“Ahhhhh!”
I wake up, and it’s still pitch black out. Goobs and Evela are snoring away, snot bubbling from their noses. The clock shows it’s 3 AM. I stretch, don my loincloth, grab my books, and head to the training grounds. With my 50% learning speed, I need to work much harder.
The training grounds are vast, stretching beyond sight, with signs pointing to various areas and guards at the entrance. I head inside to the training dummies.
“Alright, let’s see what Fang of The Predator has for me.” I pull out the book and read the front.
“To integrate this spell book, place palm on front cover.” Following the directions, I place my hand on the book. It shines, enveloping my hand and then my whole body in a blood-red glow.
'New spell: Fang of The Predator.' I pull up my stats and see a new spell slot.
Race: Goblin
Rarity: Flawed
HP: 10
Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Intellect: 2
Toughness: 2
Mana: 1
Spells: Fang of The Predator (0% Mastery)
Once the integration is complete, I open the book to see how to master my new spell. There are three steps to complete the mastery of the spell ‘Fang of The Predator’. The first step is unlocked, and once complete, the next step will unlock.
First step: Visualization and Energy Channeling.
Visualization Techniques: Visualize your teeth transforming into long, sharp fangs. Picture the details and feel the change happening.
‘I guess I didn’t need to come to the training ground quite yet, but it was worth it to see the inside of it.’ I go to the corner and sit down, trying to visualize what the book had mentioned.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to focus. I need to learn this new spell, and the first step is to imagine my teeth turning into long, sharp fangs.
I start by thinking about my teeth, feeling their familiar shape with my tongue. They are small and blunt, not very impressive. I push this image away and begin to picture something different. I imagine my teeth growing longer, sharper, and more dangerous.
In my mind, I see my canines stretching out, becoming pointed and deadly. I can almost feel the pressure in my gums, like my teeth are actually changing. My jaw tingles, but I keep my eyes closed, focusing on the transformation.
I imagine the new fangs shining, their sharp points ready to tear through anything. I think about how they would feel, smooth and slick, but incredibly sharp. I know that these fangs aren’t just for show; they are powerful and dangerous.
As I concentrate, my breathing slows down. I picture myself in a mirror, seeing those fierce fangs in my mouth. The image is so clear and strong, I can almost believe it is real. I feel the magic inside me, responding to my thoughts, ready to make the change happen.
Finally, I open my eyes. I pull up my stats, excited to see the new mastery of my skill.
Race: Goblin
Rarity: Flawed
HP: 10
Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Intellect: 2
Toughness: 2
Mana: 1
Spells: Fang of The Predator (1.5% Mastery)
‘Only 1.5 percent… wow, if I was a common Goblin I would be at 3 percent by now.’ Realizing how hard it is to learn things, I stay and keep visualizing over and over again. Lost in my own thoughts, I don’t even keep track of time. The next thing I know, there are people rushing into the training grounds, swinging away and grunting, some throwing spells and practicing all sorts of skills. I check my mastery once again and see that I have been here until 11 am just practicing.
Fang of The Predator (9% Mastery)
Sigh This cannot be any worse. I get my bearings and head over to the water fountain to get a drink.
“Hey, I got my new spell to 10 percent, check it out,” a Goblin says ecstatically.
“What, it’s only been an hour. Even if you’re a rare Goblin that is still impressive,” another Goblin mentions.
Staring at them with my jaw dropped, ‘I would be at like 30 percent by now if I was rare, are you kidding?’
I can’t help but do anything but train. I take a 30-minute break to walk around the facility. Some Hobgoblins and Orcs are sparring with instructors, and most of the Goblins are practicing new skills on training dummies. There is also the occasional spar between Goblins, Hobgoblins, and Orcs as well. Everyone is pouring their heart out to learn new things and increase their strength.
Looks like I can only just train for now. Looking at the time, it is 11:30 now and I don’t want to waste any more time. I go back to an empty corner and start the process again. This time it is much clearer—the images, the roughness of the teeth, the size and shape—it feels like I am forging my new teeth over and over. Another four hours of practice and a voice pops me out of my imagery.
‘New Stat Increase: Intelligence +1, Mana +1 due to 12 hours of focus on a magical spell.’ I feel like my mind got clearer, and something in my body itself got bigger.
‘Wow, so I can increase my stats by practicing for long durations in that certain field. The old man did mention that, but I did not know how it works. I guess 12 hours of learning gets me a boost in my stats.’
‘My flawed status makes me train for hours anyway, so this is great.’
Looking at the time, I pull up my stats to see the new and improved Gutter.
Race: Goblin
Rarity: Flawed
HP: 10
Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Intellect: 3
Toughness: 2
Mana: 2
Spells: Fang of The Predator (16% Mastery)
“Grrrrrrrr,” my stomach starts to rumble, and I realize I haven’t eaten anything today. I exit the training grounds and try to find somewhere to ease my belly. I find a cozy little spot in between two bars called “The Piggy Banquet.”
