Talk with my brother. Trainee Goblin!

I dialed my brother after being done with the rats and the hidden quest.

He had called me 10 times? Was he that worried?

"Dood, Dood... Hello?" Finally, I heard my little bro's voice.

"Hi, little bro. How are you?" I asked.

"Woah! Bro, you can't believe what I say!" He started to talk with great enthusiasm.

"All of the crap you said about the game and the real world merging was true! I finally believe you now! You know a while ago, your crush Seraphim-"

"Shut up! Don't say anything about it!" I muttered coldly at him. How dares he mention it! Even the system has ears! I flushed in embarrassment. I hope Seraphim didn't hear it...

"Oh?! Shy, are you? Anyway, you must have seen it too. And you know what? My all-starting stats are 9! I'm way stronger than you! Hahaha!" He asked with no concern in his voice. Damn you! I thought you were worried, you just wanted to tell me this?

"I called you ten times already, why weren't you picking up?" He then asked the real question.

"I was in a battle..." I replied trying to contain my anger.

"Huh? Did I hear that right? You in a battle?" My brother's disbelief could be heard. "My brother, who always runs away from fighting or trouble was actually in a battle? Hahaha!"

Urgh, this jerk. I'm gonna beat him up black and blue.

"I am outside of the safe zone, that's why I had to fight," I replied in a fed-up voice. Anyway, since my brother sees me like this, it is my fault too.

"Huh? You are outside?" He asked surprised. "I thought you would be in a safe zone since you knew this would happen. Anyway, as you said, our school's two buildings became a safe zone. And I am currently in one of them with my classmates. You don't have to worry about me."

"Ok," I instructed my voice turned dead serious. "Little brother. Don't ever step outside of the safe zone until I go to you, no matter what happens, ok. Remember no matter what happens."

"Huh? Why are you so serious? We are planning to explore and save the students in other buildings." He spoke his voice filled with excitement. Damnit! His curiosity will kill us one day!

"I'm telling you. Stop them and wait for me. I will go to your school in a while." I repeated again. "There is a monster you guys can't handle outside. So stay inside the safe zone."

"Huh? Strong monster?" Maybe he finally realized it, his voice turned serious. "Ok. I will try to persuade them. But I can't guarantee they will listen to me."

"Good." I sighed in relief. "Remember, don't go outside. I'm hanging up."

"Ok, bro." He replied. "Just be a coward like you always do and don't fight, ok?"

"...Ok." Then I hang up. You could just say I'm worried why said insulting words?!

"But sorry bro, I can't promise that. I am already in a battle." I sighed as I looked at the map window in front of me. I saw many tiny red dots on the map and a white dot which was me.

Yeah, I accepted the hidden quest.

And I won't regret it, because I have an easier way to complete this quest. I asked the system if I could the map first then decided since the system said some things after I rejected the quest. It made me reconsider.

Anyway, I am already in the station's underfloor. Thanks to the map, I safely got in here by a secret door that was under the platform. I also discovered the monsters on the platform.

They were trainee goblins. The most cliche and common monsters in games and novels. Even though their level was 2 and above, so I could only Identify their description, level, and HP, MP. Unfortunately, I couldn't see their stats. But I'm sure they have the same stats as me.

I was also able to kill three Rats and one Mutated Rat on the way and gained 10 XP.

Then I stepped into the hall.

I was standing inside the underfloor hall. There were a total of 5 rooms according to the map.

I slowly approached the first door, my stealth active, taking care to avoid making any noise. As I drew closer, I could hear the sound of something being torn apart, the wet, squelching noises echoing through the hall. The smell hit me next, a sickly sweet scent of decay mixed with the coppery tang of blood. I fought the urge to gag and pressed on, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Hehehehe..." (Goblin)

As I peered through the slightly open door, the gruesome scene unfolded before me. A goblin was hunched over a mutated rat, tearing it apart with its teeth and claws. Blood and bits of gore were scattered across the floor, adding to the already putrid odor in the room. The goblin's skin was a sickly green hue, its eyes glowing with a feral hunger as it devoured its prey.

My heart started to pound loudly, revealing my fear.

Calm down! Damn it!

Now I know why the objectives changed. Mutated Rats number went down from 12 to 11. It must have decreased because it died by the goblin's hands or dagger, whatever.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself, trying to ignore the gruesome sight and overpowering smells around me. I checked the goblin's status on my interface, noting that it was injured from a previous attack.

[Trainee Goblin]

Name: None

Race: Goblin

Class: Trainee

HP: 49/60 MP: 10/20

This gave me the confidence to attack, knowing that I had the upper hand. I am probably sure it was injured from the Toxic Pounce.

After reaching a 1-meter radius, I gripped the dagger tightly in my hand, feeling the cool metal against my skin. Then I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the attack.

With a sudden burst of speed, I spring forward, closing the gap between me and the goblin in an instant. The sound of my footsteps was muffled by the wet sounds of the goblin's feast, and it didn't notice me until it was too late. I aimed for a spot just behind its ribcage, where a well-placed strike could take it down quickly.

As I lunged forward, I brought the dagger down with all my strength, the blade slicing through the air toward the goblin's vulnerable spot.

The goblin sensed my presence at the last moment, ah, you damn fool. It spun around to face me with a look of surprise and fear in its eyes.

But it's too late, you disgusting scary monster!

The dagger struck true, sinking deep into the goblin's flesh and delivering a fatal blow. The goblin let out a choked gasp, its body collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap. I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, feeling the rush of adrenaline pumping through my veins.

The task is complete! I killed this damn monster.

To make sure it was not playing dead, I fired a fireball at its face.

"Hngh!" It let out a low painful voice. I knew it hadn't died yet.

[HP: 4/60]

[HP: 1/60]

[Ding!]

[You have killed a Trainee Goblin Lv1]

[You have gained 7 XP]

[You have acquired 4 Gold Coins!]

[You have acquired a well-crafted dagger from the Trainee Goblin!]

Nice! Easy kill! Nice rewards!