I Can See Evolution Paths

The notification appeared before Arthur’s eyes.

[King’s Mark Updated]

[Stored Guardian Spirits: 3 / 3]

[Guardian Skills Available: 3]

Arthur blinked and slowly touched the King’s Mark. "Guardian Veil," he murmured.

Golden light spread across his body, and behind him the light gathered into a familiar figure. Yasha appeared, not as a living spirit, not speaking, barely moving at all.

She simply stood peacefully behind him, her translucent arms resting gently across his shoulders, her cheek resting lightly against the top of his head.

Her eyes stayed closed.

A peaceful smile rested on her face, as though she were sleeping.

Nobody spoke. The Yan Tribe smiled through their tears. They didn’t see someone trapped. They saw someone finally resting.

After several quiet seconds, the image dissolved into Arthur, golden light wrapping around him completely.

Then Arthur disappeared.

Sun blinked. "Arthur?" he said.

Nobody answered. Silence stretched out.

Then, pinch.

"OW!" Sun jumped, whipping around. "WHO DID THAT?!"

Arthur silently laughed from wherever he was.

Athena suddenly felt a poke against her cheek. She spun around instantly. Nothing. She adjusted her glasses. "Interesting," she said.

Vedas rubbed his forehead. "Chief?" he said.

Tap. Another flick.

Kong felt someone lightly push his shoulder and immediately turned. Nothing there. His ears twitched. "Commander?" he said.

Arthur was clearly enjoying himself.

Then Mithra smiled without turning around. "You’re overusing it already," she said.

Arthur froze. Golden particles briefly rippled around him. "How did you know?" he asked.

Mithra smiled. "You always pat my shoulder whenever you’re excited," she said.

Arthur scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Do I?"

"You do."

Finally, Melo suddenly felt someone gently stroking one of her tails. She happily wagged every single one. "Arthur," she said.

Golden light faded, and Arthur reappeared.

Sun immediately pointed dramatically. "You used your amazing new Guardian ability," he said, "to annoy everyone?"

Arthur thought about it for a second. "I wanted to see whether physical contact still worked," he said.

Athena sighed. "That’s somehow a perfectly reasonable experiment," she said. Even she couldn’t argue with it.

Sun slowly folded his arms. "...You know."

Arthur looked at him. "What?"

Sun smiled. "I’ve been thinking."

Arthur’s eyes lit up. "Oh."

Sun blinked. "...Oh?"

Arthur nodded seriously. "You’re wondering how many people we could prank with this."

Sun frowned. "What?"

Arthur continued thinking out loud. "We could steal someone’s money." S

un’s eyes widened. "What?!"

Arthur nodded. "Or treasure."

"I DIDN’T SAY THAT!"

Arthur rubbed his chin. "We could even use it to enter those secret places we were ban from in the academy! Or maybe even steal those crystals–"

"I’M NOT A THIEF!"

Mithra smiled. "Hm? But why would you need invisibility then Sun? Of course it’s to start your bandit life."

Sun stared at her. "You too?!"

Athena adjusted her glasses. "From a purely tactical perspective... the ability would also be excellent for stealing desserts."

Melo, Kong, and Athy nodded in agreement.

Sun looked horrified. "WHY IS EVERYONE ASSUMING I’D DO CRIMES?! AND WHY ARE YOU AGREEING WITH THEM KONG?!"

Kong blinked.

Arthur looked confused. "So just pranks? Kind of a let down but I respect your choice, Sun."

"Us too."

"Could be better but fine."

Athy chirped and Melo nodded.

Kong patted him but had a look of disappointment.

Sun covered his face. "I hate all of you."

The entire village burst into laughter again.

The entire village burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere from moments earlier completely disappeared.

One little Goblin smiled. "Guardian Yasha is still protecting us," he said.

Another nodded. "She’s just protecting us through Arthur now," she said.

Raja quietly smiled. "A Guardian’s duty never truly disappears," he said.

