Up to Two Rejections: Nerve Poison Lv3 a Joke?
Hobgoblins won't escape death unless their poison resistance hits at least level 10. Even collapsing slowly... wait, he's not collapsing.
The hobgoblin didn't fall. Instead, he swung his sword at me.
Whing!
The blade missed me. Pretty fast—way better than those goblins by the river. Just from how he adjusted the distance so it wouldn't clang against the floor, I could tell.
I countered by casting water magic.
"Erpurrpurrpurr!"
Nanaruk, who'd been snoring away, bolted upright. She startled and grabbed the axe by her bedside.
Nanaruk was the kind of veteran who kept her axe under the pillow. Her swing was lightning-quick.
Splurt!
But the axe whiffed over the assassin's head instead of slicing his neck. It wasn't a sleepy mistake on her part. The stiff assassin toppled like a log.
Finally, the nerve poison had spread properly.
Thud!
"Gack, krrgh, gack!" He gagged, unable to breathe right.
Reveal your identity, goblin assassin.
【Hobgoblin Lv21】
【Traits】 [Assassin], [Hobgoblin]
【Skills】 [Stealth Lv10], [Swordsmanship Lv8], [Assassination Lv7], [Poison Resistance Lv8]
…
Poison resistance for real. Tougher than I thought!
I was shocked by how strong the goblin assassin was. Still, my nerve poison must be potent. It killed him even with Lv8 resistance.
And the real good news came next.
Your level has increased.
Gasp! It hadn't even been a full day since my last level up. That meant this assassin goblin gave a ton of EXP. Way more efficient than me hunting solo.
"Assassin... sent by Crock?"
Nanaruk muttered, her face paling. Right, no time to celebrate.
Pellelian! Wake up!
Pellelian popped out of the ring. He'd been sleeping too, judging by his groggy face as he raised a finger.
-Another one over there.
Something flew in through the window. Nanaruk swung her sword. She showed some real skill.
Cling!
She batted away the incoming projectile.
"Poison needle!"
She scooped up the fallen needle. Probably shot from a blowgun. And the hobgoblin assassin who fired it was climbing through the window.
Nanaruk hurled the needle back by hand.
Thwack!
Like a wuxia master. It hit the assassin in the shoulder. But instead of collapsing, he charged with a sickle-like weapon.
Why shoot poison needles if the venom's that weak? Dangerous, Nanaruk!
I leaped from the shadows. These assassins wore no armor. And for some reason, their chests were wide open. Perfect for Predator Leap.
Crunch!
"Aaaagh!"
Real assassins don't scream even when stabbed. Sloppy training. The assassin spewed blood and fell, glaring at me with his last words.
"The real... heart-eater..."
That's me. No Ululululu epithet this time, though. I preferred Heart-Eater anyway.
'Devouring a prey's heart yields more demonic essence.' That was my epithet perk. Sure enough, I felt a massive surge of essence absorbed. One more kill and I'd level up again. Power-leveling high!
"Thanks! You saved my life!"
Nanaruk hugged me in gratitude. I'd snagged the finishing blow, so I felt a bit guilty, but hey, I saved her. Be proud.
"Why assassins... Ah!"
Nanaruk shot up. "Father—the chief—is in danger!"
From what I knew, Nanaruk was Runka tribe's top warrior. Strongest hobgoblin, with many followers. Some even pushed her as the next chief. But would assassins target just her?
If they reached here, they'd hit the chief's house too.
"Let's go!"
Already planning to. Can't resist levels. I hopped naturally onto her shoulder. She ran faster than I could slither.
"Assassins! Warriors, assemble!"
Nanaruk shouted as she ran. Basic guards seemed in place. Someone rang a loud bell.
The chief's house was central in the village. Sure enough, shouts echoed from afar—already fighting. Dead goblins littered the ground, all Runka tribe members. I could taste the blood in the air. Some had fawned over me as Ululululu.
I jumped off Nanaruk's shoulder. An assassin was battling Runka warriors rushing to aid the chief. The house was on fire.
"Handle it!"
She got my intent just from that. Words aren't even needed. I'll eat you.
The assassin hobgoblin lunged at Nanaruk, but—
Beginner Elemental Magic: Earth Lv4 activated.
⟨ Earth Pillar ⟩
Earth pillars erupted, grabbing the assassin's legs. He rolled free, then scattered something from his pouch.
Three crude daggers shot out. I dodged easily... slash!
Oof. Faster than expected. My scales split, a long gash.
Poisoned.
Poison Resistance proficiency increased.
