2nd Phase Evolution Path – I

Gobryx, ever quick to explain, stepped forward and filled Gobbie in on the situation. "Gobbie, it's the boss. He used his newly acquired teleportation skill to join us here. It caught us off guard too, but everything's fine," Gobryx clarified, his voice tinged with reassurance.

Gobbie's initial surprise gave way to a wide smile of relief. "Boss! I can't believe it's you! I'm glad you're here," he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine joy.

Gray returned the smile, appreciating Gobbie's enthusiasm. "It's good to see you too, Gobbie. I wanted to check on everyone and see how things were going. Looks like you've been doing a great job here," Gray commended, glancing around the lizard men's territory.

As Gray's group proceeded further into the lizard men's territory, they approached a gathering of goblins who were engaged in tasks. The sight of Gray's arrival sparked surprise and confusion among them, but Gobryx swiftly stepped forward to clarify the situation.

The goblins exchanged bewildered glances before their expressions transformed into smiles of relief upon realizing Gray's presence. One by one, they greeted him with enthusiasm and gratitude.

Gray acknowledged their warm welcome with a nod. "Good to see all of you too."

The goblins then led Gray to the area where they had stored the fruits of their labor—the crates containing the iron steel ores and coal they had mined themselves. Goburus, the Scythelord Goblin pointed out the crates they had found in the lizard men's territory as well.

"Boss, here are the crates with the iron steel ores and coal," Gobmir informed, gesturing towards the neatly stacked crates.

Gray's eyes scanned the crates, taking note of the abundant reserves. "Impressive work. This will greatly contribute to our territory. Well done, everyone."

The goblins beamed with pride, their chests swelling with a sense of accomplishment as Gray complimented them.

Impressed by the goblins' hard work, Gray efficiently stored the crates of iron steel ores, and coal in his inventory.

[ Newly Acquired! ]

- Iron Steel Ore ( x246 )

- Coal ( x156 )

"Not bad at all. These resources will come in handy," Gray thought to himself as he assessed the total amount collected by the goblins.

Gray turned to Gobusuke and asked, "Did you make sure to hide the mines?"

Gobusuke nodded confidently. "Yes, my lord. We've put the covers back on the mines. They're well concealed."

"Good," Gray replied with a satisfied nod. He then addressed the group, "Alright, everyone. It's time to head back to our territory. I'll teleport there first, and Gobmir, since your abilities are not needed for retreat, I'll teleport you as well. I'll be waiting for the rest of you. Remember to stay sharp as always."

With that matter concluded, activated his teleportation skill and disappeared, taking Gobmir with him, leaving the remaining goblins to make their way back to the territory.

Gobusuke, the captain of the goblins, took charge and ordered Gobrielle to summon horses to expedite their journey. Understanding the urgency, Gobrielle complied and summoned average horses, knowing they would significantly shorten their travel time back to the End Forest City.

One by one, the goblins mounted the horses, ready to embark on the return journey. With resolution in their eyes, they set off, riding swiftly through the territory and beyond. The rhythmic sound of hooves echoed through the forest as they made their way back.

After a while, the group arrived at their destination—the territory they called home. The sky had grown dark, casting a blanket of tranquility over the surroundings. The familiar sights and sounds greeted them, instilling a sense of comfort and belonging.

The journey had been peaceful, devoid of encounters with any enemy monsters. They dismounted their horses, their expressions filled with gratitude and relief for the safe return.

After dismounting their horses, Gobrielle took a step forward and released a gentle wave of magic, causing the summoned horses to dissipate into ethereal wisps. With their means of transportation gone, the goblins gathered their belongings and began to make their way towards Gray's location within the territory.

As they approached Gray, the goblins synchronized their movements and simultaneously kneeled before him, a display of respect and acknowledgment for their leader's presence.

Gray smiled warmly at their gesture and spoke with a tone of pride, "Welcome back to the territory, everyone! You have all done an excellent job on this mission as well. You've shown great dedication and skill. Now, each of you can head back to your cabins and take some well-deserved rest. You've earned it."

His words were met with appreciative nods and expressions of gratitude from the goblins. They rose from their kneeling positions, their weariness momentarily forgotten as they embraced the sense of accomplishment that filled the air. They knew their leader valued their efforts, and it fueled their motivation to continue giving their best.