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‘mmmmmmm sounds delicious’
I head in and the place is packed. A young Goblin behind the counter looks at me and asks, “How many in your party, sir?”
“Just one,” I reply, and she leads me to a table in the back. The walls are lined with pig heads, pig rugs, and pig blankets, showing just how many pigs they got. I can’t help but think about the juiciness before I sit down, my mouth watering at just the thoughts.
“Your waitress will be here shortly. For now, here is the menu. Take a look and order anything to your fancy,” the charming girl says as she walks away.
“Thank you, ma’am,” I reply.
Looking over the menu, I can’t help but shift my eyes to each of the items. There are so many options: Crispy Pig Ears, Pig Knuckles, Stuffed Pig Stomach, Pig Liver Platter, Pork Blood Sausage, Pig-Head Soup, Piggie Foots Stew, and so many more. My mouth and stomach have no idea what to agree on.
As I am debating what to get, the waitress walks up and asks, “My name is Wennie. I’m going to be your waitress for today. What can I getcha, honey?” She is a robust Goblin with black hair down to her waist.
“I honestly can’t decide,” I reply.
“Well, honey, my favorite is the Pig Liver Platter,” she says, enticing me to get it. “It comes out very creamy and has herbs and spices to enhance its flavor.”
“Let’s go with that then,” I reply excitedly.
“Alright, mashed potatoes or rice as your side, sweetie?” she asks.
“Mashed potatoes, please. And a glass of water as well, please,” I reply.
“It’ll be right up,” she says, walking to the kitchen to place my order.
When the server brings the Pig Liver Platter to the table, the smell is the first thing that hits. It’s a mix of savory liver and sweet onions, making my mouth water instantly. The liver slices look shiny and perfectly cooked, with the onions giving a nice golden color.
Taking the first bite, the taste is strong and rich, kind of earthy from the liver but balanced by the sweet, soft onions. The liver is cooked just right—not too tough, just tender enough. Paired with the mashed potatoes on the side, every bite feels hearty and satisfying. It’s like comfort food but with a more intense flavor.
It cost me two gold and took me an hour and 30 minutes to finish my meal and relaxation time in the restaurant. It is around 5 pm and I decide to head back to the barracks and practice my new spell for a little longer before bed. As I get inside the barracks it is the same old scene. Goblin Fighters pouring in and out, some bloody, some sweaty, and some that just look plain old tired. I get up to the third floor and notice Goobs and Evela are both gone. I don't pay it much mind as I head over to my mattress and replay the images of me growing my teeth out once again. This time after thirty minutes the voice rings in my head.
Step One: Visualization Completed. Fang of The Predator (17% Mastery)
Initiating Step One Part Two: Energy Channeling
I immediately open the book to find out more information on channeling my energy and what it means.
Channeling Energy Techniques: Meditate to connect with your primal energy, focusing it into your mouth and teeth.
'I wonder what my primal energy is?' Flipping through the pages, I get an answer to my question.
Primal Energy is a raw, ancient force that resides in all living beings, like the instinctual art and form of killing that wolves have.
I close my eyes and try to focus. I take a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs. In my mind, I picture this wild, ancient energy deep inside me. It’s like this raw power that everyone has, but it’s hidden—something primal, like the instinct to fight or hunt.
I imagine this energy as a fiery glow inside my chest, pulsing with every breath. I picture it spreading through my body, moving into my mouth and teeth. My jaw starts to tingle as I feel the energy flow, sharpening my teeth, making them feel like they could tear through anything.
I keep my focus, trying to keep the energy flowing smoothly into my teeth, feeling them getting sharper and stronger with every breath. It’s like I’m becoming more connected to that raw, primal force inside me.
After repeating this technique for about five hours, I open up my stats to see how much it has improved.
Spells: Fang of The Predator (22% Mastery)
'Yes, it's finally going up at a decent pace now. I guess the more I get used to the technique, the faster it goes.'
Being 10 PM, I decide to take a shower and freshen up from the long day. The hot, steamy water running down my body makes me feel delighted. I stayed in there for one hour and then decided to get into bed for the night. Goobs and Evela were still gone at this time, but they probably just went on a quest or something. I laid down, my head hitting the mattress, and fell asleep, ready to start my day at 3 AM once again.
I wake up again early to get a head start before the rest of the Goblins. I don't need to go to the training center today because this technique is just about meditating so far. Goobs and Evela are still gone when I wake up.
'I wonder where they went?'
I sit up, ready to delve into what the book said. This time, it feels like my primal nature is more ferocious and rawer. Coursing through my body, making my temperature rise while it swims all the way up to my mouth and teeth. I feel a killing instinct to bite whatever my prey is. I go on for seven hours until the voice rings in my head once again.
‘New Stat Increase: Intelligence +1, Mana +1 due to 12 hours of focus on a magical spell.’
