In the bright red glow of the second moon, not a sound could be heard on the field. The gentle wind of the cool night air gently kissed the freshly harvested crops. The lights from the house were all out. The haunting melody of leaves rustling through the dark woods, the only performance to be observed.
Sitting in the broken down wreckage of the Chicken coop, three silhouettes remained hidden from site. Several crates of glass bottles lay beside them. The cold night air of ‘Second’ autumn could be felt, chilling their bones. The lasting warmth of summer, now all but forgotten as the third rotation of the season was less than a week away.
“Everything all set?” a voice could be heard among the three. “I mean, did we forget anything?
“SHHH…” Another voice responded. “Ah course we dinna forget anthin’. Keep quiet, tis about ta start.”
“Umm, why am I here again?” An third older voice asked, half-asleep in the old building. “Couldn't the two of yall been enough to handle this?”
“And ‘ave ya miss all the fun ye old tortoise” the second voice responded, “you’d be daft te miss this.”
“Guys, Flint’s right… it's about to start,” the first voice reiterated.
The sound of screams began to pierce the night air. From the far eastern end of the field along the wood line, a sea of golden eyes began pouring out. A look of fear plaguing their normally rage filled faces. Flashes of white and silver casting harsh shadows from deep within the forest.
“Looks like we’re up fellas,” Alex called out to the team, “Load em up Flint.”
“Aye, lad,’ The dwarf answered, now grabbing hold of an oversized slingshot the three friends had previously installed earlier that day. Grabbing hold of the first vial of Alex’s ‘Grenades’ the trio aimed the deadly monstrosity towards the oncoming tide.
“READY…. FIIIIIRE!!!” The three yelled in unison, Launching the Silver Blue Glass clear across the farm into the heart of the goblin swarm, exploding into a ball of blue fire that washed over them as if it were an oncoming wave. Not wasting time, the trio continued their bombardment, each impact rippling through the sea of destruction created, until finally the last round of munitions were released. A familiar thrumming caught Alex's attention in the chaos that was unfolding, partially annoyed the farmer will the system notification to open.
[Achievement Unlocked: A scorched earth, A glassed kingdom, or Simply Overkill? - Utilized a method of destruction to completely overwhelm an enemy in a one sided victory. Target enemy forces will no longer invade your claimed territory.]
[System message: Good news is that goblins will leave you alone on the farm for a little while. Bad news is, since you used a CBN type weapon, there will be a small penalty. Also you let your guard down. So… Sorry in advance.]
Wait what did it mean by that? Was the last thought crossing Alex’s mind before a warm numbness crept through his body. Looking around to scrutinize this unfamiliar feeling he discovered a small dagger in the back of his leg, being held by a small statured frame hidden within a dark cloak. His friends were already unconscious beside him, as the sedative started fully taking effect.
Trying desperately to fight the growing numbness, the young famer, turned to grab the small silhouettes cloak. As if expecting Alex's reaction, the veiled adversary simply stepped back before delivering a swift kick to the side of his head. Sending a wave of white to his vision, before finally succumbing to the poison watching the world turn black.
In the haze of Alex’s poison induced sleep, thoughts of another world crept through his awareness. The smell of meat grilling. Sounds of plates and glass in the distance. The feeling of sweat sweat in the heat of the flames. It was a distant memory, but it's hard to forget the feeling of working in a full service kitchen. The long hours, the harsh treatment and the constant toiling within the kitchen's high temperature made the world he lived in not the most desirable. Most would leave after only working a few years, but Alex loved the challenges offered and what’s more the feeling of pride he felt when he watched others enjoying his meals.
Bringing a smile to someone, and brightening their day, with just a simple meal. He thought nothing could replace that feeling. It wasn’t until he found himself living in Flintwood’s farm home that Alex would discover that feeling didn't mean he had to be in the harsh confines of the food world elites to experience the simple joy that his food brought to others. The smiles on his friends made life much more enjoyable. “Up.”
Up? Why did he hear the word up? Was this a memory? “CUP” There it was again, but he heard the word cup. This was a strange dream.
“Way! Cups!” A high pitched voice called to the farmer.
Finally responding to the voice, Alex sat up, or at least he would have, save for the fact that he was bound by ropes in an unfamiliar place. Looking around he was able to discover that he was in some kind of hut, as well as a small figure sitting on the other side of the structure. Immediately, he tried finding a way out of the ropes binding him.
“Nose Care!!!” The figure told Alex, “Not arm!.”
What was it saying? Was the small creature trying to talk to him? Alex tried to think about everything happening. If the creature wanted him dead, he would be by now. Ok, fine, next… Nose care. ‘No scare’ maybe? So possibly calm down. Got it.
Twisting his body to where he could fully see his captor, Alex finally had an opportunity to see the mastermind behind everything. The cause of all of Evelyn’s tireless nights of goblin raids. Much to the farmers surprise the evil mastermind behind the nefarious deeds was…Cute?
Sitting at a table nestled at the other end of the hut, a rather timid looking woman, holding a small cup, stared at Alex, her light green skin, long ears, gold eyes, and surprisingly human features clearly visible in the golden light of a nearby fire, highlighting her bright auburn hair. A small smile on her lips as she sipped whatever drink her cup contained.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“Oh pan scream” she said to the Farmer.
“What? What are you talking about?” Alex answer back, questions of his own.
Shaking her head no, She put down the cup and started making a gesture with her fingers forming a square. “Scream, Scream…” she started looking frustrated at her words.
A box, did she mean my system screen. Trying to come to a small understanding Alex willed the system screen to open, Causing the woman to jump up and down excitedly. “In fight! In Fight!” She chimed, pointing between the two of them.
