Oer patiently watched on as Yotap clawed into his own sockets in pain, screaming violently.
Luckily, on their way to and from the boss tunnel, Oer noticed the lack of any one goblin in the other newborn tunnel's rooms. Meaning, that however much Yotap screamed in here, he wouldn't be heard, unless there were goblins outside listening in from the cracks above. Unlikely.
Though the lack of anything but newborn goblins in this tunnel surprised Oer to the lack of efficiency and available room space going unused. Maybe they had uses, but just at different times?
Eh.
It didn't matter as long as nobody entered for the next few minutes.
So he sat there, hands dirtied with blood, listening to the screams of pain with indifference.
Oer felt no need to justify himself for what he was doing. No guilt whatsoever. why would he? The goblin in front of him was dead the moment he first picked Oer up off the ground, and waltzed into the place of his horrid lover eloping with another. But that did not make Yotap worth killing.
What made the action worthwhile - was the fact that one could attain levels via removing other life from existence...
Yotap was an apple that had fallen from a high tree...he held value...nutritional value. This apple would surely rot if left by its lonesome, so he would come along, pick it up, and devour it.
Other than the miraculous chance of being banished, no....
...scratch that....Yotap would surely end up dead either way. But that just didn't sit right with Oer. Because he would not be benefited in any way, shape, or form...
He had to change that.
He would take the benefits of a prize right before his eyes when he had the means to. Because...who wouldn't?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It had only been a minute from the point that Oer began his plan, yet Yotap still screamed pitifully, too far into the pain to care for his environment.
Oer could only be thankful that due to their size being half that of a human's, a goblin's lungs were much smaller in comparison as well. This
He recognized that this knowledge was strange to have - for a newborn, even more so when taking into account the fact that he had never seen a human before to gain such information. Yet somehow, it was there; in his head, alongside a plethora of other things. Oer was not in fear of this fact, nor was he against it. In reality, he welcomed the information with open arms, regardless of how it came to existence in his head.
Otherwise, he would be comparable to that bunch... jumping around the place like idiots, biting each other, and sleeping all day. And they would stay that way for their entire lives, more or less, as he had seen from his visit outside... with the exception of increased sexual desire.
Speaking of....
Oer crawled over to the mass of newborn goblins climbing over each other in a pile, like it was some sort of new game, whatever the end objective may be... it was still a monument to their stupidity.
It ceased to amaze him how they could ignore the adult goblin's screams resonating through their chamber in favor of this nonsense. He guessed that fact would only change when Yotap died. They would swarm his body in droves.
He looked over his shoulder to the goblin in question, whose palms were now bloodied in his own life essence, screaming with all of the force he could possibly muster.
This wouldn't do fine at all.....
He needed the means to an end.
An end to that irritating scream.
But currently, he didn't have the ability to live up to the thought: If he attempted to eliminate Yotap here and now, he lacked the confidence to successfully injure the goblin if not attacking a soft critical spot, such as the eyes. The throat was open, but in effective range of Yotap's hands, thus not a feasible option. The genitals were an opportune choice, but that would risk being kicked, and as a newborn, that was something Oer would not gamble upon.
Oer needed more power.
For the purpose of obtaining power, to evolve, Oer had wanted to kill Yotap. And for a moment, he believed he would succeed, because Oer truly, for one miraculous second, thought that Yotap was somewhat different from the other goblins, and knew when to despair eternal. To give up completely, and forego everything to be with his desired emotional abyss.
...He turned out to be utterly wrong.
Oer knew it when that imbecile began to scream.
...And the screaming meant that the goblin hadn't given up, or more likely, was to idiotic to realize his predicament in such that he would. Maybe... therein lay Oer's miscalculation.
...
Either way, Oer sadly needed more power to finish what he had started.
...So he decided he'd get some.
...
Evolution would make him bigger and stronger...more powerful, correct? Although he didn't know how it would play out exactly, when considering he had only literally, this very day, woke up into this world.
If he evolved now, into... something else, would he remain as an infant of that evolved species, or would he immediately transfer into adulthood?
Who knew?
There was only one way to find out.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oer made his way over to the dog pile of squirming small naked green bodies, and picked out a select few who were at the bottom, struggling to make their way out. Their expressions tarnished with discomfort and pain from having the weight of dozens crushing down upon them.