Another notification appeared.

[New Title Acquired]

Guardian Affection

Given to one who has earned the complete trust and affection of a Guardian Spirit.

Effect

Guardian Skills may be used one additional time.

Guardian Skill recovery speed greatly increased.

Arthur read it. Then read it again. "Guardian Affection?" He tilted his head. "It sounds pretty cool."

Arthur quietly touched the King’s Mark.

And then warmth spread across his palm. For just a second, he felt someone gently pat his head. The feeling disappeared almost immediately.

Arthur smiled. "... Thanks."

Nobody noticed him whisper.

He looked toward the Yan Tribe. "Will you follow Vedas?" he asked.

This time nobody hesitated.

One little Goblin immediately raised both hands. "I will!" he said.

Another child jumped excitedly. "I want to become like Guardian Yasha!" she said.

A teenage Goblin shook his head. "No," he said.

Everyone looked toward him.

"I’ll become even stronger," he said. "I’ll surpass her."

Silence. Everyone remembered Yasha’s words. I’ll be looking forward to it.

The adults smiled proudly. "We promised," one said. "We’ll become stronger. We’ll protect each other. We’ll protect our future."

Elder Raja slowly stepped forward and knelt. "Chief," he said.

Immediately every Yan Goblin knelt with him. Hunters. Builders. Teachers. Children.

"Our Chief," they said together.

Vedas stood there for several long seconds and then he smiled. He walked toward Elder Raja first. He gently tapped his shoulder. "Thank you."

Then one Hunter.

Another hunter. "Thank you."

One child. "Thank you."

Another child. "Thank you."

He didn’t skip anyone.

Finally he stepped back and looked around at everyone. "I promise we’ll become stronger." He glanced toward where Yasha had disappeared. "We’ll surpass Guardian Yasha." Then he smiled. "So she never has to worry about us again."

The entire tribe cheered.

Arthur looked around at the cheering Yan Tribe and then he nodded to himself. "Good."

Everyone looked toward him.

He pointed toward the village. "Since Guardian Yasha isn’t here to secretly solve all your problems anymore you guys should probably get stronger."

The Yan Tribe nodded. "Agreed. We have been neglecting it."

Arthur thought for another second. "Yeah, and you should do it quickly."

Everyone blinked. "Quickly?"

Arthur nodded seriously. "Otherwise you’re basically just meat shields."

Every Yan Goblin froze.

One Hunter immediately frowned. "We’re not meat shields!"

Arthur nodded. "I know." The Hunter relaxed. "...You’re meat shields that can survive a little longer."

"..."

"..."

Several Hunters looked personally attacked.

One Builder stepped forward. "We’re stronger than that!"

Arthur nodded again. "I’m sure you are." The Builder smiled proudly but then he continued. "...Compared to beasts like a small rabbit or newborn boar."

The Goblin Builder froze.

One Hunter folded his arms. "You don’t know how strong we are."

Arthur looked genuinely confused. "I do." The Hunter blinked. "...You do?" Arthur pointed around the village. "Not a single Goblin besides the Hunters has evolved." He looked back toward the Yan Tribe. "You mostly have Hunters and everyone else is just a normal goblin."

One elderly Goblin quietly sat down. "...He’s right."

Another slowly lowered his head. "...We’re the weakest tribe."

Arthur nodded. "Exactly."

The Yan Tribe looked as though their souls had left their bodies. Some of them even fell on the ground and others were blankly staring up at the sky.

Arthur smiled. "So from today onward train like your lives depend on it."

Everyone looked toward him.

Arthur shrugged. "Because they do." He pointed toward the sky where the veil had disappeared. "Guardian Yasha already protected you for one hundred years."

All of the Yan Tribe had a bad feeling about the next upcoming words.

"Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to die next week and have to explain why you’re meeting her again so soon?"

The area fell silent.

One Hunter’s eye twitched.

Another clenched her fist.

