Announcement and New Companion!

Gray slowly stood up from his bed, careful not to wake the sleeping goblins. He glanced over at Gobulus and Goburus, still snoring on the wooden floor, seemingly undisturbed by the blaring notification bell. Gray quietly walked towards the door, pushing it open with a creak.

Stepping outside, Gray was immediately struck by the sight of the dark red sky. The sun was barely visible behind the thick haze, casting an eerie glow over everything.

"What the hell is happening? Is there another announcement again? What's the catch this time?" Gray muttered irritably, while casting a disgruntled glance up at the ominous crimson sky.

Gray's attention was soon captured by a familiar, loud voice, one that he had heard when he was first transported to the forest - the very same voice that he had hoped he wouldn't hear again.

[ Greetings participants, Gibru is back! ] the voice boomed.

[ Did you miss me? ] Gibru continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

[ I know you guys don't miss me, so stop cursing me, you lowly creatures! ]

The vibe of his voice shifted, sending waves of fear to all of the participants at their own locations, causing some to fall to their knees and others to soil themselves.

Gray could feel the fear building up inside him, threatening to overwhelm him completely. He was about to give in to it, ready to fall to his knees just like the others, when suddenly a familiar notification sound chimed in his ear, accompanied by a flashing interface in his vision.

[ Ding! Your skill "Mental Fortitude" has leveled up ]

As Gray's eyes scanned the text notification, his heart rate gradually returned to normal. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. With his Mental Fortitude skill now leveled up, he felt a renewed sense of mental strength and confidence. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He took a deep breath and stood up straight, ready to face whatever announcement Gibru had in store for them.

Despite the overwhelming fear that had sent many to their knees and others into a state of shock, Gray and a few others managed to keep their composure and remain standing.

[ I'm just back here again because I have to announce something. ] Gibru said, his tone returning to normal. The pressure in the air dissipated as Gibru continued to speak.

[ As some of you may have noticed, the barriers that have been put in your respective territory will only last for 6 days. ]

[ After your barrier expires, the gods have implemented a twist - you will be facing a monster wave. ] Gibru announced with his voice that is steady and firm.

[ There's no need to worry. The gods aren't that cruel. We've provided an option for you to choose how many waves you'd like to face once your barrier expires. ]

[ There will also be server rankings based on how many waves you've cleared, and only the top 50 participants will receive a reward. ]

[ That's all I wanted to say. ] As he finished his sentence, the red sky slowly began to fade away, revealing the bright blue sky once again.

Gray couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness at the mere thought of facing a monstrous wave, but at the same time, he felt a newfound sense of determination. The idea of a challenge, and a potential reward, spurred him on.

He knew that if he wanted to increase his chances of winning the game, he needed to do his best. As he pondered the possibilities, his mind began racing with potential strategies and tactics he could use to clear more monster waves.

After thinking that he needs to increase his combat ability, Gray decided to go to his summoning altar to summon a new goblin servant. The same prompt appeared before him again.

[ Do you want to summon right now? ]

"Yes, I do want to summon now," Ray said as he wondered what evolution paths the new goblin would have this time.

As the same vibrant green light emanated from the altar, Gray waited in anticipation for it to dissipate. When the light finally vanished, he was left with two frail-looking goblins. He approached the two goblins quickly to check what evolution paths they had.

Gray now stood in front of the two goblins who were kneeling before him and the same notification had appeared again.

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[ Choose an evolution path ]

- Gunslinger Goblin ( Rare )

: Gunslinger Goblin is a small, wiry creature with an unnerving skill in firearms. They have sharp eyes and steady hands, allowing them to wield a gun with impressive accuracy.

- Archer Goblin ( Common )

- Warrior Goblin ( Common )

- Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin ( Epic )

: Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin is a rare and highly-skilled goblin that wields two arcane pistols with deadly precision. With a flick of their wrist, they can unleash a flurry of arcane bullets that can pierce through even the toughest of defenses. Their sharp senses and lightning-fast reflexes make them an elusive opponent, constantly darting in and out of cover while raining a relentless barrage of lethal shots upon their enemies.

