Finn stared at the glowing options, his heart pounding in the void. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, but he felt no hesitation. He had faced a wolf twice his size, stood before a creature that could crush him with ease, and demanded to join its team. Fear wasn't a stranger to him, but neither was determination.
His eyes locked onto the fourth option: Hobgoblin Mage. The words seemed to pulse with a life of their own, radiating a power that called to him. It wasn't just the allure of magic or the transformation—it was what it represented. A chance to rise above what he was. To prove, not just to the others but to himself, that he could become something greater.
"I choose this one," Finn said aloud, his voice steady despite the void swallowing his words. He reached out, his fingers brushing the glowing icon.
The moment he made contact, a surge of energy shot through him, and the void erupted into light. His body felt like it was being torn apart and rebuilt all at once, every fiber of his being vibrating with an intensity he couldn't describe. His muscles burned, his mind expanded, and a searing heat coursed through his veins as though his blood itself had been replaced with fire.
[Transformation in progress...]
[New skills unlocked: Arcane Blast, Barrier, Elemental Mastery.]
[Physical and magical attributes enhanced.]
[Species evolved: Hobgoblin Mage.]
When the light finally dimmed, Finn found himself standing in the cave once more. Except…everything felt different. The world seemed sharper, more vibrant. He could feel the air thrumming with invisible energy, currents of magic swirling around him, ready to be commanded. His body was taller, stronger, and his skin had taken on a darker, smoother tone. His hands, once rough and small, were now larger, with faint traces of glowing blue veins running through them.
The murmurs in the cave grew louder. The goblins stared at him, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. Even the red-skinned creature turned, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing as it studied Finn's new form.
Finn took a step forward, his movements more fluid and purposeful than before. He felt the power coursing through him, but he kept his expression calm, steady. This was the moment he had been working toward—a chance to prove himself.
The red-skinned creature grinned, its sharp teeth glinting in the firelight. "Well, well," it rumbled, its voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Looks like the runt decided to surprise us. A Hobgoblin Mage, huh? Didn't think you had it in you."
Finn met its gaze, his new form giving him a confidence he hadn't felt before. "I told you," he said, his voice deeper and more resonant than before. "I'll do whatever it takes."
The creature's grin widened. "We'll see if that power of yours is worth anything when we face the Cobalt Clan," it said, its tone challenging. "But for now... welcome to the team."
The other goblins remained silent, their eyes flicking between Finn and the red-skinned leader. Slowly, Finn turned to look at them, his glowing blue veins casting faint light onto the walls. They shrank back slightly, their fear evident. But Finn didn't care. He wasn't here to gain their approval. He was here to grow stronger.
"Rest up, runt," the red-skinned creature said, turning away. "Tomorrow, the real test begins."
Finn nodded and returned to his corner of the cave. As he settled down, he flexed his fingers, summoning a small, flickering orb of blue fire that danced in his palm. The power was intoxicating, but he knew it was only the beginning. If he wanted to survive the Cobalt Clan and truly earn his place, he would need to master these new abilities—and fast.
Tomorrow would bring blood, fire, and danger. But for the first time, Finn felt ready. But first he had to check his status.
[Status Window]
Name: Finn (Muck)
Race: Hobgoblin Mage
XP: 0/50
Strength: 6
Durability: 7
Agility: 8
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 12
Skills: [Leap] [Firball] [Arcane Blast] [Barrier] [Elemental Mastery]
Finn stared at the window, his fingers brushing the faint glow. The leap in his stats was undeniable, especially in intelligence and wisdom. His strength and durability, while not his strongest suits, had grown enough to make him a formidable all-rounder. The skills listed were new and brimming with potential, and Finn resolved to master them as soon as possible.
Satisfied for now, he dismissed the window with a thought, the faint glow fading into the darkness of the cave. Tomorrow, the world would see just what a Hobgoblin Mage was capable of.
The next morning.
The next morning, Finn woke with a start, the fire in his veins still humming faintly from his transformation. He stretched, his limbs feeling stronger and more fluid than ever before. His eyes fell to his knife—a weapon that had served him well but now looked pitifully small in his larger, more capable hands. Still, it was better than nothing. He grabbed the blade, its hilt almost awkward in his grip, and tucked it into his belt.
Reaching for his coat, he found that it too was barely functional now, straining against his larger frame. He adjusted it as best he could and stepped out of his corner, his steps more confident than ever.
The cave was already bustling with activity. The goblins murmured among themselves, sparing occasional glances his way. Their reactions ranged from wary curiosity to outright fear. Finn ignored them, his focus on the group of evolved goblins gathered near the entrance.
The red-skinned leader stood at the center, his massive frame looming over the others. His glowing yellow eyes locked onto Finn as he approached, and a toothy grin spread across his face.
"Well, look who decided to show up," the creature rumbled. "How's the new body treating you, runt?"
Finn met the creature's gaze without flinching. "It feels strong," he said simply.
The leader chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made the nearby goblins flinch. "Good. You'll need every ounce of strength you've got where we're going."
He turned to address the group, his voice booming across the cave. "Listen up! Today, we're heading into Cobalt Clan territory. They're bigger, stronger, and meaner than anything most of you have faced. If you're weak or stupid, you won't survive. But if you've got guts and brains, you might just make it out alive—and stronger."
The goblins murmured nervously, their confidence clearly wavering. Finn felt a flicker of unease but crushed it before it could take hold. He hadn't gone through all this to back down now.
The leader's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Finn for a moment. "We move out in five minutes. If you're not ready, stay behind. You'll only slow us down."
With that, the goblins began to prepare, checking their weapons and gear. Finn stepped to the side, adjusting his coat again and testing the weight of his knife. It felt small and inadequate, but it would have to do for now.
As the minutes ticked by, Finn steeled himself, his mind racing with possibilities. He could feel the magic simmering just beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. Today would be a trial by fire, but he was determined to rise to the challenge.
When the leader called for them to move out, Finn joined the group without hesitation, his steps steady and his heart resolute. The journey into Cobalt Clan territory had begun.