Gray then turned his attention to Gobusuke, the captain of the goblins, and gestured for him to follow. "Gobusuke, come with me," Gray instructed.

Gobusuke straightened his posture and nodded in response. "Yes, my lord. I'm ready to accompany you," he replied.

Together, Gray and Gobusuke made their way towards Gray's room, leaving the rest of the goblins to disperse and find respite in their cabins.

Upon reaching their destination, Gray and Gobusuke entered the cabin. He took a moment to assess Gobusuke's demeanor before asking, "Gobusuke, have you and the other goblins leveled up during the battle with the 4-star monster?"

Gobusuke nodded, "Yes, my lord. We have indeed leveled up. The intense battle pushed us to our limits, but we emerged victorious and stronger."

Listening intently, Gray continued, "Hmm... That's great to hear. When you level up, changes occur within your body and abilities. Are you feeling any notable differences, Gobusuke?"

Gobusuke paused for a moment, contemplating the sensations he had experienced. "Yes, my lord. I do feel different in my body. It's not easy to put into words, but there's a newfound energy coursing through me.

Gray opened Gobusuke's status screen once again to assess his evolution. The information displayed revealed Gobusuke's current state and abilities:

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[ Lightning Samurai Goblin ] ( Legendary )

- Name: Gobsuke ( M )

- Level: 10 ( Ready for evolution — Hidden )

- Traits: Disciplined, Decisive, Opportunistic

- Loyalty: 100/100

- Skills:

- Lightning Whirlwind ( Active ) ( LVL: 1-star )

- Katana Mastery ( Passive ) ( LVL: 2-star )

Examining the details, Gray clicked on the text next to Gobusuke's level, curious to uncover the secrets hidden within the unfamiliar text.

A new window materialized, revealing a comprehensive breakdown of Gobusuke's potential paths for evolution:

[ Choose a 2nd phase evolution path ] ( Hidden — only possible due to the 'All Seeing Path' talent )

[ Dualblade Samurai Goblin ]

: Gobusuke's evolution takes him down the path of the Dualblade Samurai, where he becomes a master of lightning-fast dual-wielding techniques. In this evolution, he gains an additional lightning-infused katana, further amplifying his combat prowess. With the added weapon, Gobusuke's dexterity and precision reach new heights. His movements become a mesmerizing dance of lightning-quick slashes and precise parries, showcasing his exceptional speed and agility.

[ Thunderlord Samurai Goblin ]

: As Gobusuke ascends to the rank of Thunderlord Samurai, lightning-enhanced speed and charismatic leadership define his evolution. Lightning surges through his veins, granting unparalleled swiftness and reflexes. Gobusuke's commanding presence inspires allies, enhancing their combat abilities. With lightning-infused strategic brilliance, he orchestrates lightning-fast maneuvers, exploiting enemy weaknesses and leading his forces to victory.

[ Thunderstrike Berserker Samurai Goblin ]

: In the Thunderstrike Berserker Samjrai evolution, Gobusuke undergoes a radical transformation, fully embracing raw power and becoming an unstoppable force on the battlefield. As part of this evolution, his weapon undergoes a significant change, transforming into a massive and bulkier katana, perfectly suited to match his newfound strength. Undergoing a physical metamorphosis, Gobusuke's muscles bulge with immense strength, becoming a testament to his raw power.

As Gray read through the hidden evolution paths for Gobusuke, a mix of emotions washed over him. His initial reaction was one of surprise and disbelief, muttering under his breath, "What the f*ck?" The sheer magnitude of the possibilities before them left him momentarily stunned.

However, curiosity and introspection quickly took hold. He wondered to himself, "Am I the only one capable of evolving summoned creature to the 2nd phase? The interface states that it's only possible because of my talent."

Gray couldn't help but acknowledge that he had underestimated the true potential of his talent, the 'All Seeing Path.' The revelation of the hidden evolution paths showcased the immense power and versatility it possessed. He marveled at the thought of Gobusuke's potential transformation, realizing that this 2nd phase evolution path was truly something extraordinary.

"This is more than I could have imagined," Gray murmured to himself, excitement coloring his voice. "The capabilities and enhancements that come with these evolution paths... they seem almost overpowered."