[ Choose an evolution path ]

- Archer Goblin ( Common )

- Crossbow Shooter Goblin ( Rare )

: Crossbow Shooter Goblin is a nimble and precise goblin who specializes in using a crossbow as their primary weapon. Their keen eyesight and steady hands allow them to accurately hit targets from a distance, making them an excellent marksman in any battle.

- Berserker Goblin ( Rare)

: Berserker Goblin is a fierce warrior that specializes in close combat. They are known for their immense strength, speed, and stamina. When they enter a state of rage, their eyes turn red and their muscles bulge with raw power.

- Shadow Sniper Goblin ( Epic )

: Shadow Sniper Goblin is a master of ranged combat, armed with a high-powered sniper rifle and deadly accuracy. They move stealthily through the shadows, using their mastery of shadow magic to remain undetected by their enemies. When the time is right, they strike with precision and speed, taking down their targets from afar before disappearing back into the shadows.

Gray quickly made his choice, choosing the Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin and the Shadow Sniper Goblin. He knew that time was of the essence, and he needed to act fast to prepare for the incoming monster wave. These two goblins would be incredibly useful in the battle ahead, with their unique abilities and skills.

Gray thought to himself that the Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin's mastery of magic and guns would be a formidable force in combat, allowing them to take down enemies with deadly precision.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Sniper Goblin's stealth and ranged combat skills would be invaluable in taking out targets from afar, making them an excellent asset for the upcoming fight.

After hastily selecting the Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin and Shadow Sniper Goblin evolution paths, Gray witnessed a dazzling light enveloping the two goblins, causing their bodies to shift and transform before his eyes, much like Gobulus and Goburus before them. Once the light subsided, Gray was left gazing at his newly evolved summoned goblins, who stood before him with newfound power and abilities.

The Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin now carried a magnificent arcane gun that gleamed in the light, holstered at their side. The weapon was a work of art, crafted with intricate details and polished to a black sheen. It emitted a faint glow as if charged with some arcane energy.

Its previously ragged clothing had been replaced with a sleek and modern-looking outfit, complete with a long black coat that complemented the goblin's new look.

As for the Shadow Sniper Goblin, its skin has undergone a noticeable transformation, adopting a darker shade of gray that blends seamlessly with the shadows, making it even more difficult to spot in the darkness.

The goblin now wears a form-fitting black suit with various pockets and holsters for its equipment. Its high-powered sniper rifle is sleek and black, with a glowing blue sight that indicates its accuracy. The goblin handles the rifle with ease as if it is an extension of its own body.

The two previously frail-looking goblins now appeared capable of single-handedly taking down an entire group of monsters.

Gray expressed his satisfaction as he gazed upon his evolved goblins. "You guys look so much f*cking better now!" he exclaimed. The expected prompt asking for their names appeared soon after.

[ Set a name for the Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin ]

[ Set a name for the Shadow Sniper Goblin ]

Gray looked at the two goblins for a moment, contemplating the perfect names for them. Finally, he decided on "Gobryx" for the Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin and "Gobius" for the Shadow Sniper Goblin. He then proceeded to check the interface of both goblins.

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[ Dual Arcane Pistolero Goblin ] ( Epic )

- Name: Gobryx ( M )

- Level: 1

- Traits: Ambidextrous, Fearless, Resourceful

- Loyalty: 85/100

- Skills: ( Unselected )

[ Shadow Sniper Goblin ] ( Epic )

- Name: Gobius ( M )

- Level: 1

- Traits: Patient, Analytical, Perceptive

- Loyalty: 85/100

- Skills: ( Unselected )

"Nice, these are some pretty d*mn useful traits," Gray remarked as he inspected the interface of his goblins. "Now, it's time for choosing their skills," he added with excitement.