As soon as the contract was initiated, Finn awoke with a sharp gasp, his entire body consumed by an overwhelming, searing pain. It felt as if his very skin was being torn apart and stitched back together. Clutching his arms, he watched in shock as dark, intricate tattoos began to etch themselves across his body, the ink spreading like a living creature. The designs flowed over his arms, chest, and neck, finally halting just below his jawline.
The tattoos shimmered faintly, pulsating with an otherworldly energy before settling into elaborate depictions. Finn squinted at the patterns, his breath uneven, and realized they weren't just random designs. They seemed to tell a story—a chaotic and intricate tale of battles, freedom, rebellion, and triumph.
Taking a shaky breath, Finn traced the dark ink with his fingers. The shapes felt almost alive, as though they were etched not just on his skin but into his very soul. "These must be related to Riven," he muttered aloud. His voice, though hoarse, carried a mix of awe and unease.
As he pushed himself up to stand, Finn noticed something strange. The room seemed smaller, and his perspective felt off. Glancing down at his hands, he saw they were larger, his fingers stronger and more defined. He stepped forward, feeling an unfamiliar weight to his movements. Finally, it dawned on him—he had grown. His body was now towering at nearly seven feet tall, muscular and imposing, radiating an aura of raw, unrestrained power.
---
[That is correct. Those tattoos are some of the activities I did whilst I was a mortal.]
---
The words appeared in front of him, startling Finn. It wasn't the usual system prompt. There was a weight to the message, a personal touch he hadn't experienced before. Finn's heart raced as he stared at the notification.
"Are you Riven?" he asked aloud, his voice trembling slightly.
---
[Correct. I can only speak for a short while since it costs a lot of energy. I just wanted to thank you for choosing me over that old geezer.]
---
The voice that followed was deep and resonant, carrying a hint of amusement. It echoed in his mind, simultaneously familiar and alien. Finn blinked, trying to process the situation. "Wait... are you talking about Trien? And do you and Trien gain something from making contracts with mortals like me?"
---
[Indeed, we do,] Riven replied, his tone growing serious. [But the specifics are bound by rules even beings like us cannot break. Let's just say it's mutually beneficial.]
---
Finn's mind raced. Rules that even Riven, a being who personified freedom, was forced to follow? What kind of power could bind such entities? Before Finn could ask, Riven continued.
---
[Well, that's all I've got to say for now. Goodbye, Finn. I'll be watching.]
---
With that, the presence faded, leaving Finn standing alone in the quiet. He let out a deep breath, realizing just how tense he had been during the interaction. Talking to Riven—a being of unimaginable strength who could likely erase his existence with a mere thought—had left him shaken. Yet, there was also a strange comfort in knowing that Riven valued his choice.
Now that he was alone, Finn decided it was time to assess himself. His body felt entirely different—stronger, faster, and sharper. With a thought, he opened his status window, eager to see the changes.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Finn (Muck)
Race: Hobgoblin Warlock
XP: 0/100
Strength: 10
Durability: 10
Agility: 14
Intelligence: 21
Wisdom: 20
Skills:[Leap] [Fire] [Arcane Blast] [Barrier][Elemental Mastery] [Devour] [Sacrifice][Teleport (Short)] [Calm Mind] [Summon Familiar]
---
Finn studied the new information carefully. His intelligence and wisdom had grown significantly, further solidifying his role as a spellcaster. But what truly excited him was the new set of skills at his disposal. The [Devour] skill, in particular, caught his eye. With it, he could grow his stats rapidly, devouring the essence of his enemies to fuel his ascent.
Clenching his fists, Finn felt the power surging within him. His evolution wasn't just physical—he was stronger mentally and magically, armed with skills that could tip the balance in his favor.
No longer the frail goblin mocked by his peers, Finn had become a force to be reckoned with. For the first time in this dangerous and unpredictable world, he felt the tantalizing thrill of power within his grasp. The path ahead was still treacherous, but now Finn was ready to carve his destiny—and anyone who stood in his way would soon learn what it meant to face a Warlock bonded with freedom itself.
--------------
Walking out of the small hut he had claimed the night before, Finn stretched his now larger frame. The cool morning air brushed against his skin, causing the tattoos etched into his body to faintly glow before settling into their dark stillness. Straightening his posture, Finn made his way to an unassuming hut beside his own and knocked politely on the wooden door.
"Krokk, I've come to report on my evolution," he called out, his voice steady but carrying a hint of nervousness.
For a few moments, there was silence, and Finn wondered if Krokk was even inside. Then, the door creaked open, revealing a sight that took Finn completely by surprise.
Standing in the doorway was a towering, red-skinned monster. Horns curled menacingly from the sides of its head, its eyes burned with an intense golden glow, and its massive frame radiated a raw, overwhelming power. The creature's sheer presence made the air feel heavier, and it took Finn a moment to realize—this was Krokk.
Forcing himself to remain calm, Finn swallowed his initial shock and asked, "You evolved too?"
Krokk nodded, his lips curling into a faint smirk at Finn's reaction. Without a word, he stepped aside, gesturing for Finn to enter.
---
Inside the hut, Finn took a seat on a roughly made wooden stool as Krokk leaned against a table that groaned under his immense weight. Wasting no time, Finn began to explain everything about his evolution. He described the choices presented to him, the skills he had gained, and, most importantly, the pact he had formed with Riven.
Krokk listened intently, his massive arms crossed over his chest. Despite his imposing new form, his sharp intelligence hadn't diminished. When Finn mentioned the term "Warlock," Krokk's brow furrowed slightly.
"I've never heard of a Warlock," Krokk admitted after a moment, his deep voice resonating through the room. "But that doesn't mean much. My travels haven't taken me far from these lands, and I've always relied on brute strength rather than deals with... beings like Riven."
Finn noted the faint edge in Krokk's tone when he mentioned Riven, but the warlord didn't press further. Krokk wasn't one to judge someone's path to power as long as it benefited the warband.
After finishing his explanation, Finn leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "And what about you, Krokk? What did you evolve into?"
Krokk stared at him for a long moment before finally answering, his voice calm but with a hint of pride. "Lesser Demon Berserker."
Hearing the word "demon," Finn's eyes widened. A demon? Krokk had truly crossed a line into something terrifying. The thought lingered in his mind for a moment—Krokk had always been a ruthless and ambitious leader, but becoming a demon seemed like a step further than Finn had expected.
Still, Finn quickly composed himself. After all, he wasn't in a position to judge. He, too, had made questionable choices to gain power. Forming a pact with Riven and devouring others to grow stronger weren't exactly righteous paths.
"Interesting," Finn finally said, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Looks like we're both on... unconventional paths."
Krokk chuckled at that, a low, rumbling sound. "Unconventional, perhaps. But strength is what matters in this world. And you, Finn—" Krokk's golden eyes locked onto Finn's, their intensity almost overwhelming. "You've become stronger. Don't waste it."
Finn nodded, understanding the weight behind Krokk's words. Both of them had evolved into something greater, but the battles ahead would test just how far they had come. As Finn left Krokk's hut, he felt a renewed determination. The path forward was uncertain, but with his newfound power and Krokk's leadership, they might just have a chance against the challenges that awaited.
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