Haaah… hah…
Everyone in the tavern was left gasping for breath.
Their chests rose and fell rapidly.
"Damn… who the hell was that guy?"
"Hah… could he be one of the world's nobles?"
"Impossible… didn't you see his clothes?"
"Maybe he sold his soul to demons… how else could someone possess such mana?"
The bartender took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart that felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.
Huuuu…
He shook his head slowly.
"I already feel sorry for those disgusting goblins…"
***
"Keek… keek…"
"Keek!"
"Keeekk… keeeeekk!"
Clapping sounds echoed through the forest.
Around a tree, four goblins had gathered.
They were throwing whatever they could find at the figure perched on the tree.
Chunks of meat…
Worms…
Flowers…
Spit…
On a thick branch, a female goblin clung casually.
With agile movements, she danced along the branches as if she didn't care at all.
"Keek! Keek!"
She looked down at the barbaric male goblins below her as if they were disgusting, worthless creatures.
With a look full of disgust, she snorted.
"Hmp."
She tossed her hair to the side and turned her head away from them.
Her curvy green body contrasted sharply with the bright green leaves around her.
"Keek! Keeek!"
Pat!
"Keeeek!"
Every time the male goblins tried to climb the tree, the female goblin threw fruits she plucked from the branches, knocking them back down.
She snorted once more.
Crossing her long legs, she suddenly noticed something.
Several rabbits and squirrels…
Running away with expressions of pure terror.
All five goblins turned their heads toward the same direction.
Three seconds…
Five seconds…
Then—
They felt a horrifying mana so intense it felt like their hearts would burst from their chests.
The eyes of the four male goblins widened in terror.
Without making a sound…
Without looking back…
They ran with everything they had.
When the female goblin saw them fleeing, panic filled her even more.
She hurriedly tried to climb down from the tree.
Just as she was about to reach the ground—
A footstep came from the bushes.
She jumped in fear.
Her footing slipped.
Thud!
She fell to the ground awkwardly.
"Kkeek!"
Tears streamed down her face.
Ignoring the pain in her twisted ankle, she forced herself to stand.
She tried to run.
Thud!
She fell again.
This time, her eyes filled with even more tears.
Turning toward the four goblins fleeing without looking back, she cried out.
"Kkeeekk!" (Help me!)
"Keeekk!" (Please!)
But not even one of the male goblins—who once would have done anything she asked—turned back.
The moment the female goblin felt the terrifying mana drawing closer behind her…
She began to cry.
Hic… hic…
Her thin strands of hair covered parts of her face unevenly.
Suddenly—
Her sobbing stopped.
Behind her stood a presence.
It had stopped walking.
Silently watching her.
"Keekk…" (I don't want to… I don't want to do it with you… you're scary…)
Her sobs rose again.
Then—
Two arms gently lifted her.
She froze.
Her eyes squeezed shut tightly.
Her lips trembled.
Step…
Step…
For nearly ten minutes, neither of them made a sound.
The female goblin did not dare to open her eyes.
Finally—
When she was placed back on the ground…
She braced herself for anything.
Then she heard a voice.
"I think this distance should be enough…"
Lior let out a tired sigh.
"Haah…"
He scratched his head slightly.
"I'm starving to death… I really need those 4 bronze coins…"
"Huh?"
The female goblin slowly raised her head in confusion.
There was no terrifying monster in front of her.
Only a young man.
She blinked several times.
Then…
She watched Lior's back as he walked away.
That back—
Did not look frightening at all.
Silently…
She continued staring at him in shock.