Leon pov

  The forest greeted me with the smell of wet leaves, moss, and distant animal calls. But my mind focused on one urgent thought:

  I need water. I stink like a corpse.

  Even if my wounds had healed, the blood and rotten stench clinging to me were enough to attract every predator within miles. So I dashed deeper into the woods until the trees opened into a small lake, its surface shining like polished glass.

  For a moment my steps slowed.

  The place was beautiful—sunlight slipping through branches, insects dancing above the water, and the faint mist rising from the lake’s edge. A moment of peace.

  I leaped into the lake with a sharp splash.

  Cold water wrapped around me, dragging away the filth. I wiped the blood and dirt from my arms, my chest, my face. When the water stilled, I saw my reflection for the first time.

  Pale white scales. Crimson eyes. Sharp pupils. I stared for a few seconds, unable to fully accept this form.“…So this is me now.”

  My skin reflecting the faint glow of the lake. For one short moment, I almost felt calm.

  Crack.

  A twig snapped behind me.

  I instantly turned, water dripping down my face.

  Two small green creatures stood by the water’s edge, holding wooden sticks like weapons.

  Their yellow eyes glared straight at me.

  [SPECIES IDENTIFIED: Goblin]

  Barely three feet tall, skinny limbs, sharp teeth, and restless energy. I’d seen goblin illustrations in my old world… but seeing one in front of me was different. More alive. More disgusting. More real.

  They shrieked loudly, veins pulsing on their necks.

  Territory instinct. They were defending their land.

  I stepped out of the water slowly, analyzing their movements.

  They rushed at me, sticks raised.

  To my surprise—they were slow.

  I dodged left, then right, watching their clumsy swings pass through empty air.

  Either these goblins were weak… or I was got stronger than I realized. The battles against the lizardmen and Skynel had sharpened me. Strengthened me. My instincts moved faster than my thinking.

  As one goblin lunged forward, I stepped in.

  My claws pierced straight through its skull.

  The body went limp immediately.

  The second goblin froze for a moment at the sight of its companion dropping lifelessly—but I didn’t give him time to react. A single slash tore open its throat, blood spraying across my arm.

  They died. Quickly.

  I devoured them both.

  But—

  [Unique Skill Devour: NO VIABLE TRAITS DETECTED]

  Just as I thought.

  Weak creatures gave nothing. They were barely meat.

  I turned to leave—

  Branches rustled. Leaves trembled.

  I looked up.

  Five figures emerged from between the trees—four much larger goblins and another wearing bones and holding a staff crowned with a glowing crystal.

  The four were muscular, tall, and their arms nearly dragged on the ground. Rusted swords hung from their hands. Their eyes burned with hate.

  The fifth… slowly stepped forward.

  Skull mask. Bone necklace. Staff with a crystal.

  [SPECIES IDENTIFIED: Hob-Goblin]

  [SPECIES IDENTIFIED: Goblin Shaman]

  My heart tightened.

  These were no small fry.

  The Shaman knelt beside the corpses of the dead goblins… then let out a deafening screech that shook the leaves above.

  The Hob-goblins roared and charged at once.

  “Five at the same time… damn it.”

  I dodged them easily—speed-wise, I outclassed every one of them. But speed wasn’t enough.

  Their coordination was terrifyingly precise. Every time I slipped past one, another was already behind me, and two more closed in from the sides, boxing me in from every direction. I realized quickly that just dodging would get me nowhere. If I wanted to break this formation, I had to strike.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  I raised my arm, claws unfolding like hungry blades I used piercing claw.

  Two claws speared straight into the nearest hobgoblin’s chest—crack—ribs snapping like dry twigs. The other two claws tore through his arm and stomach, shredding flesh and muscle as he released a strangled, wet scream. His body convulsed around my blades before I ripped them free, blood spraying across the ground in thick arcs.

  The others froze.

  Shock flickered across their faces as they stumbled back, instinctively widening the distance between us. Their shaman hobbled forward, staff trembling, muttering guttural chants as the remaining hobgoblins growled and clicked their teeth in agitation. My attack hadn’t just wounded them—it had enraged them.

  Then the Shaman struck his staff into the ground.

  The crystal flared.

  A violent pressure filled the air—raw, untamed energy.