A teenager gritted her teeth.

"...No." Another Goblin stepped forward. "We won’t."

One after another the Yan Tribe’s expressions changed.

Embarrassment became determination.

"We’ll catch up!"

"We’ll surpass the Mu Tribe!"

"The Su Tribe too!"

"We’ll become the strongest tribe!"

"We’ll make you eat those words!"

The entire Yan Tribe roared together.

Arthur watched them for a second.

Athena raised her hands, counting down from five to one. "Here we... Go."

He tilted his head. "Why are they suddenly so motivated?"

Sun sighed. "...You really don’t know?"

Arthur blinked. "I just stated the facts."

Mithra covered her mouth while trembling. "You accidentally challenged the entire tribe."

Arthur looked surprised. "I did?"

A Goblin Historian’s eyes shined. "As expected. The Prophet has inspired them once again."

Arthur rubbed the back of his head. "...I was just giving advice."

Raku puffed out his chest proudly. "Our Prophet truly understands Goblins!"

Luka nodded with a bright smile. "He always knows exactly what to say."

Arthur’s lips twitched and then he paused. The King’s Mark suddenly shone brighter and Arthur looked down.

[Goblin King’s Trial Updated]

[Goblin King Evolution]

[First Great Tribe United]

[3 / 3]

Arthur’s eyes widened. He slowly looked around. For the first time, the Mu Tribe, the Su Tribe, and the Yan Tribe were all talking together. Children from different tribes chased one another through the village.

Arthur smiled.

Mithra noticed. "What?"

He quietly pointed and she saw three little Goblins chasing each other between the houses.

One from the Mu Tribe. One from the Su Tribe. One from the Yan Tribe. None of them cared where the others came from. "They’re already one tribe."

Mithra watched them. "You’re right."

Arthur smiled. "The adults had to learn but the children never needed to."

Hunters compared weapons. Builders discussed repairing villages side by side. Elders laughed together beneath the trees.

The Kingdom of Dawn finally felt alive again.

Arthur smiled. "It’s really happening," he said.

Luka quietly looked around the village. "Voro would’ve liked this."

Mara nodded. "He would’ve started crying."

Luka smiled. "...Probably."

Sun looked around. "What about King Mu?"

Raku laughed. "He would’ve challenged every Hunter from the three tribes to a spar."

Mara giggled. "And lost to the children."

Everyone laughed.

Arthur looked around at the united village. "I think they’re both watching."

For a brief moment everyone paused before their smile grew even bigger and the celebration continued.

After a bit, Arthur quietly opened the King’s Mark and checked on the Cronwell Tribe. Several notifications appeared.

Recent Developments

[Forest Totem successfully repelled nearby reptile beasts.]

[Snake Beasts avoided the settlement.]

Arthur blinked. "They actually used it," he murmured.

Another notification appeared.

[Forest Deer have willingly entered Cronwell territory.]

Arthur blinked again. "Huh?"

Another.

[Wild Boars have begun following Goblin Hunters.]

Arthur stared. "Even the boars?" He laughed. "They’re making friends with everything. Guess they’re doing really well."

Sun looked around. "...Who?"

Arthur answered without looking up. "My Goblins."

Sun blinked. "They’re not here."

Arthur nodded. "I know." "...I’m checking on them."

Sun slowly looked toward Mithra. "...Is he talking to imaginary Goblins again?"

Mithra smiled. "Probably."

Athena adjusted her glasses. "It appears to be a recurring condition."

Arthur ignored all of them. "They even befriended the deer."

Sun sighed. "...Just make sure none of them have Yasha’s habit."

Arthur looked up. "That’s actually a really good idea." He smiled. "I’ll remind them to protect themselves too." He looked back at the screen. "I’m proud of them."

Another notification appeared.

[Goblin Hunters: Average Level: 20]

Arthur smiled proudly. "They’ve grown fast," he said. He closed the screen. "They’re doing great."

Then, crack.

