Chereads / Reborn, But I'm A Goblin??? / Chapter 19 - The Chief (1)

Chapter 19 - The Chief (1)

Krokk's cold, calculating gaze locked onto the Cobalt warrior. The silence was unbearable, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Finally, Krokk spoke, his voice low but commanding, resonating with the authority of a leader who knew his worth.

"If your leaders betrayed you," Krokk began, stepping closer to the warrior, "then you are without a home. Without land. Without purpose." He gestured to the goblins around him, who remained tense, their weapons still drawn. "We have no use for deserters who bring nothing to the table but empty words."

The Cobalt warrior stiffened, but its expression remained composed. "We bring more than words," it said. "We bring knowledge. The Cobalt Chief grows stronger each day, fueled by dark powers you cannot imagine. If he is not stopped, he will consume not just us, but you, your warband, and the entire forest."

Krokk's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a faint, predatory smile. "Dark powers or not, the Cobalt Clan overreached when they sent assassins into my camp. Your chief made this personal." He leaned in closer to the warrior, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "And you want my help to clean up your mess?"

The warrior's confidence faltered for the first time, but it stood its ground. "If you do not act, the Cobalt Chief will only grow stronger. He will come for you next, with a force you cannot withstand. We offer you an alliance. Together, we can take him down."

Krokk tilted his head slightly, considering the offer. The goblins around him exchanged uncertain glances, their loyalty unwavering but their unease clear. Finn watched the exchange, his heart pounding in his chest. There was something electrifying about Krokk's presence—the way he commanded every interaction, every moment, with absolute control.

After a long pause, Krokk straightened, his broad shoulders casting an imposing shadow over the Cobalt warrior. "You want an alliance?" he asked, his tone laced with disdain. "Then here are my terms."

The warrior tensed, awaiting the verdict.

"You will give me your land," Krokk declared, his voice ringing with finality. "Every inch of territory your clan holds in this forest will belong to me and my warband. In exchange, I will deal with your so-called 'chief' and whatever 'dark powers' he commands. Your people will follow me, or they will perish."

The goblins behind Krokk murmured their approval, their loyalty to their leader absolute. Finn felt a strange mix of awe and apprehension. This was power—uncompromising, ruthless, and absolute.

The Cobalt warrior's eyes widened, its calm demeanor cracking under the weight of Krokk's demands. "You would take everything?" it asked, its voice tinged with disbelief. "We are offering you an alliance, not submission."

Krokk's smile turned cruel. "An alliance requires equals. You have none here. The Cobalt Clan is broken, its leader a fool blinded by ambition. If you want my help, you will pay my price. Or you can return to your clan and face annihilation alone."

The warrior stared at Krokk, its hands tightening around its weapon. For a moment, Finn thought it might lash out, that this delicate negotiation would collapse into violence. But then the warrior lowered its head, its shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Very well," it said, its voice barely above a whisper. "The land is yours. But if you fail, the Cobalt Clan will not survive to serve you. Remember that, Krokk."

Krokk nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, take me to your chief. It's time we ended this farce."

The warrior hesitated before turning and gesturing for them to follow. Krokk motioned for the warband to move, and they fell in behind him, their weapons at the ready. Finn lingered at the back of the group, his mind racing.

Krokk's ruthlessness was undeniable, but Finn couldn't help but wonder if this decision would come back to haunt them. The Cobalt Clan's betrayal might run deeper than anyone realized, and the "dark powers" their chief wielded were still a mystery. Finn's fire magic pulsed faintly within him, a reminder of the power he held—and the power he would need to survive what lay ahead.

As the warband followed the Cobalt warrior into the forest, Finn clenched his fists, determination hardening within him. Whatever this enemy was, he would face it head-on. For Krokk, for the warband, and for his own survival.

The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: this was only the beginning.

As a final act of reassurance Finn opened his status window one more time, the translucent screen appearing before his eyes like a familiar friend. The numbers glowed faintly, a testament to his growth since stepping into the chaos of the forest.

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[Status Window]

Name: Finn (Muck)

Race: Hobgoblin Mage

XP: 42/50

Strength: 6

Durability: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 15

Wisdom: 12

Skills: [Leap], [Fire], [Arcane Blast], [Barrier], [Elemental Mastery]

---

The numbers seemed so small compared to the towering strength of Krokk or the calculated menace of the Cobalt warrior, yet Finn knew they were more than just numbers. They were the sum of every battle, every victory, and every failure. They were proof of his resilience in a brutal world that demanded more with each passing day.

Almost there. Just eight more XP.

He focused on his skills, particularly [Elemental Mastery]. The newest addition to his arsenal still felt untapped, its potential a mystery he was eager to unravel. It whispered promises of greater control, of bending fire and other elements to his will in ways he couldn't yet comprehend. Finn clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.

The numbers, the skills—they were just the beginning. The true strength lay in how he wielded them, in the choices he made. Krokk's ruthless bargaining had reminded Finn that power wasn't just about what you could do—it was about how you used it to shape the world around you.

Closing the status window with a swipe of his hand, Finn inhaled deeply, the crisp morning air filling his lungs. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but for the first time, he didn't feel like the weak, insignificant goblin he once was.

This time, I'll prove myself.

As the warband pressed forward into the forest, the looming shadow of the Cobalt Chief awaited them. Finn tightened his grip on his knife, his fire magic thrumming beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on—with courage, cunning, and the unyielding desire to grow stronger.