The Goblin Who Devoured Fate

he moment my fingers brushed against the Egg of the Forgotten Bloodline, a shockwave pulsed through my body.

My vision blurred. My breathing hitched.

Then—

[System Notification!]

[You have made contact with the Egg of the Forgotten Bloodline.][A choice will soon be placed before you.]

[Initiating Trial…]

A burning sensation spread through my arm.

I staggered back, clutching my chest. My heartbeat pounded like a war drum.

"Leon!" Rhia's voice felt distant.

The cave melted away.

I was somewhere else.

A World of Flames

I stood in an endless void, surrounded by floating embers.

The air was heavy, thick with power.

Then—a voice.

"You are unworthy."

A shadow emerged from the flames.

It was massive. A towering black dragon, its golden eyes burning with intelligence.

It stared into me, as if peering into my soul.

"Yet… the egg has responded to you."

I tried to move—but I couldn't.

"Prove your worth."

Flames erupted.

And then—it attacked.

A Battle for Recognition

The dragon's claw swiped down—

I barely had time to dodge. The ground shattered where I had just stood.

Damn it! I had no weapon, no way to fight back—how was I supposed to win?

Then, my system reacted.

[Trial of the Forgotten Bloodline: Survive Against the Guardian's Will][Time Limit: 5 Minutes]

I gritted my teeth. I didn't have to win—I just had to survive.

Outlasting the Trial

The dragon launched forward, its wings sending out shockwaves.

I dodged, rolling to the side—but the heat scorched my skin.

It was too fast. Too strong.

I needed to think—fast.

Then I remembered.

This isn't real. It's a test.

That meant the goal wasn't to overpower the dragon—but to endure.

I stopped running.

And I faced the beast head-on.

Breaking the Illusion

The dragon's eyes narrowed.

It lunged, claws raised to tear me apart.

But this time—I didn't move.

The moment it struck—

The world shattered.

Back to Reality

I gasped, snapping back to the kobold den.

Rhia was holding me up, her eyes wide with worry. "Leon! Are you okay?!"

I looked down.

Something had changed.

A mark burned on the back of my hand—a black dragon insignia.

And my system blinked.

[You have been acknowledged by the Forgotten Bloodline.][New Title Acquired: Chosen of the Ashen Wyrm.]

I clenched my fist.

This wasn't just about survival anymore.

The Forgotten Bloodline had chosen me.

And I had no idea what that truly meant.