  The Hob-goblins’ bodies pulsed. Their muscles expanded. A burning energy wrapped around them.

  That same strange energy I’d felt before—only these goblins know how to use the energy.

  A warning instinct exploded in my mind:

  Run. Run now.

  But it was too late.

  One Hob-goblin appeared in front of me instantly—faster than before by several times.

  His kick slammed into my ribs.

  CRACK.

  I flew. Crashing into the dirt. Pain burst through my body.

  “What… the hell—”

  The second Hob-goblin descended on me, its sword stabbing into my arm. The steel burned with that aura—cutting deeper, hurting more.

  I gasped, forcing my legs to move. My counterkick landed, but it barely pushed him back. Compared to earlier, his body felt like iron.

  The Shaman pointed his staff at me.

  The crystal ignited.

  A spinning orb of fire formed—growing hotter, brighter—

  FWOOOOOM!

  A fireball shot at me.

  I dove behind a tree—

  It exploded, flames ripping across my back, scorching my scales. Smoke filled my lungs.

  The Shaman cackled. The Hob-goblins laughed.

  They were enjoying the hunt.

  “Shit. I… I can’t beat them. Not like this.”

  I turned and ran—ducking low, weaving between trees. The forest was dense, branches scraping my skin as I sprinted.

  But they followed. Fast. Relentless.

  Their sense of smell was strong. Their eyes glowed with bloodlust.

  My lungs burned. My arm bled. Every step sent pain shooting through my ribs. I couldn’t keep going—

  Then—

  Something in the bushes trembled.

  A massive flower burst upward, petals opening like jaws. Two black eyes rolled in its center, and its mouth split into a grotesque grin.

  It inhaled deeply—

  And released a cloud of thick purple toxin.

  [SPECIES IDENTIFIED: Deathbloom]

  “What—?”

  The toxin spread instantly.

  Two Hob-goblins inhaled it—

  They convulsed violently, screaming, foam leaking from their mouths as their bodies twisted unnaturally.

  Seconds later—

  They fell dead.

  Even the Shaman stumbled backward, shouting in alarm, covering his mouth with his robe. He barked an order—

  The remaining two Hob-goblins retreated immediately.

  A notification appeared in my vision:

  [Unique Skill “Devour” — Venom Resistance: Activated]

  I staggered back, covering my mouth.

  The Deathbloom bent its head down and began devouring the dead Hob-goblins with wet, slurping sounds… like a giant flower eating meat.

  “Hah… hah… okay—nope. Not staying here.”

  Even with resistance, breathing near that thing hurt my chest.

  I ran again—deeper into the forest—until I reached a massive tree with roots like walls. I crawled into the shadows beneath them, breathing heavily.

  My ribs throbbed.My arm bled nonstop.The burns still stung.

  “This place… is insane. Every step is death. Monsters who know how to use strange energy… plants that eat anything… venom in the air…”

  And I still can’t use that energy.

  The difference in power was terrifying.

  If I didn’t figure out how to control it…I wouldn’t survive.

  A sudden warmth spread through the air—a strange heat that didn’t belong to the forest.

  The wind shifted.

  I looked up.

  A massive shadow passed across the canopy.

  The temperature rose.

  Something blazed above the forest—a creature soaring with wings like burning suns. Flames trailed behind it, illuminating the entire forest in crimson light.

  It was enormous—larger than any bird I had ever seen. Feathers made of fire. Eyes ancient and wise. Each flap of its wings sent embers raining down.

  I didn’t need the system to confirm it because I already knew what it is.

  But it did:

  [SPECIES IDENTIFIED: Immortal Phoenix]

  My breath hitched.

  So majestic. So powerful. So mythical.

  A creature I never believed I would see in reality.

  Its eyes passed over me—lingering for a heartbeat. Did it recognize something in me? Or was it simply curious?

  Then—with a burst of flames—it rose, cutting through sky like a comet and disappearing from my sight.

  For a full minute, I didn’t move.

  Just stared upward, mesmerized.

  As the last ember faded, I whispered:

  “…This world is on a completely different level.”

  If I didn’t grow stronger—if I didn’t learn that strange energy— and my own skills

  I would die long before I ever had the strength to meet creatures like that again.