Did she want a system invite? Wasn’t she a system monster? No that doesn't seem right, she was clearly trying to communicate between the two of them. Giving the benefit of the doubt, even though he was tied up, Alex decided to help the poor girl. Though there was a serious issue to address.
“Umm, I'm not sure you can understand me but, I need to use my hands to send a system invite.” Alex explained, “Can you untie me?
Seeing the confusion on her face, He tried to use an easier message. “Umm… Want help, Need hands. No Run.” He tried.
Finally understanding, the small woman smiled. Quickly running to untie him, he found that she was a little taller than Eve, though a bit shorter than flint, her features while surprisingly human still held many goblin-like features. She worked quickly to untie the farmer, helping him to sit up properly, before moving back to her table.
True to his word, Alex sent the small woman the invite she desperately sought. A message appeared before him.
[Melody Sagespire, Has joined Flintwood Village ]
[Quest Complete: Goblin Raid on the Farmstead]
* Defeat the Goblin Shaman controlling the Goblin Horde
* Exp will be provided to party
* Special rewards for Non-Lethal means of Completion
* A new form is unlocked for Storytellers Staff
* Spear of the Azure Tide *
“Oh neat, that should be helpful.” Alex mused before a blast of golden light blinding the farmer in the hut. Trying to find the source, he found the young woman at the center of the onslaught. Her auburn hair glowing brightly as her features became more defined, the once feeble looking girl was now full of life and energy.
“Can you hear me?” an unfamiliar voice escaped the young woman, where before it was higher pitched and slightly childish, now had a fuller depth of emotion to it. It still held a higher timbre to it, but it fit the women’s form better. “You understand what I’m saying now?”
“Um, yes?” Alex answered before getting wrapped into an excited hug.
“I did it, I did it! I'm finally able to be me again. Sorry for knocking you out and bringing you here. I wanted to find a more peaceful way, but I couldn’t act normally with the rules of the event system forcing me to constantly summon goblin familiars in droves.” She started explaining.
Alex went on to learn that Melody, as she was called, was a Goblinaire, a race of Demonkin who evolved from the goblins long ago. She was once an apothecary in a village within the Allied Demon Federation. Years ago, she was captured in a raid led by the North Hero Church to be placed as a floor dungeon boss. Apparently finding her useful for her summoning affinity. Because of the churches blatant discrimination towards demon kind, they had no issues using a tool meant to strip her of her race classification, and force the Title of ‘Goblin Shaman,’ essentially transforming her body and mind. Though, she still retained her memories and mental awareness, the rest of her abilities were essentially crippled. After her capture she would spend the next 20 years, getting constantly attacked, destroyed or worse, by the adventurers questing within the churches "Sanctioned Dungeon." About a month ago it all changed when Alex started harvesting crops, and revitalizing the system network. The system in need of strong creatures pulled her from her dungeon prison to the small hut in the woods with a notification.
[System Message: Goblin Shaman, create Goblin fighters to invade a nearby Farm]
Seeing this notification, Melody realized that the original system had returned. Although, at a smaller scale currently. Remembering when she was a young child how the system made the world easier to live in, before one day finding the friendly screen no longer listening to her. Now though, it was giving her a message. Coming up with a plan, She sent the bare minimum of goblins required while searching for whoever could help her. The only problem was the small elf who always destroyed her goblins quickly, making it difficult to find anything
It wasn’t until she saw the two of them walking towards the destroyed town that she noticed it, the target reticle that appears on Other Worlders for monster classes. He was the one to help her. So she started spying on him, hearing him talk about the plan to bomb the goblins while they hid in the back.
“Sorry again, but I didn’t have much choice. Communication between races is locked between system monsters and Citizen Races. I had to try and remember similar words, but it worked and I’m free now. Thank you” She cried, finally explaining her story. Holding him in a tight embrace in her excitement, Alex became aware of her… assets. Trying to stop an embarrassing situation from occurring, the young farmer held Melody by the shoulders gently shifting her from her embrace. A small thrumming in his mind now held his attention.
“One moment please Melody. I’m getting a notification.” Alex addressed the young Goblinesse, before a feeling of dread washed over him as he pulled up the system notification.
[System Message: Congrats on making a new friend and saving your new resident, but you may have forgotten about the situation you were in. In particular the situation that you appear to ‘remain’ in. Might want to brace for impact Alex.]
“The situation I appear to be in…” He started to say aloud before realization set in. “Oh, no!”
“What is it dear, Saviour?” Melody asked clearly forgetting the situation entirely.
“Evelyn…” The young farmer said solemnly. Unable to say anything else.
The sounds of explosions could be heard in the distance. Growing louder as the chorus of destruction approached. Trees, boulders and earth sang in its powerful song of annihilation. As well as the very distinctive voice calling out well above everything else.
“WHERE IS ALEX!!!!!”
THinking quickly Alex got up too run outside to explain the situation. He knew if they saw him safe and unhurt they would understand, and let him explain everything. It was fool proof, unfortunately, luck was never on his side. As the poor farmer went to dash towards the huts opening, he found that a mistake was made. The ropes that once bound tightly to his form, now rest at his feet.
Upon taking his first step in haste, the young farmer lost balance, falling face first towards the ground. Instinctively reaching for anything to help from falling, Alex reached out for the closest object, and found he made the biggest mistake anyone could in an Isekai adventure. Accepting his fate, he fell directly on top of the Goblinaire that was caught up in the universal joke of misconception, the same moment that Evelyn walked into the hut.
Closing his eyes, he braced for the impact that was sure to follow, cursing whatever power it was that found it necessary to torture him for their amusement.