finn's senses sharpened. The sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves surrounded him, but he tuned them out, focusing on signs of his prey. Paw prints in the dirt, a faint growl in the distance, the metallic tang of blood on the wind—anything that would lead him to a wolf.
After what felt like hours of searching, he found it.
The wolf was larger than the one he had fought before, its thick gray fur bristling as it prowled near a small clearing. Its piercing yellow eyes locked onto Finn the moment he stepped into view. A low growl rumbled from its throat, and Finn felt his pulse quicken. This wasn't just any wolf; this one was a seasoned predator, its movements sleek and calculated.
For a moment, fear threatened to creep into Finn's resolve. But he pushed it aside. He had come here knowing the risks. If he backed down now, he would never reach his goal.
Gripping his knife tightly, Finn crouched low, his eyes never leaving the wolf. The beast bared its teeth, saliva dripping from its jaws as it prepared to strike. Finn knew he couldn't afford to fight the way he had last time—wild, desperate swings wouldn't work against a predator like this.
The wolf lunged first, its powerful legs propelling it forward with terrifying speed. Finn barely managed to roll out of the way, the beast's claws slicing through the air where he had been a moment before. As he came to his feet, he swung his knife, aiming for the wolf's side. The blade connected, but the cut was shallow, only angering the creature further.
The fight became a blur of movement. The wolf circled him, its attacks relentless, testing Finn's reflexes and endurance. Finn countered as best he could, dodging and striking whenever an opening presented itself. Each exchange left him more battered and exhausted, but he refused to give in.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, an opportunity presented itself. The wolf leapt at him again, its jaws snapping inches from his face. This time, Finn didn't dodge. Instead, he braced himself and drove his knife upward with all his strength, plunging the blade deep into the wolf's chest.
The beast let out a pained howl, its body collapsing on top of him as its strength gave out. Finn gasped for air, his arms trembling as he pushed the lifeless creature off him.
He had done it.
Finn sat there for a moment, his chest heaving as the reality of his victory sank in. His body ached, his hands were slick with blood, and his knife was chipped, but none of that mattered. He had faced the challenge head-on and come out on top.
Dragging the wolf's heavy body back to the cave was grueling, but with each step, Finn felt a growing sense of pride. This wasn't just another kill. This was proof—to himself and to that red-skinned monster—that he was willing to fight, to endure, and to evolve.
As he entered the cave, the goblins turned to look at him. Whispers spread like wildfire, their eyes darting between Finn and the wolf he dragged behind him. He didn't care about their murmurs. His focus was on the towering figure still standing near the fire.
Finn dropped the wolf's body onto the ground with a heavy thud and looked up at the red-skinned creature, his eyes filled with determination.
"I'll show you what I've got," Finn said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing on him.
The creature's glowing eyes studied him for a long moment. Then, to Finn's surprise, it gave a slow, approving nod. "Maybe you're not just a runt after all," it rumbled.