The Goblin Who Devoured Fate

The moment we returned to the goblin den, I knew something was off.

The air was thick with tension. Goblins were gathered in small groups, muttering in hushed voices. Some were sharpening crude weapons, others pacing restlessly. Even the usual fights among the weaker goblins had stopped.

Something had changed.

I nudged Rhia. "What's going on?"

She shook her head. "I don't know… but I don't like it."

As we stepped further inside, a deep voice cut through the murmurs.

"You two. Over here."

I turned and immediately recognized the hobgoblin from before—Garnak.

He leaned against a rock, arms crossed. His sharp eyes bored into me, like he was testing my reaction.

I forced myself to stay calm.

"We just returned from hunting," I said. "Did something happen?"

Garnak scoffed. "You're sharp. Good. I need sharp goblins." He pushed off the rock, stepping closer. "The chief has ordered a raid. Tomorrow, we attack a kobold den."

Kobolds.

Smaller than hobgoblins, but faster, smarter, and armed with traps.

It wasn't just another hunt—this was war.

I exchanged a glance with Rhia. She looked just as uneasy as I felt.

"Why now?" I asked.

Garnak bared his yellowed teeth in a grin. "Because we're too weak." His voice was laced with disdain. "The chief wants warriors, not useless whelps. Anyone who survives the raid proves they're strong enough to stay. The weak?" He shrugged. "They die."

So that was it.

A purge.

I clenched my fists. This wasn't just a raid—it was a way to eliminate the weaklings and force the survivors to grow stronger.

And if I wasn't careful… I'd be one of the dead.

A New Challenge

Garnak turned to leave but paused. "You. The small one."

I stiffened. "What?"

He smirked. "I'll be watching you." Then he disappeared into the den, leaving me and Rhia alone.

I exhaled slowly.

"This is bad," Rhia muttered. "We're not ready for a raid."

She was right. Even with Devourer's Mark, I wasn't strong enough yet. Not for real battle.

But I had one night to change that.

I turned to Rhia. "We need to train."

She blinked. "Now?"

I nodded. "If we don't, we won't survive tomorrow."

Her expression hardened. "…Alright."

We slipped away from the den, heading for the hunting grounds.

Tonight, we wouldn't just hunt.

Tonight, I would devour everything I could.

Because tomorrow, I wasn't just going to survive.

I was going to rise.