Krokk gathered the goblins and led them toward the cave they had originally come from. The warband set out, trekking through the wilderness with purpose, and the journey took two full days. During the trip, Finn found time to hone his abilities, taking on small hunts and furthering his connection with Riven. Each day, he managed to sacrifice the corpses of the creatures he hunted, offering them to Riven. With each sacrifice, Finn felt the familiar surge of energy, and his XP steadily increased. By the end of the second day, he had managed to gain a total of 20 XP.
On the third day, they reached the outskirts of the goblin cave. The familiar stone structures loomed ahead, a reminder of Finn's early days in the forest. Krokk, after a brief glance at the cave's entrance, departed to report to the elder, leaving Finn to his own devices.
Finn didn't think much of it. He didn't need to know the details of Krokk's leadership or the politics of the warband. He was more focused on his own growth and gaining power. His first priority, as always, was to venture back into the forest and hunt. With his new skills and Riven's gifts, he was becoming more efficient at hunting, harvesting more creatures than ever before.
The days passed in relative peace. Finn's sacrifices continued, his XP accumulating steadily. The most significant event of the week was the announcement that Krokk would be taking over as the tribe's new leader. The goblin elder, a frail but wise figure, officially stepped down, and Krokk assumed control of the tribe.
Finn didn't think much of the transition, seeing it as just another part of the chaotic world around him. His thoughts remained focused on his power, on the potential for growth that Riven had promised.
On the eighth day since his return, Finn stood over four boar carcasses. He had hunted these creatures over the past few hours, and now, with each one lying lifeless before him, he felt the familiar pull of Riven's presence. Without hesitation, he began the sacrificial ritual. He offered up the boar corpses, channeling Riven's energy as he had done countless times before.
This time, however, as Finn turned to head back to the cave, something unexpected happened. A new notification flashed before him.
---
[Riven is pleased with your progress. He has decided to grant you a new skill.]
[You have learned the [Dimensional Subspace] skill.]
---
Finn blinked at the message, the words flashing across his vision. He immediately felt a rush of understanding wash over him. The skill was exactly what he needed, and more. It granted him the ability to access a pocket dimension—a subspace of his own design, with a size of 100 meters squared. Even better, Finn could survive inside it, a feature that would dramatically change the way he approached survival in the forest.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Finn allowed himself a smile. He no longer needed to drag carcasses or weapons around, nor did he have to worry about losing precious supplies. All of his spoils from hunting could be stored within the subspace, tucked away in a safe, personal dimension only accessible to him.
---
Dimensional Subspace
Effect: Access a personal pocket dimension with a size of 100 meters squared.
Details: The subspace can store anything within its limits, allowing Finn to keep all his hunting spoils, weapons, and other resources without burdening himself physically. He can enter or exit the subspace at will, and it remains sealed from external forces.
Duration: Unlimited. The subspace is a permanent skill as long as Finn maintains his bond with Riven.
---
Finn was practically vibrating with excitement. He immediately tested the subspace, storing the boar carcasses inside, and found that the dimension was as versatile as Riven had promised. It was not just a storage space but a safe haven for anything he wished to keep close.
His mind wandered briefly to the possibilities this skill opened up. He could store weapons, potions, rare herbs, and even the bodies of any enemies or beasts he encountered. No more dragging around heavy loads. No more risk of his resources spoiling or being lost to the wilderness.
As he walked back toward the cave, a sense of pride swelled within him. This was another step toward his ultimate goal of power. With his newfound abilities, he was becoming something far greater than the frail goblin he once was.
The road ahead was clear. Finn was no longer just a servant of Krokk or a mere warband member. He was a Warlock, connected to forces beyond this world, and with Riven's power, he would forge his own destiny.
----------
After a moment of contemplation, Finn made up his mind. He had grown restless in the cave, the safety and comfort of the warband's home offering him little excitement. It had been a strange change from the constant dangers of their expedition to the Cobalt territory, and he had begun to feel the weight of boredom settling in. With a quiet resolve, Finn walked toward Krokk's section of the cave, knowing that this conversation had been a long time coming. He patiently waited for Krokk to be ready to talk.
Krokk, sitting by the fire, looked up as Finn approached. With a nod, he gestured for Finn to sit. The warmth of the fire flickered between them as the two settled into their familiar silence, the crackling flames filling the gap before Finn finally spoke.
"I'd like to go out on my own for a while," Finn said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of his decision. He had been thinking about it ever since their return to the cave. The quiet, routine life of the warband no longer held his interest. He longed for something different—something more challenging, something to push him further.
Krokk didn't react with surprise, which only confirmed that he had been expecting this. After a moment, the red-skinned warlord gave a knowing nod. "I knew this was coming," he replied, his voice deep and calm.
Finn was taken aback, but Krokk's words eased some of the tension in him. He wasn't disappointed or upset. Instead, Krokk seemed to understand Finn's need for independence. The two spoke for a while longer, the conversation flowing from one topic to another, mostly about their plans and goals for the future. Krokk shared his own thoughts on what Finn might face on his journey, but ultimately, it was clear that he trusted Finn to make his own decisions.
By the time their conversation ended, the fire had burned down to embers, and the weight of the night pressed in on them. Finn stood, ready to leave the safety of the warband's cave and strike out on his own path. Krokk gave him a firm nod of encouragement, his eyes offering silent approval, and Finn returned to his designated spot to rest for the night. He knew that tomorrow would be the start of something new, and he was eager to see where his journey would take him.
With a final glance at the warm glow of the fire and Krokk's approving figure in the shadows, Finn settled down to sleep, the anticipation of his solo journey filling his dreams. Tomorrow, he would leave the cave and the warband behind, carving his own path in the wilderness.
_______________
If your liking the story so far then you should join the discord.
https://discord.gg/CKNJJdK484