Serin ran along the shore of the river with the sound of the smooth pebbles clacking together marking her every step . The fog from her skill had long since dispersed allowing her clear vision of the sun nearing its short dip beneath the trees.

She brought up the notification she had been ignoring.

Level Up

1 attribute for distribution gained

Apparently Kordin's death was enough for her to level. Which wasn't much of a surprise with her level being 1 and his 25. If anything it was actually less than she had expected. She had never defeated something with such a level difference on her own before. Serin had thought she would've have shot up to at least level 5 in one go.

Which wasn't a great sign. As this suggested that while she has started over at level 1. It was going to take much more experience to level up now. A shame, but time was something she had plenty of now. A thought that lifted her spirits.

Serin had given up on ever reaching the fabled max level once one levels past 100. However, even if it took hundreds of years there was a real possibility of her actually managing to reach it now.

A long term goal that bore little meaning to her current situation. Still it was something that inspired Serin. For now though she simply was looking forward to what skills she would be offered at level 5. There were plenty of skills she had passed over while leveling that she was hoping might be offered again this time around. Although, it would also be interesting if new skills were presented that reflected her new race.

Moving on from thoughts of the future she decided to distribute her attribute point.

Open status.

Name: Serin Hendall

Age: 76

Race: Zombie

Class: Night Hag

Level: 2

Skills: Fog of Slumber, Poison, Nightmare, Fear, Paralysis, Curse, Shadow Mockery

Attributes: 1

Vitality - 19

Strength - 20

Agility -13

Wisdom - 34

Intellect - 54

Some saved their attributes to be invested in burst when needed. A sort of surprise power boost. Serin felt that it was better to use it immediately. Though that was when she was partying up with other adventurers that would cover her weaknesses.

In a group she could safely cast debilitating effects behind a frontline of defenders. Whether that be a warrior or a summon of some mage. On her own without [Shadow Mockery] to distract her foes her class was not one that thrived in extended struggles. It was an all or nothing style of fighting. If she could not inflict a status effect early on to give her an advantage over her opponent it was unlikely she would win at all and it was better to retreat.

Though that could change now.

That thought held briefly as she imagined investing more points into her physical stats. Becoming an all rounder that could face any enemy directly while casting a wide range of debuffs during the fight.

But she soon forced the thought away. It was a foolish idea to invest away from where ones skills laid. Serin's skills were rooted firmly within the realm of mana. To stray from wisdom and intellect would cripple her skills. Serin quickly invested the point into intellect before she tried to convince herself otherwise.

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Not long after she had finished her decision with her attributes, Serin heard the tell tale sound of goblin chittering. She stopped to listen and heard what sounded like similar panicked noises she heard earlier when the goblins were running from the humans.

Then to Serin's annoyance the very same group of goblin's ran out from the tree line. They were now down the two male goblins that soldiers had slain and the two remaining males bore many injuries. As a result their formation had changed this time. One of the females had exchanged their children with the worse off male.

What chased them now were wolves. No doubt attracted to the seemingly easy prey with the males being injured and the mothers occupied with the infants. Serin couldn't help but feel exasperated with the ability of these goblins to immediately find themselves hunted again.

Despite Serin's annoyance she considered that this may be fate of some sort. the goblins were responsible after all for brining the humans towards her. Giving her valuable information that she would have been unlikely to find anytime soon.

Serin could repay the critters for this.

There were only four wolves. They were weak, scrawny and clearly desperate for an easy meal. Serin doubted the beast were over level 10. It would be easy for her to assist the goblins.

She cast [Paralysis] and mana gathered into her skeletal palm forming a transparent orb. With practiced ease she pointed her palm out and fired the spell. The spell projectile silently flew at a high speed. The goblins and wolves both were unaware of her intrusion until the spell landed on one of the wolves. The wolf quickly loss control of it body and tumbled onto the ground unmoving.

The three other wolves were surprised at their pack members sudden fall, but ignored it in favor of the hunt. The goblins, however, quickly realized that magic was at foot. The two fighters maintained their fight to keep the wolves back. While the other three searched for the origin of the spell. It wasn't long before the saw Serin standing out in the open by the rivers edge.

Serin had already rapidly cast two more [Paralysis] projectiles. Two wolves followed the first in their abrupt tumbles. Only a single wolf remained and the goblin fighters quickly took advantage. The two goblins rushed the wolf. While the wolf snapped at one to keep the goblin at bay the other goblin had leapt onto the beast's back. It was then quickly dispatched as the goblin on its back began to work their blade onto any vital area they could reach on the wolf.

The goblin's warily started to approach Serin once the fight was over. They chittered back and forth between each other. Obviously trying to come to an agreement on something.

Serin mused over the strangeness of this group of goblins. Goblins were some of the weakest monsters to leave dungeons. Though goblins seemed to be aware of it. For they made up for their lack of strength with craftiness and overwhelming numbers. When coming to the surface they would quickly find a suitable den and dig their own burrow. Preparing their foul defenses, so that they could build up their numbers in safety.

These goblins had apparently been out on the move for weeks according to the information extracted form Kordin. Serin wondered if this too was due to whatever is moving the monsters here.

Although, that is not what Serin found strange about them. Instead she was confused as to what their intentions were. Because despite the language barrier between her and the goblins. The monsters were clearly looking at her with expressions that asked of something from her.

Serin was uninterested in having a troop of peculiar goblins slowing her down. So she turned and was about to start running again. Finished with repaying the creatures for their earlier assistance. Which was when of the goblin infants began to cry in the mother's arms.

The piercing cry hit Serin with an unexpected mental shock. With this shock she was brought to a forgotten memory. Her son was older than the last time she had seen him. A full grown man now stood at her doorway and in his arms was a crying infant.

"Please," he begged. "Save my daughter. I can only trust you..."

How could she have forgotten? Death was no excuse. Her granddaughter was entrusted to her. The memories came in as a flood. Every delightful moment with her granddaughter. The promising future she saw through her. Even the devastating failure that ended her life as a human.