Huh? A Goblin King?
Kiieee... The bushes rustled. Between them, sharp red eyes gleamed.
Goblins. Dozens in number. All gripping weapons, they crouched low, silently signaling one another as they moved.
These weren't ordinary goblins. These were elite goblins.
The goblin leading the way at the front raised a hand, signaling them to halt. This way.
The line stopped behind the bushes. Then the leader turned back, as if seeking permission.
"Move out."
With permission granted, the goblins advanced.
This goblin stood out starkly from the rest. For starters, his size. While adult goblins only came up to waist height, this one matched the stature of an adult human.
Around his neck hung a necklace strung with the teeth and horns of hunted beasts. On his shoulders were pauldrons carved from massive ribs. His face bore tattoos drawn in what looked like beast blood. In his right hand, he clutched a thick axe with a broken sword blade crudely welded on.
And his eyes. They burned with a clear, vivid red.
He was the one who reigned over the goblins. The Goblin King.
Finally found them.
Days had passed since the invasion of the Totori village. With all traces vanished and nothing but frustration mounting, the scouts had at last pinpointed their location.
And so the Goblin King had hastily assembled his elite troops and set off for the Totori's new village.
Normally, he'd have sent just the elites. But no more time to waste.
Having witnessed a newborn starve to death the day before, the Goblin King had taken matters into his own hands. This was a matter of his species' very survival.
We must capture at least one. No matter what.
With that resolve, he peered quietly through the bushes. There lay the Totori's new village.
It was surprisingly bountiful, even though they'd only just settled. Tomatoes. Corn. Unfamiliar crops hung heavy from their vines.
The Goblin King's brow furrowed. Strange.
The Totori were a reclusive species by nature. Powerless, they avoided clashes with other races at all costs.
Yet here they were, farming openly across such a vast expanse? Right in the heart of Pirel Forest?
And... that tree.
His eyes narrowed on the lone tree standing in the clearing's center. An extraordinary aura emanated from it—sacred yet warm. It felt like standing before something profoundly great and noble. Not oppressive, but... benevolent. Cozy, even.
...Insane.
A tree looking benevolent? He immediately shut down the thought.
Either way, it was fortunate for them. It meant the Totori had grown complacent.
The Goblin King quietly raised his hand. Prepare.
The elite goblins gripped their weapons tightly.
And... Go.
The moment he thrust his hand forward...
"Kiieee!"
"Kieet!"
The goblins poured out from the forest.
They're here.
I'd already known the goblins were closing in. The spirits had tipped me off, but my roots stretched deep into the earth anyway. I could feel the weight of their footsteps shifting.
That's no small group.
Nearly dozens of them.
Time to handle this.
I activated my preparations. I positioned the Spirit Power Enchant-infused roots on standby, then whipped them into motion the moment the goblins charged straight ahead.
Kwudududududu—!!
Roots erupted from all directions.
"Kiieee—!"
"Kieek!"
The goblins screamed.
Most of the elites were instantly ensnared.
They thrashed, but the enchanted roots held firm. The goblins couldn't budge.
As I examined them, a thought struck me. Good, no Ma Energy.
No black smoke meant none were corrupted by Ma Energy.
Nice.
Roots really come in handy at times like this.
I was feeling pretty satisfied when—
Kwaduk.
Something snapped.
Huh?
One root had been torn free. Not just severed—yanked clean out.
What the—?
Startled, I released mana to inspect. A goblin of enormous size had broken free from my root.
Its build. Its strength. This was no ordinary foe.
Is that even a goblin?
Before I could dwell, a status window popped up in front of me.
Huh? Goblin King?
And grade A??? I stared blankly at the stats.
Tori was B+. This was higher?
I can feel it.
He's beyond me.
Still, I have to stop him.
I desperately extended more roots. Not just one strand—more. Thicker.
Chwaaaaak—!
But taat.
The Goblin King twisted his body with blinding speed, dodging.
The follow-up roots? Taat. He slipped free effortlessly.
Fast.
On a whole other level from the elites.
His feet propelled him forward—toward the Totori.
No!
I thrust out roots in a panic, but it was too late. The Goblin King had accelerated, hand already outstretched toward them.
"Got—!"
The moment the Goblin King shouted...
"Kku-wung!"
Tori, nearby, hurled what he held.
A perfectly ripe red tomato.
Whiii—!
The tomato arced through the air. But it didn't even come close—splatting harmlessly far away.
Plop.
Haha...
I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity. Tori, you think that'll hurt him? If you're throwing, at least aim... zero attack power.
But then...
"Kiee..."
"Ki..."
Something strange happened. The thrashing goblins froze in place.
Staring blankly at the splattered tomato. Drool dripping.
Not just them. The Goblin King too. His outstretched hand locked, gaze fixed on the tomato.
What the heck... why are they like that?
I released mana for a closer look. That's when I noticed what I'd missed before.
They're all skin and bones!
Emaciated to the point even I'd know at a glance. Ribs protruding, eyes sunken, lips cracked and dry. Just bones wrapped in taut skin.
And the Goblin King's status was Hunger.
I pieced it together. Hunger. Totori who produce crops. No way...
They want to kidnap Totori to make food?
Plausible.
So the goal wasn't the Totori themselves, but their abilities.
I groaned, sorting my thoughts. This fight? Winnable, maybe. With full spirit and Totori aid, barely.
But I'd be wrecked, and two-thirds of the Totori injured or dead. Victory?
But.
If they had extenuating circumstances...
That changed things. Might resolve this without a fight?
I called the spirits. Hey, can you relay a message to the Goblin King?
The spirits blinked. -A message?
-Relay?
-To them?
Yeah. Want to hear their intent first. And if it's not the Totori but their abilities...
I paused, then continued. ...I might be able to help.
The spirits exchanged glances. Silence, then:
-If you want!
-We'll relay!
-Perfectly!
Giggling, the spirits zipped toward the Goblin King.
The Goblin King stared down at the tomato.
Sweet-tangy, perfectly ripe red.
Over a week without food. Hunger screamed for him to devour it.
Eat. Must eat.
As his hand twitched forward...
-Hey? What're you doing?
Spirits blocked his path. He snapped to his senses.
What was I about to do?
This wasn't about one tomato.
Focus.
He withdrew his hand. "Why are spirits here?"
Spirits rarely intervened. Famous for ignoring messy affairs.
Yet here they were.
The spirits' eyes sparkled. -My friend has questions!
-What's your purpose here!
-Why'd you come?
The Goblin King's brow furrowed. Friend?
He spat curtly. "Don't know your friend."
His voice cold and low. "We need them. Outsiders stay out."
The spirits puffed their cheeks. -Friend asks again!
-Not the Totori themselves?
-Their abilities?
His eyes narrowed. This "friend" had figured something out.
Deduced it?
Sharp. But pointless. Just take the Totori.
As he stepped forward, a spirit added:
-If it's their abilities...
He ignored, advancing on the Totori.
-My friend says...
No need to heed useless words.
As he reached for a Totori...
-He'll solve your food problem!
He froze mid-air. "...What?"
His expression shifted subtly.