The Goblin Who Devoured Fate

I could still feel it—the darkness coiled inside me like a lurking predator, waiting.

Every breath I took felt too deep, every step too light, as if my body no longer belonged entirely to me.

"He Who Devours Fate."

The title pulsed in my mind, its meaning unknown, its weight suffocating.

I had escaped the shrine. But I hadn't escaped what I had become.

Rhia was still staring at me, her silver eyes narrowed, hand near her dagger. "Leon," she finally said, voice careful. "You're not the same."

I exhaled, running a hand through my messy black hair. "I know."

And I didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

New Instincts, New Fears

We moved through the dark tunnels in silence. I could hear everything—the distant drip of water, the tiny scratches of unseen creatures, even Rhia's steady heartbeat.

It was overwhelming.

I clenched my fists. Was this what awakening felt like?

A new prompt appeared.

[System Notification!]

[Unique Ability Unlocked: Abyssal Insight][Effect: Allows the user to see fragments of fate and hidden truths. Passive activation.]

I blinked. Fragments of fate?

Before I could fully process it, Rhia suddenly stopped in front of me. "Wait."

She pressed herself against the stone wall, eyes sharp. "Something's up ahead."

I turned toward the tunnel ahead—

And froze.

Because I could see it.

Not just the tunnel, not just the figures waiting in the shadows. I could see their stats. Their levels. Their names.

They were goblins—but not like us.

Stronger. Bigger. Armed.

Raiders.

The Ambush

Five goblins.

Their names and levels hovered over their heads.

[Goblin Raider Lv. 7][Goblin Archer Lv. 6][Goblin Warrior Lv. 8]

The leader stood at the front.

[Hobgoblin Captain Lv. 10]

I inhaled sharply. We were outmatched.

"Rhia," I muttered, my voice low. "There's five of them. One's a Hobgoblin."

She shot me a sharp look. "How do you—?"

"No time. They already know we're here."

The Hobgoblin grinned. "Come out, little strays," he called, his voice thick with amusement. "We can smell your fear."

Rhia's grip tightened on her dagger. "What's the plan?"

I clenched my jaw. Running wasn't an option. We had to fight.

And for the first time… I wasn't afraid.

I could see their weaknesses.

And I was going to exploit every single one.