It burns! Like fire in the wound. No hesitating. Trust my resistance.
I chained leap and acceleration. Both skills had leveled nicely. I shot out like an arrow. No goblin I'd seen could react.
"Hup!"
This one could! The assassin had killer reflexes. His thrust could've bisected me. I barely twisted mid-air to evade.
Why so strong?!
-Tsk tsk, underestimating hobgoblins.
Things went well at Nanaruk's house because I ambushed. Frontal fights were different.
-Forgot snake hunting basics.
Pellelian's nagging was spot-on. I'd gotten arrogant. Just two months old, cocky from some magic. Assassins gave fat EXP for a reason. Facing them head-on meant risking my life.
Beginner Elemental Magic: Water Lv1 activated.
⟨ Water Splash ⟩
Water poured over his face. Wet mask means no breathing.
"Mmphrrp."
He panicked, yanked it off—and I bit his ankle passing by.
"Krrk!"
This one had resistance too. But I'd remembered snake ways. I retreated into shadows. Heart later.
He finally collapsed. Still, good gains.
Your level has increased.
Lesson learned: don't forget it. My efforts calmed things quick. Runka warriors nabbed another assassin. They stormed the burning house. Nanaruk emerged supporting the chief. Infiltrators down, but no captures—bummer.
The chief had three wives, all terrified as they fled. Nanaruk was blood-soaked—not hers, the assassins'. Wait, she was wounded too. Blood dripped from her forearm.
-Impressive hobgoblin. Could evolve further.
Pellelian admired her. I agreed. Good job, Nanaruk. You saved Dad. Cue heartwarming hug, right?
That's what I thought. But the chief ignored his injured daughter, fussing over his concubines. Her real mom—chief's first wife—was dead, so kids lived separately.
Finally, he approached Nanaruk. Thanks, daughter—or so I hoped.
"This is all your fault, you wench!"
Slap.
He struck her cheek. I didn't get it. But other goblins did—they watched the family drama with odd expressions.
"You pissed off Chief Crock! If you'd submitted sooner..."
The chief whimpered. Assassins terrified him.
"Crock's got the wrong idea. Assassins... We need envoys for peace now. Shaman!"
"Chief, calm down."
"Calm? You taking that girl's side?!"
"Chief!"
Shouting match. Father-daughter tension obvious.
-Like him.
The chief?
-Cowards like that are easy to handle.
I liked him too. Tempted to bite.
Nanaruk walked out slowly. No tears. She smiled at me, offered her hand. I climbed to her shoulder.
Chaotic night. She didn't cry till back in her room.
* * *
Tear glands vary. Some rarely cry; others, once broken, sob like bursting dams till empty.
Nanaruk was that type. Alone with siblings sent off, she holed up crying, spilling raw emotions. I learned plenty: her father's cowardice, her longing for dead mom, Runka tribe's fucked situation, Crock's inevitable raid slaughter. She feared it all.
I witnessed her sobs up close 'cause I'm a snake. She pressed her eyes to my body.
Feels cool?
"Won't swell as much this way, maybe."
Hope so.
"...You're not Ululululu, are you?"
Didn't expect that. I shook my head. Obviously not.
"Wish you were. You'd beat Crock then?"
Maybe. But I'm not. Just a weak snake barely handling one assassin hobgoblin.
Who knows. Evolve someday, maybe become real Ululululu. Then help this kind, pitiful hobgoblin girl.
Not now.
"Don't leave."
She knew I'd go at dawn.
Surprised. How?
"Made life water for you. Put up with siblings' antics today. People leaving get suddenly nice."
Smart kid. But unavoidable. Me staying's riskier. Fairy trackers could come anytime. Would those psycho fairies spare her goblin friends?
-Can't deny it.
Pellelian agreed. I shook my head; she saddened. Then resolute:
"You say no, but maybe you really are Ululululu."
No, I'm not.
"Or will evolve into one."
...Huh, maybe?
Ululululu could be in my evolution tree. Who knows?
"Wait."
She bustled, pulled a chair, pried ceiling plank. Fished out something. Small, wax-sealed box—beeswax honeycomb.
"Mom left this..."
What is it? Old-sealed tight. She tore it open. Fresh scent wafted.
"Eat. Might evolve you."
Hmm...
Ah, yum.
"Grandpa led a squad to hunt that monster. Mom said eating evolves you."
No, cores don't evolve you. And why give me treasure? Embarrassing, even if I love tonics.
But one fairy went nuts.
-Eat it!
Pellelian demanded. Still...
I slowly shook my head.
"No, eat."
-Eat! What's wrong with you two?