The river had guided me this far, its gentle murmur a constant reassurance in the otherwise chaotic symphony of the forest. The morning sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, painting the ground in fragmented gold and green patterns. Birds sang overhead, their cheerful tunes in sharp contrast to the tension tightening my chest. Every step I took was deliberate, calculated.
I had survived the slime encounter, but its lessons lingered like a pulse in my veins: one moment of inattention, and even the smallest creature could leave me bleeding. My legs still ached slightly from the skirmish, a reminder that this body, fresh as it felt, was not invincible. I had washed the wounds but it still ached till now. I adjusted my pace, careful to avoid snapping twigs or brushing against dry leaves.
Then I saw them, my blood turning cold.
Three greenish skin creatures glinting dully in the sunlight that filtered through the trees. Crude, jagged weapons clutched in their hands, eyes sharp and darting. Their small forms moved with surprising coordination, sniffing the air as if tracking some unseen prey.
Goblins!?
I froze. My chest tightened, and my heartbeat thundered in my ears. Every instinct screamed: do not move, do not breathe too loudly.
From my knowledge- Goblins are the creatures which hunts no name mob like me... and I have nothing to deal with them.
The goblins paused, sniffing in my direction. I flattened myself against the trunk of a massive oak, the rough bark digging into my palms. My mind raced, running through every anime survival trope I could remember. Step one: observe. Step two: avoid confrontation. Step three: adapt.
They didn't notice me. One goblin hissed and tilted its head to the side, sniffing again. My stomach knotted. This is it. They're going to spot me.
Then a small rustle from a fallen branch caught their attention. They hissed, moving in that direction, and I let out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh of relief. My legs had gone numb from tension, but I was still alive.
I crouched low and waited, letting them move out of sight before carefully continuing along the riverbank. Every movement was slow and deliberate, every step a test of patience. I reminded myself of the system's advice: humans tend to settle near water. Following it could lead me to safety — and civilization.
A few minutes later, I spotted the cave. Its entrance was partially hidden by vines and moss, the air around it carrying a faint, foul stench. From the shadows nearby, I could see goblins patrolling, carrying crude spears and crude tools. The cave's presence sent a shiver down my spine. Inside lived organized goblins, not the wandering creatures I had already seen. A direct approach would mean certain death.
And it was then that I realized it which I had been missing until now... every creature will reside close to water sources, even if it is dumb creatures like goblins.
That means that if I follow this water source I can find myself in a city filled with humans or humongous dragons who can kill me with one breath.
A double Faced mission.
Water is a basic resource which is important for every creature or race without any distinction.
I stopped. I studied the cave for several tense minutes, observing patterns. They moved in groups, occasionally disappearing into the darkness. I noticed how they sniffed the air and hissed at passing animals. If I ventured closer, I'd be trapped.
It didn't take me much time before my decision made. I would ignore it. Avoiding the danger entirely was smarter than risking a fight I couldn't win.
I know that taking risks can give me fruitfull rewards, but I am in no hurry to die. I can visit this place anytime when I have what it takes to deal with them... but not now.
I ducked lower, moving slowly along the undergrowth, careful to keep trees and rocks between myself and the goblins' line of sight.
There cave is at higher ground which makes it easier for them to spot me, so I have to take each step with precision of a die hard surviver to not get caught in the paws of death.
The forest grew denser here, branches forming a near-impenetrable canopy. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the ground, and the faint sounds of distant wildlife reminded me I was not alone. My senses sharpened. Every rustle, every birdcall, even the sound of my own breath became important. I had to be invisible, but aware.
Squelch
That was exactly the moment when I encounter something dreadful, something which will take my sleep of several nights.
My breath caught in my throat, eyes as wide as saucers.
A goblin as big as the grizzly bear just few paces away from me. His blissful moans echoing through the forest making every hair of my body stand.
A normal male goblin sat on the knee in front of that big bear like goblin. A certain body part of the bear goblin stood in it's full glory, hard as a steel and large as a bottle. It's sheer size was as big as my arm.
The normal goblin's hands worked on that bear goblin's love rod, stroking it with gentle force elicting blissful moans from the bear goblin.
My whole body shuddered watching the sinful scene playout, the big bear male goblin enjoying the service of normal male goblin.
And then followed what can be called a torture.
The bear goblin grabbed the head of normal goblin and forced his love rod in his mouth, the normal goblin protested but his strenght fall short in front of bear goblin.
The bear goblin slowly started forcing more and more of his love rod into the mouth of normal goblin. His eyes going wide, tears falling for the corner of his eyes, saliva dropping from his mouth.
The bear goblin started moving his waist holding the head of the normal goblin. Few blood drops started falling from the mouth of the normal goblin, but the bear like goblin was in a hell lot of pleasure, his eyes closed enjoying every second of it. While the normal goblin has that terrified look, his expression was painful to watch.