Their eyes pleaded him, who was passing by, for some form of assistance.
And he would help them. He would wander forth, until they stood in his darkness, he would look them directly in their eyes, a window to their small souls and even more miniscule intellect.
He would reach out. Not for their hands, but their heads... their eyes. Oer would help. He would release them from the pain.
The rest of the story tells itself.
Ding!
=====================================================
[Level Up!] x5 ~ [( 7/7 )]
[Levels Until Evolution] ~ [( 0 )]
[Evolution Requirements Met!]
-----------------------------------------
*Select Evolution*: ( * ~> Evolutionary Path Rank Measurement)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
[Goblin Champion] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: First to evolve in your generation (tribal).
[Red Goblin] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: Kill a member of the greater races (Human, elf, dwarf...etc. below the age of five years.
[Imp (Goblin)] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: Remorselessly commit violence.
[Imp (Goblin) Earl] ~ (****) ~ Requirements: Remorselessly commit murder below the age of one week.
[Pale Imp (Goblin)] ~ (****) ~ Requirements: Remorselessly purge your own brethren, barehandedly.
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[Pale Imp (Goblin) Earl] ~ (*****) ~ Requirements: Below the age of one week, purge your own kind without remorse. Watch as they suffer. Yet, feel nothing of it.
[Hobgoblin] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: Accumulate seven levels. Desire to be more than what you already are.
[Pale Hobgoblin] ~ (****) ~ Requirements: Murder barehandedly to accumulate seven levels. Desire to be more than what you already are.
[Gargoyle (Minor)(Goblin)] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: Suppress your emotions, feel nothing from it, your heart will turn to stone.
[Goblin Chieftain] ~ (***) ~ Requirements: Punish your own kind, leave the audience in silence.
[Hobgoblin Earl] ~ (****) ~ Requirements: Below one week of age, accumulate seven levels. Desire to be more than what you already are
[Pale Hobgoblin Earl] ~ (*****) ~ Requirements: You are the better of those around you. You should be more than what they are. You have earned this right. You have one week; murder with your two bare hands - any seven helpless enough not to stand against you.
You have only ever struck to kill.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
=====================================================
...
It was safe to assume Oer was taken aback by the variety in choices he was given, more so the implications of their requirements. It sounded as if this screen in his head, had already made him out to be a violent person, who would indiscriminately kill anything if it benefited them. Not that it wasn't true....
In truth, he expected nothing more than the - snotling > gremlin > goblin > hobgoblin > Orc or Ogre routes. He felt it - on instinct- that this was the "natural" course of evolution. He obviously took a shortcut, being born outright as a goblin
He also easily noted the "raking" system, consisting of "stars"... it intrigued him. Ranks and star numbers, from his inferences, should remove themselves to being limited in the greater double-digits (<= 50), meaning there was plenty of room for growth. From what he could tell, goblins, like kobolds and rat-men, in general, were a 2-star species (**). They fared better than the 1-star Boars, rabbits, dogs, slimes, and other lesser demons.
Therefore, he was surprised to see 4 and 5-star evolutions within his options... this was his first evolution after all. Although it startled him - it was, nonetheless, a rather pleasant surprise.
Oer proceeded to refuse concerning himself with the trifling reactions of the goblins outside, if they were to discover his changed appearance after the evolution. It would absolutely stir trouble, but nothing that Oer believed himself uncapable of handling. His evolution opportunities assured him of this fact.
So, all that was left - was to choose.
...
It would be absolutely idiotic to remove the two 5-star evolutions from his view at any moment. Pale Imp (Goblin) Earl and Pale Hobgoblin Earl, were the focus of this show.
Pale....
The words "Pale" and "Earl" completely separated these two selections from the rest. "Pale" seemed like a special indicator of sorts, which by all means, could have the physical effect of changing is skin's pigment. And "Earl", a nobility rank for which another 2 of his choices held. The noble rank brought into question the existence of others, perhaps marquesses or dukes, possibly even kings....
Oer wondered if he did not meet their requirements, or if he had to earn the rank for himself in the next evolution. What of the lesser ranks? Viscounts? Barons? Oer viewed the 'chieftain' rank, in one of the other evolution options, and believed that they must exist somehow or other.
It slashed at his mind, forcing him back to deal with the predicament placed before him.
What would he choose?
...
