Wildness and Masks

"Thank you, my friend." A burly man with a scarred face, dressed as a swordsman, expressed his gratitude to the cloaked figure ahead.

"It's all your fault, Dalic. Insisting on going deeper into the forest, we almost got bitten to death by those demon wolves. Hurry up and thank him," the girl beside him scolded the brown-haired boy next to her, then also expressed her gratitude to the cloaked figure in front.

Judging by the girl's attire and staff, she was a typical mage apprentice.

"How is it my fault? Wasn't it you all who..." Dalic scratched his head, reluctantly muttering, but he still called out to the cloaked figure ahead, "Benefactor, how about we treat you to a meal?"

He thought this cloaked swordmaster, who could slay seven or eight demon wolves with one strike, must be a powerful and seasoned Professional, possibly even a High Rank one.

Seizing this opportunity, even if he couldn't become an apprentice, he should at least establish a good relationship.

"No need." The cloaked figure replied without turning back.

"Then how can we thank you?" The scar-faced swordsman wanted to approach but was momentarily intimidated by the cloaked figure's aura.

"Just do more good deeds, and remember to practice more when you return. You may not always encounter someone willing to help you next time."

The departing cloaked figure left behind some harsh words and then disappeared from the trio's sight with a leap.

"It's all your fault, Dalic! You scared him away," the mage girl slapped Dalic on the back of his head again, looking a bit puffed up.

"How can you blame me for this..." Dalic mumbled a couple of words, feeling like he came here not to be a warrior but a scapegoat...

"Alright, Nana, he's gone," the scar-faced swordsman stopped the girl's unreasonable behavior. "Perhaps this is what they call doing good deeds without leaving a name."

"It's a pity, I didn't even see his face. He must be a very handsome swordsman," the mage girl thought, suddenly becoming a bit shy.

"Maybe he's hiding his face because he's ugly..." Dalic muttered beside her, undoubtedly.

He received another smack from the mage girl.

"Don't talk nonsense! He must be a handsome guy who doesn't like to show his face..."

...

The departing cloaked figure naturally didn't know about the subsequent debates and speculations of the trio.

Of course, even if he knew, he would probably just smile casually.

Suddenly, the cloaked figure stopped by the riverbank, looking up at a small black dot in the sky.

"A griffin?" The cloaked figure muttered to himself in confusion.

He was just puzzled as to why a creature like a griffin would appear in the northern Demon Beast Forest.

The direction it's flying... seems somewhat familiar.

"Not good!" The cloaked figure seemed to realize something and hurriedly sprinted along the river.

As he ran, the hood of his cloak was lifted by the wind, revealing the face beneath.

It wasn't a handsome face, but it was free of scars.

If the girl saw it, she would probably scream and even resort to violence.

Because it was a green face.

The pointed ears and long nose revealed its identity—a goblin!

No one would have thought that a goblin's demeanor and physique could be more human-like than humans, and even its speech was in perfect Engodo!

If not for the skin, people might believe it to be an elf.

"Gorler..."

Suddenly, a giant crocodile emerged from the river, blocking the path of this unusual goblin.

"Te... Teacher!" The goblin, called Gorler, halted, recognizing the crocodile before him.

It was a standard Demon Swamp Crocodile, with the only difference being its eerie blue eyes.

And the human speech just now came from it.

Of course, the species of the crocodile wasn't important; what mattered was the voice of the crocodile—it was the voice of his teacher.

This indicated that this crocodile was one of his teacher's magical pets. Gorler remembered that his teacher had at least five such Demon Swamp Crocodiles.

"Gorler, why are you in such a hurry? Have you investigated the recent destruction of several nests?" the Demon Swamp Crocodile asked in human speech.

"Sorry, teacher... I just wanted to return quickly. I have roughly investigated the recent destruction of the nests. It seems to be mainly caused by a human Martial Artist apprentice known as the 'Gourmet'—he seems to have a particular hatred towards us."

Gorler's words conveyed sincerity.

No one would guess the insincerity deep within his heart.

Gorler never considered those who only knew how to burn, kill, and plunder as his kind...

In his view, those driven solely by desire deserved their fate.

"Very well, Gorler... You haven't neglected your swordsmanship recently, have you?" the controller of the Demon Swamp Crocodile asked with concern.

After all, Gorler was a rare strong goblin.

Even the weakest races might occasionally produce a few exceptional individuals, and once these individuals matured, their potential, intelligence, and strength wouldn't be inferior to those of legendary races.

Humans referred to such individuals as "natural-born heroes."

Gorler was such an individual.

It could be said that he was the natural-born hero among goblins.

In terms of intelligence, thought, character, strength, or any other aspect, he had surpassed the limits of the goblin race.

"Gorler never slacks..."

"Very good... Then, recently, don't go out. It seems there are some movements on the human side, probably preparations for the beast tide. We also need to prepare early... I will help you with your revenge—those ogres won't be arrogant for long. Don't rush, and don't do anything else. Focus on practicing your swordsmanship."

The Demon Swamp Crocodile's intention was mainly to advise Gorler not to cause trouble recently.

"Yes, teacher." Gorler nodded, responding earnestly.

But in his heart, he felt a chill—he had just been warned...

Yes, Gorler and this so-called teacher weren't of one mind; there was a resistance from the depths of his heart.

Perhaps it was because of the teacher's fantasy of ruling elves and humans? Or maybe it was the behavior of using his kind as materials at will?

Perhaps it was a bit of both.

In any case, Gorler didn't like this so-called teacher, only submitting to its strength.

'Perhaps in this teacher's eyes, I'm just a higher-grade material,' Gorler thought to himself.

"Go back..." The Demon Swamp Crocodile instructed before diving back into the river.

Only then did Gorler continue hurrying forward.

'I hope the village is okay...' Gorler just hoped his suspicions and unease were illusions.

Revenge, though important, wasn't as crucial as the village—it was where his hopes lay.

'With Gorivus there, it should be fine...'

Thinking of the 'brother' who had a similar experience to his own, a smile involuntarily appeared on Gorler's green face.

Having a true kindred spirit felt really good.

He always cherished this brotherly bond, believing that one day, he would lead his brother and followers to bring goblins into true civilization.

Gorler believed that one day, goblins would have the same status as dwarves and elves, no longer relying on plunder, coexisting equally with humans...

One day...

Maybe...

"Who! Who did this!"

The shattering and collapse of dreams often happen in an instant...

'Goblins also have their own savior.'

Gorler never forgot his promise to his fellow villagers...

But now, that promise would never be fulfilled.

"Why... Why take my family away again! Ah! Why!"

Gorler carried the cold body of Gorivus towards the tree.

He looked at the tree, recalling the past promises made here.

...

'You can speak human language too, what a coincidence, were you also raised by humans...'

'My name is Gorler, from now on, I'm your brother. Come and help me build the village...'

'I believe that we can live well without relying on plunder...'

Looking at the corpses scattered everywhere, Gorler's clear eyes gradually turned red...

"Go..." A goblin missing half its body suddenly made a sound from the pile of corpses.

Gorler quickly turned his head, staring at the dying goblin, and asked in Goblin language, word by word.

"My fellow, tell me—who did this!"

"Lu...%..."

Unfortunately, Gorler didn't get an answer. The goblin, upon seeing Gorler, breathed its last. Its previous struggle was merely an obsession and a flashback.

As Gorler approached, he discovered that the goblin had already used its blood to leave a pattern on the ground.

The pattern was of a strange mask—

A patterned mask.