Even though I had gained some power, it was still nothing compared to the monsters with magic, let alone the Demon Lords. Now that I had acquired Magicule, I figured I should try to create some skills. If my theory was correct, the voice I heard earlier was the World Voice, and if it was indeed the World Voice, it would grant me skills if I met certain conditions. So, I focused on the Magicule inside and around me.
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[Skill Acquired: 'Magic Sense']
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I was right—I could indeed acquire skills by fulfilling certain conditions and gathering enough Magicule. Next, I tried to manifest an energy ball in my hand, but I failed. After many attempts, I finally succeeded.
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[Skill Acquired: 'Energy Ball']
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Something felt strange, though. I couldn't help but wonder why I had this system showing me my skills and stats. But, I figured, time would tell.
With my new skills in hand, I decided to follow the wolves' tracks back to where they came from.
When I arrived, I found several wolf packs feasting on a large, octopus-like creature. Without hesitation, I charged straight at them. Over 300 wolves rushed toward me. I died ten times in total, but I eventually managed to kill them all.
---
[You are reviving. 10 points added to Strength.]
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I gained many stats from the wolves, but suddenly, I felt a strange weakness.
---
[Evolving from Goblin to Hobgoblin]
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[Evolution Complete. Acquired Unique Skill: 'Absolute Mind']
---
I lost consciousness, but when I woke up three hours later, I checked my Status Window first.
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[Status Window]
Name: (Nameless)
Race: Hobgoblin
Skills: Undying Legacy (Ultimate), Absolute Mind (Unique), Magic Sense
Stats:
Magicule: 4,560
Strength: 378
Vitality: 370
---
I had gained a new Unique Skill. Let's check it:
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[Absolute Mind (Unique): The user's mind will always remain stable. No mental attacks or negative emotions can affect the user.]
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This skill was truly overpowered and exactly what I needed. Dying was painful, and at some point, my mind might break. In a world full of powerful beings, I was certain many of them possessed mind-affecting abilities. With this skill, I would be safe from such attacks. After reviewing my stats, I returned to the cave.
The goblins there were startled and didn't recognize me, but I told them I was one of their own who had recently evolved.
The simple-minded goblins were overjoyed to hear that they now had a Hobgoblin among them. Before long, I had taken the leadership of the tribe.
I spent my days hunting nearby monsters and protecting my tribe. I wanted them to grow strong, to eventually become my underlings. With my abilities, if I could get powerful enough before any high-level beings discovered me, I might even be able to rule a kingdom one day. But that was a dream for the future. I knew this world's people possessed a variety of unique abilities, and if I didn't grow strong enough, even though I couldn't be killed, they could just capture me and trap me somewhere from which I could never escape. I didn't want such a miserable existence, even with my broken abilities.
As I continued hunting stronger and stronger monsters, I grew more powerful, but I still refrained from attacking any intelligent races, out of caution.
It had been a few weeks since I had arrived in this world, but I still hadn't seen any humans or other intelligent species, like elves, near my home. So, I decided to attack a small lizardman village I had found.
Under the cover of night, I launched my assault, killing every single one of them. To my surprise, I didn't die once during the battle. However, once again, I felt a sudden weakness, much like when I had evolved previously.
---
[Evolving from Hobgoblin to Ogre]
---
[Evolution Complete. Acquired Unique Skill: 'Skill Reaper']
[To be continued]