Race: Goblin
Rarity: Flawed
HP: 10
Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Intellect: 4
Toughness: 2
Mana: 3
Spells: Fang of The Predator (35% Mastery)
'Nice. Slowly but surely, it is going up at a very good pace now.'
As I am looking into my new stats and mastery level, Goobs and Evela barge in, stumbling over everything and covered in a green, slimy texture.
"EWWWW, this stuff is so nasty, I need to get it off as soon as possible," Evela says while trying not to throw up.
"Oh, be quiet, Evela. You act like we haven't done this before, and stop making a mess of the place. I am always the one that has to clean it.... UGH," Goobs replies to her antics while Evela dashes to the showers.
"What have you two been up to, Goobs?" I ask.
"Just a quest. To keep living here for free, we need to complete five quests at least in a month, and one of them has to be of medium difficulty in our respective rank," he states.
"Our rank?" I question.
"Oh, you haven't checked into the quest counter yet. That is where they give you your rank badge and how they start collecting how many quests you have done each month." He pulls out a badge depicting a band of Goblins marching together on foot with weapons and armor. "This is the Private badge, which is the one you should receive when you check in. Oh, and by the way, I recommend checking in before this month is over, or they will flag you as trying to run away," he says, continuing on, "The new month starts in about three days, but thankfully, Evela and I just completed our last quest we needed. We got four gold each from this quest."
"Wait, if you got four gold each from that one, how were you guys only able to afford two books so far?" I question.
"Brother, you should have seen this place when we got here. There were no occupants, and the place was left in cobwebs. We spent most of our money renovating so people could actually live here, and don't even get me started on the showers. They barely ever worked. I had to listen to Evela complain about it every night," he says, his face turning annoyed by the past memories.
"Well, you need to get into those showers too. You are stinking up this place as we speak," I say while covering my nose as Goobs heads into the showers as well.
I get back on track and start to repeat the training process from before.
"Gutter, it is already 6 PM. Do you want to head down to the Galley with us to get a bite to eat?" Evela asks. It has been another eight hours of training, so I needed a break at some point. My mastery is at 45% now after this training session.
Spells: Fang of The Predator (45% Mastery)
"Sure, why not, but I only have one gold on me right now," I reply.
"Don't worry about that. The galley is on the first floor, and it is free for us since we are part of the Fighting Order," she says, continuing on, "Before we get down there, let me tell you, the other Goblin Fighters here already have their preferred seats at the galley, and unfortunately, there are not a lot of them, so we have to get our food and eat up here and then return the trays when we go back down," she explains.
"Man, this place sucks," I say.
"Well, until we have enough strength to do anything, it's just how it has to be. Are you ready to go, Goobs, or what?" Evela says.
"Been ready for an hour by now," Goobs exclaims.
All three of us head downstairs and get into the line for food. The line is pretty long, but it goes by quickly. The galley actually has a lot of options. There is pig, cow, chicken, human, seafood, kobold, and a bunch of other different types of meals you can enjoy. The aroma itself is fantastic, lifting you off your feet. I see why people came here to sit down and eat. After getting our plates, we head up to our beds and eat.
While we are gobbling down on our food, Evela asks, "What spells did you end up getting anyway? You have been meditating for quite some time earlier."
"I got the Aura of Comfort spell and Fang of The Predator. I have only been mastering Fang of The Predator so far though," I reply.
"Aura of Comfort is a good one, but I have never heard of the fang one you mentioned," Evela says while stuffing her face full of food.
"Basically, it makes my teeth very long and sharp like a beast. Why don’t we learn each other's spells as well, so we don't have to spend money?" I reply, ecstatic about being able to share my new abilities.
"If only it was that easy. Here, look at my spell book," Goob flips through the pages, and it is just blank. "The spell book integrates with whoever put their palm on the cover of the book, so basically, only one person per book can learn the spell. That is why you will probably never see a mythical rarity book or up being sold, and if you do, it is probably worth millions. The highest rarity I have seen at the library is rare, and it was going for 1300 gold at that time," Goob explains.
"Wow, 1300 gold is insane, and we only get four gold from a quest," I say.
"mhmm, mhmm," Goob and Evela both nod.
After finishing our meal, we all start to do our own things, and I get in four hours of extra training before heading to bed. A voice sounds in my head, signaling for me to stop.
‘New Stat Increase: Intelligence +1, Mana +1 due to 12 hours of focus on a magical spell. Spell Fang of The Predator Step One Completed. Step Two Can Now Begin.'
Race: Goblin
Rarity: Flawed
HP: 10
Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Intellect: 5
Toughness: 2
Mana: 4
Spells: Fang of The Predator (50% Mastery)
'OOOOOO, I can finally move on to the new steps. I will leave that for tomorrow.'
I take a shower and lay on my mattress before falling into a nice, cozy slumber.