Chương 7: I Need To Get Stronger

"Alright, alright. First—you're getting snot on me. Second..." Satou let out a long sigh, dragging his hand down his face, trying to wipe off the mess. "I'm not planning to die tomorrow," he added, his tone suddenly sharp, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

"But if I do, I want you two to have all my stuff."

Inside, he groaned. Like I even own anything valuable. What's there to inherit my dirty rags ? Great treasure.

Goblin 1 gasped dramatically, eyes sparkling with hunger. "Can I eat you whole once you die?" he asked, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. He even licked his lips as if he was already imagining the taste.

Satou's jaw nearly dropped to the ground. He turned slowly to look at the goblin, a horrified expression plastered across his face. "You're… joking, right? About eating me?" He forced out a chuckle, but it sounded more like a dying donkey.

Goblin 1 just stared back at him silently, lips curling into a wide, eerie grin. His teeth gleamed in the cave's dim glow, and his little chest heaved with excitement, like he had just won the lottery. That smile alone gave Satou the answer he didn't want.

"...Yeah, nope. I definitely need to survive. And I definitely need to leave this damn cave before these things decide I'm their dinner special," Satou muttered, rubbing his temple.

But before he could sink deeper into despair, two smaller goblins waddled toward him. A girl and a boy. The girl grabbed Satou's hand tightly and said, "Big brother."

Her voice snapped him out of his gloom. He looked down at her blinking eyes and messy hair. "Oh, it's you guys. What's wrong?"

"Brother, I want to be with you," she said softly. Meanwhile, the boy clung to Satou's other hand, gripping so hard it almost hurt.

Satou looked between them—Jessica and Kelvin, the two he had named. They gazed at him with wide, innocent eyes, as if he really was family. For a second, he felt something tug at his chest. They see me as their big brother… but protecting them in this condition will get me killed. I can barely protect myself.

"Big brother, are you okay?" Jessica asked again, her eyes round and sparkling like tiny stars, full of concern.

Satou smiled despite himself. He reached out and ruffled her hair gently. "I'm okay. Thanks for worrying about me."

Both Jessica and Kelvin's faces lit up instantly. Their smiles were so bright, Satou almost forgot he was stuck in a death trap full of goblins. He chuckled. I'm really getting used to these kids. Damn it, they're too adorable. I can't let myself get attached…

His smile faded as his thoughts shifted. I need to practice my new skills. The big goblin still blocks the exit, and the others are everywhere. If I can't get stronger before tomorrow, I won't survive.

He took a deep breath and looked at the two kids holding onto him. "I'm going somewhere. You guys stay right here." Gently, he peeled their tiny hands off his arms.

Jessica's face scrunched up, and her lip trembled. "Where are you going, Big Brother? Can I come with you?" she asked, her eyes glistening with tears, voice shaky like she was about to cry.

"Don't worry, Jessica. I'll be right back. Big brother just needs to take care of something," Satou reassured her, forcing a smile.

Then he turned to Kelvin and crouched to eye-level. "Kelvin, protect your little sister. Don't let her out of your sight. Got that?"

"Yes, I will," Kelvin said, nodding hard like a soldier taking orders.

"Good." Satou patted his shoulder. "I'm counting on you."

He stood up and walked toward the darker tunnels. The two children stood still, staring after him until the shadows swallowed him completely.

Satou moved deeper into the cave, where the light of glowing fungi dimmed and shadows thickened like curtains. He glanced around, listening carefully. The air smelled damp and earthy, every sound echoing far too loud.

"This should be a good spot," he muttered. "Time to see what I've got."

He cleared his throat. "Open skill sets."

A soft chime rang, followed by glowing text appearing before him.

[Skill Menu]

Goblin's Iron Stomach

Demon Wolf Enhanced Senses

Satou tilted his head, frowning. "Great. So basically, I can digest garbage and hear things better. Wonderful. No combat skills.

I'm doomed." He let out a long groan, throwing his hands up. "How the hell am I supposed to survive tomorrow like this?!"

He slumped against the wall. I only get stronger when I eat things, but there's nothing left to eat here… unless I start chewing rocks like a goat. Even then, what's that gonna give me? Rock Teeth?

Then—

Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.

A faint scratching noise echoed through the tunnel. Satou's ears twitched thanks to his wolf senses. He tensed, crouching low. His eyes adjusted to the dark, catching slight movement.

From between two rocks, a small black-scaled snake slithered out, no longer than Satou's arm. Its forked tongue flickered rapidly, tasting the air. It was clearly young, but something about it radiated danger.

Satou swallowed hard. A snake? That's new. What the hell is it doing here?

A sudden rustling caught his ear. A beetle crawled out of its burrow nearby, its shell rough and jagged like carved stone. About six inches long, its antennae twitched as it searched for scraps of moss.

The snake's tongue flicked faster. Its body coiled tight, ready to strike. Satou held his breath, gripping a rock.