Byung was done treating Murkfang, but something told him he might have made a mistake.
Questions would surely arise. Still, it wasn't in his nature to let someone suffer when he could help.
This wasn't something he could live with.
Kindness, after all, was the one thing that didn't require anything in return.
Maybe this was why he'd been brought into this world—to give his knowledge and help evolve this race as a whole.
"I can't believe I was reborn as a goblin... But maybe my purpose is to redeem this race as their messiah?" Byung muttered to himself, showing signs of a savior complex.
"WHAT YOU DOING THERE!? BACK TO WORK!" a voice screamed, startling Byung.
Murkfang had left a couple minutes ago, and Byung had already returned to the cave—though he'd been spaced out for several seconds.
He was distracted, standing in the same cave that seemed to have messed with his head. At the dead end, he found himself lost in thought.
He stared down that path, wondering if anything had been real to begin with.
What would happen if he decided to go back? Would it open up and swallow him like before?
Byung couldn't tell anyone about it until he confirmed it was real. But all of this could wait. He had to concentrate—there were talks of a ceremony to be held that night.
This was for those who'd been promoted, meaning he would participate. He wondered what they had in store, but it would also be the first time he'd be allowed to leave the mines.
Byung couldn't help but feel excited. The thumping in his small chest was proof of that.
Still, he couldn't let his guard down, not for a second. He was aware there was so much he still didn't know.
---
Byung returned to work and noticed the goblin he'd gotten into a scuffle with observing him closely, like some animal in a zoo.
It wasn't just Murkfang who'd caught on to his abnormal behavior—others were slowly noticing as well.
There were three types of goblins in this world: those dominated by lust, those dominated by violence, and a rare abnormality that appeared only once every few hundred years—the one in control of both.
But Byung was young. Far too young to have this much control over these urges. If anything, it was harder for younger goblins to keep their desires in check.
They worked and worked until the sun set in the distance, bringing an end to their daily labor.
Byung, alongside three other goblins, was selected. Two of the three had builds similar to his. The third was different.
The first two seemed acquainted with one another, conversing among themselves while Byung felt like the odd one out.
He was slowly realizing that work wasn't the only thing important here—socializing was just as crucial.
They were all seated in a carriage, transported by horse to an unknown location.
Byung was nervous. This was the first time he was leaving the mines to glimpse the world that awaited them.
A goblin sat beside him. The first thing Byung noticed was his smell—not as wretched as the others, showing this one actually cared about hygiene.
"I think we not meet," the goblin said, extending his hand. He had some etiquette, at least.
"Hello, I Byu-!" Byung stopped himself, aware they had no names—not yet, at least.
"...402. You?" Byung managed to save himself at the last second.
"That was close! I nearly slipped up!" he thought.
"402!? I 008," the goblin responded.
There was an air of innocence around him, but his shock at hearing Byung's number didn't go unnoticed.
He had slender limbs and a scar just below his right eye.
"008? You among first! That awesome!" Byung was quick to praise him.
"It nothing," 008 downplayed it. He should have gotten promoted much sooner, and compared to Byung's accomplishment, his performance paled in comparison.
It was strange for a number system to be in place, but Byung understood—this only meant they weren't worthy of names yet.
But how sad would it be to die without ever getting a name?
Byung couldn't imagine how meaningless such a life would be. It made him sad just thinking about it—everyone deserved a name, an identity to let the world know they existed.
The goblin who'd fought Byung earlier and collected money from him noticed they were getting along. Something told him to stay away from Byung, though.
They arrived at their destination as the carriage came to a halt. No one could contain their excitement—this would be the first time they experienced whatever lay beyond the door.
Byung could feel his heart pounding in anticipation. All they could hear were harmonic sounds and the stomping of feet.
This was music. It was the first time they'd ever heard it.
The door opened to welcome them into this new world. Byung was grateful to whatever god had brought him here. It gave him a second chance to become something other than a cripple—and for the first time in his entire life, experience fun.