Vex—now Theron—gasped as transformation began. His small goblin frame expanded, growing from four feet to nearly six feet tall. His scarred green skin darkened to forest-green and thickened with muscle. His missing eye regenerated, golden iris forming where empty socket had been.
When the light faded, he stood transformed—a hobgoblin with commanding presence, his body radiating strength and intelligence that hadn't existed before.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[NAMING SUCCESSFUL: VEX → THERON][EVOLUTION: GOBLIN → HOBGOBLIN (LEADER VARIANT)][NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED: TRACKING MASTERY, SURVIVAL INSTINCT, LEADER'S PRESENCE]
Theron stared at his transformed hands—larger, stronger, capable. He looked at Satou with expression of absolute loyalty and wonder.
"I will serve this settlement until death," he said, voice deeper and more resonant than before.
