The fog... was disappearing.
Not all at once, but gradually — like a curtain being pulled back by the breeze of dawn. For as long as Lee Jun had owned this private dungeon, Goblin's Grove had always been surrounded by a thick mist, veiling everything beyond fifty meters.
But now, for the first time, he could truly see what lay beyond the fields.
Massive trees rose like ancient giants. Roots coiled over the ground like serpents. Thick, deep-green leaves hung heavy in the humid air. A forest — wild and untouched.
Jun stood atop a small hill in the center of the grove, eyes wide as he scanned the now-revealed land.
"So... we're in the middle of a forest," he whispered.
Behind him, Kang Minho crossed his arms, his eyes sharp. "Not just any forest. Look at those tree trunks — that's centuries of age. This place is ancient. Could be good... or very dangerous."
Jun nodded slowly. One thing was certain:Goblin's Grove was no longer sealed off.
🔥 The Funeral Fire
Before any exploration, the dead had to be honored.
Five goblin bodies lay upon a wooden pyre — three archers, two warriors. They had died protecting this land. Not as monsters, but as... citizens.
Jun took the torch from Godon's hand. With quiet reverence, he lit the base of the pyre.
Flames caught, licking upward slowly. Smoke curled into the morning sky — clearer than it had ever been.
Around the fire, the remaining goblins stood in silence. Even Godon, usually brimming with confidence, lowered his head and said nothing.
Jun's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
"You died for our home. For all of us. And I swear... you won't be forgotten."
There was no sobbing, no wailing — only fire, wind, and the deep weight of loss.
This was not just the end of a battle.
It was the beginning of something far greater.
🏞️ Discovery
The next day, with the fog nearly gone, Jun led a scouting party past the edge of the fields. With Minho at his side and a few trained goblin scouts in tow, they ventured into the woods.
They discovered a small stream to the north — clear, shallow, and peaceful. Its water could be used for irrigation and drinking.
Jun named it "Lito's Stream," in memory of the first goblin farmer who had died defending the Grove.
The scouts also reported:
animal trails,
claw marks on trees,
and the ruins of what seemed to be an old hut, now covered in moss.
Signs that this land was not empty — nor unclaimed.
"We're not just managing a dungeon anymore," Minho muttered. "We're building a settlement... in the middle of a wild world."
⚠️ System Notification
[Protective fog has thinned.][Goblin's Grove is now exposed to external threats.][Recommendation: Construct a perimeter defense.][New Feature Unlocked: Goblin Patrol Routes]
Jun read the message with grim focus.Trouble would come — wild monsters, rogue hunters, or worse.
But for the first time, he didn't feel alone.
🎁 System Rewards
[Defense successful.][Reward: 1x Goblin Evolution Token][New Feature: Goblin Titles — Unique goblins may receive permanent titles with bonus effects.]
Another notification blinked.
[Godon has earned the title: The First Shield][Effect: +20% defense when protecting allies nearby.]
Jun glanced at Godon, who stood proud beside him — his wounds treated, his spirit stronger than ever.
"It's time to rebuild," Jun whispered.
"And this time," Minho added, smirking, "we make it more than just a survival zone."