Kael's crimson eyes burned with sudden focus.
"System," he whispered fiercely, "give me the Shadowfang Dagger. Now."
A ripple of dark energy flickered at his side. The Infinite Storage Box responded instantly. A sleek, obsidian-black dagger materialized in his right hand, its blade slightly curved, edges gleaming with a razor-sharp violet hue. Faint glowing runes pulsed along the fuller, and the moment his green fingers closed around the leather-wrapped hilt, a surge of confidence flooded his veins.
[Shadowfang Dagger equipped][Rare Starter Weapon – +15 Attack, ignores 20% Defense, minor bleeding effect]
He stayed hidden behind the massive oak, watching the carnage unfold with cold calculation. The wolves were already badly wounded, deep gashes across their flanks, one limping heavily on a shattered foreleg, another bleeding profusely from a spear wound in its ribs. The royal guards had done their job; now only two remained, backs pressed to the overturned carriage, shielding the sobbing noble girl.
The largest Dire Shadow Wolf, its muzzle dripping blood, let out a thunderous snarl. It lunged.
The final guards raised their swords in a desperate last stand, but it was too late. One wolf slammed into the first guard, crushing him against the carriage with a sickening crunch of breaking armor and bone. The second guard managed one final swing before two wolves tore into him simultaneously, ripping through steel and flesh in a spray of red. His scream died in a wet gurgle.
The noble girl screamed in pure terror as the four injured wolves turned toward her, eyes glowing with hunger. They lowered their heads, circling slowly, preparing for the kill.
Now.
Kael exploded out from behind the tree like a green blur.
"Get away from her, you bastards!"
He crossed the clearing in three powerful bounds, goblin agility far sharper than his small frame suggested. The lead wolf spun toward the new threat, jaws wide, only for Kael to drop low and drive the Shadowfang Dagger upward in a vicious arc. The enchanted blade sliced clean through the beast's throat, severing artery and windpipe in one fluid motion. Hot blood sprayed across Kael's chest as the wolf collapsed mid-leap, choking on its own lifeblood.
[Dire Shadow Wolf (D-rank) defeated!][+180 EXP]
The remaining three wolves roared in fury and charged.
Kael didn't hesitate. He rolled between the legs of the second wolf, slashing the tendons of its hind leg as he passed. The beast howled and stumbled. Before it could recover, Kael sprang onto its back, driving the dagger down into the base of its skull with both hands. The runes flared bright violet. The wolf convulsed once, then collapsed.
[Dire Shadow Wolf (D-rank) defeated!][+175 EXP]
The third wolf was faster. It lunged, jaws snapping inches from Kael's face. He twisted mid-air, using the wolf's own momentum against it. The dagger flashed again, carving a deep gash across its snout and eye. Blinded and enraged, the beast thrashed wildly. Kael danced around it with surprising grace, then plunged the blade straight into its exposed side, twisting viciously. Ribs cracked. The wolf let out a final, pitiful whine and fell.
[Dire Shadow Wolf (D-rank) defeated!][+170 EXP]
Only the largest wolf remained, the alpha, limping but still deadly. It circled Kael warily, blood matting its black fur. For a heartbeat the forest fell silent except for the noble girl's soft, terrified sobs.
Kael bared his fangs in a savage grin. "Come on then."
The alpha lunged with everything it had left. Kael met it head-on. He ducked under the snapping jaws, slid between its front legs, and rammed the Shadowfang Dagger up into its chest with all his strength. The enchanted blade punched through hide and muscle, straight into the heart. The wolf's massive body shuddered violently. Kael twisted the dagger once, twice, feeling the enchantments drink in the creature's life force.
The alpha collapsed heavily at his feet, eyes dimming.
[Dire Shadow Wolf Alpha (D-rank) defeated!]
[+320 Bonus EXP]
[Level Up! You are now Level 3!]
Kael stood in the middle of the blood-soaked clearing, chest heaving, green skin glistening with sweat and wolf blood. The Shadowfang Dagger dripped crimson in his hand. For the first time since waking in this world, he felt truly alive.
The noble girl stared up at him from the ground, wide violet eyes filled with shock, fear… and a flicker of something else.
A soft blue window materialized in front of Kael, the System's voice warm with approval.
[Main Quest: First Conquest – Progress: 0/1]
[Combat Bonus: +845 Total EXP]
[You have taken your first step toward godhood, Master Kael.]
Kael wiped the dagger clean on his rags and turned his glowing crimson gaze toward the trembling silver-blonde beauty before him.
His first real fight was over. Now the real game could begin.
Kael stood motionless amid the carnage, chest still rising and falling heavily. The metallic scent of blood and the heavy silence of the forest pressed in around him. He looked down at the Shadowfang Dagger in his green hand, then at the four massive wolf corpses sprawled across the clearing.
Holy shit… that actually worked.
A slow, disbelieving grin spread across his face. I didn't even know I could move like that. The way I dodged, the way I struck, it felt natural. Like I'd done it a thousand times. He flexed his fingers around the hilt, still amazed at how smoothly his small goblin body had responded. For a man who had spent his previous life behind a desk, this was nothing short of exhilarating.
The System's gentle, melodious voice spoke softly in his mind.
"Indeed, Master Kael. When I transferred your soul into this new body, I also implanted basic combat instincts and foundational martial knowledge. You will improve rapidly with practice, but the initial framework was a gift to ensure your immediate survival."
A soft, broken whimper cut through the air.
Kael's head snapped toward the sound. The silver-blonde noble girl was still kneeling on the blood-soaked grass, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her violet eyes were wide with terror as she stared at him, the small green goblin who had just slaughtered the wolves that had massacred her entire escort. Her lower lip trembled, and another quiet, frightened sound escaped her throat.
In that moment, a familiar translucent blue window materialized in front of Kael's vision, pulsing with soft pink light.
[Main Quest: First Conquest]
[Objective: Engage in sexual intercourse with any female of any race within the next 48 hours.]
[Current Time Remaining: 46 hours 12 minutes]
[Reward: +5,000 EXP, First Evolution Token, Basic Skill Unlock – Seduction Aura (Lv.1)]
Kael's glowing crimson eyes locked onto the trembling beauty before him. Her expensive dress clung to her curves, torn in several places from the struggle. Her porcelain skin was flushed with fear and exhaustion, and her long silver-blonde hair cascaded messily over her shoulders.
A dark, hungry spark ignited in his chest.
This… this would be the perfect start.