Raizel felt the cool breeze against his skin as he emerged from the dense thicket, his senses alert, always on edge. His newfound abilities had given him strength—tremendous strength. But that didn't mean he could afford to be careless. The world around him was still dangerous. Predators lurked in every corner, and death was never far away.
The goblin den, a place that had once been home, was now just a distant memory. His journey had taken him far from there, toward the northern mountains where rumors whispered of the Beast, the one monster capable of challenging his growth. He had faced smaller, weaker creatures—horned rabbits, wild boars, and even packs of vicious wolves—but nothing had tested his full potential.
However, despite his power, there was something that gnawed at the back of his mind. A feeling of emptiness.
Raizel had seen what strength could bring. He had devoured, learned, and grown—everything a creature like him should do. Yet, amidst his victories, he was still alone. There was no one to share the spoils of battle with, no one to witness his power rise and fall. Even in this brutal world, the weight of solitude pressed on his chest.
But that was about to change.
The first time he met Drek, it wasn't in a battle. It wasn't over some shared interest or a strategic alliance. It was an accident.
Raizel was stalking through the forest, focused on finding something new to hunt, when a low growl interrupted his thoughts. The ground shook as something massive moved toward him. He froze, narrowing his eyes as he spotted a large bear-like creature emerging from the foliage. Its fur was thick, its claws the size of daggers, and its scent—wild, untamed—drifted toward him on the breeze.
Raizel didn't hesitate. His body moved on instinct, his claws already extended, prepared to leap. But before he could launch himself at the beast, something unexpected happened.
A flash of movement from the corner of his eye.
Drek.
A goblin, smaller than Raizel but quick—too quick. The young goblin dove into the fray with reckless abandon, his own claws slashing through the air.
The bear roared in pain as Drek landed a hit on its flank, but it wasn't enough. The creature turned its head, fury flashing in its eyes, and swiped at the goblin. Drek barely dodged the attack, but he lost his footing, falling onto the rocky ground.
Raizel's instincts kicked in. He didn't think. He acted.
With a savage roar, Raizel launched himself forward, his [Boar Charge] propelling him through the air. His claws sunk into the bear's side, and he twisted his body, pushing deeper into the creature's flesh. The bear staggered back, disoriented by the surprise attack, but Raizel didn't let up. He tore through the beast's defenses, sinking his teeth into its neck and ripping the life out of it.
When the beast finally crumpled to the ground, Raizel stood over its body, panting heavily. His heart raced with adrenaline as the hunt ended. He had done it. But then, his eyes shifted to the young goblin lying on the ground.
Drek.
The goblin was groaning, struggling to rise, his face pale with pain. His leg was twisted awkwardly beneath him, clearly injured.
Raizel's gaze softened just for a moment. He wasn't used to feeling compassion, but something about Drek's stubbornness, the way he fought even when outmatched, struck a chord with Raizel.
Raizel knelt beside the smaller goblin, his claws still dripping with blood. He could leave Drek behind. There was no reason to waste time helping another goblin, especially one who was so weak.
But for some reason, Raizel found himself reaching out.
"Get up," he ordered gruffly, his voice rough from the battle. "You're not dead yet."
Drek winced but nodded, pulling himself up with Raizel's help. He was smaller, much smaller, but there was a fire in his eyes—a determination that was rare in this world.
"Thank you," Drek grunted, clutching his leg. "I… I didn't think you'd help."
Raizel frowned. "I didn't do it for you. I did it for the fight. I wanted that bear. But you didn't run. That means something."
Drek grinned despite the pain. "I don't run from a fight, even if I'm not the biggest or the strongest."
Raizel studied him, taking in the younger goblin's defiant gaze. There was something in Drek that reminded him of himself. Not in strength, but in spirit. They were both outcasts in a world that rewarded only the strong, but Drek was determined to survive, just like Raizel.
"We're both here," Raizel said after a long pause. "We both want to survive. If you can keep up, you can stick with me."
Drek's grin widened. "I won't slow you down, Raizel. I promise."
And so, a bond was forged.
Over the next few days, the two of them moved together, hunting, fighting, and surviving as a team. Drek was smaller, weaker than Raizel in every way, but he had his uses. He was fast, nimble—he could scout ahead, find food, and distract enemies. His [Sharp Eyes] skill was useful, allowing him to spot hidden dangers that Raizel might miss.
Raizel didn't speak much, but he found himself beginning to enjoy Drek's company. It wasn't friendship in the traditional sense. Raizel didn't have the capacity to feel that way about anyone. But there was a certain camaraderie between them, something he hadn't felt since before his death in the human world.
Drek, for his part, was loyal. He followed Raizel's lead without question, and although he was no match for the monsters Raizel faced, he didn't back down from the challenges. He was the first to charge into battle, never hesitating to fight, even when it meant risking his life.
And, strangely, that made Raizel respect him even more.
It wasn't long before they came across their first major challenge together: a pack of large, predatory wolves. They had been tracking their scent for hours, the wind shifting with every step. Raizel could sense the tension in the air—the wolves were near.
Drek turned to Raizel, his face serious now, the playful grin gone. "Raizel… we'll need a plan."
Raizel studied the pack ahead. There were seven of them, far too many to take head-on. The wolves were swift, their teeth sharp enough to rip through bone. A direct attack would be foolish.
"We'll split them up," Raizel said finally. "You take the far left. Draw their attention. I'll handle the rest."
Drek nodded, understanding the plan immediately. Without another word, he moved to the left, his eyes locked on his target. Raizel followed suit, crouching low to the ground as he readied himself for the attack.
The wolves noticed them at the same time. They let out low growls, their yellow eyes narrowing as they prepared to pounce.
Drek threw a small rock to distract the pack. Immediately, one of the wolves darted in his direction. That was Raizel's cue.
He surged forward, launching himself into the fray. The first wolf tried to snap at him, but Raizel was faster. His claws raked across the wolf's side, tearing through its thick fur. It yelped in pain, and Raizel didn't hesitate. He sunk his teeth into its neck, ripping it open in one swift motion.
The others didn't take long to react, but Raizel was already upon them. The battle was a blur—claws, fangs, and blood. He moved with precision, his body a weapon honed by his hunts. But Drek was no slouch either.
He was fast, darting in and out, distracting the wolves with his speed, and when the moment was right, he struck. His claws were sharp, his small body quick, and together, they made a formidable team.
When the last wolf fell, panting heavily, Raizel stood victorious. He looked over at Drek, whose face was smeared with blood, but his grin was wide, triumphant.
"We make a good team," Drek said, his voice hoarse from the battle.
Raizel gave a small, approving nod. "Yeah. We do."
---
As the two of them continued their journey, Raizel felt something shift inside him. It wasn't just about devouring monsters and growing stronger. There was something more—something about having an ally, a companion to fight beside him. The world still felt like a brutal and unforgiving place, but with Drek at his side, it didn't seem quite as cold.
For the first time since his rebirth, Raizel didn't feel as alone.
---
Skill List:
[Devourer]
[Boar Charge]
[Tough Hide]
[Wild Fury]
[Rabbit Leap]
[Heightened Hearing]
[Sharp Eyes]
[Claw Slash]
[Pack Hunter]
[Sharp Bite]
(Just added the slightly useful skills)