The tunnel was silent except for the soft crunch of our bare feet against the dirt. The deeper we went, the heavier the air felt. Something about this place gnawed at my senses—as if the shadows themselves were watching.
I stole a glance at Rhia. She walked beside me, her silver hair almost glowing in the dim light. She looked calm, focused—but I hadn't forgotten what I saw in her status window.
Mind Shackles (E)
Unique Trait: ???
The System had hidden something about her from me. That meant it wasn't just some ordinary skill.
I needed to know what she was.
But I had to be careful.
No one else could see their own stats, which meant if I started asking the wrong questions, I'd stand out.
I kept my voice casual. "That thing you did back there… when the rats froze. How does it work?"
Rhia's steps slowed. She hesitated, as if considering whether to answer.
Then she shrugged. "I don't really know," she admitted. "When I focus on someone, I can… lock them in place. But it doesn't always work. The stronger they are, the harder it is."
Lock them in place? That sounded like mental suppression.
A skill like that wasn't normal. Not for a goblin.
I was right. She was different.
I wanted to press further, but a sudden growl stopped me.
Rhia and I froze.
Ahead of us, in the darkness of the tunnel, a pair of yellow eyes snapped open.
A hobgoblin.
Twice our size.
A Monster Among Goblins
The hobgoblin stepped forward, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground. His skin was a darker shade of green, his muscles thick like a beast's. A long scar ran down his face, and in his hands, he carried a stone club.
"Little ones," he rumbled, his voice deep and guttural. "What are you doing here?"
My mind raced.
Hobgoblins were the strongest among normal goblins. They ruled over the weaker ones through brute strength, serving the goblin chief directly.
If he decided we were a threat…
We were dead.
Rhia tensed beside me. "We were just hunting," she said quickly. "We—"
The hobgoblin's nostrils flared. His sharp gaze locked onto me.
"You smell… different."
My heart pounded. Did he notice the power I absorbed?
I had seconds to decide. If I hesitated, he'd crush me.
I bowed my head slightly, forcing my voice to sound humble. "We only killed some Fang Rats," I said. "We were just trying to survive."
The hobgoblin stared for a long moment.
Then, he grunted. "Hmph. You're smarter than the other whelps." His lips curled into a sneer. "But don't forget your place."
I clenched my fists.
Not yet.
I had Devourer's Mark. I had the System.
One day, I'd be strong enough to tear him apart.
But for now…
I lowered my head. "Understood."
The hobgoblin huffed, then turned and disappeared into the tunnels.
Rhia let out a breath she had been holding. "That was close."
I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere.
That hobgoblin was strong. Too strong for me now.
But if I kept hunting… if I kept using Devourer's Mark…
He wouldn't be for long.