Other monsters prowled the shadows. Dangers he couldn't even imagine yet waited in the wilderness.
But tonight, they'd proven something important.
They could fight. They could win. They could survive.
And with each passing day, each new skill acquired, each goblin evolved, they would grow stronger.
The thought brought a grim smile to Satou's face.
Let them come, he thought. Humans. Monsters. Whatever this world wants to throw at us. We'll adapt. We'll overcome.
Because that's what survivors do.
Three Days Later
The cave had transformed.
What had once been a simple hollow in the rock was now something approaching a proper settlement. Using his Earth Manipulation skill during moments of high mana, Satou had expanded the main chamber and created three additional rooms—one for storage, one for the wounded, and one for sleeping quarters.
The walls were reinforced with compacted earth, making them stronger and more stable. A crude ventilation shaft had been carved upward, allowing smoke from their cooking fires to escape without filling the cave.
Outside, Grimnir had overseen the construction of simple wooden fortifications using fallen branches and vines. It wouldn't stop a determined attack, but it would slow enemies down and give the defenders time to react.
The goblin population had stabilized at twenty-one—four losses from the wolf attack bringing them down from twenty-five. It was fewer than Satou wanted, but everyone who remained was alive and recovering.
More importantly, they were organizing.
Grimnir had taken charge of defense and combat training. Every day, he drilled the fighters in basic formations and tactics, using the principles Satou had demonstrated during their escape from the cave. The regular goblins were still weak individually, but they were learning to fight as a unit.
Lyra had assumed the role of logistics coordinator. She kept track of food supplies, organized foraging parties, and ensured the wounded received proper care. Under her management, their daily operations ran smoothly despite limited resources.
Jessica and Kelvin had become something like junior officers, respected by the other goblins for their courage during the wolf attack and their close relationship with Satou. They helped relay orders and kept morale up during difficult moments.
And Satou...
Satou had become their leader. Not officially—there'd been no ceremony or formal declaration. But everyone understood that he was the one making the important decisions, the one guiding their survival.
It was a role he'd never wanted but couldn't avoid.
On the morning of the fourth day, Satou gathered the goblins for an announcement.
"My mana's fully recovered," he said, addressing the assembled group. "Which means I can perform more namings today. Five more of you will evolve into Hobgoblins."
Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. Every unnamed goblin looked at him with desperate hope.
"I'm selecting based on contribution and need," Satou continued. "First, our wounded who've recovered enough to handle the transformation. You've suffered for this group and deserve the strength to protect yourselves. Second, our scouts who risk their lives finding food and water. Third, one fighter who shows exceptional skill and dedication."
He'd spent the last three days observing everyone, noting who worked hardest, who showed initiative, who could be trusted. The decisions hadn't been easy, but they were necessary.
One by one, he called forward the chosen goblins.
Two former wounded—a male who'd taken a sword wound protecting others during the escape, and a female who'd been burned by a human mage's fire spell.
Two scouts—both young and fast, with sharp eyes and sharper instincts.
One fighter—a goblin who'd fought bravely during the wolf attack despite his small size and lack of experience.
Satou placed his hand on each head in turn and spoke their new names.
"Your name will be Ragar," he told the wounded male. "May you grow strong enough to shield those who cannot protect themselves."
"Your name will be Mira," he said to the burned female. "May you rise from your pain stronger than before."
"Your name will be Finn," he told the first scout. "May your eyes see danger before it arrives."
"Your name will be Kira," he said to the second scout. "May your speed carry you through any peril."
"Your name will be Torn," he told the small fighter. "May your courage inspire others to stand when they would flee."
Each naming drained three mana points. Each transformation filled the cave with brilliant light. And when the light faded, five new Hobgoblins stood where regular goblins had been moments before.
The changes were dramatic. Height increased by a foot or more. Muscles developed where there had been only skin and bone. Eyes became sharper, more intelligent. Movements gained grace and power.
They were no longer prey.
Satou watched them examining their new bodies with wonder and felt a surge of satisfaction. Twenty-one goblins total. Nine of them now Hobgoblins. Twelve still waiting for their turn.
At this rate, everyone will be evolved within a week.
But even as he thought it, Satou knew that wouldn't be fast enough. The forest was dangerous. The humans were still out there. And according to Finn, one of their scouts, there were signs of other intelligent beings in the area—tracks that didn't belong to any animal he recognized, carved marks on trees that suggested territorial boundaries.
They weren't alone in this forest.
And eventually, whoever else lived here would notice a tribe of goblins settling in their territory.
Satou pushed the worry aside for now. Today was about celebration. His people and yes, he'd started thinking of them as his people had earned this moment of hope.
"Tonight, we feast!" he announced, drawing cheers from the assembled goblins. "We have wolf meat to spare, and tomorrow we'll discuss our next steps. But tonight, we celebrate survival!"
The goblins roared their approval, and for the first time since this nightmare began, Satou allowed himself to genuinely smile.
They'd come so far from that desperate escape through blood-soaked tunnels. They'd built something here, fragile and new, but real.
A home. A community. A chance at survival.
And Satou would do whatever it took to protect it, right now he should follow the others and have a feast .