The speed of waist of the bear goblin increased with each passing minute, his moans echoed through the forest.
Watching it turn out even my mouth started to hurt... wait a minute, why the hell am I watching this!?
I whipped my head to the side, trying to calm my raging heartbeat and the growing dread of chances of death.
Was that the classic Case of goblin getting bullied
I stayed calmed and waited for the raging tornado to go. After some more painful moments I finally heard the sound of rustling. I turned around and the scene left me... shocked.
The bear goblin was moving towards his cave, his expression showing relive. But the normal goblin... he laid on the ground, blood and something white oozed out from his mouth, he twitched every then and now.
After the bear goblin was out of sight I stepped out from my cover and moved towards the spent unconscious goblin which has the painful look on his face.
The sight of blood and white substance coming put from his mouth made me disgusted enough to puke, but i still moved towards him with cautious steps to not wake him up suddenly.
A axe laid beside the goblin it's handle gleaming under the afternoon sunlight.
Carefully I picked up the axe with both hands, and moved towards the head of the goblin.
The axe trembled in my grip. With deliberate slow movement I raised the axe above my head, and took a deep breath.
One...
Two...
And...
Slich
[You have killed a goblin. +30 exp gained]
The axe teared through the goblins head planting itself on the ground, fresh blood flowed out from dispatched head of the goblin.
Can't miss the experience points.
In the world filled of unknown horrors and death on every step, each resource is necessary for my survival.
Even if it meant to kill a unarmed fucked up goblin.
"..."
Hours passed, measured by cautious steps and silent observation. The goblins' patrols moved in predictable cycles, giving me safe windows to advance. Each time I paused behind a tree or crouched in a shadow, I reminded myself: survival required patience, not reckless heroics.
The past incident was etched deep in my mind, and a swift death from these green creatures will be considered something generous.
I caught my reflection in a shallow pool of water — messy hair, bruises forming on my arms, dirt smeared across my clothes. I looked like a background character in a survival anime. And maybe I was — but I was learning. Adapting. Growing.
But my face has that unnatural charm- a sharp look that can make any damsel in destress fall for me... or I was just dreaming.
Anyways I quickly washed up my hands, splashing water on my face and combed my hairs with my hands.
The river continued to wind through the forest, a silver ribbon threading between trees and moss-covered rocks. Following it felt instinctual, as if the world itself was guiding me. I kept my eyes on every bend, scanning for threats, listening for the slightest change in the ambient sounds. A snapping twig, a shifting shadow, the low rustle of leaves — any of these could be a sign that danger was near.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of cautious movement, the forest began to thin. Trees spaced further apart, and a faint hum of life reached my ears. Voices, the rhythmic hammering of wood against wood, the distant clanging of metal. Civilization. My chest tightened with a mix of relief and anticipation.
But precautions are better than cure.
I crouched behind a tree for a moment, taking it all in. Smoke drifted lazily from a few chimneys, faint lights flickered through windows, and the faint scent of cooking food reached me. People lived here. They were humans.
Humans
I allowed myself a quiet, victorious breath. I had survived the slime. I had navigated the forest. I had avoided fucking goblins. And now, I was on the brink of reaching my first true goal in this world: civilization.
Leaning against the tree, I let my thoughts settle. The lessons of the jungle were clear: observation, patience, and strategic thinking were more important than courage alone. Each step taken with care brought me closer to safety, closer to opportunity.
And in that quiet, green wilderness, a thought solidified in my mind:
If I wanted to survive, grow, and carve my place in this world, I couldn't rely on luck, anime logic, or brute strength. I had to observe, plan, and adapt. I had to weave my path carefully, step by step, toward greatness.
I did it… I actually made it. After all that running, bleeding, and praying I wouldn't get eaten, there it is—people. Real, living humans. Smoke rising from chimneys, laughter echoing through the air… civilization.
I clenched my fists, a shaky grin creeping up my face. "See, Arya? You're not just some background mob. You survived."
But this isn't the end. It's the start. A new chapter. A new life.
No matter how weak I am, I'll keep moving. Step by step, quest by quest. I'll rise—stronger, smarter, better.
Because this time… I'm not giving up on my dear life.
[Congratulations for completing your first quest]
[Rewards issued: +50 exp, 1 gold coin, 10 silver coins, 100 bronze coins]
[Your patience is your biggest weapon: You won the 'GRACE OF BLOOD']
°End of Chapter 3°
Note:- If you are reading till here, then I am greatfull of you for you generosity of giving my creation a chance and spending you precious time in my story. I hope for a cooperation of author and a reader, we will weave through this journey together and find what will it lead us too.