For sure it would be either of the two 5-star evolutions, for they would trump Iki-Min, the boss goblin's measly 3-star Red goblin evolution.
It was either Imp Goblin or Hobgoblin. Imps were demonic in nature, that much Oer knew. They are likely magically adept. Imps, by origin, are related to/ or can be described as lesser goblins, just like Yotap and the rest of this green-man tribe, a bit above snotlings, and gremlins.
If he were to take this direction - in terms of evolution, later down the line he could expect to become an Oni or more demonic creature, though he wasn't really clear on the exact path.
High tier goblins were your orcs, and ogres, far more powerful in the magnitude of their strengths than these puny runts, who held crude daggers. A single step from those beasts, would suffice to end this entire tribe's existence. There were also, of course, even more powerful deviants, like dark orcs, war orcs, trolls (excessive regenerative ability), two-headed ogres, and those massive ugly giants.
...
On the other hand, Hobgoblins were in the main evolutionary line-up beyond goblins themselves, positioned halfway as a mid-level species in the ordinary goblin genre.
They were tougher, sturdier, and taller standing at only a few centimeters shorter than the average male human, though some stand at equal height. Hobgoblins are far more physically oriented than magically, with little to no magical potential.
Both options held the titles of Pale and Earl.
...
As of the moment, Oer was naturally more inclined to the hobgoblin choice for its vague familiarity, but the Imp Goblin's addition of magical concepts tugged profusely at his heart.
It could not be said that many living things had the capacity for mana, much less being able to make use of it in the form of magic. High-tier humanoids made up the majority of these select few species; humans, elves, dwarves, fairies...etc. That being said, it was rare for a monster to possess magic. Those that did - were quite high tier creatures as well. Take note of the fact that the aforementioned humanoids follow an entirely different ranking system than monsters.... Adventurers, as they were called, had letter ranks. Oer discovered this at a later date.
---
It took Oer a short while after that to come to a definite decision.
He would take the Imp Goblin evolution route.
His reasonings were rather simple, yet complex: ...This would be his very first evolution. It was to be his foundation; what he would build his everything upon - in later years. And who knew if he would ever obtain the chance to evolve into a mana-sensitive species ever again?
Goblins, by far were one of the most diverse monsters in existence.
Down the line, he may achieve the decision to become some sort of goblin shaman, or religious leader who could use magic, but those choices were strictly forbidden in his head. He would rather not fanatically express his emotions and beliefs in front of others.
..
..
To ignore that fact, meanwhile disowning the very opportunity that this evolution represented, would be foolish, and might become his life's great regret in the future. Oer neither willed that upon himself, nor did he wish to suffer the consequences later on.
From that uncaring screen in his head, he made his choice.
...
The screen allotted him a 20-minute timer to witness the great change...
...
He waited.
..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
..
...
[19:59]
.
Oer grew weary, his shoulders collapsed slowly from impossible stress. It was as though his body had brazenly forfeited at random.
.
[19:34]
.
Sudden pain exploded from his spine, momentarily blackening the goblin's vision. For the first time since his arrival to this world, Oer screamed - not the high-pitched cry of a child, but a hellish sound. He sounded nothing like a goblin, that voice of his. It seemed distorted by the 12th depth.
Two protrusions arched from his back, searing his system with excess pain...
The elongation of his spine continued.
.
[18:46]
.
Everything was burning. Everything was the worst, most complete pain. A red pigment began to show through his skin of fire. His body witnessed changes, while his mind avoided all of them in favor of the futile struggle to self-recompose.
.
[17:00]
.
It would seem something inside of him had died. His body succumbed to loss, all but invisible. A skin of pale grey killed its red predecessor. It was hard, and cold, like death injected into his being.
.
[15:00]
.
It was obvious by this point, that he was growing. A single days duration and his innocent green completion and size were already lost to time. He was much taller now. Colossal, compared to his newborn form. He stood a full head taller than the regular hobgoblin and was a monstrosity to the casual imp.
Which was it? Pale or Earl that had these effects?
Had he become a Pale Hobgoblin Earl... What abomination would have reflected into shallow waters?
.
[12:00]
.
Oer started to feel something... new, not pain, but a rather lovely, empowering sensation. Yet 5 seconds into this new fantasy, and he was already living for it.
The transitioning Imp-goblin knew it... This was mana; infinite power, up for grabs, permeating the very air around him.
