Shirota was different from any other goblin within the Bloated River Clan under Ukur. He was diligent and ever since the clan moved away from the swamp, he had vowed to make the most out of it. He knew and understood about Ukur’s sacrifice, wanting to do his own part as he considered his clan leader to have done is duty sufficiently already.

He was timid by nature, but was immensely devoted to the clan and his training. He loved the way of the sword. It was all he ever practised, this obsession having been born after he discovered how easily it could cut down enemies within the swamp.

Therefore, he would always use a sword wherever it was an option he could use for anything as its versatility was also pretty high.

He didn’t slack off when it came to work and silently bore any fatigue from strenuous exercises that he and his brethren had to endure during their journey to find a safer place to live.

The name Bloated River came from Ukur’s belief that one day, there would be bountiful gains to be had after the initial portion of their lives when they had to struggle to survive.

He believed that if one fought hard enough, they could escape a tragic destiny which was a belief that Shirota clung onto religiously.

Shirota worked himself to the bone. He always went near rivers to train, or jumped into the knee high water streams to practise his sword movements. This was so he wouldn’t get discouraged from working hard. By looking at the water than danced near on his feet, he would be reminded what he was fighting for.

As a timid introvert, his thoughts were his paradise and after a while, he cemented his resolve, not allowing himself to be shaken by anything from the outside._.

Perhaps his unrelenting devotion was the cause of a miracle that bloomed within him. Or perhaps it was him merely fulfilling the conditions required unknowingly.

Typically, all creatures of the forest could awaken a class after they reached Tier 1. After putting in the work of course, intelligence playing a major role in this as well.

Shirota had acquired the Swordsman class after he reached Tier 1.

After years of hardwork and devotion, he had managed to acquire an advanced class. With this class, he could amplify his stats and damage output simply by synchronising his sword and moisture.

It was easier said than done, but he was extremely happy that he had learned of this.

This strength he acquired brought pride to the clan. He was praised as a genius who managed to ascend to greater heights, a great responsibility laid on his shoulders by the clan.

Ukur had been even more proud of him, teaching him the best ways he could think of that could make his application of the perks provided the advanced class more potent!

As he ran, all Shirota could think about was his master and Shmeija. He had not shown it before because he still clung onto hope, but now, with the possibility that he may be the only who remained from the Bloated River Clan, the depression finally showed on his face.

Tears started rolling down his beady black eyes.

***

A human figure knelt down on the dry and burnt ground. He took in deep breaths, struggling to keep himself alive and bearing the extreme pain.

He had sunflower blonde hair and hazel eyes that seemed to be dimming, losing life rapidly.

This man was Eobald.

He coughed up blood and dropped on his back to the ground. By his side was a sheathed sword that released a dangerous aura but it had been stained with the blood that oozed from his body.

He had multiple deep wounds that ensured that he wouldn’t live for too long, but Eobald refused to die just yet. He had managed to flee with the one piece that would stop a vile tyrant from achieving his goals.

As he lay here, they were probably on their way as they could track his Key with their own. The only piece of reassurance he tried to believe was that he was farther away from them.

‘Urgh… I was careless. I used all my mana to fuel the Scorch Teleportation scroll but… in the end it was barely enough. Had it been even a little short, I don’t think I would have made it through the Stagnant Space…’ Eobald thought.

He used his arm to pull himself towards a standing burnt trunk of a what had been a large and healthy tree.

He leaned against it as he sat and controlled his breathing.

He looked up and around, seeing a ravine, or what remained of it a distance away with his enhanced vision.

“Where am I… exactly? I hope I didn’t bring my myself to a dangerous area.”

Slowly, he went on to close his eyes and began to draw in mana from the surroundings. A faint distortion could be seen in the air as Eobald exerted his pull on the mana in the world.

“The mana is relatively thin here. I must be closer to the edge of the forest. That’s good… it will take them some time to reach me. Perhaps I can recover…”

Mana began to swim from the air and into him, Eobald controlling it to effectively strengthen his body and begin to fill his core.

After two minutes passed, Eobald coughed another mouthful of blood, streaks of it straining his face as his eyes turned blood shot!

“Well… it seems they were prepared. They weren’t going to let me live no matter what.”

Eobald lifted his clothing, a stab wound appearing that kept gushing out blood while a reddish purple discolouration could be seen on the skin surrounding it.

He slumped against the tree again and kept the mana coming to try and make himself last longer while he thought of a permanentsolution.

At that moment, Eobald’s keen ears heard footsteps of something running from the forest ahead. He turned his eyes and saw a goblin that was a distance away rushing down into the ravine.

‘Hmmm…’ he thought as he watched the goblin hurriedly search for something. ‘Its been a while since I’ve seen one of those…’

***

Skullius was jumping for joy as he saw the notification on his guidance field. This was a discovery that made him envision a brighter future where with his growth, he would definitely find this feature to be even more ridiculous than it already was.

“Finally! Tktktktkt! Something is going my way! You see this, Red bro?! I’ve got some good stuff too!”