It had been three days since I discovered Goblin's Grove.
The place… was still silent. Still wrapped in mist on all sides. But one thing was certain—Godon could live there. And for me, that was enough.
When I woke up that morning, a system notification appeared before my eyes—without me doing anything.
[New Skill Unlocked: Summon Tamed Goblin][Taming Capacity Expanded: 1 → 10]
I froze.
Ten?
My hand clenched into a fist. With that much capacity, I no longer had to lose them. I wouldn't have to watch the goblins I had tamed die one after another just because I left the dungeon.
And the summon skill... it meant I could bring Godon from Goblin's Grove into the outside world. I could fight alongside him without risking his life every time I left a gate.
I tested it immediately.
"Summon: Godon."
The air in front of me shimmered. In a blink, Godon appeared—whole, alive, and smiling faintly.
He looked at me and gave a slight nod. He understood.
His home was safe now. My job was to fill it.
I entered a public dungeon that afternoon, determined to increase my forces. My target: wild goblins—just like before.
But this time, I was alone. And this dungeon wasn't kind.
I crouched behind a crumbled stone wall, observing a small group of wild goblins feasting on a rabbit carcass. There were three of them. I only needed one.
Carefully, slowly, I stepped forward. I dropped my backpack, pulled out some dried food as bait, and prepared my rope. Taming wasn't just a matter of skill—it took patience. Timing.
One of the goblins looked interested, stepping toward me.
I relaxed my posture, lowering my weapon, channeling a calm aura like always.
Just as I was about to reach out—
GROAAAARRRR!!!
A dungeon wolf burst from the brush, slamming into one of the goblins. The rest scattered instantly. I barely dodged a bite myself.
"Damn it!"
There was no chance to tame anything now. But just as I turned to retreat, I spotted one of the goblins—wounded and motionless on the ground. Barely breathing, but conscious.
I didn't hesitate. I rushed in, grabbed him, held him tight, and activated my skill.
[Taming in progress…][Goblin accepts domination.][Goblin successfully tamed.]
My hands were shaking. I had done it—but only barely.
That night, I returned to Goblin's Grove with the new goblin.
Godon was waiting near the forest edge. He looked at the newcomer curiously, then gently guided him inside—like… he was welcoming family.
I sat on the soft earth, still catching my breath.
Only one. Out of the nine I still needed, I had managed to tame just one. And nearly died for it.
"I can't keep doing this…" I muttered. "If it keeps going like this, I'll die before I fill all ten slots."
I looked up at the dim, gray sky above Goblin's Grove. No stars. No moon. Just an endless, heavy mist pressing down in silence.
But when I looked down again, I saw Godon and the new goblin sitting side by side. They looked at me—saying nothing—but it was enough to make my chest feel warm.
"...But if this place can protect them, then I'll keep trying."
I clenched my fist.
Maybe I needed a new strategy.
Or maybe… help.