The days passed in a blur of hunger, blood, and quiet evolution. I hunted small creatures in the deeper parts of the cave, avoiding the stronger goblins while steadily growing stronger.
My stats had improved, my reflexes had sharpened, and my senses had heightened. I was no longer the weakest in this wretched place.
But I was still alone.
That changed when I met her.
A Strange Encounter
I was returning from another hunt, the taste of fresh kill still on my tongue, when I heard something unusual—a struggle.
A few goblins had gathered near a corner of the cavern, their guttural laughter echoing through the cave. I crept closer, keeping to the shadows.
That's when I saw her.
She was small like the rest of us, but she stood out in a way I had never seen before. Her hair was silver, unlike the usual grimy green or dark brown of normal goblins. Her eyes were sharp, violet, glowing faintly under the torchlight.
And right now, she was cornered.
Three goblins surrounded her, sneering. One of them lunged—only to suddenly freeze mid-motion.
I blinked. What?
A faint shimmer pulsed around the silver-haired goblin, like an invisible force had wrapped around her attacker. The goblin snarled and struggled, but something held him in place, his muscles refusing to move.
Then, the girl moved.
With shocking agility, she ducked under his arm, grabbed a loose stone from the ground, and smashed it into his skull.
Blood splattered. The goblin crumpled to the floor, twitching before going still.
The other two hesitated—but only for a moment. They roared and charged.
A Sudden Choice
I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was something else.
Before I knew it, I moved.
I lunged out of the shadows, driving my fist into the closest goblin's gut. He let out a choked gasp, eyes wide, as I followed up with a knee to his jaw. His head snapped back, and he collapsed.
The last goblin turned toward me, eyes filled with shock and rage. But the silver-haired girl was faster.
That same strange power shimmered around her. The goblin's body locked up mid-motion, his attack stopping before it could even begin.
Her violet eyes flickered toward me. "Finish him."
I didn't hesitate.
I grabbed a sharp stone from the ground and drove it into his throat.
A notification flickered.
[You have defeated Goblin (Lv. 2)]
[Absorbing essence…]
[Strength +1] [Agility +1]
[Skill Acquired: Crude Combat (F)]
Panting, I turned to the silver-haired girl. She watched me with an unreadable expression.
"Who are you?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "I should ask you the same thing. No goblin fights like that."
I smirked. "Neither do you."
A pause. Then, to my surprise, she smiled—a small, cautious thing, but real.
"My name is Rhia," she said. "And you?"
I hesitated. I didn't have a name.
But maybe it was time to take one.
"…Call me Leon."
She nodded. "Alright, Leon. You helped me, so I owe you. I'll stick with you—for now."
I wasn't sure why, but something about those words felt right.
For the first time in this brutal new world, I wasn't alone.
And with Rhia's strange ability, maybe I wasn't the only goblin in this cave destined for something greater.