Chapter 23: Goblin City

As they moved deeper into the goblin city, they saw more of the goblins' way of life. Houses lined the streets, built in neat rows with proper stone foundations. There were shops, too, blacksmiths hammering out weapons and armor, merchants haggling over prices for goods. The city was functional, alive, and organized.

The goblin children were playing in the streets, kicking around a ball made of leather, laughing and yelling. Elderly goblins sat outside their homes, watching the kids with tired but peaceful expressions. It was a quiet, peaceful life, nothing like the monsters he'd fought in the past.

John and Muwi stopped near what looked like the center of the city, where a larger building stood. It had a more ornate design, with totems of wood and bone surrounding it. Guards stood at the entrance, watching everything.

"That's gotta be the king's place," Muwi whispered, though no one could hear them.

John nodded, but what caught his attention was the goblin walking into the building. He was taller than the rest, cloaked in animal skins, and carried a staff. The way he moved, the aura around him, gave away his rank, an A-rank shaman, the leader of this city.

They moved closer, as they listened to the conversations of the goblins nearby, they began to understand. These weren't the usual goblins. They weren't savage beasts looking to raid human settlements or cause chaos. These goblins had mutated, evolved into something more. They weren't monsters anymore, they were humanoids, just trying to live in peace.

"Do you think the kingdom knows about this?" Muwi asked, narrowing his eyes.

John sighed, "If they do, they probably see them as a threat." He glanced around at the families walking peacefully through the city. "If these goblins are this organized, they might see them as competition. Or worse, a potential rival."

"Could be why they want us to wipe them out," Muwi added. "The kingdom probably doesn't want anyone else rising up."

John rubbed his chin, thinking. This wasn't just a random goblin camp raid anymore. These goblins had their own city, their own lives. Killing them now would feel more like an execution than a mission. He had to figure out what to do next.

....

John and Muwi, after seeing the goblin city and hearing what they had, decided to handle this situation differently. They couldn't just treat this like a simple quest anymore. This wasn't some random camp to clear out.

"Let's head out first," John said, glancing at the goblin families moving about their lives. "We can't just walk around invisible forever."

Muwi nodded, and the two quietly slipped out of the city and made their way back to the forest. Once outside, John opened his command interface again and deactivated the invisibility. His square fingers typed quickly: , and they reappeared in the real world, visible once more.

"Alright, this time we go in as travelers, not adventurers. No quest, no killing," John muttered as they started walking back toward the city gates.

"Think they'll buy it?" Muwi asked, already sizing up the guards they'd seen earlier.

"They have to. Fuck the quest," John thought, not caring if the kingdom wanted these goblins dead. They weren't monsters. They were just trying to live, and he wasn't going to be the one to wipe them out for some kingdom's agenda.

As they approached the city gates, two goblin guards immediately stepped forward, blocking their path with spears in hand. They were about as tall as John's chest but looked well-trained, with green skin and strong muscles beneath their armor.

"Halt! Who are you, and why are you here?" one of the guards barked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"We're just travelers," John said, holding his hands up in a non-threatening manner. "We've been exploring the Nuki forest and came across your city by accident."

The guards exchanged a quick look, clearly not buying it right away. One of them turned and silently slipped back toward the city, likely running off to inform someone higher up. The other guard stayed in front of them, keeping a firm grip on his spear. "Wait here."

John crossed his arms, trying to keep things cool. Muwi sat on his shoulder, watching everything carefully. They didn't have to wait long before the guard returned, with the king.

The goblin king stepped forward, flanked by a group of guards, his old but imposing figure leading the way. His long white beard reached his chest, and his bald head gleamed in the sunlight. Despite his age, his bright green eyes were sharp, and his wrinkled skin gave him a wise, human-like face.

"Who are you, and why do you come to my city?" the goblin king asked, his voice steady but filled with authority.

John knew this was the moment. He couldn't afford to slip up. "We're travelers, exploring the forest. We didn't know this city existed and came across it by chance. No harm intended."

The king studied John for a long moment, his brilliant green eyes scanning him and Muwi. After what felt like an eternity, he finally nodded. "Very well. You will follow me."

The guards didn't seem to relax much, but they stepped aside, letting John and Muwi enter the city. As they walked through the streets, goblins of all ages stopped to stare, their curious eyes locked on the two outsiders.

Children peeked out from behind houses, and elders watched from their doorsteps. The whole city seemed to pause, and John couldn't blame them. It's not every day two travelers just stroll into a hidden goblin city.

The king led them toward the large house they had seen earlier, the one marked with totems and guarded heavily. As they entered, John noticed the inside was simple but homey. It wasn't a royal palace or anything fancy, just a large home.

They were led into a dining area where a goblin woman, as old as the king, sat. She had long gray hair and wore simple robes. Two younger goblins were with her, one male and one female.