The rest of their journey was silent. When they made it back to the village, they were welcomed with open arms and tears of joy. Seeing as he had to remain in character around others, he made his way toward the Elder’s hut while Seru reunited with her people. The Elder noticed as well and followed him there.

Once they were away from the crowd the old goblin offered his gratitude, which included a lump of some silver ore. He inspected it immediately.

‘Name: Fyn

Rarity: B

Description: Fyn is a tough metal that is solid until it is directly enclosed with mana. Because of this, it is used as the base in most shapeshifting weaponry.’

He accepted the metal graciously. It was about the size of a basketball but it had to be dense as hell because it was heavier than he anticipated. He put it in his inventory, then nodded slightly to the Elder before looking back at him and raising a brow as if to say: Is that all?

The goblin got the message. He reached into the pouch at his waist and pulled out even more Fyn. “O-o-o-of course that wouldn’t be enough to satisfy you. Here, take this as well!” After he put another basketball sized chunk of metal down, he pulled out a book. The front of it said: Fireball Skillbook. “Is this sufficient?

He struggled to refrain from apologizing and correcting his intentions. When he raised his brow he was trying to see if he could take his leave, not pressuring the poor goblin grandpa for more rewards. He nodded softly and took the items. When he opened the skillbook to inspect it, it prompted him to use it in the System.

He clicked yes.

Duh.

This resulted in him immediately learning the skill. His brain was filled with magical information about fireballs. How they were formed, the differing effects of changing the dimensions of balls, temperature management, and more. When he learned other skills, he didn’t receive technical knowledge, so was this the advantage of a skillbook? He was sure he could’ve learned how to make a fireball on his own, but he wouldn’t have been this insightful.

‘New Stat Obtained: +1 Fire!’

He rose from his seat on the floor and left without another word, aiming to get out quickly and return to the cave. Once he stepped foot outside of the hut, he found himself face to face with the goblin girl he’d just rescued.

This is farewell. Her village loves her too much to let her leave, that’s why I had to save her immediately. She’s the future.

“Where will we be going first, Sensei?”

So it is Japanese themed. He noted as he walked right past her without exchanging anything more than a nod of acknowledgment.

He left the village, heading towards the cave. It was still surreal, being on this second story of the forest. The barrier that he was walking on was something worth getting a skillbook for. How was it made? Who made it? How did birds figure out how to travel through it? How was it maintained?

“What’s your name?”

Why did she follow?

He allowed himself to pass through the barrier and into the trees, landing deftly on a branch and taking off in a dash. He jumped to a branch in front of himself, repeating the action thrice before jumping towards the left to grab onto a branch. He loosened his grip almost immediately and sent his momentum downwards to the ground, landing on a lower branch before jumping once more and hitting the hard soil.

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He didn’t miss a beat. He didn’t even need to roll to absorb the impact, thanks to his new body, so was able to take off in a sprint, purposely zigging and zagging all along the path.

Once he made it out of the tree line, right in front of the cave, he ran as fast as he could and shot through the wall. He had to slightly skid to a halt once he was on the other side of the hidden entrance, panting softly. He was about to lean over onto a nearby cluster of those bright ass crystals before an unexpected sound startled him into proper posture.

“You’re so insightful. Who would have guessed that this was a fake wall? I couldn’t even see through the illusion and I’m the top mage in the village!”

He didn’t need to turn to know that it was Seru. How did she follow him? Why didn’t she sound out of breath?!

“I’m starting to get the idea that you don’t like to speak much. Would you like me to be quiet?”

He nodded and some of her perkiness vanished from her body. She was disappointed, but he had no way of knowing since he never even turned to look at her. He was lost in thought, confused as to what to do next. He couldn’t take her to fight the hidden boss. Would this dragon be mad if he brought a visitor? She would just be left behind once he finished his quest, right?

This was making his headache worse.

There’s no point in sitting here overthinking.

He walked the cave with Seru following a few steps in tow. When they entered the waterfall room, the dragon perked up.

Did you complete the task?

Would you like proof?

No, we should start our mother/son relationship with trust. Is this your betrothed frozen in place and shivering behind you?

No, she’s a goblin from the village that I saved while defeating the chief. She wants me to be her teacher.

You’ve only put one foot out of the nest and you’re already inspiring others… My bloodline truly is superior.

Can’t you, like, erase her memory of me or something?

Is that the reward you would like for your mission completion?

No. It can’t be a family favor?

No, my child. If I spoil you you won’t grow strong. You have to be powerful to claim my inheritance.

What’s your inheritance?

You have to defeat your siblings to find that out.

How many kids do you have?

You are my fifth and final child.

And I… have just as much of a claim to the inheritance as the others?

You are just as much my child as they are.

Are they all adopted like me?

Do not consider yourself adopted. Although it was unorthodox, you were still reborn and hatched by me. It is just as valid as the traditional method your siblings had.

I understand. He didn’t. Are you going to be fighting the Blue Moon Wolf soon?

Why would I go and do that?

He faltered. Why did you have me dispose of the Warchief?

He personally earned my wrath.

He got the feeling he shouldn’t pry any deeper from her tone, so he moved on. What do you think would be best for you to give me to fight the wolf?

She rose from her curled position under the waterfall and flapped her wings once, sending water spraying and gusts of wind that forced him to brace him. Before he could even think, she had left the cave.

Seru fell back onto her ass, completely and utterly stunned.

He wiped his face of moisture from the water with the sleeve of his hoodie. In the midst of that, he felt the cave shake twice. By the time he was done, the dragon was back and sitting on her hind legs under the waterfall. The Blue Moon Wolf was on the outer ring of the room, shivering in fear at the mighty black dragon’s presence. Seru fainted.

You need guidance, my child. Fight this pup on your own, I will sit here and tutor you. Do not fear death, something so minuscule isn’t enough to hurt you.

He sighed to himself. Who the hell designed this game?