Arthur froze. Another crack followed. Then another. Everyone slowly lifted their heads.

High above the forest, golden light spread across the invisible sky. The veil, the cloak that had hidden the Yan Tribe for one hundred years, was breaking apart. Tiny golden fragments drifted downward like glowing leaves as the barrier slowly dissolved.

One landed on a little Yan child’s hand. "It’s warm."

Another child carefully caught one. "It’s pretty."

An elderly Goblin smiled. "It kept us safe until the very end."

Raja watched the golden lights drift into the wind. "Our Guardian really has gone to rest."

Nobody cried.

They simply watched the golden lights disappear into the sky.

One by one.

And then the entire Yan Tribe quietly bowed once the last fragment faded.

Then the Mu Tribe bowed.

The Su Tribe followed after them.

Even though Yasha hadn’t been their own Guardian, they all recognized what she had accomplished. Silence filled the forest. Vedas quietly watched the last pieces of the veil disappear into the sky.

Arthur walked beside him and wrapped one arm around his shoulders. "When you become King," he said, "don’t ever think I’ll let you carry everything alone."

Vedas trembled, then laughed softly. "I know," he said.

The King’s Mark glowed.

[Synchronization: 63%]

Arthur smiled. "So it went up again," he said.

Vedas grinned. "Looks like it," he said.

Another notification appeared.

[Goblin King Evolution]

[Fourth Requirement Revealed]

Take the completed crown to the throne.

Have the Commander sit upon it.

Arthur’s eyes lit up. "We’re close," he said. "So unbelievably close."

He didn’t explain why. Everyone simply watched him smiling to himself.

Arthur reached into his storage, and the fragment Yasha had entrusted to him appeared in his palm. Vedas quietly reached into his own pouch, and the fragment King Mu had entrusted to him appeared as well.

The moment both pieces came close together, they began trembling. Golden light erupted, and the fragments floated upward, rotating slowly in the air between them.

Then, click.

The crown became whole. Ancient. Beautiful. Covered in old Goblin runes that pulsed faintly with light.

Arthur grinned from ear to ear. Without hesitation, he gently placed it on Vedas’s head.

Vedas instantly blushed. "Commander," he said.

Arthur laughed. "It looks good," he said.

Vedas immediately looked away, his face still red.

Sun walked around Vedas once. "Hm."

Vedas blinked. "What?" Sun nodded seriously. "You actually look like a king."

Mithra smiled. "I was thinking the same thing."

Athena adjusted her glasses. "The crown improves his presence considerably."

Arthur laughed. "You’re making him even more embarrassed."

Vedas sighed as his ears had already turned completely red. "You guys..."

One little Yan child pointed. "Our Chief looks cool!"

Another immediately nodded. "The coolest!"

Vedas looked even more embarrassed. "...Please stop."

Arthur laughed. "I don’t think they’re going to." He then gently pushed him toward the Yan Tribe. "Go," he said. "They’re waiting for their Chief to talk more with them."

The Yan children immediately rushed toward Vedas again, tugging at his arms and asking him a dozen questions at once.

Arthur suddenly felt warmth from the King’s Mark. He looked down, and golden light spread across the ground, a familiar golden trail appearing, leading deeper into the forest.

Arthur smiled. "...We are sooo close."

Mithra laughed. "You’ve said that before."

Arthur scratched his cheek. "...Okay. This time I actually mean it."

Sun folded his arms. "You also said that last time."

Arthur looked at him. "Details."

Everyone laughed.

Then—

ROAR!

The celebration instantly stopped. Another roar answered it. Then another.

Arthur slowly looked toward the forest. An orange glow burned between the trees, and a massive Blazefang Lion stepped into view, its burning eyes locking directly onto the village.

Behind it, more glowing eyes appeared, one after another, emerging from the darkness of the treeline.

Silence.

Then everyone realized the same thing at once.

The veil was gone.

Their home was no longer hidden.