It would be his...
.
[10:00]
.
He felt the power. It made him feel secure, unhindered, and free. Everything, from his muscles, tendons, bones, skin,... Everything was bursting with energy, every fiber.
It was too amazing! Almost....
.
[09:28]
.
A spark of something dreadful, touched upon that faux, good feeling like a match to an open tank of fuel, igniting, combusting, destroying his mind and his nerves in an instant. There was no time to feel the pain before it had passed. The reaction was instant, hidden, it was a raindrop in a thunderstorm.
.
[09:27]
.
And everything went black.
...
..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
----------------------------------------------------
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
..
...
Oer's eyes opened to that same reddish orange, smooth cavern floor. Orange light still glistened beautifully from above. If warmth itself had an embodiment, they would be holding him dearly. Comically, for once, he felt like a child in this place.
...
But it was oddly silent...
So silent, in fact, that one may ear the wind's echo upon the earthy, reddish cavern walls.
He moved his arms, now big and lumbering, to set himself upright. These limbs didn't feel large and more powerful, but weak and hollow.
They clumsily fumbled over the tan, light orange earth, with palms angled awkwardly, terribly unfamiliar with themselves.
Oer was now an Imp variant of goblin.
No...
...He was more than that.
Staring down at his hands, he studied their pale grey image; four fingers and an opposable thumb each. With their combined strength, he forced himself into a seated position.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The surrounding area was barren, and the room was dead silent, so for a moment, Oer believed himself to be alone. However, that wasn't the least bit true.
The Imp goblin spotted a strange, vague formation in the farthest reaches of the room, from his position. The object was obscured in one of the room's rare shadows. But he could tell from its organic form that it was... well... organic...
What was it? And where had Yotap and those little maggots run off to?
He tried hoisting himself up to stand; something he had failed to accomplish even as a newborn and failed miserably. The action was akin to learning balance itself, even more so with his new body.
On the first attempt, Oer fell backwards and landed painfully on an appendage he didn't notice, until this point.
An incredibly weird discomfort and movement below his rear, or rather, attached to it. He turned to inspect himself, only to find a muscly, 3-meter-long, thick chord, encompassed by his pale grey skin, laying there on the floor. It was tipped in an exotic, sharp, black spade. The thing looked venomous and alive, ready to deceive, wrap around its prey and choke it.
Deadly...?
But of course it was...
It was a part of him...
His tail.
Albeit, this wasn't the only thing that stole his attention. Oer also recognized the movements of two other apparitions on his back. Folded, compact against his skin.
Twice the length of his arms, granted twice their strength, two times as vulnerable, yet only half of their weight and burden. Pressed tightly to his back, as if fearful to the consequence of releasing their power.
Oer extended these new limbs outwards, quicker than one could blink. The resulting gusts, blew the air backwards a short distance. Turbulent noise extended around the chamber.
The object in the corner trembled.
Viewing his left, then right, Oer was bewildered. To either of his sides, thin, stone colored, massive webbed wings, spread tyrannically. Their softer insides (wing membrane) was no less grey, and foreboding than the rest of the damn whole.
...
He should have known.
He was a goblin transformed into an imp, that entailed some great changes! Tail and wings included.
Oer touched upon his face with his hands, feeling around. The lack of a mirror surface fazed him. He wished to see his own face for the first time, he hadn't seen it before as a newborn. That being said, he wouldn't recognize any slight changes, except the radical ones.
And there weren't any. He didn't grow an Imp's horns, thus remaining a goblin in that aspect, although his pigment must have deviated from the norm.
He might be ugly too.
The thought amused him.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All of that being said and done, Oer was quite pleased with himself. The evolution had opened various opportunities to him, some of them immeasurably beneficial.
He kept the rest of these thoughts at bay... It was time to conduct business.
...
After a few attempts (all ending in failure) to stand on his own two legs, a minute had passed, whereupon Oer stood upright at last, two eerily human feet (if you discount the small claws at the end of his digits) planted firmly against the ground.
Oer broke out into a grin, his throat resonating a deep hearty hum into the air.
Consequent to the utilization of his tail, and its own instinctual movements, balance was no longer an issue.
The grin deepened...
All it took next, were the first steps.
One foot after another. A casual, somewhat disturbed walking posture; which he would no doubt work on later.